Travel Journal#19.19: New York City

 Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 19, No. 19 
By Krishna Kripa Das 
(October 2023, part one) 
New York City 
(Sent from Brooklyn, New York, on October 21, 2023) 

Where I Went and What I Did

The first half of October I resided at ISKCON NYC in Brooklyn and participated in Rama Raya Prabhu’s NYC Harinam.

On October 9, for the first time, Rama Raya Prabhu brought his NYC Harinam party to Tompkins Square Park to chant on the 57^th anniversary of the first public kirtan there, back in 1966. He had such a nice experience, he decided to chant there again four days later. In addition to chanting with NYC Harinam, I chanted Hare Krishna for two or three hours on Sundays, the first Sunday with Mahavishnu Swami and Harinama Ruci at the Atlantic Antic Festival, and the next two Sundays with Brooklyn devotees while walking across Brooklyn Bridge and on the subways to and from the bridge. In addition to Mahavishnu Swami, Krishna Kshetra Swami and Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Swami were also visiting, and they gave classes at different New York City venues. In addition, Sri Prahlada Prabhu relocated to New York City recently, and I was happy to hear kirtans by him as well at two venues. Thus the first half of October was a very exciting time for me.

I share notes from Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam, The Nectar of Devotion, and Path of Perfection. I share some quotes from Prabodhananda Sarasvati’s Caitanya-candramrita. I share notes on Caitanya-bhagavata by Vrindavan Das Thakura with commentary by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. I share notes on lectures by Krishna Kshetra Swami, Candrasekhara Swami, Bhusara Prabhu, Hansarupa Prabhu, Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Swami, Rama Raya Prabhu, Sri Prahlada Prabhu, Yasoda Dulal Prabhu, Param Brahma Prabhu, Pankaja Gopa Prabhu, Gopala Prana Prabhu, Arjunananda Prabhu, and Natabara Gauranga Prabhu.

Thanks to Ahaituki Prema and Cinmayi Radha Prabhus for photos and/or videos of me on NYC Harinam.

Itinerary

September 25–October 26: NYC Harinam
October 27–November 12: serving Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami in Stuyvesant Falls, NY
November 13–16: NYC Harinam
November 17–19: BIHS Conference, Gainesville
November 20–23: Gainesville harinamas
November 24–25: Festival of the Holy Name, Alachua
November 26: Gainesville or Orlando harinama
November 27–January 2024: NYC Harinam

Chanting Hare Krishna in New York City

The first day of October was Sunday, and it was the Atlantic Antic Festival, just two blocks from the Brooklyn temple. A long stretch for Atlantic Avenue was blocked off, from the river until Fourth Avenue. The devotees had two booths there, and devotees also distributed books in the crowd. Mahavishnu Swami and Harinama Ruci chanted Hare Krishna for almost three hours, and many people participated by chanting the mantra and dancing. Here some video clips from that (https://youtu.be/dVxiGuDGn50):

On the way to the event, Mahavishnu Swami and Harinama Ruci chanted Hare Krishna in a Brooklyn barber shop (https://youtu.be/Hyl-x-bceLQ):

In addition to those video clips, I took an 85-minute Facebook Live video of it (https://youtu.be/bEbeKqgNsjA):

During about 19 minutes of it different people interacted with us (https://youtu.be/LdjWq_fgvtQ):

Yasoda Dulal Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at ISKCON NYC Sunday Feast (https://youtu.be/fTZNqNFsJVA):

Shobhamayi Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna there, too (https://youtu.be/6GtnvxhpM4g):

So does Vaishnava Prana Prabhu (https://youtu.be/tXg3GiHKb8E):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at ISKCON NYC Sunday feast (https://youtu.be/nXS_JNqdPg4):

Keshava Prabhu chants Hare Krishna after ISKCON NYC Sunday feast (https://youtu.be/33T3zHk6Qk8):

Jaya Goracand Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Columbus Circle, and a man plays shakers (https://youtu.be/f9NORRO6P0k):

Keshava Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Columbus Circle (https://youtu.be/9dx9jbcdBsg):

Ron went to the Hare Krishna temple and restaurant on 55th St. over 40 years ago. He advised the devotees to get the present building in Brooklyn when they were considering it, after the other was sold. 

He said Ambarisa Prabhu once thought of buying this one at Columbus Circle when it was on sale for a good price.

Sevika Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/5tq0uofqi0k):

Natabara Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square, and a woman dances (https://youtu.be/ax2MT6pyKhE):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Union Square (https://youtu.be/_AejN8Yt4e0):

At Union Square, a guy asked me if I was Jewish. I replied with a smile, “Not this life.”

Keshava Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Columbus Circle, and passersby play shakers (https://youtu.be/N1fy9qGivVE):

Ron, who recalled the devotees from the late 70s, stopped by the harinama at Columbus Circle again, and I invited him to play the karatalas. He said he played for Aindra Prabhu on his traveling temple truck in the 80s. Then the Brooklyn temple room was filled for the Sunday feast, with most newcomers learning of it from Aindra’s harinama truck at many locations throughout New York City.

One woman identifying herself as Hindu asked why we were proselytizing. I explained that when people hear the chanting of the holy names they become free from karma and progress spiritually. She didn’t believe it. Perhaps she’s unaware of this verse: “One who chants the holy name of the Lord is immediately freed from the reactions of unlimited sins, even if he chants indirectly [to indicate something else], jokingly, for musical entertainment, or even neglectfully. This is accepted by all the learned scholars of the scriptures.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.2.14)

Here Janaki Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at Union Square Park (https://youtu.be/Nt3HsLVyyFo):

Jagaddhatri Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna there, too (https://youtu.be/ZPZ87WPGIcA):

Jayananda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/2Ae14lVkBDA):

Natabara Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/8cjLT1tYJxs):

Jaya Goracand chants Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/-YV_GVqNXac):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Union Square, and two women play shakers (https://youtu.be/b52MQ2HTDfY):

Sam was sitting near the devotees at Washington Square Park, so I offered her a cookie. She inquired what we were doing, so I gave her “On Chanting Hare Krishna.” She was studying psychology but dropped out of college after a semester. I showed her Bg. verses 6.5–7 and 2.62–63 which have a lot of psychology in them. 

She bought Bhagavad-gita and stayed 3½ hours to the end of the harinama. Janaki Devi Dasi talked to her and got her number. At the end, Sam encouraged a friend to buy books too. Certainly she is a special soul!

Acarya-nistha Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Washington Square Park, and devotees and passersby dance (https://youtu.be/2_Cn8wdnSPA):

Acarya-nistha Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Washington Square Park, and kid plays shakers (https://youtu.be/jRdUc8Cx_ng):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Washington Square Park, and a kid plays shakers (https://youtu.be/EBKmGUFz6MU):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Washington Square Park, and Spanish girls dance (https://youtu.be/446nBReI6Xc):

I initially took this video of the dancing girls in portrait orientation (https://youtu.be/w1dMC9z9ZNs):

Jayananda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Times Square subway station, and a woman plays shakers and dances (https://youtu.be/RXDn15whLu4):

Krishna Kshetra Swami chants Hare Krishna at 26 Second Avenue (https://youtu.be/dCTULA29pLk):

Here is a video of him chanting there in portrait orientation (https://youtu.be/kfNKjeJLf2I):

Sunday night was predicted to be much colder, so after breakfast Hansarupa Prabhu engaged all the devotees in moving the tulasis from the roof to the tulasi room next to the altar. 

Matanga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on the Brooklyn Bridge (https://youtu.be/BooUfiftOpA):

Here is a video of Matanga in portrait orientation (https://youtu.be/Q_20a-KlsG4):

Premamani Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna on the Brooklyn Bridge (https://youtu.be/YUUHgMVYIW0):

Karenna chants Hare Krishna on the Brooklyn Bridge (https://youtu.be/4d12i10O7WE):

Matanga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna through Fulton Street subway station in Manhattan, between the 4 and A trains (https://youtu.be/QK7XkLcAic4):

Matanga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on the downtown A train (https://youtu.be/soAfofGhB5I):

Krishna kids chant Hare Krishna after Brooklyn Sunday feast (https://youtu.be/12YwNkpuSkY):

Krishna Kumar Prabhu chants Hare Krishna after Brooklyn Sunday feast (https://youtu.be/LIDlq1GasKU):

I chanted Hare Krishna at the Hare Krishna Tree in Tompkins Square Park on the 57th anniversary of the first public kirtan there. I first chose a tune that Purusartha Prabhu said was around from the 70s and was liked by Srila Prabhupada (https://youtu.be/UVs8i5xU_tw):

The second tune I sang was the Prabhupada melody. I never sing that tune because I like others better, but I felt because that was the tune Prabhupada sang here I should sing it. It was a most ecstatic experience! I would think how Srila Prabhupada sang here 57 years, and how  at that time he was envisioning the chanting of Hare Krishna spreading all over the world, and how it ultimately happened.

Here Jaya Goracand chants Hare Krishna there (https://youtu.be/0oc-7unl2E4):

It was impressive to see the number of devotees who came out for the four-hour kirtan under the Hare Krishna Tree on that anniversary day.

This woman has lived near Tompkins Square Park since 1977. She recalls seeing the devotees chanting and dancing around the two trees there. One was since cut. She thinks the chanting improves the atmosphere of the park.

In Tompkins Square Park I also met this man, Paul, who said he saw Srila Prabhupada walking down St. Marks Place in Manhattan. He greeted Prabhupada, and they had a brief conversation. He ultimately became initiated by Siddhasvarupa Prabhu of Hawaii as Vajra.

This man remembers as a 9-year-old boy taking prasadam with Srila Prabhupada at Second Avenue. Thanks to Cinmayi Radha Devi Dasi for the photo.

Both days we chanted at Tompkins Square Park, October 9 and 13, I met very nice people, and I think we should go there regularly for that reason.

Madhurya Rasa Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/Lg5xipzYVvg):

I also chanted there (https://youtu.be/83mFNH4Cp8I):

Narada Muni Prabhu chants Hare Krishna there, too (https://youtu.be/YyAj3AP2EJY):

Later Narayan Prabhu chanted there (https://youtu.be/RlsQc6gpfZk):

While the devotees chanted Hare Krishna at Union Square, four high school kids played shakers and danced (https://youtu.be/bWGAHu0zpMs):

The students accepted free literature, prasadam cookies, and invitations after dancing.

Priya Krishna Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Columbus Circle (https://youtu.be/46fro_00fnQ):

Premamani Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at Columbus Circle (https://youtu.be/rMvAIvpddck):

I also chanted there (https://youtu.be/4_DvO_qAjB8):

Keshava Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Columbus Circle (https://youtu.be/F-NWDtbl-ns):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Columbus Circle (https://youtu.be/PI01rJImEhU):

Jayananda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/Nl15QzE81Vg):

The young man from Germany playing the guitar to Jayananda Prabhu's kirtan stayed for half an hour, gave $25, took a bhakta stack, and said, “Keep doing what you're doing. It matters more than most people think.”

Krishna Kshetra Swami chants Hare Krishna in Union Square (https://youtu.be/oKG1YKZlkDk):

This fortunate young woman, recording audio for a school project, chose our Hare Krishna kirtan. When I invited her to Govinda's restaurant, she said she went to a Govinda's as a 10-year-old girl. Where I asked. Philly she said. Oh, you must know Hary I exclaimed. Sure enough she did!

Tulasi chants Hare Krishna in Union Square (https://youtu.be/U6TU-Q_aHpI):

Yasoda Dulal Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/dy8vF1hmP3w):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square, and a guy plays shakers (https://youtu.be/2TOt5wgyMcc):

Sri Prahlada Prabhu chants Hare Krishna to the evening tune at 26 Second Avenue (https://youtu.be/iVzohZd8hFw):

Sri Prahlada Prabhu chants Hare Krishna to a Village of Peace tune at 26 Second Avenue (https://youtu.be/Ld6Ye_mypVE):

Sri Prahlada Prabhu chants “Jaya Prabhupada” at 26 Second Avenue (https://youtu.be/8aoikrPQ_PY):

Sri Prahlada Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at the Bhakti Center (https://youtu.be/2u7qVTMi3zk):

Pavan Nitai Chandra Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on the Brooklyn Bridge (https://youtu.be/puVTBYZiLV8):

While Pavan Nitai Chandra Prabhu chanted Hare Krishna, two women filmed themselves dancing (https://youtu.be/o-hIkRbeUno):

Hadai Prana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna outside the Brooklyn Bridge / City Hall subway station (https://youtu.be/vcvXcy1Jl2w):

Hadai Prana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on the downtown 4 train (https://youtu.be/FP0YhGykzmY):

Hadai Prana Prabhu surprised me by deciding to get off the 4 train at Borough Hall, one stop early, so they could do an extra 10 minutes of walking harinama back to the temple.

Here Pavan Nitai Chandra Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on Fulton Street in Brooklyn, between Borough Hall and ISKCON NYC (https://youtu.be/fTBf2pfAl6Y):

Keshava Prabhu chants Hare Krishna after the ISKCON NYC Sunday feast (https://youtu.be/pTR3_0NuumY):

Pavan Nitai Chandra Prabhu chants Hare Krishna after the ISKCON NYC Sunday feast (https://youtu.be/Me6G6gi1FhI):

Vasudeva Prabhu chants Hare Krishna after ISKCON Sunday feast (https://youtu.be/qeEMaCCS1Kg):

Insights

Srila Prabhupada:

From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.42, purport:

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead has a huge government, and He requires assistants. The demigods are considered His bodily limbs. These are the descriptions of Vedic literature. Under these circumstances, the sun-god, the moon-god, the fire-god and the air-god are working under the direction of the Supreme Lord.”

From The Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 34:

“No one, while remaining on the material platform, should discuss these different descriptions of bhava and anubhava by quoting different statements of transcendental literatures. Such manifestations are displays of the transcendental pleasure potency of the Lord. One should simply try to understand that on the spiritual platform there are many varieties of reciprocal love. Such loving exchanges should never be considered to be material. In the Mahabharata, Udyama-parva, it is warned that things which are inconceivable should not be subjected to arguments. Actually, the transactions of the spiritual world are inconceivable to us in our present state of life. Great liberated souls like Rupa Gosvami and others have tried to give us some hints of transcendental activities in the spiritual world, but on the whole these transactions will remain inconceivable to us at the present moment. Understanding the exchanges of transcendental loving service with Krishna is possible only when one is actually in touch with the pleasure potency of the Supreme Lord.”

From The Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 36:

“The devotees of Krishna engaged in His personal service are always very cautious, because they know that becoming personal servitors of Lord Krishna is not an ordinary thing. A person who offers respect even to the ants engaged in the service of the Lord becomes eternally happy, so what is there to say of one who offers Krishna direct service? Raktaka once said within himself, ‘Not only is Krishna my worshipable and servable Lord, but also the girl friends of Krishna, the gopis, are equally worshipable and servable by me. And not only the gopis, but anyone who is engaged in the service of the Lord is also worshipable and servable by me. I know that I must be very careful not to become overly proud that I am one of the servitors and devotees of the Lord.’ From this statement one can understand that the pure devotees, those who are actually engaged in the service of the Lord, are always very cautious and are never overly proud of their service.”

From The Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 37:

“When a devotee dances in ecstatic love, there are manifestations of symptoms which are called sattvika. Sattvika means that they are from the transcendental platform. They are not symptoms of material emotion; they come from the soul proper.”

From Path of Perfection, Chapter 2:

“The material body consists of the senses, and consequently the body's activities are sensual activities. However, above the senses is the mind, and above the mind is the intelligence, and above the intelligence is the spirit soul. If one is on the spiritual platform, his intelligence, mind, and senses are all spiritualized. The purpose of this Krishna consciousness process is to actualize the spiritualization of senses, mind, and intelligence. The spirit soul is superior to all, but because he is sleeping, he has given power of attorney to the fickle mind. However, when the soul is awakened, he is once again master, and the servile mind cannot act improperly. Once we are awakened in Krishna consciousness, the intelligence, mind, and senses cannot act nonsensically. They must act in accordance with the dictations of the spirit soul. That is spiritualization and purification.”

Prabodhananda Sarasvati:

From Caitanya-candramrita (111–115):

“When the most merciful Sri Caitanyadeva suddenly appeared in this world, then there was no longer need for yoga, meditation, chanting of mantras, undergoing austerities, renunciation, following strict vows, studying the Vedas, or strict principles of behavior. What to speak of these, even those who were reluctant to give up their sinful activities happily plundered the topmost love, which is the crest jewel of all goals of life.

“When the most wonderful and opulent Sri Caitanyadeva appeared in this world, even the fruitive workers’ minds, which were merged in the currents of formidable fruitive activities, became pacified by attaining love of God and, though such minds were harder than the hardest stone, they melted by the transcendental mellows of devotional service. Even the hearts of persons engaged in the performance of intense yoga practice retired from such temporary practice and began to dance. In other words, they relished love of God in the spiritual kingdom of Adhoksaja.

“Now that Lord Caitanyacandra has revealed the path of pure devotional service, the materialists have given up talking about their wives, children, and material affairs; the scholars have given up debating the scriptures; the yogis have given up the trouble to control their breath; the ascetics have given up their austerities; and the impersonalists have given up studying Vedanta. No one is attracted to anything other than the sweet taste of devotional service to Krishna.

“In every home there is a tumult of hari-sankirtana. In everyone’s body the symptoms of ecstasy like shedding tears and hairs standing on end are seen. In every heart is the most exalted and sweet spiritual path that leads far from the path of the four Vedas. All this has appeared now that Lord Gaura has descended to this world.

“When the most attractive and enchanting Lord Sri Krishna appeared in this world with a golden complexion, the whole world was suddenly flooded with the nectarean ocean of pure love for Krishna and struck with wonder by seeing extraordinary transformations of ecstatic love that were never seen or heard of before.”

Vrindavan Dasa Thakura:

From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 2.47–48:

“In this way Lord Visvambhara daily acted as the servant of His own servants. What service is there that the Lord will not do for His devotees? The Lord gives up His own position for the sake of His servants.”

From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 2.113:

“Srivasa Panḍita smiled [seeing the ecstatic emotions and behavior of Lord Caitanya] and said, ‘Your madness is good. I also want the same kind of madness that You have.’”

Bhaktivinoda Thakura:

From Harinama Cintamani:

“Distraction in chanting produces a type of illusion, causing serious offenses against the holy name that are difficult to overcome. This illusion leads to craving for wealth, women, position, success and cheating. When these material attractions cover the heart, one loses interest in chanting the holy name.”

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura:

From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 2.30, purport:

“All the residents of Sri Navadvipa-Mayapur began to hear and chant the sound vibration of Sri Hari’s names, which are nondifferent from Hari Himself, with their pure service-inclined tongues. As a result, Lord Krishna, who is nondifferent from His holy names, appeared there in the form of His glorification, sound vibration, and holy names.”

From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 2.41, purport:

“Although one personally engages in Vaisnava-dharma to increase his love, he should make inquiries from like-minded devotees. When an intelligent person is repeatedly questioned about Vaisnava-dharma by a faithful person, he must glorify the principles of bhagavata-dharma to such a devotee. Otherwise he will incur sin.

“‘It is further stated in this regard that if a devotee of the Lord is questioned by another devotee regarding Vaishnava-dharma and he does not explain those principles to him, then whatever piety he has accumulated over the last one hundred births is all lost.’”

From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 2.55, purport:

“If out of good fortune and heaps of pious activities from many lifetimes someone develops a desire for the service of Krishna, then he should constantly serve those who are very dear to Krishna. As a result of this, he will certainly attain pure service to Krishna. The dear devotees of Krishna alone are the eternal benefactors of the entire world.”

Krishna Kshetra Swami:

From a class at 26 Second Avenue:

Bhagavad-gita, along with the Bible and the I Ching, is most translated among religious texts.

It is interesting in Bhagavad-gita 5.19, that the words sthitah, brahma, and sama are repeated twice.

Krishna is yogesvara, and thus He can be thought of by us as a first-class teacher of yoga. Actually He is the original or primordial yoga teacher.

Sometimes Srila Prabhupada would dedicate half a lecture to make it clear that Krishna is the supreme authority.

The purva-paksa is the preliminary understanding, the uttara-paksa is subsequent understanding, and the siddhanta is the ultimate conclusion.

Krishna speaks in Chapter 5 about brahma-nirvana. The Buddhists talk about nirvana but never brahma-nirvana.

They Say, I Say is a great book on academic writing.

Ksanika-vada is the doctrine that there is nothing continuous, just a series of moments, and thus that doctrine cannot accommodate the atma (soul) or the mind.

Jiva Goswami in his Paramatma-sandarbha quotes a sage who gives 21 qualities of the atma.

A devotee sees pebbles, stones, and gold as the same because they are all things that can be engaged in Krishna’s service.

One verse says that by cultivating friendship toward the happy, compassion toward those in distress, joy toward those who are virtuous, and equanimity toward the nonvirtuous, lucidity arises in the mind.

In yoga we practice withholding judgment, and thus we free up our mind to a great degree.

The uttama adhikari has nothing to gain or lose in the material world so equanimity is natural for him.

I am writing a book on yoga and the ethics of treating animals, and thus I have recently read the Patanjali Yoga-sutras.

Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura says we do not accept the conclusion or the mystic powers of the yoga teachings but that their practical techniques for controlling the mind and advancing spiritually are useful.

From a class at the Brooklyn temple:

Kala is that which destroys.

In the universe form shown to Duryodhana, Krishna showed Himself to be the creator of everything while in the universal form shown to Arjuna, Krishna showed Himself to be the all-devouring destroyer.

Srila Prabhupada described Srimad-Bhagavtam as the beautiful story of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

In the Vedantic language maya is spoken of while in Sankhya the gunas are referred to.

Vedanta is all about there being one principle, and the game is to understand how the multipicity relates to the one.

A nataka is a ten-act Sanskrit drama.

In Bhagavad-gita 6.17, ahara does not just refer to eating but all types of consumption, and thus we have to be balanced in these as well.

All of the gunas can be used in service. We engage tamah by resting at night. We engage rajah by engaging in all kinds of activities for the sake of Krishna.

The lazy intelligent person can accomplish everything without breaking his arms and head.

Comment by Rama Raya Prabhu: There is a Guru Kripa remembrance tape where Srila Prabhupada wakes him up at midnight and asks why he was sleeping. Guru Kripa said he was working 18 hours. Srila Prabhupada said our process is 24 hours.

Stretch the envelop for the mission, and keep yourself healthy.

From a class at the Bhakti Center on “Dialogical Vaishnavism”:

I think of the Hare Krishna movement as not a guru but a sadhu movement.

Female sadhus can be addressed as sadhus or sadhvis according to Sanskrit grammar. Similarly female prabhus can be addressed as prabhus or prabhvis.

The description of sadhu given in Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.21 is very nonsectarian: “The symptoms of a sadhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.”

Sarira, which means body, literally means “that which collapses.”

Suhrt is a close friend, who always wants the best for us.

You can say yoga is about becoming undistracted.

Devamrita Swami talks about weapons of mass distraction.

Common roots. For example, “I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me.”

The best bridge preacher was Lord Caitanya. Srila Prabhupada was also a wonderful bridge preacher.3–14

Krishna says, “Everyone is following My path in all respects.” (Bhagavad-gita 4.11)

Bridging the gap(s): Bhagavad-gita 12.13–14 lists other universal saintly qualities: “One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant, always satisfied, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination, his mind and intelligence fixed on Me—such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me.”

Photo of world religions by percentage:

Even the atheists have faith. Their faith is “there is no God”.

By sharing what benefits are there?

One is we may become stronger in our own faith.

One scholar said regarding his impression of the world parliament of religions conference, “At least they go on.”

There are the strategies of inclusivity, exclusivity, and plurality, when dealing with religious differences.

Comment by Atmanivedana Prabhu: The sadhu does not see anyone as an enemy but sometimes people see him as an enemy.

Comment by me, not made publicly:

Thinking about the qualities of the sadhu you mentioned reminded me of this Prabhupada pastime:
A disciple said, “Everyone loves you, Srila Prabhupada.”
Srila Prabhupada replied, “That is because I love everyone.”

Bhakti Tirtha Swami:

The morning program gives us the strength to fight maya.

If we do not attend the morning program, it becomes work for us to just do the things that will protect us from maya. So we do less and less of them.

If you have a job and only come to work some of the time, how long will you have that job?

The first month of full attendence will be hard, during the second month you will do it as a matter of duty, and after that it will be part of your life.

Comment by Hadai Prana Prabhu:

I like Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s point that if others do the morning program, they will be in such a good consciousness that those who can’t will benefit.

Gaura Govinda Swami:

On brahmacari life:

It is very hard to satisfy a woman, but it is very easy to satisfy Krishna.

Amiya Vilasa Swami:

If we do not go to Srimad-Bhagavatam class, we will not become free from the modes of passion and ignorance.

The person who gives class should be a senior person following the Vaishnava principles and having a lot of realization.

Srila Prabhupada liked the book, The Scientific Basis of Krishna Consciousness.

All the scriptures of the world are talking about Krishna.

So many people come to the Sunday feast. We have to pay attention to them.

In the Juhu temple I was talking to someone who did not respond. I said, “If you do not speak and you do not hear, in the next life you will become deaf and dumb.” He began speaking. He said he was a Jain, and he had not spoken in 14 years.

Nama-ruci [taste for the holy name], jiva-daya [mercy to the people in general] and vaishnava-seva [service to the devotees] are all very important.

Candrasekhara Swami:

If we have fixed our mind on Krishna, we have accomplished devotional service. Nothing else is required. We have achieved the most important thing.

If we do not control our senses, our senses will control us.

Most people spend their lives following their senses.

Astanga-yoga is difficult for most people as it requires a lot of renunciation.

Because there are a variety of devotional services, our senses get many opportunities to be engaged in Krishna consciousness. Thus it is much easier and more practical.

Jiva Goswami had conceived of a worldwide organization of devotees.

It is always easier to adopt the externals than to change yourself internally. That is true with every religion.

Bhusara Prabhu:

You cannot be a hard-hearted person and attain the spiritual world. There are no hard-hearted people there.

When you come to Krishna you will find the happiness you always wanted because the happiness you always wanted is spiritual.

If you do not have parents who keep you in the mode of goodness, you will be dominated by the modes of passion and ignorance.

When you use your body in Krishna consciousness that is spiritual.

Srila Prabhupada woke us up to the knowledge that the morning is the best time for spiritual activities.

Hansarupa Prabhu:

One godbrother, who is nearing the end of life, says each day when he wakes up, he is disappointed. At that stage, after a full life in devotional service, he just wants it to be over and to return to the spiritual world. He does not want to end life artificially, but he is ready to go.

We have all surrendered. Otherwise we wouldn’t be sitting here. But we have to always remain surrendered. And we need to expand our surrender into all our activities. We need to do all our engagements with our heart and soul.

Imagine having a credit card that is unlimited but can only be used for your service to Krishna!

During the first Ratha-yatra in 1976, when Srila Prabhupada got on Subhadra’s cart at 34^th Street, from the smile on Srila Prabhupada’s face all the devotees and even the public could feel his satisfaction.

We are in the material world for a reason. We wanted to distance ourselves from Krishna and be mini controllers.

It may look like just a few guys playing instruments, but actually we are bringing the whole spiritual world out to the street.

Nowadays the gayatri mantra is a pop song in India, but because it is not received from the bona fide spiritual lineage there is no benefit.

Dharma-dvajis wave the flag of dharma but do not actually follow the dharma.

Kali-celas want to destroy the dharma.

Every chance you have to serve your spiritual master, you should treat as gold.

Comments by me:

“One can attain Krishna consciousness or divine life at once, within a second – or one may not attain such a state of life even after millions of births. It is only a matter of understanding and accepting the fact. Khatvanga Maharaja attained this state of life just a few minutes before his death, by surrendering unto Krishna.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.72, purport)

You were talking about Prabhupada consciousness. I think of Srila Prabhupada whenever I turn off a light which someone left on.

Svayam Bhagavam Keshava Swami:

talk at Bhakti Center:

The followers of Lord Caitanya can give the essence of the essence of the Bhagavatam.

The followers of Lord Caitanya have revealed the glories of Vrindavan and the glories of Radharani’s love for Krishna.

Although Vrindavan is very crowded, and we may not appreciate that, we should know that it is Srila Prabhupada’s glory that so many people want to go to Vrindavan now.

Many lessons are given through the people in the sastras.

Kurukshetra is a yuddha-kshetra (battlefield), a dharma-kshetra (place of religious sacrifice), and a viraha-kshetra (place of separation).

Srila Prabhupada would say that Kurukshetra, in addition to being an actual place, symbolizes the battlefield of life.

Kurukshetra was the prominent place of pilgrimage in Satya-yuga, Puskara in Treta, Naimisaranya in Dvapara, and Navadvipa in Kali.

Krishna is telling Arjuna to become a spiritual warrior.

Bhisma represents your attachment to your family, and Drona represents your attachments to previous conceptions of yourself.

Weakness of heart is the first stumbling block for the aspiring spiritualist.

We have to fight on three levels as spiritual warriors: the level of the soul, the level of the sanga, and the level of society. We have to be alert at all levels to keep away from degradation.

It is said the first syllable of the Bhagavad-gita is ““dhar” and the last syllable is “ma,” and thus the book encapsulates dharma.

Bhagavad-gita addresses the problem of dharma confusion.

Balancing different dharmas is another challenge.

What is the relationship between dharma and bhakti?

Srila Prabhupada reminds us that without awakening bhakti, dharma is useless (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.8).

After talking at length about dharma, Krishna says, “Sarva dharman parityaga [abandon all dharmas].” (Bhagavad-gita 18.66)

As sadhakas we cry for Krishna and the siddhas in the spiritual world cry for Krishna.

Krishna came to Kurukshetra 50 years before the battle for the solar eclipse.

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura said, “Kurukshetra is the best place for bhajana, only bogus, hollow people favor Vrindavan.”

Bhaktivinoda Thakura said, “I would like to spend the last days of my life in Kurukshetra. I shall construct a cottage near Brahma Kund and pass the rest of my days there. Kurukshetra is the real place of bhajana.”

Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that as sadhakas, we can only develop one kind of separation, purva-raga, and that comes from hearing krishna-katha. Purva-raga is the anticipation of meeting Krishna while feeling separation from Him.

Stop at Kurukshetra on your way to Vrindavan, and meditate on these points.

Both our own purity and our own practice benefit the sanga.

The swallowing of the fire pastime indicates those with high brahminical qualities can quell the fire of discord in our sanga.

From a dialog with Hari Vilasa Prabhu at the Lotus Room:

We are picking up our spiritual life from the previous life.

In my family, everyone was a high achiever, but I was not inspired in that way.

My family had a culture and tradition, but it seemed to me to be a bit superficial.

I investigated spiritual paths. I encountered Bhagavad-gita.

I went to India for a year at 21-years-old. I lived in an ashram as a monk, and I continued that when I returned to the UK.

I recommend that you spend some time away from your normal habitat to learn more about yourself.

We are all renounced in the sense that we all give up something for something we value more.

Don’t give up what you want most to do what feels good now.

Spirituality is turning lust into love.

Hari Vilasa: Marriage is also a vow of renunciation in the sense that you renounce relationships with all other people other than the one you are committed to.

Hari Vilasa: You have high ideals, and it is challenging having high ideals if you cannot always live up to.

Generally the best situation for a child is to have a father and a mother. The father encourages you to strive for some goal. The mother nurtures you so you can strive.

In spiritual societies sometimes we do not have the nurturing that supports people striving for high ideals. To remove ideals because of guilt because of not living up to them is not the answer because people will not attain the potential that they could and should attain.

If we see our spouse as given by Krishna and serve him or her in that spirit, then our marriages will last, but if we see our spouse as meant to give pleasure to our senses they will not.

Focus on one relationship at a time, and genuinely connect with people.

My greatest wealth is the friendships I have with other spiritual people.

Hari Vilasa: I appreciate your point. I can see even having one such relationship is a great support. Sometimes people critical of spiritual groups point out all kinds of inhumane things that have gone throughout the centuries by people who claim to be religious.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that religion is practiced out of fear, material aspiration, duty, and love. Now too many people are focused on the lower motivations.

If one says spiritual groups should be eliminated because of their inhumane practices, you could ask them to demonstrate that nonspiritual groups are more peaceful and satisfied.

Hari Vilasa: How can we deal with this problem of the inhumane within spiritual societies?

Instead of seeing how far people are from their ideals, you can see how far they have come from where they were.

We can become discouraged by the bad examples, but we can also become encouraged by the good examples.

If we see faults around us, we can look within ourselves and see if we have some faults and maybe even the same ones.

Hari Vilasa: Psychologists say you go through stages of unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence, and unconscious competence. That is there on the spiritual path.

As you follow a spiritual path you get to a point where your spiritual practice is so integrated into your life that it seems completely natural.

Q (from guest): Why did you take a lifetime vow of renunciation? Why not keep your options open?
A: Because it would make me more focused like a laser. Marriage is also a vow that will make you more focused. You could say, why not keep your options open? But you don’t because you want to make a commitment. So making a vow is like that. You do not want to look back in order so you can progress speedily forward.

Q (from guest): What made you love Bhagavad-gita?
A: I could not understand Bhagavad-gita the first time I read it, but at the same time I found it incredibly inspiring. So I found some monks to help me understand. I found Arjuna was asking the same questions I had, thus I found Bhagavad-gita very practical.

From a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.4:

Sankhya breaks down the material things that we are attached to into their component parts so we realize they are not so attractive after all.

If we are detached from Krishna and attached to the material, we are karmis, or materialists. If we are detached from both Krishna and the material, we are mayavadis. If we are attached to Krishna and the material, we are mixed devotees. If we are attached to Krishna and detached from the material, we are pure devotees.

The closer you are to maya, the more Krishna will be covered.

Six types of atheists:
1. Those too busy with the material to even be interested in the spiritual.
2. Philosophical atheist.
3. Emotional atheist. They have issues with God. They tend to be angry. But to be angry with God, you have to believe in God.
4. Covered atheist. They say, “We are all God.” Instead of bringing God down, they bring themselves.
5. Psychological atheists. They talk of God, but in their lives they remain self-centered.
6. Transcendental atheists. They are enchanted by the beauty and personal features of the Lord so they forget His supreme position. They may worship Narayana, but they do not understand Krishna is God.

Academia or anthropologists tend to break down things and remove the spiritual element.

We may not be completely humble or sincere, but we can practice acting humbly.

It is said that acting yourself into a new way of thinking is easier than thinking yourself into a new way of acting.

Comment:

A related verse stressing the importance of sastra is Bhagavad-gita 16.23.

Biologists know how complex the cell is, and that can make them open to a theistic origin.

Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami makes the point that humility comes after honesty because in truth we are very small.

Hridayananda Dasa Goswami talks of psychological atheists, people who believe in God but for whom God plays a very small role in their very self-centered lives.

From a brahmacari class:

When I was first asked to give a class, I declined. The devotee said, “If you had a job and were asked to make a presentation, you would have to do it.” In the material world we often have to do things that are challenging. We should be willing to do the same for Krishna.

Rama Raya Prabhu:

Now the East Village is an expensive place to live, only surpassed by the Upper West and East Sides.

After the first Tompkins Square Park kirtan, a crowd of people gathered outside 26 Second Avenue, attracted by the kirtan, and Srila Prabhupada opened the door, and invited them in. That was the biggest crowd he had addressed at that location so far.

Yasoda Dulal Prabhu:

Srila Prabhupada came to introduce us to his world.

He came to introduce us to the person who we are eternally connected to, who loves us, and who we love.

Krishna’s body is beautiful like a lotus, and His body is fragrant as a lotus.

Srila Prabhupada used to say the eyes are the mirror of the soul.

Srila Prabhupada could look at a person’s eyes and understand everything about him.

Krishna is always connected to us, but we are not responding to that connection.

Gaura is the way to understand Krishna because He is Krishna telling us what is in Krishna’s heart. Gaura is the form through which Krishna reveals Himself.

Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji Maharaja said that if we read Narottama Dasa Thakura’s songs every day, we will attain pure love for Krishna. There are only two books, and we do not have to read them all every day, just some. Gaurakisora did not give us so much in terms of instruction, but that one instruction is a great treasure than can make our life perfect.

The delta of the Ganges is practically the whole state of Bengal. It is the biggest delta of any river.

All the billionaires will tell you the secret is where to invest. We know that if we invest in Lord Gauranga we will attain spiritual success. We have to consider that we are so offensive that without Gauranga we have absolutely no chance of attaining spiritual success, and in this way take full shelter of Him.

Gauranga is the entrance door to the world of Radha and Krishna.

Sri Prahlada Prabhu:

Aristotle said that satisfaction results from fulfilling one’s purpose.

The Vedas say we are truly human when we can inquire about our spiritual identity.

Srila Prabhupada makes the point that our possessions are insignificant compared to our spiritual self.

Human beings have a potential for spiritual inquiry, but most people do not use it.

From the point of view of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, when we use our intelligence to do the same things that the animals are doing we are not living up to our potential.

Some people think they are their minds, but you can change your mind. I thought that yesterday, but I think this today. If I am changing my mind, then who am I?

Your self is that which is unchanging.

If one who identifies with his spiritual self and not his body may experience physical pain from the body, but he does not experience the same mental anguish over that pain as one who identifies with the body.

Our mind comes with us when we change our body, so it has been with us for much longer.

Neither expression of nor repression of emotions are ideal for both can have negative consequences.

The yogi observes the mind and its emotions with a little distance. Thus he has more choice of how he acts than one who identifies with the mind.

The body is the hardware, the mind is software, and we are the operator.

In a life lived with this knowledge there is realization and insight.

We can pray to Krishna to help us realize this knowledge.

The Vaishnava has compassion for people on both sides of a conflict.

Srila Prabhupada’s guru made the point to him that Krishna consciousness is too important to wait for a perfect political situation.

Hanuman does not want to become Rama, Radha does not want to come Krishna, Arjuna does not want to become Krishna, they each want to serve their Lord.

Comment by me: It seems to me that Bhaktisiddhanta Saravati Thakura in speaking to Srila Prabhupada to not strive for political emancipation was following Lord Caitanya, who did not strive to kick out the Moslems ruling Bengal at the time but instead preached Krishna consciousness.

Param Brahma Prabhu:

Radha Govinda Swami was challenged by a Muslim about what he worshiped the murti. The swami said when you go to the mosque, do you think God sees you?
Yes.
Then he said, when you offer prayers, do you think God hears you?
Yes.
Then he said, do you think God offers you blessings?
Yes.
Then Radha Govinda Swami says, “If He sees, He must have eyes. If He hears, He must have ears. If He gives blessings, He must have hands. If He has eyes, ears, and hands, He must have a form.”
The Muslim became thoughtful and accepted the reasonability of the idea that God has form.

Comment:

Although you were presenting that idea that there is only one purusa, in Chapter 13 of Bhagavad-gita, the individual soul is described also as purusa.

Surrender to someone who is all-knowing and all merciful makes sense because it is easy to see the result will be better than acting according to our imperfect mental speculation.

Nirguna does not have to mean having no qualities. It can be explained as not touched by the three gunas, the modes of material nature.

Many devotees saw Srila Prabhupada as glowing.

Pankaja Gopa Prabhu:

Jnanis and yogis achieve by ambition while devotees achieve by submission.

Dhruva was very ambitious, desiring a kingdom greater that his great-grandfather, but because he followed his guru, he achieved darsana of the Lord.

Later in a fight with the Yaksas who killed his brother, Dhruva was tested by being advised by Svayambhuva Manu, to desist. He was able to put his ambition aside, and follow Manu’s advice, and because of his submission he was glorified.

Gopala Prana Prabhu:

By understanding sankhya one becomes free from the influence of material nature, attains vision of the soul, and purifies his heart.

We are falsely charmed by maya in this material world.

Krishna does not want to discipline the souls Himself, so He appoints Maya to do that work.

Gopinatha Acarya made the point to Sarvbhauma Bhattacarya that although the Lord was personally present in his home, because he lacked devotion he could not realize it.

Comments by me, only the final one being voiced because of time:

Bhagavad-gita 18.40 stresses how everyone is affected by maya: “There is no being existing, either here or among the demigods in the higher planetary systems, which is freed from these three modes born of material nature.”

Bhakti Charu Swami says in a class that we came to this world because of rejecting Krishna, and to attain the spiritual world, we simply have to accept Krishna.

When people ask me how I am, sometimes I reply as described in Bhagavad-gita 15.7: “Although I am eternally part and parcel of Krishna, I am struggling in material life with the six senses which include the mind!”

We have to be careful if we find ourselves judging what modes of material nature a devotee is affected by because Lord Caitanya says, “The body of a devotee is never material. It is considered to be transcendental, full of spiritual bliss. At the time of initiation, when a devotee fully surrenders unto the service of the Lord, Krishna accepts him to be as good as Himself.” It is therefore best to use the description of the modes of material nature to eliminate the material contamination from our own hearts rather than to accuse devotees of being materially affected.

Arjunananda Prabhu:

Usually the phala-sruti is at the end of the chapter but in Third Canto, Chapter Twenty-six, it is in the beginning.

Because the material energy is very subtle, even devotees are sometimes bewildered by it.

There is no soul that is produced that is inert. The soul is active by nature.

Although bhakti is most important, having the sambandha-jnana we can perform bhakti better, and therefore, that knowledge is important. Thus Krishna speaks about jnana after bhakti in Bhagavad-gita, and Kapila speaks about jnana after bhakti in Srimad-Bhagavatam.

We have to have the right conception and the right consciousness. The right conception is “I am the eternal servant Krishna.” If I am humble and tolerant and have no interest in wealth, sex, and fame but just want service, I am in the right consciousness.

In material consciousness we get carried away by sense enjoyment, and we need other devotees to bring us back, and it will take us some time to come back.

We are choosing Krishna or maya at every moment. The pure devotees choose Krishna at every moment.

Because Bharata was meditating in the forest alone, there was no one to tell him that he was becoming too attached to a deer, and thus he lost a lot of time in attaining self-realization.

Srila Prabhupada said that by attending the morning program and doing service throughout the day we can remain in transcendental consciousness.

Comment by Candrasekhara Swami: The knowledge that we aspire to be completely free from is the path of speculative knowledge not knowledge of Krishna and devotional service.

Natabara Gauranga Prabhu:

If we act like an animal, we will become fearful like an animal.

Indra thought he was very powerful, so Krishna decided to demonstrate how much power He had in his little finger.

A lot of our motivation comes from gratefulness. My guru, Jayapataka Swami, was asked how he got the inspiration to do so much service. He explained it was gratitude to Srila Prabhupada for all he had given.

In the material world, everyone has different amounts of sand in their sweet rice.

Comments by me:

The scientists have their chemistry, where they study the material elements, but the original source of the matter they cannot explain. They have their physics, where they study the laws governing matter, but the source of these laws they cannot explain. They glorify Newton for discovering the laws of motion but not Krishna for creating the laws of motion.

According to Caitanya-bhagavata, Lord Caitanya began His sankirtana by just clapping.

Hadai Prana Prabhu:

I feel confident that I can sacrifice for the New York ashram. Vaisesika Prabhu said I should find such an ashram I’m inspired to sacrifice for.

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We chant the Hare Krishna mantra, which is composed of different names of God, in public to purify people from the reactions to their material activities thus making them more open to spiritual realization. This verse explains how powerful the chanting of the holy name is in this regard, and it can inspire us in our public chanting, something that our ISKCON founder-acarya Srila Prabhupada, desired his followers to do for at least an hour every day.

sanketyam parihasyam va
stobham helanam eva va
vaikuntha-nama-grahanam
asesagha-haram viduh

“One who chants the holy name of the Lord is immediately freed from the reactions of unlimited sins, even if he chants indirectly [to indicate something else], jokingly, for musical entertainment, or even neglectfully. This is accepted by all the learned scholars of the scriptures.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.2.14)

Although this verse mentions chanting, hearing of the holy name and of the glories of the Lord is similarly purifying, as other verses such as these indicate:

“Sri Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā [Supersoul] in everyone's heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.17)

“O Krishna, those who continuously hear, chant and repeat Your transcendental activities, or take pleasure in others’ doing so, certainly see Your lotus feet, which alone can stop the repetition of birth and death.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.36)