Author Archives: Giriraj dasa

Does ISKCON has any Uttama Adhikari ?

by

Hare Krishna

21st Jan 2014.

A devotee called up today evening and stated that he just read a statement by Srila Prabhupada that we should reject any guru who can not take us back to Godhead. The talk then went to which Guru, if any, is a Uttama Adhikari in ISKCON and how to find him ?

I remembered the same question being asked to HH Bhakti Brhad Bhagavat Maharaja during the seminar on ISKCON Disciple course at Punjabi Bagh temple last year. I offered the same reply to the devotee.

Maharaj replied with the following statement from Srila Prabhupada in Nectar of Instructions verse 5, second last para (http://vedabase.net/noi/5/en )

“Out of many such Vaiṣṇavas, one may be found to be very seriously engaged in the service of the Lord and strictly following all the regulative principles, chanting the prescribed number of rounds on japa beads and always thinking of how to expand the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Such a Vaiṣṇava should be accepted as an uttama-adhikārī, a highly advanced devotee, and his association should always be sought.”

Maharaj declared that we do not need any more `pramaan’ ( proof) than the above statement from Srila Prabhupada himself and we will all agree that with the above definition almost all the Sanyasis in ISKCON will qualify as being a Uttama Adhikari ! Hari Bol !

All Glories to Srila Prabhupda.

Three types of sukriti

by

Hare Krishna

10th January, Gurgaon.

bhakti

I always heard that we can not get Bhakti from pious activities as Bhakti devi is independent. Then came the understanding that  bhakti can only be given by a devotee of the Lord as Lord Himself is impartial towards everyone where as His devotees are partial towards devotees and innocents.  Then came the question that what brings a devotee in our lives, should we just consider it a good fortune, which it is, or some `sukriti’ (pious credit) too is responsible for it.

I recently heard a lecture by HG Madhavanad Prabhuji and he explained this point in a very simple way that I could understand. I am sharing the same.

Prabhuji explained via CC. madhya 22 45, whose translation is

“By good fortune one becomes eligible to cross the ocean of nescience, and when one’s term of material existence decreases, one may get an opportunity to associate with pure devotees. By such association, one’s attraction to Krishna is awakened.”

Srila Prabhupada quotes Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur in his purport that there are there three types of Sukriti

1. Bhoga (Karma) unmukhi sukriti : This gives material opulence, higher planets like swargaloka etc. this is also called `karmonmukhi’ or piety derived from subhakarma (auspicious activities like giving in charity, opening orphanages, etc).

2. Moksha (jnana) unmukhi sukriti : This gives liberation, enabling one to merge into the existence of the Supreme. This is attained through piety derived from the cultivation of knowledge and therefore, it is also called `jnanonmukhi’ sukriti.

3. Bhakti unmukhi sukriti: This awaken one’s dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Devotional activities such as hearing, reading & chanting about Krishna, serving His devotees,  etc. constitute this third type and are thus supreme pious work.

Prabhuji also explained that Srila Bhakti Sidhant Saraswati Thakur said in a lecture that when we follow vaidhi bhakti without being under the shelter of a devotee of Krishna then again we collect Bhakti unmukhi sukriti.

Hence it works both ways, when we get or collect bhakti-unmukhi sukriti, knowingly or unknowingly,  we get a devotee in our life. On the other hand we can also get causeless mercy of a devotee and then get bhakti-unmukhi sukriti.

Srila Prabhupada  further writes in his purport `Pious activities are fortunate when they help one become Kṛṣṇa conscious. The good fortune of bhakti-unmukhī is attainable only when one comes in contact with a devotee. By associating with a devotee willingly or unwillingly, one advances in devotional service, and thus one’s dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness is awakened.

I understood that one may collect Bhakti unmukhi sukriti and it may sometime ensure that someone starts his spiritual journey from a higher platform but bhakti will not `kickstart’ on its own and one can only `encash’ these spiritual credits when one gets in touch with a devotee and get his mercy.

My lesson : I must always hanker for the association of devotees and spend rest of the time, as much as possible, in hearing and chanting or talking about Krishna. The same thing was instructed by HH Giriraj Maharaj in Noida this month when Maharaj said  that each moment of our life is precious and we need to use the best use of each moment.

We can all hear the most wonderful Ramananad Samvad by Madhvananda Prabhuji, which had the above description on   day 5, between 19.00 to 25.00 minutes, at

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

All glories to merciful Vaishnavas.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Is higher spiritual platform a better option for devotees ?

by

Hare Krishna.

16th January, 2014, Gurgaon

Quotes-by-Srila-Prabhupada-on-Devotees-Only-Concern

I was very fortunate take darshan of his HH Janananda Maharaj at Sumeet Prabhu’s home today in Gurgaon.

Maharaj is a very quite, simple, deep and yet an affable sanyasi. Taking his darshan I felt as if I had taken a dip in holy water of Ganga river.

Maharaj asked if I have some question, but more than my silly questions I wanted to hear Krishna katha from him. Being less intelligent, questions do not come easily to me and most of the time I forget them when asked so by a senior devotee. Hence when I meet devotees my only interest is to listen to the pastimes of devotees, Krishna, Mahaprabhu, acharayas, their realisation etc. and hoping against hope that this will make my heart soft and I may absorb something.

Fortunately for me, one devotee asked Maharaj a question and as Maharaj replied so patiently, I asked something which was bothering me as a supplementary question.

My puzzle was that Ramananda Raya quoted the verse brahma-bhutah prasannatma (BG 18.54) as higher than sarva-dharmān parityajya (BG 18.66), in his discussions with Mahaprabhu (cc madhya 8). I understood the logic of verse 18.66 being referred to as sanyas which is still within the material world, and also that devotion with knowledge is superior to devotion with rituals and that brahma-bhutah platform is out of the material world, etc. But, I knew that something was amiss in my understanding, and I could not get it. I read the purports (cc madhya 8.65) again and again, but could not get the understanding from my own endeavor. I asked Maharaj to kindly clarify the same to me and Maharaj’s reply not only solved this puzzle but another question as well which I had forgotten since long.

Maharaj replied that yes the Brahma-bhutah platform may be a very high spiritual platform but devotees do not aspire for it. He explained that the distance doesn’t matter what matter is that what are our intentions (consciousness). He gave a very good example. He said consider that two people are walking towards Delhi. The first person is more closer to Delhi than the second. But the first person wants to plant a bomb in the city where as the second person is coming to serve the city. So even if the first person is nearer to Delhi but because his intentions are bad hence being near doesn’t qualify as being any useful.

Maharaj further added that similarly being a simple-hearted devotee of the Lord in the material world is a far better situation than being a spiritually elevated person going towards impersonalism with his own knowledge because there are more chances of the former going back to Godhead and serving The Lord personally than the latter.

Janananda-Maharaj-portrait-

Maharaj’s above reply also solved my other unsolved question `What is the status of those devotees who worship Lord Krishna with devotion and love but without much knowledge ? ‘

Maharaj’s merciful reply cleared the fog in my mind like a bright sun in Delhi’s winter.

All glories to HH Janananda Maharaj.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

My 24 Gurus

by

Hare Krishna.

12th Jan 2014, Gurgaon.

17

As I completed my morning japa rounds the story of Shri Dattatreya somehow came to my mind and I questioned myself what I have learned from devotees and surroundings near me.

During the recent Ujjain retreat with HH Bhakti Charu Swami maharaj at Ujjain, the topic was Uddhava Gita( SB 11th canto). Guru maharaj explained in one of the initial sessions about  24 gurus of Dattatreya and how the sage learnt from each of them and treated them as his Guru. I am summarising them below.

Shri Dattatreya had twenty-four teachers from nature as he told King Yadu…. The earth, air/breeze, sky, fire, the sun, pigeon, python, sea, moth, elephant, ant, fish, Pingala the courtesan, arrow-maker, infant/playful boy, the moon, honeybee, deer, bird of prey, maiden, serpent, spider, caterpillar and water are my twenty four preceptors.

I took out my pad and started writing on what all I have learned and from whom.

1. HG Rukmini Krishna prabhu ( temple president, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi): From him I am learning to always be helpful towards others irrespective of where they come from and give them an honest and sincere advice by which they can develop their Krishna consciousness. He is always approachable, completely dedicated to serving all Vaishnavas and following his  Guru Mahraj’s and Srila Prabhupada’s instructions.

2. Mukul Prabhu, Delhi : He brought me into Krishna Consciousness.He is an ex-financial whizkid and after leaving his job, he now consults to SMEs. He has turned each of his client into Krishna Consciousness, he is always calm whatever may be the circumstance. I am learning from him to always remain peaceful.

3. Sumeet Prabhu, Gurgaon: A very dear friend, like an elder brother. He is a very honest, practical and a sincere devotee. I am learning for him how to take my family along and that keeping them happy is very important for my own spiritual journey. He continues to give me practical advice which helps me tremendously. He comes from a vaishnava family and I can always follow his advice with my eyes closed.

4. Tree in front of my house : Till a few months back we used to live on the 4th floor an apartment building and whenever I would come to the `study’ to to do my yoga I could see the middle and top of this huge tree. Almost every single day as soon I would remove my glasses to start the yoga, I would see some form of Krishna in it and very clear. Sometime I would even call my wife and ask her can’t you see Radha and Krishna in the tree and I would try show her Their form, she would  reply yes the shape is there but it is probably more in my own mind. But I would see Lord Jagannath or many other forms of the Lord almost every single time, complete with Their facial expressions and skin color ! The lesson for me was that Lord is there in every atom, whenever I have devotion and faith in my eyes He manifests.

P.s. : Now we have shifted to the second floor of the same building. The same tree is just right outside my balcony and much much closer. I worship him as a part of Govardhan! Why ? I have no idea, my heart said whenever you see him please pay obeisances as Govardhan and I do it every morning.

5. Atma and Anand Prabhuji, Gurgaon : They are very talented twin brothers and are blessed to get personal service of serving Guru Maharaj. Their dedication to Guru Maharaj is commendable by all standards and a benchmark for me. I am learning  from them what is meant by serving our Guru.

6. HG Ganganarayan Prabhuji, co-president Ujjain temple : Such a humble devotee. I have yet to meet a more knowledgeable, dedicated and humble sanyasi-in-waiting, I am sure there would be others in ISKCON, but for me he is a benchmark of humility.  I am learning  from him how to be always humble from the core of my heart.

7. Deities: I learn building relationships from Them; starting from Vrindavan to Punjabi Bagh to my own home, they always respond to love and affection. You may call my crazy but my small Ladoo Gopal ji change expressions many a times. I have written in my earlier blogs about my past realisations in Punjabi Bagh and Vrindavan, simply divine, amazing and most merciful. I learn from Them with whom to develop my relationships with.

8. Electricity Pole : When I was in the 4th floor apartment another thing that I could out see out from my study window, besides the tree, was a giant Electricity pole. Somehow I always took it as one of the  portion of Krishna’s foot, like a Virat purush form of Krishna. I learned from him that nothing, living or non living, is separate from Krishna.

9. Punjabi Bagh temple community: I learned from them how to serve all Vaishanava as equal. I always saw a festive atmosphere whenever a senior sanyasi would visit the temple. In fact it was after an year that I found the special position of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami as each senior Sanyasi was accorded the same love and welcome.

10. Jagannath puri Dhama : I learned how does one feel when one steps into the `darbar’ (court) of the Lord. My first  experience, which I shared in detail in one of my previous blogs, was transcendental. I would never forget that feeling in my heart.  I learned how small and puny I am  in the overall scheme of things.

11. Vrindavan Dham : I learned from the Holy Dhama to be always merciful towards everyone. Irrespective of who comes to Vrindavan, with pure, polluted or zero consciousness, everyone gets the mercy.

12. Prabhuji, Punjabi Bagh : I do not even know the name of this devotee but I see him every time I am there, he would mop temple floor everyday before guru puja, he would never look around for a `help’. Summer or winter he is there, then very humbly he would stand in the last line and dance during the Guru Puja. I learned from him to always remain unseen in our service and never try to take any credit or aspire for glorification by others.

13.  Buying a house, Gurgaon :  I shared my experience while buying my new house in one of early blogs in detail, one person on whom I depended the most pulled the rug right under my feet and at the very last moment. I learned from that experience to never dislike anyone, that they are just messengers of what I did in my past and it is due to the mercy of Lord that i am getting its consequences in a far lesser dosage. And I must always remain under the shelter of the Lord, He knows what is best for me.

14. Yoga: I practiced yoga for 3 years or so and I learned how to sit at one place and meditate.

15. My Wife, Priti : I learned from her the boundless patience and love she had for the kids. I had to copy the same for Krishna and His devotees.

16. Subir Prabhu, Delhi : He is a very enthusiastic devotee and always full of energy for any thing connected with devotional service. I learned from him to be always enthusiastic in any service given to us.

17. Ujjain temple community: What a wonderful set of devotees and epitome of  hospitality. I am trying to learn to think of myself as a servant of every vaishanava and treat each of them as my own master.

18.  Amogh Lila Prabhu, Delhi : He has a gift for humour and is a wonderful preacher, now vice president for the Dwarka temple. I am learning how we can use humor as a strong tool in preaching and that I should not be serious all the time.

19. Radheshyam Prabhu, Gurgaon : Before he shifted to Vrindavan Dham, his service to devotees was unmatched in Gurgaon. He served and served, never in the limelight. I am learning from him to always try to serve the devotees with the best of my ability.

20. My Son, Samir: He is always carefree and gets back into cheerfulness within seconds of being scolded or upset about something. I am learning from him to never feel bad or sulk about any particular incident or behaoviour as that particular moment has already passed and I should look for what best I can do in this present moment.

21. Tulasi Maharani :  She takes birth in so many homes, she does not desire anything for her own self other than helping devotees connect with Sri Krishna and she is happy being always under Lord’s lotus feet. I am learning from her to always remain in the shelter of my Guru and Krishna, that is my happiest position.

22. HG Mahadevi Mataji, Vrindavan : Mataji is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, I wrote about her in one of my previous blog on how I met her during the procession of taking Srila Prabhupada’s Deity to all the Goswami temples in Vrindavan and how she reciprocate with Srila Prabhupada in that journey. I am learning from him how we can reciprocate with Srila Prabhupada and feel his divine presence around us at all times.

23. HH Gopal Krishna Goswami maharaj : I learned from him how the mere glance of a pure vaishanava can purify me and I must always hanker to get darshan of pure devotees of the Lord.

24. Neelu, Delhi : She is the HR manager in our small company. She is always respectful towards everyone. She would even address our office peons and drivers with such humility that initially I used to to get upset about it. I am learning from her to always give respect to others irrespective of what social order they belong to.

Last but not the least, I have realised is that in spite of having these 24 gurus, 24 moons,  I can learn nothing till I do not have a special half moon in my life, my spiritual master. Without the mercy of my spiritual master all my learning enter from one ear and go out from other ear. It is only by the mercy of my spiritual master that each learning enters from one ear and then penetrate my hard heart rather going out from the other ear ! This helps get me realisations. Now the 24 and half moons are completed.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Our distance from Krishna

by

Hare Krishna.

8th January, Gurgaon.

As I moved from a fresher to a neophyte stage I realised that as I progress the distance between me and Krishna keeps on decreasing as well as increasing.

In one way we start experiencing the presence of Krishna and Guru near us, we just need to `tune’ ourselves by our daily sadhna bhakti and a sincere desire to get some instructions and voila ! they usually come fast. We then take another baby step towards a firm faith in Krishna, Guru and Shastra. What is invariably missing is a sincere and burning desire inside me to receive instructions than the response.

On the flip-side I also realise how almost unlimited jivas are serving Krishna in the eternal world and that  just being a servant of the servant of the servant also is a very far distance from Him. We also realise what could be the position of a single fallen infinitesimal soul, if anything at all, in relation to our previous acharays and devotees in serving Him. At first it is painful to see the increased or rather infinite distance as we realise that there is no chance to go near Him. But after sometime a strange phenomenon occurs in our heart and we suddenly become blissful and relish every moment in just being an instrument to serve Krishna indirectly. Not even serving Him but just thinking and praying that one day we may become an indirect servant makes our heart and soul glow, that thought gives us more pleasure than serving Him directly. In fact we forget that we ever wished to serve Him directly !

Krishna is not straight and nor are His ways very straight !

I also realised that this change happened when I prayed to Srila Prabhupada, tried to serve him sincerely and developed a relationship with him first. As this relationship developed I immediately realised my good fortune. I realised how fortunate I am to have come under the shelter of Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet and ISKCON. And how by being under the shelter of Srila Prabhupada opens a direct door of service to Krishna via MahaPrabhu and Guru parampara. The sooner I become aware of my good fortune, and act accordingly, the faster I progress in my devotional journey.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

HH Giriraj Swami Maharaj

by

Hare Krishna.

5th January, Gurgaon.

The Sunday morning class was enlightening, we have a new full time preacher in Gurgaon, HG Mahaprabhu Chaitanaya prabhuji. He gave an excellent class today. After the class got over we were chatting up when HG Haridas Thakur Prabhuji informed us that HH Giriraj Maharaj is visiting Noida at 1 pm today. After the breakfast prasadam they both left for Noida. I came back home in double mind on whether to go to Noida or not. The weekly Bhagavad Gita group  meeting at my home would start at 4 pm and it would inappropriate to cancel it or miss it. As I was returning home I got a mail from HH Giriraj Maharaj that he is leaving Vrindavan for Noida and would also give the morning lecture at Delhi temple. I had invited  Maharaj to visit Gurgaon, he had consented but he wrote back a few days back that he was unwell and won’t be able to make it this time.

As I read maharaj’s email, I realised that if he could come to Noida to give a lecture in bad health and then what stops me to drive to Noida and take his darshan. I reached home and discussed the same with my wife, she too pushed me to go to Noida. I left home around 12noon and was at the temple sharp at 1 pm. Noida temple is right on the main road and at an excellent location, Sri Sri Radha Govinda ki jai. The temple would open officially on 12th Feb. The main hall was packed with devotees and there was wonderful kirtan going on.

iskcon_noida-4_500x375

Maharaj came around 2 pm and it was so good to take his darshan. He looked frail and weaker than when I last saw Maharaj at Punjabi Bagh temple 3 years ago. May Krishna give Maharaj a very healthy 2014.

photo 2

Maharaj said as a new year has just started he has picked up a relevant verse from Srimad Bhagavatam.,SB 2.3.17

āyur harati vai puḿsām  udyann astaḿ ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-kṣaṇo nīta   uttama-śloka-vārtayā

Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.

Like a magician Maharaj brought out different meanings and teachings from this wonderful verse.

My lessons from the lecture :

1.  We should not waste a single moment of life, which can not be bought by any amount ofgold. It indeed given me new prospective of time management and my time spent in service of Srila Prabupada and ISKCON.

2. We have to just remain alive in our devotional service to go back to Godhead.

3.  A devotee’s old age or disease in the present life is but an impetus to a guaranteed eternal life. He gets free from the cycle of birth, disease, old age and death.

I then met Maharaj briefly and he spoke and looked with such affection. Maharaj then got busy in signing his books for the pleasure of the devotees. I realised that it was already 3.30 pm. I rushed home but before leaving spotted Gaurav prabhu, bought a book and requested him to get Maharaj’s autograph  on the same. He, always ready to help, agreed and I rushed back home.

6th January, Gurgaon.

By lord’s mercy I again made up my mind to hear Maharaj at Delhi temple and went with HG MahaPrabhu Chaitnaya prabhuji. We reached just in time for the lecture. Maharaj looked better today, he spoke on the following verse

ei-kathā śuni’ mahāntera mahā-sukha haya

caitanyera krpā yāńhe, tāńhe ki vismaya

When the personal associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would hear of the activities of Rūpa and Sanātana Gosvāmīs, they would say, “What is wonderful for a person who has been granted the Lord’s mercy?” ( CC madhya 19.132)

My lessons from this lecture :

1. We should not hesitate to write and we must distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada, this is our parampara.

2. We should not try to copy six Goswamis, what they did was the external manifestation of their internal mood. This is a very very important lesson for me.

3. The last lesson I learnt is that I must always hanker to listen from pure devotees in person, it has a very different effect on my consciousness  compared to when I listen to lectures over internet or recordings.

Maharaj explained that Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Thākura compared distributing literature to playing on a great mrdanga. A normal Mrdanga can only be heard for few blocks but Book Mrdanga goes hundred of miles. Maharaj gave examples of how people become devotees after reading Srila Prabhupada’s books in far off places.

As the lecture finished I heard the nectarean voice of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. Jai ! Maharaj too was there so it turned out to be a double bonus for me.

photo 4

Srila Prabhupada wrote in the purport of above SB verse that `a moment passed in the association of a pure devotee by hearing and chanting the transcendental messages of the Lord is a perfect guarantee for eternal life, for returning home, back to Godhead.’ What I surely felt was that each moment passed in the association of Maha Bhagavat like HH Giriraj Maharaj and HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj is guaranteed like being in the spiritual world, Vaikuntha, no anxiety, only bliss.

All glories to HH Giriraj Swami Maharaj.

All glories to HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Year 2013

by

Hare Krishna.

31 Dec 2013, Ujjain, 8.30pm.

As the year 2013 comes to an end at midnight tonight I look back at what all happened in my spiritual life.

1. In my wildest imagination I could not have dreamt that I will be at Ujjain on new year eve and attending a wonderful retreat by Guru Maharaj.

2. That I am in the association of devotees is the cherry on the cake. Of course in the company of Shyamal Prabhu, Atma Prabhu, Radhapad Prabhu I am like a crow staring at a group of swans. Still by some good fortune I am here in their midst.

3. Guru Maharaj showered his complete mercy by visiting our home so many times and ensuring that as a family we remain steadfast on way to start our devotional journey.

4. The trip to Surat with devotees was a wonderful experience for me. It was trailer of what are happy devotee families and what is preaching with passion and care.

5. I had one of the best Kartika months ever and never been in Dhama for so many days.

6. I somehow gathered courage and started a weekly Bhagavad Gita study group at my home. The suport l received from my family, my devotee friends and the local centre was very humbling experience for me.

7. This group gave me a focus and also meaning to my devotional life.

8. I realised that grow to in devotional life I need to cultivate relationships, a most difficult part for me.

9. I attended many seminars and each one enriched me.

10. I got some inclination on what is chanting and what is meant by devotional service.

11. The visit of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj would remain a highlight for the whole life.

12. I got a little taste for hearing and could hear lectures daily.

13. I fell in love with HH Radha Govind Maharaj and could take his Darshan for the first time.

14. It seems somehow by Krishna’s mercy I am getting a taste and longing to remain in the association of devotees. It’s a different matter that except for few devotees like Sumeet Prabhu, Karuna Prabhu, most of them, rightly, stay away for me. A crow among swans.

15. My wife made a very nice altar and then very nice presence of Srila Prabhupada in our new home, Guru Maharaj named it Krishna Kunj.

16. I could somehow feel the presence of mercy in all aspects of my devotional life , be it from devotees, Srila Prabhupada, Guru Maharaj or Krishna. I could appreciate a little the word causeless mercy.

17. I started reading Chaitanaya Charitamrita and found its teachings most profound.

18. I got some faith in Gaur Nitai and the six Goswamis.

18. Guru Maharaj strong teachings have converted me to become a strong supporter of ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada.

19. Guru Maharaj taught about Yukta Vairagaya today morning and I hope to imbibe it inside me.

20. I feel more peaceful, contended and happy than at the start of the year.

21. I could carry the Deity of Srila Prabhupada to all the 6 Goswami temples of Vrindavan.

22. Went to Mayapur Dham for the first time after my initiation.

23. Got initiated by never ending causeless mercy of HG Rukmini Prabhuji and Guru Maharaj.

24. I found a wonderful and most merciful brother in Sumeet Prabhu, except for the wrong habit glorifying me for no purpose he is near perfect. He guides me affectionately like a younger brother and keep my enthusiasm running. Being myself a zero in both my material and spiritual journey I can’t reciprocate nor return his feelings and gestures. I can only pray to Krishna for his spiritual and material well being.

25. I never felt alone for a moment ; there were devotees who took pity on me , Guru Maharaj who showered his causeless mercy on me, Srila Prabhupada who listened to my prayers , developed relationship with Gaur Nitai and reciprocation of love happened with Sri Sri Radha and Shyamsunder

I am looking forward to the promise I made to a Devotee today to reach the temple before Mangal Arti tomorrow morning and chant our rounds early on the first day of the year.

As I sit alone in my room in the temple guest house, ready to sleep early, I have my bead bag next to me and only Krishna and His devotee in my thoughts. I have no interest in the celebrations going in the temple nor in my dinner, I only hope to chant at least one japa round with love for Krishna before I wake up next year.

I pray at the lotus feet of all the devotees to please bless me with their association in the coming year.

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

What a wonderful surprise

by

Hare Krishna.

31Dec, Ujjain.

20131231-145823.jpg

As we all stood outside the dining hall, after breakfast, soaking in the warm winter sun, there was a little commotion. I turned my head I saw devotees gathering around someone, my first thought was that some Sanyasi or senior devotee has newly arrived. Then I saw that a family is being welcomed and garlanded. They looked very simple and before I could ask someone, a devotee whispered in my ear ‘do you know who is he ? He is Srila Prabhupada’s youngest son and his family ‘. I was taken a back by this information and it took me a few seconds to absorb it. I then moved closer to them and, of course, one could see a marked resemblance with Srila Prabhupada. It was so good to see them.

We can see them in the above picture.

Later, Guru Maharaj called them on the stage and glorified them and spoke how Srila Prabhupada named each of his son after a holy place, Prayag, Mathura and Vrindavan. The youngest, Vrindavan Prabhuji, was amongst us today, he spoke in Bengali about how proud he felt being Srila Prabhupada’s son and how he had a discussion with Srila Prabhupada for two hours before Srila Prabhupada left for USA. And then Guru Maharaj shared how Vrindavan Prabhuji had come stay with Srila Prabhupada in Vrindavan and how this youngest son was closest to Srila Prabhupada.

It was my good fortune to be in Ujjain as Srila Prabhupada’s son and his family arrived. Seeing them , I felt a very warm feeling in my heart and I somehow felt more close to Srila Prabhupada as if I got a peek inside the private life of Srila Prabhupada.

I know Srila Prabhupada is happy with us being together, cooperating with each other, and most happy with Guru Maharaj.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Consciousness

by

Hare Krishna.

31st Dec, Ujjain.

Quotes-by-Srila-Prabhupada-on-Maya

The meals at the Ujjain retreat are very lavish by ISKCON standards. So yesterday after having another sumptuous breakfast I commented to Baljinder Prabhu how nice the arrangements are for the meals and there are so many devotees serving us as if we are in some 5 star restaurant. After we filled our plates initially, each dish was being served piping hot at our tables so that we don’t have to get up from our tables. That was my consciousness.

Then I met Atma Prabhu outside the hall and he told that he is going to have the lunch Prasadam with the Brahamcharis. When I asked him the reason he told me that one of the Brahmachari , when Atma prabhu invited him to eat in the main dining hall, told him ‘ We are servants and servants do not eat with their masters.’ I was bowled over by their humble statement. That was their consciousness.

When I came back to the room then Subal Shyam Prabhu told me that he wish to have his lunch Prasadam at ….. You guessed it right … at Brahamchari ashram. His reason, he does not like to take so much service from the devotees. That was his consciousness.

So it’s the same hall, the same prasadam, same facilities and yet each one of us is accepting it with a different consciousness.

This showed me how I can carefully observe our devotee brothers and learn from them and how association of devotees is beneficial to us innumerable ways.

All glories to the merciful Vaishanavas.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Pleasure in being the servant of the servant

by

Hare Krishna

30th Dec, Ujjain.

Quotes-by-Bhakti-Charu-Swami-on-What-Should-We-Become

During the morning class today Guru Maharaj spoke about how we can take the example that In the field of atheism and Buddhism Sankracharya sowed the seeds or a base of Vedas. To dig we have to go down, in the reverse direction , so Sankracharya made the base by digging in the reverse directions, which is impersonalism, then the four Vaishanava acharya build the temple on that base. Finally MahaPrabhu came and established the Deities of Sri Radha Krishna in that temple. Guru Maharaj also informed us that MahaPrabhu took two points from each of the four Sampradayas.

During the question answer session, after the lecture, one devotee asked Guru Maharaj what were the two points that MahaPrabhu took from each of the Sampradaya. Guru Maharaj remembered a few of them and replied that he doesn’t remember each of them. He asked HG Ganganarayan Prabhu but he couldn’t recollect them.

As Guru Maharaj went to answer the next question, I searched on the internet on my phone and in 10 seconds I had all the 8 points. First hunch ; should I raise my hand and tell Guru Maharaj that I have searched the answer for him. Somehow I felt it would be wrong to do so. Instead I gave my phone, with the that page opened, to a senior devotee sitting next to me , he took my phone with a little surprise and became happy after I pointed to the opened page and he read the contents. He then handed my phone to HG Ganganarayan Prabhu and I could see that he too became happy reading the contents. Prabhuji then went to Guru Maharaj and handed the phone to him informing him about the contents. Guru Maharaj too was happy to receive it , he praised HG Ganganarayan Prabhu for finding them so quickly. He then shared the contents with everyone.

I realised that I felt very happy when each of the devotee became happy reading the contents on my phone. I was most happy when Guru Maharaj glorified HG Ganganarayan Prabhu for finding the answers so quickly. Surprisingly, for a character of my person, I didn’t feel envious that it was me who found it, I felt very happy from inside that prabhuji was glorified and some how I played a small part in it.

And lastly I got a hint how we can I please Krishna and Guru by being servant of the servant of their devotees. And it made me three times more happy ! I had read these lines many a times in the past but didn’t know the feeling and today by the causeless mercy of Vaishanavas I got a little taste of the same.

I pray at the lotus feet of devotees to continue to be merciful to a fallen neophyte like me.

All glories to the merciful Vaishanavas.
All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.