Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 21, No. 47
By Krishna Kripa Das
(Week 47: November 19–25, 2025)
(Sent from Brooklyn, New York, on November 29, 2025)
Where I Went and What I Did
The forty-seventh week of 2025, I lived at Viraha Bhavan, the ashram of Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami, my Guru Maharaja, in Stuyvesant Falls, New York, for the first four days. I helped his caretakers with different services like cleaning the kitchen, waking up the deities, singing for Them, and uploading dictation tapes. I also did some personal service for Guru Maharaja. I chanted Hare Krishna one hour on the porch most days, usually in two parts, half an hour each, because of the cold. I attended the Chatham Wednesday Program. Thursday and Friday I also chanted Hare Krishna at the Hudson train station when dropping Jayadvaita Swami and Jaya Sri at the train. I went to New York City on Sunday morning, and on the way I chanted Hare Krishna at the Poughkeepsie train station and then on the New York subways, going to and from the temple.
On Tuesday I facilitated the New York visit of Damodara Prabhu, who came from the UK and has faithfully served Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami for almost a month. We visited the Bhakti Center, 26 Second Avenue, Tompkins Square Park, and the Brooklyn temple, and we chanted together on NYC Harinama for two hours.
I share quotes from Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam and Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, and also a lecture and a conversation of his. I share a quote from Sanatana Goswami’s Brhad-bhagavatamrita. I share quotes from articles in Back to Godhead, issue Jan/Feb 2026, by Srila Prabhupada and Visakha, Nagaraja, Satyaraja, Caitanya Carana, Gauranga Darshan, Rasamandala, Candra and Tanay Shah Prabhus. I share notes on classes by Rama Raya and Natabara Gauranga Prabhus.
Many thanks to Lila Manjari Devi Dasi, Saradbihari Devi Dasi, and Madhu Sri Prabhu for their kind donations in New York City. Thanks to Krsna Dasi for allowing me to use her phone to film kirtans at the Chatham Wednesday Program. Thanks also to Krsna Dasi for the harinama photo and video at the Hudson train station on Friday. Thanks to Rama Raya Prabhu for the photo of me on NYC Harinam.
Itinerary
November 23–January 9, 2026?: NYC Harinam
– November 30–December 1: serving Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami in Stuyvesant Falls
– December 6: Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami Vyasa-puja / Hudson Winter Walk harinama
Chanting Hare Krishna in Upstate New York
Jayadvaita Swami agreed to give the lecture at the Chatham Wednesday Program, and thus more people came than usual.
Here Keli Lalita Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at the Chatham Wednesday Program (https://youtu.be/p7hL6tWuK0w):
Damodara Priya Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/Y1Z8pWR-A9M):
Patrick chants Hare Krishna as prasadam is served (https://youtu.be/5xvGcohGSYQ):
At the end of the program Patrick chanted the final Hare Krishna kirtan (https://youtu.be/wO6LgeYMQB4):
Later almost everyone was dancing (https://youtube.com/shorts/Xpr1RIyaTn4?feature=share):
On Thursday, I chanted Hare Krishna with my harmonium for twelve minutes at the Hudson train station when I took Jayadvaita Swami to his train. It was so nice to have a larger audience than I had on the porch in Stuyvesant Falls!
At least forty people boarding, disembarking, and waiting for the trains heard our kirtan and several smiled. Krsna Dasi took this little video (https://youtube.com/shorts/EXCcccZEBgU?feature=share):
Hadai Prana Prabhu and friends chant Hare Krishna at the ISKCON NYC Sunday program (https://youtu.be/212G1AUfQJw):
Then devotees began to dance in a circle (https://youtube.com/shorts/ZqPb5Rs5WlQ?feature=share):
Later devotees dance even more (https://youtube.com/shorts/J6pzw8bR6gc?feature=share):
Monday we chanted at Jackson Heights / Roosevelt Avenue subway station.
Sushree chants Hare Krishna there (https://youtube.com/shorts/h4ZI_z-K_SE?feature=share):
Radha chanted Hare Krishna after her (https://youtu.be/rmWJCeI2Gzk):
Tuesday morning I chanted Hare Krishna at the Moynihan Train Hall for 15 minutes with my harmonium while waiting for Damodara Prabhu’s train from Hudson. Then we chanted on the E and F trains enroute to the Bhakti Center where we heard the end of Vasudeva Prabhu’s ecstatic guru-puja kirtan which must have included at least ten minutes of Hare Krishna. Then we took breakfast there. Next we did harinama to 26 Second Avenue led by Jai Nitai Prabhu.
Damodara Prabhu knew Jai Nitai Prabhu from the UK, where Jai Nitai served as president of ISKCON London at Soho Street for many years. Thus it was wonderful that Jai Nitai is one of the main tour guides for 26 Second Avenue.
Jai Nitai Prabhu explained Radhanath Swami vision for 26 Second Avenue.
The back half would be arranged just as it was back in 1966.
Jai Nitai said that after he shows people the museum and tells about the history of first temple in detail, when he opens the curtain separating the museum from the back and shows them what the first temple originally looked like sometimes their eyes tear up in ecstasy.
Jai Nitai let Damodara offer a new garland to Srila Prabhupada, and he gave Damodara the old one.
At 26 Second Avenue they have a record player so you can play the Hare Krishna Happening Album (https://youtube.com/shorts/bB_7j9sCZS4):
There was a photo of the devotees standing in front of 26 Second Avenue in 1968. When Srila Prabhupada saw it, he referred to the devotees as “Angels of New York.”
Then we did harinama to Tompkins Square Park. I suggested that Damodara might take some video of the harinama, and he recorded the whole thing, which amounted to seventeen minutes! We passed by 61 Second Avenue, the location of our second temple, now a bar, which Jai Nitai pointed out (https://youtu.be/1GVFcU7USaI):
After visiting Tompkins Square Park, we did harinama back to the Bhakti Center.
I visited the Soho Street temple many times when Jai Nitai was president there, and I was so happy to be doing harinama together and visiting the Prabhupada places with him!
Tuesday we chanted at Fulton Street subway station, one of the warmest and quietest, and thus a favorite of mine.
Here Kana Gopal Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Fulton Street subway station (https://youtube.com/shorts/MwBocwt5wBM):
Gokulendra Prabhu chants Hare Krishna (https://youtube.com/shorts/U22W5fpSr-g?feature=share):
While Gokulendra Prabhu was chanting, a woman played the shakers (https://youtube.com/shorts/S0yC7H9jFic?feature=share):
Srikar Prabhu chants Hare Krishna, and devotees dance (https://youtube.com/shorts/TZVUa2q-uzU?feature=share):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/Q3sMehrDpVs):
Sometimes Google’s AI does a good job understanding the lingo of a Hare Krishna devotee.
Insights
Srila Prabhupada:
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.9.29, purport:
“Any person authorized by either the Lord or His bona fide representative is already blessed, as is the work entrusted to him. Of course, the person entrusted with such a responsibility should always be aware of his incapability and must always look for the mercy of the Lord for the successful execution of his duty. One should not be puffed up because he is entrusted with certain executive work. Fortunate is he who is so entrusted, and if he is always fixed in the sense of being subordinate to the will of the Supreme, he is sure to come out successful in the discharge of his work. Arjuna was entrusted with the work of fighting on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra, and before he was so entrusted, the Lord had already arranged for his victory. But Arjuna was always conscious of his position as subordinate to the Lord, and thus he accepted Him as the supreme guide in his responsibility. Anyone who takes pride in doing responsible work but does not give credit to the Supreme Lord is certainly falsely proud and cannot execute anything nicely. Brahma and persons in the line of his disciplic succession who follow in his footsteps are always successful in the discharge of loving transcendental service to the Supreme Lord.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.9.30, purport:
“The mercy the Lord bestows upon a particular person engaged in executing the responsible work entrusted unto him is beyond imagination. But His mercy is received due to our penance and perseverance in executing devotional service.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.9.32:
[Lord Krishna said to Lord Brahma:] “Only when you attain that state of transcendental vision in which You see Me in all living entities as well as all over the universe, just as fire is situated in wood, will you be able to be free from all kinds of illusion.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.9.33, purport:
“In transcendental loving service, the servitor is as free as the Lord. The Lord is svarat, or fully independent, and in the spiritual atmosphere the servant is also fully independent, or svarat, because there is no forced service. There the transcendental loving service is due to spontaneous love. A reflected glimpse of such service is experienced in the service of the mother unto the son, the friend’s service unto the friend, or the wife’s service unto the husband. These reflections of service by friends, parents or wives are not forced, but are due only to love. Here in this material world, however, the loving service is only a reflection. The real service, or service in svarupa, is present in the transcendental world, in association with the Lord. The very same service in transcendental love can be practiced in devotion here. Thus one can become from from material contamination and be situated in full independence in association with the Lord.”
“The jñanis and the devotees are actually in agreement up to the point of liberation from material contamination. But whereas the jñanis remain pacified on the platform of simple understanding, the devotees develop further spiritual advancement in loving service. The devotees develop a spiritual individuality in their spontaneous service attitude, which is enhanced on and on, up to the point of madhurya-rasa, or transcendental loving service reciprocated between the lover and the beloved.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.24.67, purport:
“Learned persons always think that life is wasted unless they worship Lord Krishna or become His devotee.”
“One has to continue chanting the Hare Krishna mantra and preaching the chanting of this mantra because such preaching and chanting constitute the perfection of life. One should chant Hare Krishna and preach about the urgency of making this life perfect in all respects. One should thus engage in the devotional service of the Lord and follow in the footsteps of previous acaryas, beginning with Lord Brahma and others.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.24.68, purport:
“The conclusion is that one Rudra is afraid of another Rudra because each and every one of them is engaged in the destruction of this cosmic manifestation. Except for the devotee, everyone is afraid of Rudra, even Rudra himself.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.24.69, purport:
“The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is also a prayer, for a prayer addresses the Supreme Personality of Godhead by His name and invokes good fortune by petitioning the Lord to allow one to engage in His devotional service. The Hare Krishna maha-mantra also says, ‘My dear Lord Krishna, my dear Lord Rama, O energy of the Lord, Hare, kindly engage me in Your service.’”
“One may remain situated in his own place or his own occupational duty and still lend his ear to receive the message of the Lord from realized souls. The Krishna conscious movement is based on this principle, and we are opening centers all over the world to give everyone a chance to hear the message of Lord Krishna in order to go back home, back to Godhead.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.24.70, purport:
“One not only should practice the instructions received from the spiritual master but should also distribute this knowledge to one’s disciples.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.24.71, purport:
“We should either talk of Krishna or chant Hare Krishna undeviatingly. This is called muni-vrata.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.2.32–33, purport:
“I shall seek shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is always the shelter of everyone, even of great personalities. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is certainly not known to everyone, but He is very powerful and influential. Therefore, although the serpent of eternal time, which is fearful in force, endlessly chases everyone, ready to swallow him, if one who fears this serpent seeks shelter of the Lord, the Lord gives him protection, for even death runs away in fear of the Lord. I therefore surrender unto Him, the great and powerful supreme authority who is the actual shelter of everyone.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.2.33, purport:
“We have actually seen that our Krishna consciousness movement has many opponents, such as the ‘deprogrammers,’ who instituted a strong legal case against the devotees. We thought that this case would take a long time to settle, but because the devotees were protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we unexpectedly won the case in one day. Thus a case that was expected to continue for years was settled in a day because of the protection of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has promised in the Bhagavad-gita (9.31), kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati: ‘O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.’”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.2.37:
“Even while engaged in various activities, devotees whose minds are completely absorbed at Your lotus feet, and who constantly hear, chant, contemplate and cause others to remember Your transcendental names and forms, are always on the transcendental platform, and thus they can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 4.50, purport:
“The transcendental mellow relished by the gopis in Vraja is superexcellently featured in Srimati Radharani. Mature assimilation of the transcendental humor of conjugal love is represented by Srimati Radharani, whose feelings are incomprehensible even to the Lord Himself. The intensity of Her loving service is the highest form of ecstasy. No one can surpass Srimati Radharani in relishing the qualities of the Lord through this supreme transcendental mellow. Therefore the Lord Himself agreed to assume the position of Radharani in the form of Lord Sri Gauranga. He then relished the highest position of parakiya-rasa, as exhibited in the transcendental abode of Vraja.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 4.106, purport:
“Lord Caitanya’s heart was full of the feelings of Srimati Radharani, and His appearance resembled Hers. Svarupa Damodara has explained His attitude as radha-bhava-murti, the attitude of Radharani. One who engages in sense gratification on the material platform can hardly understand radha-bhava, but one who is freed from the demands of sense gratification can understand it. Radha-bhava must be understood from the Gosvamis, those who are actually controllers of the senses. From such authorized sources it is to be known that the attitude of Srimati Radharani is the highest perfection of conjugal love, which is the highest of the five transcendental mellows, and it is the complete perfection of love of Krishna.”
From “Arjuna’s Concern for His Kinsmen” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 1 (Jan/Feb 2026):
[Edited transcript of a class on Bhagavad-gita 1.44 in London on July 31, 1973.]
“We see how Krishna has equal vision. In a painting, Krishna is embracing a calf. He is not only embracing the gopis, but He is also embracing the calves and cows. That is sama-darsinah. For Krishna, anyone in Vrindavan who has come to serve Him – the gopis, the calves, the cows – all are equal. Somebody wants to serve Krishna as a calf; somebody wants to serve Krishna as a cow; somebody wants to serve Krishna as a gopi; somebody wants to serve Krishna as a cowherd boy; somebody wants to serve Krishna as His father; somebody wants to serve Krishna as His mother. These are the different mellows, different tastes. Every living entity has got his own taste for how to love Krishna. But the central point is to love Krishna.”
“And Krishna reciprocates. He has no discrimination that ‘Here is a gopi, a beautiful girl; therefore I shall love her more than I love the calf.’ No. Krishna is not partial.”
From a conversation with Carol Cameron, a doctoral candidate in anthropology, in Perth, Australia, on May 9, 1975:
“Why should I be devoted to God unless He is worthy? For instance, Krishna says, ‘You surrender unto Me.’ So unless I understand that Krishna is worthy of my surrendering to Him, why shall I surrender to Krishna? If I had demanded of you, as soon as you arrived here, that you surrender, would you have liked to do that? Unless you are fully aware of my abilities, qualities, why should you surrender?”
“So before surrendering, one has to study the person to whom he is going to surrender. Then he surrenders. That is real surrender. But blind surrender will not last.”
From a class on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.298––313 at 26 Second Avenue in New York City on December 21, 1966:
“Just like if you mix up with milk something sour and it turns into yogurt or curd, similarly, the difference between Shiva and Lord Krishna is like that. He is Krishna, but because he is mixed up with this material energy, therefore he is something like that yogurt. So yogurt, the constitutional position of yogurt is nothing but milk, but it cannot become milk again. Once turned into yogurt, there is no possibility of turning into milk. Neither you can derive the benefit of milk from yogurt. Yogurt is used for some purpose; milk is used for some other purpose.
“Similarly, those who are worshipers of Shiva, they cannot derive the same benefit as persons who are in Krishna consciousness.”
“The advantage is that if you want to get release from the infection of these three gunas, three qualities, then you have to render devotional service to the Lord. That is Krishna consciousness. Tam nirguno bhavet. Nirguna, when there is mention of nirguna, nirguna does not mean quality-less. Nirguna means without these contaminous three qualities of material nature.
“There are transcendental qualities. . . . You have got the list, twenty-six qualities of the devotee. Those are transcendental qualities. Those transcendental qualities are in God as well as in the living entity. But when the living entity comes in contact with material nature, those transcendental qualities are covered by the material qualities. So they are not manifested. But as soon as one becomes Krishna conscious, those transcendental qualities automatically develop. Because they are already there.”
Sanatana Goswami:
From Brhad-bhagavatamrita 2.3.158:
[Vaikuntha-dutas:] “Of the many ways to chant Krishna’s glories, foremost is His nama-sankirtana [chanting His names]. It is deemed the best because it can evoke at once the treasure of pure love for Krishna.”
Visakha Devi Dasi:
From “Protection for All” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 1 (Jan/Feb 2026):
“Without exception, our bodies are doomed to perish at some point. Before that time comes, our protectors, whether our friends, relatives, or spiritual master, are charged with helping us advance spiritually so that we offer Krishna uninterrupted, unmotivated devotional service and understand His transcendental nature. Then at the time of death we’ll be qualified to go to Krishna and see Him Krishna face to face – the ultimate protection from the ultimate protector. Worldly protectors are meant to bring us to this otherworldly protection. In the final analysis, spiritual advancement is lasting protection; all other types are transient.”
Nagaraja Prabhu:
From “Limbs of Bhakti” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 1 (Jan/Feb 2026):
“We all have our likes and dislikes, and as we transition from a life based on our own desires to one based on what pleases Krishna, we’ll naturally feel some discomfort, especially in the beginning. But Krishna is, after all, the most loveable and loving person, and when we sacrifice for Him, He responds in such a way that our selfish tendencies naturally fade away.”
Satyaraja Prabhu:
From “Advaita Acarya: The Catalyst for Sri Caitanya’s Appearance and Disappearance” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 1 (Jan/Feb 2026):
“When Advaita Prabhu turned fifty, Madhavendra Puri requested Him to marry, to set an example for how married couples might live in Krishna consciousness.”
“While Advaita Prabhu’s fervent prayers brought Mahaprabhu into our world, it was Srila Prabhupada who brought Him from India to the West, completing the work that Advaita started those many years ago.”
Rama Raya Prabhu:
Sometimes in history the link to the disciplic succession has been a bhajananandi completely absorbed in the devotional service of the Lord.
The Lord told Bhaktivinoda Thakura to do his bhajana at Jagannatha Puri, and by doing so he would deliver the entire world.
The pure devotee can never lose his vision of the equality of all living beings.
Caitanya Carana Prabhu:
From “Hanuman’s Amnesia” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 1 (Jan/Feb 2026):
“Maturity centers not so much on keeping small things small as on keeping big things big so that small things don’t matter so much.”
“When we animate our life with devotional purposefulness, we get a new vision of our abilities. We see them not as our possessions for establishing our glory before the world, but as divine gifts meant to aid us in raising consciousness, our own and that of others too.”
Gauranga Darsana Prabhu:
From “The Gita’s Conclusion and the Bhagavatam’s Beginning” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 1 (Jan/Feb 2026):
“Service to the Lord is not an enforced activity but is our eternal, natural, constitutional activity. All other dharmas are secondary.”
“When Krishna instructs us to exclusively come under His shelter, He is emphasizing the ultimate definition of dharma, which is to lovingly serve Him, giving up our undue focus on all temporary dharmas. The idea is not just to give up dharmas but to rise in dharma. He is elevating the standard of dharma to the highest stage – loving devotional service unto Him.”
“This concluding teaching of the Gita [Bg. 18.66] is also the first teaching of Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.6): sa vai pusam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje ahaituky apratihata yayatma suprasidati – ‘The supreme occupation [para dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.’”
“When we value the Lord, our relationship with Him, and our service to Him more than everything else, we elevate our consciousness to a spiritual plane. That is the highest dharma, as described in the Gita and the Bhagavatam.”
“Exclusive surrender to Krishna offers far more than just relief from sinful reactions and the avoidance of hell. Devotional surrender to Krishna brings divine results – filling the heart with deep spiritual satisfaction and with love for Krishna. It allows one to experience complete contentment in one’s connection with Krishna. Additionally, if Krishna so desires, surrendered souls enter the spiritual world as His eternal companions to engaged in loving service to Him without distractions. Relief from sinful reactions is a byproduct of bhakti; the true reward lies in the unbreakable bond of devotion to Lord Krishna.”
“The idea is not just to sacrifice possessions, but to give up one’s possessiveness. One does not have to relinquish one’s relationships, but one must prioritize above everything else one’s eternal relationship with Krishna.”
Rasamandala Prabhu:
From “Faithful Yet Flexible: Srila Prabhupada’s Example” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 1 (Jan/Feb 2026):
“Srila Prabhupada discouraged innovation that contradicted scripture, originated in speculative or egoistic motives, or diluted the core teachings. But he welcomed change that was scripturally sound, aided the preaching mission, and produced tangible devotional results. This balance reflected the genius and depth of his leadership, firmly rooted in tradition, yet responsive to time, place, and circumstance.”
“The triad [sadhu (saints), sastra (scripture), guru (spiritual preceptor)] protects against whimsy (“I feel like doing this”), ego (“My realization trumps sastra”), and sectarianism (“Only my guru’s view matters”). It reminds us that we are not freelancers in spiritual life, but servants of an authentic, time-honored lineage.”
Candra Prabhu:
From “Soul, Supersoul, and the Digital Mind” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 1 (Jan/Feb 2026):
“Our ever-present inner guide is infinitely more intelligent – and loving and compassionate – than AI can ever be.”
“Through self-realization, we can connect with the Paramatma, a source of love and wisdom far greater than anything the material world can offer. It leads us to fulfill our highest potential.”
“Grasping our spiritual identity also redefines our relationship with others. We begin to see every living being as a soul, worthy of respect, kindness, and empathy. This change in perspective can revolutionize how we approach social justice, the environment, and personal relationships. Compassion becomes a natural expression of understanding our shared spiritual heritage. Moreover, spiritual knowledge doesn’t cause us to retreat from the world, but to engage with it more thoughtfully, recognizing the divine in every experience.”
“AI belongs to the realm of prakrti, material nature. It is a complex machine, devoid of spiritual essence. It can mimic wisdom, but cannot experience it. AI may generate a poem about love, but it cannot experience love. It can describe the soul, but it has none.”
“The Paramatma, residing in the heart, is the source of our deepest insights. AI, by contrast, is like a parrot repeating words it doesn’t understand. This is like comparing a calculator to a teacher. The calculator can solve equations instantly, but it cannot teach you why the math matters or what to do with the knowledge. The Paramatma, like a teacher, guides not just with facts, but with purpose, love, and understanding.”
“To understand atma is to reclaim our true identity. We realize we are not the sum of our achievements, roles, or digital footprints. We are eternal souls, connected to the Supreme Soul. This awareness grounds us, uplifts us, and liberates us. It allows us to interact with others with compassion and detachment rather than anxiety and competition. It gives us strength and clarity. And it opens our heart to divine love.”
“What matters most is consistency. Even a few minutes of sincere practice each day can create deep transformation over time.”
“No matter how complex or digital our outer world becomes, our inner world remains the same. The inward journey toward self-realization is as relevant now as ever.”
Natabara Gauranga Prabhu:
The Supreme Lord Krishna, the diksa guru (initiating guru), and the siksa guru (instructing guru) are a team helping us to attain the spiritual world.
The disciples of Jiva Goswami, like Shyamananda, Srinivasa Thakura and Narottama Dasa Thakura, were such powerful preachers of Krishna consciousness that there are areas in India where there are generations of devotees inspired by them.
The residents of Vrindavan desire to increase the number of devotees of Krishna.
Tanay Shah:
From “Finding Peace in Adversity” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 1 (Jan/Feb 2026):
“Imagine a postman delivering someone a letter of dismissal sent by the office head. It would be foolish for the recipient, in anger, to blame and abuse the postman instead of identifying the real sender. Similarly, when we face adversity, we often blame others without recognizing the true cause. Learned devotees understand that Krishna is the real sender of distress in one’s life, but they see distress as a manifestation of the Lord meant to purify them and relieve them of material contamination. It is a wake-up call from the Lord. Through such adversity, Krishna is communicating, ‘This world of miseries is not your true home. Come to Me in My eternal realm of bliss and joy.’
“The Lord appears as distress to purify us and save us from the cycle of birth and death. While this cannot be understood from a worldly perspective, a devotee understands this completely.”
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One may ask why the saints are so enthusiastic to engage in acts of devotion to the Supreme Lord. That question is answered in this verse, because it gives pleasure to the self.
ato vai kavayo nityam
vasudeve bhagavati
kurvanty atma-prasadanim
“Certainly, therefore, since time immemorial, all transcendentalists have been rendering devotional service to Lord Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, with great delight, because such devotional service is enlivening to the self.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.22)