Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 18, No. 18
By Krishna Kripa Das
(September 2022, part two)
(Sent from Brooklyn, New York, on October 2, 2022)
Where I Went and What I Did
I chanted for five days in different venues in Syracuse, and I attended both the Thursday and the Sunday program at Mantra Central there. Rama Dasa Prabhu impressed me by joining me on harinama every day. I visited my mother in Albany for a day and half, and I cooked some meals for her. I spent four days in Philadelphia, advertising the Ratha-yatra for two days, attending the Ratha-yatra, and attending the Sunday feast there. I felt victorious in that three people I invited in person and one person I invited on Facebook actually attended Ratha-yatra, and one of them chanted with me for two hours in Rittenhouse Square the day after.
I share quotes from Srila Prabhupada’s Nectar of Devotion, Sri Caitanya-caritamrita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, as well as from his letters, conversations, and lectures. I share a quote each from Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. I share notes on Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami’s weekly Free Write Journal and notes from a compilation called Govardhana-lila, both of which I was proofreading. I also notes on Back to Godhead articles by Nagaraja, Satyaraja, Visakha, Caitanya Candra, Gauranga Darsana, Brajanatha, Revati Vallabha, and Purusottama Nitai Prabhus. I share notes on classes by Candrasekara Swami and Hadai Prana Prabhu in New York City and notes on a class by Samika Rsi Prabhu, via phone, through ISKCON Miami Outreach. I share notes on a recorded lecture of Radhanath Swami speaking at the House of Commons in the UK Parliament in 2011.
Thanks to Keshava Priya Prabhu of El Paso for his very generous donation. Thanks to Mantra Central for their kind donation. Thanks to Keshava Gopal Prabhu for his personal contribution above and beyond that of his project, Mantra Central. Many, many thanks to Rama Dasa Prabhu for coming with me on harinama every day during my visit to Syracuse, and thanks to his wife, Sita Devi Dasi, for cooking prasadam for me on many occasions there. Thanks to Gopal for his ride from the Philly temple to the Bhakti Garden. Thanks to Vrindavanesvari Devi Dasi for the ride from the Bhakti Garden to the Ratha-yatra. Thanks to Anupama Prabhu for arranging and paying for transportation from the train station to Bhakti Garden and from Bhakti Garden to the OurBus stop.
Itinerary
September 26–November 22: NYC Harinam
November 23–December 14: three weeks of service to Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami
December 14–January ?, 2023: NYC Harinam
Chanting Hare Krishna in Syracuse
Rama Dasa Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at the Thursday evening program at Mantra Central in Syracuse (https://youtu.be/pItmJJRTDgs):
Rama Dasa Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Syracuse University and invites a student who bought books from him to chant the mantra (https://youtu.be/27-FIHJxJJ8):
Rama Dasa Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Festa Italiana Syracuse with devotees from Mantra Central, and kids dance (https://youtu.be/KgrwdSa3ZG4):
On Saturday Rama Dasa Prabhu suggested we chant in front of an Indian shop as he often does on weekends. Keshava Gopal Prabhu learned there was a pagan festival nearby and suggested we chant Hare Krishna there. We decided to chant at the India shop for an hour in the morning and then chant at the pagan festival from 3 to 6 p.m. We got delayed and ended up chanting at the Indian shop from noon to 1 p.m. or so, and because I had to take lunch and a nap, we chanted at the pagan festival from 4:52 to 6:16 p.m. I made up for the short day by chanting extra the next day at the university.
At the Indian shop, this girl recalled getting a book from Vicaru Prabhu when he spent a month in Syracuse just a year or two ago.
Here Keshava Gopal Prabhu chants Hare Krishna with Mantra Central devotees as we wander through a pagan festival in Syracuse, where we were very well received (https://youtu.be/LbrXDlngeEQ):
Some people there liked that we were wandering through the festival chanting Hare Krishna. One lady said she wished we came earlier because she liked our music a lot better than what the other people were playing before.
One family of three was attracted by our chanting. The parents let two of the kids play the drums they had brought, and we gave the other child some shakers. I had never seen such a small girl play such a big drum! I wanted to take a video, but I was busy playing the instruments and singing so I couldn’t, and I was very frustrated.
This above video was taken by Peter Svoboda, an older man who was favorable to Hare Krishna and who later sent me his video full resolution via WeTransfer.com. Judging from his last name, I thought he must be from Eastern Europe, and he told me he grew up in Czechoslovakia.
Sunday morning Rama Dasa Prabhu made cream of wheat for breakfast. Usually I do not find cream of wheat very exciting, but he made the best cream of wheat I ever had in this life. He used coconut milk, coconut flakes, raisins, and maple syrup. It tasted good enough to be a dessert for the Sunday feast.
Because there were too few people at the two parks we visited on Sunday, we decided to chant at the zoo, where people were frequently coming and going.
Here Rama Dasa Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at the Syracuse Zoo, and a couple plays the shakers, with the husband trying the Hare Krishna chant (https://youtu.be/rckkFOWlAsQ):
After participating in our kirtan, they spontaneously gave $5 and took a book.
The park ranger said we could not sell books there, but we could give out things for free. As it turned out four people gave donations even though we did not have a donation basket, and so we could give out a few books.
Rama Dasa Prabhu, being a full time book distributor, could only tolerate not selling books for so long, so for the last half hour we were there, he did attempt to sell books anyway, and he was successful at least two times.
We returned from the zoo just in time to miss a storm that was brewing and just as the local Sunday program was beginning.
Here Rama Dasa Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Mantra Central Sunday program in Syracuse (https://youtu.be/bE18MAt-bE8):
Toward the end of his kirtan, people began to dance (https://youtu.be/Mr3CAEepXOY):
I chanted Hare Krishna during the arati after the Sunday lecture, and attendees danced (https://youtu.be/_B742F7JvHg):
Kyle, a student that Rama Dasa sold books to on Friday, came to the Sunday program, participated nicely in the kirtan, and stayed until the end. He even helped out by driving a couple of Indians students who are starting a Bhakti Yoga Club at Syracuse University back to the campus.
Here I chant Hare Krishna at Syracuse University, and girls play shakers and dance (https://youtube.com/shorts/-T2D6qKsbCo?feature=share):
I told a guy on a Philly park bench who had been to many Ratha-yatras and who loved them that I had chanted in the park for three hours the previous day, and I was going to do it again that day. He said, “They should get rid of all the crap music in the park and replace it with Krishna music. It would be good for the people to hear some mantras that can benefit them.” It is nice to know we have some fans among the people in general. As it turns out, I saw that man at the festival.
Premananda Kirtan Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at the Bhakti Garden late the Friday night before the Ratha-yatra in Philadelphia (https://youtu.be/_DAJWnI2u2w):
Here is one in portrait orientation (https://youtube.com/shorts/tztM4TYPlNU?feature=share):
Vishnugada Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Philadelphia Ratha-yatra (https://youtu.be/bJyU5sF4Ev4):
During the Ratha-yatra, I was impressed that the father of my friend Navina Shyama, although confined to a wheelchair, was eager to pull the Ratha-yatra cart, and Krishna fulfilled his desire.
Gauravani Prabhu and second generation devotees chant Hare Krishna at the end of Philly Ratha-yatra (https://youtu.be/x-FGt1udkgw):
Gauravani Prabhu and second generation devotees chant Hare Krishna in Philly Ratha-yatra kirtan tent (https://youtu.be/fKaEf88T43E):
As the event came to an end, many people danced (https://youtu.be/-rv1Uj6kSSI):
The kirtans were so dynamic that I saw many brand new people completely captivated by the joyful sound.
I would pass out invitations for the new Friday kirtan program at Bhakti Garden which was starting the following week to people who seemed attracted, and practically everyone took them.
Three years ago while Rama Raya Prabhu chanted Hare Krishna in Rittenhouse Square before the Philadelphia Ratha-yatra, a Buddhist monk played shakers (https://youtu.be/FATsvYtJKEk).
That monk came to the Ratha-yatra that year and enjoyed the prasadam. Then she played shakers with Rama Raya’s kirtan party for at least 3 hours! I met her this year at the same park, and she remembered the wonderful time she spent with the chanting party from New York at the festival.
This year that Buddhist monk came to Ratha-yatra again and stayed the whole afternoon at the festival. When she left, she had a bead bag, and told me, “I used to chant ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’, but now I will chant ‘Hare Krishna’.
The next day she came to Rittenhouse Square where I said I would be chanting for three hours. She felt sorry that I did not have anyone to chant with, and she chanted with me for almost two hours. She also learned from me that she can take bus 23 to go to the Sunday feast program at our temple in Mount Airy, which is completely free for her as a senior citizen. I reminded her of the Friday kirtan program at the Bhakti Garden as well.
She noticed the Ratha-yatra exhibit on Food for Life mentioned the devotees distribute free food in Philadelphia. I learned from Haryasva Prabhu that that program had lapsed several years ago, but that he is thinking of starting it up again, so I told her about that.
While staying with Haryasva Prabhu, I cooked chapatis for his awesome Panca-tattva deities. One day seven of eight of them puffed up, much better than in Paris in the summer, when it was only half. Obeisances to Yamaraja Dasa of Back To Godhead, who taught me how to make chapatis during Bhagavatam class in Alachua.
Premananda Kirtan Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at the ISKCON Philadelphia Sunday feast (https://youtu.be/ywnw72fTUHU):
The first day back to New York City, I chanted with NYC Harinam at Union Square, which was where the party started and where they chanted almost exclusively, except for rainy and cold days, for many years.
I chant Hare Krishna at Union Square on his first day back on the NYC Harinam party (https://youtu.be/Af4BOjY_uS4):
Here Aiden chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/kGT_dlJYtFg):
Jayananda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/AWEVd5OR_io):
Hadai Prana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/RzjYJnE0378):
Deva Damodara Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/yg1SeusvzvU):
Deva Damodara Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square, and Chris Angel performs (https://youtu.be/KX6WXParXLE):
Nate chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/fWy2YpRsEbQ):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/7TytmpKwu2A):
Kseniia Slavovna chants Hare Krishna at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn (https://youtu.be/9GJIjzID0-E):
Kseniia Slavovna chants Hare Krishna at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn and kids perform (https://youtu.be/abB7Fpg4Pmk):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, and a boy plays shakers (https://youtu.be/7Ml9M5W0nyM):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, and many passersby play shakers and dance (https://youtu.be/I6aOsyxgUuQ):
I also chanted Hare Krishna at Atlantic Terminal, although unable to inspire the participation that the others could (https://youtu.be/50vW5GzUT0I):
Here is one with the phone held vertically (https://youtu.be/ScRIC_1TFGE):
Premananda Kirtan Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at the Brooklyn Tuesday evening program (https://youtu.be/8ZIe1832whg):
At the end of his kirtan, many people danced (https://youtu.be/O8DoxCbEcIs):
Priya Krishna Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Columbus Circle, which is near to both his home and his office (https://youtu.be/ZCC_fx4-GNU):
Arjunananda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Columbus Circle (https://youtu.be/I_fpfJsGbhk):
I also chanted Hare Krishna there, and in this video, my favorite Hare Krishna tune (https://youtu.be/95hCs7_y0nU):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Tulasi Puja at ISKCON NYC in Brooklyn (https://youtu.be/bQV21wRgxGw):
Alex chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/oJ5uBSJE-nk):
Radhika chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/JkIMQcns69M):
Sevika Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/C3u4iYjugmQ):
Kishan chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/J_f0u4BXnUg):
I also chanted Hare Krishna there (https://youtu.be/sjJwUcpT7xo):
Sometimes when I saw an interested person, I would pass out “On Chanting Hare Krishna” pamphlets while I was leading the kirtan.
The last day of September was my birthday, and the highlight of that day for me was seeing all the people enjoying playing the shakers and dancing with us in Washington Square Park.
Divyangi Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna and many dance (https://youtu.be/xI9eIEU0Y-I):
Later that group of dancers left, but another group arrived (https://youtu.be/uFZYq3E4xN8):
Here Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Washington Square Park, and many passersby dance (https://youtu.be/i5tjzsX3hcA):
I was happy to be singing with NYC Harinam on my birthday, and I played some of my more mellow tunes because we did not have much competition and there wasn’t a rushed atmosphere (https://youtu.be/CkLFuPyQwlk):
This is with the camera held vertically (https://youtu.be/SSpTjqnIvM4):
That day a young man named Isaac from Montreal was typing out poems for donations.
He spontaneously did one for the devotees, and Divyangi gave him Spiritual Yoga.
I gave him the pineapple coconut barfi I had made to distribute on my birthday.
Special Photos
Finding a black dog without a leash at night can be a problem, so to solve it they make dog collars that glow and change colors. This is an animated GIF made from three photos of my sister’s dog, Rio, wearing such a collar at night.
Insights
Srila Prabhupada:
From The Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 48:
“It is to be understood that any person who is constantly engaged in chanting the holy names of the Lord – Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare – has attained a transcendental affection for Krishna, and as such, in any condition of life, he remains satisfied simply by remembering the Lord’s name in full affection and ecstatic love.”
From The Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 49:
“Please look at this devotee of the Lord who is dancing just from remembering the lotus feet of Krishna. Simply by observing his dance you will lose all interest in even the most beautiful women!”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 1.46, purport:
“In the Vayu Purana an acarya is defined as one who knows the import of all the Vedic literatures, abides by their rules and regulations, and teaches his disciples to act in the same way.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 4.68, purport:
“The product of the hladini-shakti is love of Godhead, which has two divisions—namely, pure love of Godhead and adulterated love of Godhead. Only when the hladini-shakti emanates from Sri Krishna and is bestowed upon the living being to attract Him does the living being become a pure lover of God. But when the same hladini-shakti is adulterated by the external, material energy and emanates from the living being, it does not attract Krishna; on the contrary, the living being becomes attracted by the glamor of the material energy. At that time instead of becoming mad with love of Godhead, the living being becomes mad after material sense enjoyment, and because of his association with the qualitative modes of material nature, he is captivated by its interactions of distressful, unhappy feelings.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 4.87:
“Her worship [aradhana] consists of fulfilling the desires of Lord Krishna. Therefore the Puranas call Her Radhika.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 4.147–149:
“The beauty of Krishna has one natural strength: it thrills the hearts of all men and women, beginning with Lord Krishna Himself. All minds are attracted by hearing His sweet voice and flute, or by seeing His beauty. Even Lord Krishna Himself makes efforts to taste that sweetness. The thirst of one who always drinks the nectar of that sweetness is never satisfied. Rather, that thirst increases constantly.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 4.153:
“‘The gopis saw their beloved Krishna at Kuruksetra after a long separation. They secured and embraced Him in their hearts through their eyes, and they attained a joy so intense that not even perfect yogis can attain it. The gopis cursed the creator for creating eyelids that interfered with their vision.’”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 4.154:
“There is no consummation for the eyes other than the sight of Krishna. Whoever sees Him is most fortunate indeed.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 4.155:
“[The gopis said:] ‘O friends, those eyes that see the beautiful faces of the sons of Maharaja Nanda are certainly fortunate. As these two sons enter the forest, surrounded by Their friends, driving the cows before Them, They hold Their flutes to Their mouths and glance lovingly upon the residents of Vrndavana. For those who have eyes, we think there is no greater object of vision.’”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 4.156:
“[The women of Mathura said:] ‘What austerities must the gopis have performed? With their eyes they always drink the nectar of the form of Lord Krishna, which is the essence of loveliness and is not to be equaled or surpassed. That loveliness is the only abode of beauty, fame and opulence. It is self-perfect, ever fresh and extremely rare.’”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 6.55–61:
“Although no one is a more respected elder for Krishna than Nanda Maharaja in Vraja, who in transcendental paternal love has no knowledge that his son is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, still ecstatic love makes him, what to speak of others, feel himself to be a servant of Lord Krishna.
“He too prays for attachment and devotion to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, as the words from his own mouth give evidence.
“My dear Uddhava, please hear me. In truth Krishna is my son, but even if you think that He is God, I would still bear toward Him my own feelings for my son. May my mind be attached to your Lord Krishna.
“May our minds be attached to the lotus feet of your Lord Krishna, may our tongues chant His holy names, and may our bodies lie prostrate before Him. Wherever we wander in the material universe under the influence of karma by the will of the Lord, may our auspicious activities cause our attraction to Lord Krishna to increase.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 7.73, purport:
“The holy name and the Lord are identical. One who is completely free from the clutches of maya can understand this fact. This knowledge, which is achieved by the mercy of the spiritual master, places one on the supreme transcendental platform.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 7.76, purport:
“Chanting the holy name of the Lord immediately renovates the transcendental relationship of the living being with the Supreme Lord.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 7.83, purport:
“As devotees propagate the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, the general population of the entire world gets the opportunity to understand the glories of the holy name. While chanting and dancing or hearing the holy name of the Lord, one automatically remembers the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and because there is no difference between the holy name and Krishna, the chanter is immediately linked with Krishna. Thus connected, a devotee develops his original attitude of service to the Lord. In this attitude of constantly serving Krishna, which is called bhava, he always thinks of Krishna in many different ways. One who has attained this bhava stage is no longer under the clutches of the illusory energy.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 7.91, purport:
“According to the revealed scriptures, if a spiritual master can convert even one soul into a perfectly pure devotee, his mission in life is fulfilled. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura always used to say, ‘Even at the expense of all the properties, temples and mathas that I have, if I could convert even one person into a pure devotee, my mission would be fulfilled.’ It is very difficult, however, to understand the science of Krishna, what to speak of developing love of Godhead. Therefore if by the grace of Lord Caitanya and the spiritual master a disciple attains the standard of pure devotional service, the spiritual master is very happy. The spiritual master is not actually happy if the disciple brings him money, but when he sees that a disciple is following the regulative principles and advancing in spiritual life, he is very glad and feels obliged to such an advanced disciple.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 7.95–96, purport:
“‘Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed.’ This Vedic injunction is very important, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu supported it by His personal behavior. Believing in the words of His spiritual master, He introduced the sankirtana movement, just as the present Krishna consciousness movement was started with belief in the words of our spiritual master. He wanted to preach, we believed in his words and tried somehow or other to fulfill them, and now this movement has become successful all over the world. Therefore faith in the words of the spiritual master and in the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the secret of success. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu never disobeyed the orders of His spiritual master and stopped propagating the sankirtana movement. Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, at the time of his passing away, ordered all his disciples to work conjointly to preach the mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu all over the world. Later, however, some self-interested, foolish disciples disobeyed his orders. Each one of them wanted to become head of the mission, and they fought in the courts, neglecting the order of the spiritual master, and the entire mission was defeated. We are not proud of this; however, the truth must be explained. We believed in the words of our spiritual master and started in a humble way — in a helpless way — but due to the spiritual force of the order of the supreme authority, this movement has become successful.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 7.99, purport:
“The original purpose of the Mayavadi sannyasis of Benares in meeting Caitanya Mahaprabhu was to defeat His personal conception of God. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, however, as a preacher, turned the minds of the Mayavadi sannyasis. They were melted by the sweet words of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and thus became friendly and spoke to Him also in sweet words. Similarly, all preachers will have to meet opponents, but they should not make them more inimical. They are already enemies, and if we talk with them harshly or impolitely their enmity will merely increase. We should therefore follow in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu as far as possible and try to convince the opposition by quoting from the sastras and presenting the conclusion of the acaryas. It is in this way that we should try to defeat all the enemies of the Lord.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.15.31, purport:
“The word suhrttama, ‘best of all friends,’ is important. As Lord Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gita, He is the best friend of all living entities. Suhrdam sarva-bhutanam. No one can be a greater well-wishing friend to any living entity than the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is so kindly disposed towards everyone that in spite of our completely forgetting our relationship with the Supreme Lord, He comes Himself — sometimes personally, as Lord Krishna appeared on this earth, and sometimes as His devotee, as did Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu — and sometimes He sends His bona fide devotees to reclaim all the fallen souls. Therefore, He is the greatest well-wishing friend of everyone.”
“Although the Kumaras were already liberated persons, they nevertheless became angry. This point is very important. Becoming liberated does not necessitate losing one’s sensual activities. Sense activities continue even in the liberated stage. The difference is, however, that sense activities in liberation are accepted only in connection with Krishna consciousness, whereas sense activities in the conditioned stage are enacted for personal sense gratification.”
From “Perfect Knowledge for Human Society” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 57, No. 1 (January/February 2023):
[Edited transcripted of a lecture on Bhagavad-gita 2.19–20 in London on August 25, 1973.]
“Although the soul is not killed and the body is killed, still you cannot kill the body without sanction. That is sinful. For example, suppose a man is living in some apartment. If some way or other you illegally drive him away from there, the man will go out and take shelter somewhere. That’s a fact. But because you have driven him away from his bona fide position, you are a criminal. You cannot say, ‘Although I have driven him away, he’ll get some place.’ No. ‘That’s all right, but you have no right to drive him away. He was in his legal position to live in that apartment, and because you have forcibly driven him away you are a criminal, and you should be punished.’”
“In this way if we think about our position, how we are different from the body, actually this is meditation. If we think very seriously about ourselves and about the body, that is self-realization. Self-realization means to understand ‘I am not this body. Aham brahmasmi: I am spirit soul.’ That is self-realization.”
“But we are without knowledge of the self, and we are being kept in ignorance. In the so-called educational system, all over the world, there is no such education. The students are kept in darkness and ignorance, and still so much money is being spent, especially in the Western countries. They have got money and big, big high schools, but what is the production? All fools and rascals. That’s all. Because they do not know. They have no idea what is the self.
“Knowledge means self-realization: ‘I am not this body; I am spirit soul.’ That is knowledge. And knowledge of how to eat, how to sleep, how to defend, how to enjoy sex life – and volumes of books on this subject matter – this is not knowledge. Eating, sleeping, sex, and defending are known even by the cats and dogs. The cats and dogs never read Freud’s philosophy, but they know how to enjoy sex life.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.23.8, purport:
“As far as pranayama is concerned, chanting of the holy name of the Lord and dancing in ecstasy are also considered pranayama.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.31.19, purport:
[Sri Narada Muni said:] “By showing mercy to all living entities, being satisfied somehow or other and controlling the senses from sense enjoyment, one can very quickly satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Janardana [‘the Lord of all living entities’].”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.23.2, purport:
“When Vamanadeva appeared before Bali Maharaja, Bali Maharaja immediately wanted to offer Him respectful obeisances, but he was unable to do so because of the presence of Sukracarya and other demoniac associates. The Lord is so merciful, however, that although Bali Maharaja did not actually offer obeisances but only endeavored to do so within his mind, the Supreme Personality of Godhead blessed him with more mercy than even the demigods could ever expect. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is known as bhava-grahi janardana because He takes only the essence of a devotee’s attitude. If a devotee sincerely surrenders, the Lord, as the Supersoul in everyone’s heart, immediately understands this. Thus even though, externally, a devotee may not render full service, if he is internally sincere and serious the Lord welcomes his service nonetheless.”
From a letter written to Teyijas on December 19, 1972 in Bombay:
“Do not be disturbed. There is no cause for anxiety. You are doing your best to serve Krishna. That is very much appreciated, so do not lose enthusiasm out of frustration. That will spoil everything. Krishna consciousness means we should always be satisfied and happy, not that we must work something impossible, becoming overburdened, and then because we are unhappy by so much trouble we lose enthusiasm altogether and give up all hope.… Krishna does not like to see His sincere devotee suffer or become frustrated or depressed. He will not stand idly by in any such case, so do not fear on that account. Krishna has got some plan for you. Always think in that way, and very soon He will provide everything to your heart’s desire.”
From “A Reason to Fight” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 57, No. 1 (January/February 2023):
[Edited conversation with a military officer in Indore, India, on December 13, 1970.]
“So our present fighting is against atheism. Atheists say, ‘There is no God. God is dead. I am God. You are God.’ We are fighting against these principles.”
From a conversation with Allen Ginsberg in Columbus, Ohio, on May 13, 1969:
Ginsberg: I think I told you I had darsana with Jagannatha.
Prabhupada: Oh?
Ginsberg: Yes, I got inside the temple. I was silent and made believe I was a madman. I had long hair and white pajamas.
Prabhupada: Just like some Punjabi.
Ginsberg: So I went inside and when anybody came to ask me anything I was afraid of opening my mouth.
Prabhupada: There is no enemy of the dumb. Boba shatrur nahi.
Ginsberg: So I just kept my mouth closed and got down on my knees and touched their feet, so they all thought that I was crazy and they kept away from me. [Laughter.]
Prabhupada: So you had a nice view of Jagannatha?
Ginsberg: Yes. It was very beautiful. I was there, with Peter also, for about a week. Yes.
Prabhupada: So you were there several times?
Ginsberg: One time. I was afraid to go in and out many times. I figured I got away with it once and I didn’t want to . . .
Prabhupada: In which year have you been in Vrindavan?
Ginsberg: Oh, 1962 in Vrindavan.
Prabhupada: Oh, at that time I was there.
Ginsberg: Yes, we probably passed on the street. [Both laugh.] You were there then? 1962?
Prabhupada: Yes, I left Vrindavan in 1965. From 1956 I was there.
Ginsberg: I would like to go and live there for a while and stay. I liked it when I was there. It would be a good place to live.
The humble servants of Srila Prabhupada:
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.29.21:
[Lord Krishna said to Uddhava:] “Activities offered to Me without personal motivation, even if they are externally useless, amount to the actual process of religion.”
Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
From Sri Caitanya-Siksamrita, Part 2:
“Although the quality of being self-satisfied is eternally present in Krishna, the quality of enjoying pastimes is also eternally present in Him. For the Supreme Lord to possess contradictory characteristics in perfect harmony is natural. In one respect, Krishna has the quality of self-satisfaction, and in another respect, He manifests His opposite quality of enjoying pastimes with others.”
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura:
From Amrta Vani:
“Cheating and weakness are two separate things. Persons devoid of a cheating propensity achieve perfection in life, but a cheater is never successful. Vaisnavism is another name for simplicity. Sincere persons can be weak, but they are not cheaters. Cheaters say something but do something else. Weak people are embarrassed by their defects, whereas cheaters are maddened by their achievements.”
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami:
From Free Write Journal #214:
From A Poor Man Reads the Bhagavatam, Volume 1:
“How sweet and graceful are Radha-Gopinatha. He bears a flute, not an ax. Radha holds a flower for Her Lord, not a sword. She blesses the devotees not with material wealth but with assurance that they will attain service to Radha and Krishna through authorized devotees. Worship Them in the early morning and throughout the day.”
From Free Write Journal #215:
From Vaisnava Behavior:
“If Srila Prabhupada had compromised on some important points of regulative practice, he might have made or retained more followers, but that was not his interest. He was interested in creating first-class persons, genuine devotees of Krishna, because only the devotee can actually attain love of God and distribute it to others. Even if there is only one pure devotee in the world, Srila Prabhupada used to say, he can do great good for others. Therefore, Srila Prabhupada instructed his temple managers to maintain the morning program as a prime responsibility.”
Candrasekhara Swami:
The Madhurya Kadambini explains that Jaya and Vijaya actually prayed to the Lord, “We understand you have a desire to fight, but we have surveyed the material world, and we do not find a suitable combatant for you. We are, however, very powerful, and we cannot tolerate seeing your desire to fight frustrated, so we would like to serve you by fighting with you, if you could make such an arrangement.”
The nine stages of devotional service can be described as stages of purification.
When we encounter some disturbance in our lives as devotees, we should not be very disturbed by it. We should think that it is a small reaction for something we deserve a far greater reaction for.
I describe three different levels of karma which I call Karma 101, Karma 201, and Karma 301. Karma 101 is the reactions that the people in general get for their good and bad activities. Karma 201 is the reduced reactions that the devotees of the Lord receive. Karma 301 is the Lord causing something to happen to a devotee because it facilitates a certain pastime but which is not a result of the devotee’s past actions.
When people take initiation, we do not see the new initiates throwing away their canes or their glasses. Thus we can understand there is still some residual karma even as devotees.
Because the material world is designed in such a way as to convince us that it is a miserable place, we all have to suffer certain miseries while we are here, whoever we are.
Even when Krishna is just playing around, he accomplishes several purposes at the same time.
Srila Prabhupada has mentioned that our japa is where we get the most advancement.
There are so many religions in the world, but still the world is a mess. Why? Knowledge is not enough, there must be action. When we act in the right way, we become purified. When we are sufficiently purified, we can enter the Lord’s pastimes.
Radhanath Swami:
From a lecture at the House of Commons of the UK Parliament on October 11, 2011:
All paths are valid in that they bring about good character.
My teacher, Srila Prabhupada, said religion and philosophy have little value unless they bring about a change in character.
Nagaraja Prabhu:
From “Surrender for Shelter” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 57, No. 1 (January/February 2023):
“When I look at how Srila Prabhupada uses surrender, the impression I get is that he’s not suggesting we just need to grit our teeth and do what Krishna wants. Rather, surrendering to Krishna is the most natural thing there is, just as it’s natural to run for shelter in a torrential downpour.”
“The shelter Dhruva took advantage of was the chanting of the holy names of the Lord, which immediately destroyed the illusion created by the Yaksas. That same shelter is available to all of us. The Yaksas’ rain may seem much more terrifying than anything we will ever face, but what horrors haven’t we experienced in our countless lifetimes in the material world? The notion that we don’t need shelter – and that surrender is optional – is misinformed.”
“Although we are His [Krishna’s] errant children, He is graciously waiting for us to take shelter of Him. He is ready – eager – to forgive our transgressions. He simply wants to know that we want Him exclusively and have abandoned all hope of finding shelter elsewhere.”
Satyaraja Prabhu:
From “Beats, Bhakti, and Allen Ginsberg” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 57, No. 1 (January/February 2023):
“Ginsberg happened into Prabhupada’s storefront and was immediately enamored. Big time. He had been preparing for this his entire life. The chanting, as he often said, was sublime, and he was thrilled when Prabhupada suggested that they would be taking it to the streets. ‘It is Allen Ginsberg,’ writes Hayagriva Dasa in his book Hare Krishna Explosion, ‘who first suggests Tompkins Square between Avenues A and B on the Lower East Side.’ Those kirtanas are now legendary.
“When a New York Times reporter saw Ginsberg taking part in them, playing his karatalas with wild abandon, the reporter asked for an interview, hoping to seize the moment.
“‘You shouldn’t interrupt a man while he’s worshiping,’ Ginsberg said, and resumed his absorption in the holy name.”
“‘J. Edgar Hoover put me on the dangerous security list, and the narcs made several attempts to frame me. So I went to Robert Kennedy’s office in Washington to put counter-pressure and complain, and to warn them that someone might bring marijuana into my apartment, bust the door down, and accuse me of having it. I had a long talk about this with Kennedy. Later, I’d gone back to see his secretary, and he came back into the office in his shirt sleeves to see one of the secretaries. I said, “Oh, there’s something I forgot. I was going to sing you a little song.” He said, “Okay, I got a minute.” So I sang about eight verses of Hare Krishna mantra and he said, “What’s that?” And I said, “When you hear this, it’s supposed to bring immediate liberation.” So he said, “Well, the guy up the block needs it more than I do,” pointing up to the White House when Johnson was running the Vietnam war. That was Kennedy’s introduction to Hare Krishna. . . . Later on, when the Swami was having trouble, he asked around everybody who could help, and I said, “Well, let’s see now. We could write to Kennedy.” It’s just a normal thing, you know. That’s what senators are for. In this case Kennedy knew who I was and I knew Kennedy’s people, or I was somewhat a celebrated literary figure, so if I wrote a letter saying this swami was good it would be taken seriously. So I wrote Kennedy a letter saying here was this nice swami who was really doing something interesting, bringing Hare Krishna, and his work could only be good; and if he was having trouble, that could only be bad. Is there anything they could do to facilitate and make sure that he didn’t have any difficulties? That he really was a legitimate swami, and was doing something great. I don’t know if it helped or not.’ (The Beginning, The 1966 New York Journal, September 27)”
“The feelings were reciprocal, as Prabhupada indicates in an early interview from the Evergreen Review (February 1967):
‘I asked about Allen Ginsberg, who often participates in the evening Kirtan.’
‘Allen is our friend, he is a good man and a spiritual man.’
‘But I’m sure Allen doesn’t observe the taboos.’
‘I know Allen uses intoxicants, maybe LSD and such things. But sooner or later he will give them up. He will have no more need of these contaminating substances. To achieve real spiritual advancement we must become pure.’”
Samika Rsi Prabhu:
Anybody anywhere can practice bhakti-yoga. This is Srila Prabhupada’s mercy. No one else was able to distribute bhakti so widely.
The community of devotees is necessary so that we continue our practice and come to relish devotional service.
We do not ask the Lord, but he is already supplying food, light, heat, etc. The problem is that we are not willing to give credit where credit is due. Because we are not willing to fully depend upon the Lord we have to depend on the conditions of material nature.
Devotional service is a science. Material science is always changing. They even admit it. Thus it is not dependable.
Krishna says I live where my devotees are singing.
Bhakti is not dependent on anything material.
Krishna depends on His devotees, and the devotees depend on Krishna.
If some rules and regulations get in the way of our serving or our remembering of Krishna then we don’t have to follow them.
Visakha Devi Dasi:
From “The Art of Action” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 57, No. 1 (January/February 2023):
“In the beginning of Bhagavad-gita Arjuna did not want to fight. Materially, it appeared laudable that he was giving up his claim to the kingdom to avoid fighting and killing his relatives over it. But Lord Krishna did not approve. Why? Because Arjuna had decided to satisfy his own senses. Externally Arjuna’s renouncing his claim to the kingdom may have appeared good, but anything that’s done for the satisfaction of one’s own senses is kama – lust, personal desire. Instead of gratifying our personal desires, the spiritual adept wants to satisfy God’s and God’s devotees desires.”
“Each one of us is more than a combination of material elements. Although our body is composed of material elements, we are ultimately none of these elements but are spiritual beings. It’s the presence of spirit – the soul, or atma – that gives apparent life to our body, mind, and intelligence. This has monumental significance, for if our body, mind, and intelligence are not our actual identity, then gratifying these won’t actually gratify us.”
“Work is not meant to be results based, but motive based. When we act in accord with the directives of a bona fide spiritual master without personal desire but with a desire to serve and please God, then even the most insignificant activity can elevate us spiritually. And that is the ultimate purpose of activity.
“When we act, however, to materially benefit from the results of our activity, ironically we become the losers in three ways: (1) Ultimately we are frustrated because in fact we cannot control the results of our actions, for to a large degree those are up to forces far greater than we are. (2) By trying to control the results of our activity we give up our natural, constitutional dependence on Krishna. And (3) when we’re motivated by results, we’re karmically implicated by our actions.”
“Over time, we naturally become uninterested in the results of our efforts, which are ultimately up to Him, and increasingly interested in acting with the best possible intention, namely to please Him and His devotees.”
From the Back to Godhead staff:
From Questions and Answers:
“Certainly, plants also feel pain, but, for example, we usually (at least traditionally) harvest crops that are fully grown – when if they are not harvested will rot and get wasted. And if we compare the enlivening atmosphere at the time of harvest in the field with the gruesome atmosphere in the slaughterhouse when animals are slaughtered – with blood and flesh strewn and spewing all around and the animals screaming and writhing in pain – our own conscience and intelligence will indicate to us the huge gulf of difference between the two levels of violence.”
Caitanya Carana Prabhu:
From “A Divinity Beyond Krishna?” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 57, No. 1 (January/February 2023):
“It’s true that vraja often means ‘go,’ but it also generically means ‘walk.’ The earthly replica of Krishna’s pastoral paradise of Vrndavana in the spiritual world is referred to in short as Vraja; it is a place where everyone is walking or active.”
Gauranga Darsana Prabhu:
From “The Poor Man Who Purchased God” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 57, No. 1 (January/February 2023):
“When one’s mind is filled with undue expectations, one cannot appreciate whatever gifts or blessings one has already received. When one thinks that one is entitled to certain reciprocation, comforts, treatment, or privileges, one’s mind tends to demand them. An unsatisfied mind always hankers for what one doesn’t have, and cannot value or acknowledge what one has. A person with an unsatisfied mind cannot be grateful.”
“By remembering our previous fallen situation we can be grateful to all those who are instrumental in raising us to an elevated state.”
“Ultimately it is the love between the Lord and His devotees that nourishes the hearts of the Lord and His devotees with eternal spiritual bliss.”
“Krishna may provide unlimited material wealth to some of His devotees when He is confident that they will not be distracted by it. The Lord bestowed immense wealth upon Dhruva, Prahlada, and the Pracetas. But when the Lord finds opulence to be distracting His devotees from bhakti, He takes it away. Thus He took away wealth from Bali Maharaja and the brahmana from Avanti.”
“On the other hand, when the Lord sees that a devotee is proud of his detachment from material wealth, He may humble him by bestowing wealth. That is what He did in Sudama’s case. Although Sudama was undoubtedly an exalted devotee, the last trace of his illusion lay in the subtle pride of being a renounced brahmana. And this was also destroyed by his contemplating Krishna’s kindness upon His devotees. In this way Krishna purifies His devotees in all respects and lovingly takes them to His abode.”
“Although devotees sometimes receive material boons from the Lord, they only become captivated by the Lord’s loving heart rather than attached to the material wealth. This is similar to the Supreme Lord’s being captivated by His devotees’ loving attitude even if their specific offerings may not be impressive externally.”
Brajanatha Prabhu:
From “One Choice Away” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 57, No. 1 (January/February 2023):
“When we surrender ourselves to Him, we only give up our false independence, our thinking that we can enjoy freely in the material world. This is similar to surrendering to the laws of the state yet remaining free to live within it. When we surrender to Krishna’s laws, we use our independence within their domain. This is surrender – to be submissive within Krishna’s laws and act to please Him according to His instruction in Bhagavad-gita 18.66.”
Revati Vallabha Prabhu:
From “Sincerity Attracts Grace” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 57, No. 1 (January/February 2023):
“A person on the spiritual path has to carefully remain honest and earnest – fearing nothing except his or her own insincerity.”
“Just as exams reveal the difference between the good students and the others, difficulties on the spiritual path distinguish the sincere practitioners from the others. If we are sincere, then the obstacles are not stumbling blocks but rather steppingstones. Obstacles accelerate our progress because if we act in a Krishna conscious way when tested, then we make more spiritual advancement than at any other time. Success is not how things turn out; success is how we turn to Krishna.”
Purusottama Nitai Prabhu:
From “Kill the Ravana Within Before He Kills Us” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 57, No. 1 (January/February 2023):
“For his lust, Ravana was rebuked by his near and dear ones constantly. In fact, he became a laughingstock. Even his sons advised him to return Sita. Just imagine if today the prime minister of a country who is married and has grown-up children were to kidnap someone else’s wife and try to marry her against her will? What would be his image among the people?”
Hadai Prana Prabhu:
Right in the beginning of the Bhagavad-gita we see Dhrtarastra’s misconception when he differentiates between his sons and the sons of Pandu. An enlightened person does not see in terms of “mine” and “theirs”.
The names of the four Kumaras are significant:
Sanaka - ancient
Santana - eternal
Sanananda - joyful
Sanat - youthful
The Bhagavatam is a story of a bunch of mistakes people have made and what they did to rectify them.
Lord Caitanya would stand behind Garuda to view Lord Jagannatha out of humility.
The acaryas say that Lord Vishnu was rushing so fast to protect His devotees Jaya and Vijaya He did not even take help from Garuda. However, when He arrived He rested His hand on Garuda so he would not feel neglected.
Jaya and Vijaya prayed that although they deserved to be punished, they did not want to forget the Lord. Thus in their future births as demons they displayed amazing ability to remember the Lord.
When Lord Vishnu arrived in the presence of Jaya and Vijaya and the four Kumaras, each party in the dispute took full responsibility for the disagreement unlike in the material world where each party blames the other.
That in each of their demonic births they got to meet the Lord shows the affection of the Lord for His servitors.
Govardhana-lila [a compilation of statements about Govardhana-lila from the scriptures and the saints]:
“As the go-puja was happening, Radhika and Her friends cleverly maneuvered to draw close to Krishna. They pretended to not know how to perform the puja and, on the pretext of learning, came repeatedly to ask different questions, thus succeeding to talk with Him. During moments when talking with Krishna was not possible, the gopis were all ears. The only sound that Radhika and Her friends ever want to hear is Krishna’s voice. That is why they would secretly overhear all of His conversations with His elders and sakhas.”
“Krishna was thinking of only one thing: Radhika’s beautiful lotuslike face! So on the pretext of retrieving some cows that had lagged behind, He frequently walked near Radhika, thus bringing immense joy to Her. At one point He approached so closely that He “inadvertently” touched Her hand. That caused Radhika to tremble in excitement, although She nonetheless knitted Her eyebrows in fake loving anger to conceal Her smile. Because of that momentary contact and Her beauty, Krishna remained temporarily stunned there. But when He proceeded ahead to dance with the boys, Radhika’s tears, mixed with Her kajjala, began to flow like the dark Yamuna River.”
“Everyone, without exception, participated in that parikrama—even the carpenters, blacksmiths, washermen, and barbers—all dancing and singing in ecstasy! It is impossible to procure a suitable vessel to contain the unlimited bliss that the Vrajavasis felt during their parikrama of Giriraja. Although infinitesimal, the soul is able to experience infinite happiness. Indeed, all were drowning in inconceivable joy!”
[Krishna said:] “O friends, do not doubt My ability. Giriraja will not fall from My hand. You directly saw how He personally accepted our worship. So is it difficult for Him to remain in the sky? Although He appears to be a huge immovable mountain, He is transcendentally situated beyond the doubts and comprehension of this world. See how light He is! Even a child such as I can easily hold Him up. Oh, just see! Giriraja is completely independent and moving according to his own sweet will. I am but an instrument in this matter.”
“Krishna was smiling as Govardhana blissfully floated on His little finger and expanded to accommodate all of the people and animals.”
“Sudarsana and Sesa appeared, eager to serve. Brilliant Sudarsana hovered above Giriraja, dispelling the storms and drinking up the falling streams of water much more easily than Agastya Muni had drunk the ocean. Coiling Himself around the hill and standing motionless like a gigantic boundary wall, Sesa stopped the flood from inundating the valley below, just as a shoreline blocks the waters of an ocean.”
“In fact, no one had eaten anything for seven days. Despite the abundance of food, nobody had considered to consume even a morsel. All of the Vrajavasis and their animals remained beneath Govardhana for one week without being disturbed by hunger, thirst, or any other discomfort. They were simply astonished to see Krishna holding the mountain with the little finger of His left hand. Krishna’s beautiful face was emanating rays of ambrosia, far more nourishing and vibrant than heavenly amrita.”
“Krishna’s invoking the anger of Indra and later on chastising him is a clear indication to His devotees that those who are engaged in Krishna consciousness have no need to worship any demigod, even if it is found that the demigod has become angry. Krishna gives His devotees all protection, and they should completely depend on His mercy.”
“A rumor spread among the Vrajavasis that there was another reason why Krishna had held Govardhana as an umbrella for exactly seven days—for Nanda Baba’s sake. Because Nanda was Krishna’s all-loving father, the river of his thoughts naturally always flowed toward protecting Krishna, not taking shelter of Him. Therefore Nanda Baba had looked for seven other shelters. But one by one, Krishna removed each of them.
“At the very beginning, when the devastating rains began and the flooding water was rising, Nanda called Yasoda and Rohini and instructed, ‘Take Krishna and Balarama and immediately leave Vraja! The cowherd men and I will protect the cattle. Even if we die, at least they will survive!’ As soon as Nanda saw Krishna lifting Govardhana Hill, his heart trembled in fear as he thought, ‘My little boy Krishna is so tender! At any moment the mountain could fall! This must be stopped!’ Terrified, he began chanting the forty-six names of Indra and praying for forgiveness. Yet the rain and thunder did not abate for even a single moment.
“On the next day, Nanda Baba realized, ‘This devata is so cruel! Even though we have chanted his names and worshiped him for so many years, he nonetheless shows no mercy!’ So he appealed to all other devatas. But still nothing changed.
“On the third day, Nanda took shelter of the exalted rishis and munis of the universe. Yet no one came to save them.
“On day four, within his mind he submitted heartfelt prayers to the honorable ancestors, the pitris. Not even a sign came from them.
“On the fifth day, he reposed his faith in the strongest men, such as Parjanya and Upananda: ‘Maybe they can do something! Krishna is becoming tired!’
“On day six he continued to hope: “Probably all of the people will unite and assist us. But what will they think about us, and what will they say?” Since no one even attempted to help, Nanda became free from the imaginary shelter of society or prestige.
“On the seventh day, Nanda was troubled by self-blaming thoughts: ‘I committed a terrible mistake by following the advice of my little child Krishna, and now I am responsible for this disaster unto the Earth! The Vrajavasis have been suffering because of me. It is all my fault!’ Even faith in his own capability evaporated. Having relinquished all other thoughts and hopes, he gazed at Krishna and admitted, ‘O Krishna! No one can help us except You! You have been holding Giriraja for seven days, and not even a drop of rain could touch us! Indeed You are the only shelter!’
“At the very moment that Nanda spoke those words, the rains stopped and the thunders were silenced. Everyone then cheered ‘Jaya Krishna! Jaya Govardhana!’”
“Anyone who once says, ‘I am Yours! From this day forward I completely surrender unto You’ is immediately delivered from material existence by Your mercy. It is impossible for us to estimate how much You reward those who serve Your enchanting lotus feet, which remove the miseries of birth and death. O beloved of Gokula! You are served and glorified by pure devotees who are wise and eternally liberated. O Lord of all gods, Your transcendental behavior astonishes the entire universe. We repeatedly offer our obeisances unto You.”
“O Lord, all victory unto You! You have sown the seed of conjugal love within the hearts of the gopis! O You whose elegant crown is adorned with a peacock feather glistening charmingly like a beautiful rainbow! You always churn the mellows of love into a condensed intoxicating beverage, and then taste that bliss with Your intimate devotees.
“Without doubt, Your body is completely transcendental! It is the origin of all creations and adorned with compassion! Your matchless beautiful form is the source of boundless glories and endless spiritual euphoria. You are the good fortune of yogis who seek real ecstasy in their hearts.”
“You remove all useless aspirations from one who surrenders unto You. You are restless with the hankering to always delight in love.”
“The experience of seeing You saturates the heart with ecstasy.”
“Out of Your infinite compassion, You fill the hearts of Your devotees with delight.”
“Please make us intensely attached to You and engage us in Your service. Free us from the slavery of lust and keep us under Your control!”
“Please make us fortunate by fully manifesting in our hearts. O most learned one, Your wandering in the kunjas of Vrindavan excites the mind and exhilarates the heart. You shine brilliantly like the autumn moon, and Your gentle smile is alive with pastimes. The witty words that flow from Your mouth cause infinite varieties of intimate mellows.”
“You are always eager to relish new emotional ecstasies within Your heart. You are famous throughout the Vedas for dispelling doubts and solving disputes. Your pleasing words fill the ear with waves of loving mellows. Your inner joy arises from pure love.”
“Colorful varieties of loving moods enhance Your pure character.”
“You bestow happiness according to one’s mood of love toward You.”
“O Lord, You always increase the happiness of Your intimate servants.”
“Please beautify and enlighten us so that we can surrender unto You and drown in the ocean of Your blissful service.”
“You eternally perform exciting pastimes in the hearts of Your devotees.”
“You astonish our hearts with Your sensational pastimes.”
“You are famous as Sri Hari because You remove all bad behavior from Your servitors. You instantly favor the repentant soul who sincerely prays, ‘O my Lord! You are the deliverer from material bondage. For so long I have not served you. Now please accept me and engage me in Your loving service.’”
“Krishna killed Putana exactly as the force of time extracts the youth from one’s body.”
“You appear in this world to protect Your eternal associates and to destroy demons who maintain extraordinary military strength only to burden the very existence of the Earth.”
“With a mere sidelong glance from Your eyes, You can turn any misfortune into fortune.”
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I love this verse in which Lord Caitanya’s guru advised him as follows:
naca, gao, bhakta-sange kara sankirtana
“‘My dear child, continue dancing, chanting and performing sankirtana in association with devotees. Furthermore, go out and preach the value of chanting krishna-nama, for by this process You will be able to deliver all fallen souls.’”
Lord Caitanya acted according to that instruction, and He passed it on to His followers. Even today, this instruction is still relevant, and we can still deliver ourselves and others from material existence by chanting krishna-nama sankirtana.
