Tag Archives: Srila Prabhupada

Why do we only worship Krishna in ISKCON and exclude all demigod worship ?

by

Hare Krishna.

25th July, 2014. Gurgaon.

Quotes-by-Srimad-Bhagavatam-on-Everything-That-Exists

As I read Srila Prabhupada’s book a little more carefully now, I marvel at the depth of his writings and realise the amount of gems scattered in every single page of his translations and commentaries. This inspires me to write more about them rather than my own baby realisations. I also feel that writing about my own self is not exactly a very Vaishanava thing to do. However being shameless I will still share them from time to time but if you will all allow me then I would like to write more about what Srila Prabhupada left us as a legacy for next 10,000 years.

Some devotees have requested me to take up questions from readers, I have no qualification to answer them but if you have some questions then you can mail me at giriraj.bcs@gmail.com or leave them in the comments and I can try my best to serve you by replying after verification from a senior devotee. We can make a separate page for them on the website if it becomes regular. Here is another gem from Srila Prabhupada.

Q: Why does ISKCON advocates worship of Krishna to the exclusion of the demigods ?

Ans: Srila Prabhupada answers this question in his purport of SB 4.31.14, this verse is also quoted by Mahāprabhu in cc madhya 22.63 to Sri Sanatana Goswami.

Translation
As pouring water on the root of a tree energizes the trunk, branches, twigs and everything else, and as supplying food to the stomach enlivens the senses and limbs of the body, simply worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead through devotional service automatically satisfies the demigods, who are parts of that Supreme Personality.

Srila Prabhupada writes in his Purport
Sometimes people ask why this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement simply advocates worship of Kṛṣṇa to the exclusion of the demigods. The answer is given in this verse. The example of pouring water on the root of a tree is very appropriate. In Bhagavad-gītā (15.1) it is said, ūrdhva-mūlam adhaḥ-śākham: this cosmic manifestation has expanded downward, and the root is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

As the Lord confirms in Bhagavad-gītā (10.8), ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ: “I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds.” Kṛṣṇa is the root of everything; therefore rendering service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa (kṛṣṇa-sevā), means automatically serving all the demigods.

Sometimes it is argued that karma and jñāna require a mixture of bhakti in order to be successfully executed, and sometimes it is argued that bhakti also requires karma and jñāna for its successful termination. The fact is, however, that although karma and jñāna cannot be successful without bhakti, bhakti does not require the help of karma and jñāna. Actually, as described by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam: [Madhya 19.167] pure devotional service should not be contaminated by the touch of karma and jñāna.

Modern society is involved in various types of philanthropic works, humanitarian works and so on, but people do not know that these activities will never be successful unless Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is brought into the center. One may ask what harm there is in worshiping Kṛṣṇa and the different parts of His body, the demigods, and the answer is also given in this verse. The point is that by supplying food to the stomach, the indriyas, the senses, are automatically satisfied. If one tries to feed his eyes or ears independently, the result is only havoc. Simply by supplying food to the stomach, we satisfy all of the senses. It is neither necessary nor feasible to render separate service to the individual senses. The conclusion is that by serving Kṛṣṇa (kṛṣṇa-sevā), everything is complete. As confirmed in Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 22.62), kṛṣṇe bhakti kaile sarva-karma kṛta haya: if one is engaged in the devotional service of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, everything is automatically accomplished.

All glories to Sri Chaitanaya Charitramrita.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Yukta Vairagya vs dry renunciation

by

Hare Krishna.
21st June, 2014, Gurgaon

Quotes-by-Srila-Prabhupada-on-Renunciation

Q: What is `Yukta Vairagya’ and what is false renunciation. Also explain `niyamāgraha’.

Ans :

yukta-vairāgya-sthiti saba śikhāila
śuṣka-vairāgya-jñāna saba niṣedhila (CC Madhya 23.105)

Translation
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then told Sanātana Gosvāmī about proper renunciation according to a particular situation, and the Lord forbade dry renunciation and speculative knowledge in all respects.

Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport :
This is the technique for understanding śuṣka-vairāgya and yukta-vairāgya. In the Bhagavad-gītā (6.17) it is said:

yuktāhāra-vihārasya yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu
yukta-svapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā

“He who is temperate in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and work can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga system.”

To broadcast the cult of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one has to learn the possibility of renunciation in terms of country, time and candidate. A candidate for Kṛṣṇa consciousness in the Western countries should be taught about the renunciation of material existence, but one would teach candidates from a country like India in a different way. The teacher (ācārya) has to consider time, candidate and country. He must avoid the principle of niyamāgraha — that is, he should not try to perform the impossible. What is possible in one country may not be possible in another. The ācārya’s duty is to accept the essence of devotional service. There may be a little change here and there as far as yukta-vairāgya (proper renunciation) is concerned.

Dry renunciation is forbidden by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and we have also learned this from our spiritual master, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Gosvāmī Mahārāja. The essence of devotional service must be taken into consideration, and not the outward paraphernalia.

Sanātana Gosvāmī wrote his Vaiṣṇava smṛti, Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, which was specifically meant for India. In those days, India was more or less following the principle of smārta-vidhi. Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī had to keep pace with this, and his Hari-bhakti-vilāsa was compiled with this in mind. According to smārta-brāhmaṇas, a person not born in a brāhmaṇa family could not be elevated to the position of a brāhmaṇa. Sanātana Gosvāmī, however, says in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (2.12) that anyone can be elevated to the position of a brāhmaṇa by the process of initiation.

yathā kāñcanatāṁ yāti kāṁsyaṁ rasa-vidhānataḥ
tathā dīkṣā-vidhānena dvijatvaṁ jāyate nṛṇām

“As bell metal is turned to gold when mixed with mercury in an alchemical process, so one who is properly trained and initiated by a bona fide spiritual master immediately becomes a brāhmaṇa.”

There is a difference between the smārta process and the gosvāmī process. According to the smārta process, one cannot be accepted as a brāhmaṇa unless he is born in a brāhmaṇa family. According to the gosvāmī process, the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa and the Nārada-pañcarātra, anyone can be a brāhmaṇa if he is properly initiated by a bona fide spiritual master. This is also the verdict of Śukadeva Gosvāmī in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.4.18):

kirāta-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā
ābhīra-śumbhā yavanāḥ khasādayaḥ
ye ‘nye ca pāpā yad-apāśrayāśrayāḥ
śudhyanti tasmai prabhaviṣṇave namaḥ

“Kirātas, Hūṇas, Āndhras, Pulindas, Pulkaśas, Ābhīras, Śumbhas, Yavanas and members of the Khasa races, and even others who are addicted to sinful acts, can be purified by taking shelter of the devotees of the Lord, due to His being the supreme power. I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.”

A Vaiṣṇava is immediately purified, provided he follows the rules and regulations of his bona fide spiritual master. It is not necessary that the rules and regulations followed in India be exactly the same as those in Europe, America and other Western countries. Simply imitating without effect is called niyamāgraha. Not following the regulative principles but instead living extravagantly is also called niyamāgraha.

The word niyama means “regulative principles,” and āgraha means “eagerness.” The word agraha means “not to accept.” We should not follow regulative principles without an effect, nor should we fail to accept the regulative principles. What is required is a special technique according to country, time and candidate. Without the sanction of the spiritual master, we should not try to imitate. This principle is recommended here: śuṣka-vairāgya-jñāna saba niṣedhila. This is Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s liberal demonstration of the bhakti cult. We should not introduce anything whimsically, without the sanction of the bona fide spiritual master. In this connection, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura comments on these points by quoting two verses by Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī (Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.255-256).

anāsaktasya viṣayān yathārham upayuñjataḥ
nirbandhaḥ kṛṣṇa-sambandhe yuktaṁ vairāgyam ucyate
prāpañcikatayā buddhyā hari-sambandhi-vastunaḥ
mumukṣubhiḥ parityāgo vairāgyaṁ phalgu kathyate

“When one is not attached to anything but at the same time accepts everything in relation to Kṛṣṇa, one is rightly situated above possessiveness. On the other hand, one who rejects everything without knowledge of its relationship to Kṛṣṇa is not as complete in his renunciation.”

To preach the bhakti cult, one should seriously consider these verses.

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Prayers by devotees

by

Hare Krishna.

26th May, 2014, Gurgaon.

Back-To-Godhead-Pray-To-Godhead

 

Yesterday, 25th May, turned out to be a day when I realised the power of prayer by devotees.

I was suffering from a bad throat since last 2 days and 24th evening was worst. When I woke up around 6am on 25th morning I felt terrible. I could not speak and even the simple task of getting up from the bed proved to a big effort. I felt very hungry and extremely thirsty. I drank some warm water, then I somehow remembered that Atma Prabhu had told me to take Neem capsules regularly, which I stopped some time back, so I took one capsule as well. I checked my temperature it was 101.3F. As it was Dwadashi so I waited for 6.50am and then I had some hot ginger lemon water with honey. I started coughing continuously and had green colour phelgm, confirming that I had an infection.

The hot concoction I drank gave me some relief and I slowly started chanting my rounds. But after less than an hour I felt too tired and stopped my chanting. I watched Mayapur.tv for some time and listened to HG Madhav Prabhu singing soulfully at a retreat. I also took crocin and later had my breakfast. I felt cold and had to take a quilt in the hot summer weather. I checked the fever again it was almost 102F now and my cheeks seem to be oozing heat. It was almost 9.45am. My wife was pushing me since yesterday to see a doctor and get antibiotics but today being a Sunday all the doctors were closed. I myself didn’t have any energy or a will to see the doctor. I took my bath.

In the meantime I got a call from HG Shyam Sundar Prabhu, who broke the sad news that HG Advaita Hari Prabhu left his body in Kolkata few days back. I had the good fortune to meet Prabhuji twice and I clearly remember his sweet and affectionate long talks. He was always most helpful to everyone in Mayapur. He was disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami, serving as chief finance officer and deputy director of Mayapur. He was currently involved in corporate preaching in nearby regions of Mayapur and Kolkata. Shyam Sundar prabhu narrated me how Prabhuji took such good care of  HH Janananda Maharaj that maharaj declared that he will now come more often to Mayapur only because of Sri Advait Hari Prabhu. Shyam Sundar Prabhuji also made a very good statement that unlike `karmis’ when devotees leave this world what we miss most is their association. I pray to Lord Sri Krishna that He may give HG Advaita Hari prabhu a service in His eternal abode.

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HG Advaita Hari Prabhuji

As we spoke for some time, Shyam Sundar Prabhu found out from my constant coughing that I was not very well. After the call was over I received a message on the Bhagavad Gita whatsapp group, which we run, and when I opened it, to my embarrassment, I found that due to a strong brotherly affection Prabhuji had posted a message to the group that I am not well and devotees should pray for me. I immediately messaged him back and requested him not to post such messages for me and that too for a simple cough and fever. I then added, for some effect, that if he really wants to pray for me then he should pray for my spiritual life that I should get attached to the holy name. Prabhuji’s reply stumped me as he spoke `Prabhuji I am praying for your material body so that you can serve the devotees and preach !‘

After this posting I received messages from some devotees and I told all of them that I am fine and just a little under the weather. By this time it was past 11am, I felt very tired and dozed off again.

I woke up around 3.30pm and felt a little different. It took me a few seconds to realise that I actually feel much better. In fact I felt as if I was almost recovered. I ate my lunch. I seem to have regained most of my energy, there was minimal cough- phelgm was now whitish and no tiredness at all. I was most surprised at this sudden transformation. I, then, remembered the message Prabhuji had posted on the whatsapp group and I realised that some merciful devotee(s) prayed for me and their prayers did the work instantly, it was like magic. I had my energy back, I played with my kids for some time and then called up Shyam Sundar Prabhu and shared with him this unique experience. He too was very surprised and happy to hear it. I thanked all the devotees mentally and in my state of happiness forgot to even thank  Shyam Sundar prabhu as I knew that he would have been the first one to pray for me. Thank you so much to all the devotees.

What are my realisations  –

1. Well, first of all, I must ensure that I serve all the devotees, specially the senior ones, to the best of my ability and regularly take the benefit of their association, life is too short and unpredictable to wait or to be lazy.

2. I would never underestimate the power of prayers by devotees.

3. I regularly receive messages, mails and requests for praying for a devotee or a devotee’s relative who is not well. If such requests are one to one then I make it a point to chant an extra round or pray to Srila Prabhupada for him/her. But many a times when it is a forwarded mail or a mail copied to many devotees then I skip it as well, there are many excuses which my lousy mind makes up. So I promised myself that from today onwards whenever I will receive such a request I will make sure that I pray for that devotee, I will never skip it.

3. And lastly, I realised that the real purpose of reading all the scriptures, and gaining knowledge, is to convince my own self that I should feel attached to Krishna and His devotees.

 

 

Regarding your questions are the Spiritual Master and the Grand Spiritual Master consciously aware of the prayers of a sincere devotee who prays in love to Them?—the answer is that no conscious prayers go in vain. They are transmitted positively.    (By Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Mahananda, Los Angeles, 1970)

 

Thank you respected devotees for showing me the right way and improving my consciousness to always pray for others. I will not forget it.

 

All glories to the most merciful Vaishanavas.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

 

All glories to Tulasi Maharani

by

Hare Krishna.

15th May, 2014, Malaysia.

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My reciprocation with Tulasi Maharani continues unabated and I beg and pray to her to please continue the same on this shudra.

Almost 10 days back I saw that one of the branches of the Tulasi was almost broken. My heart broke to see one of her branch hanging lose. I thought quickly and then went inside, spoke to my wife about the problem and my suggestion. She agreed with my idea with a little smile on her face. I brought a strong thread and wrapped around the semi broken branch, like a tight bandage. I prayed her to get well. My second reaction was the thought to call the maid and scold her strongly. The chances of the maid damaging the branch were high as I thought she must have been careless while cleaning the balcony area where all Tulasi plants reside. Somehow I drank my anger and told my wife to tell the maid to be very careful cleaning the area around Tulasi as her branches are very delicate.

Every morning and evening I would take a look at my make shift bandage but the bandage could not hold, it would become lose every other day. I knew what was coming and was quite sad, twice a day I was mending the bandage but with little effect on her. The branch was still somewhat green but the leaves started looking pale and dry. After few days I came to the conclusion that this branch could not be saved and it pained me seeing her with a branch hanging lose. Finally one morning I separated this injured branch from the stem. I  took some leaves for offering to Lord and then, I don’t know what came to my mind, I planted the broken branch in of the empty pots, which was lying empty since many months.

My earlier attempts, in the past, to plant a broken branch of Tulasi have not been successful. Still, I went ahead and planted the broken branch, offered her lots of water and then prayed to her to please stay there and remain healthy and do not leave us like this. I also said sorry on behalf of myself and my maid. I continue to water her for next 2-3 days. She didn’t change, she didn’t turn green but didn’t get worse as well. This gave me hope.

One morning while I was chanting my rounds in the same balcony, I looked at her and prayed her to stay, as her leaves looked paler today. Suddenly, while sitting in front of her, I felt as if Tulasi Maharani is talking to me in my heart. She said that she might just decide to accept my prayer if I worship her everyday. Surprised at her statement, I replied that I do worship her everyday and also offer water. She replied yes,  but that is just prayer there is no `archana’ (worship). More surprised, I asked what would make her happy ? She replied that if I were to offer her flower and lamp every day then she may just decide to stay. She also added that this particular planter has a specific space for offering her lamp and which I almost never used. Feeling extremely grateful for this conversation, or realisation or  my mind playing games with me or whatever one may call it, I answered, surprising my own self,  that if she would be pleased with my offering of lamp and flower then I will offer them everyday irrespective of whether she decides to stay or leave. I felt a smile  from her and she was gone, no communication.

I kept my word and started offering her a fresh flower and lamp before offering my daily prayers every morning. She remained okay, not improving not deteriorating. My hope increased on the third day as her leaves looked a little more fresh and healthy.  I had to leave for a trip outside Delhi on 9th May and this is her picture which I took on 8th May.

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I was overjoyed in my heart but kept my feelings under a lid and thanked her profusely. I shared the unique conversation I had with Tulasi Maharani with my wife and requested her to continue worshiping her daily with flower and lamp while I am away and this is the picture she sent me today morning from her mobile

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Tulasi Maharani has decided to stay.  Hari Bol ! Hari Bol ! Hari Bol !

All glories to Tulasi Maharani.

It has been an amazing reciprocation by Tulasi Maharani. As a low caste shudra, both by birth and by action,  I never had the `adhikar’ (the right) within me to receive any such mercy from Tulasi Maharani. Some merciful Vaishanava has blessed me and this amazing relationship with Tulasi Maharani has begun in my devotional life. I pray to Vaishanava if they could also bless me that I can serve them till the last breath of my low life. I also pray and beg that I get some inspiration from such causeless mercy of Vaishanavas as well as Tulasi Maharani and my dry heart gets soft and compassionate towards everyone.

I am quoting some lectures where Srila Prabhupada glorified Tulasi Maharani.

IDENTITY OF A PET DOG
Prabhupada: Somebody asked me,”Swamijl, why are these Tulasl beads on your neck or on your devotee’s neck? “So I replied,”Just as a pet dog has got a collar, similarly we are pet dogs of God. So we have got this collar. And Yamaraja,the Lord of Death will understand that he, the devotee, is God’s dog; he should not be shot down.” (December 19,1970, Srimad Bhagavatam Class,Surat)

REAL UNDERSTANDING OF TULASI
Devotee: How is it possible that Tulasi Devi is a pure devotee,what we might call a plant?
Prabhupada: That you cannot know in your impure state. You just become pure. You will understand … When you become a devotee, you will understand what kind of devotee Tulasi is. So long as you are not a devotee, you cannot understand. Don’t expect to. Therefore we have to accept the authority. That is the beginning. The shastra says,”Tulasi is the greatest devotee of Krsna.” We have to accept, that’s all. Authority. How she is so great a devotee, that you will understand when you become a devotee. You come to that platform; then you will understand,not before. Now chant.
 (February 22,1973,Srimad-Bhagavatam Class,Auckland,New Zealand)
JUST BY SOWING A TULASI SEED
… Service to the Vaisnava, tulasi, Ganges and Yamuna:are included in pada-sevanam. All these processes of pada-sevanam help one advance in spiritual life very quickly . .. .In the same Skanda-Purana, reva-khanda, it is said that one who recites prayers to Tulasi or sows a Tulasi seed is also freed from all offenses. Similarly,one who worships the salagrama-sila can also be relieved of offenses.(Canto 7,Chapter 5,Texts 23-24 Purport)
ETERNAL CONSORT OF KRSNA
Yes, Srimati Tulasi is the eternal consort of Krsna and the most pure devotee, and therefore the Tulasi plant is worshiped by Vaisnavas.
(Letter dated March 26,1968,from San Francisco,to Balai Oils,New York)

All glories to Tulasi Maharani.

All glories to most merciful Vaishanavas.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Initiation ceremony at Ujjain on Nityananda Trayodasi

by

Hare Krishna.

12th Feb, 2014, Ujjain.

There was an excitement in the air today morning. Today was Nityananda Trayodasi and initiations for the 8 fortunate devotees.

I got up a bit late, around 4.15am  and hurriedly got ready and was in the temple hall at 4.40am for the mangal arti. The temple hall was almost full. Guru Maharaj was singing the Guruvastakam in his ever melodious voice and devotees were in a transcendental trance completely absorb in the hearing Guru Maharaj’s voice and seeing the beautiful deities of Sri Radha Madanmohan, Sri Krishna Balram and Sri Gaur Nitai. Guru Maharaj left the temple hall after attending the Tulasi Arti. I felt cold and left for my room to chant and catch up with some sleep. I met Sumeet Prabhu on my way back to the room and we spoke for 15-20 minutes, I was as excited as prabhuji for his initiation ceremony.

I chanted my rounds for an hour and then tried to catch up with sleep. There was a knock on the door, I opened the door with half closed eyes, it was Sumeet Prabhu. He came inside and asked me if Giriraj Prabhu is here !! I told him I am his fallen servant, he laughed as he couldn’t recognise me in my night suite and without glasses. He need help to tie his Dhoti. When he left the room it was already 7.20am.

I changed and rushed back to temple to attend Guru Puja, which was half over. Everyone was waiting for the altar to open. Guru Maharaj was inside the altar room. One devotee told me that today’s darshan is going to be a special with peacock dress for the Deities.

The conch shell blew and t he altar doors opened, what a wonderful darshan. Deities seemed to be basking in their new dress !

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As we started singing govindam adi–purusham tam aham bhajami I suddenly heard peacocks singing in the temple. I looked back but there were no peacocks. I, then, realised that some enthusiastic devotee is mixing the sound of peacocks within the prayer and making it feel like as if peacocks are here !

After the arti everyone was waiting for the initiation ceremony to start. I chanted some more rounds basking in the bright sun in the corner of the outside verandah.

I saw Guru Maharaj going inside the temple hall. A quick dandavat and I ran inside the temple hall. Guru Maharaj gave an excellent lecture on importance of initiation. Few quick points which I was able to note on my mobile, please pardon me if there are any mistakes.

  1. Initiation means the beginning of the spiritual journey. Initiation is a formality, like we formally get admission in a school and get degree. We can study at home also but without a degree it is not recognised. Similarly without surrendering to a spiritual master the devotional journey is not recognised.

  2. The Sanskrit word diksha is a compound word and is derived from the two words ‘divya Jnana’ meaning  ‘transcendental knowledge’ and ‘kshiyate’ the verb ‘to destroy’. Hence it means that transcendental knowledge which destroy all sins.

  3. The spiritual master gives `Divya Jnana’ and the disciple goes back to the spiritual world. We need a vehicle to go to the spiritual world and that vehicle is the process of initiation.

  4. Mantra is actually the element which reveals the knowledge, by chanting the mantra and by meditating on the mantra.

  5. Earlier the mantras were kept secret and were given to the qualified disciples only. These were chanted in the ear so that others can not hear them.

  6. This was the process for mantra what to speak to Maha mantra. The difference is like machine gun and nuclear bomb, only very few add access to it. Similarly the we can take the example of diamond and Kohinoor diamond, the topmost diamond.

  7. Guru maharaj explained that beggars can never become millionaires. Only a king can make a beggar a millionaire. But kings  generally don’t do that. What if the king becomes mad, mad in Krishna Prema. So mahaPrabhu has asked Nityananda Prabhu to distribute this to everyone.

  8. Earlier only a Brahmin and that too only a qualified Brahmin could get a mantra. But MahaPrabhu kept no qualification or caste, anyone was welcome. MahaPrabhu asked Nityananda prabhu to distribute to everyone.

  9. MahaPrabhu said that `you can buy me through Mahamantra’.

  10. This way we are getting something which is not rare for even Lord Brahma and Lord Siva.

  11. Guru Maharaj then added that had Srila Prabhupada not gone to America and started ISKCON where would be all of us today ? What were we doing before joining ISKCON ? So we should realise our good fortune that we have got the top most mantra.

  12. Guru maharaj finally added that we need to take care of the offenses while chanting as offenses prevent Mahamantra to become effective. As an analogy consider what is common between a seed and a banyan tree. If the seed gets proper care then it becomes a tree. Similarly if we have faith as a fertiliser then we will see mahamantra as Krishna Himself. We need faith in our heart to make our heart fertile. Once the seed  becomes seedling then this `bhaktilata bija’ will grow and cross the material world, cross the Vraja river and then cross Vaikuntha and then land at the lotus feet of Krishna.

  13. Flower of this tree is bhava' and fruit of this tree is KrishnaPrema’.

  14. We must start our chanting with a prayer to Krishna to please protect me so that I don’t chant with offenses.

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Then the initiation ceremony began with chanting of Brahma Samhita. Guru Maharaj again stressed that verses 29 to 56 are the very essence of Srimad Bhagavatam and we must understand and memorise them. All devotees were provided with printed copies of these verses and everyone recited them with Guru maharaj. The most fortunate devotees received their Hari Nama Diksha from Guru Maharaj. Guru Maharaj asked  to each of these devotees to promise him to never leave ISCKON come what may, they all promised.

And then the `Yajnana’ began.

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The ceremony  got over in next 30 minutes. Newly initiated devotees, purified and elated, came out to take blessings from everyone around them. The whole atmosphere was a mix of excitement and joy. We were all under the divine sky of Ujjain Dhama.

All glories to Nityananada Trayodasi.

All glories to the newly initiated devotees.

All glories to the Guru Parampara.

All glories to Guru Maharaj.

All Glories to Sandipani Muni.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Kirtan Mela at Ujjain

by

Hare Krishna.

11th Feb, 2014, Ujjain.

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A trip to Ujjain is always very special. This time the trip had multiple causes. Firstly I had got initiated on Nityananda Trayodasi last year and I wanted to be with Guru Maharaj on this day. The second, far more joyous, reason was that my very dear friend, mentor and elder brother Sumeet Prabhu was going to get initiated along with two other senior devotees from Gurgaon, Pawan Prabhu and Pooja Mataji, on the same day. Thirdly there was a Kirtan mela at Ujjain temple and we would be able to attend atleast the 3rd day.

We reached Ujjain on 11th morning. I was fortunate to get a chance to travel with Sumeet Prabhu and his family and during the trip, as always, he subtly taught me many things. As a bonus HG Radhe Shyam Prabuji too travelled with us and in the morning I did chanted sitting with him for 3 hours. I was very inspired by his calm face and how he did his chanting with eyes closed and chanting softly. I tried to copy him by trying to close my eyes and chant but could not hold my eyes close for a more than few minutes before something or other will break my concentration. But I am going to try practicing it once I am back home.

Whenever I come to any ISKCON temple I feel like a girl who has come back to her parent’s home, her `mayakaa’. As soon we reached Pooja mataji called us to hurry up as HH BB Govinda Maharaj was playing for the last time before leaving Ujjain. I hurried and reached in time to hear maharaj live for the first time, HG Madhava Prabhu and his team were playing the musical instruments. The temple hall was almost full.

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What a performance, it usually takes me some time to get `tuned’ into a Kirtan, especially if it is a large performance. It was within seconds that I was totally immersed in the kirtan. Maharaj has such a deep and powerful voice, after a few minutes I felt purified as if I have taken a bath in the Ganges river. The whole experience was awesome ! I sang so loudly that many a times my lungs and throat protested at such sudden enthusiasm ! It was food for my soul. After a while HH Chandramauli Swami Maharaja started dancing, he danced like a well trained dancer, dancing for the pleasure of Sri Radha Madanmohan. I felt the devdasi would similarly dance in front of Lord Jagannath. Then few more devotees followed Maharaj and then few more and in a short span the whole temple was dancing in sheer ecstasy of the Hole Name.

All glories to HH Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Swami Maharaja !

Guru Maharaj came towards the end of maharaj’s kirtan, and once the kirtan was over, Guru Maharaj glorified HH BB Govinda Maharaj profusely and praised his preaching and kirtan programs all over the world. HH BB Govinda Maharaj, who was leaving for Bangladesh, too glorified Guru Maharaj. He complimented Guru Maharaj . He complimented Guru Maharaj on the magnificent temple, beautiful Deities, top class service for the Deities and then added that he has never tasted a more delicious prasadam, as he had in last 3 days, in any temple all over the ISKCON world ! He also agreed to Guru Maharaj’s request to visit Ujjain again. They both hugged each other with such affection that it brought spontaneous clapping and Hari Bol from all devotees.

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It was prasdam time and I was quite hungry. We had a sumptuous prasadam at the temple food hall with first class food and wonderful hospitality by local devotees. I also caught up with senior devotees from Jaipur Murari Prabhu and Vineet Prabhu, Mukunda Prabhu, so many Brahmachari’s from the temple and yet some more familiar devotees from all across the world. In just few hours I had completely forgotten that I even have a material life!

The next session started at 4pm. By the time I entered the temple hall it was already 5pm and  HH Chandramauli Swami Maharaja was doing the Kirtan. After his excellent Kirtan for an hour it was the turn of HG Madhav Prabhu to perform.

If HH BB Govinda Maharaj’s kirtan was like taking a dip in Ganges than Prabhuji’s kirtan was like being transported straight to Vrindavan. He sang slow, deep and with so much heart into it that I almost cried while singing in the Kirtan. Prabhuji has a special mercy of Aindra Prabhu on him.

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All glories to HG Madhav Prabhu and his team members.

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I was trying to click the above picture of a devotee deep in the trance of Holy name when I heard a flurry of activity on my right side. I could see in the camera frame itself that devotees were turning to greet someone. As I hastily turned, and my phone shook to get the above hazy picture, I saw Guru Maharaj walking in with his ever enchanting smile.

Guru Maharaj was back in the temple ! After HG Madhav Prabhuji’s kirtan was over Guru Maharaj glorified and thanked him for such wonderful kirtan and how they are so popular throughout the world. They too were all praise for Guru Maharaj and the temple.

The Last session of the Kirtan Mela was led by Guru Maharaj. What can one say now! Guru Maharaj started with a slow pace and then picked up the beats. For the fourth time in the day the whole temple was again dancing jubilantly. Devotees won’t let Guru Maharaj stop the Kirtan! Children, women, elders, everyone was dancing on the tune of Guru Maharaj.

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After the ecstatic kirtan Guru Maharaj gave a brief but serious lecture on the importance of Hari Nama. He said that the whole purpose of organising the Kirtan mela was to attract people to chant of the Holy name of the Lord.

By hearing just one full day of kirtana I felt as if my soul is satiated till its very core.

It was already 9.15 pm and we all had another dose of sumptuous prasadam. After spending some time with Vineet Prabhu, I retired to my room around 11.45pm.

All glories to the Kirtan mela.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Tulasi- Shaligram Vivah

by

Hare Krishna

2010, Vrindavan.

This was during my initial days of spiritual journey. I had started going to Vrindavan, alone, staying for a day or two, not knowing what exactly to do besides attending temple program. I did not know a single soul there besides Deities. So, mostly I would attend all the morning programs, have breakfast prasadam at Govinda, come back to room to read, sleep a bit, back in the temple at 4-5pm, have dinner prasadam at Govinda, come back to room, read a bit and sleep by 9pm for next day’s Mangal Arti. This is what I still aspire for.

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I was again in Vrindavan Dhama and after Mangal Arti there was announcement that it is very special day (what day isn’t special in Vrindavan) and a bus will be leaving for Vrinda Kunda for the marriage of Tulasi and Shaligram. I had never ever heard in my life about this event and I don’t know why my heart prompted me to board that bus to the Lila sthali of Vrinda Devi. I went for it.

It was two bus load of devotees, with hardly any Indian on board. We reached the temple after a long bumpy ride, it was in middle of the fields, with no road after the final turn towards temple.

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I could see a beautiful small temple decorated in very simple and traditional Indian way. There was a slight buzz around the place. I found that a group of devotees had done all night kirtan the previous night. Jai ! As we entered it was announced that we will get some prasadam, we sat on the mats and were served a very delicious puffed rice prasadam, it was dry and salty, with a banana. I still remember the taste of that prasadam after so many years. I still hanker for it, even that time I had greedily taken extra portions and kept on munching it for a long time.  After the prasadam was over most of the devotees got busy with some service. The temple was getting ready for the marriage. The whole setting was completely rural. I wondered around,  bought and read a book, a devotee had put the book stall. I was too naive to beg for any service.

I was told that an Malaysian couple has been sponsoring this event for some time. As the time came for the marriage we had ISKCON pujaris and local temple priest who presided over the ceremony complete with mantras and, later, pheras. The local priest explained how the `Braja’ scriptures are different from what our Acharayas have written. The Malaysian couple, wife was Indian and husband a native Malaysian, did the kanyadaan. Shaligrama shilla and Tulasi walked around the havan kund in their laps. Many devotees had brought nice gifts for the newly weds. Amid all the kirtan, marriage, vidai (bride leaves for husband’s home) not for a single moment I felt that I was not attending a traditional Indian marriage.

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After the marriage there was a feast for the local Brajawasis, we served each one of them with sumptuous prasadam. Once they  finished then it was our time to honour the prasadam. Kirtan continued almost throughout the time. It was the first time that I came contact with the non-Indian ISKCON devotees and I was completely ashamed to see their devotion during the whole ceremony. I am sure I have never worked so hard, as they did, in any of my cousin sister’s marriages (I don’t have a real sister).  I still vividly remember one devotee feeding leftover prasadam to a street dog with such affection as if feeding his own son. I would not have even gone close to that dog in normal times. Consciousness of all these devotees was very pure and I felt being the odd one out.

We came back in the evening. I will felt purified till my inner core. Sometimes when I look back, I think it was after attending this ceremony and being in touch with so many pure devotees that my spiritual journey got on the track.

I also feel that we do not appreciate enough what role ISKCON plays in making such `Lila sthali’ accessible to a common man. Had it not been for ISKCON, every devotee would be on the mercy of local `panda’ or priest, as in most traditional Indian temples. I don’t remember being charged for this for the trip, and even that would be some very reasonable amount to cover the cost, got association of devotees, blessings of attending Tulasi Shaligram marriage, heard melodious and impromptu kirtans by devotees, sumptuous prasadam, opportunity to serve Brajavasis. I do not know any other organization in India, or the whole world, which would serve so much and that too for a non-member like me and with no other motive than to please Krishna.

It is a pity when I see so many temples in India, at prime locations in cities and various Dhams, in dilapidated condition. They should all handover the management to ISKCON and see the difference in service to Deities and preaching in the area, which is the purpose of a temple.

We can know more about Tulasi vivah and the Vrinda Devi temple, now under ISKCON, at

http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/page/tulasisaligrama-vivaha

http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/vrinda

( All pictures are file pictures, which I took from the Vrinda Devi temple website)

All glories to Tulasi- Shaligrama Vivah.

All glories to ISKCON.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Who is a pure devotee of the Lord

by

Hare Krishna

25th January, Gurgaon

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Q:  Who is a pure devotee ? What are signs of a pure devotee ?

A: One who fulfills the desire of Lord is a pure devotee.

Srila Prabhupada explains in cc MADHYA 19 167

“As we can understand from the Bhagavad-gītā (9.34 and 18.65), the Supreme Personality of Godhead wants everyone to think of Him always (man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ). Everyone should become His devotee, not the devotee of a demigod. Everyone should engage in His devotional service, including arcana (Deity worship) in the temple. Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru. Everyone should offer obeisances, from moment to moment, to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These are the desires of the Supreme Lord, and one who fulfills His desires favorably is actually a pure devotee.”

Signs of a Pure Devotee

Prabhupada writes in the purports of same verse and MahaPrabhu explains it in verse 168

1. The first business of a pure devotee is to satisfy his spiritual master, whose only business is to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

2. A pure devotee has no plans other than those for the Lord’s service.

3. A pure devotee is not interested in attaining success in mundane activities.

4. A pure devotee simply wants success in the progress of devotional service.

5. A pure devotee is only interested in satisfying Kṛṣṇa and he does not engage himself in any other or demigod worship.

6. A pure devotee could be situated in any order of life.

Q: How can we say that anyone and everyone in the world can accept devotional service ?

A: It’s already been proved under ISKCON by changing the lives of people from all across the world.

Srila Prabhupada explains in cc madhya 19. 167

“This process is completely manifest in the activities of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. It has been actually proved that the entire world can accept devotional service without failure. One simply has to follow the instructions of the representative of Kṛṣṇa.”

Q: What is Pañcarātra and Bhāgavata systems ?

A: Srila Prabhupada explains in cc madhya 19.169

“The Pañcarātra system includes methods of temple worship, and the Bhāgavata system includes the spreading of Kṛṣṇa conscious philosophy through the recitation of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the discussion of philosophy with people who are interested.”

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

How to ignite the dormant love for Krishna ?

by

Hare Krishna.

24th January.

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I am continuing the series of Q&A which I take out from Srila Prabhuapada’s translations and purports.

Q: How can we ignite the dormant love for Krishna in our heart ?

A: By associating with devotees.

Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport of cc madhya 19 151

“Everyone has dormant kṛṣṇa-bhakti — love for Kṛṣṇa — and in the association of good devotees, that love is revealed. As stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 22.107):

nitya-siddha-kṛṣṇa-prema ‘sādhya’ kabhu naya śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya

Dormant devotional service to Kṛṣṇa is within everyone. Simply by associating with devotees, hearing their good instructions and chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, dormant love for Kṛṣṇa is awakened. In this way one acquires the seed of devotional service. Guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja.”

Q: Who is an Aryan ?

A: One who chants the Holy name is an Aryan.

Srila Prabhupada translates the below verse from SB 3.33.7 quoted in CC madhya 19.72 as

“‘My dear Lord, one who always keeps Your holy name on his tongue becomes greater than an initiated brāhmaṇa. Although he may be born in a family of dog-eaters and may therefore, by material calculation, be the lowest among men, he is still glorious. This is the wonderful effect of chanting the holy name of the Lord. It is therefore concluded that one who chants the holy name of the Lord should be understood to have performed all kinds of austerities and great sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas. He has already taken his bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage, he has studied all the Vedas, and he is actually an Aryan.'”

This verse was quoted by Vallabha Bhaṭṭācārya when MahaPrabhu tells him not to touch Roop and Sanatana Goswami as he is a high caste Brahmin.

Srila Prabhupada explains in the purport of SB 3.33.7

“The word juhuvuḥ means that the chanters of the holy name have already performed all kinds of sacrifices. Sasnuḥ means that they have already traveled to all the holy places of pilgrimage and taken part in purificatory activities at those places. They are called āryāḥ because they have already finished all these requirements, and therefore they must be among the Āryans or those who have qualified themselves to become Āryans. “Āryan” refers to those who are civilized, whose manners are regulated according to the Vedic rituals. Any devotee who is chanting the holy name of the Lord is the best kind of Āryan. Unless one studies the Vedas, one cannot become an Āryan, but it is automatically understood that the chanters have already studied all the Vedic literature..”

Q: How does one know what does Krishna wants us to do ?

A:  By surrendering to a bona fide representative of Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada explains in cc madhya 19. 167

“The criterion is that a devotee must know what Kṛṣṇa wants him to do. This understanding can be achieved through the medium of a spiritual master who is a bona fide representative of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī advises, ādau gurv-āśrayam. One who is serious in wanting to render pure devotional service to the Lord must take shelter of a spiritual master who comes in the disciplic succession from Kṛṣṇa. Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ [Bg. 4.2]. Without accepting a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, one cannot find out the real purpose of devotional service. Therefore one has to accept the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and agree to be directed by him.”

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

HG Madhavananda Prabhuji

by

Hare Krishna.

14th December, 2013.

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It was wonderful to get a call from HG Achyut Hari Prabhuji to invite me at his home for a program by HG Madhavanada Prabhuji at his home in Gurgaon.

I have heard Prabhuji’s nectarean  lectures many times in the past at Punjabi Bagh temple as well as at Gurgaon. I also subscribed to the emagazine Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu which Prabhuji publishes and read some of his books as well. He is a blessed soul and a great devotee of the Lord and His servants and definitely has the double  mercy of Srila Prabhupada and HH Gour Govinda Swami Maharaj. I always look forward to hear his lectures.

Prabhuji’s introduction at www.iskcondesiretree.com reads as: Madhavananda Das, joined ISKCON in Los Angeles in 1982. He moved to Bhubaneswar Orissa in 1993 where he has been living since. He was instructed by Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja to edit his lectures into publications. For over ten years he has been serving as the director of ISKCON Gopal Jiu Publications, the editor of Sri Krishna Kathamrita Magazine, and the email magazine Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu. This short introduction does not do justice to Prabhuji, he is a very very humble and yet a scholar with in depth knowledge, specially Gaur Lila at Jaganannath Puri Dhama. Prabhuji serves Srila Prabhupada and HH Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja with utmost sincerity and dedication. His bhajans take us away from the material world and into the spiritual world.

As I paid my obeisances to Prabhuji , my mind went straight to Jagannath Puri and in mind I went to Jagannath temple, entered inside, stood in the que and then finally got the darshan of the Lord of the universe. Such is the potency of Prabhuji that a neophyte like me could take darshan of Jagannath by merely being in the presence of His devotee.

Prabhuji spoke about Krishna’s various pastimes for sometime and It was painful when he announced that the class is over. Prabhuji sang Gaur Arti with everyone afterwards.

I begged Achyut Hari Prabhuji to allow me to drop Prabhuji tomorrow at Punjabi Bagh temple, which he mercifully agreed.

15th December

I picked Prabhuji and came to Punjabi bagh temple. Prabhuji spoke about the verse SB 7.5.13

Translation

Persons who always think in terms of “enemy” and “friend” are unable to ascertain the Supersoul within themselves. Not to speak of them, even such exalted persons as Lord Brahmā, who are fully conversant with the Vedic literature, are sometimes bewildered in following the principles of devotional service. The same Supreme Personality of Godhead who has created this situation has certainly given me the intelligence to take the side of your so-called enemy.

He explained the above verse in relation to book distribution. He said like Prahalad Maharaj is speaking that we should not consider anyone  as our  enemy or friend similarly when we go out  people may consider us sometimes as their friend and sometimes as their enemy. But we should not look towards them in similar fashion and should always treat them equally. We should make judgment on whom to approach based on whether the person is rich or poor, handsome or ugly and so on.

Prabhuji also recited a wonderful story from MahaBharat where one devotee mixed all the delicious prasadam made by Draupadi because he did not wished to make a distinction between various dishes as they were all prasdam ! ( Definitely a lesson for me !)

Prabhuji stressed that we should distribute Krishna Prema to everyone without distinction and that we should follow Panch Tattava on how They distributed Krishna Prema.

He recited another wonderful story where King Janak refused to go to Vaikuntha and wanted to stay in hell as inhabitants there were getting some relief from various punishments, by the mere presence of King Janak. And how King Janak finally gave the benefit of his chanting of just one Rama Nama and he liberated everyfrom hell. This is what, Prabhuji commented, should be our mood in any service, Jive Doya. This is the mood of our Acharayas, which should strive to inculcate within us.

He added that we should not feel that we are giving `our’ mercy to all these fallen souls when we distribute books. Prabhuji said that we should instead instill a mood of serving them and serving Krishna. He said that for the sake our own purity we should not see anyone we meet as friend or foe, rich or poor and we should spread mercy to receive mercy. We can listen to the complete lecture at http://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/audio-gallery/hg-madhavanand-prabhu ( 15th Dec 2013)

Later, I felt inspired to hear more lectures of Prabhuji and downloaded many lectures from iskcondesiretree.com, they were all dipped in Krishna Prema, guide us to a higher realm and offer us enlightening point of views & realisations. My pick was Ramananda Samvad. We can download this and many more lectures at

http://audio.iskcondesiretree.info/index.php?q=f&f=%2F03_-_ISKCON_Prabhujis%2FISKCON_Prabhujis_-_K_to_R%2FHis_Grace_Madhavananda_Prabhu%2FRamananda_Samvad

I pray that at the lotus feet of Prabhuji and further pray that he continues to receive mercy of Sri Guru and Gauranga to spread the glories of Holy name all over the world and enrich the lives of devotees with Krishna Katha.

HG Madhavananda Prabhu ji Ki jai.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.