Author Archives: Giriraj dasa

Feeling of Separation

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Hare Krishna.

Loveinseperation

Whenever I heard about love in separation I could never comprehend fully that how could someone be near us and yet we would feel separation from him/her. Whenever this topic would come up during the lectures I would get bewildered as I could not understand howsoever hard I would try to `feel’ it.

Well, I am ashamed to admit that I still do not feel any separation with Lord or my Guru Maharaj or my shiksha Guru, rather I feel the opposite that They are always near me and many a times I become conscious of  Their presence around me.

But recently I got a taste of the same medicine, albeit at  my own expense. My dear friend Sumeet Prabhu ji told me that he may be shifting to Singapore or Australia by the end of next year. Initially I absorbed it by thinking that’s life, we all meet and get separated. But as time passed I started feeling it. Since last 2 weeks whenever Prabhu ji calls me the only thing I can think of is that he is leaving and I feel upset, like a small child.

I can now appreciate `love in separation’ a bit. I pray to Lord that Vaishnava’s continue to shower their mercy on Sumeet Prabhu and he continues to get their association.

All glories to the ever merciful and softhearted devotees.

All glories to Srila Prabhpada for creating such a beautiful garden of devotees under ISKCON.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

From kanishtha adhikari society to madhyama adhikari society

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Hare Krishna

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I had gone to Punjabu Bagh temple last week and HG Rukmini Prabhu strongly advised to come and attend Friday and Saturday morning lectures in the temple, they will have a special guest from Chowpatty, Mumbai, HG Radha Gopinath Prabhuji. I never had the fortune to hear him before and listened to his lecture on Friday over internet. He spoke very well, analytically, sprinkled with humour,  one could absorb the message convincingly. Saturday, I had a special guest from Ujjain, HG Mukunda Prabhuji, we reached in time to attend Guru Puja  and then we were told that HG Radha Gopinath Prabhuji will be taking a special class.

With curiosity in my heart we reached a packed hall, ready for a presentation. HG Radha Gopinath Prabhuji started his presentation and for two hours we were in transcendental self introspection world.

He picked up a unique subject`From Kanishtha Adhikari society to Madhyama Adhikari Society’

In my humble opinion this seminar should be made mandatory in before we take Diksha.

I am sharing some main points below from the seminar. Please pardon my mistakes as I took all notes on my mobile phone as I went unprepared to attend a seminar.

Kanishtha Adhikari Society

1. Proper Vaishnava relations are not the norm.

2.  Contentiousness arising from Envy.

Prabhuji defined Jealously as burning inside and envy as acting on the jealously. E.g. King Chitreketu’s son was poisoned by the jealous queens.

We pull down others by telling misdeeds of others, gossiping, and then as the listeners are also kanishtha adhikaris they make a opinion that everyone is like this, having a dark side.

3. Vie with each other for prestige, power and perks.

4. Pretension of advancement for honour.

To judge a person by his title, administrative post, etc., real spiritual advancement is not the criteria.

5. No open and honest relation with God brothers.

If I share my weaknesses then I will not get respected, he/they will find out about my shortcomings and I may not be respected any more and so on. Such mentality curtails our spiritual growth

6. Concealing weakness, secretive mentality.

7. Remain aloof from real fellowships.

Feel alone, secluded.  Then the person start liking the  `outside’ atmosphere more as he sees people `outside’ don’t judge him.

8. Does not want to be preached due to fear of subordination.

9.  Eager to find faults, to reassure himself of his superiority.

As we can’t see a mole under our own nose, similarly we try to see faults in others to feel superior. Try to remain up by pulling others down so that we remain superior.

10.  Identifying spiritual advancement with organisational advancement.

Actually real leaders do not wish to become leaders.

11.  Lacking real spiritual assets, substitutes organisational elevation attained through cunning or political prowess.

Inceasingly Diksha has become a criteria for spiritual advancement or spiritual progress. Like a BSC certificate and not being utilised. Diksha is no doubt important but it should be taken as start of spiritual journey not the end. People can be advanced in spiritual life and may not yet taken Diksha.

12.  Intense competitive spirit.

How to overcome Kanishtha stage

1. Diligent and attentive Sadhna Bhakti

Not becoming a fair weather devotee, will do Bhakti when surroundings are suitable.

2.  Overcome false ego and envy.

3. Habitual negligence of Sadhna is fatal.

Especially for devotees who do lot of service.

Devotee’s heart compared to a ‘well’. We have to give but only if we ‘get’ by our Sadhna Bhakti. Service in no excuse for lack of Sadhna Bhakti.

4. Intense common commitment to our Sadhna is essential for creating and sustaining a madhyama society.

Sunday feast was started by Srila Prabhupada for this purpose so that we can all meet and share each other’s problems, realisations, etc.

Rising from Kanishtha to Madhyama

8 factors which helps a community to grow from Kanishtha to Madhyama

1.  Being conscious of needs and emotions of others.

a. Acknowledging someone exists and they have needs and emotions like us.

What I went through I won’t let others suffer it.

b.  we generally focus on our own needs, at the expense of others needs and emotions.

An ideal leader makes every subordinate feels important. When Haridas Thakur was dying Mahaprabhu said that His life will be shunya. Also the subordinate should take it humbly. Haridas Tahkur replied to Mahaprabhu that he is just an ant.

Physically: need defence

Mind : needs protsahan

Spirit : need self esteem

Sensitivity to the need of others.

C. Not conscious of offending or hurting others.

Samadarshina means where we get hurt we should feel the same for others as well.

How to give respect

Physical : dandavat

Speech: by calling them Sri , Prabhuji

Mental : kritagyata, thinking if his good qualities.

We can research what all Srila Prabhupada spoke about respect.

E.g. Srila Prabhupada said he was taught to pick and touch even a single piece of rice which would  fall on the ground as it is the mercy of Lord and it can’t be produced by humans. So he got that has a habit from childhood

Prahallad Maharaj always spoke respectfully to his father though he never listened to him.

D.  Developing skills of interpersonal dealings.

Eg. Becoming aware of how our behavior, attitudes and interaction affect others and correcting immediately if we found them to be negative. Leaders especially need to take care of this.

E. First step is to understand and admit that a problem exists.

F. Putting our self in other’s shoes; reflecting on other’s feelings.

2. Good communication

A.  Communication creates a communion ( spiritual fellowship) in a community.

Communis :

B. it is important because it creates and sustains and community.

C. Basis if social communication.

D. Honest communication achieves miracles

E. Without it, best philosophy cannot help build a lasting community.

Aspects of good communication

1. It must be two way. It gives strength

-or else it leads to dissatisfaction and rebellion

-We learn, because everyone has something to offer.

e.g. a leader is seeing a clean chair from the top where as a small child can see the dust under it. Everyone can and does add value.

2.  Listening is crucial. It should be

Non judgemental ( don’t speak or pass a judgement before we have listened )

Valuing the person ( taking action on the good suggestions)

Sympathising with him ( what happened , why do you feel like it ?? )

What is listening openly

Not giving up our discriminative ability.

Broad minded to be open to contrary view points.

Being non judgemental.

Listening with respect and. Empathy.

Integrity to respect others, wherever they are on the spiritual path.

Srila Prabhupada called the street vendor His Guru speaking via him when he suggested to print in a book rather than distributing pamphlets.

Rigid practice of KC , our self, with clear understanding of philosophy.

We preach and encourage without being a judge in their life.

Real communication is worth striving for, it is satisfying.

3. Appreciation and respect

It should be done by practice and respect

Its is said : Man sees the lips God sees the heart. or Man sees the result God sees the effort.

Every devotee is like a limb of Srila Prabhupada’s body. Small or big, all are important

Krishna appreciates all efforts whether done by  Hanuman or an ant.

If we are humble, we can see that all are offering as much service as we are.

This quality is very important for managers.

Partiality to devotees

a. Serious violence and create havoc.

Eg. Men and women , leaders and followers, renunciates & householders, other Guru’s disciples.

Srila Prabhupada said that ‘part politics will spoil everything. ‘

We will lose devotees

Solution : simple dose of honest appreciation by openly glorifying devotees.

This will improve out attitude to others and benefit those who hear it.

Always remember that every devotee is special.

Transcending individual differences

It is one of the most prominent focus of a community.

Appreciate variety brought to community by of each person.

Do not compare devotees with each other.

Individual differences.: not a threat to overcome but seen as a valuable add on.

What would happen if everyone is same, there is only type of fruit, all homes look same. In Russia Prabhuji could only get  potatoes and corrots as food, only one flower in two colors, he got bored eating the same things for weeks. It is Bhagawan’s Kripa that we are all different. Difference is the spice of enjoyment.

Facing differences without being critical is very crucial. It is central issue of our progress.

It will turn petty differences into progressive discussion

Do not make general statements like `He always talk negative.’

It will build bridges instead of increasing gaps.

It doesn’t mean ignoring natural differences of varna ashram and different roles

Appreciate differences between us as a gift. That is the specially of ISKCON.

They are all desiring to satisfying Krishna.

e..g. Krishna had both `left wing’ and `right wing’ gopis, they all added flavour to His pastimes and both were equally devoted to Him.

Solution.

Being committed to co- existence under Srila Prabhupada and preach others. We go on serving through thick and thin.

Honesty. A devotee is straight forward in behaviour.

Sometimes diplomacy is used for ‘preaching ‘ but most of the times it backfires.  ( slowly and  unknowingly it becomes a habit )

Prabhuji gave an example where one person approached a book distributor `Can I have the book  ‘prema sagar’ , the book distributor sold him Bhagavad Gita and later when asked why did he do it, he replied that `Prabhuji, all the Prema is in Bhagavad Gita.’ So one way it may be correct but the other person may feel cheated once he realises that he didn’t get what he wanted and may make a negative image about whole ISKCON.

Self examination

Community needs to be attentive to self improvement

Self critical , open and thoughtful to the feedback of others.

Not ignore feedback a. Don’t see it as antagonism or negativity, but a chance to improvement.

Vidur and Vibhishan classic examples whose advice was ignored both Dhritrashtra and Ravana lost everything.

Empathy

Only devotees can feel try empathy because they know nature of soul and its deviation

Resolving conflicts gracefully.

Conflicts are natural and unavoidable.

We must confront it , but with almost respect for each other.

Two brothers Sundh and Visundh ( I may have got the names incorrect),  they got a benediction that they could only be killed by each other, they were very close and defeated all the demi gods. In the end demi god arranged to send a tilakuttam kanya, to seduce them. They both fought over the girl and killed each other.

Desires are unlimited and resources are limited.

Say problem is mine and share it with other.

Conclusion

If we apply these practical with proper attitudes, we will see immediate difference around us.

Must be applied with resolution and determination.

It helps us to understand our strength and our shortcomings and limitations.

There is nothing revolutionary or novel in the above suggestions, we just have to understand their importance.

The importance of friendship and relationships is topmost.

In the last few minutes Prabhuji rushed through the presentation as time went flying but everyone listening attentively received the message loud and clear. I could only write that much over phone but I am sure you can request Punjabi Bagh temple to share the audio recording of the same from HG Sadhu Swarup Prabhuji (ssgd.gkg@gmail.com). HG Radha Gopinath Prabhuji also recommended  a 36 hour seminar on communication for everyone. I pray to  HG Rukmini Prabhuji to arrange it for the benefit of all the neophyte devotees like my own self.

My dandavat Pranam to HG Gopinath Prabhuji for giving me a big booster dose on such a wonderful subject and to HG Rukmini Prabhuji for arranging this seminar.

Please  listen/download the audio recording of the lecture from the below  link

http://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/sermon/26th-october-2013-seminar-on-kanishtha-society-to-madhyama-society

All glories to HG Radha Gopinath Prabhuji.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Japa workshop at Barsana 2012

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Hare Krishna.

This was last year winter, japa retreat 2012, Barsana, 1st December.

I was told very highly about this retreat by HG Vrajamohan Prabhu, my inquisitiveness got better of me and I went to attend the first two days. The whole retreat was managed very professionally and, surprisingly, most of the participants were foreigners.

I was told that if I attend this retreat then atleast for few months my japa will improve.

I had no idea who HH Sacinandana Swami and HG Bhurijan Prabhu were.

In the first Session HH Sacinandan maharaj introduced everyone and then the session started. In that closed hall, with Deities, maharaj, and all the other devotees, knowing that we were in Barsana, it took Maharaj just few hours to take us deep within the spiritual sea. It was transcendental. After 3 sessions it was like a transcendental deluge and a competition on who will shower more mercy on us, HG Bhurijana Prabhu or HH Sacinandan Maharaj.

I called up home on the second day and told my wife that I am not coming back for the next 6 days. I had just one set of clothes to wear and no warm clothes,which actually helped.

What they both spoke was pure nectar. The whole atmosphere in the retreat was so pure. I never knew such purity was possible in the material world. But then it was Barsana, Radha Rani’s place and who better to ask for Her mercy then HH Sacinandan Maharaj.

One session after another they made us drink nectar of Krishna’s Name, pastimes and qualities.

One day we had 12 hour continuous Kirtan where the star attraction was HH Indradyumna Swami Maharaj. I heard him for the first time, his kirtan took us to another realm altogether. Another surprise was Kirtan by HG Prasanta Mataji, she was so intense while singing and such purity. I immediately fell in love with her. My ideal Gurumata. I confessed it to her the last day also accepting that I was a gate crasher.

I did not know how those 12 hours of continuous kirtan passed, local ladies joined in as so many devotees danced in spiritual ecstasy outside the hall. We also had kirtan by local Vaishanava babaji, a wonderful style of kirtan. As a surprise, in the end, we had Braja children dressed as Radha, Krishna and gopis. They looked so beautiful, danced graciously, for those few moments I could imagine how young Krishna would be.

Then we had a 64 round day session at `Ter Kadamb’. Most of us did much more than that by 4pm. It gave me tremendous confidence to chant more rounds.

The retreat also brought another change within me. Each night the dinner we got was like a small portion of an appetizer or even less. Infact the first night I thought it was just a dry starter before the sumptuous dinner would be served. I was in for a mild shock when I found that it was the only dinner we will be served. I was told that a light dinner helps us get up early. Well, it indeed helped to get up early every morning. When I came back home I changed my dinner pattern to a very light dinner. It helps me get up early and also reduces my longing for food in general, not that I have conquered it.

I would strongly suggest that any one who is serious about his devotional journey should attend Maharaj’s retreat on japa and then Govardhan Parikarma. It is coming up again this winter, organised by VIHE, one can send a mail to vihe@pamho.net for more details.

My realisations from the retreat

1. I never knew what the taste or `ruchi’ in the Holy Name, the retreat let me taste it. I was always told that `ruchi’ only comes at a very later stage or once I get initiated but Maharaj made me taste it. I knew what to hanker for while doing my japa.

2. Our consciousness while doing the japa should be that of begging or praying to the Lord.

3. All offenses come from false ego and false ego can be dissolved by humility. Humility comes when soul cries from Krishna.

4.  I could never could never visualise how should I look up to Srimati Radharani,  I got a definition : `Karunamayi’.

(Karuna is something which falls on undeserving.)

This retreat was one of the best thing that happened in spiritual journey, and even today when I read my notes I can taste it in my heart. It was an amazing experience and I came back super charged with devotional energy.

All glories to HH Sacinandan Maharaj.

All glories to HG Bhurijan Prabhuji.

All glories to the Holy Name.

All glories to Karunamayi Radharani.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

There are no coincidences in Krishna Consciousness

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Hare Krishna.

I have never believed in coincidences nor took too much notice of them ever in my life.

But to my surprise I have found myself increasingly taking more hints than ever in my life. I wrote in brief about it in my earlier blog on Parmatama a few days back.  I am sharing the latest incident which happened on 19th Oct which made me share it again on this topic.

I am quite dunce, more so in taking hints and my wife can share a long list on this topic. Over the last one year I have been getting so many hints, and such broad ones, that I have no other option but to notice them. It is like someone is raising a flag in front of me to notice the obvious hint.

Be it a trip, a lecture, seeing Lord, the hints have started dropping in like never before.

Sumeet Prabhu called me up on 19th morning around 7.45am. He had just returned from USA was sharing his experience at Seattle temple and in general about our spiritual journey. During the conversation he spoke about HH Bhakti Tiratha Swami ji and then suggested  that I should read the book `Surrender’ by Maharaj. I replied with a lame yes but in my mind I thought I already have so many books to read and I don’t want to read too many books. Then the topic changed and we spoke about whether devotees should glorify each other or not. Inspite of good council by Sumeet Prabhuji in the past I stood on my ground that too much glorification among neophytes may lead to pride and then fall down. After talking for some time I requested Sumeet Prabhuji that I need to listen to the weekly lecture of HG Rukmini Krihsna Prabhuji over internet and we will meet on Sunday morning at the temple and catch up.

The lecture had already begun by the time I logged in and Prabhuji was speaking about envy. To my utter surprise after a few minutes HG Rukmini Prabhuji too talked about HH Bhakti Tiratha Swamiji and then asked the audience to read … what else… his book `Surrender’   ! I could not believe my ears. And then the next big surprise, after the lecture was a over a devotee asked prabhuji what should we do when we get appreciation or if someone over-glorify us. Prabhuji explained that it is all right  to accept glorification and we should accept it with proper etiquette. We should not reply that please don’t speak like this and then get into a verbal duel with the other person on how we don’t deserve it. He explained that glorification cleanses the speaker and it is also our seva to accept it, he quoted the words  Dadati Pratigrihnati, it is both accepting and giving . He explained that we should fold our hands and accept it, ensuring that we don’t get puffed up inside, we should then immediately transfer it to the Guru Paramapara. We should say `thank you so much that you could see this particular quality in me, it is all thanks to the mercy of Guru and Guru Parampara. Prabhuji explained that if we don’t allow the other person to speak then we stop other person’s cleansing and we too miss an opportunity to glorify Guru Parampara. It is win win for both provided we don’t `drink’ the glorification our own self.

The same evening HG Asit Prabhu spoke about … what else.. glorification of devotees among themselves, at the Gurgaon centre.

Now is there any way I could have missed the point ??

How merciful are all the Vaishanavas and how merciful is the sweet Lord who guides us repeatedly even when we ignore Him continuously. We all must learn to keep our internal ears tuned to the messages from the Lord. I have no idea how this tuning happened and I can take it as a causeless mercy of Guru Maharaj (how everything is happening so fast since I got initiated), HG Rukmini Krishna Prabhuji, HH Bhakti Madhurya swamiji, the wonderful devotees of Gurgaon, my sweet Lord and all the Vaishnavas whose heart is as soft as melted butter.

Or May be the most undeserving get most mercy. I remain most grateful and the only way I can hope to reciprocate is by praying that I get a chance to serve the Vaishanavas, ISKCON and my Guru Maharaj.

All Glories to Guru Parampara.

All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Dancing in front of Deities

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Hare Krishna,

Srila Prabhupada dances in front of the Deities at ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Manor, Lechmore Heath, Watford, UK. 1974.

Srila Prabhupada dances in front of the Deities at ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Manor, Lechmore Heath, Watford, UK. 1974.

In my initial years I used to wonder why, or even how, devotees dance after the morning Guru puja. I would place them as sentimental devotees, priding myself as the one who is here for the serious knowledge. I still remember, at Punjabi Bagh temple, some devotee would try to pull me in and I would reply with a lame shrug. Of course, I never danced in my whole life, was an introvert and on top of it I am gifted with two left feet.

Bewildered, one day I finally asked one senior devotees why do they dance ? I got the reply that dancing  is to please the Lord, that dancing in front of the Deities is recommended in the Vedas as well and is also part of bhakti. I was not convinced.

This changed over last 1 year. I slowly let go of my shyness to join in and my awkwardness about dancing steps and then came to a stage where I actually started to look forward to it and would happily jump in.

How much I have changed, I realised 2 week back, when at the Gurgaon centre, HG Haridas Thakur Prabhuji started a kirtan after the  morning Bhagavatam class. May be the prasadam was delayed or some other reason but I knew it was going to be a short kirtan.  After few minutes of listening I felt like dancing and not just dancing but jumping with joy. The kirtan was very melodious and Prabhuji always sings very well that but the surge in my heart was a new surprise, and shock, for me. In few seconds I felt that I would choke if I don’t start dancing immediately. I tried to stop myself as I could see everyone else was very nicely standing and clapping. I prayed let someone else start it and I looked around for any eye contact but to no avail. I had no idea how but I took the first step and then requested the devotees to join in, ever merciful, some devotees obliged and we dance for a few minutes.

Now at home or in most of the kirtans I always feel like dancing in front of the Lord, the feelings come like a big surge and I have to control myself to hold them, but mentally I dance and I dance – for the pleasure of the Lord  !

All glories to the most merciful Lord Jagannath.

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.

Lectures with deep philosophy

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Hare Krishna.

Till now, I would  always `judge’ devotees based on how they would give lectures. Similarly when some `simple’ lecture would be going on I would get impatient and would pray that Prabhu ji will soon discuss something important or `deep’. It is only recently that I realised how foolish I was, or rather I am, that most of the time the limitation is not with the speaker but with the listeners. An intelligent speaker always see who is the general audience, he then speaks according to what they can absorb rather than what only a few devotees can relish. I realised that the the austerity may be with the speaker who may wish to speak of deeper topics but has to control himself for the benefit of the majority of listeners. I touch my ears and promise myself never to judge devotees based on their lectures.

I also realised that  all the limitation is within me if I can’t get taste out of simple topics.

All glories to the ever merciful Vaishanavas.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am the taste of water…

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Hare Krishna.

Today morning as I went to the kitchen to drink my daily quota of  3 glasses of luke warm water I realised that although I long to drink water first thing in the morning yet I don’t bother about its taste, it has more or less become a routine for last few years. The only time I long for its taste is when I don’t get it, mostly when I am travelling and the room has just one half filled bottle, then I relish each gulp of water in the morning as I drink it carefully and long for more.

I think similar may be my current state of chanting . Every morning I get up, I get fresh and then I start my Japa. Of course, I first try to pay my obeisances before staring my Japa in a right consciousness and then begin with a force,  but once I complete my rounds or even in the middle of my rounds I chant mechanically, just hoping that I am atleast listening all syllables. I even wait for them to get completed so that I can start listening to some lecture.

Yes, over the years my no. of rounds have increased but still I am not chanting with taste. In fact I miss my early days where I used to do my japa in front of the altar with a ferocious concentration. At least the first 8-12 rounds were done with 110% of my heart into them.

By the mercy of Guru and Gauranga, I do get some taste when

1. I chant in the presence of the devotees, always very positive. May be I get conscious of everyone’s presence, may be the devotee’s presence help me focus better, it always works for me.

2.  When I chant in the temple, after mangal arti, the concentration and purity is at a different level altogether.

3.  When I chant in any of the `Dham’, I myself wonder at my concentration and the emotional connect.

kabe ha’be bolo se-dina amar
 aparadha ghuci, suddha name ruci,
krpa-bale habe hrdoye sancar
 
When, oh when will that day be mine? When my offenses ceasing, taste for the name increasing, when in my heart will your mercy shine? When, oh when will that day be mine?
All glories to Srila Bhaktivinod Thakura

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Paramatma in our heart

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Hare Krishna.

few days I was looking back at my short spiritual journey and wondering how so many bad vices are having less effect on me now. I know for sure that it is not that suddenly I have developed a great will power.

I realised that the major factor which helps me is my acceptance and acknowledgment that  Paramatama is sitting with in my heart.  It took me some time but once I started `experiencing’ Him it became very difficult for me to overlook Him. When I `do’ something which isn’t right then most of the times I become conscious that He is watching me `doing’ it. After a few `misses’ I could no longer ignore Him.

upadraṣṭānumantā ca
bhartā bhoktā maheśvaraḥ
paramātmeti cāpy ukto
dehe ’smin puruṣaḥ paraḥ

Yet in this body there is another, a transcendental enjoyer, who is the Lord, the supreme proprietor, who exists as the overseer and permitter, and who is known as the Supersoul.                (BG13.23)

I also realised that I can’t request Sri Radha Shyamsundar to enter my heart if They have to watch me doing all this monkey business.

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.

A Pure Vaishanava

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Radha-Govinda-Swami-w.172181728_std

Hare Krishna.

I have always been more interested in philosophy in my journey of Krishna consciousness, though I started a liking for `kathaa’  in the last few months. Some time back I downloaded a 7 day Bhagavad Katha by HG Sarvabhouma Prabhuji and during a conversation with Karuna Prabhuji, Punjabi Bagh temple, I shared with him how much I relished it. It was  full of nectar. He agreed with me and asked me if I have heard lectures of HH Radha Govind Maharaj. I replied in negative and prabhuji advised me to listen to his lectures some time.

I downloaded the lectures the next day and, well what can I say ……..my spiritual life was never the same again.

Maharaj’s lecture blew me with his simple language and yet a very deep understanding of Krishna consciousness. Listening to Maharaj’s `vani’ increased my enthusiasm to hear ‘Kathaa’ a thousand percent. I have no interest in philosophy any more. For me everything is in the ‘kathaa’ only ! Within a week I downloaded more than 50% of Maharaj’s lectures and listen almost an hour everyday without fail. Every single word he says sinks deep inside my heart.

We can hear and download Maharaj’s lectures at

http://audio.iskcondesiretree.info/index.php?q=f&f=%2F02_-_ISKCON_Swamis%2FISKCON_Swamis_-_R_to_Y%2FHis_Holiness_Radha_Govinda_Swami

One of the series I listened in the begining  was Bhishma Stuti. For me Bhishama stuti was always more of  `Jnana’ and I used to be confused on the role played by Bhishma. I can’t describe in words what that `kathaa’ did to my heart. Each single word was full of `rasa’. I pay my mental obeisance to Maharaj almost everyday and thank all the devotees who have put so many of his lectures on Iskcondesiretree.

I am listening to Akrur milan for last some days and my admiration for Maharaj, my love for Krishna and all His associates grow multi fold after listening to him every new day, such is the power Maharaj’s words have on my soul.

I have not had the fortune to meet Maharaj personally. I hope to take his darshan in the month of Kartik at Vrindavan. But every time I listen to him , his picture comes right across my eyes, smiling, cracking jokes and distributing love of Krishna to every single soul who is listening him. Maharaj’s language, his style, his respect for Srila Prabhupada, his hold on Sankrit, deep understanding of so many previous acharaya’s commentaries and poems, Mahaprabhu’s Leela and most of all his love for Krishna comes right into our ears and then sit inside our heart. I now know what does it mean when someone say that two ears are insufficient.

I feel Maharaj is one of the Brajawasi who is narrating sweet Krishna tales to an assembled group of innocent villagers. I simply love him. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for being so generous on unfaithful people like me and turning us into lovers of Krishna. I pray that Maharaj continue to spread Krishna Katha, in good health,  for many many years to come.

All Glories to HH  Radha Govind Maharaj.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.