Diary
of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 20, No. 9
By
Krishna Kripa Das
(May 2024, part one)
United
Kingdom, Paris, Kolkata, Mayapur
(Sent
from Mayapur on May 19,
2024)
Where I Went and What I Did
The first morning in May I took a bus from London to Newcastle, where I chanted Hare Krishna in public two days, with the assistance of local devotees, before going to York for a day to do harinama alone and to lecture at their weekly Friday night program. Gauridasa Pandit Prabhu arranged for my stay that night and my travel to Birmingham for their 24-hour kirtan that weekend. While in London I had learned that Indradyumna Swami was going to do harinama there on Saturday afternoon, and because I love his harinamas and I had not been on one for five years, I made a day trip to London. I was happy to see that Sri Prahlada Prabhu, whose harinamas I also love, was there with Indradyumna Swami, and he led the chanting twice. After the weekend of kirtan in Birmingham at a new venue with plenty of space to dance, I returned to London for an afternoon of harinama, before taking an overnight bus to Paris. I did harinama in Paris with local devotees for a couple of days before flying to Delhi, with Gaura Nataraja Prabhu, my last year’s Paris harinama partner, and then on to Kolkata alone. In Kolkata I attended an evening kirtan and the morning program at the New Town temple there, before taking the train to Krishnanagar en route to Mayapur. I arrived in Mayapur on the auspicious Aksaya Tritiya, the first day of Chandan Yatra, and beginning of the seven-day Radha Madhava boat festival, which had inspired me to travel to India in the hot season, having had nice memories of that event from 2006. I would also attend some of the harinamas at Mayapur as well.
I share quotes from Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam. I also have quotes from Sri Caitanya-bhagavata by Vrindavan Das Thakura and its commentary by Bhaktisiddhanta Thakura. I share quotes from Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya. I share notes on classes by Gopal Krishna Goswami from a recording, Indradyumna Swami speaking in London, Acharya Ratna Prabhu speaking in Kolkata, and several devotees speaking in Mayapur. I have a separate section on glorification of Gopal Krishna Goswami by senior devotees in Mayapur.
Thanks
to Yumi of Paris for her very generous donation. Thanks
to
Satya Medha Gauranga Prabhu for his generous donation as well as
for paying for an Uber to my bus. Thanks to Gauridas Pandit Prabhu for
allowing me to speak at his program in York, letting me stay
overnight at his place, and taking me to Birmingham for the 24-Hour
Kirtan the next day. Thanks to Rupanuga Bhakti Prabhu for
facilitating my visit to London. Thanks to the devotee who gave me a
free ticket on the train to London from Birmingham. Thanks to Bali
Mardan Prabhu for letting me stay overnight with him in Leicester and
for the ride to the train station. Thanks to Janmastami Prabhu for lunch, shoes, socks, and bandaids. Thanks to Radhika Nagara Prabhu for Jagannath prasadam. Thanks to Satipati Prabhu for use of his Indian SIM card and 10 GB of data. Thanks to Bhakta Jeff for lunch, toothpaste, and cough drops. Thanks to Acharya Ratna and Subhananda Prabhus for hospitality at ISKCON New Town Kolkata.
Itinerary
May
10–30: Mayapur harinamas
[May
22 – Nrsimha Caturdasi festival]
May
31: Kolkata harinama
June
1: Kolkata and Delhi airport harinamas
June
2–August 5: Paris harinamas
–
July
13: Amsterdam Ratha-yatra
August
6–7: Montreal harinamas
August
7–11: Canadian Vaishnava Sanga Festival
August
12–13: Montreal harinamas
August
14–16: Paris harinamas
August
16–19: Balarama Festival (New Mayapur France)
August
22–25: Trutnov (Czech Woodstock)
August
29–30: Liverpool harinamas
August
31: Liverpool Ratha-yatra
September
7: Brighton Ratha-yatra
September
8: Great North Run harinama
(Newcastle,
UK)
September
9–11: Dublin harinamas
September
12: NYC Harinam
Chanting Hare Krishna in Newcastle
Two devotees, Satya Medha Gauranga Prabhu and Vasu Shrestha Prabhu joined me on harinama after their work both days. The second day Vishnupriya Devi Dasi and Braja Devi Dasi chanted with me at the beginning of the harinama, and Unnimaya, a younger Indian devotee woman, came later along with the men and played the harmonium for them. I was so happy to have five devotees come out on one of my additional harinamas. I was also happy to learn that in Newcastle in addition to their weekly Friday harinama organized by Prema Sankirtana Prabhu, Dhananjaya Prabhu and his wife, Sarasvati, also do harinama on Saturdays.
Before I started going to Paris regularly for two months a year at the request of Janananda Goswami, I was based in Newcastle in the summer and would spend several weeks there, with trips to the other cities in the North UK where we have periodic programs. I was happy to return for a couple of days and hope to come back in August and September for a few days more.
It was impressive for me to see how many passersby were attracted to participate in our Newcastle harinama, and that it did not seem to matter who was leading the kirtan. Some people were always attracted.
Newcastle devotees Visnupriya Devi Dasi and Satyamedha Gauranga Prabhu join me in leading the Hare Krishna chant on Northumberland Street, and onlookers participate (https://youtu.be/y12L1ia7jTU):
Braja Devi assisted by playing karatalas.
While Vasu Shrestha Prabhu chanted Hare Krishna in Newcastle, a woman played shakers and danced (https://youtu.be/2LhDZKihpWA):
Here Unnimaya, who played harmonium for Vasu Shrestha and Satyamedha Prabhus, chants Hare Krishna in Newcastle, and a passerby plays shakers and dances (https://youtu.be/D_zrMzIY3Zw):
Chanting Hare Krishna in York
May 3 when I changed buses in Leeds en route to York from Newcastle, I noticed signs for the May 12 Leeds Marathon. I encouraged Manoharini Radha Devi Dasi to organize a harinama and chant to the 14,000 runners. She did and shared this video (https://youtube.com/shorts/_iFg9lzYCvI?feature=share):
She said, “Thank you so much for suggesting we attend Leeds marathon. So many heard Holy Names. I gave out between 300 to 350 prasadam sweets. . . . it was a brilliant idea . . . We’ll be doing it again next year for sure.” I can't take credit for the “brilliant idea”. I got it from ISKCON Newcastle UK devotees who chant at the Great North Run.
She even distributed a few books.
I ended up doing harinama alone in York, although in the past several devotees would join with me. Priya Sundari Devi Dasi of Leeds moved to Leicester, Govardhana Dasi of Scarborough moved to Norwich, and Ashish of York moved to Karuna Bhavan in Scotland, so I did not have anyone to invite.
One man said he hadn’t seen the Hare Krishna chanting in York for quite some time. He followed another path but appreciated what we do. He had seen the York Ratha-yatra before COVID, and he gave me the largest donation that day.
One young British woman said, “Keep doing what you are doing.” And later, “I like what you are doing.” She was happy to take the free literature and learn of our Friday evening programs in York.
One Nepali woman who was looking for spiritual programs was also happy to learn of our York program. I got her phone number to give to Gauridas Pandit Prabhu, who is organizing our York program and is also Nepali.
A man from Kerala was also happy to learn of our programs.
Rain was predicted for the whole afternoon, but it was not raining when I got there, and later the sun came out, and it did not rain for the rest of the day.
In York, there are many abandoned shops with awnings that can protect from rain, so I was able to find a safe place to chant.
It turned out the place was right across from Superdrug, the shop we chant in front of in Newcastle!
Chanting Hare Krishna in London
Sri Prahlada Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Soho Square in London (https://youtu.be/eT8KYaj7y3w):
Sri Prahlada Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in London, and two girls dance with devotees (https://youtu.be/73mJZkOC5Fg):
Sri Prahlada Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Leicester Square in London and four girls delight in dancing with devotee women (https://youtu.be/fbywnvd7xGA):
The day after the Birmingham 24-Hour Kirtan, I chanted Hare Krishna on Oxford Street in Central London as the first lead singer for their afternoon harinama (https://youtube.com/shorts/EZpI0JaaNTI?feature=share):
Usually they just do one and a half or two hours, and so during the morning announcements I offered to do more harinama in the evening so as to make three hours altogether. They proposed doing three hours in the afternoon and that we dedicate it to the honor of and for the benefit of Gopal Krishna Goswami, who passed away the day before, and so we did.
Matteo chants Hare Krishna in Central London (https://youtu.be/QIk2lg3rmVU):
Matteo chants Hare Krishna on Carnaby Street in Central London, and girls play shakers and dance (https://youtu.be/9ab37NMMSls):
Matteo chants Hare Krishna in a Carnaby Street beauty shop in London (https://youtu.be/YKWwArlMVSI):
Matteo chants Hare Krishna in a Carnaby Street shoe shop in London, and an employee dances (https://youtu.be/mdk6LHQd1NY):
Shyam Govinda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on Regents Street in London (https://youtu.be/KERt1Y5Qv6o):
Shyam Govinda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Piccadilly Circus in London, and several people dance (https://youtu.be/y_NK0gox-kA):
Shyam Govinda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in London, and a group of tourists dances (https://youtu.be/zp20GNsPueY):
Shyam Govinda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in a gambling house in London (https://youtu.be/J3O8w-RyG4E):
Shyam Govinda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Govinda’s and in front of the temple, and guys dance (https://youtu.be/FFaWOTB8vW0):
Chanting Hare Krishna at Birmingham 24-Hour Kirtan
On Saturday, I just got half an hour of kirtan in before taking the bus to London to do harinama with Indradyumna Swami. Then after returning and taking dinner prasadam, I got another forty-five minutes of kirtan or so.
Bali Mardan, who has a real taste for organizing harinamas in Leicester, kindly offered to let me stay at his place that night. While I was there he showed me the last letter he got from his guru, Kadamba Kanana Swami. Actually it is at least partially the mercy of Kadamba Kanana Swami that I was there in the UK because he once told me, “Preach in the UK outside of London. All the swamis go to London.” I intend to continue to come to the UK outside of London for a few days each year as an offering to Kadamba Kanana Swami.
Here is the letter:
Dear Bali Mardan,
Devotional service to Krishna is the only valuable thing in this world. Please give Krishna consciousness to many people. That is the greatest blessing.
Kadamba Kanana Swami
Parasurama Prabhu likes the old kirtan melodies, and he likes to do kirtan standing up instead of sitting down. Good old-fashioned Hare Krishna kirtan. I was happy to see his lively chanting and ukulele playing got several devotees to dance.
Tribhangananda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna, and Parasurama Prabhu plays ukulele at Birmingham 24-Hour Kirtan (https://youtu.be/A0nwhMR6Klc):
His kirtan went faster (https://youtu.be/n6puy5dmkMk):
And still faster (https://youtu.be/zeOvAwQ6MRc):
Parasurama Prabhu plays ukulele and chants Hare Krishna at Birmingham 24-Hour Kirtan, and devotees dance (https://youtu.be/2ZHvPX57HOk):
Bali Mardan Prabhu chants Hare Krishna, and Parasurama Prabhu plays ukulele at Birmingham 24-Hour Kirtan (https://youtu.be/TG1VrMUqd0g):
Indradyumna Swami chants Hare Krishna at Birmingham 24-Hour Kirtan (https://youtu.be/0M0phtnxiz0):
Sri Prahlada Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Birmingham 24-Hour Kirtan (https://youtu.be/ETIyFVZM3-I):
This year the Birmingham devotees got a new venue for their 24-Hour Kirtan called The New Bingley Hall, said to be “the biggest and boldest venue in the West Midlands.” It is the first venue in the ten years I have attended the event that has plenty of room to dance. It also has a bus stop right in front of it, so it is very easy to get to with a minimum of walking. These photos of varying magnitude give insight into the size of it.
Chanting Hare Krishna in Paris
Ekanath Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Saint-Michel in Paris (https://youtube.com/shorts/9ShXuVRp0Dc?feature=share):
At Garges-Sarcelles, a train station near the Paris temple, a man challenged why I accept the Bhagavad-gita and not the Torah. I said the Bhagavad-gita gives additional information such as the fact that the soul is present in all living beings not just human beings, and thus you have to respect all living beings. I explained that for that reason we were vegetarian. The man said that in Genesis a vegetarian diet is given. I agreed but said that practically no one who claims to follow the Torah is vegetarian. He did not have a comeback for that one, so I considered I was victorious.
Sudevi Manjari chants Hare Krishna at Gare du Nord in Paris (https://youtu.be/xvVUxr5CsCk):
Gaura Nataraja Prabhu chants Hare Krishna and plays a piano at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris (https://youtu.be/BGDlWd3jeLM):
Chanting Hare Krishna in Kolkata
Acharya Ratna Prabhu, who visited Brooklyn earlier this year but is based in a new temple in Kolkata, offered to facilitate my visit to Mayapur.
He is involved in a center in New Town, Kolkata, just two years old, which has these incredibly beautiful Gaura Nitai deities.
Sulochan Krishna Prabhu chants Hare Krishna the day before Aksaya Tritiya at ISKCON Kolkata New Town (https://youtu.be/hEx-GsKdc_I):
Another Prabhu chants Hare Krishna the day before Aksaya Tritiya at ISKCON Kolkata New Town (https://youtu.be/uCMf9V8brH8):
Prema Svarupa Prabhu chants Hare Krishna during Tulasi Puja at ISKCON Kolkata New Town (https://youtu.be/BXRSDUwSAuo):
Chanting Hare Krishna in Mayapur
I chanted Hare Krishna on a boat on the Jalangi at Mayapur Ghat (https://youtube.com/shorts/57X-tydnlnU?feature=share):
Mostly my Mayapur videos are of the 7-day Radha Madhava boat festival, the reason I came to Mayapur in the hot season, but I have two from the Mayapur harinama party and one from a temple kirtan.
Jiva-Natha Prabhu, the organizer of the Mayapur harinama party, chants Hare Krishna in Mayapur by the TOVP office with many instrumentalists (https://youtu.be/K6UrJcmLLBQ):
Caitanya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna the next day with the Mayapur harinama party (https://youtu.be/7dg8fqXVCIY):
Here a gurukula boy chants Hare Krishna in Guru Puja kirtan in Mayapur (https://youtu.be/xTX04EMR9JI):
Radha Madhava’s boat festival is my favorite festival in the whole Hare Krishna movement.
Nothing compares to it. It has the nice features of four festivals all in one.
It has the procession and the prasadam of a Ratha-yatra, the offering of lamps like Karttika, and the swinging of the Jhulan-yatra, as well as the boat festival itself. And not only that, it lasts seven days!
The boat festival begins with the procession of Radha Madhava from Their temple to Srila Prabhupada Pushpa Samadhi (https://youtu.be/t1YJhX9sbYs):
When They arrive at the Samadhi, people throw flowers on Them.
Then Radha Madhava board Their boat (https://youtu.be/7uEe0OIJOM0):
Devotees bring bhoga to offer and return with offered prasadam during boat festival (https://youtu.be/0NqgB1FHFro):
Here a devotee distributes the prasadam she made after pujaris offered it to Radha Madhava during boat festival in Mayapur (https://youtu.be/IQ01kGP3los):
I never saw so many uniformed officers taking photos of a Hare Krishna festival before. On inquiry, I learned a group from India's Border Security Force, based half an hour away in Dhubulia, came to see Radha Madhava's boat festival.
One proudly said, “I come every year.” When will the border security officers of all nations long to see the pastimes of Radha Krishna!
Devotees chant Hare Krishna and dance (https://youtu.be/RmqOufO_YEU):
As the devotees chant bhajanas, some throw prasadam food and flowers in the Srila Prabhupada Puspha Samadhi lake to be eaten by aquatics (https://youtube.com/shorts/22UYqaG9k1M?feature=share):
Devotees offer lamps as the evening arati is performed for Radha Madhava in the middle of the lake.
Devotees chant Hare Krishna and swing Radha Madhava (https://youtu.be/WpJzET0p90s):
There are two lines. One for men and the other for ladies. About ten people from each line grab the rope and pull the deities on their swing a few times. They alternate between the men and women, every time or at most every second time.
Devotees chant Hare Krishna after swinging Radha Madhava (https://youtu.be/_ijX3FpJR3o):
Then there is the return procession of Radha Madhava from Srila Prabhupada’s Pushpa Samadhi to Their temple (https://youtu.be/Ez9taNCEe8c):
The last day of the boat festival was extra festive. It began half an hour earlier, and the procession was more elaborate.
The fact that Madhava was painted that day with sandlewood pulp that had been dyed blue also made it more festive.
The larger Madhava was also blue.
The procession of Radha Madhava from Their temple to Srila Prabhupada’s Pushpa Samadhi included many additional performers (https://youtu.be/RtPHjT0WR1U):
I was at the end of it, but I became inspired to take of video of the entire procession (https://youtu.be/qp3AWJenYd8):
There Radha Madhava pass by the crowd eager to see Them on Their boat (https://youtu.be/zv-fh2ly65E):
Hundreds view the Radha Madhava boat festival from around the Srila Prabhupada Pusha Samadhi (https://youtu.be/iNQ_-wiwR7k):
Devotees chant as pujaris rock the boat with Radha Madhava from side to side (https://youtu.be/-0tpFYnUWts):
Here is a view in portrait orientation (https://youtube.com/shorts/vHevZlHz9yw?feature=share):
Here Radha Madhava are carried from Their boat to Their swing (https://youtu.be/Zlou_e3rbSg):
Swinging Radha and blue Madhava on the last day of their 7-day boat festival (https://youtu.be/_UXuJbsh3JM):
The security guards, who were keeping people from cutting the line during the whole swing festival, finally got to swing Radha Madhava themselves at the end (https://youtube.com/shorts/YVtZ87w3C4U?feature=share):
Here the last group of devotees swings Radha and blue Madhava (https://youtu.be/mwjBhv_2M6M):
Radha Madhava leave the swing for the procession to their temple (https://youtu.be/stIuBOqoG44):
Return procession of Radha Madhava from Srila Prabhupada Pushpa Samadhi to Their temple on the last day of the 7-day boat festival in Mayapur (https://youtu.be/D00Lxsq8LtA):
In 2006 after observing the boat festival for seven days, and then suddenly not having it, I felt some emptiness. That did not happen this year, as I spent the day after the festival looking at the videos I took of it and describing the festival, so in that way it was still continuing for me.
Photos
Dosas come with sambar and chutney. I like chutney better, so sometimes I ask for no sambar and double chutney.
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In the west you do not see dogs lying in the street, but in India you see them every day!
A UK warning about wasting paper.
Insights
Srila Prabhupada:
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.5.51, purport:
“The demigods are amongst the conditioned souls who have developed this pure consciousness of service to the Lord but who at the same time continue to desire to lord it over the material energy. Such mixed consciousness puts a conditioned soul in the position of managing the affairs of this creation. The demigods are entrusted leaders of the conditioned souls. As some of the old prisoners in government jails are entrusted with some responsible work of prison management, so the demigods are improved conditioned souls acting as representatives of the Lord in the material creation. Such demigods are devotees of the Lord in the material world, and when completely free from all material desire to lord it over the material energy, they become pure devotees and have no desire but to serve the Lord.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.6.3, purport:
“The first business of one trying to advance in spiritual life is to control the mind and senses.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.30, purport:
“So-called politicians, erudite scholars and philosophers who read Bhagavad-gita try to twist some meaning from it to suit their material purposes, but their misunderstandings of Krishna will not yield them any profit. Because such politicians, philosophers and scholars are interested in using Bhagavad-gita as a vehicle for adjusting things materially, for them constant thought of Krishna, or Krishna consciousness, is impossible (matir na krishne). As stated in Bhagavad-gita (18.55), bhaktya mam abhijanati: only through devotional service can one understand Krishna as He is.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.8.8:
“Then there appeared the goddess of fortune, Rama, who is absolutely dedicated to being enjoyed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
Vrindavan Das Thakura:
From Caitanya-bhavagata, Madhya 5.85:
“What to speak of being envious of Vaishnavas, if one causes pain to ordinary living entities he is considered a fallen low-class person. Even after worshiping Lord Vishnu, if a person gives trouble to other living entities, his worship becomes fruitless. Such a person suffers unlimited miseries.”
From Caitanya-bhavagata, Madhya 5.126:
“Both Vishnu and the Vaishnavas take pleasure in glorifying each other, therefore the Vedas describe their spontaneous pastimes.”
From Caitanya-bhavagata, Madhya 5.140–141:
“It is the injunction of the scriptures that one should personally offer a garland to Vyasadeva, for if Vyasadeva is pleased all Your desires will be fulfilled.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 6.117:
“jaya
jaya ’hare-krishna’-mantrera prakasa
jaya
jaya nija-bhakti-grahana-vilasa
All glories to Him who introduces the chanting of the Hare Krishna All glories to Him who enjoys the pastimes of accepting His own devotional service!”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 6.165:
[Lord Caitanya said:] “I will preach the chanting of the holy names from house to house so that the entire universe will dance as they sing My glories.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 7.24–25:
“He [Pundarika Vidyanidhi] constantly floats in the ocean of devotional service to Krishna. His body is decorated with the symptoms of ecstatic love like tears, shivering, and hairs standing on end. He does not take bath in the Ganges, for he fears touching her waters with his feet.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 8.19–21:
“You have understood My confidential associate Nityananda. Therefore I am most pleased with you and desire to give you a benediction. Even if Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, begs alms from door to door, you will never be afflicted with poverty. Everyone in your house, including the dogs and cats, will have unflinching devotion for Me.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 8.106–111:
“The Lord said, ‘O brothers, listen to the essence of all advice. Why are we uselessly wasting our nights? Make a resolution that from today on we will congregationally chant the holy names at night. We will all perform sankirtana and become merged in the Ganges of devotional service. Let the entire world be delivered by hearing the names of Krishna. Let the holy names be the life and wealth of you all.’ On hearing this, all the Vaishnavas became ecstatic. Thus Mahaprabhu began His kirtana pastimes. Every night kirtana was held at the house of Srivasa, except some nights it was held at the house of Candrasekhara.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 8.195–197:
“That Lord, whose holy names induced Valmiki to become enriched by austerities, whose holy names awarded Ajamila with liberation, and whose holy names when heard destroy one's material bondage—that Lord, who has incarnated in Kali-yuga, now engaged in dancing. That Lord, whose holy names Sukadeva and Narada sing as they wander about, whose transcendental qualities are sung by the thousand-headed Lord Ananta, and whose holy names are the best of all forms of atonement now personally danced before the eyes of the fortunate.”
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura:
From Caitanya-bhavagata, Madhya 5.42, purport:
“In the Padma Purana, Uttara-khanda, Chapter Fifteen, it is said:
caksur
vina yatha dipam
yatha
darpanam eva ca
samipastham
na pasyanti
tatha
vishnum bahirmukhah
‘As a blind person cannot see anything even with the help of a lamp or a mirror, persons who are averse to Lord Vishnu cannot see Him even if He stands before them.’”
From Caitanya-bhavagata, Madhya 5.53, purport:
“In the Saura Purana it is stated:
svarna
gaurah sudirghangastri-
srota-tira-sambhavah
dayaluh
kirtana-grahi
bhavisyami
kalau yuge
‘In the beginning of Kali-yuga I will appear in Navadvipa on the bank of the Ganges in an enchanting golden form with arms that extend to the knees, and out of My causeless I will inaugurate the sankirtana movement.’”
From Caitanya-bhavagata, Madhya 5.64, purport:
“The word ankusa refers to an iron rod for controlling maddened elephants. Since the iron rod in the form of Sri Caitanyadeva’s vacana, or words, refines the madness and licentiousness of the living entities, His words have been described herein as vacana-ankusa.”
Caitanya-bhavagata, Madhya 5.125, purport:
“In the Mathara-sruti it is stated:
bhaktir evainam nayati bhaktir evainam darsayati bhakti-vasah puruso bhaktir eva bhuyasi
‘Bhakti leads the jiva to the Supreme Lord, and enables the soul to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord is controlled by bhakti. Therefore bhakti is most glorious.’”
From Caitanya-bhavagata, Madhya 5.146–148, purport:
“The Vishnusvami-sampradaya originated from Rudradeva, the Sri Madhva-sampradaya originated from Brahma, the Ramanuja-sampradaya originated from Sri Laksmidevi, and the Nimbarka-sampradaya originated from the four Kumaras. If someone respects one and blasphemes another by taking into consideration their mutual disagreements, then he certainly falls from the platform of kanistha-adhikara.”
From Caitanya-bhavagata, Madhya 6, Chapter Summary:
“When Advaita Prabhu stopped dancing on the order of Mahaprabhu, the Lord took His garland and put it on Sri Advaita Prabhu and ordered Him to ask for a benediction. Advaita Prabhu expressed appreciation for His good fortune of being able to see Mahaprabhu and then requested Mahaprabhu to award krishna-prema, which is rare for even great personalities like Brahma, to everyone, including women, sudras, and fools, with the exception of the vaishnava-aparadhis who are intoxicated by the pride of education, wealth, and high birth. Sri Gaurasundara agreed to the request of Advaita. This prayer of Advaita Acarya later bore abundant fruits.”
From Caitanya-bhavagata, Madhya 6.72, purport:
“The purpose of Advaita was to reveal the supremacy and omniscience of Mahaprabhu to the people of the world. That is why He hid Himself at the house of Nandana Acarya and deceptively ordered Ramai not to disclose His intention to Mahaprabhu. Now that Sri Mahaprabhu has personally disclosed these facts about Advaita and thereby proved His supremacy, Advaita’s intention has been fulfilled.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 6.117, commentary:
“The maha-mantra is Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Let Sri Gaurasundara, who introduces the chanting of this maha-mantra be repeatedly glorified. By this, it is indicated that those who place obstacles in the path of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra introduced by Sri Gaurasundara are opposed to Gauranga.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 6.167, commentary:
“Advaita said, ‘If You will distribute the Lord’s devotional service, which is rare for even great personalities like Brahmä, to everyone in this world, then You will have to distribute that loving devotional service to those who are considered unqualified. Till now, people in general consider that women, sudras, and fools are unqualified for the service of the Lord. May You change that concept by giving Lord Hari’s devotional service to those unqualified people.’”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 6.171, commentary:
“Even today foolish people who are ignorant according to mundane considerations are capable of defeating learned scholars in every field of knowledge by the influence of their devotional service to the Lord. The degree of authority that they achieve in all fields of knowledge by the mercy of Sri Caitanya, in spite of being born in sinful low-class families, is the prime evidence of the Lord’s mercy.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 6.176, commentary:
“That goddess [Sarasvati], who controls the universe and who is also known as Vani, the personification of sound, sings the glories of Sri Caitanyadeva while dwelling on the tongues of those who are inclined towards the service of the Lord.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 7.6, commentary:
“In order to gratify their senses, the conditioned souls make useless noises. The devotees of the Lord, however, profusely dance and sing for the service of Krishna and thus display their respective sentiments for the service of the Lord.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 8, Chapter Summary:
“Just as the long night of the rasa-lila pastimes appeared as a fraction of a second to the gopis, the devotees who were intoxicated by Mahaprabhu's sankirtana pastimes passed their nights absorbed in the same way.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 8.10, commentary:
“The Sabda-sara states: ‘A yogi who follows the principles of strict celibacy, who is aloof from the principles of varna, and who is always engaged in contemplating the Supersoul is called an avadhuta. The syllable a means aksara, or “inexhaustible;” the syllable va means varenya, or “respectable;” the syllable dhu means “free from material bondage;” and the syllable ta refers to the knower of the famous Vedic statement tat tvam asi—“You are that.” Therefore he who possesses these qualities is an avadhuta.’”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 8.67–68, commentary:
“According to the materialists, everything is within the realm of knowledge achieved through sensual perception. And since ordinary people have no qualification for perceiving transcendental subject matters, they are unwilling to repose their faith in them.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 8.78, commentary:
“In order to reveal that the Supreme Lord and His associates are not bound by material time, place, and circumstances, the devotees of the Lord take birth in various castes, various countries, and various times. Wherever, whenever, and in whatever circumstance they are born, they eagerly engage in the service of Sri Caitanyadeva, the Absolute Truth.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 8.81, commentary:
“All devotees engage themselves in the Lord's service according to their respective moods and become candidates for receiving the Lord's full love. They all know, ‘The Lord does not love anyone like He loves me.’ The envy that arises in this world due to discrimination resulting from one’s inferiority or superiority is not found amongst the pure devotees of the Lord.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 8.82, commentary:
“The Supreme Lord is always attracted to and worshiped by spiritual propensities. The Lord is constantly searched for by all animate living entities, and in reciprocation that Lord bestows affection on them with His loving embrace.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 8.83, commentary:
“Sometimes it is also stated that the six arms of the Lord destroy one’s desires for wealth, fame, and material enjoyment. We see a bow and arrows in the hands of Rama, a flute in the hands of Krishna, and a danda and waterpot in the hands of Sri Caitanyadeva. The two arms of Rama destroy the Lanka of gold [or wealth], the two arms of Vrajendra-nandana holding the flute destroy the Cupid of attachment [or material enjoyment], and the two arms [of Caitanyadeva] destroy desires for the fame of enjoying the association of women.”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 8.190, commentary:
“In the Narada-pañcaratra it is said:
sankirtana-dhvanimsrutva
ye
ca nrityanti
vaishnavah
tesam pada-raja-sparsat
sadya
puta vasundhara
‘Mother earth is immediately purified by the touch of the dust from the feet of the Vaishnavas who dance to the sound of sankirtana.’”
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 8.208, commentary:
“‘The devotional service of Lord Hari is most enchanting and the best of all forms of liberation. O great sage, it is the essence of all conclusions. This is the opinion of the Vaishnavas.’ In the Hari-bhakti-kalpa-latika it is said:
nasti
dasyat paramsreyo nasti dasyat param padam
nasti
dasyat paro labho nasti dasyat param sukham
‘There is nothing more auspicious than Lord Hari’s service. There is no situation better than Lord Hari’s service. There is nothing better to be gained than Lord Hari’s service. There is no happiness higher than Lord Hari’s service.’”
Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
From Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya:
“He who lives in Navadvipa-dhama is very fortunate, for he achieves attraction for Krishna. He who happens to go there becomes freed from all offenses. What one attains by traveling to all the holy places is attained just by remembering Navadvipa. In this way the scriptures sing. He who sees Navadvipa-dhama gets ecstatic love of Krishna birth after birth.”
“The fruits obtained by staying one hundred years at the seven holy cities can be attained by staying one night in Navadvipa-dhama.”
“One who is fortunate can see that this pure realm, Gauda-mandala, is directly the spiritual world.”
“As long as bodily consciousness is not given up and humility does not awaken within, one cannot obtain the treasure of Sri Caitanya and Sri Nityananda’s mercy, no matter what efforts one make, even if he be Shiva or Brahma.”
“In Kali-yuga, all holy places are extremely weak, only Navadvipa is supremely strong.”Krsna
“Gauranga said, ‘Without considering who is fit and who is unfit, in this incarnation I will freely distribute the treasure of love which is rarely attained by even Lord Brahma. I will see how Kali can destroy these living entities! I will manifest Navadvipa-dhama and break the poison teeth of Kali by performing congregational chanting of the holy names of God. As long as My name is sung, Kali will be controlled.’”
“All glories to Navadvipa-dhama, the essence of all dhamas, which advented along with Gauracandra.”
“Svetadvipa, Vaikuntha, Goloka, and Vrindavan reside in Navadvipa at all times. By the order of Gauracandra, the seven holy cities: Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya (Haridvara), Kasi, Kanci, Avanti (Ujjain), and Dvaraka, are always present in their own places within Navadvipa.”
“That person who once visits Mayapur is easily freed from the bondage of maya. One who walks throughout Mayapur is freed from the influence of maya and the repetition of birth.”
“All glories to the topmost dhama, Navadvipa, where Sri Caitanya advented. Whatever benefits are attained by residing in all other tirthas can be achieved by staying in Navadvipa for only one day.”
“Swayed by great compassion, Nityananda lifted Jiva up and accepted him as His own. Jiva was overcome with emotion. He stood with his hands folded and began to speak to his Lord, ‘You are the form of the universe, the abode of the universe, Balarama. Being an insignificant living entity, what can I know of Your qualities? You are my eternal master, I am Your servant. My only aspiration is the shade of Your lotus feet. That person who receives Your mercy easily attains the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya and drowns in the water of prema. Without Your mercy no one will get Gaura, even if he worships Gaura for a hundred lifetimes. Sometimes Gauranga may punish someone, but You will protect him; but if You punish someone, Gaura will never accept him. Therefore, Lord, only on the strength of my past devotional activities, I take shelter of Your lotus feet. Be merciful and give permission that I may receive the darsana of Gauranga and gain attachment for Him."”
“At this time there is no necessity for a separate commentary on the Vedanta-sutras, for the Bhagavatam explains all the sutras. When there will be need of another commentary, Sri Govinda-bhasya will be revealed. Along with Sarvabhauma, Gopinatha Acarya heard the Lord’s commentary. Later, by the wish of Sri Caitanya, Gopinatha Acarya will take birth as Baladeva Vidyabhusana, and he will conquer Jaipur with his philosophical commentary. In Jaipur, he will serve Gauranga by writing the Govinda-bhasya, and thus free all living entities from material bondage.”
“That Krishnaloka exists in two states of emotion. Rasa expands there in the form of madhurya and audarya, sweetness and munificence. Audarya exists within madhurya in fullness, and madhurya exists within audarya in fullness. But, that place where madhurya is the chief state is known by fortunate persons as Vrindavan. And that place where audarya is eternally predominant is called Navadvipa in all the Vedas. There is no difference between Vrindavan and Navadvipa, only the different manifestations of rasa makes them distinct.”
“Actually maya does not exist in Navadvipa, for it is not a material place influenced by time, nor are the living entities there subject to material troubles.”
“Although in the eyes of common people, Visvambhara took sannyasa and left Navadvipa to go elsewhere, actually My Gauranga never gives up Mayapur or Navadvipa. The devotees can perceive His daily lila.”
Gopal Krishna Goswami:
From a recorded lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.6.3:
The GBC passed a resolution that the sound should be controlled.
King Nabhi prayed to the Lord to have a son like Him. The Lord replied, “You want a son like me? Impossible! I will become your son.”
The necessity of controlling the mind and senses is stressed again and again.
There are many spiritual speakers, but no one mentions that one must control one’s mind and senses because the speakers are afraid that people will not listen to them.
Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita that yajna, dana, and tapa should never be given up. Lord Rsabha mentions tapa again and again in his instructions to his sons.
What do we get by all this tapa? Brahma-saukyam anantam. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.1) Unending spiritual pleasure. Lord Caitanya also says “anandam buddhi vardhanam.”(Siksastaka 1)
Srila Prabhupada makes the point again and again that we have to have positive engagement for the mind and senses.
Krishna gives practical engagements for the mind and senses. Man manah bhava mad-bhakto . . .”
The problem is we have to take advantage of these instructions by the sages.
To become free from anarthas we have to practice chanting attentively and avoiding the ten offenses.
Saubhari Muni, a powerful yogi, was living under water like the submarines do.
Saubhari Muni fell down from his yogic practice, married fifty princesses and lived a very opulent life. In the course of time, he realized that all this sense gratification did not bring him happiness, so he returned to his life of austerity, and his loyal wives followed him, also performing austerities.
Lord Jagannatha told King Indradyumna to begin the performance of Chandan Yatra, but in our line the pastime comes from Madhavendra Puri.
Indradyumna Swami:
From Birmingham 24-Hour Kirtan:
Gopal Krishna Goswami disappeared from this world a few hours ago.
Srila Prabhupada said the guru has an entourage who travels with him life after life. I have no doubt Gopal Krishna Goswami is part of Srila Prabhupada’s eternal entourage.
It is a sad day for us but a happy day for those who are receiving him.
Srila Prabhupada requested him to translate all of his books into Hindi, and for years he was engaged in that.
Srila Prabhupada went to Russia, and shortly after there was a book festival there, and Gopal Krishna Goswami went and became the first Russian book distributor.
I went to Delhi, and asked to go to the temple. The devotees replied, “Which temple?” Gopal Krishna Goswami had gone beyond the call of duty in establishing more temples in Delhi than Srila Prabhupada had requested.
From a class in London on May 6:
The Atharva Veda deals with all kinds of topics like collecting taxes, minting money, executing warfare, etc.
The kings were formerly not only concerned with material prosperty but also spiritual well being.
The kings took advice from sages in governing the kingdom.
You can become attached to the mode of goodness and not become a devotee of the Lord. Sometimes those who consider themselves yogis are the hardest people to convince to become devotees.
In Geneva Srila Prabhupada said that how this world is running is actually mystical.
You wouldn’t see the brahmanas in the gym. Their strength was in spiritual things.
We say ‘leader’ but where are the ‘leaders’ leading us. According to the Bhagavatam, all leaders should be leading people toward Krishna consciousness.
Everyone would bow to the king, but the kings would bow down to the sadhus. After a life of hearing from the sadhus, the king would renounce his kingdom and become a sadhu himself.
Nowadays people want to separate religion from the state, but that is because of corruption of supposedly religious people. Previously the kings would be guided by the saints.
There is one being who is supplying the necessities of others. He should be acknowledged. If someone gives you something, you should say, “Thank you.” We acknowledge the gifts of God by performing sacrifice.
No one likes to be taxed today because the money goes into the pockets of the politicians.
If the governments were to encourage their followers to go on harinama, the whole atmosphere of the world would change.
I know some children who grew up in a very dynamic devotional community. They had no teenage problems. They were all chanting 16 rounds.
If it weren’t for the Hare Krishna movement the world would be in a much worse state. This movement is holding back the tide of Kali-yuga.
Srila Prabhupada said the cause of the Second World War was mass cow slaughter. It seemed that it had to do with the politicians, but there was this deeper cause.
You may be a good guy but because of the widespread sinful activities in human society you may get affected by the sinful reactions.
Modern leaders often die from assassination or some terrible disease. The leader takes one-sixth the sinful reaction of his subjects.
The brahmana’s strength is his learning, the ksatriya’s is his army, the vaisya’s is his wealth, and sudra’s is his service to the higher classes.
That Rukmini fell in love with Krishna just by hearing about Him gives us hope.
That the ksatriya ladies had some military training is evident when Rukmini took the reins of Krishna’s chariot so He could shoot arrows at those who attacked Him.
Sri Prahlada has a YouTube channel where he has two Bhagavatam lectures a week. After many years, he is up to the Tento Canto.
There are twenty temples started by Gopal Krishna Goswami in Delhi.
There are many miracles we encounter in preaching Krishna consciousness. Sri Prahlada, Sitala, and one of my disciples chose the chapters of my diary that they thought would be most accessible to the people in general, and they edited them for a general audience. Harper Collins and Penguin got wind of it, and there was a competition between them for it. Harper Collins won.
Sadaputa Prabhu:
From “The Nature of Biological Form”:
“Charles Darwin. the founder of the modern theory of evolution. clearly recognized this point: ‘If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications. my theory would absolutely break down.’”
“Although Darwin admitted that he could not imagine the intermediate, transitional forms leading to many different organs, he assumed that they might later be revealed by a deeper understanding of the organs' structure and function, and he proceeded to base his theory on their presumed existence. However, in the nearly one hundred twenty years since the publication of his book On the Origin of Species, practically no significant advance has been made in the understanding of intermediate forms. While evolutionists often speak of changes in the size and shape of existing organs, they still can do very little but make vague suggestions about the origin of the organs themselves.”
“The geneticist Richard Goldschmidt once gave a list of seventeen organs and systems of organs for which he could not even imagine the required transitional forms. This list included hair in mammals, feathers in birds, the segmented structure of vertebrates, teeth, the external skeletons and compound eyes of insects, blood circulation, and the organs of balance. These organs, and many others, present a fundamental question: How can we explain the origin of a complex system that depends on the action of many interdependent parts?”
“We would like to suggest here that for many organs, the reason why the required chains of useful intermediate forms are unimaginable is simply that they do not exist.”
“This method, called bhakti-yoga, is similar to modern science in that it depends on clearly specified procedures leading to reproducible results. It is fully empirical, for it is based on direct personal experience that is attainable by anyone who carries out the procedures correctly.”
Ramanatha Sukha Prabhu:
From a conversation at ISKCON London:
“I feel privileged to be trained up at ISKCON Atlanta in the 1970s. Many of the Srila Prabhupada disciples from that time are still practicing.”
Janmastami Prabhu:
From a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.6.1–2:
Why did Krishna create this cosmic manifestation? Out of love for us who were bad boys and girls and who wanted to leave His association, to have an opportunity to become reinstated in the spiritual world.
This material world is specifically designed by Krishna as a torture chamber so we will take shelter of Him.
Vaiyasaki Prabhu met with 500 devotees who left the Hare Krishna movement during the chaotic middle 1980s, and he found in all cases they left because of the inability to apply Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.8.
I had a severe case of blood dysentery for three weeks that was very painful. I chanted Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.8 in my mind, and even in that miserable condition, I felt blissful.
Srila Prabhupada was so blissed out all the time, and people who had his association could feel that.
Maintain sadhana strictly, and know that Krishna will test you.
If we hold on to acting according to guru, sadhu, and sastra through the challenging situations, we will become victorious.
Our inability to apply Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.8 is because of attachment to the bodily conception.
Srila Prabhupada in a Sri Caitanya-caritamrita purport to the verse smartavah satatam vishnoh, says that chanting our sixteen rounds is the most important instruction of the spiritual master. Therefore our whole life should be dedicated to chanting good rounds.
We get heavy reactions for improperly dealing with Vaishnavas.
The devotee in charge of security at Mayapur says of the 7,000 residents no more than 10% attend the morning program. During Srila Prabhupada’s time it was unthinkable not to attend the morning program.
Srila Prabhupada is the one with the shakti to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world. People thought it was impossible. Because of his empowerment we should take shelter of his instructions.
Acharya Ratna Prabhu:
Today is Aksaya Tritiya, a most auspicious day.
On this day, many pastimes occurred:
Krishna, hearing that Nanda Maharaja wanted go on pilgrimage to Prayaga to purify himself from the inevitable sinful contamination of living in the material world, advised him to wait till the next day, which was Aksaya Tritiya. He agreed. That day he went to bathe in Nanda Sarovara. He saw the lake was especially effulgent. All the personalities of the holy rivers said they had come to Nanda Sarovara that one day to purify themselves from all the sins that people had deposited throughout the entire year. Nanda Maharaja realized that if all the holy rivers were bathing in his lake for their purification, there was no need to him to go to Triveni in Prayaga as all the three rivers and many more had come to him.
Parasurama appeared on Aksaya Tritiya. There was one King Gadhi who gave his daughter, Satyavati, in marriage to a sage. He was sorry though that he didn’t have a son. Satyavati also wanted a son. The sage performed a sacrifice and chanted mantras over sacrificial remnants for the two women. The mother took the potion meant for her daughter because she thought because of the sage’s affection for her daughter it would be superior. The sage was upset as that was meant to produce a brahmana son while the other was meant to produce a fierce ksatriya. His wife apologized profusely, and her husband the sage said, “Ok, your son will be a brahmana, but his son will become the fierce ksatriya. That ksatriya was Parasurama. Parasurama seeing Kartavirya Arjuna had become so proud he was offending the brahmanas who he was supposed to follow the orders of decided to chastise him. When Kartavirya Arjuna saw him coming, he sent 18 aksauhini divisions to fight Parasurama, but wielding his ax at the speed of the mind, Parasurama killed them all. Kartavirya Arjuna decided to personally fight with Parasurama, but wielding his ax, he cut off his thousand arms and finally his head. Parasurama’s father reprimanded him for killing the king, who is supposed to be representing God in ruling the world instead of forgiving him. The sons of Kartavvirya Arjuna decided to kill Parasurama’s father while he was meditating.
It is said that Brahma achieved his post because of excelling in the quality of the brahmana known as forgiveness.
It is also the day when Ganga descends to earth. Ganga had two doubts about coming to earth. She worried about sinful people leaving sinful reactions in her waters, and she worried that her descent from above would be so forceful the earth could not bear it. King Bhagiratha assured her that devotees bathing in her waters would free them from sinful reactions and Lord Shiva could break force of her waters descending to earth.
Vyasadeva started writing Mahabharata on Aksaya Tritiya. He asked Ganesa to be his scribe. Ganesa said he would do it if Vyasadeva would speak continuously. Vyasadeva told Ganesa that he would do that if Ganesa only wrote when he understood what he had heard.
Aksaya Tritiya is also the day that Draupadi received that aksaya-patra, which could produce unlimited food, from the sun god.
Sudama met Krishna in Dvaraka on this day also.
Kuvera became in charge of the wealth of the demigods on this day too.
At Simhachalam there is one deity who is covered with chandan (sandlewood) for the entire year but on Aksaya Tritiya, He is uncovered.
Most important for us, Aksaya Tritiya is the beginning of Chandan Yatra, the hot season when the Lord’s body is cooled with chandan.
For the twenty-one days Madhavendra Puri offered chandan on the body of the Gopinatha deity. Thus as Gaudiya Vaishnavas we observe the 21-day Chandan Yatra every year.
Gopal Krishna Goswami, although offered better facilities elsewhere, always preferred to live in the ISKCON temples, like Srila Prabhupada.
Gopal Krishna Goswami liked Chandan Yatra and would always visit Pune during that festival. Actually he would come several times a year to Pune.
His programs would end at 9:30 or 10 p.m. Then Gopal Krishna Goswami would have a line of people wanting to see him, sometimes completely new people. He would never turn people away. Sometimes that would go to 1:00 a.m. Then he would be there for mangala-arati the next day.
Gopal Krishna Goswami took his management services very seriously as he saw them as his service to Srila Prabhupada.
Radhanath Swami said that after Srila Prabhupada left, the preaching diminished in different parts of the world, but in India everything flourished, largely due to the leadership Gopal Krishna Goswami and Jayapataka Swami.
Gopal
Krishna Goswami advised his followers to:
Keep
Srila
Prabhupada
as your principal siksa
guru.
Follow
the GBC as Srila
Prabhupada’s
representative.
Cooperate
together to push forward.
Never
leave ISKCON. Resolve differences in a Vaishnava way.
Gopal Krishna Goswami said that your quota is not 16 rounds but 16 attentive rounds.
Sankarsana Gaura Prabhu:
From a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.5.51 in Mayapur on May 11, 2024:
In all the material transformations in the srsti-lila, the creation pastime of Lord, three factors are involved, the supervision of the Lord, the influence of time, and the material energy.
The jivas are never created. They are just in an unmanifest state.
It appears from the sequence of created items, that the demigods are created from the mode of goodness before the senses are created from the mode of passion. Thus the demigods appear to originally be senseless. One acarya presents the idea that because of the sincere desire to serve by the demigods, the Lord by His inconceivable potencies provides sensual abilities for them.
The lotus feet of the Lord are compared to the nesting place where birds come at the end of the day, and the sages are compared to the birds.
Certain people are ineligible to take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord: those absorbed in the thought of “I” and “mine” and those addicted to sinful activities or excessive sense gratification.
Those eager to hear the glories of the Lord, attain spiritual knowledge and ultimately the spiritual world.
The devotees who know everything about how to do their various services by the grace of the Lord still pray to the Lord for empowerment.
The devotees are always taking shelter of the Lord while the demons are depending on their own strength.
At night when we go to sleep, we forget everything. Krishna has to remind us in the morning.
Even advanced Vaishnavas are tested by the Lord as was Madhavendra Puri when the Lord engaged him securing sandlewood pulp from thousands of miles away.
Venu Gopal Prabhu:
From a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 7, Chapter 2 in Mayapur on May 14, 2024:
Not only was Hiranyaksa the brother of Hiranyakasipu, but they were also friends who traveled all over doing demoniac activities together.
Although Hiranyakasipu knew that Vishnu is the Supersoul and is supposed to be equal to everyone, he could not act properly according to this knowledge because of his past offenses.
Hiranyakasipu ordered the killing of cows, and he stopped the study of the Vedas. Nowadays government leaders support cow killing and do not encourage Vediic study.
The brahminical culture brings one to the spiritual platform.
Without following brahminical culture, our chanting will become like the sahajiyas.
In the mode of goodness, people do not commit the offenses.
The cow is so pure that if the grass it eats has toxins, the cow assimilates them into its body, and it gives pure substances like its milk, urine, and dung.
Padmamukha Nitai Prabhu:
From a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 7, Chapter 3, in Mayapur on May 15, 2024:
One person was so proud he wanted to enter into heaven in his self same body. He asked Visvamitra who declined thinking it impossible. He approached Visvamitra’s sons. The sons became angry that he wanted them to disobey their father. Then he took shelter of Vasistha, who was in conflict with Visvamitra. Vasistha would chant mantras propelling him toward heaven, but Indra would not allow him to enter.
We cannot escape death nor material nature.
The Srimad-Bhagavatam is a collection of success stories and failure stories. We learn from the success stories about what to do and from the failure stories about what not to do.
Kamsa, although a powerful king, showed great affection for his sister, Devaki, by driving her chariot, a menial role, on her wedding day, but when he heard the premonition that her eighth son would kill him, he immediately forgot such affection and his true demoniac nature came out.
Devotees do not fear death nor lower birth.
The ultimate conclusion of Bhagavad-gita, sarva dharman parityaga, is rejected by Lord Caitanya as external in his conversation with Ramananda Raya. Thus Caitanya is giving more advanced knowledge.
Mani Gopal Prabhu:
From a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.4.38 in Mayapur on May 16, 2024:
You can hear my speaking? No? Therefore you have to go back to the spiritual world. Here our senses are imperfect.
Hiranyakasiyu terrorized everyone. Why? Because he was not satisfied. Those who are satisfied have no business making others fearful.
Prahlad Maharaja was engaged in unmotivated and uninterrupted service to the Supreme Lord, and therefore, Srila Prabhupada describes him as “the vivid example of perfection in Krishna consciousness.”
Prahlad Maharaja was surrounded by demoniac association only, and yet he was the emblem of Krishna consciousness. Sometimes we say that we cannot be Krishna conscious because of the circumstances, but Prahlad had the worst circumstances.
Lord Caitanya would listen to the pastimes of Dhruva Maharaja and Prahlad Maharaja each day. The Dhruva pastime shows how a materially motivated person can become a pure devotee, and the Prahlad pastime should shows an unmotivated person in Krishna consciousness.
The perfect devotee feels that he is always embraced by Krishna.
Without being free from anxiety, we cannot think about Krishna consciousness.
There is a difference between fearless and being stupid.
Sometimes people analyse things so much that they become incapacitated..
We should seek purity of intent.
Many devotees in this movement whose parents are devotees think of themselves as born devotees but they are not born devotees like Prahlada was a born devotee.
Sri Prahlada had absolutely no shelter except Krishna. No one other than Krishna could help him.
Sri Prahlada was helpless but not hopeless because of his faith in Krishna.
If we are disturbed than we are not perfect in Krishna consciousess.
If someone is not serious from day one in Krishna consciousness, it is often they never become serious.
In the name “Gaura Hari” “Hari” can mean “lion”. As the roaring of a lion will cause small animals to flee from a cave, the roaring of Gaura Hari’s holy name frees us from all the anarthas in the cave our hearts.
Comments by me not vocally:
Krishna says one in goodness knows what is to be feared and what is not to be feared.
We serve Krishna with love and devotion. Love is without motivation, and devotion is without interruption.
Sometimes an event in our life can make us serious. One devotee was in a truck accident in which his business partner and friend died in front of him. After that he became very serious and took initation from Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu.
Padma Sundari Mataji:
From a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.30 in Mayapur on May 17, 2024:
Hiranyakasipu was so demoniac he wanted everyone to worship him.
When Krishna performs His pastimes, such as stealing butter, we are charmed, although if we did some of the same things we would be put in jail.
When the children are very young, up to five years, they can learn so many things that they can keep with them for life, but after that age it is more difficult.
In present day school books in the South of India, Mahaprabhu is mentioned although previously He was not.
There are differences in the pastimes in the different ages, and this is called kalpa-bheda.
When Krishna is happy we are happy. That is why we visit temples and do devotional service.
We have to prepare ourselves not to get another material body.
We may feel that we are not doing any service, but our chanting of our sixteen rounds is service.
Even if you are not pure, if you follow the instructions of your guru, he will take you back to Godhead.
Q:
You say that we will be happy if Krishna is happy, but Krishna is
always happy, then why are we not always happy.
A:
Krishna is always happy, but we are not doing anything to add to his
happiness, so we are not happy. If we try to please Him by improving
our devotional service, He will be happy.
Gopal Krishna Goswami Remembrances in Mayapur
Sarvadrk Prabhu:
Gopal Krishna Goswami started many temples, including one in Dvaraka, and these will benefit many people for years.
His success is due to his being a strict follower of Srila Prabhupada.
He was completely dedicated to the BBT, and he printed many books in different languages.
Srila Prabhupada printed books and used profit from the books to build temples in India, and he initiated disciples to assist him in this. Gopal Krishna Goswami did the same and was thus also successful.
The substance of the relationship with the guru is the execution of his order. Personal association is there but is not the substance.
Vani seva begins with hearing from one’s guru.
Whether the guru is present or absent, everything remains the same.
Gopal Krishna Goswami set a sterling example for every ISKCON devotee to follow.
Gopal Krishna Goswami left this world with only a wrist watch and his deities.
The crying when the guru leaves washes off our material contamination.
Ambarisa Prabhu (from a letter):
I was with you in Kuruksetra and Moscow.
You are a most loyal follower of Srila Prabhupada.
You were a great supporter of TOVP.
Svaha (from a letter):
You gave me a personal tour of the Glory of India project.
You are one of the greatest generals in the army of senapati bhakta Srila Prabhupada.
Vraja Vilasa Prabhu:
Srila Prabhupada said in a offering to his guru, “The one who is surrendered to the order of the spiritual master can actually glorify the spiritual master.” Gopal Krishna Goswami was like that.
He was a father, general, and hero for TOVP because of his leadership.
In 2016 we proposed we collect for TOVP at his Vyasa-puja. He immediately said yes. He felt it was Srila Prabhupada’s project and should be supported. Some people complained that we were turning his Vyasa-puja into a funding event, but he did not care. Beyond that, all the guru-daksina he got on Vyasa-puja he also donated for the TOVP.
Anywhere in the world in the world he had a program, he would always let us do fund raising for the TOVP.
I am hopeful that Gopal Krishna Goswami’s followers can continue his support of TOVP, and I pray to him for that.
Sad-darsana Prabhu (Srila Prabhupada disciple):
Delhi was dear to Srila Prabhupada as he published his first books there, and he wanted many temples there.
Srila Prabhupada wanted Gopal Krishna Goswami to translate all his books into Hindi, and he did that.
Srila Prabhupada stressed that that success is attained by acting exactly according to the order of one’s guru.
Notes on other offerings:
One mataji, who was married to a Prabhupada disciple who passed away in 2009, expressed gratitude that Gopal Krishna Goswami, despite his busy schedule, came to visit her husband, who was dying of cancer. He even had his cook make some special preparations for him.
Someone mentioned that when Srila Prabhupada’s family members informed him they had no place to live, he engaged Gopal Krishna Goswami to find an apartment for them and to look after them.
In 2016 there was a serious disruption in the Mayapur management, and Gopal Krishna Goswami came there and helped to make a peaceful solution. Since then he was involved regularly in ISKCON Mayapur management.
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This verse encourages liberal distribution of the holy name. In this issue, the Leeds Marathon harinama and chanting on the piano in the Paris airport are examples of not caring who was fit or unfit nor where distribution should or should not take place.
patrapatra-vicara
nahi,
nahi
sthanasthana
yei
yanha
paya,
tanha
kare prema-dana
“In distributing love of Godhead, Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates did not consider who was a fit candidate and who was not, nor where such distribution should or should not take place. They made no conditions. Wherever they got the opportunity, the members of the Pañca-tattva distributed love of Godhead.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 7.23)