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"Planet ISKCON" - 21 new articles
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Lecture - Prahladananda Swami - SB 10.1.21 - Knowledge Blessings
- Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Quotes About Communication
- Doyal Gauranga dasa & Gadadhar Pandit dasa, NYC: Who needs religion?
- Doyal Gauranga dasa & Gadadhar Pandit dasa, NYC: Apple chutney
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Photos–May 20th 2010 with Sankarshan Das Adhikari in Australia
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 231
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Poem for February 24
- Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Happy Appearance Day son of Hari...Sriman George Harrison
- H.H. Sivarama Swami: Update on GBC meetings, specifically on my role in the subcommittee that is working on the relationship of gurus with the management structure of ISKCON
- H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
- H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Monday, February 21st, 2011
- Vraja Kishor, JP: Love Krishna, or Divorce Him?
- Gouranga TV: Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits – 2 of 3 Ayodya Vasi Ram – Chant4Change
- More Recent Articles
- Search Planet ISKCON
- Prior Mailing Archive
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1968 February 25: "We accept Krsna on the evidence of Vedic literature. This man, who is actually Gadadhara Chatterjee, declared himself as the same Rama and Krsna. There is no evidence in the Vedic literatures that a common, unintelligent person by worshipping the goddess Kali can become an incarnation of Godhead."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1968 February 25: "It is all bogus propaganda and anyone who follows such bogus propaganda is misled. Any movement which does not tally with the principles of Bhagavad-gita as it is, is considered unauthorized by us. Lord Caitanya's transcendental movement is not only for the present age, but for all time - past, present and future."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968• Email to a friend •Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1968 February 25: "Nobody can compare with the Merciful Nityananda. He can defend Himself quite well; He could have killed the sinners in an instant, but He had decided that He wanted to save these sinners. He was setting an example that we have to preach Krishna Consciousness even at the risk of personal violence."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1969 February 25: "You may paint Guru Maharaja, myself, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Gaura Kisora, Panca-tattva, Sankirtana, etc. We have immense work to be done so you become expert painter. Continue to improve your artistic talents and it will soon come to the perfectional stage."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1970 February 25: "Authorized means sung or composed by self-realized Acaryas. Unauthorized statements or songs should never be heard. Just like milk, although very nutritious food, if it is touched by the tongue of a serpent, it acts like poison."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1970 February 25: "Certainly the castle which George has acquired can be turned into a nice Krsna Consciousness asrama. If George believes in my potency to spread Krishna consciousness, I shall be able to give him a plan for organizing this asrama so much so that it will be very, very attractive to everyone."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1972 February 25 : "The art of dancing, like any art, can be engaged to glorify the Supreme Lord. Organize a classical dancing group to depict very exquisitely stories from our Krishna Book. That will be very nice proposal."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1972 February 25: "When intelligent people begin to understand that if one becomes Krishna Conscious, that is the highest perfection of understanding philosophy, then our Krishna Consciousness Movement will advance very quickly because everyone respects the opinion of intelligent scholars."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972• Email to a friend •
Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Lecture - Prahladananda Swami - SB 10.1.21 - Knowledge Blessings
Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 1, Text 21 titled "Knowledge Blessings" given by Prahladananda Swami.
Dallas, TX
2010-12-14Srimad Bhagavatam 10.1.21
giram samadhau gagane samiritamnisamya vedhas tridasan uvaca hagam paurushim me srinutamarah punarvidhiyatam asu tathaiva ma ciramTRANSLATION
While in trance, Lord Brahma heard the words of Lord Vishnu vibrating in the sky. Thus he told the demigods: O demigods, hear from me the order of Kshirodakasayi Vishnu, the Supreme Person, and execute it attentively without delay.PURPORT
It appears that the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be heard in trance by competent persons. Modern science gives us telephones, by which one can hear sound vibrations from a distant place. Similarly, although other persons cannot hear the words of Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma is able to hear the Lord's words within himself. This is confirmed in the beginning of Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.1): tene brahma hrida ya adi-kavaye. Adi-kavi is Lord Brahma. In the beginning of the creation, Lord Brahma received the instructions of Vedic knowledge from Lord Vishnu through the medium of the heart (hrida). The same principle is confirmed herewith. While Brahma was in trance, he was able to hear the words of Kshirodakasayi Vishnu, and he carried the Lord's message to the demigods. Similarly, in the beginning, Brahma first received the Vedic knowledge from the Supreme Personality of Godhead through the core of the heart. In both instances the same process was used in transmitting the message to Lord Brahma. In other words, although Lord Vishnu was invisible even to Lord Brahma, Lord Brahma could hear Lord Vishnu's words through the heart. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is invisible even to Lord Brahma, yet He descends on this earth and becomes visible to people in general. This is certainly an act of His causeless mercy, but fools and nondevotees think that Krishna is an ordinary historical person. Because they think that the Lord is an ordinary person like them, they are described as mudha (avajananti mam mudhah). The causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is neglected by such demoniac persons, who cannot understand the instructions of Bhagavad-gita and who therefore misinterpret them.
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Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Quotes About Communication
1. “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” – Peter Drucker
2. “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw
3.”Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.” – William Butler Yeats
4. “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” – Epictetus
5. “Speak when you are angry — and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.” – Laurence Peters
6. “In the last analysis, what we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do.” – Stephen Covey
11. “Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.” – Rollo May
15. “Two monologues do not make a dialogue.” – Jeff Daly
16. “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.” – Plato
18. “Any problem, big or small, within a family, always seems to start with bad communication. Someone isn’t listening.” – Emma Thompson
19. “When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.” – Ernest Hemingway
20. “You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time.” – Scott Peck
24. “Give me the gift of a listening heart.” – King Solomon
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Doyal Gauranga dasa & Gadadhar Pandit dasa, NYC: Who needs religion?
Last Wednesday's Reflections revolved around the idea of religion: how do we define it, where does it come from, and would the world be better off without it? Many of us like to consider ourselves spiritual but not religious, but what does that mean? Part way through the discussion we watched a quick clip of one person's answer to the question of why religion is often seen as a source of violence and conflict in the world.
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Doyal Gauranga dasa & Gadadhar Pandit dasa, NYC: Apple chutney
Apple Chutney
Chutney varies immensely according to the kind of apples used, but invariably sour Granny Smiths seem to produce the best results. This chutney is hot yet sweet and can be served as an accompaniment to a great variety of savoury dishes. Allow 1 - 4 spoonfuls per serving. Chutney can be refrigerated in a sealed container.
• PREPARATION & COOKING TIME: 1 hour
• YIELD: Enough for 10 persons
• 2 tablespoons (40 ml) ghee or oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (7 ml) cumin seeds
• 2 fresh hot green chilies, cut into thin rings
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) minced fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) turmeric
• 500 g (about 1 pound) tangy green apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
• 1 1/4 teaspoons (6 ml) ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon (3 ml) ground nutmeg
• 1 cup (250 ml) sugar
1. Heat the ghee or oil in a heavy 2-litre/quart saucepan over medium heat. Saute the cumin seeds in the hot ghee until golden brown. Add the green chilies and minced ginger and saute for 1 minute; then add the turmeric and the sliced apples. Stirfry for 2 - 3 minutes.
2. Reduce the heat to low and add the water, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15 - 20 minutes or until the apples become soft. Add the sugar and continue to cook the chutney until it becomes jam-like. Serve at room temperature or cover and refrigerate for up to a week• Email to a friend •
H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Photos–May 20th 2010 with Sankarshan Das Adhikari in Australia
by
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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 231
7:05 A.M.
[EXPLANATION OF THIS CONTENT:
At present I am privately writing an autobiographical project. I cannot write it fast enough to print a section every day. Therefore, I am printing on this site a book called Every Day, Just Write. A book by the title Every Day, Just Write was already printed by me some ten years ago but it was a heavily-edited version. I am now printing the unedited version, which is fresh and new to the readers. I hope my readers will find it so. When I am finished with the autobiographical project, I will print that.]
Every Day, Just Write, Volume I: Welcome Home to the One Big Book of Your Life
November 25, 1996
9:30 A.M.Two irregular days in a row. Today because of pain behind the right eye. The old-time favorite special. It makes me feel grateful for those days of quiet inability which I fill up with a mixed bag of reading Srila Prabhupada (even though I’m not so ecstatic), writing my way (although I might have doubts) and some extracurricular reading such as books on health or whatever is coming along. Yes, give me more of those days here at Geaglum/Inis Rath.
3:45 P.M.
Is it clear yet? No, the pain is still there. Heard a little Bach. It distracted me okay. Took a little walk in 3:00 P.M. sunshine, collie Tilaka walking close behind. She groaned or cried and I turned around to her. Her eyes are a bit scabby and sore at the corners. I can’t help her, but patted her head and under her neck. Is she groaning like that because she knows I have a headache or because Madhu’s away? Walk not long and then I must go back, although Tilaka might enjoy a longer walk. Now Jayananda comes out of the house and shoots an arrow into the air. His sister and another girl join him. Back inside I go for more chamber music, wishing the time to pass so it will be night, and we hope relief will come overnight.
Then you’ll have to start up your devotional engines after two days stopped, your private reading and writing. Today’s rounds were all silent, and you just write them off to illness.
5:30 P.M.
Dark, I sit facing the window with the curtain open. The full moon rises over the trees on Inis Rath. My headache is clearing away. Celebrate with a japa round.
November 26, 1996
12:38 A.M.In dasya-rasa, the disciple has fear of the Lord (or the spiritual master). In sakhya-prema, friendship, the devotee considers himself equal with the Lord and knows that Krishna will never be displeased with him. The dasya-rasa is characterized by a lack of confidence and lack of affection compared to sakhya-rasa (and vatsalya and madhurya).
These points may seem disappointing because our relationship with our spiritual master is dasya (Lord Caitanya’s devotees also approached Him in dasya). Another point: through the dasya relationship with the guru we learn of higher rasas up to madhurya for Radha-Krishna.
You cannot jump over. We are in dasya relationship with Srila Prabhupada. Not his equal. And yet a friendship can develop within this, and within the guru/disciple relationship we can learn of Radha-Krishna.
Keep writing, the teachings, your feelings, whatever comes. What gets preserved? Nothing. I write with pen, but these pages get burned within a few weeks. The printed version lasts much longer. Do I resent the handwritten gets destroyed? It is an act in vain, a defeat, an illusion. Not if I render it as service, even if in the end the printed form is also destroyed by Time.
O Krishna, love for You is never destroyed. nehabhikrama-naso ‘sti—even a little devotional service never suffers loss or diminution and can save one from the greatest fear at death.
Thinking already to next Saturday and what I can say to the eight disciples here at Inis Rath. Could tell them about sadhu-sanga, but the practical application becomes a relative discussion about how to get along with one another. Too sticky for me. I could talk again about the holy names, but seems I ought to do so out of realization (which I lack?). Since I spoke last week of Lord Caitanya’s talks with Ramananda Raya, someone suggested that I could continue it, but that would mean talking of conjugal rasa—how could you avoid it?—and that’s not appropriate for me and them.
There’s a difference between mechanical and spontaneous service . . . No, I can’t think at present of what to speak. On our level, spontaneous service may mean doing what we like, what attracts us in the nine principles of bhakti. That may be according to psychophysical nature and not the pure rasa. Pure rasa means I want to serve Krishna as a cowherd boy or as a servant (kinkara-manjari) of Radharani. If we can’t serve spontaneously (by rasa), then we may serve with utsaha according to the service available in ISKCON that actually attracts us? He wants to be an academic scholar, she wants to sing in a rock band, he wants to teach children . . . or one may want one’s cake and eat it too—the privileges of both brahmacari and grhastha. Pick what you want. Complete freedom? Freedom within choices. Opt for one and close out the other. Take solitude, but then you can’t enjoy a wife and chilluns.
Glad to be back in action today. I have limits and so must be mindful of it. Don’t repress the truth of my chronic pain, don’t defy it today and act as if you can do anything you did when you were younger. One has to go along patiently. Take a little of this and a little of that. It accumulates day after day. Some reading—about twenty minutes in C.c. this morning, and I’ll be back for some more later. Some writing—now, not those one-hour sessions I used to do.
The whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God.
The part-truth–bit by bit, add parts.
He doesn’t have much strength to read.
Gets knocked away (doubts, fears something . . . lost taste for it, read it many times, do it again carefully).Listened to Bach yesterday; he’s good. The harpsichord and violin only, good for getting by pain. Distracts you while you listen, those minutes go by until you can sleep again.
But direct Krishna consciousness is best, and right use of healthy time. Now I go to japa, which I neglected yesterday due to pain. Make up for it. But I know
the mind won’t listen
to the syllables of Hare Krishna mantra
and I can’t drive real hard and fast.
But still it will be better than yesterday.3:45 A.M.
Nama-ruci, vaisnava-seva, jiva-daya–these three principles were taught by Lord Caitanya. Sacinandana Swami said when people in ISKCON talk about making mission statements and ask, “What is my mission?” he thinks of these three principles. And he said he thinks I am doing service in these areas.
Taste for the name. Aah, when will that come? Service to devotees through the books by traveling to disciples. Yes, you should extend yourself a little further and go to Guyana, but you may not be able to go everywhere. That would be folly, not knowing . . . so I said, “Okay, we won’t go to Puerto Rico.” It would require another plane or two, and then that long winding ride up that hill, and later down that hill. I can’t do it. Or I can, but I’m holding back. Ask Ekatvam dasa of Puerto Rico to join me in Trinidad and Guyana if he can. All right. This is your roly-poly self, your self-habit.
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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Poem for February 24
Sunshine on a winter day.
The reknowned astrologer
says, “I will face a three-
pronged attack on my longevity
in the next few years.
Ketu is here and he restricts
your duration. At the same time
Saturn crosses over my moon
sign. For these things there are
remedial recommendations.
Worship of Hanuman.
Ketu is related to the Asvini-Kumaras.
“Perhaps his disciples can
do pujas and mantras to the
Asvini-kumaras (om ashvini-kumaraya namaha)
and ask them to extend his longevity.”
Getting fresh air and a good
air supply to the head areabsolutely necessary.
And you’re growing detached.
I want to live long to write
a long Autobiography and
free writing. It’s all up to Krishna.
But if my friends will chant
om ashvini-kumaraya namaha
that may help.• Email to a friend •
Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Happy Appearance Day son of Hari...Sriman George Harrison
Today marks the 68th appearance day of George Harrison. A gentle soul that brought so many other souls to Krishna Consciousness and his music continues to do so.
George did many things at the request of Srila Prabhupada and his devotees. First and foremost he spread the holy names as requested through his music. When Srila Prabhupada asked him to write the forward to the Krishna book he gladly did so and is used as a preaching tool even today. In fact he donated for the first printing of the Krishna book. "Chant and be Happy", a book featuring conversations and insights from George Harrison remains a best seller for ISKCON and in fact we are sold out at the Toronto temple. He donated Bhaktivedanta manor which has become one of the most visited pilgramage sites in the U.K. and Europe. And of course he helped record, produce and distribute the Apple records release of Hare Krishna Temple which shot up the pop charts and exposed millions to the Hare Krishna movement. So for this Prabhupada was always appreciative and grateful and thus Srila Prabhupada's devotees and movement remain grateful.
George Harrsion got it...just see an excerpt from the Krishna book below.
"Everybody is looking for KRISHNA. Some don't realize that they are, but they are. KRISHNA is GOD, the Source of all that exists, the Cause of all that is, was, or ever will be. As GOD is unlimited HE has many Names. Allah-Buddha-Jehova-Rama: All are KRISHNA, all are ONE."
George did not shave up, live in the ashram or maintain strict sadhana of a advanced Vaishnava, however by the grace of Guru and Gauranga in this age of Kali-yuga you can still achieve liberation.
“By the grace of the Lord, if a devotee, at the time of death, can simply chant His Holy Names -- Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare -- simply by chanting this maha mantra, he immediately surpasses the great ocean of the material sky and enters the spiritual sky. He never has to come back for repetition of birth and death. Simply by chanting the Holy Name of the Lord one can surpass the ocean of death “ (S.B. 4.10.30, Purport)
Unfortunately we have know many that shockingly did not avail themselves of this at the last moments, however Sriman George was with devotees and the holy name.
So Happy Birthday Sriman George Harrsion. Srila Prabhupada blessed you by giving you so much service and by calling you son of Hari (a play on words of Harrison). So you were indeed blessed and you continue your contributions to Srila Prabhupada's movement to this day.
Enjoy the below video...“My, my, my Lord (Hare Krishna)
Oh hm, my sweet Lord (Krishna, Krishna)
Oh-uuh-uh (Hare Hare)
Now, I really want to see you (Hare Rama)
Really want to be with you (Hare Rama)
Really want to see you Lord (aaah)
But it takes so long, my Lord (Hallelujah)
Hm, my Lord (Hallelujah)
My, my, my Lord (Hare Krishna)
My sweet Lord (Hare Krishna)
My sweet Lord (Krishna Krishna)
My Lord (Hare Hare)
Hm, hm (Guru Brahma)
Hm, hm (Guru Vishnu)
Hm, hm (Guru Devo)
Hm, hm (Maheshwara)
My sweet Lord (Guru Sakshaat)
My sweet Lord (Parabrahma)
My, my, my Lord (Tasmayi Shree)
My, my, my, my Lord (Guruve Namah)
My sweet Lord (Hare Rama)”• Email to a friend •
H.H. Sivarama Swami: Update on GBC meetings, specifically on my role in the subcommittee that is working on the relationship of gurus with the management structure of ISKCON
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
Out of Maya in Mayapura
Mayapura, India
The scenery isn't all that great for walks these days. How could it be? I've been mainly pacing back and forth on the floor of our building passing by pilgrims' doors at pre-dawn. In the distance I can hear the cry of the jackal. I can hear the sound of a rolling snore that penetrates through the door. I'm chanting softly in order to avoid prematurely awakening others.
Scenery is indeed limited, however, what a chanter hopes to achieve is to see through the mind's eye something sublime. Images of the guru, of Krishna, of devotional friends and devotional places or visions of anticipated acts of service are what you aspire to view. Call it inner vision, if you will.
Apart from the pacing along the corridor doorways the service of the day requires trekking from building to building. At each venue you can register a moment of what's grave or what's light. In one building on the campus as our meeting session began, we were told that there was a major earthquake that hit New-Zealand. The unfortunate news was that the beautiful deities of Krishna were damaged at our Christchurch temple. Moreover 65 people did perish and many are missing.
In another building one of our dear monk peers, Niranjan Swami, called me "Boogie-marga" after I led a chanting session. I took no offence. If anything it was an affectionate compliment.
All in all time spent in Mayapura is so well worth the visit. Once the sun does rise, the land, although ultra-flat, does possess the beauty only to be found in a rural setting. What a terrific break from urban concrete! May green prevail here in spite of the progressive construction going on to establish a city of a Vaishnava community.
5 KM• Email to a friend •
H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Monday, February 21st, 2011
The Room
Mayapura India
The walls of the conference room where meetings are being held are adorned with gorgeous sketches of our Guru, Srila Prabhupada. Other than a map of the world his piсtures are the only visuals to grace our presence. There is also a murti (statue) of him with fine detail on the face. His all-pervaisive pressence is most appropriate here. It is in this room that brainstorming takes place on this top floor of the conch building. Devotees from all over the world are converged each day for strategic planning. Those great souls who have all proven themselves through responsible undertakings are here to encourage, nurture and inspire each other in the mission of the guru. For a break-off session I was linked to co-ordinating a Creative Arts initiative. Our group of seven decided on a name "Vande" which stands for "Vaishnava Arts for a New Devotional Era." We even came up with a vision statement within a relative short amount of time. Things are moving along so far as visionary dreams are concerned. There is still a long way to go. My feeling is one of confidence in the mission department. Our aim is one -to please the guru and to affect a change in soceity improving the spiritual quality of life. As he wrote in his seven purposes "to check the imbalanced lives" of today. And the method is to inform about the virtuous pastimes of Krishna. There is nothing fancy about the conference room used by Krishna delegates who come from around the world but there is definitely beautiful work going on within the walls of this special place.
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Vraja Kishor, JP: Love Krishna, or Divorce Him?
Image by lism. via Flickr
Kṛṣṇa says, “Arjuna I trust you (Gita 9.1) so I will tell you the most confidential of all my secrets, which will bestow to you a direct realization of the Absolute Truth (2). Without trust, even if others hear this secret, they will not understand what we are talking about. (3).”
Next come texts 4-10. At this point of the book, the dialog between Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna has come to the conclusion that devotion is the ideal means for self-realization. In texts 4-10 Kṛṣṇa gives philosophical background as to why we should have unshakable devotion for the divine.
He says, “Anything you could love in this world comes from me! But I am so much more than anything you could love in this world! (4) Everything that brings you happiness and pleasure is nothing but my own energy, but I – the source of all that energy – have so much more happiness and pleasure to pour upon you than any manifestation of my energy does when divorced from me. (5)”
The idea in these two texts is wondrously explained also by Shukadeva Goswāmī in the Srimad Bhagavata Purana, after he described Lord Brahma’s attempt to kidnap Kṛṣṇa’s friends, 10.14.50-58. I highly recommend you read it later on. Here is a link to it: http://vedabase.net/sb/10/14/50/en
The question is: Why love Krsna? The answer: What else could you love? Anything you love or anything that brings you pleasure is only a fragment of Kṛṣṇa. Why not do yourself a favor and fall in love with the origin of everything you are in love with? That is the basic idea of texts 4 and 5 in the 9th Chapter of Gita.
Then Arjuna expresses a doubt. To put this doubt in words would read something like this: “All the things that I love and bring me pleasure in this world are actually sources of pain in the end. Therefore is it really appropriate for you to stress this line of thinking, Kṛṣṇa? If all these sources of pain come from you, will I also experience pain as a result of loving you?”
Kṛṣṇa replies to this concern of Arjun by giving text 6:
“The painfulness of life results from it being divorced of its direct link to me,” Kṛṣṇa says. “The serration of my energy from me which you experience here in this material world does not stain or contaminate me in any way, even though all the energy belongs to me. It is something like the wind blowing within the sky. The wind is part of the sky – but the blowing of the wind never causes the sky itself to change or move or tremble. In the same way, my divorced energy is part of me, but does not have the power to affect me and change my naturally sweet and loving temperament to one which would prove unpalatable and painful to love at some point.”
Ajuna now has a follow-up question, to the effect: “If you are so sweet and worthy of our full undivided love – why do you allow your energy to be divorced from you and thus go sour and become a source of pain?”
Texts 7-10 record Kṛṣṇa’s reply to this doubt. In essence he explains that the beings who want to get a divorce from Kṛṣṇa (all of us in the world of divorce, the material world) are grownups and he treats us as such. We are responsible for the impact of our own choices. It is our self-centeredness which brings the sour element into Kṛṣṇa’s energy. He allows it to happen because he respects the sanctity of our freewill and our right to divorce him. But he is not to blame for the sourness of the result.
“In my external energy, everything is cyclically created and destroyed. Therefore in the end even your greatest pleasure becomes painful when it is taken away from you. (7) Yes, it is true that I am in control of all this (8),” Kṛṣṇa says, “but you cannot hold me responsible for the sweet or sour results of what brings you pleasure and pain upon having or losing it. (9)”
“Why not?” Arjun must want to know, “If you are in control of it all, why shouldn’t I hold you responsible for what I have to suffer!?”
“Because I am merely an umpire, a referee. You are the one playing the game. I merely enforce the rules. The players, not the umpire, are responsible for winning or losing the game. (10)”
Next, in texts 11 and 12, Kṛṣṇa explains what happens if we do not fully grasp and embrace the reality that we, not God, are responsible for our pains and pleasures.
“If you think that I am not the umpire, but another one of the players in the game; if you think that the umpire is a competitive person rather than a neutral party, (11) then naturally you will hold malice towards me for what appears to be favoritism in saying that some players win and get enjoyment while other players lose and therefore suffer. Without knowing that I am absolutely neutral to the goings on of this petty game you call the material world you will not be able to develop firm devotion for me, and in fact you will come to miserable ruination in a lonely state of perpetual divorce, for which you will blame me in vain. (12)”
Now we come to texts 13 and 14. Here Kṛṣṇa explains what happens if and when we become smart and accept that Kṛṣṇa is not to blame for our divorce from him and the resulting pain we have suffered pitifully in so many variations and permutations of situations:
“Those who accept responsibility for their own mistakes and see that I have merely been neutral and just and respectful to them through it all – naturally they will turn once again towards spontaneous and natural devotion towards me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Seeking “remarriage” with me they lose interest in exploiting the divorced energy and instead strive to enter my own internal divine energy of love, which is in the care of the most exalted and supreme Goddess of Devotion – Her Divine Grace Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. She mercifully takes you under her wing and remarries you to me, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, engaging you fully in my loving service. (13)”
Bhagavad Gita 9.14
Now we come to the 14th text of the 9th chapter which illustrates the behavior of the soul who has been, by Rādhārāṇī’s grace and under her care, “married” to Kṛṣṇa.
satataḿ kīrtayanto māḿ
yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ
namasyantaś ca māḿ bhaktyā
nitya-yuktā upāsateIt gives me shivers and goosebumps how powerfully direct and clear this is. What is the first and foremost hallmark of a soul who has Rādhārāṇī’s mercy and is “married to Kṛṣṇa”?
satataḿ kīrtayanto māḿ
“They always do Kṛṣṇa-kīrtana”
The first and foremost quality of one who is really a “devotee” is that they always do Kṛṣṇa-Kīrtana.
Let this point hit home in the deepest possible way.
What do you think qualifies a person as an advanced devotee? Is it a danda and saffron? Is it a letter of recognition from the government of a religion? Is it a popularity contest? Is it acting talent, skill as an orator or educator or musician??? Is it renunciation? Lack of sex-desire? Lack of Ego? Etc?
No, no no no! Absolutely not. No!
The only important hallmark of a person who is really in the shelter of the only worthy Goddess of our hearts, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī – the only trait to pay attention to see if you really do or do not merit Śrī Rādhā’s mercy and care and attention is, Do I feel like doing a kirtan right now or not? Or even better, Am I doing kirtan right now or not?
“Kirtan” is of four primary varieties. There is nama- lila- guna- and Rūpa- kirtana. Kirtan means “glorification.” Nama-kirtana is the most important form of Kirtana, but lila- guna- and roop- kirtana are the foundations that hold up the beautiful structure of nama-kirtana.
Nama Kirtana is done with singing and usually with musical instruments, often with dance, and often with other person sharing their voice and hearts. This is actually called complete nama-kirtan – or nama-sankirtana (the san- affixed to kirtan is for the word samyak which means complete). The other varieties of Kirtan – glorification of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, qualities and beauty can be done musically or in poetry or in prose.
So the answer to the question Am I doing Kirtan right now? IS YES!
I am doing kirtan by trying to glorify Krsna’s loving qualities as he expressed them in Bhagavad Gita. You are doing kirtan because you are paying attention to the same and taking part in it. Therefore we are doing, right now, guna-kirtana.
Therefore right now, at this lovely moment, we are Mahatmas.
Therefore right now, at this blessed minute, we are being cared for by the most beautiful woman in or beyond the 14 worlds, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī the most beloved Goddess of all the lovers of Kṛṣṇa.
Therefore we should cherish these moments as though they were diamonds and sapphires and pearls and rubies and roses and chocolates. We should not want this moment to end.
To be in Kirtan is to be with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, the daivi prakriti. When we are in Kirtan, we should not want it to end. When it ends we should weep. If we do not weep we are not in Rādhārāṇī’s care, we have divorced ourselves from her care. When kirtan ends our hearts should feel like they have been thrown into a void of the darkest region of space.
But unfortunately we cannot even imitate this level for more than a paragraph’s length. Instead we end the kirtan voluntarily, and actually look forward to doing something else. This is the most disgusting quality a living being could possess – especially a living being trying to reap some twisted reward for being called a “devotee.”
A true mahatma is one who seeks for Rādhārāṇī to engage her in Kṛṣṇa’s devotional service. What is the main engagement?
satataḿ kīrtayanto māḿ
“They always do Kṛṣṇa-kīrtana”
OK, but you can’t do it right? Me neither. So what now?
yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ
Make a firm vow to try with all your might
We cannot even imitate for 24 seconds the qualities of a person truly in the grace of Śrī Rādhā. So what? Give up? No!
A child woke up and said, “I want to be a pop star.” Or, “I want to be a doctor.” Or, “I want to be the president.” 50,000 kids wake up like that every day – but there are only a few doctors, pop stars or presidents in the world, right? Why!? Because those bums are too damned lazy to make it. They don’t have what it takes. Take away the nice-nice talk, that’s the truth.
It simply is not easier to be a popstar, doctor or the president than it is to attain the highest of all possible forms of self-realization and get taken by Śrī Rādhā herself to engage in Kṛṣṇa ’s service. In Gita 7.3 Kṛṣṇa already told you:
Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection,
and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.Out of thousands of kids hardly one wants to be something special like a pop star, a doctor, or the president. Out of thousands who want to be something special hardly one really is. Out of thousands who really are special hardly one realizes that the entire material world is nothing special – including all the pop stars, doctors and presidents in it. Therefore hardly one out of thousands of thousands of thousands of people takes an interest in self-realization. Out of thousands of those rare souls, hardly one cares enough about it to attain it. And out of thousands of those who attain self-realization hardly one single person comes to a devotional understanding of the Absolute Truth as the deceptively simple Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
If you have to work hard to be a pop star, by sweet baby Jesus’ right leg you better accept the fact that you are going to have to work thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of times harder to realize the Absolute Truth as the Supreme Personality of Godhead – and to be able to serve him under the wing of the Supreme Goddess Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.
So you better make a driddha-vrata right now to try your freakin best!
This means you have to really kick yourself and make serious effort at every moment.
What to speak of this – we don’t even do this! We are lazy. We are so complacent about spiritual life. Do you expect Kṛṣṇa to come down from Goloka to your room in nowhereville, Idaho and hand you an ice-cream cone of mercy because you signed some paper or made some promise in front of a fire once upon a time? Don’t be so complacent!!!! WORK HARD!
Go to kirtan when you don’t want to. Listen to the class carefully. Finish reading this long, long diatribe that is getting crazier and crazier as it lumbers on and on endlessly. And then, when you are finished for god’s sake don’t breathe a sigh of relief – ask some questions, try to prolong the kirtan.
It is our utmost eternal spiritual duty to prolong the duration of any kirtan we are in, and to improve and increase its quality.
Very rarely do we even care this much about these subjects. How is it possible for someone like us to even make a driddha vrata (unshakable promise) to engage in more kirtan? It’s not possible.
Then what?
namasyantaś ca māḿ bhaktyā
“Offer me a sign of your respect for devotion.”
That’s it. Kṛṣṇa is going really easy on us here. He is opening up a doorway into the daivi prakriti. Don’t think that you can be lazy and just look at the door and thereby gain entrance. You have to get up and walk through the door – which will then lead you to drddha-vrata which will then lead you to satattam kirtan – there is just no other practical way to get to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s feet. Please accept this.
“Walking through the door” will eventually take us down the hallway to the room in which Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is singing Kṛṣṇa-Nama-Sankirtana with her eternal confidential girlfriends. What is this doorway? It is to at least show respect for devotional service.
What devotional service?
Kirtan. Kirtan is the beginning and end of the definition of devotional service, and is most certainly the main focal point of this current text under discussion.
We can’t do constant Kirtan, so we should make a vow to do more kirtan. We can’t follow that vow, so we must at least cultivate respect for kirtan and for those who do follow their vow. Conversely, we must not criticize the kirtaniya, ever, for any reason unless we desire our own misery and confusion.
Is there something we can do to help cultivate a respectful attitude towards Kirtan and Kirtaniyas? Yes:
nitya-yuktā upāsate
Always engaged in worship
“Upasate” can mean “arcana.” Worship of the diety is hereby indicated to be subordinate to the practice of Kirtan. To speak about and learn about Bhagavad Gita is guna-kirtan when done by persons seeking devotion to Kṛṣṇa. Therefore it is actually a superior spiritual activity to worshiping the deity. Kirtan is superior to upasana, everyone seeking bhakti must accept this fact for their own wellbeing.
Then what is the point of having deities?
By caring for the deity of Śrī Śrī Rādhā Kṛṣṇa our hearts actually becomes imprinted with practical favorable impressions of the divine couple. This inclines us to be more appreciative of the glorification of the divine couple – which is kirtana.
Therefore worship the deity form of Kṛṣṇa and Rādhārāṇī (or Śrī Śrī Niati Gaurasundar) with true, simple, honest, heartfelt care and devotion. Care for them. Touch them reassuringly. Feed them. Love them show them your love. Offer your respects to those who glorify the divine couple, and offer your respects to the glorification itself – this will allow you to desire – honestly and really desire – more and more glorification of the divine couple – this will lead to your being in satatam kirtan – eternal kirtan. At that point you are in the company of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and in her company you will meet with that lovely, lovely sweetest of all sweethearts – the heart of all hearts, the soul of all souls, the beloved brilliant darkness of the threefold bending form of Śrī Vrajendra Nanada Shyama Sundar.
Jai Jai Śrī Śrī Nitai Gaurahari!
Please now continue this kirtan by visiting http://vedabase.net/bg/9/14/en and enjoying the deep and practical explanation of this verse by our Guru’s Guru A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swāmī Prabhupāda.
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