What is success in our spiritual life ?

by

Hare Krishna,

18th April, 2014, Gurgaon

supersoul[1]

For the past 10 days I am hooked on to listening again and again to another most enlightening lecture by HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhuji. In this particular lecture Prabhuji explains that verses 13.20-35, specially 13.22,  is the Bija Vakya of the Gitas last six chapters. ( Pl click here to listen to this lecture ). It’s a wonderful analogy and deep explanation but what caught my attention were the following words where Prabhuji explained what should be our consciousness when our desire for a particular service does not get materialised. Prabhuji is explaining verse 13.23 in the lecture

upadraṣṭānumantā ca bhartā bhoktā maheśvaraḥ

paramātmeti cāpy ukto dehe ‘smin puruṣaḥ paraḥ

TRANSLATION

Yet in this body there is another, a transcendental enjoyer, who is the Lord, the supreme proprietor, who exists as the overseer and permitter, and who is known as the Supersoul.

Here is the specific part of the lecture transcribed for the pleasure of Lord and His devotees.

Sometimes when we try to do some services and services don’t work, may be we don’t get the device we desire or people do not cooperate with us.  Because services don’t work we also have to understand that ultimately it is Krishna who is the sanctioner. And Krishna as the sanctioner means what ?  That it is not that Krishna doesn’t want the service to succeed. But it is that Krishna wants something more than the service to succeed, Krishna wants our purification, our education , our reformation. So in spiritual life success is not necessarily very straight forward.

Sometimes we may succeed in a service but we become proud by that success and in the sense we fail in that service. Because we have become proud through that service we have gone away from Krishna. Although we have done some service for Krishna we have gone away from Krishna through that service because we have become proud and we have created a wall between us and Krishna.

On the other hand some other the times our services may fail, in the sense we don’t get the desired result but if that makes us more humble and dependent on Krishna then we have come closer to Krishna and we have succeeded in that.

That’s why when we say Krishna is the ‘anumanta’ we have to have faith that Krishna is always our well-wisher.

So in general when we have faith in Krishna it is easy to have half faith in Krishna. What is the meaning of half faith ? There is Krishna’s power and there is Krishna’s wisdom.  So what happens when want to do something and it doesn’t works out. We pray Krishna please let this be done, Krishna please let this happen. Then what is our idea then that my intelligence and Krishna’s power, that will make things happen. We have  faith that Krishna is most powerful and if Krishna wants He will make thing happen. But faith in Krishna is not just faith in Krishna’s power but also in His intelligence. So that means Krishna knows better than us what is best for us. So when we understand that Krishna knows better than us what is best for us and then if we want to do something for Krishna we pray to Krishna that Krishna I feel this is best for me and for my service and this is how I want to contribute to Your mission. And if You feel it is good for me then please let this happen and if not then please help accept whatever You want and help me understand it and grow from it. So, we often have faith in Krishna’s strength but not in Krishna’s intelligence. So when we have complete faith in Krishna then we have faith in both His strength and intelligence. So we pray to Krishna for what we feel is good for the service but we also are willing to accept whatever Krishna gives to us. This `anumanta’ part is very important, by this we understand that Krishna is ultimately my well-wisher.

Otherwise, often many people like to serve God but as advisers !!!  God You should do like this, God You should do like that ! ……….

The idea is that when we understand that Krishna is ‘anumanta’ then we understand that His intelligence is far greater than ours and when we understand that His intelligence is far greater than ours then we accept whatever He allows, whatever He lets happen in the world.

All glories to HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhuji.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj visit Gurgaon

by

Hare Krishna.

14th April, 2014 Gurgaon.

It was our good fortune that HH Bhakti Chraru Swami visited Gurgaon yesterday for a day.

We received Maharaj at the airport, he was accompanied by HG GangaNarayan Prabhuji and HG Vimal Krishna Prabhuji from Ujjain. After a brief exchange Maharaj went for some meetings in Gurgaon with Atma Prabhu and some other devotees.

photo 11

Maharaj had promised to give darshan to everyone in the evening. Around 50-60 devotees gathered at the home of HG Radheshyam Prabhu to welcome Maharaj. Everyone was waiting anxiously while listening to wonderful kirtan led by HG Brajamohan prabhu from U.K. HG Vidurpriya prabhuji came all the way from Sri Radhaparthasathi temple, Delhi, to officially welcome Maharaj on behalf of Gurgaon devotees.

Maharaj arrived around 8 pm. He apologised is his ever sweet voice for being half an hour late. Maharaj then introduced two devotees who accompanied him and taught us so many things in the short lecture.

Maharaj first glorified Subodh Prabhu and then Paramjit Prabhu, a sikh gentleman whom he met in Dubai, he then glorified their family, their business and then further glorified Sikshism itself. Maharaj shared with us the  root and purpose of sikhism in such detail that, leave aside us, I am sure even many sikhs themselves would not know today.

Like a true teacher, Maharaj showed with his own behaviour, how we should interact with non devotees, innocents and other religions and win them over with love and humbleness. Like some expert craftsman he then connected Sikhism to drive home the point what is religion, defining it as

dharmam tu sakshad bhagavat-pranitam

He then spoke about love, what is actual love, what do we get from love – reciprocation and finally Joy. And then he spoke about what is the purpose of all religions- to love God, and finally dovetailed everyone’s minds at the lotus feet of Krishna. The fluency, conviction and ease with which Maharaj spoke extempore can not be matched by any corporate professional speaker. It shows us how Krishna’s and Srila Prabhupada’s kripa shakti is flowing via Maharaj. It is  a pity that I do not even have enough sukriti to forever absorb such golden words coming out from senior sanyasis and devotees.

photo 22

After the lecture Maharaj led a short but a very melodious kirtan. Again like magic everything fell perfectly into place, the mridang, the kartal, the harmonium, the acoustics of the hall, to accompany his golden voice, they all strained to ensure they do justice to the honour of serving his melodious voice. It was as if a grandmaster is playing a great symphony in a concert hall for the the pleasure of the Lord.

photo 33

Within minutes it became difficult for me to chose  between closing my eyes and experience Krishna or to keep the eyes open and drink the nector of Maharaj’s presence.

CC Madhya 21.114: “O My dear friend, what severe austerities have the gopīs performed to drink His transcendental beauty and sweetness through their eyes in complete fulfillment? Thus they glorify their births, bodies and minds.

First time in my life I felt that Brahmaji has actually not designed this body very well. And for the first time I understood, though only a litlte bit, what gopis felt when they complained about the imperfect design of their body.

CC Madhya 21.133: “When the onlooker of Kṛṣṇa’s face becomes dissatisfied in this way, he thinks, ‘Why didn’t the creator give me thousands and millions of eyes? Why has he given me only two? Even these two eyes are disturbed by blinking, which keeps me from continuously seeing Kṛṣṇa’s face.’ Thus one accuses the creator of being dry and tasteless due to engaging in severe austerities. ‘The creator is only a dry manufacturer. He does not know how to create and set things in their proper places.

CC Madhya 21.134: “‘The creator says, “Let those who will see Kṛṣṇa’s beautiful face have two eyes.” Just see the lack of consideration exhibited by this person posing as a creator. If the creator took my advice, he would give millions of eyes to the person who intends to see Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s face. If the creator will accept this advice, then I would say that he is competent in his work.’

I felt so constrained- why I can not I experience both – Seeing Maharaj as well as experiencing Krishna. I actually felt pained with this unique experience of feeling separation from Maharaj and Krishna while being right there experiencing both with my senses ! It was inconceivable what I was experience last evening. For the lack of a good vocabulary let me say it was an incredible experience which will stay forever in my heart.

Later, Maharaj met almost all the local devotees and distributed his love and affection to everyone.

photo 44

Whenever I meet or even see senior sanyasis like HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj, HH Giriraj swami Maharaj and so many others sanyasis and senior devotees in ISKCON I can’t help but pray and beg to six Goswamis and our Guru Paramapara to please give me an opportunity to serve such dedicated soldiers of Srila Prabhupada in some way.

All glories to HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

What does the name Radha means ?

by

Hare Krishna.

6th April, 2014, Gurgaon.

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Q: What does the name Radha means ?

Ans :

kṛṣṇa-vāñchā-pūrti-rūpa kare ārādhane

ataeva ‘rādhikā’ nāma purāṇe vākhāne   (CC Ādi 3.61)

TRANSLATION

Her worship [ārādhana] consists of fulfilling the desires of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Therefore the Purāṇas call Her Rādhikā.

Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport of this verse

The name “Rādhā” is derived from the root word ārādhana, which means “worship.” The personality who excels all in worshiping Kṛṣṇa may therefore be called Rādhikā, the greatest servitor.

Q: What is paravyoma ?

Ans : The spiritual sky is called paravyoma.

CC Madhya 21.50: “‘Between the spiritual and the material world is a body of water known as the river Virajā. This water is generated from the bodily perspiration of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as Vedāńga. Thus the river flows.’

CC Madhya 21.51: “‘Beyond the river Virajā is the spiritual nature, which is indestructible, eternal, inexhaustible and unlimited. It is the supreme abode, consisting of three fourths of the Lord’s opulences. It is known as paravyoma, the spiritual sky.

Q: Why is the material world called eka-pāda ?

Ans:

CC Madhya 21.55: “The spiritual world is considered to be three fourths of the energy and opulence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whereas this material world is only one fourth of that energy. That is our understanding.

CC Madhya 21.56: “‘Because it consists of three fourths of the Lord’s energy, the spiritual world is called tri-pād-bhūta. Being a manifestation of one fourth of the Lord’s energy, the material world is called eka-pāda.’

Q: When does Krishna descends to this world ?

Ans : Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport of CC Ādi 3.10:  From the beginning of Brahmā’s day of 4,320,000,000 years, six Manus appear and disappear before Lord Kṛṣṇa appears. Thus 1,975,320,000 years of the day of Brahmā elapse before the appearance of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

CC Ādi 3.6: Once in a day of Brahmā, He descends to this world to manifest His transcendental pastimes.

CC Ādi 3.7: We know that there are four ages [yugas], namely Satya, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali. These four together constitute one divya-yuga.

CC Ādi 3.8: Seventy-one divya-yugas constitute one manv-antara. There are fourteen manv-antaras in one day of Brahmā.

CC Ādi 3.9: The present Manu, who is the seventh, is called Vaivasvata [the son of Vivasvān]. Twenty-seven divya-yugas [27 x 4,320,000 solar years] of his age have now passed.

CC Ādi 3.10: At the end of the Dvāpara-yuga of the twenty-eighth divya-yuga, Lord Kṛṣṇa appears on earth with the full paraphernalia of His eternal Vraja-dhāma.

All glories to Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Is chanting a priority for me ?

by

Hare Krishna.

4th April, 2014, Gurgaon.

Quotes-by-Bhakti-Charu-Swami-on-Hearing-While-Chanting

HG Murari Prabhuji, from Jaipur, was in Gurgaon and though I could not get his association I could revisit an important parameter on my chanting.

Shyam Sundar Prabhuji shared with me the discussion he had with Prabhuji on improving his chanting. Murari prabhu told him that our chanting is only as good as the priority we give it. When Shyam Sunday Prabhu ji pushed him to elaborate on it, he asked him what does he do when he gets a call on the mobile while he is chanting. Shyam Sundar Prabhuji replied him that he stops his chanting and take the call and once the call is over he gets back to his chanting. Murari Prabhu then told him that if your Guru is sitting with you then would you still take the call. Shyam Sundar Prabhu ji replied that he never picks a call in the presence of his Guru. Murari prabhu then replied` So in your priority chanting is placed lower than your Guru’ ? This question obviously flummoxed Shyam Sundar Prabhuji and got him thinking. He said he will now ensure that he will give priority to chanting and will try not to get disturbed while chanting.

When prabhuji shared this conversation with me in the evening, I agreed that I too do the same, many a times, and this inspite of having heard so many lectures and seminars on not to do it. I told myself that I too will try to give priority to my chanting from now onwards and will consciously try not to get disturbed while chanting my rounds.

japa

All glories to HG Murari Prabhu.

All glories to Sri Nama Prabhu.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Serving as a servant of the devotees

by

Hare Krishna.

4th April, 2014, Gurgaon.

Quotes-by-Radhanath-Swami-on-Opportunity-To-Serve

I got up a little late today and for some strange reason instead of chanting I first reread the below lecture by HH Bhakti Charu Maharaj which came few days back.

http://www.bhakticharuswami.com/2011/07/11/sik%E1%B9%A3a%E1%B9%A3%E1%B9%ADakam-lecture-2-iskcon-radhadesh

In this lecture Guru Maharaj explained, among many other things,  why we have not developed any attraction for the Holy name ( durdaivam īdṛśam ihājani nānurāgaḥ Śikṣāṣṭakam second verse). Guru Maharaj then added that the next verse shows us the qualification of chanting the Holy Name

trinad api sunichena taror api sahishnuna
amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih [Śikṣāṣṭaka 3].

Translation

One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.

I could never connect these verses like this. Guru Maharaj says further `We have not been able to become tṛṇād api sunīcena taror api sahiṣṇunā amāninā mānadena. That’s why we are not able to kīrtanya sadā hariḥ.’

After reading the complete lecture I started my chanting but these lines remained somewhat in my mind.

Later, while taking a shower and listening to another lecture, I suddenly connected what HG Shyam Sundar Prabhu ji wrote the other day on service in the right mood (http://www.forthepleasureoflordkrishna.com/?p=992) and what Guru Maharaj spoke in the lecture. I realised that while appreciating the content of the mail HG Shayam Sundar Prabhuji wrote me and listening to so many lectures in the past about humility and serving attitude I never implemented them in practice. It is like I know that I am a soul not a body but still spend all my day in the bodily consciousness.

I rewind my last 3-4 discussions with devotees in last few days and immediately remembered my conversations with Vishal Kapil Prabhu, with Shyam Bihari prabhuji and with Shyam Sundar Prabhuji. I realised that in none of these conversations I had the attitude of serving them as their servant. I spoke politely but I had no attitude that a devotee has called me and I have to think myself as his servant and then do my best to serve him. Rather my fickle mind and poor intelligence was ever ready to give unwanted advice or add my own comments. I never once thought that I have to serve them. When I rewind further back, to my horror, I also realised that in many of my conversations with devotees I have already `judged’ them based on my narrow perception or what I have heard about them. So, not unlike a materialist, I talk to them accordingly and barring a few devotees there is neither love nor a sincere serving attitude in my conversations. Only a paper-thin external humility.

I felt so guilty that I immediately wrote a sms to Shyam Sundar Prabhuji, sharing my realisation and seeking a sincere apology from him. I then thought of calling other devotees as well and seek apology. Better sense prevailed on me, I thought rather than saying sorry to devotees and explaining to each of them over phone on what I realised, it will be better to put `serving as a servant attitude’ in practice first and ask for forgiveness when I meet them in person.image copied from http://www.gunagrahidasgoswami.org/english/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/trnad.jpg

I know it will be a herculean task for me to remember being a servant in every single conversation with each devotee but at least I will be conscious in few conversations where I can remember this realisation from now onwards. I pray at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada to kindly give me memory and intelligence to remember it forever.

All glories to Shyam Sundar Prabhuji.

All glories to Guru Maharaj.

All glories to Srila Prabhuapada.

Service in the right mood

by

Hare Krishna.

20th March, 2014, Gurgaon.

Quotes-by-Bhakti-Charu-Swami-on-Spiritual-World

I had a needless argument with HG Shyam Sundar Prabhuji the other day on some particular service which I wanted to undertake. The result of this silly argument (all from my side), however, was a beautiful mail which I received from Prabhuji. I am posting that mail ‘as it is’ for the benefit of all readers

Hare Krishna Prabhuji,

Dandavat Pranam…PAMHO.

We all know that the most important part of  being Krishna Consciousness is to comprehend and accept that we are servant of devotees, our Guru and Krishna. This is extremely critical as it is the only way to develop humility and surrender within us. Only a servant will surrender to his Master and then follow the instructions.

 But to be a servant, we cannot just feel it in our heart, we have to show in our action as well. And Servant’s action is service. In true spirit, Servant cannot demand a service. He should not say I cannot wash utensils but only sweep floor, so give me service of sweeping floor. Servants cannot demand from Master. We have to keep in mind that when we call all devotees as Prabhuji (Prabhu=master), then he becomes our master too. If a service is given, the devotee should just perform it to the best of his efforts and focus. If the prabhu (jiva-baddha) doesn’t know about you, you can always express what you think you are good at and what you struggle in, to ensure prabhuji doesn’t give a service to someone where the service quality towards Krishna gets compromised. But if we still get the service where we are not comfortable; we should accept it as austerity and chance to improve in that service.

 Also the service has 2 basic principles – should serve higher goal (preaching) and / or should make us feel menial Eg: sweeping floor, washing utensils, driver etc; For Neophytes specially, one should always take a service which makes him feel menial as mandatory. On top of it if the master feels we are fit we could take other service that serves higher goal. Menial service is mandatory to develop humility. It helps us to develop the servitude attitude too. Sometimes when we have Gyan (jnana) and we sit on vyasa-asana, we start feeling we know everything and start expecting respect and then ahankar develops.      

 Another aspect is when we demand something, it means we feel we are deserving. In material life, when we demand say 5 lac pa salary, it means we are convinced that we are fit and deserve to get 5lac pa salary. Similarly, when we demand the service of giving lecture, what we are indirectly saying is that we have full knowledge and thus we become our own master.

We should also understand that we must always beg for service. Begging is important for two reasons: instigating compassion in other devotee’s heart. As a devotee it is our duty to help other devotees in their spiritual quest. Secondly, when we beg, we inculcate the feeling of: “I am not the controller.”

 Now the point comes: If we know we can not do a particular service properly, should we refuse it? Yes. Everything we do is for our master and it should be first class. Everything we do for Krishna and his representatives should be top class. However, we should not use this as an excuse to avoid taking up service. We should take consideration of our circumstances – especially for Grahasthas – they should maintain a balance between material and spiritual life, but at the same time we should push ourselves to take the service and do it nicely. Generally (unless medical reasons), nobody can say they can’t do menial service. We (neophytes) are all sudras, so this is minimum. In fact, it takes a lot of effort to be fit for other services. Needless to say even in preaching service, the consciousness should be to serve devotees and our Guru and not getting recognition of our acquired intelligence or speaking skills.

 Can service be delegated ? Yes, provided we too are involved into it as well. This ensures that we are engaging others in service. 

I, too, am trying to implement these lessons, which I learned during my studies under HG Bhurijan Prabhu and while serving HH Janananda Maharaj. I am sharing them with you in the hope that these lessons may help you understand what should be our attitude while serving, and, eventually help you serve devotees with right consciousness.

Hari bol..

Very fallen servant,

Shyam sunder Krishna das

What a beautiful and inspiring mail ! I read this mail many times in last 2 weeks, and while reading it again today I thought of sharing it with everyone. I pray to Srila Prabhupada to kindly bless me with intelligence and memory so that I can always remember this lesson and serve devotees with right consciousness. I remember a quote by HH Mahanidhi Maharaj

Service is a privilege which is extended to a conditioned soul by the mercy of guru.

The mail also showed the me the importance to cultivate healthy relationships among devotees, based on mutual faith and trust, so that we can guide each other without any hesitation.

All glories to HG Shyam Sundar Prabhu.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

How many types of Bhakti is there ?

by

Hare Krishna.

29th March, 2014, Gurgaon.

Q1: How many types of Bhakti is explained in Caitanya-caritāmṛta ? Explain them.

Answer : Srila Prabupada writes in the purport of CC Adi 4.21-22 :

1980-12-08

In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta three kinds of devotional service are described — namely, bhakti (ordinary devotional service), śuddha-bhakti (pure devotional service) and viddha-bhakti (mixed devotional service).

When devotional service is executed with some material purpose, involving fruitive activities, mental speculations or mystic yoga, it is called mixed or adulterated devotional service. Besides bhakti-yoga, the Bhagavad-gītā also describes karma-yoga, jñāna-yoga and dhyāna-yoga. Yoga means linking with the Supreme Lord, which is possible only through devotion. Fruitive activities ending in devotional service, philosophical speculation ending in devotional service, and the practice of mysticism ending in devotional service are known respectively as karma-yoga, jñāna-yoga and dhyāna-yoga. But such devotional service is adulterated by the three kinds of material activities.

For those grossly engaged in identifying the body as the self, pious activity, or karma-yoga, is recommended. For those who identify the mind with the self, philosophical speculation, or jñāna-yoga, is recommended. But devotees standing on the spiritual platform have no need of such material conceptions of adulterated devotion. Adulterated devotional service does not directly aim for love of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore service performed strictly in conformity with the revealed scriptures is better than such viddha-bhakti because it is free from all kinds of material contamination. It is executed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, solely to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Those who are spontaneously devoted to the Lord and have no aims for material gain are called attracted devotees. They are spontaneously attracted to the service of the Lord, and they follow in the footsteps of self-realized souls. Their pure devotion (śuddha-bhakti), manifested from pure love of Godhead, surpasses the regulative principles of the authoritative scriptures….. The regulative principles help ordinary devotees rise to the stage of perfect love of Godhead. Pure love for Kṛṣṇa is the perfection of pure devotion, and pure devotional service is identical with spontaneous devotional service.

 

Q2: What is viśuddha-sattva ? What is miśra-sattva ?

Answer : Srila Prabhupada writes it in his purport to CC Adi 4.62 as below

In his thesis Bhagavat-sandarbha (103), Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains the potencies of the Lord as follows: The transcendental potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by which He maintains His existence is called sandhinī. The transcendental potency by which He knows Himself and causes others to know Him is called samvit. The transcendental potency by which He possesses transcendental bliss and causes His devotees to have bliss is called hlādinī. The total exhibition of these potencies is called viśuddha-sattva…..

In the mundane mode of goodness there are tinges of passion and ignorance. Therefore mundane goodness, being mixed, is called miśra-sattva. But the transcendental variegatedness of viśuddha-sattva is completely free from all mundane qualities. Viśuddha-sattva is therefore the proper atmosphere in which to experience the Personality of Godhead and His transcendental pastimes.

In the Tenth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.27.4), Indra praises Kṛṣṇa as follows:

viśuddha-sattvaḿ tava dhāma śāntaḿ  tapo-mayaḿ dhvasta-rajas-tamaskam

māyā-mayo ‘yaḿ guṇa-sampravāho na vidyate te ‘grahaṇānubandhaḥ

“My dear Lord, Your abode is viśuddha-sattva, always undisturbed by the material qualities, and the activities there are in transcendental loving service unto Your feet. The goodness, austerity and penance of the devotees enhance such activities, which are always free from the contamination of passion and ignorance. Material qualities cannot touch You under any circumstances.”

Srila Prabhupada further expands it in his purport of CC Adi 4.62

Lord Kṛṣṇa’s father, mother and household affairs are all displayed in the same viśuddha-sattva existence. A living entity situated in the status of pure goodness can understand the form, qualities and other features of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Kṛṣṇa consciousness begins on the platform of pure goodness.When the living entity is situated in viśuddha-sattva, transcendental to the three material modes of nature, he can perceive the form, quality and other features of the Supreme Personality of Godhead through his service attitude. The status of pure goodness is the platform of understanding, for the Supreme Lord is always in spiritual existence.

 

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

Love and compassion.

by

Hare Krishna

23rd March, 2014, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.

One of my most beloved mamaji, maternal uncle, suddenly fell ill and then left his body on 22nd March. He was almost 85 and died peacefully at home, in the presence of his whole family. I pray to Lord Krishna to bless this noble soul.

We rushed on 22nd March early morning to leave for Dharamsala by car, which is approx 500km from Delhi in the northern Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh.

I had following realisation on this day

1. As the his death got confirmed my wife, Priti, suggested that she could accompany me, leaving children with nana & nani, their maternal grandparents. This Mamaji was close my heart, of course he was affectionate towards Priti as well, but the connection was via me. She agreed to accompany because she knew he was very close to my family.  My first realisation that had it been Priti’s mamaji I would have refused to go come what may. I would have chosen to stay behind. I realise that this is what I had been doing since beginning, a cold, rather stone, hearted person. I felt ashamed but the words sorry or thank you still didn’t out of my mouth at that time.

2. Ay 4am in the morning I had to suddenly look for an alternative car as my car could not accommodate 6 people and the driver. None of the taxi guys were picking the call and then finally I had to call a friend’s no. who too didn’t pick my call at that hour. I then called up his wife, who picked it after 3 rings and then after hearing me, told me in 3 seconds flat to pick up their Innova and leave my car at their place.

More shame in the heart : Without elaborating too much on this topic let me confess that I would always feel very irritated to get such calls and requests. Yes, it became a bit different for devotee friends, but for my material friends my thoughts and feelings continue to remain the same. For the first time I could see the hypocrisy and narrow-mindedness in my dealings towards non-devotees, that too based on their external behaviour and my own judgment.

3. As we left, I decided not to inform my mother, who was accompanying us in the car, about death of her brother as she gets very emotional and the whole journey will become very difficult with her crying, etc. Usually I get very irritated with her, as her only agenda in life is to enjoy it and despite my best, rather worst, efforts she remains a `karmi’ (materialist) at heart. As we drove on and I started seeing and judging how she is behaving and that she is only interested in gossip and eating. Then strangely I saw her like a small child, who is innocent. I also realised that how, as in case of others, I have been thoroughly judgmental in my behaviour towards her and never realised the pains she went through her life. And rather than guiding her with love and affection, I became rude and cold, trying to behave like a class teacher, whom she could never confide anything. All such discussion will result in some lecture from me to her. I felt very ashamed and promised myself to amend it from today itself.

4. As we finally reached Dharamsala at the home of my Mamaji, I could not stop my tears. I had not met him for many years, twice in last 10 years. I realised how much he will call me to this place where I was born and with so much affection in his heart. I wanted to go but in last 2 years I started thinking about how will I eat at their home, they eat non-vegetarian food, etc. and how it will hurt him if I were to dictate my terms on eating or stay somewhere else. I was such an ass that I could not see the affection and only thought about externals. Despite many instructions that in today’s time food can not purify us and we have to win people with love not by strict rules, thus I became kind of outcast from the whole set of relatives and friends, thinking myself as pure and others as foolish materialists condemned for worst in their future. I also closed the gate to preach to all of them. I was really heartbroken that I kept on deliberating on such issues and could not spend more time with someone who was so full of love and affection towards me and may could have preached hm to Chant the holy name in his last leg of journey. His love for me remained same whether I was tasting failure or success in life. Like my nanaji, maternal grandfather, he never judged me. What a great lesson I learned but at such a great cost and a guilt which I will probably carry for the rest of my life.

I promised myself that I will pray to six goswamis, to guru parampara, to please soften my cold heart, to beg for it each time I take darshan of Deities, to beg my Guru and my fellow god brothers and sisters.

I know that all my chanting has been just audible words coming out of my mouth. I can understand what all hints Guru Maharaj, very subtly, and Shyam Sundar Prabhu, very strongly, have been giving me but I am such a foolish person that I didn’t even consider them for a second, completely blinded in my quest for knowledge.

I searched and got these lines from Nitai Gaura Nama, written by Sri Lochana Das Thakura.

na laya harinama, vidhi ta’re vama, pamara pasanda-mati
vaisnava-sevana, na kare je jana, ki ha’be tahara gati
Translation
Those who never chant harinama have an unfavorable destiny. They are fallen and their stone-like hearts are filled with deceit. And what will be the destination of those who never serve the Vaisnavas?
This is exactly me. I have never actually chanted the Holy Name till date, I am completely fallen and I have a stone-like heart filled with deceit. I do not have any feeling towards serving Vaishanavas.
My only saviour is to take the shelter of name of Sri Gaur Nitai and then seek mercy at the feet of all the Vaishanavas.

Hence I beg at the lotus feet of all the devotees who read this blog to kindly pray for me so that I too can join this great movement of Mahaprabhu where the only weapon is love and compassion for others, and nothing else, nothing else and nothing else.

I also beg at the feet of dear friend and guide HG Shyam Sundar Prabhu to not give up on a rascal like myself and continue the hard task of `softening’ my stone like heart.

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All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Nitya Sidha and Sadhna Sidha.

by

Hare Krishna.

12th March, 2014, Gurgaon.

Quotes-by-Nectar-of-Devotion-on-Association

It was Ekadeshi and in the evening Guarav and Subir Prabhu came home to meet me after a long time, in fact first time after I shifted in the new home. Shyam Sundar Prabhu too joined in and we had a nice Ishtagoshti going.

We discussed so many topics and after sometime, after a quick evening arti, I read the following verse from Srimad Bhagavatam.

SB 3.3.26
tatra snātvā pitṝn devān ṛṣīṁś caiva tad-ambhasā
tarpayitvātha viprebhyo gāvo bahu-guṇā daduḥ

Translation

After arriving there, all of them took bath, and with the water of this place of pilgrimage they offered their respects to the forefathers, demigods and great sages and thus satisfied them. They gave cows to the brāhmaṇas in royal charity.

Srila Prabhupada starts the purport as below

Amongst the devotees of the Lord there are several divisions, mainly nitya-siddhas and sādhana-siddhas. The nitya-siddha devotees never fall down to the region of the material atmosphere, even though they sometimes come onto the material plane to execute the mission of the Lord. The sādhana-siddha devotees are chosen from the conditioned souls. Out of the sādhana devotees, there are mixed and pure devotees. The mixed devotees are sometimes enthusiastic about fruitive activities and are habituated to philosophical speculation.

As I completed reading the full purport and was going to the next verse Shyam Sundar Prabhuji asked me sweetly ‘ Prabhuji first please explain this verse to us ‘. I had not really understood the above lines from the purport and so I read them again loudly. Shyam Sundar Prabhuji asked what is the difference between a Nitya Sidha and a pure Sadhna Sidha and whether a Sadhna Sidha can become a Nitya Sidha ? I replied that I have not idea and I  would not like to speculate. HG Vidurpriya Prabhuji taught, with his own example, not speculate when we don’t know the answer. He told us, jokingly, that speculation is like breaking one of the regulative principle, no gambling ! We all discussed it for some time and then it was time to call a devotee for help. I called up HG Karuna Prabhu, who was in train coming back from Mayapaur to Delhi. Prabhuji explained us very nicely. He replied that Nitya Sidhas are eternal servants of Krishna and no one can ever take their place, e.g. Yashoda mayi, Nanda maharaj and so on. On the other hand Sadhna Sidhas are conditioned souls who can reach the same platform as Nitya Sidha, i.e., serving Krishna in the spiritual sky, by virtue of their devotional service but they do not and can not become Krishna’s eternal servants.

Fully Satisfied, by that time I had also checked on reference from Srila Prabhupada and found the below informative piece by His Divine Grace.

There are two kinds of devotees, three: nitya-siddha, sadhana-siddha, krpa-siddha. These things are described in The Nectar of Devotion. Nitya-siddha means they are eternally associate of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are called nitya-siddha. And sadhana-siddha means one is fallen in this material world, but by practice of devotional service according to the rules and regulation, injunction of the sastra, direction of guru, in this way, one can reach also the same position as the nitya-siddha. This is sadhana-siddha. And there is another. That is Krpa-siddha. Krpa-siddha means… Just like Nityananda Prabhu. He wanted that these Jagai-Madhai must be delivered. There was no sadhana. They never followed any rules and regulation. They were thieves and rogues, very fallen condition. But Nityananda Prabhu wanted to show an example that “I shall deliver these two brothers. Never mind they are so fallen.” That is called krpa-siddha. So we should always remember there are three categories: nitya-siddha, sadhana-siddha and krpa-siddha. But when they become siddha, perfect, by any process, they are on the same level. There is no distinction.

(Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.7 Mayapur, February 27, 1977 )

It is amazing how each of Srila Prabhupada’s purports contains such complete and rich information. It seems each of purport his has keys to so many spiritual informative vaults. It is sad that I still read each verse in a hurry, without absorbing and relishing each single sentence carefully.

And lastly again the point of Sadhu Sangha. I again realised how in the company of intelligent devotees like Shyam Sundar Prabhu, Gaurav prabhu,  I learn 10 times more. Shyam Sundar Prabhu ask questions so tactfully and intelligently. He changes the discussion completely, engaging devotees and making a simple discussion so much more interactive. He cajoles devotees to open up in a very subtle way, always asking open-ended questions. No doubt Prabhuji is so successful in both the material as well as the spiritual world.

The day ended with sumptuous Prasadam by my wife, Priti. It was one of the best ekadeshi prasadam I had and that too with such good company. I really wish and pray that I can have such association every single day for the rest of my life.

sadhu-sanga sadhu-sanga sarva sastre kaya lava matra sadhu sange sarva siddhi haya

The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.  (CC. madhya22.54)

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Mayapur trip

by

Hare Krishna.

By the mercy of Sri Guru and Gauranga I was able to visit Sri Mayapur Dhama and then to Jagannath Puri this week. I can write pages and pages about my experience there and am sure the same will be the case with most of us who travel to Dhama and come back with varied realisations and observations. I will try to summarise my experience in brief at both the Dhams in short.

Sri Mayapur Dhama

Planning

I had gone, for the first time, to Mayapur, almost the same time last year with Shyam Sundar Prabhu.  We had planned to go again together and I was looking forward to it. Few weeks before the trip Prabhuji told me that he may not be able to go as he may not get leave from the office. My first internal reaction was to drop the trip and go with him only whenever he could make it. Prabhuji pushed me to go alone or find some devotee but I dragged my feet. He, then, suggested that why don’t I take my family, I wasn’t sure whether they would be willing to come or not. Prabhuji pushed me. I prayed to Srila Prabhupada and asked my wife if we can all go to Mayapur and as a carrot I suggested that from there we can all go to Jagannath Puri and we can all stay in their favorite resort there, Coco palms. She agreed at one go, making my heart leap in the air, it was nothing short of a miracle for me. Later, she also suggested to bring her sister along with us, who too joined us.

Lesson for me :

a. Trust advise from devotees who are close to me, have faith in them and then use my own intelligence to walk that path.

b. Praying to Srila Prabhupada, even for selfish devotional reason, always helps. All I need is to have faith in him.

Arrival

A tour at Mayapur Iskon Temple with family.

For a change we went by an overnight train to Kolkata from Delhi. One reason was of course budget as the ticket prices went too high for my budget and secondly I was advised by Guru Maharaj to travel by train more often. The 2 Tier Rajdhani was comfortable and we reached Kolkata on the dot and there was a cab waiting for us from Mayapur, which I booked via internet the same morning from temple.

We took the longer route via Kalna and it took us almost 5 hours. As we came nearer to Dhama the air changed and suddenly everything looked and felt pure, the air, the scenery, it was so refreshing just to be here. As we took the final sharp left/ U turn from the railway tracks towards ISKCON my heart beat went faster and with great anticipation I crossed many of our previous Acharya’s home, Yoga Pith and finally under the shelter of Srila Prabhupada at ISKCON gates.

All glories to Sri Mayapur Dhama.

There was an initial confusion about the availability of room and I was even getting mentally ready to stay outside the Ashram but then so many devotees came to help and within 20 minutes instead of no room I had choice of rooms in different buildings !

lesson :

a. This lessons holds me good whenever I visit any Dhama. I try to remain in complete surrender to the Dhama, atleast as far as my boarding and lodging goes :). I know Dhama doesn’t need a shudra like me still I have complete faith in my heart that with a mood  of surrender mercy flows, howsoever long may be my list of disqualification.

b. I must learn to go out of my way to help any devotees and never to be indifferent to the smallest of the requests I receive.

Stay

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It was simply transcendental to take the darshan of Pancha Tattavas & Sri Radha Madhav and then sit down and hear HH Radhanath Maharaj doing Kitan, pure bliss. It was tough for me to leave the temple and look after the needs of my family but I did that nevertheless. ISKCON Mayapur wore all the looks of a festive atmosphere, getting ready for a transcendental climax.

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It was a bumper harvest for me as far as seeing so many Sanyasis at a single place and also getting association of senior devotees from Delhi who are usually very busy.

I could meet HG Amogh Lila prabhu. I shared with him how I have recently been diagnosed with a serious disease, by one of the most experienced Sanyasi `doctor’, in which my heart is becoming harder and I am running after only `Jnana’.  Prabhuji prescribed some `medicine’ to get a cure from this dreaded disease, the crux of which was that I must serve out of my comfort zone. Prabhuji said all my devotional activities are centered around my own comfort zone and I must take some activity which make me uncomfortable or is not to my taste ! And then cheering me and bringing me instantly out of my sulky mood he declared that this disease, of having a hard heart and only running after knowledge, and so many other disqualifications are indeed my qualification to get mercy of Gaur Nitai.  In seconds Prabhuji snapped me out of my depressive mood which I was having ever since I was diagnosed with this particular disease. He also instructed me on many practical aspects of my spiritual and material life.

All glories to HG Amogh Lila Prabhu.

I could also grab some quality time from HG Rukmini Prabhu who again gave me practical advice on how to progress in my spiritual journey. It was after a long time that I could open my heart to him without the constraint of time. He instructions to me

1. Improve my chanting

2. Not to write blogs in the office hours ( which I am breaking right now for this blog as I will forget most of my learnings)

3. Serve the local centre more.

4. Donate more. Prabhuji said that I have to ensure that in some way my body, mind and words are being used in the service of the Lord. He also added that the `moha’ of money is more difficult to give up and that I should work on it.

5. Spend more time with family members, take guidance from mature Grahstha devotees to ensure a proper balance.

By the causeless mercy of Lord I got association of so many devotees. I met Karuna Prabhu and Nityananda Ashray Prabhu and Bimlaprasad Prabhuji from Punjabi Bagh temple, they were all there with a large no. of new congregational devotees. They took pity on me and took me and my family along with them for next two days on various trips around the Dhama.

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The lecture Rukmini Prabhuji gave at the Rajapura temple was so very grounded and yet profound in its basic understanding of offering Bhoga to deities.

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Lesson :

a. I must open my heart to my shiksha gurus and admit, without any shame, my shortcomings. I have seen Shyam Sundar Prabhuji practicing it and it took some courage for a weak person like me to start practicing it.

b. I must constantly endeavour to improve `internally’, just improving the externally won’t help me much.

c. I should remember to beat my mind three times a day with a broom because it convinces me every time that I am doing fine as a devotee and do not need any help from devotees.

And then as a bonus I had a great time at whatever Kirtans I could attend, eyes of HH Radhanath Maharaj fell on me purifying me instantly, HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj met for a brief 30 seconds purifying me further, and finally I could take darshan of Guru Maharaj (more of that I would write separately).

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Each Mangal Arti and Kirtan was special and so was the special maha Abhishek of Pancha Tattavas on 3rd March.

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Hundreds of devotees rubbed and collected chandan and also brought Ganga Jal for the Maha Abhishek.

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On the last day we heard a wonderful SB class by HG Dravida Prabhu. Prabhuji gave us a gem of a verse to meditate upon while praying to Lord. Here it goes.

tvayi me ‘nanya-visaya matir madhu-pate ‘sakrt

ratim udvahatad addha gangevaugham udanvati

Translation:

O Lord of Madhu, as the Ganges forever flows to the sea without hindrance, let my attraction be constantly drawn unto you without being diverted to anyone else.  (SB 1.8.42)

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Shyam Sundar Prabhu, Murari Prabhu and myself have taken timeshare accommodation in an upcoming building in the complex for 60 days in an year. Initially I was wondering that apart from these 4-5 days in March when would I ever go to Mayapur. But on this trip I felt that even all the 60 days could be less as my attachment for MahaPrabhu and Sri Mayapur Dhama grows exponentially.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.