Bhagavad-gita FATE Exhibit (transcript)

Setting the Stage

5000 years ago, at an ancient battlefield near what is now New Delhi, India, armies representing kingdoms from all over the world assembled for the greatest trial of arms in history. A family dispute over the throne had developed into a world-wide conflict between righteousness and tyranny.

Here between opposing armies, with friends and relatives on both sides, seeing brothers armed against brothers, the saintly Arjuna discloses his anguish to his intimate friend, who has assumed the role of Arjuna's chariot driver.

Arjuna: "Oh Krishna, seeing my friends and relatives present on both sides and ready to lay down their lives, my whole body is trembling, my mind is reeling. It would be better for the enemy to kill me, unarmed and unresisting, than for me to fight with them."

Krishna: "Oh Arjuna, give up such petty weakness of heart and arise, oh protector of the righteous."

Arjuna: "How can I fight these men? I prefer to live by begging than at the cost of their lives. Even though they are avaricious, I shall not fight!"

"Now I have lost all composure because of weakness. Now I surrender unto You, as your disciple. Please instruct me."

Krishna: "While speaking saintly words, you are mourning for what is not worthy of grief. Those who are truly wise lament neither for the living nor the dead. Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings. Nor in the future shall any of us cease to be. The soul is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, undying and primeval."

Narrator: "And thus, Krishna begins to explain the first instruction of the Bhagavad-gita: that the perishable body and the eternal soul are not the same.


Changing Bodies

Who are you? First, look at yourself. Look at your hands. Go ahead, have a good look. Are you your hand? Are you your face? Are you your body? Are you your mind?

Are you the center of the universe? Or merely a tiny, insignificant creature in a remote corner of creation? These questions have challenged mankind's greatest thinkers since the dawn of civilization.

We are surrounded by material elements. These are the same elements that make up the bodies of all living creatures. And then there is mind, intelligence and ego. And beyond all that, consciousness. This is not material; it is the soul.

By nature's invincible laws, each soul passes through progressively higher species of life, until it inhabits a human form.

The soul cannot be measured with any scientific instrument. Yet, this minute non-material entity, the soul, is so powerful, that it unceasingly activates each body throughout its entire lifetime. This tiny little spark of life thus moves from one body to another. This is called reincarnation.

It is not difficult to understand. Even in our own life we live in different bodies. Medical science has demonstrated that all of our cells are replaced every seven years, including even the brain.

On the battlefield, Krishna tells Arjuna:

"As the embodied soul continually passes in this body from childhood to youth to old age, the soul likewise passes into another body at death. ... The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change."

And there you are, the soul with a human body, and the chance to break through the cycle of birth and death.


The Precarious Condition of the Embodied Soul

Here we see the precarious condition of the embodied soul. The Bhagavad-gita gives us this illustration to help us understand in more detail the relationship between the body and the soul.

The horses are the senses: sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. The reigns are the mind. The driver is the intelligence, and the passenger is the soul. In most cases, the soul does not control the intelligence, which in turn becomes bewildered and cannot firmly guide the mind. The mind, like the slackened reigns, does not control the senses, which become wild. This is happening to us every day, when the senses are irresistibly drawn to the sense objects. Thus the soul is forced into dangerous and unpredictable states of consciousness.


Choices on the Path of Life

Man can control his destiny. As a spiritual being, he can choose, by the expression of his free will, his path of life.

If he chooses to descend the staircase in pursuit of temporary and flickering objects of the senses, external forces take control of him, and his free will becomes severely restricted. He comes under the law of karma. Karma is the subtle but stringent law of action and reaction which operates even in the realm of consciousness. Under that law, the consciousness of one on the downward path degenerates to become like that of an animal. Such a person reincarnates after death into lower than human life forms. This is the result of misuse of free will.

The upward path begins with the acceptance of spiritual guidance, and leads to the ultimate liberation of the soul from the bodily concept of life. Such a person perceives his pure soul and its relationship with God.


Equal Vision of the Sages

Ordinarily, we see all around us many diverse forms of life. However, a person on the spiritual path sees the soul, not the body, as the real self of every living being. The soul, which is by nature full of bliss and knowledge, is an emanation from the supreme soul, present along with the soul. The supreme soul becomes visible to the eyes of a sage. This higher perception was exemplified and taught by all seers of the truth such as Moses, Buddha, Christ, and Mohammed.

The sage who thus is freed from physical repulsion and attraction, sees all living beings with equal vision and becomes a genuine lover of the universe.

Who is that supreme soul who is within all creatures as the in-dwelling guide, witness, maintainer, and ultimate friend? Who is that who is situated within all things, and yet everything resides in Him?


Krishna's Transcendental Manifestations

The localized expansion of the supreme soul is a spiritual reflection of Krishna. In His original form, Krishna resides eternally in His own transcendental realm called Goloka. He assumes varieties of spiritually perfect forms and appears in the physical universe to curb the rise of materialism and tyranny, which obstruct the spiritual progress of humanity. He does this in many different ways, which are always good and just.

Matsya appears at the time of the great inundation.

Kurma, who prevented the demonic rulers from gaining dangerous powers.

Varaha challenged the vicious giant Hiranyaksha.

Narasimha annihilated Hiranyakashipu, the great oppressor of the innocent.

Vamana, who saved the world from the despot Bali.

Parashurama, the warrior priest who drove out the brutal martial class.

Rama, exemplifying a perfect monarch, who sacrificed His own happiness to uphold the principles of righteousness.

Krishna appeared Himself to display His unsurpassed, celebrated pastimes of love with His devotees.

Buddha, the royal prince who renounced His kingdom and taught religious principles in the form of non-violence.

Kalki, still to come, will herald the change of universal time.



God's Universal Form

Arjuna: "My dear Krishna, I know you dwell in the heart of every living being as the Supersoul, and that You manifest Yourself in many different incarnations. Though I see You here before me, I wish to know how You pervade this entire cosmic manifestation. If you think that I am able to behold this truth, kindly reveal it to me."

Krishna: "My dear Arjuna, you cannot see this universal self with your present eyes. Therefore, I now give you divine eyes."

"Behold My mystic opulences, which no one has ever seen or heard before. You will see that everything is contained within Me."

Arjuna: "Oh Krishna, I see within You all living beings. I see Brahma sitting on the divine lotus. I see Shiva, many sages, celestial serpents. I see many forms, bellies, mouths, eyes expanded without limit.

You are inexhaustible. You are the origin, without beginning, middle or end. You are spread throughout the sky, the planets, and all space between.

Oh universal Lord, I am losing my equilibrium. Seeing your radiant colors fill the sky and beholding Your eyes and mouths, I am afraid.

I see all life flowing from you, and rushing back with great speed into Your divine form. Covering the entire universe with your immeasurable rays, scorching the world, You are manifest.

Oh Lord of Lords, please tell me who you are in this fierce form. Please be gracious to me. I desire to know your purpose."

Krishna: "Time I am, the mighty destiny. I have come to change all things."

"Oh Arjuna, behold My mystic plan. Through My own wisdom and love the souls of this world ever journey towards their supreme destination, Me, who am the reservoir of all pleasure.

Arjuna: "Oh unbounded power, You are the father of this complete cosmic manifestation. No one can be greater than You, or equal to You. Although I am glad that You have shown me this form, yet fear disturbs me. Please bestow Your grace on me. Reveal again Your original form, oh abode of the universe!"

Krishna: "Let this horrible feature be finished. With a peaceful mind, you can now see My original form which is so dear to you."

"Oh Arjuna, only by undivided devotion can I be known as I am. Thus you can see me directly, sitting before you. Only in this way can you enter into the mysteries of understanding Me."


Ocean of Birth and Death

Imagine yourself adrift in the midst of the vast ocean. Even if you were the world's greatest swimmer, you would eventually drown, unless someone came to your rescue.

The material world is compared to a vast ocean, an ocean of birth and death. Souls trapped in this world cannot free themselves from the continuing cycle of birth and death. But they can be freed by the process of yoga.

Yoga means union with the supreme. This is the stage beyond all anxieties. Thus, the soul perfectly linked with the supreme soul through devotion is at once rescued from repeated birth and death by the mercy of Krishna.


Lord Chaitanya's Sankirtan Festival

According to Bhagavad-gita, Krishna descends in many forms and places. Here in Bengal, in the latter part of the 15th century, Krishna descended in the form of Lord Chaitanya. By His personal example, He delivered the essence of Bhagavad-gita, loving devotional service to God, or Bhakti-yoga, the most practical means of achieving self-realization in the present age. He inaugurated the Sankirtan Movement, chanting the Holy Names of Krishna.

Wherever Lord Chaitanya led His sankirtan festival, spontaneous love of God and profound spiritual knowledge blossomed in the hearts of the people. But Sri Chaitanya's compassionate concern for humanity was not limited to India. Thus, He made it easy for everyone to break through the cycle of birth and death, causing the ocean of love of God to overflow throughout the world, and now reach the shores of America.


Goloka - the Spiritual Realm

In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna promises that whoever perfectly and constantly meditates on Him, will ultimately come to Him. This is the highest evolution of the liberated soul: direct relationship with Krishna in His own planet.

This is Goloka, the spiritual realm. Here, in Krishna's abode, all water is nectar, every word is a song, and every step a dance.

Far from formless, the spiritual world is the origin of all form, emanating from the supreme form, Krishna. All forms here are eternal, fully conscious, and blissful.

Krishna is the original form, and the human form is the reflection of that form.

Here, standing on the bank of the Jamuna River with the exquisitely beautiful Radha at His side, Krishna smiles and plays His enchanting flute. He appears as the central attractive figure enjoying varieties of divine loving exchange with the whole spiritual world.

Every entity in the spiritual world, regardless of its particular form, enjoys full loving reciprocation with Krishna.

When the devotees, peacocks, swans, and all other living beings hear the sound of Krishna's transcendental flute, they swoon in ecstasy, and tears of love fall from their eyes.

All souls are potentially capable of reaching this state of love of God, and Krishna promises to help those who long for it. Those souls who follow the path of Bhakti yoga, devotional meditation, will at last evolve their original spiritual bodies.

All of us are parts of the supreme soul, Krishna, who is everlastingly beckoning us to return to His eternal abode.

Krishna's Wishlist

Sri Krishna expresses what He wants Arjuna to do, and all other parts and parcels of Him (like me), in the verses of His transcendental song, the Bhagavad-gita.

"Krishna consciousness is acting according to Krishna's order."  (Bhagavad-gita, 18.73 purport)

I'm starting to collect a list of Krishna's wishes so I can try to fulfill them.

Krishna's Wishlist

4:34: "Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth."

18.65: "Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage to Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."

Purport by Srila Prabhupada: "The most confidential part of knowledge is that one should become a pure devotee of Krishna and always think of Him and act for Him. One should not become an official meditator. Life should be so molded that one will always have the chance to think of Krishna. One should act in such a way that all his daily activities are in connection with Krishna. He should arrange his life in such a way that throughout the twenty-four hours he cannot but think of Krishna. And the Lord's promise is that anyone who is in such pure Krishna consciousness will certainly return to the abode of Krishna, where he will be engaged in the association of Krishna face to face. .. Everyone who follows the path of Arjuna can become a dear friend to Krishna and obtain the same perfection as Arjuna. .. Concentration of the mind on the form of Krishna constitutes the most confidential part of knowledge."

18:66: "Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me."

Purport: ".. Anything that does not lead to the perfectional stage of Krishna consciousness should be avoided. One should be confident that in all circumstances Krishna will protect him from all difficulties. There is no need of thinking how one should keep the body and soul together. Krishna will see to that. One should always think himself helpless and should consider Krishna the only basis for his progress in life."

18:68-70: "For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me. There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear. One who studies this conversation of ours worships Me by his intelligence."

Krishna's wishlist as Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu:

Trinad api sunicena... be more humble than a blade of grass in the street, more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige (honor), and ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind, chant the holy names of the Lord constantly.

Kirtaniya sadah harih... Chant Hare Krishna always, incessantly, without any other motive than to please Krishna.

Yare dekha tare kaha krsna-upadesa: wherever you go, whomever you meet, give them Lord Krishna's message.  (Cc. Madhya 7.128)

Prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama: In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard." (Caitanya-bhagavata, Antya 4.126)

Purport: .. The followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu may therefore take this movement seriously and broadcast it throughout the world, from village to village and from town to town, just as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself did." (Cc, Madhya, 25.264)

The bottom line: Take up Krishna consciousness and distribute it to everyone you meet.

Water on a Lotus Leaf

kamala dala jala, jivana tala mala... Life is tottering, like a drop of water on a lotus leaf, sings Govinda Dasa in Bhaja hu re mana.

Looking at the same picture, the materialist sees dollar signs, nano coatings, The Lotus Effect. Wonder cure to improve life in the material world. "You'll never have to clean again!" Non-stick windshields, clothing, furniture, cooking utensils.

The sage observes little drops of water, dancing precariously on a lotus leaf. Life's like that.

...bhajahu hari-pada niti re. Therefore let me always serve
the lotus feet of Lord Hari.

Cooked by Time

Lord Yamaraja, disguised as a Yaksha, once asked Maharaja Yudhisthira: ‘What is the most wonderful thing within this world?’

Maharaja Yudhisthira replied:

ahany ahani bhutani gacchantiha yamalayam
sheshah sthavaram icchanti kim ashcaryam atah param

“Hundreds and thousands of living entities meet death at every moment, but a foolish living being nonetheless thinks himself deathless and does not prepare for death. This is the most wonderful thing in this world.”

Yamaraja inquired further: Who in this world is happy?

Yudhisthira: He who is neither in debt nor exiled and who lives simply, eating simple food in his own home, is happy.

Yamaraja:  What are the tidings [news] of this world?

Yudhisthira:  The tidings are that in this world–—which is like a cauldron with the sun as its fire, days and nights as its fuel, and months and seasons as its wooden ladle—all creatures are being cooked by time.

Yamaraja: How can one find the eternal path of religion?

Yudhisthira: The eternal religious path is found only in the heart of great mystics.

Yamaraja: What makes the soul rise out of his entanglement in matter? Who keeps him company, who is his guide on that spiritual journey, and on what is he established?
 
Yudhisthira: It is knowledge of the Supreme Lord which makes the soul rise. Godly qualities are his companions, dharma is his guide, and he is established on truth.

Yamaraja: What makes one learned? How does one attain to that which is most exalted? How does one acquire a second self, and by what, O King, does one become wise?

Yudhisthira: One becomes learned by studying the Vedas. By asceticism one attains what is most exalted. Intelligence is like a second self, and serving one’s elders makes one wise.

(Mahabharata, Vana-parva 313.116)

The beautiful Srimad-Bhagavatam offers the following solace: (SB 2.3.17)

ayur harati vai pumsam
udyann astam ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-kshano nita
uttama-shloka-vartaya

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.

Purport by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada:

This verse indirectly confirms the greater importance of utilizing the human form of life to realize our lost relationship with the Supreme Lord by acceleration of devotional service. Time and tide wait for no man. So the time indicated by the sunrise and the sunset will be uselessly wasted if such time is not properly utilized for realizing identification of spiritual values. Even a fraction of the duration of life wasted cannot be compensated by any amount of gold. Human life is simply awarded to a living entity (jiva) so that he can realize his spiritual identity and his permanent source of happiness. A living being, especially the human being, is seeking happiness because happiness is the natural situation of the living entity. But he is vainly seeking happiness in the material atmosphere. A living being is constitutionally a spiritual spark of the complete whole, and his happiness can be perfectly perceived in spiritual activities. The Lord is the complete spirit whole, and His name, form, quality, pastimes, entourage and personality are all identical with Him. Once a person comes into contact with any one of the above-mentioned energies of the Lord through the proper channel of devotional service, the door to perfection is immediately opened. In the Bhagavad-gita (2.40) the Lord has explained such contact in the following words: "Endeavors in devotional service are never baffled. Nor is there failure. A slight beginning of such activities is sufficient even to deliver a person from the great ocean of material fears." As a highly potent drug injected intravenously acts at once on the whole body, the transcendental topics of the Lord injected through the ear of the pure devotee of the Lord can act very efficiently. Aural realization of the transcendental messages implies total realization, just as fructification of one part of a tree implies fructification of all other parts. This realization for a moment in the association of pure devotees like Shukadeva Gosvami prepares one's complete life for eternity. And thus the sun fails to rob the pure devotee of his duration of life, inasmuch as he is constantly busy in the devotional service of the Lord, purifying his existence. Death is a symptom of the material infection of the eternal living being; only due to material infection is the eternal living entity subjected to the law of birth, death, old age and disease.

.. The ultimate end of Vedic knowledge is realization of the Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, as stated in the Bhagavad-gita (vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah [Bg. 15.15]). .. 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. Mad-dhama gatva punar janma na vidyate. In other words, a devotee of the Lord is guaranteed eternal life. A devotee's old age or disease in the present life is but an impetus to such guaranteed eternal life.

Pleasing Sri Nama Prabhu

"Constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all .." (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.1.11)

In the purport, Srila Prabhupada elaborates on the ten offenses that should be avoided by chanters.

Three points that stood out:

- Consider all names of God as sacred. Quote: "Any nomenclature which is meant for the Supreme Lord is as holy as the others because they are all meant for the Lord. Such holy names are as powerful as the Lord, and there is no bar for anyone in any part of the creation to chant and glorify the Lord by the particular name of the Lord as it is locally understood."

- Don't commit sinful acts. Quote: "One may be a sinful man before chanting the holy name of the Lord, but after taking shelter in the holy name of the Lord and becoming immune, one should strictly restrain oneself from committing sinful acts with a hope that his method of chanting the holy name will give him protection."

- Don't use the Name in my service. Quote: "The eighth offense is to consider the holy name of the Lord and His chanting method to be equal to some material auspicious activity. There are various kinds of good works for material benefits, but the holy name and His chanting are not mere auspicious holy services. Undoubtedly the holy name is holy service, but He should never be utilized for such purposes. Since the holy name and the Lord are of one and the same identity, one should not try to bring the holy name into the service of mankind. The idea is that the Supreme Lord is the supreme enjoyer. He is no one's servant or order supplier. Similarly, since the holy name of the Lord is identical with the Lord, one should not try to utilize the holy name for one's personal service." (emphasis added)

http://vedabase.net/sb/2/1/11/en

Life, fame, success

LIFE


When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced.  Live your life in such a manner that when you die the world cries and you rejoice.  –Indian Saying

FAME

We should become famous as devotees of Krishna - that is real fame. –Srila Prabhupada

SUCCESS


Our measure of success should be, "How have I pleased Krishna today?" That's all. –Srila Prabhupada

Glitter like Gold

The following reminded me of the devotees on the festival tour, glittering like a gold ring engaged in service to Lord Jagannatha, who is like a shining diamond.

"The very phrase "Kṛṣṇa consciousness" suggests that those who are in such consciousness are living transcendentalists, situated in Him. The Lord says here distinctly, mayi te: "They are in Me." Naturally, as a result, the Lord is also in them. This is reciprocal. This also explains the words ye yathā māḿ prapadyante tāḿs tathaiva bhajāmy aham: "Whoever surrenders unto Me, proportionately I take care of him." This transcendental reciprocation exists because both the Lord and the devotee are conscious. When a diamond is set in a golden ring, it looks very nice. The gold is glorified, and at the same time the diamond is glorified. The Lord and the living entity eternally glitter, and when a living entity becomes inclined to the service of the Supreme Lord he looks like gold. The Lord is a diamond, and so this combination is very nice. Living entities in a pure state are called devotees. The Supreme Lord becomes the devotee of His devotees. ... Devotional service to the Lord is not an activity of this material world; it is part of the spiritual world, where eternity, bliss and knowledge predominate." --Bhagavad-gita Chapter 9, text 29

Traveling on Lord Jagannatha's festival tour is an opportunity to shine like gold and engage this soul, body, mind and senses in His blissful service.

Time is fleeting

Moment to moment, the present turns into the past.
Chandragupta's keeping track.
This soul has wasted yet another moment. And another.
Each moment wasted, my eternal loss.
Each moment engaged in Your service, my eternal gain.
Oh the value of each moment.

Time is fleeting.

By good fortune I find myself in this human form of life.
So many opportunities to engage in Your service.
Today, my dear Lord Krishna, please allow me,
moment to moment,
to engage this mouth in glorifying You and Your devotees,
these eyes in seeing You,
these ears in hearing about You,
these hands, legs, mind and intelligence in carrying out Your mission.

Time is fleeting.

Moment to moment, please allow me to hear
Your prodding from within
to choose to serve You in one of many wonderful and varied ways
You have provided for this restless soul.

Allow me to develop nishtha, firm faith in Your instructions that
if I simply surrender unto You, You will protect me.

Time is fleeting.

A minute's value

"Avyartha-kalatvam: a Krishna conscious person cannot bear to pass a minute of his life without being engaged in the service of the Lord." —Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 6.17, purport.

Welfare Work

Should I become an environmentalist? A peace corps worker in Romania? What about helping people become self-sufficient farmers in Ethiopia? Srila Prabhupada advises that if I want to help everyone in the world put an end to their suffering, I should take up the preaching of Krishna consciousness.  In his purport to Chapter 5, text 25, of Lord Krishna's Bhagavad-gita As It Is, he writes:

"Only a person who is fully in Krishna consciousness can be said to be engaged in welfare work for all living entities. When a person is actually in the knowledge that Krishna is the fountainhead of everything, then when he acts in that spirit he acts for everyone. The sufferings of humanity are due to the forgetfulness of Krishna as the supreme enjoyer, the supreme proprietor, and the supreme friend. Therefore, to act to revive this consciousness within the entire human society is the highest welfare work.

.. "A person engaged only in ministering to the physical welfare of human society cannot factually help anyone. Temporary relief of the external body and the mind is not satisfactory. The real cause of one's difficulties in the hard struggle for life may be found in one's forgetfulness of his relationship with the Supreme Lord."

Quotes from SB 7.1&2 - Hiranyakashipu, King of the Demons

One should always engage in Krishna-katha by chanting and talking about Krishna and hearing about Him. That is the only occupation of a Krishna conscious person. (SB 7.1.4-5, purport)

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Our only duty is to please the Supreme Godhead (samsiddhir hari-toshanam [SB 1.2.13]). Whatever we do and whatever our occupation, our main purpose should be to please the Supreme Lord. (SB 7.2.14, purport)

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All the living entities in this material world have come here only because they wanted to be equal to Krishna  in enjoyment and have thus been sent here to be conditioned by material nature in different degrees. In the material world a so-called family is a combination of several persons in one home to fulfill the terms of their imprisonment. As criminal prisoners scatter as soon as their terms are over and they are released, all of us who have temporarily assembled as family members will continue to our respective destinations. Another example given is that family members are like straws carried together by the waves of a river. Sometimes such straws mix together in whirlpools, and later, dispersed again by the same waves, they float alone in the water. (SB 7.2.21, purport)

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As the great Bengali Vaiṣṇava  poet, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita, has said:

piśācī pāile yena mati-cchanna haya
māyā-grasta jīvera haya se bhāva udaya

According to this statement from the Prema-vivarta, when a living entity is conditioned by material nature, he is exactly like a person haunted by a ghost. One should therefore understand the fixed position of the spirit soul and how he is carried away by the waves of material nature to different bodies and different situations under lamentation and hankering. One achieves the success of life when he understands the constitutional position of his self and is undisturbed by the conditions created by material nature .." (SB 7.2.23, purport)

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As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.84.13):

yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke
sva-dhīḥ kalatrādiṣu bhauma-ijya-dhīḥ
yat-tīrtha-buddhiḥ salile na karhicij
janeṣv abhijñeṣu sa eva go-kharaḥ

"A human being who identifies the body made of three elements as the self, who considers the by-products of the body to be his kinsmen, who considers the land of his birth worshipable, and who goes to a place of pilgrimage simply to bathe rather than to meet men of transcendental knowledge there, is to be considered like a cow or an ass." Although Hiraṇyakaśipu was a great demon, he was not as foolish as the population of the modern world. Hiraṇyakaśipu had clear knowledge of the spirit soul and the subtle and gross bodies, but now we are so degraded that everyone, including the exalted scientists, philosophers and other leaders, is under the bodily conception of life, which is condemned in the śāstras. Sa eva go-kharaḥ: [SB 10.84.13] such persons are nothing but cows and asses. (SB 7.2.24, purport)

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As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (18.61), īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāḿ hṛd-deśe 'rjuna tiṣṭhati: the Lord is present in the core of everyone's heart. Thus the Lord gives protection to everyone and gives the different types of bodies the living entity wants to enjoy. Everything is done by the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore one should not lament the birth and death of a living being, which have been arranged by the Supreme Lord. Lord Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (15.15), sarvasya cāhaḿ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaḿ ca: "I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness." One must act according to the direction of the Lord within the heart, but because the conditioned soul wants to act independently, the Lord gives him the facility to act and experience the reactions. The Lord says, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaḿ śaraṇaḿ vraja: [Bg. 18.66] "Give up all other duties and simply surrender unto Me." One who does not abide by the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is given the facility to enjoy this material world. Instead of restricting him, the Lord gives the conditioned soul the opportunity to enjoy so that by mature experience, after many, many births (bahūnāḿ janmanām ante [Bg. 7.19]), he will understand that surrender to the lotus feet of Vāsudeva is the only duty of all living beings. (SB 7.2.38, purport)

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Since everything is dependent on the free will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, our only duty is to surrender unto Him and seek His protection. (SB 7.2.40, purport)

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Even though we now seem neglected by the Lord, He is actually always alert to our activities. Under all circumstances, therefore, we should simply depend on the supremacy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus revive our intimate relationship with Him. We must depend upon the authority and control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.(SB 7.2.43, purport)

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The human form of body is valuable. One can use this body to go to the higher planetary systems, to Pitṛloka, or he can remain in this lower planetary system, but if one tries he can also return home, back to Godhead. This prowess is given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the Supersoul. Therefore the Lord says, mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaḿ ca: [Bg. 15.15] "From Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness." If one wants to receive real knowledge from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one can become free from bondage to repeated acceptance of material bodies. If one takes to the devotional service of the Lord and surrenders unto Him, the Lord is prepared to give one directions by which to return home, back to Godhead, but if one foolishly wants to keep himself in darkness, he can continue in a life of material existence. SB 7.2.46 purport

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The living entity is bound by the subtle body, consisting of the mind, intelligence and false ego. At the time of death, therefore, the position of the mind becomes the cause for the next body. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (8.6), yaḿ yaḿ vāpi smaran bhāvaḿ tyajaty ante kalevaram: at the time of death the mind sets the criteria for the spirit soul's being carried to another type of body. If a living being resists the dictation of the mind and engages the mind in the loving service of the Lord, the mind cannot degrade him. The duty of all human beings, therefore, is to keep the mind always engaged at the lotus feet of the Lord (sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayoḥ). When the mind is engaged at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, the intelligence is purified, and then the intelligence gets inspiration from the Supersoul (dadāmi buddhi-yogaḿ tam). Thus the living entity makes progress toward liberation from material bondage.   SB 7.2.47 purport

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The best course is to engage the mind in the service of the Lord, Hṛṣīkeśa, and thus feel real blissful life. 
SB 7.2.48 purport

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Yamarāja once asked Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, "What is the most wonderful thing within this world?"

Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira replied (Mahābhārata, Vana-parva 313.116):

ahany ahani bhūtāni
gacchantīha yamālayam
śeṣāḥ sthāvaram icchanti
kim āścaryam ataḥ param

Hundreds and thousands of living entities meet death at every moment, but a foolish living being nonetheless thinks himself deathless and does not prepare for death. This is the most wonderful thing in this world. Everyone has to die because everyone is fully under the control of material nature, yet everyone thinks that he is independent, that whatever he likes he can do, that he will never meet death but live forever, and so on. So-called scientists are making various plans by which living entities in the future can live forever, but while they are thus pursuing such scientific knowledge, Yamarāja, in due course of time, will take them away from their business of so-called research. SB 7.2.57

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Therefore the duty of those advanced in knowledge in human society is to study the constitutional position of the imperishable soul and not waste the valuable time of human life in merely maintaining the body and not considering life's real responsibility. Every human being should try to understand how the spirit soul can be happy and where he can attain an eternal, blissful life of knowledge. Human beings are meant to study these subject matters, not to be absorbed in caring for the temporary body, which is sure to change. No one knows whether he will receive a human body again; there is no guarantee, for according to one's work one may get any body, from that of a demigod to that of a dog. --SB 7.2.58 purport

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Thinking of Krishna, hearing the holy name of Krishna or hearing the pastimes of Krishna will make one pure, and then he will become a devotee. Our Krishna consciousness movement is therefore trying to introduce the system of somehow or other letting everyone hear the holy name of Krishna  and take Krishna's prasada. Thus one will gradually become a devotee, and his life will be successful. (SB 7.1.28-29, purport)

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In Kali-yuga, which is full of shudras and demons, the brahminical culture is lost and can be revived only by the chanting of the maha-mantra. Therefore the Krishna consciousness movement, or the Hare Krishna movement, has been inaugurated to revive brahminical culture very easily so that people may become happy and peaceful in this life and prepare for elevation in the next. .. "O King, the demons think that Hari, Lord Vishnu, exists because of the brahmanas and yajna, but factually Hari is the cause of everything including the brahmanas and yajna." Therefore, through the popularizing of hari-kirtana, or the sankirtana movement, the brahminical culture and kshatriya government will automatically come back, and people will be extremely happy. (SB 7.2.11, purport)

Barometer of my spiritual health

I have recently been accused of practicing on a lower level of bhakti, adhama bhakti, desiring some profit by engaging in motivated devotional service.

I have been reminded that pure devotional service is defined by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and repeated by Srila Rupa Goswami as:

anyabhilasita-sunyam
jnana-karmady-anavrtam
anukulyena krsnanu-
silanam bhaktir uttama

"When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all material desires, knowledge obtained by monistic philosophy, and fruitive actions. The devotee must constantly serve Krsna favorably, as Krsna desires." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 19.167)

I looked up this verse in CC and eagerly read the purport. Srila Prabhupada explains that Krishna desires that we think of Him always (BG 9.34 and 18.65) and that we preach Lord Krishna's glories, without any selfish motives.

In further purports in this blissful succession of verses wherein Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu explains the science of Krishna consciousness to Srila Rupa Goswami, Srila Prabhupada explains that even practicing devotional service with the desire to get out of the material world is "motivated" and not pure.

Back to the accusation that I am practicing on a low level of bhakti.

I was recently sitting across from a devotee during lunch prasadam at the temple. I asked him if he knew of any devotee who was good at carpentry work to help convert the Krishna Culture Festival Tour bus. He named several experts who charge only so much per hour. I then clarified that I am volunteering my time and that I was looking for volunteers, who might volunteer a couple of hours on a weekend, to which he responded "Oh, I don't know about that. Good luck."

Is this a sign of the times? In general, volunteering my time for devotional service without anything in exchange may be a barometer of  my spiritual health, especially given that I belong to a movement that professes to practice and give to others the science of pure devotional service, Krishna consciousness.

How often do I volunteer my time for Krishna without any selfish motive? That means no money, no recognition, nothing in return but the satisfaction of engaging in an activity that I know pleases my spiritual master and Krishna?

Another purport I recently read in the Bhagavad-gita explained that a devotee may work all day in a factory or at a business, and at the end of the day he gives everything he earns for the benefit of the Krishna consciousness movement, for spreading Krishna consciousness. Such a devotee is as good as a sannyasi.

Barometer of my spiritual health:

- How much time do I volunteer for Krishna?
- How much of my hard-earned money do I give to projects that spread Krishna consciousness?
- How much of my day do spend absorbing my mind in thinking of Krishna?

man-manah bhava mad bhakto...



(And when will I give up this illusion of "my time," "my money," "my mind"? - it all belongs to You, Krishna.)

Who Should Become Guru?

Quotes from His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

761210DB.HYD Lectures

"So we got this information from His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, and that knowledge is still going on. You are receiving through his servant. And in future the same knowledge will go to your students. This is called parampara system. Evam parampara prap… It is not that you have become a student and you’ll remain student. No. One day you shall become also guru and make more students, more students, more. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission, not that perpetually… Yes, one should remain perpetually a student, but he has to act as guru. That is the mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is not that because I am acting as guru, I am no longer student. No, I am still student. Caitanya Mahaprabhu taught us this instruction that we shall always remain a foolish student before our Guru Maharaja. That is the Vedic culture. I may be very big man, but still, I should remain a foolish student to my guru. That is the qualification. Guru more murkha dekhi’ karila sasana. We should be always prepared to be controlled by the guru. That is very good qualification. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah. Ara na kariha mane asa. So we should become always a very obedient student to our guru. That is the qualification. That is the spiritual qualification."

660729BG.NY Lectures

"There is no consideration of material impediment. So it is open for everyone. Catur-varnyam maya srstam. That is a chance given, that you can become a brahmana, you can become a great devotee of Lord Krsna, and you can become the spiritual master of the world. That is the… And I think you should take seriously."

750406CC.MAY Lectures

"And to become acarya is not very difficult. First of all, to become very faithful servant of your acarya, follow strictly what he says. Try to please him and spread Krsna consciousness. That’s all. It is not at all difficult. Try to follow the instruction of your Guru Maharaja and spread Krsna consciousness. That is the order of Lord Caitanya."

680817VP.MON Lectures

"Now, this spiritual master’s succession is not very difficult. Of course, my students, they offer me so much respect, but all these respects are due to my spiritual master. I am nothing. I am just like peon. Just like peon delivers one letter. He is not responsible for what is written in that letter. He is not responsible for what is written in that letter. He simply delivers. But a peon’s duty is that he must sincerely carry out the order of the postmaster and deliver the letter to the proper person. That is their duty. Similarly, this parampara system is like that. Every one of us should become a spiritual master because the world is in blazing fire. (aside:) You can give them prasadam. Now, of course, time is very high. So to understand the spiritual master… Spiritual master is not a new invention. It is simply following the orders of the spiritual master. So all my students present here who are feeling so much obliged… I am also obliged to them because they are helping me in this missionary work. At the same time, I shall request them all to become spiritual master. Every one of you should be spiritual master next. And what is their duty? Whatever you are hearing from me, whatever you are learning from me, you have to distribute the same in toto without any addition or alteration. Then all of you become the spiritual master. That is the science of becoming spiritual master. Spiritual master is not any… To become a spiritual master is not very wonderful thing. Simply one has to become sincere soul. That’s all. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh. In the Bhagavad-gita it is said that "By disciplic succession this yoga process of Bhagavad-gita was handed down from disciple to disciple. But in course of time that disciplic succession is now lost. Therefore, Arjuna, I am teaching you again the same philosophy."

Songs Purport to Sri-Sri-Gurvastakam 690102PU.LA

We should always remember that the spiritual master is in the disciplic succession. The original spiritual master is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He blesses his next disciple, just like Brahma. Brahma blesses his next disciple, just like Narada. Narada blesses his next disciple, just like Vyasa. Vyasa blesses his next disciple, Madhvacarya. Similarly, the blessing is coming. Just like royal succession–the throne is inherited by disciplic or hereditary succession–similarly, this power from the Supreme Personality of Godhead has to receive. Nobody can preach, nobody can become a spiritual master, without obtaining power from the right source. Therefore the very word, it is stated here, praptasya. Praptasya means "one who has obtained." Praptasya kalyana. What he has obtained? Kalyana. Kalyana means auspicity. He has received something which is auspicious for all the human kind. Praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya. Here is another example. Gunarnava. Arnava means ocean, and guna means spiritual qualities. Just like the same example is going on. It is very nice poetry. There is nice rhethorics and metaphor. The example is set, blazing fire, and it is to be extinguished with the cloud. And wherefrom the cloud comes? Similarly, wherefrom the spiritual master receives the mercy? The cloud receives his potency from the ocean. Therefore the spiritual master also receives his power from the ocean of spiritual quality, that is, from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya. Such kind of spiritual master, one has to accept, and vande guroh sri-caranaravindam, and one has to offer his respectful obeisances to such authorized spiritual master. (end)

710718RC.DET Conversations

"Prabhupada: Yes. All of them will take over. These students, who are initiated from me, all of them will act as I am doing. Just like I have got many Godbrothers, they are all acting. Similarly, all these disciples which I am making, initiating, they are being trained to become future spiritual masters."

770415rc.bom Conversations

"Prabhupada: "Like father, like son." You should be. Gaurangera bhakta…, jane. Everyone. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, amara ajnaya guru hana tara’ ei desa. He asked everyone, "Just become guru." Follow His instruction. You become guru. Amara ajnaya. Don’t manufacture ideas. Amara ajnaya. "What I say, you do. You become a guru." Where is the difficulty? "And what is Your ajna?" Yare dekha tare kaha krsna-upadesa. Bas. Everything is there in the Bhagavad-gita. You simply repeat. That’s all. You become guru. To become a guru is not difficult job. Follow Caitanya Mahaprabhu and speak what Krsna has said. Bas. You become guru."

750302BA.ATL Lectures

"So you are hearing this philosophy daily. Try to understand more and more. We have got so many books. And this is the mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and, by disciplic succession, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, then my spiritual master. Then we are trying our level best. Similarly, you will also try your level best on the same principle. Then it will go on. Same principle. It doesn’t matter whether one is born in India or outside India. No. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, prthivite ache yata nagaradi-grama, “As many towns and cities and villages are there,” He did not say it to make a farce. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So sometimes I am very much criticized that I am making foreigners a brahmana. The caste brahmanas in India, they are very much against me. But this is not fact. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that all over the world His message will be broadcast, does it mean that it will be simply a cinema show? No. He wanted that everyone should become perfect Vaisnava. That is His purpose."

720518AR.LA Lectures

"So we have got this message from Krsna, from Caitanya Mahaprabhu, from the six Gosvamis, later on, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Bhaktisiddhanta Thakura. And we are trying our bit also to distribute this knowledge. Now, tenth, eleventh, twelfth… My Guru Maharaja is tenth from Caitanya Mahaprabhu, I am eleventh, you are the twelfth. So distribute this knowledge. People are suffering. They are simply fighting on some false thing, maya. They should be given the real fact of happiness."

68-12-03 Letter: Hamsaduta

"Next January there will be an examination on this Bhagavad-gita. Papers will be sent by me to all centers, and those securing the minimum passing grade will be given the title as Bhakti-sastri. Similarly, another examination will be held on Lord Caitanya’s Appearance Day in February, 1970 and it will be upon Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita. Those passing will get the title of Bhakti-vaibhava. Another examination will be held sometimes in 1971 on the four books, Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, and Nectar of Devotion. One who will pass this examination will be awarded with the title of Bhaktivedanta. I want that all of my spiritual sons and daughters will inherit this title of Bhaktivedanta, so that the family transcendental diploma will continue through the generations. Those possessing the title of Bhaktivedanta will be allowed to initiate disciples. Maybe by 1975, all of my disciples will be allowed to initiate and increase the numbers of the generations. That is my program. So we should not simply publish these books for reading by outsiders, but our students must be well versed in all of our books so that we can be prepared to defeat all opposing parties in the matter of self-realization."

Pebbles and Stones

A life-changing experience climbing a mountain on the bus tour.

My dear friends, fellow bus tourees, today we will have an extra ordinary adventure, climbing this mountain. It will be a life-changing experience for many of you, especially if you succeed and make it to the top. Once we reach the top, we will discuss some essential instructions from Bhagavad-gita that will hopefully stay with you for the rest of your life – as they will be deeply engrained upon your conscious memory through this exercise.

Are you ready to have this experience?

Here are the simple instructions. Everyone please take with you your backpack, along with sufficient water, some prasadam snacks, your japa beads, and your Bhagavad-gita.

Along the way, as we climb the mountain path, please collect as many pretty-looking pebbles and stones as you can find and carry. Stuff your pockets. Stuff your back packs. When we get to the top, you will use your pebbles and stones in a very important exercise and discussion about the future of your life.

As we progress up the mountain, please stop from time to time and wait for others to catch up who are slower than you. During the times when you stop to wait for others, please re-hydrate, eat a little snack, and feel free to search for some extra special pebbles and stones that will distinguish your collection from others.

(Halfway up the mountain… )

So, let’s take a look. How are you all doing? Tell me about your collections… Nice.

(At the top of the mountain…)

Okay, you’ve made it! Congratulations! Welcome to the top of this grand mountain on planet Earth, a small speck on Krishna’s universal form.

How was it? What were some of your challenges? Did you feel like turning back at any time? What strategies did you employ to convince your mind to keep on going?

Life is like that sometimes… success often means to keep on going along a good path, even when the going gets tough. But that’s not the main point we came up here to talk about.

You’re probably wondering by now about the grand significance of your collection of pebbles and stones. Please go ahead and pile them up in front of you so we can all see and admire them.

Would anyone like to share about the glories of their collection? Any pebbles or stones that stand out from the rest and are particularly interesting?

(After some comparison…)

The riddle revealed.

Please take out your Bhagavad-gitas and turn to Chapter 6, text number 8.

Would someone like to read the verse, translation and purport? Please listen carefully – as if your life depended on what is about to be said. This book is over two million years old… about as old as this mountain, and is still relevant today. So it’s very special. Observe intense silence so you catch every word of what Lord Krishna is saying, and what Srila Prabhupada explains in the purport.

jnana-vijnana-triptatma
kuta-stho vijitendriyah
yukta ity ucyate yogi
sama-loshtrasma-kancanah

SYNONYMS
jnana -- by acquired knowledge; vijnana -- and realized knowledge; tripta -- satisfied; atma -- a living entity; kuta-sthah -- spiritually situated; vijita-indriyah -- sensually controlled; yuktah -- competent for self-realization; iti -- thus; ucyate -- is said; yogi -- a mystic; sama -- equipoised; loshtra -- pebbles; asma -- stone; kancanah -- gold.

TRANSLATION
A person is said to be established in self-realization and is called a yogi [or mystic] when he is fully satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge and realization. Such a person is situated in transcendence and is self-controlled. He sees everything -- whether it be pebbles, stones or gold -- as the same.

PURPORT
Book knowledge without realization of the Supreme Truth is useless. This is stated as follows:

atah sri-krishna-namadi
na bhaved grahyam indriyaih
sevonmukhe hi jihvadau
svayam eva sphuraty adah

"No one can understand the transcendental nature of the name, form, quality and pastimes of Sri Krishna through his materially contaminated senses. Only when one becomes spiritually saturated by transcendental service to the Lord are the transcendental name, form, quality and pastimes of the Lord revealed to him." (Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu 1.2.234)

This Bhagavad-gita is the science of Krishna consciousness. No one can become Krishna conscious simply by mundane scholarship. One must be fortunate enough to associate with a person who is in pure consciousness. A Krishna conscious person has realized knowledge, by the grace of Krishna, because he is satisfied with pure devotional service. By realized knowledge, one becomes perfect. By transcendental knowledge one can remain steady in his convictions, but by mere academic knowledge one can be easily deluded and confused by apparent contradictions. It is the realized soul who is actually self-controlled, because he is surrendered to Krishna. He is transcendental because he has nothing to do with mundane scholarship. For him mundane scholarship and mental speculation, which may be as good as gold to others, are of no greater value than pebbles or stones.




Now please turn to Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 13, texts 8-12.

Humility; pridelessness; nonviolence; tolerance; simplicity; approaching a bona fide spiritual master; cleanliness; steadiness; self-control; renunciation of the objects of sense gratification; absence of false ego; the perception of the evil of birth, death, old age and disease; detachment; freedom from entanglement with children, wife, home and the rest; even-mindedness amid pleasant and unpleasant events; constant and unalloyed devotion to Me; aspiring to live in a solitary place; detachment from the general mass of people; accepting the importance of self-realization; and philosophical search for the Absolute Truth — all these I declare to be knowledge, and besides this whatever there may be is ignorance.


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So what is being said here? Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, our Dearmost Friend and Eternal Well-wisher, is giving us some advice on what is valuable in life, and what is not.

Self-realization, transcendental knowledge (about our eternal relationship with Krishna), realized knowledge (Krishna consciousness and devotional service) is valuable, and as Srila Prabhupada explains in the purport of the first verse we read, the association of a Krishna conscious person who has realized knowledge being satisfied with pure devotional service. This is the most valuable thing. This is the secret of success. THE SECRET!  Now you know.

Because we are eternal spiritual living entities, by constitution joyful in service to Krishna, our temporary entrapment in these temporary bodies in this temporary material world on this temporarily manifest mountain in this temporarily manifest country is … temporary, transient, will end soon, and is therefore of not much importance in the grand scheme of our eternal life and relationship with Krishna.

Mundane scholarship – what is mundane scholarship in this context? Everything we learn about the ways and means of this temporary world, how to manipulate this world, how to do business in this world, how to make lots of money and exploit others in this temporary material world… how to enjoy temporary sense gratification in this world… this is mundane scholarship, or ignorance (according to the second verse we read.) All that relates to the temporary nature of this world, which is compared elsewhere in the Bhagavad-gita to a prison house meant to reform us truant living entities. The knowledge of how to live happily in this prison house is mundane scholarship, or ignorance. Everything we learn in public school, high school, college, has only to do with this temporary body and mundane world and how to stay here and exploit it for temporary sense gratification. This is mundane scholarship.

The devotee of Krishna, by engaging us in pure devotional service, gives us the way and the means out of this temporary existence, the way out of this prison house, placing us back into our eternal life of bliss and knowledge, serving our beautiful Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Krishna, the divine couple. The Bhagavad-gita, spoken by Lord Krishna Himself, is the most valuable book in this world – our most prized possession – because it contains the entire science of Krishna consciousness – all there is to know that is of real importance, in one beautiful, concise book. Imagine if God sat down to write a book and somehow you got a hold of that book. What would you do with it?

In contrast, all the riches, gold and mundane knowledge of this material world are compared to pebbles and stones. And how proud we are of our collection of pebbles and stones.

Now, with your permission, I’d like to expand on what we heard earlier, about Krishna Consciouseness being the MOST VALUABLE THING. I’d like to share with you a very special dialogue of Questions and Answers between Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Ramananda Raya on this topic. If you pay close attention, these words can forever change your life. Seriously and sincerely. Please listen with rapt attention.

Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, Madhya 8.244-260:  Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked the questions, and Sri Ramananda Raya gave the answers. In this way they were engaged in discussion throughout the night.

On one occasion the Lord inquired, "Of all types of education, which is the most important?" Ramananda Raya replied, "No education is important other than the transcendental devotional service of Krishna."

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then asked Ramananda Raya, "Out of all glorious activities, which is the most glorious?" Ramananda Raya replied, "That person who is reputed to be a devotee of Lord Krishna enjoys the utmost fame and glory."

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "Of the many capitalists who possess great riches, who is the topmost?" Ramananda Raya replied, "He who is richest in love for Radha and Krishna is the greatest capitalist."

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "Of all kinds of distress, what is the most painful?" Sri Ramananda Raya replied, "Apart from separation from the devotee of Krishna, I know of no unbearable unhappiness."

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then inquired, "Out of all liberated persons, who should be accepted as the greatest?" Ramananda Raya replied, "He who has love for Krishna has attained the topmost liberation."

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu next asked Ramananda Raya, "Among many songs, which song is to be considered the actual religion of the living entity?" Ramananda Raya replied, "That song describing the loving affairs of Sri Radha and Krishna is superior to all other songs."

Then Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "Out of all auspicious and beneficial activities, which is best for the living entity?" Ramananda Raya replied, "The only auspicious activity is association with the devotees of Krishna."

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "What should all living entities constantly remember?" Ramananda Raya replied, "The chief objects of remembrance are always the Lord's holy name, qualities and pastimes."

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu further inquired, "Out of many types of meditation, which is required for all living entities?" Srila Ramananda Raya replied, "The chief duty of every living entity is to meditate upon the lotus feet of Radha and Krishna."

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "Where should the living entity live, abandoning all other places?" Ramananda Raya replied, "He should live in the holy place known as Vrindavana or Vrajabhumi, where the Lord performed His rasa dance."

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "Out of all topics people listen to, which is best for all living entities?" Ramananda Raya replied, "Hearing about the loving affairs between Radha and Krishna is most pleasing to the ear."

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "Among all worshipable objects, which is the chief?" Ramananda Raya replied, "The chief worshipable object is the holy name of Radha and Krishna, the Hare Krishna mantra."

"And what is the destination of those who desire liberation and those who desire sense gratification?" Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked. Ramananda Raya replied, "Those who attempt to merge into the existence of the Supreme Lord will have to accept bodies like those of trees. And those who are overly inclined toward sense gratification will attain the bodies of demigods."

Ramananda Raya continued, "Those who are devoid of all transcendental mellows are like the crows that suck the juice from the bitter fruits of the nimba tree of knowledge, whereas those who enjoy mellows are like the cuckoos who eat the buds of the mango tree of love of Godhead."

Ramananda Raya concluded, "The unfortunate empiric philosophers taste the dry process of philosophical knowledge, whereas the devotees regularly drink the nectar of love of Krishna. Therefore they are the most fortunate of all."

In this way Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya passed the whole night relishing the mellows of krishna-katha, topics about Krishna. While they were chanting, dancing and crying, the night ended.

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Discussion. What are your thoughts about this topic so far?

(At the end of the discussion.)

So now, what I’d like you all to do, is to slowly make your way back down this mountain and give your prized collection of pebbles and stones, which you endeavored so hard to acquire on the way up, a proper and deserving resting place, appropriate to their value. I’d like to you to take them one by one, as you slowly walk down the mountain, and meditate on each as you throw it into the wind, by the wayside…  meditate how each of these pebbles and stones represents some mundane knowledge and scholarship that you may have acquired, that you may have been particularly proud of, and of what value it is, ultimately, in the grand scheme of things. Send your pebbles and stones into the wind – bidding farewell to those things that you once thought were of value… and keep close to you your copy of Bhagavad-gita, your guidebook to Krishna consciousness – REAL LIFE - and cherish it. Read it. Study it. Memorize it backwards and forwards. This beautiful gift of Transcendental Knowledge - Krishna consciousness, spoken by Lord Krishna Himself, is of real value in this world. Along with the association of  Krishna conscious devotees who can engage our bodies, minds and senses in Krishna’s pure devotional service.

Is it clear? Don’t throw the pebbles and stones all out at once. Please do this mindfully, with concentration. Meditate on each pebble as you give it back to the mountain you took it from, and think about its significance, and which aspect of mundane knowledge, education and scholarship it represents for you. Think about the statements of Lord Krishna and the wise yogis… who compare mundane education and scholarship and even all the gold in this prison house material world (i.e. material wealth, money and riches) to nothing more valuable than pebbles and stones.

Think about the temporary nature of success and achievements in this material world. Think about how you’ve been here for millions of lifetimes and how in this one life, you have been blessed with transcendental knowledge and the association of devotees of Krishna. In this life you have a chance to stop the cultivation of ignorance, darkness, and take to the process of Krishna consciousness, full of light and eternal bliss. Count your blessings as you rid yourself of your material possessions, your pebbles and stones, the baggage weighing you down.

See you at the bottom of the mountain with your Bhagavad-gitas… and a little bit more self-realized by the time you get back on the bus.

Krishna Consciousness

krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih


... "In another poetry Rupa Gosvami says, krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih kriyatam yadi kuto 'pi labhyate. The, our this Krsna consciousness, I have taken this from this word krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih. This is actual translation in Sanskrit or... Krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih. So Rupa Gosvami advises that "Krsna consciousness, if it is possible, please purchase. Don't delay." Krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih kriyatam. "Purchase immediately!" Krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih kriyatam yadi kuto 'pi. "Where it is available? It is very nice thing." "Yes, it is available. You can purchase. The movement is going on." "And what is the price?" "Price?" "It is such a nice thing; you have to pay price." "Yes, there is price." "What is that?" Tatra laulyam ekalam mulyam: "Simply your eagerness. That is price. This price you have to pay." Then you get Krsna. Immediately. Krsna is not poor. And the Krsna-seller, the Krsna devotee, he is also not poor. He can distribute Krsna free. And he's doing that. Simply you have to purchase by your eagerness. That is wanted. Tatra laulyam." --Srila Prabhupada


http://www.prabhupadavani.org/main/Bhagavatam/028.html 

Becoming Krishna Conscious

(These are quick notes that have not yet been properly edited. I'm just placing this text here so I'll be able to easily reference it in the future.)

We would like to start a regular get-together with our youth group to discuss and study the following topics:

Becoming Krishna Conscious


How to:

1) Think of pleasing Krishna, moment to moment.

2) Chant Krishna's names constantly, attentively, avoiding offenses.

3) Serve Krishna's Devotees--Guru, Tulasi, Vaishnavas.

4) Serve Krishna's Deity, Temple and Holy Places.

5) Serve (read / study) Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, etc.

6) Spread Krishna's Glories: Tell everyone you meet about Krishna.

Motto: Be Krishna Conscious: Always Remember Krishna and Never Forget Him.


We will systematically study and discuss The Nectar of Instruction, Srila Prabhupada's translation and commentary of Srila Rupa Goswami's Sri Upadeshamrita, alongside The Nectar of Devotion (Sri Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu), Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad-Bhagavatam and Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita.


We will discuss the benefits of following, and try to implement in our own lives:

The Krishna Diet

Hear about Krishna - Shravanam.
Glorify Krishna - Kirtanam.
Remember Krishna - Krishna Smaranam.
Serve Krishna's Lotus Feet - Pada Sevanam.
Worship Krishna - Archanam.
Offer prayers to Krishna - Vandanam.
Become Krishna's servant - Dasyam.
Consider Krishna to be your best friend  - Sakhyam.
Surrender everything unto Krishna (serve Krishna with body, mind and words) - Atma-nivedanam.

Prahlada Maharaja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Vishnu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words) -- these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Krishna through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.5.23)


More specifics:

We will try to:

Study, become mindful of, and avoid the various offenses to the Holy Name, to the Deity... (See Nectar of Devotion.)

Mold our lives to work for Guru and Krishna. We will ask ourselves at the end of each day, "Have I pleased Guru / Krishna today?" That will be our measure of success.

Feed our bodies only Krishna Prasadam (that includes all sensory input, including food, music, movies, association.)

Avoid the six vices. Lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness, envy.

Avoid / reject those things unfavorable to devotional service of Krishna. Such as: 1) eating more than necessary or collecting more funds than required; (2) overendeavoring for mundane things that are very difficult to obtain; (3) talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters; (4) practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following them and not for the sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically; (5) associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Krishna consciousness; and (6) being greedy for mundane achievements. (NOI 2)

Accept those things favorable. Such as: (1) being enthusiastic, (2) endeavoring with confidence, (3) being patient, (4) acting according to regulative principles (such as shravanam, kirtanam, vishnoh smaranam [SB 7.5.23] — hearing, chanting and remembering Krishna), (5) abandoning the association of non-devotees, and (6) following in the footsteps of the previous ācāryas. (NOI 3)

Practice the six exchanges of love among devotees: Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one's mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasada, and offering prasada.

Daily Meditations: "I am not this body. Noting is Mine. I am Yours, Krishna. I belong to You. This body belongs to You. "My" time belongs to You. All of my so-called possessions belong to You. Everyone and everything belongs to You. Please engage me in Your service."

Aspire towards cultivatinge / developing the 26 Qualities of a devotee of Krishna. (1) He is very kind to everyone. (2) He does not make anyone his enemy. (3) He is truthful. (4) He is equal to everyone. (5) No one can find any fault in him. (6) He is magnanimous. (7) He is mild. (8) He is always clean. (9) He is without possessions. (10) He works for everyone's benefit. (11) He is very peaceful. (12) He is always surrendered to Krishna. (13) He has no material desires. (14) He is very meek. (15) He is steady. (16) He controls his senses. (17) He does not eat more than required. (18) He is not influenced by the Lord's illusory energy. (19) He offers respect to everyone. (20) He does not desire any respect for himself. (21) He is very grave. (22) He is merciful. (23) He is friendly. (24) He is poetic. (25) He is expert. (26) He is silent.

"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness —these are the natural qualities by which the brāhmanas work." (BG 18.42)

Cultivate real knowledge as defined by Krishna in Bhagavad-gita.

Study the great contribution of Krishna conscious literature that Srila Prabhupada translated and commentated for us, from Srimad-Bhagavatam to Chaitanya-charitamrita, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Nectar of Devotion (Srila Rupa Goswami's Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu), with essential verses such as:

anyābhilāshitā-shūnyam jñāna-karmādy-anāvritam
ānukūlyena krishnanushīlanam bhaktir uttamā

[Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, Madhya 19.167]

"One should render transcendental loving service to the Supreme Lord Krishna favorably and without desire for material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculation. That is called pure devotional service."

Keep in mind that Srila Prabhupada used "Krishna Consciousness" in close association with "pure devotional service." If we become conscious of Krishna, act for Krishna, it will soon become "pure" devotional service. The pure process in and of itself, if practiced sincerely under the guidance of our guru, in the association of other Vaishnavas, will purify our motivations and soon we'll be chanting to please Krishna, working to please Krishna, dancing to please Krishna, eating to please Krishna... and thinking about our own sense pleasure less and less.

We will discuss the importance of accepting, and taking shelter of, a spiritual master. Pleasing Krishna, in all humility, means to follow His instructions. Krishna says: "Accept a guru. Surrender unto him. Be guided by him on the path of devotional service." (BG 3.34)

In the Adi Purana, Krishna tells Arjuna that those who claim to be His devotees are not His devotees. But those who are the devotees of His devotees, are indeed His devotees.

Try to please Krishna by pleasing His devotees. How to please Krishna's devotees? Surrender our false egos and submit for humble service to His devotees, beginning with our guru. When His devotees are pleased, Krishna is pleased. When our guru is pleased, Krishna is pleased.

With all of his accomplishments, whenever he was praised, Srila Prabhupada would simply say "My only credit is that I have tried to follow the instructions of my spiritual master."

We will always wear this mantra around our necks:

trinad api su-nicena, taror iva sahishnuna
amanina mana-dena, kirtaniyah sada harih

One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor yet is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord. (Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, Adi 17.31)

We will commit to chanting a fixed number of rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, attentively, while trying to avoid the offenses.

My Dear Lord Krishna

'krsna, tomara hana' yadi bale eka-bara
maya-bandha haite krsna tare kare para

One is immediately freed from the clutches of maya if he seriously and sincerely says: "My dear Lord Krishna, although I have forgotten You for so many long years in the material world, today I am surrendering unto You. I am Your sincere and serious servant. Please engage me in Your service."

—Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, Madhya 22.33

Predictions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the Puranas

These citations should be of great interest to those who may have doubts about the divinity of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu or those who know someone that has such doubts.

May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of Śrīmatī Śacī-devī be transcendentally situated in the innermost chambers of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has appeared in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most sublime and radiant mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love. [CC, Ādi 1.4]

Prediction of Lord Gaurāṅga's advent in the form of a brāhmaṇa.

In the Adi-Purana and in the Nārada Purana, the Supreme Person says:

ahaṁ eva dvija-śreṣṭho
nityaṁ pracchanna-vigrahah
bhagavad-bhakta-rupena
lokam raksami sarvadā

I shall advent in the form of a Brāhmaṇa devotee [ahaṁ eva dvija-śreṣṭho] and I shall hide my factual identity [prachanna vigrahaḥ]. I shall deliver all the worlds [lokam raksami sarvadā].


Prediction of His advent as a sannyāsī.

** In the Upa-Puranas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa speaks to Śrīla Vyāsadeva:

ahaṁ eva kvacid brahman
sannyāsa āśramam āśritāḥ
hari bhaktim grāhayāmi
kalau pāpa-hatān narān

O Brāhmaṇa, I occasionally take the Sannyās Asram [sannyāsa āśrama āśritāḥ] in an attempt to bring the fallen people of Kali Yuga to take up the path of Bhakti or devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa [hari bhaktim grāhayāmi].


Prediction of His actual time of incarnation.

** In the Kūrma-Purāṇa, it is stated:

kalinā dahyamanam
uddhararaya tanu-bhṛtām
janma prathama sandhyāyām
bhaviṣyati dvijalaye

The Supreme Person will appear in the first part of the age of Kali [janma prathama sandhyāyām]. He will appear in the home of a Brāhmaṇa [bhaviṣyati dvijalaye], to save the embodied conditioned souls [uddharaya tanu-bhṛtām] burning in the troubles of Kali-Yuga.


Description of the purpose of Śrī Caitanya's incarnation.

** In the Garuda-Purana, the Supreme Person says:

kalinā dakyamananam
paritrāṇāya tanu-bhṛtām
janma prathama sandhyāyām
kariṣyāmi dvijatisu

In the first part [prathama sandhyā] of the age of Kali, I will come among the brāhmaṇas [kariṣyāmi dvijatisu] to save the fallen souls, [paritrāṇāya tanu-bhṛtām] who are being burned by the troubles of the age of Kali [kalinā dahyamānānām].


Prediction of the name of His mother and the actual name of His future birthplace.

** In the Garuda-Purana, the Supreme Lord says:

ahaṁ pūrṇo bhaviṣyāmi
yuga-sandhyau viśeṣataḥ
māyāpure navadvīpe
bhaviṣyāmi Śacī sutaḥ

I will take birth as the son of Śacī [bhaviṣyāmi Śacī sutaḥ], in Navadvip-Mayapur [māyāpure navadvīpe]. I will come in my complete spiritual form in the first part of Kali-Yuga.


Prediction of the name of His future first wife and His future assumption of the sannyāsa order.

** In the same Garuda-Purana, it is Also stated:

kaleḥ prathama sandhyāyām
Laksmi- kanto bhaviṣyati
daru-brahma-samipa-sthah
sannyāsī gaura-vigrahah

In the first part of Kali-Yuga, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will come in a gold-like form. First He will become the husband of Lakṣmī [Śrīmatī Lakṣmī Devī, Lord Caitanya's first wife]. Then He will become a sannyāsī, near Lord Jagannātha who will appear in a divine wooden form.


Prediction of the bodily color of Śrī Caitanya and the nature of His future activities.

** In the Nṛsiṁha-Purāṇa, it is said:

satye daitya-kuladhi-nasa-samaye
simhordhva-martyakrtis
tretāyāṁ das-kandharam
paribhavan rāmeti namakrtih

gopalan paripālayan vraja-pure
bharam haran dvāpare
gaurāṅgaḥ priya-kirtanah
kali-yuge Caitanya-nāma prabhuḥ

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead who in the Satya-Yuga appeared as a half-man, half-lion to cure a terrible disease that had ravaged the daityas, and who in the Tretā-Yuga appeared as a person named Rāma [Lord Rāmacandra], the person who defeated the ten-headed Demon Rāvaṇa, and who in the Dvāpara-Yuga removed the earth's burden, and protected the Gopa [cowherd men] people of Vraja-pura, will appear again in the Kali-Yuga. His form will be golden, He will delight in chanting the Lord's holy names, and His name will be Caitanya."


Prediction of the future advent of Śrī Caitanya by His direct name.

** In the Padma-Purāṇa, it is said:

yatrayogesvarah sākṣād
yogi-cintyo janārdanaḥ
Caitanya vapur āste vai
sandranandatmakah

The Supreme Personality, Janārdana, who is the object of the yogis' meditation [yogi-chintyo- janārdanaḥ], who saves the devotees from various sufferings, and who is the master of all yogic practices [yogeśvaraḥ], who is always full of divine transcendental ecstasy and bliss [sandra-ananda-atmakah], will advent in His own divine form of Śrī Caitanya [Caitanya-vapah].


Description of the time and place Śrī Caitanya's future advent.

** In the Padma-Purāṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself states:

kaleḥ prathama-sandhyayam
gaurangotham mahī-tale
bhagirathi-tate ramye
bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ

I shall appear on this earth [mahī-tale] in the first part of Kali-Yuga [kaleḥ prathama sandhyāyām] in a beautiful place on the bank of the Bhāgīrathī [bhagirathi-tate ramye]. I shall have a golden form [gaurāṅgaḥ], and I shall take birth as the son of Śacī [bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ].


Prediction of the purpose of Śrī Caitanya's advents.

** In the Narada-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:

ahaṁ eva kalau vipra
nityaṁ prachanna-vigrahah
bhavavad-bhakta-rupena
lokan raksami sarvadā

O Vipra, in the age of Kali, I will come disguised [nityaṁ prachanna vigraha] as a devotee [bhagavad-bhakta-rupena] and I will save all the worlds [lokan raksami sarvadā].


Prediction of His mother's name and the nature of His specific preaching method [saṅkīrtana].

** The Supreme Personality of Godhead states in the Narada-Purana:

divija bhuvi jayadhvam
jayadhvam bhakta rūpiṇaḥ
kalau saṅkīrtana ārambhe
bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ

O Divija (demigods), please come and advent as devotees on this earth [bhuvi jayadhvam jayadhvam] in the age of Kali-Yuga. I will incarnate as the son of Śacī [bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ] to inaugurate the congregational chanting of the name of Kṛṣṇa [kalau saṅkīrtana ārambhe].


Prediction of the revelation of Śrī Caitanya's form.

** In the Brahma-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:

kaleḥ prathama sandhyāyām
gaurangotham mahī-tale
bhagirathi-tate bhūmni
bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ

I will reveal my eternal golden form [gaurangotham mahī-tale] in the first part of Kali- Yuga [kaleḥ prathama sandhyāyām]. I will advent on the earth on the bank of the Bhāgīrathī [bhagirathi-tate bhūmni] as son of Mother Śacī [bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ].


Prediction of the future sannyāsī role and ecstasy of Śrī Caitanya.

** In the Bhavisya-Purana, the Supreme Lord says:

anandasru-kala-roma
harsa-purnam tapo-dhana
sarve mama eva drakṣyanti
kalau sannyasa-rupinam

O austere sage, you should know that in the age of Kali, everyone will see my transcendental form as a sannyāsī [kalau sannyāsa rūpiṇam]. I will be exhibiting symptoms of ecstasy like shedding tears of bliss and hairs standing in ecstasy [anandasru-kala-roma-harsa

-purnam].


Prediction of the color of Śrī Caitanya and the nature of His future associates.

** In the Agni-Purāṇa, it is said:

praśāntātmā lamba-kanthas gaurāṅgas ca
suravrtah

The Supreme Personality of Godhead will come in a golden form [gaura-anga], full of peace [praśāntātmā], and a beautiful long neck [lamba-kanthah]. He will be surrounded by many saintly devotees [sura-avrtah].

Note: This is an indirect prediction of the future advent of the members of the Pancha-Tattva.


Prediction of the characteristics of Śrī Caitanya.

** In the Matsya-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:

mundo gauraḥ su-dirghangas
tri-srotas-tira-sambhavah
dayāluḥ kirtana-grahi
bhaviṣyāmi kalau-yuge

In the age of Kali, I shall advent [bhaviṣyāmi kalau yuge] where the three rivers meet [tri-srotas-tira-sambhavah]. I shall have a shaven head [mundah]. I shall have a golden complexion [gauraḥ]. I will be very kind and always chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa [dayaloh kirtana-grahi].


Prediction of the name of the river where Śrī Caitanya will take his birth and other characteristics.

** In the Vayu-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead states:

śuddho gaurah-su-dirghango
ganga-tira-samudbhavah
dayaluh-kirtana-grahi
bhaviṣyāmi kalau yuge

In the age of Kali-Yuga, I shall come [bhaviṣyāmi kalau yuge] in a place on the bank of the Ganges [ganga-tira-samudbhavah]. I will be very pure [śuddhaḥ], have a golden complexion [gauraḥ], and be very tall [su-dirghangah] and chant the holy names of Kṛṣṇa. [Vyau Puran next quote]


Prediction that the Supreme Lord will leave Goloka and corne in a golden form.

** In the Markandeya-Purana, the Supreme of Godhead declares:

golokam ca parityajya
lokānāṁ trana-karanat
kalau gauranga-rupena
lila-lavanya-vigrahah

"In the Kali-Yuga, I will leave Goloka and, to save the people of the world, I will become the handsome and playful Lord Gaurāṅga."


Prediction of one of the purpose of Śrī Caitanya's appearance.

** In the Varāha-Purāṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:

ahaṁ eva dvija-śreṣṭho
lila-pracurya-vigrahah
bhagavad-bhakta-rupena
lokan raksami sarvadā

I shall come as the best of the brāhmaṇas [ahaṁ eva dvija-śreṣṭhā]. I will exhibit many pastimes [lila-pracurya-vigrahah] in the form of a devotee [bhagavad-bhakta-rupena]. I shall deliver the people of the world [lokan raksami sarvadā].


Prediction of the name of the mother of Śrī Caitanya and His future role as the deliverer of the darkness of Kali-Yuga.

** In the Vamana-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:

kali-ghora-tamas-channat
sarvān ācāra varjitan
Sacigarbhe ca sambhuya
tarayisyami nārada

O Nārada Muni, I will take birth in the womb of Śacī [Saci-garbhe ca sambhuya]. I shall save the people, who will give up all proper good conduct [sarvān ācāra varyitan], from the terrible darkness of the age of Kali-Yuga [kali-ghora-tamas-channan].


Prediction of the future advent of Śrī Caitanya, His birth time, His mother, His birth city, His name and His mission.

** In the Vayu-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:

paurṇamāsyāṁ phālgunasya
phalguni-rksa-yogatah
bhavisye gaura-rupena
Saci-garbhe purandarāt

svarnadi-tiram āsthāya
navadvīpe janasraye
tatra dvija-kulam prāpto
bhaviṣyāmi janalaye
bhakti-yoga-pradanaya

lokasyanugrahaya ca
sannyas-rupam āsthāya
Krsna-Caitanya-nama-dhrk

tena lokasya nistāras
tat kurudhvam mamajnaya
dharitrī bhavitā cabhir
mayaiva dvija-dehina

I shall advent in the month of Phālguna, when the star Phalgūni is conjoined with the full moon. I shall incarnate in a golden complexion in the womb of Śacī and Purandara Miśra. I will be born in the city of Navadvīpa,on the Ganges's shore, in a Brāhmaṇa's family. I shall take the renounced order of life [sannyāsa] and show kindness to the people in general and engage them in Bhakti. I will be known as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya. All of you should follow My order and deliver the people of the world. I shall appear as a Brāhmaṇa. I shall make this earth fearless. [Vāyu Puran previous quote]


Prediction of Śrī Caitanya's birth city, the name of the river close to His birth site, the name of His mother, His close associates and their divine roles in His līlā, His divine reason for incarnating as well as different names by which Śrī Caitanya will be known.

** In the Ananta-Saṁhitā, it is said:

svarnadi-tiram āśritya
navadvīpe dvijalaye
sampradatum bhakti-yogam
lokasyanugrahaya ca

sa eva bhagavān krmo
rādhikā-prāṇa-vallabhaḥ
srsty-adau sa jagannātho
gaura āsīn mahesvari

avatīrṇo bhaviṣyāmi
kalau-nija-ganaih saha
Saci-garbhe navadvīpe
svardhuni-parivarite

aprakasyam idaṁ guhyam
na prakasyam bahir mukhe
bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ
bhaktam bhakti-pradam svayam

man-maya-mohitah kecin
na jnasyanto bahir-mokhah
jnasyanti mad-bhakti-yuktah
sadhavo-nyasinotmalah

krmavatara-kale-yah
striyo ye puruṣaḥ priyaḥ
kalau te'vatarisyanti
sridama-subaladayah

catuh-sasti-mahantas te
gopa dvadas bālakaḥ
Caitanyera Siṁhera...

dharma-samsthapanarthay
a viharisyami tair ahaṁ
kāle naṣṭaṁ bhakti-patham
sthapayisyamy ahaṁ punaḥ

gacchantu bhuvi te putraḥ
jayantam bhakta-rupinah

dharma-samsthapanam kāle

kurvantu te mamajnaya
Kṛṣṇas Caitanya-gaurango
gauracandraḥ Śacī-sutaḥ
prabhur gauro gaura-harir

namani-bhakti-dani me

"To show mercy to the people and give them devotional service, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear in a Brāhmaṇa's home in Navadvip by the Ganges' shore. The Supreme Person, Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself, who is the life of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and is the Lord of the universe in creation, rnaintenance, and annihilation, appears as Gaura, O Mahesvari.

In Kali-Yuga, I will descend to the earth with My associates. In Navadvip, which is surrounded by the Ganges, I will take birth in Śacī-devī's womb.

They who are bewildered by My illusory potency will not understand the great secret of the appearance in this world of Me in My personal form,

1.in My form as the incarnation of devotion,
2.in My form as the incarnation of a devotee,
3.in My form bearing the name of a devotee,
4.in My form as a devotee, and
5.in My form as the giver of devotional service.

This secret is not to be revealed to them. Only the saintly, pure, renounced devotees, diligently engaged in My devotional service, will be able to understand Me in these five forms.

My dear male and female associates, headed by Śrīdāmā and Subala, who came to this world at the time of My advent as Lord Kṛṣṇa, will come again during the Kali-Yuga.

The Gopas will become the sixtyfour mahāntas and the twelve gopālas. To establish the truth of religion, I will enjoy many pastimes with them.

In this way I will again reveal the path of devotional service, which has been destroyed in the course of time. My sons should also descend to the earth, assume the forms of devotees, and, by My order, also work to re-establish the principles of true religion.

At this time My names will be: Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Gaurāṅga, Gauracandra, Sacisuta, Mahāprabhu, Gaura and Gaurahari.

Chanting these names will bring devotion to Me."




What other major vedic literatures also describe characteristics of the advent of Śrī Caitanya?


** The Great Epic Mahābhārata (Dāna-Dharma, Viṣṇu-Sahasra-Nāma Stotra) points out the divine characteristics of Śrīmān Mahāprabhu's appearance.

suvarṇa varṇa hemāṅgo
varāṅgaś candanāṅgadī
sannyāsa krt-chamah santo
niṣṭhā shanti parāyaṇāḥ

In His early activities Lord Caitanya comes as a householder. He has a golden complexion [suvarṇa varṇāḥ]. His limbs are very beautiful [vara-anga] and are smeared with sandalwood pulp [candana-aṅgadī]. He has the appearance of molten gold [hema-anga].

The Supreme Lord Caitanya accepts the renounced order of life [sannyāsa-kṛt]. He is fully sense-controlled or equipoised [sama], and is completely peaceful [santa]. He is completely fixed in the chanting of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, [niṣṭhā]. He is the highest abode of devotion and transcendental peace. He silences the māyāvādī impersonalists [niṣṭhā santi parāyaṇāḥ].

The sanskrit words suvarna-varna indicate one who has gold-like complexion. The Vedic text to support this point is:

yadā paśya paśyate rukma-varṇaṁ
kartāram īśam puruṣaṁ brahma-yonim

The words rukma-varṇaṁ kartāram īśam refer to the Supreme Person [Śrī Caitanya] who has a complexion like molten gold.


** Quotations of Lord Caitanya's bodily features according to some of the great devotees present at the time:

Śrīla Sārvabhauma Bhattacharya, one of the foremost disciples of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in Jagannath Purī, composed an entire series of prayers describing in detail the various features of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, called Śrī Gauranga-Prati-Anga-Varnanakhya-Stava-Rajah, or the King of Prayers, proclaiming the glory of each limb of Śrī Gaurāṅga. Let us carefully present a few of these divine gems.


** Lord Caitanya's bodily luster.

Śrīla Sārvabhauma Bhattacharya has described the complexion of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's body.

tapta hema dyutim vande
kali-Krsnam jagad-gurum
caru-dirgha-tanum srimac
chaci-hrdaya-nandanam

I worship Lord Kṛṣṇa, the spiritual master of the universe, who appears in the age of Kali with a luster like molten gold. His body is beautiful and tall. He is like molten gold, and He is the delight and the son of Śacīdevī.


Śrīla Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī Ṭhākura also describes Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's golden complexion.

ānanda lilamaya vigrahāya
hemabha-divya-cchavi-sundaraya

"O Lord Caitanyacandra, O Lord whose form is full of blissful pastimes, O Lord whose complexion is as splendid as gold..."


Śrīla Kṛṣṇa das Kavirāj Goswami similarly describes Lord Caitanya:

tapta hema sama kanti prakāṇḍa śarīra

"...the luster of His expansive body resembles molten gold..."


Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī also further describes Śrī Caitanya's golden complexion.

svayam devo yatra-kanaka-gaurah karuṇayā

"His complexion is as fair as molten gold."


** Śrī Caitanya's beautiful hair.

lasan-mukha-lata-naddha
charu-kuncita-kuntalam

"His lovely curling locks are interwoven with creepers of glistening pearls..."


** Śrī Caitanya's shoulders and chest.

Prabhodānanda Sarasvatī Ṭhākura describes the shoulders of Mahāprabhu.

siṁha skandham...

"May Lord Caitanya, whose shoulders are like a lion..."


Śrīla Kṛṣṇa das Kavirāj Goswami also points out the nature of Śrī Caitanya's shoulders and voice.

siṁha grīvā siṁha-vīrya siṁhera hunkar

"He has the shoulders of a lion, the powers of a lion, and the loud voice of a lion."


** Śrī Caitanya's arms.

ājānulambita-bhuja
His arms reach all the way to his knees.
ajanulambita bhūmau kanaka vadatau

Their arms (of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda) reach all the way to their knees.

kankanangada-vidyoti-janu-lambi-bhaja-dvayam

"....His two arms, glittering with bracelets and bangles, extend down to His knees."


** Śrī Caitanya's face

prema-pravaha-madhura
raktotpala-vilocanam
h la-prasuna-susnigdha
nutanayata-nasikam

His beautiful eyes are just like reddish lotus flowers. They are most beautiful, just like lakes of Kṛṣṇa Prema. His nose is arched and is resplendent just like the sesame flower.

sri-ganda-mandollasi
ratna-kundala-manditam
savya-karna-suvinyasta
sphurac-caru-sikhandakam

His cheeks are round and they shine brilliantly. He wears jeweled earrings. He has a peacock feather placed near His left ear.

madhura-sneha-susnigdha
praraktadhara-pallavam
isad-danturita-snigdha
sphuran-mukta-radoijvalam

His lips are tender and very lustrous. They resemble reddish blossoming flowers. He reveals his pearl-like teeth out His kindness.


** Caitanya-caritāmṛita, Ādi-Līlā 3.77

saṅkīrtana-pravartaka śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya
saṅkīrtana-yajñe tāṅre bhaje, sei dhanya

"Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the initiator of saṅkīrtana [congregational chanting of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa]. One who worships Him through saṅkīrtana is fortunate indeed"


** Susloka-Satakam -59- Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahimā

vintala-kamala-vaktrah pakva-bi
nbadharosthas
tila-kusu na-su-nasah katnbu-kanthah
su-dirghah

suvaliuta-bhuja-dando
nabhi-gambhira-rupah
sphuratu hrdaya-madhye
gaura-candro-natendrah

"His face is flawless like a blooming lotus and His lips are red as ripe as bimba fruits. His nose is as beautiful as the sesame flower and his neck is like a three-ringed conch. He is very tall and His rod-like arms make artistic movements while He dances. His navel is very deep.

May my Lord Gaura candra, the king of dancers, reveal Himself in the core of My heart."