Diary
of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 20, No. 5
By
Krishna Kripa Das
(March 2024, part one)
Tallahassee,
Tampa, New York
(Sent
from Tallahassee, Florida, on March 23, 2024)
Where I Went and What I Did
For the first five days of March, I stayed in Tallahassee, chanting Hare Krishna for an average of three hours each day on the Florida State University campus during the week. I would pass out free cups of halava to promote our Krishna Lunch program at the university, and I would also tell people about our campus and temple programs. I would have Srila Prabhupada’s books on my table for a donation, and I would give out “On Chanting Hare Krishna” for free. On Friday in addition to chanting on the campus, I chanted at an event called First Friday, which is attended by many people from both the campus and the city. On Saturday afternoon I chanted at Lake Ella with Jon. That evening Kaliya Damana Prabhu had a program at his rural property near Monticello.
On
March
6,
I went to Tampa to sing at University of South
Florida
for
two and half hours and promote and attend their Bhakti Yoga Club
meeting. On March 7, I flew to New York City to do harinama
for
eleven days with devotees from NYC Harinam and from the Radha Govinda
temple.
I would chant with NYC Harinam Monday through Saturday, and on the two Sundays I chanted with devotees on the Brooklyn Bridge.
When not chanting, I distributed the free literature and talked to people.
While in New York City I took a day to visit my mother in Upstate New York.
In addition to the usual “Insights” section, I have a separate section on my notes on a program for the anniversary of the disappearance of Kadamba Kanana Swami, and another one for notes on a Religious Peace Academy meeting. I share quotes from Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam, Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, and The Nectar of Devotion, as well as a lecture of his included in Back to Godhead. I share quotes from the previous acaryas, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. I share notes on Niti-sastras, Day by Day: A Record of a 7-Day Japa Vrata, and Renewal by Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami. I share notes on classes by Rama Raya, Jai Nitai, Nityananda Chandra, Gopala Prana, Arjunananda, Pandava, Tulasi, and Janaki Prabhus. I share notes on upcoming Back to Godhead articles by Nagaraja, Karuna Dharini, Caitanya Carana, and Gauranga Darsana Prabhus. I also share a quote from a conversation with Maithuna Prabhu and a quote from C. S. Lewis that is consistent with Vaishnava philosophy.
Thanks to Atmanivedana Prabhu for his very generous donation. Thanks to my niece, Gwen, for her kind donation. Thanks to Victor for driving me around Albany and letting me use his car to visit my mother. Thanks to Sushilpa Mataji and family for accommodation, meals, and transportation in Tampa. Thanks to Param Brahma Prabhu for kindly and expertly shaving me up. Thanks to Tulasi Prabhu, Ahaituki Prema Prabhu, and Divyangi Devi Dasi for their photos and videos of NYC Harinam. Thanks to Chris for driving me to LaGuardia airport.
Itinerary
January
8 – April 11: harinama
and college outreach in Tallahassee
–
April
6: Tallahassee Ratha-yatra
April
12: Gainesville harinamas
April
13: St. Augustine Ratha-yatra
April
14–23: take care of mother in Albany
April
24: fly to Amsterdam
April
25: Brussels harinama?
April
26: Kadamba Kanana Swami Vyasa-puja in Radhadesh
April
27: King’s Day harinama
in
Amsterdam
May
4–5: Birmingham 24-Hour Kirtan
Chanting Hare Krishna in Tallahassee
I chanted Hare Krishna at First Friday in Tallahassee by myself for just an hour because of the rainy weather, and at one point, some high school kids played the shakers for a while (https://youtube.com/shorts/SyvPlRDpPAo?feature=share):
Later a friendly black vendor danced to my music outside his shop, saying, “I can feel it!”
Some people took my Krishna Lunch flyers.
At a Saturday evening program at his rural property in Monticello, Florida, Kaliya Damana Prabhu chanted Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/Hp2Dr2ZJuHw):
On the FSU campus I invited a man to our Krishna Lunch, and he responded by saying he already had a religion and one religion was enough. I replied saying, “Food is beyond religion. Whatever your religion, vegetarianism is a better diet!” He then admitted to being vegetarian.
One young woman, who regularly takes my promotional halava, was given flowers as a promotion by students campaigning for student government, and she made a bouquet and gave it to me. We offered some of the flowers to Gaura Nitai at mangala-arati each day.
The sound of leaf blowers is one of my least favorite. What is worse than the sound of a leaf blower? The sound of three leaf blowers at once!
Chanting Hare Krishna in Tampa
When I went to Tampa to chant Hare Krishna at University of South Florida I left my harmonium behind, not wanting to pay $60 to take it to New York City. I was worried about the response, but at least two people came up to me, attracted by the ringing of the karatalas, and they ended up scanning the QR code for our Bhakti Yoga Club.
This guy was happy to sign up for our USF Bhakti Yoga Club. I said I liked his shirt and that it reminded me of the 70s. He said, “It reminds me of the 70s too. That’s why I wear it!”
During my 2½-hour Hare Krishna kirtan in front of the Marshall Student Center at USF seven students signed up for the club.
Here Bhakta Phillip chants Hare Krishna at a University of South Florida Bhakti Yoga Club meeting (https://youtu.be/dVKgVNk1lfQ):
Then Kirtan Rasa Mataji chanted there (https://youtu.be/blZ__b7K_ng):
Chanting Hare Krishna in New York City
As you can see, I was very happy to be back with the NYC Harinam party, singing my favorite Hare Krishna tune at Jackson Heights / Roosevelt Avenue subway station in Queens (https://youtube.com/shorts/I-3FuQtc83c?feature=share):
Here Arjunananda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna there (https://youtu.be/xwU9TFqfsTg):
Hari Kirtan Rasa Prabhu, visiting from Guyana, chants Hare Krishna there as well (https://youtu.be/T7b3uyNJ9aw):
Narada Muni Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Queens too (https://youtu.be/w2W4tevfSQc):
Kishor Gopal Prabhu chants Hare Krishna there as well (https://youtu.be/qOC-P6jnciM):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Jackson Heights / Roosevelt Avenue in Queens (https://youtu.be/opsNAzrJGcA):
As Rama Raya continued chanting Hare Krishna the dancing became more lively (https://youtu.be/zcXOrQ5BDc8):
As I was en route to 26 Second Avenue to give the lecture this man greeted me with “Hare Krishna” as he boarded the subway. As he tried to recall the mantra he’d heard the devotees sing, he got the order of the words wrong, so I gave him “On Chanting Hare Krishna.” Then he surprised me by chanting Hare Krishna perfectly to the famous Prabhupada melody.
I inquired about the equations on the paper he was reading, and he said he had a masters in math.
A few days later I met the same man in Washington Square Park. I said, “Many of my friends liked the photo of you which I put on Facebook.” He gave me his email so I could send it to him.
Here Janaki Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at 26 Second Avenue during Saturday program after my Bhagavad-gita lecture (https://youtu.be/Mc4I0x-9dQc):
She ended her kirtan with the most appropriate Prabhupada tune (https://youtu.be/9ew-W4PC47g):
Premamani Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna in Times Square subway station (https://youtu.be/6j2TH-Cgm3c):
Narayana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Times Square subway station (https://youtu.be/dP6ApxIe_Ig):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Times Square subway station (https://youtu.be/A_zkHrJYKro):
Arjunananda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Atlantic Avenue / Barclays Center subway station in Brooklyn, and three kids play shakers (https://youtu.be/2jC9vPeKkR8):
Narada Muni Prabhu chants Hare Krishna there too (https://youtu.be/e05eZDBuTvM):
Janaki Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna during final kirtan at ISKCON NYC Tuesday evening program (https://youtu.be/RoONLCD2m8M):
Later everyone danced in a circle (https://youtu.be/RAiJt6mG5TA):
I really enjoyed dancing as well!
I chanted Hare Krishna first on the first day outside of the subway station for the party this year at Washington Square Park. As the other devotees were getting set up, before I had chanted more than one Hare Krishna mantra, a young woman asked me with surprise, “Are you from Tallahassee?”
I replied, “Yes, I sing at the campus there.”
“What are you doing here?” she asked.“I live here.”
I said. “I am only in Tallahassee in the winter. I came here for spring break to sing with my friends because I got tired of singing by myself in Tallahassee!”
I offered her a flyer for Krishna Lunch at FSU, and she was happy to accept it.
Here I chant Hare Krishna at Washington Square Park (https://youtu.be/8c3qYqrp6NE):
Later that day in the course of inviting three college-aged Indian-looking women to our Sunday feast, I mentioned a lot of Indians, Guyanese, and Trinidadians go there. One of the women said, “I am from Guyana, she is Trinidadian, and she is Indian.”
So I said, “You'll feel right at home!”
My niece, Gwen, works in Brooklyn one day a week. I invited her to Govinda’s for lunch on Wednesday.
They had these amazing fried white sweet potatoes which we both loved!
Kishor Gopal Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Washington Square Park, and a woman carrying two hula hoops plays shakers (https://youtu.be/z-JXVCyHMr4):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Washington Square Park, and two women hula hoop (https://youtu.be/XKYMY9saLsQ):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Washington Square Park, and a couple plays shakers (https://youtu.be/VSnwzXyPEM4):
Ryan chants Hare Krishna at Union Square Park (https://youtu.be/KIyB2Fa4gsM):
Dhruva Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square Park (https://youtu.be/xw50hrBNSjk):
Here I chant Hare Krishna at Washington Square Park (https://youtu.be/hSD2Wej8qI4):
Jaya Goracand Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Washington Square Park (https://youtu.be/rRLvsToIY3c):
While he was chanting, a tourist followed the dance of Isaiah (https://youtu.be/XSGPF00pyLM):
This very friendly woman, now based in Memphis, has fond memories of seeing harinama parties in midtown Manhattan in her youth. She was born in 1959, like me, Rama Raya and Bhagavata Purana Prabhus. She was born on the first day of September, and I on the last.
She told me that she understood that Krishna pulls us out of the material world by our tuft of hair, a detail she found through her research.
This man is very familiar with Hare Krishnas as he teaches frisbee in Tompkins Square Park near the Hare Krishna Tree. He has seen devotees visit and have celebrations there over the years, like we do on October 9, the anniversary of the first kirtan there in 1966.
Sevika Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna in Washington Square Park (https://youtu.be/BLTfq68TGRc):
Divyangi Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at Washington Square Park (https://youtu.be/dMjfdTSukKk):
Krsna Kumar Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Washington Square Park (https://youtu.be/sd3jzeDPgYk):
Braja Sakhi Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at Washington Square Park (https://youtu.be/LmmrLBKcct8):
Kishor Gopal Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Washington Square Park, and people dance (https://youtu.be/_4hJhFB4PRw):
Later more people danced (https://youtu.be/OI91aD_OyB0):
Even more people danced after that (https://youtu.be/7cu5l5yaRfs):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Washington Square Park, and a kid plays shakers and dances (https://youtu.be/6dBS3TqV8ws):
Later the kid came back for more fun (https://youtu.be/OAU53rDvQOM):
Divyangi Devi Dasi took a video of that same kirtan from another perspective (https://youtu.be/vyqwFsIWJoI):
Keshava Madhava Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Washington Square Park (https://youtu.be/CKV8yoPL-G8):
Caitanyananda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna after Guru Puja at ISKCON NYC (https://youtu.be/XsLOS8LQh8c):
While I chanted Hare Krishna in Times Square subway station, a girl was attracted to play shakers (https://youtu.be/wqHo35pvkSA):
Jaya Goracand Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Times Square, and five kids play shakers (https://youtu.be/i1HNTYsVtck):
Ram Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Times Square (https://youtu.be/PZbmOlODTUM):
Drummers from Saint Patrick’s Day Parade play as Ram Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Times Square (https://youtu.be/jMwgjxTXLl8):
Tired of encountering the crazy people you always meet in New York City, I was glad to be returning to Florida in two days!
I was really happy we had a lively group of devotees to chant Hare Krishna on Brooklyn Bridge on the last day of my spring break in New York.
Here Murari Gupta Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on the C Train en route to Brooklyn Bridge (https://youtu.be/WkzXuLSXnKU):
Murari Gupta Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in High Street / Brooklyn Bridge subway station and on the way to the Brooklyn Bridge (https://youtu.be/6hm_oHLIZ1g):
Passersby dance as devotees chant Hare Krishna on Brooklyn Bridge harinama (https://youtu.be/Q2IpbqESn7c):
Param Brahma Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on Brooklyn Bridge (https://youtu.be/mqnczRn2MSU):
Hadai Prana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on Brooklyn Bridge and teaches a woman the mantra (https://youtu.be/JGAxa9NTYwQ):
Hadai Prana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on Brooklyn Bridge, and two women dance (https://youtu.be/dvpNL-298Ro):
Jayananda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on Brooklyn Bridge (https://youtu.be/SJagOUG_aPQ):
I chanted Hare Krishna at the end of the Brooklyn Bridge harinama (https://youtu.be/AuLQ8lzlIn4):
Devotees take turns leading Hare Krishna chant Sunday night at ISKCON NYC (https://youtu.be/26lqjzn-DHc):
Delta gave me a middle seat on my flight to Tampa, and when I arrived at my row, I saw I’d have a woman on either side, a situation not really recommended for brahmacaris. Then the woman in the aisle seat suggested that she take my middle seat and that the guy in the aisle seat across from her could sit in her seat. Thus I got an aisle seat with the middle seat free, just as on my last flight, and I said to the woman and the guy, “Thank you so much! May the good Lord bless you!”
Photos
This policy of Trader Joe’s may be interesting to devotees who distribute prasadam:
Kadamba Kanana Swami Disappearance Day Anniversary
Notes on Program in ISKCON NYC on Anniversary by Solar Calendar (March 9)
Keshava Swami:
From a recording:
Kadamba Kanana Swami said to me that the opposite of easy is not difficult but impossible, and difficult is the middle point.
Don’t avoid difficulty. It is the middle part, and will help us to attain Krishna
There is a final Zoom call that they took offline because it was too painful to see. Seeing it, I realized it was time to go to Vrindavan.
As soon as I arrived there, I apologized for not coming earlier, saying I was very busy.
He told me to be ready to embrace the difficulty for Krishna.
“Get your laptop,” he said. Then he dictated a letter about resolving situations in NYC.
“I have given you sannyasa, now I do not want you to be a low key sannyasi, but reach out more.”
He lamented how often people after initiation take a step back as if initiation is the goal.
He asked me, “Are you willing to do anything for Krishna?” That is the standard he set and that he wanted us to come up to.
Vasudeva Prabhu:
Indradyumna Swami says in the Gaudiya sampradaya the disappearance of the acaryas is more important. The activities of someone are most important, and on the disappearance day, we focus on their complete life.
At the point of death everything is stripped away from you, and the essence of the person is there.
We do not know if Kadamba Kanana Swami appeared as an acarya, but we know he left as an acarya.
We know he was absorbed in the sastra, in Srimad-Bhagavatam and Sri Caitanya-caritamrita.
He was living the Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, spreading the holy name everywhere.
He was absorbed in Krishna, bhakti, and Krishna prema, all experienced through nama-sankirtana.
He once said, “The day I cannot do kirtana anymore, I am ready to go.”
When I saw his consciousness in his last phase, he was very grave and very absorbed. He was chanting japa and listening to Prabhupada kirtans at the end. He could not speak, but he was chanting as best he could sixteen rounds. He was still with clarity of mind. He would also listen to Sri Caitanya-caritamrita and Gopal Campu.
He did not eat, he hardly drank, and he could not sleep very well. He did not take any pain killer.
Jayadvaita Swami looking at Kadamba Kanana Swami at the end, said he appeared to be someone whose every desire was satisfied. Blissful thoughts shone from his face.
The last day, I came early because his servant said he would leave in a few hours. We called B. B. Govinda Swami who led a soft kirtan of the Prabhupada melody for hours. Kadamba Kanana Swami had specified he wanted B. B. Govinda Swami to sing while he left.
Jayadvaita Swami came out of the room during that time, impressed by his effulgence, obviously relishing the kirtan.
He left during the time of the Abhijit muhurta, considered under the protection of the Vishnu and His sudarsana, and along with Brahma muhurta, the most auspicious time of the day.
He was very noble. He never backed down. He was very exemplary.
Madhupati Prabhu:
The spiritual master enters the eternal pastimes of the Supreme Lord.
I made Kadamba Kanana Swami went he was temple president in Vrindavan. He engaged me in the 24-hour kirtan.
When he visited ISKCON of Central New Jersey he would do kirtan after the lecture for three hours and take prasadam at the end of the whole evening.
He was always busy engaging people in the service of the Lord.
I came to Vrindavan in mid February and spent time with him everyday.
He said he was in difficulty but he was still chanting his 16 rounds, and he told me to always chant 16 rounds, even when it is difficult.
Just a few days before he left, they wanted someone to sit in his room always, and they invited me. I was sitting there, chanting in my mind. Soon he turned on his flashlight, checked the time, and shined the flashlight at me, and said, “Your chanting keeps me awake.”
He served the mission throughout his life going beyond the call of duty.
People were recalling in Vrindavan that he was the only temple president who actually collected money for the temple.
The great saint Tukarama also passed away at the Abhijit muhurta, in the presence of kirtan.
Tulasi Prabhu:
I personally find Kadamba Kanana Swami present in this book, Forever Present.
From Forever Present:
Let my disappearance, whenever it occurs, cause you to think, “Now I am going to be what my guru wants me to be.
Carry this mission in your heart, realize the essence of it, and spread it.
My desire is that you meet Krishna.
My personal instruction is to take the process, realize it, and spread it, making a contribution in this world.
---
Even at the end, Kadamba Kanana Swami wanted to be as independent as possible.
Jayadvaita Swami at Kadamba Kanana Swami’s departure said everything was completely auspicious.
Kadamba Kanana Swami when he left NYC said, “Tulasi, be more aggressive. Matanga, be sweet like an angel, and Jayananda, be like Jayananda.”
Whenever Jayadvaita Swami had a desire, Kadamba Kanana Swami picked up on it, and carried it out.
Hari Vilasa Prabhu:
It was a big part of his mission that Forever Present book was printed.
Vandana Devi Dasi:
Reading from Forever Present book:
When Srila Prabhupada left, his disciples realized their only connection with him was following his instructions.
By following the instructions of the guru after he has left, the relationship becomes deeper.
In Krishna consciousness there is reciprocation now, and there is reciprocation at the end.
Even though I did not communicate with you, I never stopped being your well-wisher.
There is nothing more powerful than Krishna’s mercy.
The appearance of the sankirtana movement is the most valuable event in our lives.
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, and Restoration of Light (HWPL)
International Religious Peace Academy
Buddhism (Venerable Dr. Dhammapiya):
An impure mind is the cause of all suffering.
Buddhism promotes a compassionate heart.
Bhavachakka is the wheel of life, of birth and death.
Hinduism (Gauranga Prabhu of Chowpatty):
Nothing material cannot affect the supreme potency of the holy name.
At the time of death other forms of worship will be unavailable to you, but you can call out the name of the Lord.
Chanting the holy name purifies the mind from lifetimes of impure activities.
Islam (Ahmed Jasem Hmood Al-Maliky):
After 40 years old, one must change his activities.
A person is asked five questions regarding how they spent their lives. Did they benefit people? Did they cause distress to others?
An atom of good and an atom of bad will each be seen.
Good deeds are demanded from everyone.
Humans are meant to assist God in this world by promoting righteousness.
God will ask what we have done for the benefit of our family, our society.
Sikhism (Mr. Karmjit Singh):
Why are we sad because of death or happy at birth? If the soul goes to God, he is in a better state.
If the body goes to dust, why are we here? To listen to God’s words and reconnect with Him.
We have become completely distracted by the rat race, and we have forgotten someday we have to leave this place.
We should live each day as if it is our last day. Then we will not hate or lust.
Sikh scriptures encourage one to live a high moral standard, help others, reconnect with God.
Insights
Srila Prabhupada:
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.4.1, purport:
“The whole Vedic adventure is to draw one’s attention entirely unto the lotus feet of Lord Krishna without any diversion.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.29.22, purport:
“Persons who profess to belong to some religious sect but who do not feel the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in every living entity, and everywhere else, are in the mode of ignorance.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.24.23, purport:
“Impersonalists are generally worshipers of Lord Shiva, but Lord Shiva is never without variety in his abode. Thus wherever one goes, whether to the planet of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu or Lord Brahma, there is variety to be enjoyed by persons full in knowledge and bliss.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.28.62, purport:
“My dear friend, I, the Supersoul, and you, the individual soul, are not different in quality, for we are both spiritual. In fact, My dear friend, you are qualitatively not different from Me in your constitutional position. Just try to consider this subject. Those who are actually advanced scholars, who are in knowledge, do not find any qualitative difference between you and Me.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.10.6, purport:
“At the present moment the entire world is in a dangerous position under the spell of a godless civilization. The Krishna consciousness movement needs many exalted, learned persons who will sacrifice their lives to revive God consciousness throughout the world. We therefore invite all men and women advanced in knowledge to join the Krishna consciousness movement and sacrifice their lives for the great cause of reviving the God consciousness of human society.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.8.9:
[Prahlada Maharaja said:] “My dear father, please give up your demoniac mentality. Do not discriminate in your heart between enemies and friends; make your mind equipoised toward everyone. Except for the uncontrolled and misguided mind, there is no enemy within this world. When one sees everyone on the platform of equality, one then comes to the position of worshiping the Lord perfectly.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.24.65:
[Srila Sukadeva Gosvami said:] “Krishna’s face is decorated with ornaments, such as earrings resembling sharks. His ears are beautiful, His cheeks brilliant, and His smiling attractive to everyone. Whoever sees Lord Krishna sees a festival. His face and body are fully satisfying for everyone to see, but the devotees are angry at the creator for the disturbance caused by the momentary blinking of their eyes.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya 8.214, purport:
“Srimati Radharani and the gopis are not interested in their personal happiness derived from association with Krishna. Rather, they become happy by seeing one another associate with Krishna. In this way their dealings are further nourished by love of Godhead, and seeing this, Krishna is very pleased.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya 15.163, purport:
“One who executes Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission must be considered eternally liberated. He is a transcendental person and does not belong to this material world. Such a devotee, engaging in the deliverance of the total population, is as magnanimous as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya 15.166:
[Lord Caitanya said:] “Whatever a pure devotee wants from his master, Lord Krishna doubtlessly grants because He has no duty other than to fulfill the desire of His devotee.”
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 “Bhakti on the Transcendental Platform” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 58, No. 4 (July/August 2024):
[Edited transcript of a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.33 in Vrindavan, India, on November 12, 1972.]
“If we execute devotional service with some material purpose, that purpose may be served, but we cannot rise to the transcendental platform. So we should be very careful that we may not take to devotional service with some material motive. Or even though you take to it in that way, still it is recommended that you prosecute, you go on, with devotional service by the regulative principles. Then you’ll come to the uttama platform.
“There is no question of disappointment, but we must know that if we remain on the material platform, then we have to take so much time. From the material platform we have to go to the spiritual platform. That means we require to follow the regulative principles very strictly and sincerely. Then we’ll be promoted to the nirguna platform.
“Without performing the regulative principles, one cannot come immediately, all of a sudden, to the nirguna platform. Maybe, by the grace of Krishna, one can come, but the regular way is first of all, let us follow the regulative principles strictly. Then gradually we shall be purified and come to the spiritual platform. And that will be the success of our life.”
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
From Notes on the Bhagavata 29:
“Modern civilization does not suspect its own degradation in seeking exclusively for mundane enjoyment. The mind and body of man have a natural aptitude for sensuous gratification, and all his mundane activities are practiced for its realization. The few can grasp the fact that the unalloyed essence of the soul has a natural aptitude for exclusive service of the Absolute which is utterly incompatible with mundane sensuous living.”
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura:
From Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, Adi-kandha 16.25, commentary:
“Only those devotees who are nonduplicitous, surrendered worshipers of the Lord are qualified to serve the Lord, and the Lord reciprocates by awarding His own rare, loving devotional service to such liberated souls.”
From “Foreword” in The Harmonist, Vol. XXV, No. 1, June 1927 (441 Chaitanya Era):
“‘Toshani’ is in the feminine form and means one who is desirous of pleasing. The journal aims exclusively at pleasing ‘Sajjanas’. The feminine form of the word is indicative of her attitude of humility in regard to ‘Sajjanas’. The word ‘Sajjana’ is not really narrow in its denotation. To him who possesses the clearest spiritual vision all living beings without exception are ‘Sajjanas’.”
From “The Daughter of Vrsabhanu” from the preface of Sri Radhika Astotara Satanama Stotram, Srimati Radharani – 108 Names and Pastimes:
“Without Sri Radhika, all other gopis combined cannot give Krishna pleasure. Rather, all the other gopis are there simply to enhance the mellows of Krishna’s sporting activities with Sri Radha.”
“It is difficult to change the mentality of foolish persons attached out of ignorance to fruitive activities. If the jñanis try to stop them, they themselves will also become attached to temporary, fruitive activities.”
“When will that day come when we will be qualified to engage in the most wonderful eternal nectarean service of Sri Sri Radha Govinda under Sri Radha as our divine mistress? To achieve that service, we will have to give up, like a crow’s excrement, our desire for material enjoyment, the insignificant fruitive activities mentioned in the smrti, and attachment to insignificant impersonalistic knowledge, austerity, mystic yoga, and so on. Attainment of Sri Radha’s service is not possible when one is full of anarthas. Those who hurry to discuss the transcendental pastimes of Sri Radha, who is the topmost maidservant of Krishna, while still full of anarthas and without qualification, are sense enjoyers, illusioned enjoyers of matter, and mundane sahajiyas.”
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami:
From Niti-sastras:
“When Prabhupada was in Australia, a reporter asked, ‘Why is it that such a small percentage of the population accepts this philosophy?’ In his response, Srila Prabhupada quoted this sloka. ‘According to percentage, the moon is nothing. There are so many stars in the sky, and by percentage the moon is nothing. But the moon is more important than all the nonsense stars.… Because he is the moon, he is more important. What is the use of taking percentage of the stars in the presence of the moon? Let there be one moon, that is sufficient.… One ideal man. Just like in the Christian world, one ideal Lord Jesus Christ.’”
“A qualified person will have so much influence. ‘If I create one moon, that is sufficient. I don’t want many stars. That was my Guru Maharaja’s principle, and that is my principle. What is the use of having numbers of fools and rascals? If one man understands rightly, he can deliver the whole world.’”
“Srila Prabhupada and his own spiritual master lived by the conviction that all their efforts would be worthwhile if they could convince even one person to become a pure devotee of Krishna. By his own testimony, Srila Prabhupada was happily surprised to find that his efforts were rewarded beyond his initial expectations. ‘One moon is sufficient. Our propaganda is to create one moon. . . . But fortunately, by Krishna’s grace, many moonlike boys and girls have come to me.’”
“All our preaching, all our prasadam distribution, all our public lecturing and touring and public relations are simply meant to inspire love of Krishna in our hearts and in the hearts of those we meet.”
“An unqualified person, no matter how powerful he may be, or how popular, cannot do anything good or lasting. Therefore, teachers, governments, and institutions should always seek to encourage pure spiritual qualities in their followers and aspire to attain those same qualities themselves. That is how they can benefit society.”
“Of course, we cannot understand the acarya’s mind, but we certainly knew that Prabhupada wasn’t using manipulative techniques to motivate us. Prabhupada wasn’t trying to win friends and influence people. There was no cynicism in his reprimand, and he wasn’t being calculating. If Prabhupada looked sad and disappointed, he was sad and disappointed. ‘You are my disciple. Why did you do this?’ Prabhupada was para-duhkha-duhkhi. His compassion made him feel the disappointment at a disciple’s misbehavior, and a reprimand was a consequence of his compassion.”
“In one Srimad-Bhagavatam lecture, Prabhupada described his relationship with his disciples as that of the father with grown-up children:
‘It is not desirable that in grown-up ages, you should also be chastised. That is also difficult because when the disciple or son is grown-up, if he is chastised, then he breaks.... We should be conscious that “this is our rules and regulations. We must observe.” It is advised by Canakya Pandita, prapte tu sodase varse/ putram mitra-vad-acaret, “After the sixteenth year, the disciple or son should be treated as a friend.” So our request is that instead of chastising, with folded hands I request you, don’t become hippies again by growing hair. Keep your head cleansed at least once in a month. Neither can I chastise you. I am also an old man; you are young men.’”
“Friends and enemies are determined by their behavior. That doesn’t mean that everyone who disagrees with us is an enemy. Often, devotees become entangled in offense because they don’t understand this point. For example, Lord Caitanya spoke strongly against Vallabhacarya. He called him a prostitute for criticizing Sridhara Svami. All this was said between scholars and devotees. Despite the Lord’s criticism, Vallabha continued to invite the Lord for lunch and the Lord continued to accept. There was no offense taken.”
“Yukta-vairagya means to renounce something not by giving it up, but by using it in Krishna’s service. When we consider that we will be forced to renounce life itself, then we can respond by giving our lives into the fire of devotional service.”
“We can say that Srila Prabhupada was militaristic in his approach to the preaching mission and that he wanted his disciples to respond in kind, but Prabhupada also exemplified the life of a Vaishnava saint. He never acted in the mode of passion. He was methodical in his use of time. He was clean and brahminical. He spoke strongly but was always a gentleman. He was never overcome by external events, and he was never fanatical. Those qualities, which are simply the qualities of a Vaishnava, lifted him above the passionately spinning wheels of crisis management. He never thought he had to give up brahminical qualities and the sadhaka life to achieve his goals for preaching.”
“One thing that many devotees have already given is their youth. That is already a great sacrifice and for those who have given the best years of their lives, there is no loss, no matter what their experience in ISKCON has been.”
“We are holding onto our material desires, thinking that when we get the signal, we will run to Vrindavan and renounce everything. It may be too late. We may never get notice of our impending death. That is why we should emphasize giving everything up by living, not by dying. We should sacrifice every minute of our time to Krishna consciousness in this spirit.”
From Day by Day: A Record of a 7-Day Japa Vrata:
“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna. I will not abandon Thee, precious mantra given to me by my spiritual master. I will chant You all the days of my life until and including the hour of my death.
“Please stay with me, holy names. I don’t know anything. I need your love. You are God in most convenient form.
“I embrace you, Harer Nama. You reciprocate.
“You are given to me in disciplic succession.
“Hare Krishna is my days and nights. On beads he gave me. My Swami, my leader has kindly said chant Hare Krishna. We are writing and that’s good too. But don’t neglect your chanting.”
From Renewal:
“I am thinking, ‘Will I learn to give this up beforehand?’ If you give it up too soon, it’s false renunciation. But you have to know when to give up one thing and do another.”
“‘I give you my blessings from Srila Prabhupada.’ I repeat those words and in an exclamatory way. When I give him his glass of medicine drink (which prevents cramps) I say out loud, “Blessings to Baladeva.” He receives the blessings with great relish. When this happens, I feel my love for Srila Prabhupada—which seemed to be lost—flowing back to me. He loves to receive the blessings, and I love to give them. out As I give a blessing, I put my fist on his heart and repeat the words: ‘My blessings from Srila Prabhupada! My blessings from me.’ When we do this, we are slowly regaining our enthusiasm for loving Krishna and the whole parampara, the whole world.”
“I’ve written so many books. Someone may ask, ‘Why so many?’ But the reason is, I am trying to reach everyone in Krishna consciousness, or people coming to Krishna consciousness, with a variety of books, and I find I have written deliberately different books which aim at different audiences. I get many letters from people who say they read a particular book that has helped their Krishna consciousness.”
[The next few paragraphs deal with his memories of “The Happening Album.”]
“Prabhupada and the boys made the album in the winter of 1966, before he parted for California, leaving us all alone—except for wonderful relics and memories, like this album.
“Our little storefront and its band of a few, over a dozen, were going strong at that time. It was too cold to go out any more and chant in Tompkins Square Park, but the meetings at 26 Second Avenue were going strong. We were becoming known in the Lower East Side and other parts of Manhattan. People, especially young people, liked to come to the storefront, particularly to chant with Prabhupada leading and we following as a chorus. Not many people could understand Prabhupada’s talks, partly because of his accent, but everyone understood the Hare Krishna sound vibration, “transcendental sound vibration.” As we were beginning to be a bit known on the Lower East Side, one night a man, whose name was Alan Kallman, came to visit the storefront, and I think his wife was with him. He was a recorder of record albums, especially off-beat productions of rock bands and other presentations. It was a winter night when he came and took part in the chanting with the devotees. He was very impressed by the Hare Krishna mantra in the company of Prabhupada and the boys (and one or two girls). He had a little prestige being a record album producer, and he got to see Prabhupada privately. Soon, he proposed to Prabhupada, or maybe Prabhupada proposed to him, that the Happening Record Company could record a 33 rpm LP of the devotees chanting. There were some preliminary arrangements made, not much talk of where the money would go or come from, and finally a date was arranged for when we could actually go up to Kallman’s studio in Uptown Manhattan.
“We dressed warmly, and made the trip to Uptown Manhattan. We were a jolly group, close-knit, and eager to spread the mantra and the teachings of Krishna consciousness. Here are some snips of memories of that night.
“We arrived there early, and another band was in there recording before us. We went into the streets and held kirtana before we got our turn. Hayagriva was playing a large bass drum, the way you see in people playing in a parade. We were happy and proud of being led by Swamiji and getting a chance to record the mantra with him in a bona fide recording studio in New York City. Mr. Kallman was very enthusiastic about our group, and wanted the recording to go off well. While we were waiting to go on and record, a young man from the music group that had just recorded, told us the name of their group (some rock and roll name). He then asked us what was our name, who were we? Hayagriva, in his booming voice, proudly said, “We are the Hare Krishna Chanters!” He made the name up on the spot, and we went by that name on the recording. Swamiji wanted to record with a mrdanga, but we had none. Finally, on that very day of recording, a guest hippie came into the storefront, and with Prabhupada’s coaxing, he admitted that he had a kohl—a wooden drum like a mrdanga but with a different sound. Prabhupada spoke politely with him and convinced him to lend us the drum for the evening when we recorded. The man needed some coaxing before he would part with his precious drum, but Swamiji assured him we would return it with no damage, so we got the drum for the evening, and that was a big plus. We had our own karatalas, and we had one harmonium which Allen Ginsberg had given us. So we were pretty well equipped, and we were well acquainted with the Hare Krishna mantra, having played it many, many times in the storefront, and we were led by a master kirtaneer and great bhakti philosopher in Prabhupada.
“When our time came to actually record, there were over ten of us, and we gathered in his studio. We did one beginning ‘take’ with Alan and his engineers recording. After a few moments of playing, Alan stopped us and asked us to do it again in an improved way. He then supplied us with sticks and asked us to play them along with the other instruments. The sticks were a great addition to the performance. There were a number of pairs of sticks, and you can hear them on the recording.
“We sang very heartily, happy to be with our Swami, and playing in the recording capital, New York City. I believe we had to do one more entire take before Mr. Kallman and his engineers were satisfied. In fact, they were very satisfied, and the whole atmosphere of good will spread in the record studio.
“I remember that the engineers were pleased that it went so quickly and smoothly. Maybe two takes, and that was all that was necessary, and they thought that was good enough. We were excited to be out in the city and making a record album at a place where rock and roll artists made their albums. Alan Kallman thought he had something special in us, and he was eager to make the record.
The front cover was entirely covered by a picture of Radha and Krishna. When the sleeve was produced for the album, one of the boys said to Prabhupada, ‘You look so philosophical here in the picture.’ Prabhupada replied, ‘A swami should look philosophical.’ His hair wasn’t completely shaved, but grown in a little, and that made him look handsome.
“Prabhupada’s address regarding the Hare Krishna mantra, which he made in a recording studio in approximately December 1966, was released on what became known as The Happening Album. It was not long after this that he left New York for California. But he left us a great preaching tool in New York and a wonderful, worshipable object. The devotees in New York would listen to it again and again, and when Prabhupada traveled, he would take it with him and he would play it for dignified persons, people he met who didn’t know anything about Krishna consciousness. It was very well received by them.”
[More memories of “The Happening Album.”]
“Mr. Alan Kallman had been to the 26 Second Avenue storefront and liked the chanting. He made an agreement with Prabhupada to make a recording for a Hare Krishna album, with an accompanying speech. I remember the night of the recording. In particular, I remember that after we recorded it, the engineers, Mr. Kallman, and Srila Prabhupada and the devotees (all perhaps fifteen of us), listened to the recording of the singing being played back to us. The studio was fairly big, and as the music played back, we began to dance to it. Everyone was blissful to hear it, and they knew they had a success. It was a very happy occasion, as we danced, we Hare Krishna people, to the vibrations of the mantra led by Prabhupada. Even the engineers began to dance within their studio, and Srila Prabhupada took part in dancing and singing along with the voices on the recording. Mr. Kallman was very happy and pleased with the way it had come out, and Prabhupada was particularly pleased, as he knew the value of this recorded mantra for his preaching to people.
“One thing that stood out for me was that the recording was non-sectarian. In school, we used to call the Catholic school parochial, and the public school was non-parochial. So, this was a non-parochial speech. Prabhupada didn’t even use the word ‘God’ in the speech. This made it the more acceptable to all people. It was completely spiritual but it wasn’t addressed to one religious denomination at the expense of another. That stood out in this speech. He used words like ‘transcendental,’ ‘spiritual,’ and ‘intellectual,’ but it was all non-prejudiced. It was a message for the whole world. But Prabhupada’s message is not watered down or timid. At least twice, in a strong voice, he speaks the whole mantra—Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. He spoke in strong tones, with his Bengali accent, and it was commanding and charming.
“There was one unpleasant thing in the dealings between Prabhupada and Mr. Kallman. Kallman delayed the production and delivery of the record. He took so long that Prabhupada even invented a name for him, indicating his inability to deliver the record on time. Prabhupada didn’t think that Mr. Kallman was a cheater in any way, but he sure was a procrastinator.
“We certainly liked Prabhupada’s expression, ‘the Great Chanting for Deliverance,’ and his statement that there was ‘no need of understanding the language of the mantra.’ The indirect reference to Radha and Krishna, as he explains the words Hara and Hare, makes the speech esoteric.
“It was very memorable that our little Krishna gang left the confines of 26 Second Avenue (Lower East Side), and ventured out to the more sophisticated realm of Manhattan Uptown, and mingled with recording people.
“My personal experience of going out with Prabhupada and recording the record in big-time New York City, was one of the most memorable events of his sojourn with us.”
[More memories of “The Happening Album.”]
“Prabhupada was exhausted, but immediately after the singing had stopped for the recording, Prabhupada asked Mr. Kallman to play the mantra over the studio speakers. The mantra came on, and everyone became happy; it was very ecstatic. The devotees chanted along with the singing, and even the engineers joined in, raising their arms like us, and dancing. Prabhupada was dancing too. It was a great moment, the culmination of a great evening and the beginning of a new era—the introduction of the Hare Krishna Movement in America. Prabhupada had begun to extend his mission beyond the Lower East Side. This was a great, triumphant moment, an occasion of triumphant celebration, when we all sang together, including Srila Prabhupada and the engineers in the studio, who raised their arms along with us and chanted with us and danced.
“Listening to Prabhupada’s dynamic speech, and taking part personally in the singing and then the dancing, I felt completely free. I was with my best friends, although some of them I had only known for a few months. I felt the ecstasy of the Swami’s love for Krishna, and felt we had done a great thing and that it would become popular and widespread. I felt happy to have been a participant of the first recording, of The Happening maha-mantra record.”
Sri Radhika Astotara Satanama Stotram, Srimati Radharani – 108 Names and Pastimes:
“Once, Radharani was displeased with Krishna. To appease Her, the Lord inquired how He might calm Her. Radharani declared that should anyone seek refuge in Him, regardless of their past, He must embrace them forever. Krishna agreed to Her plea, and thus She was appeased.”
“When Lord Krishna departs Vrndavana for Mathura, escorted by Akrura, and does not return, Radharani’s grief is boundless, Her tears unceasing. In this moment of profound sorrow, even Candravali, often seen as Radharani’s rival, is moved to compassion. Setting aside their differences, Candravali consoles Radharani, assuring Her of Krishna’s eventual return. This act of empathy unites them, transcending rivalry into friendship, as Candravali is deeply touched by Radharani’s unwavering devotion to Krishna and yields to it.”
Nagaraja Prabhu:
From “Maya’s Authorized Deceit” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 58, No. 4 (July/August 2024):
“Out of the many lessons given in the Vedic literature, an essential one to grasp is that the miseries of material existence are meant to inspire us to give up trying to enjoy the material world and turn to Krishna.”
“Maya’s job is to make sure we belong in Krishna’s world. The miseries she sends us, under Krishna’s ultimate supervision, are meant to prod us to take up the practices of Krishna consciousness and move steadily forward. We must become free of all impurity in our heart and all attachment to whatever Maya deceptively offers us. We must come to the point of relinquishing our false, material ego and discovering our true, spiritual ego as an eternal servant of Krishna. Our love for Krishna must be natural, focused, and pure. Paradoxically, Maya’s deceit can help us reach that goal by forcing us to strengthen our resolve to fully take shelter of Him.”
Rama Raya Prabhu:
Sometimes when Srila Prabhupada detected insincerity in asking questions he would reply, “What is this? I am not an answering machine.”
Devotees used to do a play in which year after year a man deposited money into the wrong bank account, and thus ended up with nothing. It was to show the fallacy of spending all one’s time on materialistic pursuits and none on spiritual development.
Srila Prabhupada makes the point that if one is following guru, sadhu, and sastra, there is no need for despondency even in the most trying circumstances.
Once a disciple expressed to Srila Prabhupada that he was completely devoted to him but had difficulties in ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada said not to worry and that he himself had difficulties with his guru’s organization.
Tamal Krishna Goswami was having a minor operation in Bombay, and while under anesthesia he had a dream where Srila Prabhupada was explaining how his preaching was going to the previous acaryas. He said his disciples had so many disqualifications but the one good thing is they would do whatever he wanted.
Our purpose is to extend the personal mercy of Srila Prabhupada.
Q
(by Siddha Hari Prabhu):
Rupa Goswami says to always chant the holy name.
A:
Srila
Prabhupada himself did so many things besides chanting. I
understand that to mean to always engage in devotional service.
Baladeva Vidyabhusana SDG describes 26 Second Avenue as Krishna Consciousness 101. The same loving mood Srila Prabhupada showed there we need to have today to inspire new people in Krishna consciousness.
Comment by me:
One analogy that is sometimes given is that of the radio. In this room, so many radio waves are there. On one station there is the news, on another the weather, or this kind of music or that kind of music. We are not aware of it. But if we have radio tuned to the right frequency we can pick it up. Similarly the Supreme Lord is situated everywhere, but through engagement in devotional service, we can tune in to His presence.
Bhisma and Drona suffered due to the bad association of Duryodhana and company.
Karuna Dharini Devi Dasi:
From “Our Inner Best Friend” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 58, No. 4 (July/August 2024):
“In the Bhagavad-gita Krishna says of His presence in the body as the Supersoul that He is the transcendental enjoyer, the supreme proprietor, and the overseer and permitter. He gives us the intelligence to fulfill both ignoble and heavenly desires, or to opt for transcendental knowledge by which to develop self-realization.”
“A person’s taking to Krishna consciousness is the most marvelous change. Sensing what the circumstances have to offer, the superknower begins a series of incremental adjustments in that person’s life. ‘This person has taken notice of Me!’ He exclaims. ‘I am here for him.’”
Maithuna Prabhu:
From a conversation:
Krishna consciousness is meant to end material existence and not to supplement material existence.
Jai Nitai Prabhu:
As a kid I wondered how God could hear all the billions of prayers offered to Him by the earth’s residents each day. When I encountered Krishna consciousness, I learned the answer: Krishna expands as Paramatma in everyone’s body.
The soul desires, the Supersoul sanctions, and the modes of material nature carry out the actions.
Everything in the spiritual world and in the material world as well is based on relationships. If you cannot figure out how to have good relationships in this world, it is unlikely that Krishna will let you into the spiritual world.
Kadamba Kanana Swami was always cultivating loving relationships with devotees.
They say the best way to give love is to spend time.
Radhanath Swami says devotees just need someone to give them some time by hearing them.
Nityananda Chandra Prabhu:
Brahman will not shed tears upon seeing you. Neither will Paramatma.
Bhakti is the easiest process because Krishna helps you.
In the heart of the atheistic, Krishna supplies the arguments against His own existence.
Once Srila Prabhupada asked what is the most important verse. One devotee offered “yare dekha, tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa amara ajñaya guru haña tara’ ei desa – Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Sri Krishna as they are given in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.” Prabhupada agreed.
Caitanya Carana Prabhu:
From “Q&A” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 58, No. 4 (July/August 2024):
“Knowledge about the soul is not like knowledge about some abstract theoretical concept like a quark that has no bearing on our practical lives.”
“Aldous Huxley put it well: ‘It is because we do not know who we are . . . that we behave in the generally silly, the often insane and the sometimes criminal ways that are so characteristically human.’”
From “Sacrificing for a Higher Cause” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 58, No. 4 (July/August 2024):
“The Gita (15.7) explains that we all are part of the Lord. And in His plan for the welfare of the world, we all have a part to play. Some of us may have bigger parts; others, smaller parts. While playing our parts, some of us may meet with success; others, with failure. Nonetheless, whatever be our parts and fates, we all will be blessed and elevated by playing our parts. But to play our parts, we may need to sacrifice some of our desires. Even if the sacrifice is painful, it will sacralize us –make us sacred – purifying us of the negativities that cover the divinity of our souls.”
“Most of us will never be called upon to sacrifice as much as Ghatotkaca was. But whatever little sacrifice we are called to do, if we take it up unflinchingly we will contribute to creating a better future for the world and ourselves.”
Pandava Prabhu:
From Tuesday program lecture:
Only when people are free from selfish desires can they have meaningful relationships. For that reason, Krishna advises Arjuna to surrender to Him.
Krishna is not an envious deity who will make you suffer in hell if you choose to worships someone else.
We can test our spiritual master before we accept initiation but afterwards we cannot choose to disagree with him.
Comments by me:
Krishna explains that knowledge of Him results in devotion to Him in Bhagavad-gita 10.8: “I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.”
And also in Bg. 4.10: “Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me—and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me.”
If something is different from us, it could be better or worse, but the tendency is to think that it is worse.
From a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.29.21:
We have to regularly hear the scripture to change our behavior.
Children can see if their parents are really attached to chanting Hare Krishna and hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam. So can Krishna who is in the heart.
Krishna has a recipe for social peace. If we follow it there will be peace.
People are fighting for the rights of certain sections of society, lacking universal vision.
Giving time to devotees is also devotional service because it gives pleasure to Krishna.
Krishna had all the time in the world for Arjuna.
Comments by me:
Suruci and her son, Uttama, had to die prematurely because they offended Dhruva Maharaja before he became a pure devotee, in fact even before he met his guru, so it is not good enough just to not offend someone who is not presently a pure devotee. If you offend bhakta so-and-so, you better watch out!
Lord Caitanya said that one who chants the holy name and does not offend any living entity easily attains Krishna-prema.
Mukunda Maharaja has a remembrance of experiencing that Srila Prabhupada had all the time in the world for him, although Prabhupada had many ambitious plans for spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world.
Comment by Narada Muni Prabhu: Sometimes we see the Supersoul in everyone’s heart but ignore the jiva that is in every heart as well, and we ignore that individual jiva has his own relationship with Krishna.
Comment by Tulasi Prabhu: Once Kadamba Kanana Swami said, “I do not know why people always come to me to complain. Why don’t they sometimes tell me something good that is going on in their lives?”
Tulasi Prabhu:
From Tuesday program lecture:
The Bhagavad-gita, especially chapters 1 to 6, talk about how to do our duty.
We have to be active, to be focused, and to be determinated to meet our goals.
When the result comes, then Krishna says, “You have to give the result to Me.”
In addition we have to remember Krishna as we do the duty.
Krishna gives us so much knowledge about Himself so we may feel inspired to do things for Him.
The last six chapters of the Bhagavad-gita talk about how we can become from impediments that occur in the course of doing our duties for Krishna while remembering Him.
Bhagavad-gita is a great book for individuals who have identity crises.
Even Arjuna, although practically the greatest warrior in history, had an identity crisis at the beginning of Bhagavad-gita.
It would be easy if we just had intelligence but we also have the mind, and the mind does not always agree with the intelligence.
From a Sunday Feast lecture:
The brahmacari develops good character through spiritual activities, and thus when he enters household life he can live with his wife peacefully and not act out of lust or anger.
After the age of fifty, one is expected to cultivate renunciation and not sense gratification. Why? So he can remember Krishna at the end of life instead of sense enjoyment.
Srila Prabhupada said that if at the end of life, you are chanting sixteen rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra and not engaging meat eating, illicit sex, intoxication, and gambling, he guarantees you will go back to the spiritual world.
My guru said that devotees laugh about things that are not important, but they are serious about things that are important.
Do not miss Gaura Purnima. It is a opportunity for getting great mercy. You will see if you come.
Gauranga Darsana Prabhu:
“Duly acknowledging and empathizing with the feelings of those in pain, instead of dismissing them, makes our hearts grow bigger and their hearts brighter.”
Gopala Prana Prabhu:
There
are different kinds of hearing:
incidental
hearing: hearing occasionally such as when traveling one visits a
temple
purposeful
hearing: hearing about a specific topic
practiced
hearing: hearing every day to make spiritual advancement
specific
hearing: hearing about advanced topics, like the gopis
It is important for a devotee to make time for hearing and chanting to advance.
If we do not develop a taste for hearing, we will seek pleasure in sense gratification.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura mentions that simplicity, saralata, is important and is very pleasing to Krishna.
Usually an author does not glorify an another author in his books, but Krishnadasa Kaviraja takes great pleasure in praising Vrindavan Das Thakura, author of Caitanya-bhagavata.
Rasikananda Prabhu was loved by everyone in his village. His mother always encouraged him to read Srimad-Bhagavatam.
He was eager to find a guru. A voice from the sky said, “Do not be in anxiety. Your guru is Syamananda Pandit.”
He was such a great preacher that atheists, thives, and rogues were converted.
Some envious people engaged an elephant in trying to kill him, but he was able to pacify the elephant. He even befriended tigers.
Jaganntha Das Babaji had great taste for chanting the holy name.
Comments by me:
Gaining
a taste for hearing is done in this way:
“O
twice-born sages, by serving those devotees who are completely freed
from all vice, great service is done. By such service, one gains
affinity for hearing the messages of Vasudeva.”
(Srimad-Bhagavatam
1.2.16)
Chowpatty
does harinama
every
day.
London
Soho does, too.
In
Paris we did five days a week.
Arjunananda Prabhu:
Krishna gave Sisupala’s mother the assurance that he would not kill her son until he committed a hundred offenses.
Kaikeyi actually wanted that Rama be killed, but because it would not be socially acceptable to ask her husband for that boon, she asked that He be sent to the forest for 14 years, hoping he would be killed by some animal in the forest.
If you are envious you can get knowledge, but you cannot get realization.
The Vedic knowledge is locked with a padlock, and the key is nonenviousness.
If we are envious of anyone that means we are envious of Krishna because all living entities are part of Krishna.
If we practice envy throughout our lives, we will be envious at the time of death.
Radhanath Swami teaches that appreciation is an antidote to envy.
Superficial words of praise will not be as effective as true appreciation from the heart.
Janaki Devi Dasi:
When I think about speaking on a verse, I zoom back and look at the whole context, and I consider who is speaking and to whom.
There are many parallels between the conversation between Kapila and Devahuti and the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna.
We do not want to stay in our little bubble in the temple. We want this bubble to expand and engulf the entire world.
Krishna is just as present in the Times Square subway station when we are doing harinama.
When I go to the temples where the devotees are happily serving together and the pujaris are always attentively looking after the Deity, the Deities in those places look especially beautiful.
Once Mahatma Prabhu told us that our japa beads are actually worshipable, and he gave us incense and had us offer it to our worshipable beads.
Comments by me:
In addition to chapters 2 and 13, which you mentioned, chapter 7 of the Gita has sankhya, specifically Bg. 7.4.
At the 2005 Rainbow gathering in West Virginia, we put tilaka on everyone who visited our camp, acknowledging the presence of soul and Supersoul in everyone.
Nitai Dasi, who was head pujari in Alachua even when I lived there twenty years ago, shows realization of Krishna in everyone’s heart as she goes on harinama every week and distributes more books than everyone else.
One evening pujari noticed the sweets for the morning offering were not made so he stayed up for three or four hours making them. The next time he saw the deities They looked more beautiful than They ever had before, and he realized They were reciprocating with his service.
Many pujaris are very friendly to the devotees because they have become purified by their deity worship, and they see all as servants of the deities and encourage them.
C. S. Lewis:
From Mere Christianity:
“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”
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Different verses in the revealed literature stress the great value of remembering the Supreme Lord always. This one which Srila Prabhupada quotes in a purport is among the most powerful.
“In the Vishnu Purana it is written:
sa
hanis tan mahac chidram
sa
mohah sa ca vibhramah
yan-muhurtam
ksanam vap
vasudevam
na cintayet
‘If even for a moment remembrance of Vasudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is missed, that is the greatest loss, that is the greatest illusion, and that is the greatest anomaly.’” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.9.36, purport)