Posted by Giriraj dasa on February 14, 2014 at 12:01pm
Hare Krishna.12th Feb, 2014, Ujjain.404081_274067546032116_1983356296_nA trip to Ujjain is always very special. This time the trip had multiple causes. Firstly I had got initiated on Nityananda Trayodasi last year and I wanted to be with Guru Maharaj on this day. The second, far more joyous, reason was that my very dear friend, mentor and elder brother Sumeet Prabhu was going to get initiated along with two other senior devotees from Gurgaon, Pawan Prabhu and Pooja Mataji, on the same day. Thirdly there was a Kirtan mela at Ujjain temple and we would be able to attend atleast the 3rd day.We reached Ujjain on 11th morning. I was fortunate to get a chance to travel with Sumeet Prabhu and his family and during the trip, as always, he subtly taught me many things. As a bonus HG Radhe Shyam Prabuji too travelled with us and in the morning I did chanted sitting with him for 3 hours. I was very inspired by his calm face and how he did his chanting with eyes closed and chanting softly. I tried to copy him by trying to close my eyes and chant but could not hold my eyes close for a more than few minutes before something or other will break my concentration. But I am going to try practicing it once I am back home.Whenever I come to any ISKCON temple I feel like a girl who has come back to her parent’s home, her `mayakaa’. As soon we reached Pooja mataji called us to hurry up as HH BB Govinda Maharaj was playing for the last time before leaving Ujjain. I hurried and reached in time to hear maharaj live for the first time, HG Madhava Prabhu and his team were playing the musical instruments. The temple hall was almost full.image2What a performance, it usually takes me some time to get `tuned’ into a Kirtan, especially if it is a large performance. It was within seconds that I was totally immersed in the kirtan. Maharaj has such a deep and powerful voice, after a few minutes I felt purified as if I have taken a bath in the Ganges river. The whole experience was awesome ! I sang so loudly that many a times my lungs and throat protested at such sudden enthusiasm ! It was food for my soul. After a while HH Chandramauli Swami Maharaja started dancing, he danced like a well trained dancer, dancing for the pleasure of Sri Radha Madanmohan. I felt the devdasi would similarly dance in front of Lord Jagannath. Then few more devotees followed Maharaj and then few more and in a short span the whole temple was dancing in sheer ecstasy of the Hole Name.All glories to HH Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Swami Maharaja !Guru Maharaj came towards the end of maharaj’s kirtan, and once the kirtan was over, Guru Maharaj glorified HH BB Govinda Maharaj profusely and praised his preaching and kirtan programs all over the world. HH BB Govinda Maharaj, who was leaving for Bangladesh, too glorified Guru Maharaj. He complimented Guru Maharaj . He complimented Guru Maharaj on the magnificent temple, beautiful Deities, top class service for the Deities and then added that he has never tasted a more delicious prasadam, as he had in last 3 days, in any temple all over the ISKCON world ! He also agreed to Guru Maharaj’s request to visit Ujjain again. They both hugged each other with such affection that it brought spontaneous clapping and Hari Bol from all devotees.image4It was prasdam time and I was quite hungry. We had a sumptuous prasadam at the temple food hall with first class food and wonderful hospitality by local devotees. I also caught up with senior devotees from Jaipur Murari Prabhu and Vineet Prabhu, Mukunda Prabhu, so many Brahmachari’s from the temple and yet some more familiar devotees from all across the world. In just few hours I had completely forgotten that I even have a material life!The next session started at 4pm. By the time I entered the temple hall it was already 5pm and HH Chandramauli Swami Maharaja was doing the Kirtan. After his excellent Kirtan for an hour it was the turn of HG Madhav Prabhu to perform.If HH BB Govinda Maharaj’s kirtan was like taking a dip in Ganges than Prabhuji’s kirtan was like being transported straight to Vrindavan. He sang slow, deep and with so much heart into it that I almost cried while singing in the Kirtan. Prabhuji has a special mercy of Aindra Prabhu on him.image10All glories to HG Madhav Prabhu and his team members.photo 1I was trying to click the above picture of a devotee deep in the trance of Holy name when I heard a flurry of activity on my right side. I could see in the camera frame itself that devotees were turning to greet someone. As I hastily turned, and my phone shook to get the above hazy picture, I saw Guru Maharaj walking in with his ever enchanting smile.Guru Maharaj was back in the temple ! After HG Madhav Prabhuji’s kirtan was over Guru Maharaj glorified and thanked him for such wonderful kirtan and how they are so popular throughout the world. They too were all praise for Guru Maharaj and the temple.The Last session of the Kirtan Mela was led by Guru Maharaj. What can one say now! Guru Maharaj started with a slow pace and then picked up the beats. For the fourth time in the day the whole temple was again dancing jubilantly. Devotees won’t let Guru Maharaj stop the Kirtan! Children, women, elders, everyone was dancing on the tune of Guru Maharaj.IMG_01141After the ecstatic kirtan Guru Maharaj gave a brief but serious lecture on the importance of Hari Nama. He said that the whole purpose of organising the Kirtan mela was to attract people to chant of the Holy name of the Lord.By hearing just one full day of kirtana I felt as if my soul is satiated till its very core.It was already 9.15 pm and we all had another dose of sumptuous prasadam. After spending some time with Vineet Prabhu, I retired to my room around 11.45pm.All glories to the Kirtan mela.All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.Please visit http://www.forthepleasureoflordkrishna.com for the same blog with pictures.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on February 13, 2014 at 12:00pm
Hare Krishna.9th February, 2014, Vrindavan Dhama.I had not been to Vrindavan Dhama since last Kartika, which is a shame as I live just a 2.5 hour drive away.It was a double bonanza trip for me, first HH Janananada Maharaj was there and he had agreed to give me some time, he is a very simple, austere and humble Sanyasi. In the words of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj he is one of the hidden jewels of ISKCON. Maharaj always stay at ISKCON Goshala. The second bonanza was that Sumeet prabhu got me a room at the same Goshala. I have no love for cows and I thought staying close to them I might inculcate some love for cows.I left on Saturday noon and reached Goshala around 4 pm. I had planned to change, take darshan of the Deities and then meet Maharaj. As I got down from the car and turned towards the Goshala building I saw HH Janananada Maharaj walking with his assistant. I paid my obeisances, he was pleasantly surprised to see me and said that he is going for a program and might get late so he will see me tomorrow morning. I kept on walking with Maharaj and after some time requested him if I too could attend the program. He agreed to my request, the program was at ISCKON hospice. Maharaj refused to sit in my car and chose to walk stating that it was a short distance and he always prefers to walk.We reached the hospice and the program started Maharaj gave a very nice lecture on SB 1.7.7.image4My points of learning from the lecture:1. Srimad Bhagavatam is the fruit of vedic knowledge, we should be concerned with the fruit rather than getting lost in the vast vedic knowledge.2. Knowledge is good but what we do with the knowledge is more important. Maharaj gave many examples from Srimad bhagavatam like Hiranyaksha, who had the knowledge about spirit soul but still utilised it for the wrong purpose.3. False ego means false identity, we are thinking of ourselves at the bodily platform rather than as a spirit soul. Maharaj gave the example that if a person is watching TV along with his dog and is totally immersed in the TV program, laughing, crying, etc. watching it. The dog must wonder why my master is behaving in such an odd way. The dog is not connected with the TV and will wonder if his master has gone crazy! Maharaj said similarly in today’s time we identify with our wallet and now mobile phone and how badly we lament when we lose our mobile phone as if our life air is lost.4. Maharaj concluded the session by instructing us that we to see everything in relation with Krishna and not with ourselves. This is what Guru maharaj also always teach us that Krishna should be in the centre and not us.As maharaj was leaving and reached the main gate of the building, he turned back and asked the doctor accompanying us that he wants to see the facilities and meet the patients. We turned back and then Maharaj went through the facilities, there weren’t too many patients, and the building, though simple, was well maintained. Then we went to the top floor and met patients. We were told that they are all cancer patients, at their last stage. Srila Prabhupada’s kirtan was playing in each room and somehow the atmosphere was not that of complete gloom.Maharaj went and met every single patient. He held their hand, consoled them not to fear and told them to chant the Holy name. Maharaj was full of compassion.image8 image5We came back to Goshala, I took permission to get fresh and take darshan of the Deities. I checked into my room. It was a very simple room, just a bed and nothing else, the bathroom was neat and simple. Standing outside the room the air smelled fresh, though scented with cowdung, hay and other paraphernalia.image20 image19I went to the temple and took darshan of Their Lordships. It is always a very humbling experience standing in from of Krishna & Balram and facing music in the heart that my progress in spiritual journey is negligible and no efforts in preaching. I took darshan and told Them I would try harder and begged for their mercy. I could get Mahaprasad from the counter for dinner.I came back to Goshala. I found the ambiance here very soothing, a pleasant change from all the hustle and bustle around the temple. I felt as if I in a different Vrindavan. To my surprise I found that the geyser in my bathroom is not working and I wondered how to take a cold morning bath but then Maharaj’s assistant came to my rescue and told me that I can get warm water from Maharaj’s bathroom. I honoured the Maharaprasadam in the room and was in the bed by 9pm. It was very calm and serene barring some noises from cows and monkeys which I actually liked.I got up without the alarm as at 3 am, I felt as if the whole place has come suddenly alive. There was some generator or machine which started with great noise and the people were moving around, cows and what not. One Brahmachari was already taking a bath my bathroom, as he came outside I asked him `Is the geyser working?’ He said the water is fine, though not hot it is not very cold also. It gave me courage to enter the washroom and I thought if he could take it then so could I. I opened the tap of the geyser and there was no difference in the temperature and water was so cold! All my thoughts and courage of taking a cold water bath got evaporated immediately and I shamelessly went toward’s Maharaj’s room to get warm water. Maharaj came out and gave me an inquiring look. I explained about the geyser and Maharaj told me to take water from his bathroom. As I came out of room after getting ready, I was not ready for the chill and it is some walk to the main temple from here. As I walked out I saw a Brahmachari starting his scooter. I requested him for a lift till the temple and I was right in time for Prabhupada arti at his samadhi.image11As I stood there with darkness all around me and just the light from Samadhi illuminating I wondered if this shows that unless I take shelter under the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada I will remain in darkness.Then it was time for the mangal arti and surprisingly for a Sunday it was not all packed up and I found a good place to stand in front of the altar. The Kirtan peaked at 4.30am and the altar doors opened.image12Mangal arti darshan is always very very special and somehow it always reminds me of Krishna Lila. After a melodious arti and then Tulasi pooja, I went to Srila Prabhupada’s quarter to chant my rounds. I felt too cold there and had to take shelter of the guest house reception where I paced from one side to another to keep myself warm.It was then time for the Shringar darshan and Guru Puja.9feb2014_1 9feb2014_4I wonder how the beauty of the Deities at Vrindavan always seemed to increased every time and They always look so fresh as if They have just came out after taking a bath, Nava Yauvana.Morning class was by HH Bhakti Marg swami Maharaj. Two lessons I learnt1. Looking into the past is in the mode of tamoguna (ignorance), looking into the future is in the mode of rajoguna ( passion) and looking or putting our consciousness into the present is in the mode of Satoguna (goodness).2. Our philosophy is not so much devotion to Krishna but devotion to Krishna’s devotees.I had a quick breakfast at Govinda’s and then came back to Goshala. There was a group of new devotees who had arrived from Punjabi Bagh temple with two Brahmacharis.All glories to preaching !image17 image16I met Maharaj again. He spoke about working on the `internal’ as well `external’. He explained that our internal consciousness is known only to us unless we confide in some devotee. Hence externally devotees may correct us in chanting properly, correct our pronunciation, our dress, etc. but internally we have to work ourselves very consciously as only we know this internal status.Maharaj also advice that`Grahsthas’ must maintain at least a basic standard for Deity worship. He explained very nicely that if one learns all the rules and regulations when learning to drive a car then it may get little cumbersome in the beginning but later it will help a lot when one would drive almost without remembering but still following the rules. He said imagine a driver who learns without any rules and what kind of driver that person will turn out in the future.I left Dhama at noon after taking darshan of Their Lordships.All glories to Sri Radha ShyamsundarAll Glories to Sri Krishna Balram.All glories to Srila Prabhupada.please visit http://www.forthepleasureoflordkrishna.com for the same blog with pictures.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on February 4, 2014 at 3:17pm
Hare Krishna.1st February 2014, Gurgaon.I was talking to a senior devotee friend over phone. Prabhuji is a very level-headed and learned devotee. The trigger of our discussion was an impromptu warm hug I received from Prabhuji during my last visit to his home. After I said good-bye to him and had moved out his house walking towards the elevator, he came out of the front door and asked `Prabhuji, at least give me a hug.' I was taken aback. I am a bit of a dry and reserved person, so for the first few micro seconds I thought my ears have heard something wrong, may be Prabhuji wanted to say something else and uttered these words by mistake, or he is just pulling my leg. But I saw his face and outstretched arms and I knew he mean it. I walked back and hugged him and suddenly found myself enveloped with love and affection, I was overwhelmed. Later, that too over an SMS, I thanked Prabhuji for his gesture.He, then, shared how he had learned this from HH Bhakti Charu Swami maharaj. Guru Maharaj instructed him that we must walk an extra mile for people whom we love, similar to how we do it in the material world, the only difference being that in the spiritual world we do not expect anything back and hence it is a pure feeling. The whole narration was very inspiring for me. I requested Prabhuji to please share his particular experience with Guru Maharaj on my blog. At first he declined politely saying that just because he shared something in private with me does not mean that he is ready to share it every one but two days later Prabhuji agreed but on the condition that I will not share his name. So here it goes, in Prabhuji’s own words:Hare Krishna and Dandavat Pranam to everyone.There are so many learnings when you speak and listen to MahaBhagvats. There is so much learning. I will try to capture the essence of my discussion with HH Bhakti Charu Maharaj few years (3-4 years ago).Though usually I am quiet an extrovert and flamboyant person but somehow I am very introvert and shy person when it comes to spiritual life. The reason I feel is that it touches my heart and one can share heartful feelings only with very few selected ones. Usually when a sanniyasi comes, I am all busy preparing and doing rounds. On this particular day, everybody started goading me that I should start a kirtan and welcome Maharaj. It took some cajoling for me to finally agree and make my mind ready to do kirtan. Like my usual self, I closed my eyes and started kirtan with one of the tunes of Sri Prahalad Das. I lost the moment of time and was totally immersed into it….Didn’t realize when Guru Maharaj came and was just singing as if nobody exists. When after some time I felt nobody is singing after me, I realized something missing and I opened my eyes to see Maharaj’s beatific smiling face.I immediately knelt down offering my dandavats. I felt stupid , a fool and absolutely downcast of not being even aware of Guru Maharaj coming. I asked for his forgiveness. He just took my hand and kind of dragged me (like father does lovingly to son) and then surprisingly hugged me. I was speechless. I felt absolutely serene as if I am in my father’s arms. When you are in father’s secured arms, you don’t want to leave him. I wanted this time to stop. I didn’t want other devotees prying eyes gawking at me, making me conscious. I just wanted to be with him. It was like “Jaadu ki jhappi” for me, making me feel elated and it was like I will do anything for Him if I get this hug again. Maharaj then just whispered “very nice” and I then disengaged and said “I just wanted to be there pointing at his heart”. He patted me and beckoned me in the room. He said, “Do any thing but with all your heart. If you feel genuinely for someone, do something that you would not do ordinarily for anyone else. Express this special feeling.” He then said, “I have nothing else to give but love and I express it by tight warm hug. ” And then he thought and said see how mothers give a tight hug to its child without hurting him. I suddenly realised he is teaching me something so profound: “How to express love. To those whom you genuinely love.” It breaks barriers, it makes you soft. Being a father myself, I could relate to what he was trying to say but still I was inhibited to express to anyone but my own kids as if Love was their right only.I suddenly felt very comfortable and then he said, “I liked how you were singing but this is not kirtana; this is solo performance.” I was embarrassed and told him since I used to perform this is the only way I know. And he said, when leading kirtan, whilst I should be immersed in Lord’s name (as that inspire devotees) however at the same time I need to be alert whether followers are attentive or not and should change the music if devotes struggle as we are doing kirtan for them and not only for ourselves. I asked if he could clarify. He said, A mother may be cooking the prasadam but is aware all the time what her baby is doing; similarly whilst you should be immersed in holy name but aware of your surroundings so that you are not caught off-guard like this and everybody heartily laughed but it was a huge learning for me.I then asked him, if I wanted to bhajans, can I do something different that allays feelings towards Lord. He then said in Kaliyuga Mother-child relationship is most pure so one should compare its purity with this relationship first. Mother is so selfless. Is your love so selfless. To understand Krishna Radha prema is very difficult. Why to get into something that we may not even understand. He said Bhajans should be soulful, crying to seek help like Sri Krishna Chaitanya daya karo more….begging lord / Guru for help…prayer in kirtan is very powerful….Or glorify the lord…Lord did so many things and just keep praising and u would start truly believing which may sound unbelievable initially. If u really want to do rasa then you could sing Yashoda and Kanha songs as Matajis would be able to relate a lot and help them. Then he said, You should sing with heart with Love – not sing but sing with love….I suddenly felt what powerful statements – warm hug to someone you love and sing with Love – This is what Krishna teaches – Love everyone and Love God..I have been trying to follow these instructions diligently to the best of my understanding.Many dandavats to Guru Maharaj….HH Bhakti Charu Maharaj ki jaiSrila Prabhupad ki JaiI am very thankful to Prabhuji for sharing his inner feelings with us. It shows how our spiritual journey, though solo, could be filled with so much love, not only towards Krishna but also towards everyone around us. That this journey is not a dry journey, it is a journey filled with happiness and bliss. Krishna Consciousness is all about being happy and spreading that happiness around. I remember a famous quote by Guru MaharajKrishna Consciousness spreads wisdom and Knowledge. The main force because of which this movement is spreading is love.I would like to request all the readers to kindly come forward and share your own experience/realisations of unexpected love received in our spiritual journey and help everyone by increasing their faith in the words of our Guru and previous Acharayas. Please mail your experiences to giriraj.bcs@gmail.com, it can published under your name or as anonymous, whatever is convenient to you.All glories to the Vaishnava devotees.All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 29, 2014 at 6:56pm
Hare Krishna.December 2012, GurgaonAfter the Sunday Bhagavatam class was over one Prabhuji asked two teaser questions from the devotees; one of the question was why did Lord Rama killed Vali from behind a tree in His pastime in Ramayana.I knew this particular pastime but this question had never crossed my mind before. I searched for an answer and got it from HG Chaitanaya Charan Prabhuji's website (www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/Vali.mp3) . I am sharing the answer in brief below based on the same.Fighting-Between-Sugrive-and-ValiAfter Vali was hit by an arrow from Lord Rama he angrily asks Lord Rama "I thought you are a virtuous person. How could you have done such a vicious act? I think it is because of your association with this vicious person Sugriva that you have also become spoiled.” Lord Rama smiles and He says, “O Vali, it seems that with the deterioration of the body even the intelligence gets deteriorated. You are accusing me of immorality without understanding the intricacies of dharma.”Lord Rama first point was "I am the servant of Bharat who is currently the ruler of the world, as a servant of the king and the member of the royal Kshatriya class, it is my duty to protect the virtuous and to punish the unrighteous or the vicious.Lord said that although there was no fault of Sugriva, you attacked him, insulted him, exiled him and threatened to take his life, you even took up his own wife as your wife. Hence you are an aggressor, an aatatai. Vedic scriptures declare that if any person comes as an aggressor with wicked intentions, he deserves to be killed and there is no sin in killing such a person by whatever means.Lord Rama added that " you know you are a monkey and as a hunter can kill animal without necessarily confronting it, a hunter can kill an animal while being in a tree, while being concealed in the bushes, so the Kshatriyas codes allows one to do that. That’s why I have killed you and I have done nothing wrong."Lord Rama then added, “O Vali, if you still feel that I have wronged you than I can give you back your life right now.”When Vali heard all the answers he became purified by the mere presence and voice of the Lord. He realised that he had badly misunderstood Sugriva’s intentions. Vali replied “My dear Lord, I’ll get many lives, but a death like this when will I get again. To die in Your presence is the greatest fortune and it is a perfection of life. I seek only that I can behold Your face and die in your presence.”Vali, being completely purified, gave his own necklace, which was given to him by Indra, a source of his power, not to his own son, Angada, but to Sugriva. Vali was so convinced and transformed by Lord Rama’s answer that he realized that he has wronged Sugriva and to seek forgiveness from Sugriva, he gave him his own necklace.Before giving that necklace he told his son, 'don’t bear any animosity against Sugriva or Rama because they have not killed me. It is my own bad deeds that have caused my death. Please serve Sugriva as you have served me and please serve Lord Rama as The Supreme Lord.'Vali was convinced and the conviction was demonstrated through his transformation.Now the question still remains why Lord Rama didn’t kill Vali in a direct battle. He could have. Vali had earlier performed tapasya and got blessings from the demi-gods. He wanted immortality but he could not get it, so, like Hiranyakashipu, he asked immortality in an indirect way by saying that whenever I have to fight with anyone let half of that person’s powers come to me. So this way Vali would always be stronger than any of his opponents. Lord Rama is the supreme Lord, and He could still have killed Vali anyway, but he honored the benedictions of the demi-gods, just as Lord Narsimha Dev came in a special form to kill Hiranyakashipu. Similarly Lord Rama, in order to honor the benediction of the demi-gods, arranged to kill Vali in a way in which he was not facing Him.How everything becomes clear to us when we see it from the eyes of Guru, Sadhu and Shastra.All glories to the wonderful pastimes of Lord Sri Rama.All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 28, 2014 at 8:00am
Hare Krishna.
28th January, Gurgaon
I stumbled upon this most beautiful verse from Srimad Bhagavatam today morning while reading Chaitanya Charitamrita and am sharing it with everyone.
Q: What is supreme process for achieving loving service unto Lord Krishna ?
A: Lord Krishna Himself gives the process to Uddhava in SB 11.19.20-24
1. Firm faith in the blissful narration of My pastimes 2. Constant chanting of My glories 3. Unwavering attachment to ceremonial worship of Me 4. Praising Me through beautiful hymns 5. Great respect for My devotional service 6. Offering obeisances with the entire body 7. Performing first-class worship of My devotees 8. Consciousness of Me in all living entities 9. Offering of ordinary bodily activities in My devotional service 10. Use of words to describe My qualities 11. Offering the mind to Me 12. Rejection of all material desires 13. Giving up wealth for My devotional service 14. Renouncing material sense gratification and happiness 15. Performing all desirable activities such as charity, sacrifice, chanting, vows and austerities with the purpose of achieving Me
— these constitute actual religious principles, by which those human beings who have actually surrendered themselves to Me automatically develop love for Me. What other purpose or goal could remain for My devotee?
As I read it again and again I realised how Srila Prabhupada first manifested ISKCON in this material world and then most diligently and wonderfully engaged us, the most fallen souls, to follow every single instruction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead , Lord Krishna, so that we will get the supreme process of achieving loving service unto the Lotus feet of Lord Krishna.
These are not my words Lord Krishna Himself says in the previous verse, before giving this process, in SB 11.19.19
O sinless Uddhava, because you love Me, I previously explained to you the process of devotional service. Now I will again explain the supreme process for achieving loving service unto Me.
I don't know when will I have faith in the simple, yet highest, process given by Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada gave us the top process but I have no faith, who could be more fallen than me. My shiksha Guru and Diksha Guru too tell me the same but my most wretched mind wants to give its own logic.
I pray and mentally beg at the lotus feet of every single Vaishanava to have pity on me and bless me to have firm faith in every single word of Srila Prabhupada and engage me in the service of this great transcendental movement called ISKCON, which is turning coals into diamonds.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 27, 2014 at 3:21pm
Hare Krishna2010, Vrindavan.This was during my initial days of spiritual journey. I had started going to Vrindavan, alone, staying for a day or two, not knowing what exactly to do besides attending temple program. I did not know a single soul there besides Deities. So, mostly I would attend all the morning programs, have breakfast prasadam at Govinda, come back to room to read, sleep a bit, back in the temple at 4-5pm, have dinner prasadam at Govinda, come back to room, read a bit and sleep by 9pm for next day's Mangal Arti. This is what I still aspire for.vrindakunda15I was again in Vrindavan Dhama and after Mangal Arti there was announcement that it is very special day (what day isn't special in Vrindavan) and a bus will be leaving for Vrinda Kunda for the marriage of Tulasi and Shaligram. I had never ever heard in my life about this event and I don't know why my heart prompted me to board that bus to the Lila sthali of Vrinda Devi. I went for it.It was two bus load of devotees, with hardly any Indian on board. We reached the temple after a long bumpy ride, it was in middle of the fields, with no road after the final turn towards temple.vrindakunda9I could see a beautiful small temple decorated in very simple and traditional Indian way. There was a slight buzz around the place. I found that a group of devotees had done all night kirtan the previous night. Jai ! As we entered it was announced that we will get some prasadam, we sat on the mats and were served a very delicious puffed rice prasadam, it was dry and salty, with a banana. I still remember the taste of that prasadam after so many years. I still hanker for it, even that time I had greedily taken extra portions and kept on munching it for a long time. After the prasadam was over most of the devotees got busy with some service. The temple was getting ready for the marriage. The whole setting was completely rural. I wondered around, bought and read a book, a devotee had put the book stall. I was too naive to beg for any service.I was told that an Malaysian couple has been sponsoring this event for some time. As the time came for the marriage we had ISKCON pujaris and local temple priest who presided over the ceremony complete with mantras and, later, pheras. The local priest explained how the `Braja' scriptures are different from what our Acharayas have written. The Malaysian couple, wife was Indian and husband a native Malaysian, did the kanyadaan. Shaligrama shilla and Tulasi walked around the havan kund in their laps. Many devotees had brought nice gifts for the newly weds. Amid all the kirtan, marriage, vidai (bride leaves for husband's home) not for a single moment I felt that I was not attending a traditional Indian marriage.Prasadam-for-sadhus-02After the marriage there was a feast for the local Brajawasis, we served each one of them with sumptuous prasadam. Once they finished then it was our time to honour the prasadam. Kirtan continued almost throughout the time. It was the first time that I came contact with the non-Indian ISKCON devotees and I was completely ashamed to see their devotion during the whole ceremony. I am sure I have never worked so hard, as they did, in any of my cousin sister's marriages (I don't have a real sister). I still vividly remember one devotee feeding leftover prasadam to a street dog with such affection as if feeding his own son. I would not have even gone close to that dog in normal times. Consciousness of all these devotees was very pure and I felt being the odd one out.We came back in the evening. I will felt purified till my inner core. Sometimes when I look back, I think it was after attending this ceremony and being in touch with so many pure devotees that my spiritual journey got on the track.I also feel that we do not appreciate enough what role ISKCON plays in making such `Lila sthali' accessible to a common man. Had it not been for ISKCON, every devotee would be on the mercy of local `panda' or priest, as in most traditional Indian temples. I don't remember being charged for this for the trip, and even that would be some very reasonable amount to cover the cost, got association of devotees, blessings of attending Tulasi Shaligram marriage, heard melodious and impromptu kirtans by devotees, sumptuous prasadam, opportunity to serve Brajavasis. I do not know any other organization in India, or the whole world, which would serve so much and that too for a non-member like me and with no other motive than to please Krishna.It is a pity when I see so many temples in India, at prime locations in cities and various Dhams, in dilapidated condition. They should all handover the management to ISKCON and see the difference in service to Deities and preaching in the area, which is the purpose of a temple.We can know more about Tulasi vivah and the Vrinda Devi temple, now under ISKCON, athttp://www.iskcondesiretree.net/page/tulasisaligrama-vivahahttp://www.vrindavan-dham.com/vrinda( All pictures are file pictures, which I took from the Vrinda Devi temple website)All glories to Tulasi- Shaligrama Vivah.All glories to ISKCON.All glories to Srila Prabhupada.Kindly visit and subscribe http://www.forthepleasureoflordkrishna.com for same blog with pictures.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 25, 2014 at 1:48pm
Hare Krishna25th January, GurgaonQ: Who is a pure devotee ? What are signs of a pure devotee ?A: One who fulfills the desire of Lord is a pure devotee.Srila Prabhupada explains in cc MADHYA 19 167"As we can understand from the Bhagavad-gītā (9.34 and 18.65), the Supreme Personality of Godhead wants everyone to think of Him always (man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ). Everyone should become His devotee, not the devotee of a demigod. Everyone should engage in His devotional service, including arcana (Deity worship) in the temple. Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru. Everyone should offer obeisances, from moment to moment, to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These are the desires of the Supreme Lord, and one who fulfills His desires favorably is actually a pure devotee."Signs of a Pure DevoteePrabhupada writes in the purports of same verse and MahaPrabhu explains it in verse 1681. The first business of a pure devotee is to satisfy his spiritual master, whose only business is to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness.2. A pure devotee has no plans other than those for the Lord's service.3. A pure devotee is not interested in attaining success in mundane activities.4. A pure devotee simply wants success in the progress of devotional service.5. A pure devotee is only interested in satisfying Kṛṣṇa and he does not engage himself in any other or demigod worship.6. A pure devotee could be situated in any order of life.Q: How can we say that anyone and everyone in the world can accept devotional service ?A: It's already been proved under ISKCON by changing the lives of people from all across the world.Srila Prabhupada explains in cc madhya 19. 167"This process is completely manifest in the activities of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. It has been actually proved that the entire world can accept devotional service without failure. One simply has to follow the instructions of the representative of Kṛṣṇa."Q: What is Pañcarātra and Bhāgavata systems ?A: Srila Prabhupada explains in cc madhya 19.169"The Pañcarātra system includes methods of temple worship, and the Bhāgavata system includes the spreading of Kṛṣṇa conscious philosophy through the recitation of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the discussion of philosophy with people who are interested."All glories to Srila Prabhupada.All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 24, 2014 at 3:46pm
Hare Krishna.24th January.I am continuing the series of Q&A which I take out from Srila Prabhuapada’s translations and purports.Q: How can we ignite the dormant love for Krishna in our heart ?A: By associating with devotees.Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport of cc madhya 19 151“Everyone has dormant kṛṣṇa-bhakti — love for Kṛṣṇa — and in the association of good devotees, that love is revealed. As stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 22.107):nitya-siddha-kṛṣṇa-prema ‘sādhya’ kabhu naya śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udayaDormant devotional service to Kṛṣṇa is within everyone. Simply by associating with devotees, hearing their good instructions and chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, dormant love for Kṛṣṇa is awakened. In this way one acquires the seed of devotional service. Guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja.”Q: Who is an Aryan ?A: One who chants the Holy name is an Aryan.Srila Prabhupada translates the below verse from SB 3.33.7 quoted in CC madhya 19.72 as“‘My dear Lord, one who always keeps Your holy name on his tongue becomes greater than an initiated brāhmaṇa. Although he may be born in a family of dog-eaters and may therefore, by material calculation, be the lowest among men, he is still glorious. This is the wonderful effect of chanting the holy name of the Lord. It is therefore concluded that one who chants the holy name of the Lord should be understood to have performed all kinds of austerities and great sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas. He has already taken his bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage, he has studied all the Vedas, and he is actually an Aryan.’”This verse was quoted by Vallabha Bhaṭṭācārya when MahaPrabhu tells him not to touch Roop and Sanatana Goswami as he is a high caste Brahmin.Srila Prabhupada explains in the purport of SB 3.33.7“The word juhuvuḥ means that the chanters of the holy name have already performed all kinds of sacrifices. Sasnuḥ means that they have already traveled to all the holy places of pilgrimage and taken part in purificatory activities at those places. They are called āryāḥ because they have already finished all these requirements, and therefore they must be among the Āryans or those who have qualified themselves to become Āryans. “Āryan” refers to those who are civilized, whose manners are regulated according to the Vedic rituals. Any devotee who is chanting the holy name of the Lord is the best kind of Āryan. Unless one studies the Vedas, one cannot become an Āryan, but it is automatically understood that the chanters have already studied all the Vedic literature..”Q: How does one know what does Krishna wants us to do ?A: By surrendering to a bona fide representative of Krishna.Srila Prabhupada explains in cc madhya 19. 167“The criterion is that a devotee must know what Kṛṣṇa wants him to do. This understanding can be achieved through the medium of a spiritual master who is a bona fide representative of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī advises, ādau gurv-āśrayam. One who is serious in wanting to render pure devotional service to the Lord must take shelter of a spiritual master who comes in the disciplic succession from Kṛṣṇa. Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ [Bg. 4.2]. Without accepting a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, one cannot find out the real purpose of devotional service. Therefore one has to accept the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and agree to be directed by him.”All glories to Srila PrabhupadaAll glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 23, 2014 at 11:30am
14th December, 2013.1385198_10151702208230998_1539644230_nIt was a wonderful invite from HG Achyut Hari Prabhuji to invite me at his home for a program by HG Madhavanada Prabhuji.I have heard Prabhuji’s nectarean lectures many times in the past at Punjabi Bagh temple as well as at Gurgaon. I also subscribed to the emagazine Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu which Prabhuji publishes and read some of his books as well. He is a blessed soul and a great devotee of the Lord and His servants and definitely has the double mercy of Srila Prabhupada and HH Gour Govinda Swami Maharaj. I always look forward to hear his lectures.Prabhuji’s introduction at www.iskcondesiretree.com reads as: Madhavananda Das, joined ISKCON in Los Angeles in 1982. He moved to Bhubaneswar Orissa in 1993 where he has been living since. He was instructed by Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja to edit his lectures into publications. For over ten years he has been serving as the director of ISKCON Gopal Jiu Publications, the editor of Sri Krishna Kathamrita Magazine, and the email magazine Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu. This short introduction does not do justice to Prabhuji, he is a very very humble and yet a scholar with in depth knowledge, specially Gaur Lila at Jaganannath Puri Dhama. Prabhuji serves Srila Prabhupada and HH Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja with utmost sincerity and dedication. His bhajans take us away from the material world and into the spiritual world.As I paid my obeisances to Prabhuji , my mind went straight to Jagannath Puri and in mind I went to Jagannath temple, entered inside, stood in the que and then finally got the darshan of the Lord of the universe. Such is the potency of Prabhuji that a neophyte like me could take darshan of Jagannath by merely being in the presence of His devotee.Prabhuji spoke about Krishna’s various pastimes for sometime and It was painful when he announced that the class is over. Prabhuji sang Gaur Arti with everyone afterwards.I begged Achyut Hari Prabhuji to allow me to drop Prabhuji tomorrow at Punjabi Bagh temple, which he mercifully agreed.15th DecemberI picked Prabhuji and came to Punjabi bagh temple. Prabhuji spoke about the verse SB 7.5.13TranslationPersons who always think in terms of “enemy” and “friend” are unable to ascertain the Supersoul within themselves. Not to speak of them, even such exalted persons as Lord Brahmā, who are fully conversant with the Vedic literature, are sometimes bewildered in following the principles of devotional service. The same Supreme Personality of Godhead who has created this situation has certainly given me the intelligence to take the side of your so-called enemy.He explained the above verse in relation to book distribution. He said like Prahalad Maharaj is speaking that we should not consider anyone as our enemy or friend similarly when we go out people may consider us sometimes as their friend and sometimes as their enemy. But we should not look towards them in similar fashion and should always treat them equally. We should make judgment on whom to approach based on whether the person is rich or poor, handsome or ugly and so on.Prabhuji also recited a wonderful story from MahaBharat where one devotee mixed all the delicious prasadam made by Draupadi because he did not wished to make a distinction between various dishes as they were all prasdam ! ( Definitely a lesson for me !)Prabhuji stressed that we should distribute Krishna Prema to everyone without distinction and that we should follow Panch Tattava on how They distributed Krishna Prema.He recited another wonderful story where King Janak refused to go to Vaikuntha and wanted to stay in hell as inhabitants there were getting some relief from various punishments, by the mere presence of King Janak. And how King Janak finally gave the benefit of his chanting of just one Rama Nama and he liberated everyfrom hell. This is what, Prabhuji commented, should be our mood in any service, Jive Doya. This is the mood of our Acharayas, which should strive to inculcate within us.He added that we should not feel that we are giving `our’ mercy to all these fallen souls when we distribute books. Prabhuji said that we should instead instill a mood of serving them and serving Krishna. He said that for the sake our own purity we should not see anyone we meet as friend or foe, rich or poor and we should spread mercy to receive mercy. We can listen to the complete lecture at http://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/audio-gallery/hg-madhavanand-prabhu ( 15th Dec 2013)Later, I felt inspired to hear more lectures of Prabhuji and downloaded many lectures from iskcondesiretree.com, they were all dipped in Krishna Prema, guide us to a higher realm and offer us enlightening point of views & realisations. My pick was Ramananda Samvad. We can download this and many more lectures athttp://audio.iskcondesiretree.info/index.php?q=f&f=%2F03_-_ISKCON_Prabhujis%2FISKCON_Prabhujis_-_K_to_R%2FHis_Grace_Madhavananda_Prabhu%2FRamananda_SamvadI pray that at the lotus feet of Prabhuji and further pray that he continues to receive mercy of Sri Guru and Gauranga to spread the glories of Holy name all over the world and enrich the lives of devotees with Krishna Katha.HG Madhavananda Prabhu ji Ki jai.All glories to Srila Prabhupada.please read and subscribe http://www.forthepleasureoflordkrishna.com for the same blog with pictures.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 22, 2014 at 5:34pm
Hare Krishna21st Jan 2014.A devotee called up today evening and stated that he just read a statement by Srila Prabhupada that we should reject any guru who can not take us back to Godhead. The talk then went to which Guru, if any, is a Uttama Adhikari in ISKCON and how to find him ?I remembered the same question being asked to HH Bhakti Brhad Bhagavat Maharaja during the seminar on ISKCON Disciple course at Punjabi Bagh temple last year. I offered the same reply to the devotee.Maharaj replied with the following statement from Srila Prabhupada in Nectar of Instructions verse 5, second last para (http://vedabase.net/noi/5/en )"Out of many such Vaiṣṇavas, one may be found to be very seriously engaged in the service of the Lord and strictly following all the regulative principles, chanting the prescribed number of rounds on japa beads and always thinking of how to expand the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Such a Vaiṣṇava should be accepted as an uttama-adhikārī, a highly advanced devotee, and his association should always be sought."Maharaj declared that we do not need any more `pramaan' ( proof) than the above statement from Srila Prabhupada himself and we will all agree that with the above definition almost all the Sanyasis in ISKCON will qualify as being a Uttama Adhikari ! Hari Bol !All Glories to Srila Prabhupda.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 22, 2014 at 2:21pm
Hare Krishna.22nd January, Gurgaon.Its only recently that I have started reading Srila Prabhupada's purports a little more carefully than ever before, especially since I have started reading Sri Caitanaya Caritamrta. I realised that there are so many gems scattered in each purport. I am sure that I am just scratching the surface as I am a beginner in the spiritual life.Since past 2 weeks I have started taking my notes in a Q&A form. This helps me in two ways, first I now read the purports a little more carefully and secondly I get clear answers to so many questions and can store them on my ipad for future reference. Reading Sri Caitanaya Caritamrta has turned out to be a goldmine of knowledge for me, quenching my thirst to know more, and opening so many wonderful doors into Gaur Lila.I am sharing a few Q&As below, all these answers are from Srila Prabhupada's translations, unless I mention any of my learning from the same or will share the reference. Let me also acknowledge my complete lack of intelligence, experience, realisations and knowledge of shastra. I haven't yet read Srimad Bhagavatam completely and only with permission from my Shiksha Guru I have started reading Sri Caitanaya Caritamrta on the side. I also do not recollect 100% of what all I have read till date. I am aware that there are multiple answers to many questions with reference to Srila Prabhupda's purports in different verses and in different books. In this way I am completely ineligible to write on such topics. But I still hope and pray that this endeavour will please Sri Guru and Srila Prabhupada as I am sharing these Q&As without my own interpretation and I pray at their lotus feet that they bless us so that we can use this knowledge to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world. Here it goesQ: How can we see Krishna ?A: "One cannot see the Supreme Lord by making personal efforts. Rather, when the Lord is pleased by the service of a devotee, He reveals Himself."Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport of cc m 8.285 "In the Bhagavad-gītā (7.25) Lord Kṛṣṇa states:nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ mūḍho 'yaṁ nābhijānāti loko mām ajam avyayam"I am never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent. For them I am covered by My internal potency [yogamāyā], and so they do not know Me, who am unborn and infallible.""The Lord always reserves the right of not being exposed to everyone. The devotees, however, are always engaged in the service of the Lord, serving with the tongue by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and tasting mahā-prasādam. Gradually the sincere devotee pleases the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the Supreme Lord reveals Himself. One cannot see the Supreme Lord by making personal efforts. Rather, when the Lord is pleased by the service of a devotee, He reveals Himself."Q: What is Vraja river and why is it called Vraja?A: Causal ocean is called Vraja river.Srila Prabhupada explain in the purport of cc madhya 19 153 "There is a river, or causal ocean, between the spiritual and material natures, and this river is free from the influence of the three modes of material nature; therefore it is called Virajā. The prefix vi means vigata ("completely eradicated"), and rajas means "the influence of the material world."Last Sunday HG Haridas Thakur Prabhuji, Gurgaon, confirmed that MahaVishnu rests in the River Vraja, also called Causal Ocean, which is the border between transcendental and material realms.Q: What is guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāda?A: This is part of one of the most famous verses of CC, cc madhya 19.151,brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīvaguru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bījaTranslation"According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.Srila Prabhupada explains in its purport that "Kṛṣṇa is situated in everyone's heart, and if one desires something, Kṛṣṇa fulfills one's desire. If the living entity by chance or fortune comes in contact with the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement and wishes to associate with that movement, Kṛṣṇa, who is situated in everyone's heart, gives him the chance to meet a bona fide spiritual master. This is called guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāda. Kṛṣṇa is prepared to bestow His mercy upon all living entities, and as soon as a living entity desires the Lord's mercy, the Lord immediately gives him an opportunity to meet a bona fide spiritual master. Such a fortunate person is fortified by both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master. He is helped from within by Kṛṣṇa and from without by the spiritual master. Both are prepared to help the sincere living being become free from material bondage."I will be very grateful to you if you can give me your feedback on this Q&A format. Did it prove helpful to you and should I continue to post them in future. Pl mail your comments to giriraj.bcs@gmail.com or you can leave a comment below.All glories to Sri Caitanaya Caritamrta.All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 21, 2014 at 8:22am
Hare Krishna.sometime in 2012I had heard about Radha Ramanji temple many a times before and also seen His beautiful poster in the home of HG Radheshyam Prabhuji. There was a big curiosity in my heart to take His darshan.Usually whenever I go to Vrindavan, my only home is Krishna Balram temple. I have been to Bankebihari temple a couple of times and took darshan of the beautiful Lord there but the whole rush of people and pushing & shoving doesn’t inspire me to go there regularly. So I am always happily situated within the ISKCON temple premises. In fact I have not been to any other temple in Vrindavan till that time in 2012.This particular time, while I was in Vrindavan, I requested HG Vrajamohan Prabhuji to take me to Radha Ramanji temple and he kindly obliged.We reached the temple in the evening. The outside surroundings were comparatively quieter than the normal hustle and bustle of Vrindavan.image019Prabhuji told me how this particular Deity manifested on its own from the Shaligram Shila of one of the six Goswami, Gopal Bhatt Goswami. By a sheer coincidence, today is His appearance day.1613978_10152724724685353_2132742369_nSri Gopal Bhatt Goswami ji Ki Jai !1511500_10152726495640353_659009202_oSamadhi of Sri Gopal Bhatt Goswami inside Sri Radha Raman temple, VrindavanaThere were monkeys all around us , I had to remove my glasses, we entered the temple premises and first paid obeisances at his samadhi from outside the room.Then we entered the temple compound. The darshan was closed and it was very quiet, there was hardly any devotee inside. I sat down and the only thought which came to my mind was to chant. I sat in the compound and chanted and chanted. They were one of my best chanting rounds ever as I chanted only for the pleasure of Sri Radha Raman. After some time one devotee started dancing in Indian classical style in the temple compound, no music, no beats, she was busy dancing for the Lord. Then I heard a very soft kirtan being done in another corner of the compound in local dialect. It was a transcendental atmosphere.22file picture of temple compoundAfter 40-45 minutes there was a sudden commotion, ringing of bells, and I knew that darshan have opened and Sri Radha Ramanji is ready to meet the devotees. I opened my eyes and looked around, the compound was full of devotees. As I got up and raised my head to see my Lord, my first reaction was that the He is so small, somehow I had imagined the Deity as life-sized but He was very small and so so very beautiful and with a very mystical smile on his sweet face. As I inched closer I was completely lost in is His sheer beauty. I saw one devotee using a binocular to see the Deity, Prabhu ji told me that if we were observe Him closely we can even see His teeth and devotees try to see His teeth using binoculars !After initial jostling the crowd thinned out and I could stand comfortably and drink the nectar of Sri Radha Ramanji’s beauty with my eyes. After a short pooja, I saw the priest brought many small earthen pots. I found that it was Maha Prasadam . We took two pots and came out after paying our obeisances. I had to remove my glasses again. As stood in a corner, honouring the delicious prasadam, a monkey came like a flash and tried to pull the bags in my hand. I could not see very well without my glasses but I held on to everything in my hands. The monkey took some prasadam, not the whole bowl, gave his mercy in the form of a deep scratch at the back of my cellphone cover and then went away as fast as he came. I took it as a mercy by one of the `Dham wasi’. We then walked back with the one of the most beautiful forms of the Lord etched deep inside my heart.As I write I am telling myself to have darshan of Sri Radha Ramanji when I visit Vrindavan Dham next time, I promise myself that I would.We can read more about the pastimes of Gopal Bhatt Goswami and the manifestation of Radha Ramanji in a detail at http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/page/sri-sri-radha-raman-temple.1470296_10152668160320353_119805571_nSri Radha Raman Hari Bol. Sri Radha Raman Hari Bol !ph go to http://www.forthepleasureoflordkrishna.com to read this blog with pictures
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 18, 2014 at 9:19am
Hare Krishna.16th January, 2014I was very fortunate take darshan of his HH Janananda Maharaj at Sumeet Prabhu's home today in Gurgaon.Maharaj is a very quite, simple, deep and yet an affable sanyasi. Taking his darshan I felt as if I had taken a dip in holy water of Ganga river.Maharaj asked if I have some question, but more than my silly questions I wanted to hear Krishna katha from him. Being less intelligent, questions do not come easily to me and most of the time I forget them when asked so by a senior devotee. Hence when I meet devotees my only interest is to listen to the pastimes of devotees, Krishna, Mahaprabhu, acharayas, their realisation etc. and hoping against hope that this will make my heart soft and I may absorb something.Fortunately for me, one devotee asked Maharaj a question and as Maharaj replied so patiently, I asked something which was bothering me as a supplementary question.My puzzle was that Ramananda Raya quoted the verse brahma-bhutah prasannatma (BG 18.54) as higher than sarva-dharmān parityajya (BG 18.66), in his discussions with Mahaprabhu (cc madhya 8). I understood the logic of verse 18.66 being referred to as sanyas which is still within the material world, and also that devotion with knowledge is superior to devotion with rituals and that brahma-bhutah platform is out of the material world, etc. But, I knew that something was amiss in my understanding, and I could not get it. I read the purports (cc madhya 8.65) again and again, but could not get the understanding from my own endeavor. I asked Maharaj to kindly clarify the same to me and Maharaj's reply not only solved this puzzle but another question as well which I had forgotten since long.Maharaj replied that yes the Brahma-bhutah platform may be a very high spiritual platform but devotees do not aspire for it. He explained that the distance doesn't matter what matter is that what are our intentions (consciousness). He gave a very good example. He said consider that two people are walking towards Delhi. The first person is more closer to Delhi than the second. But the first person wants to plant a bomb in the city where as the second person is coming to serve the city. So even if the first person is nearer to Delhi but because his intentions are bad hence being near doesn't qualify as being any useful.Maharaj further added that similarly being a simple-hearted devotee of The Lord in the material world is a far better situation than being a spiritually elevated person going towards impersonalism with his own knowledge because there are more chances of the former going back to Godhead and serving The Lord personally than the latter.Maharaj's above reply also solved my other unsolved question `What is the status of those devotees who worship Lord Krishna with devotion and love but without much knowledge ? 'Maharaj's merciful reply cleared the fog in my mind like a bright sun in Delhi's winter.All glories to HH Janananda Maharaj.All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 17, 2014 at 12:29pm
Hare Krishna10th January, Gurgaon.I always heard that we can not get Bhakti from pious activities as Bhakti devi is independent. Then came the understanding that bhakti can only be given by a devotee of the Lord as Lord Himself is impartial towards everyone where as His devotees are partial towards devotees and innocents. Then came the question that what brings a devotee in our lives, should we just consider it a good fortune, which it is, or some `sukriti’ (pious credit) too is responsible for it.I recently heard a lecture by HG Madhavanad Prabhuji and he explained this point in a very simple way that I could understand. I am sharing the same.Prabhuji explained via CC. madhya 22 45, whose translation is“By good fortune one becomes eligible to cross the ocean of nescience, and when one’s term of material existence decreases, one may get an opportunity to associate with pure devotees. By such association, one’s attraction to Krishna is awakened.”Srila Prabhupada quotes Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur in his purport that there are there three types of Sukriti1. Bhoga (Karma) unmukhi sukriti : This gives material opulence, higher planets like swargaloka etc. this is also called `karmonmukhi’ or piety derived from subhakarma (auspicious activities like giving in charity, opening orphanages, etc).2. Moksha (jnana) unmukhi sukriti : This gives liberation, enabling one to merge into the existence of the Supreme. This is attained through piety derived from the cultivation of knowledge and therefore, it is also called `jnanonmukhi’ sukriti.3. Bhakti unmukhi sukriti: This awaken one’s dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Devotional activities such as hearing, reading & chanting about Krishna, serving His devotees, etc. constitute this third type and are thus supreme pious work.Prabhuji also explained that Srila Bhakti Sidhant Saraswati Thakur said in a lecture that when we follow vaidhi bhakti without being under the shelter of a devotee of Krishna then again we collect Bhakti unmukhi sukriti.Hence it works both ways, when we get or collect bhakti-unmukhi sukriti, knowingly or unknowingly, we get a devotee in our life. On the other hand we can also get causeless mercy of a devotee and then get bhakti-unmukhi sukriti.Srila Prabhupada further writes in his purport `Pious activities are fortunate when they help one become Kṛṣṇa conscious. The good fortune of bhakti-unmukhī is attainable only when one comes in contact with a devotee. By associating with a devotee willingly or unwillingly, one advances in devotional service, and thus one’s dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness is awakened.I understood that one may collect Bhakti unmukhi sukriti and it may sometime ensure that someone starts his spiritual journey from a higher platform but bhakti will not `kickstart’ on its own and one can only `encash’ these spiritual credits when one gets in touch with a devotee and get his mercy.My lesson : I must always hanker for the association of devotees and spend rest of the time, as much as possible, in hearing and chanting or talking about Krishna. The same thing was instructed by HH Giriraj Maharaj in Noida this month when Maharaj said that each moment of our life is precious and we need to use the best use of each moment.We can all hear the most wonderful Ramananad Samvad by Madhvananda Prabhuji, which had the above description on day 5, between 19.00 to 25.00 minutes, athttp://audio.iskcondesiretree.info/index.php?q=f&f=%2F03_-_ISKCON_Prabhujis%2FISKCON_Prabhujis_-_K_to_R%2FHis_Grace_Madhavananda_Prabhu%2FRamananda_SamvadAll glories to merciful Vaishnavas.All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 13, 2014 at 4:11pm
Hare Krishna.12th Jan, Gurgaon.As I completed my morning japa rounds the story of Shri Dattatreya somehow came to my mind and I questioned myself what I have learned from devotees and surroundings near me.During the recent Ujjain retreat with HH Bhakti Charu Swami maharaj at Ujjain, the topic was Uddhava Gita( SB 11th canto). Guru maharaj explained in one of the initial sessions about 24 gurus of Dattatreya and how the sage learnt from each of them and treated them as his Guru. I am summarising them below.Shri Dattatreya had twenty-four teachers from nature as he told King Yadu…. The earth, air/breeze, sky, fire, the sun, pigeon, python, sea, moth, elephant, ant, fish, Pingala the courtesan, arrow-maker, infant/playful boy, the moon, honeybee, deer, bird of prey, maiden, serpent, spider, caterpillar and water are my twenty four preceptors.I took out my pad and started writing on what all I have learned and from whom.1. HG Rukmini Krishna prabhu ( temple president, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi): From him I am learning to always be helpful towards others irrespective of where they come from and give them an honest and sincere advice by which they can develop their Krishna consciousness. He is always approachable, completely dedicated to serving all Vaishnavas and following his Guru Mahraj's and Srila Prabhupada's instructions.2. Mukul Prabhu, Delhi : He brought me into Krishna Consciousness.He is an ex-financial whizkid and after leaving his job, he now consults to SMEs. He has turned each of his client into Krishna Consciousness, he is always calm whatever may be the circumstance. I am learning from him to always remain peaceful.3. Sumeet Prabhu, Gurgaon: A very dear friend, like an elder brother. He is a very honest, practical and a sincere devotee. I am learning for him how to take my family along and that keeping them happy is very important for my own spiritual journey. He continues to give me practical advice which helps me tremendously. He comes from a vaishnava family and I can always follow his advice with my eyes closed.4. Tree in front of my house : Till a few months back we used to live on the 4th floor an apartment building and whenever I would come to the `study' to to do my yoga I could see the middle and top of this huge tree. Almost every single day as soon I would remove my glasses to start the yoga, I would see some form of Krishna in it and very clear. Sometime I would even call my wife and ask her can't you see Radha and Krishna in the tree and I would try show her Their form, she would reply yes the shape is there but it is probably more in my own mind. But I would see Lord Jagannath or many other forms of the Lord almost every single time, complete with Their facial expressions and skin color ! The lesson for me was that Lord is there in every atom, whenever I have devotion and faith in my eyes He manifests.P.s. : Now we have shifted to the second floor of the same building. The same tree is just right outside my balcony and much much closer. I worship him as a part of Govardhan! Why ? I have no idea, my heart said whenever you see him please pay obeisances as Govardhan and I do it every morning.5. Atma and Anand Prabhuji, Gurgaon : They are very talented twin brothers and are blessed to get personal service of serving Guru Maharaj. Their dedication to Guru Maharaj is commendable by all standards and a benchmark for me. I am learning from them what is meant by serving our Guru.6. HG Ganganarayan Prabhuji, co-president Ujjain temple : Such a humble devotee. I have yet to meet a more knowledgeable, dedicated and humble sanyasi-in-waiting, I am sure there would be others in ISKCON, but for me he is a benchmark of humility. I am learning from him how to be always humble from the core of my heart.7. Deities: I learn building relationships from Them; starting from Vrindavan to Punjabi Bagh to my own home, they always respond to love and affection. You may call my crazy but my small Ladoo Gopal ji change expressions many a times. I have written in my earlier blogs about my past realisations in Punjabi Bagh and Vrindavan, simply divine, amazing and most merciful. I learn from Them with whom to develop my relationships with.8. Electricity Pole : When I was in the 4th floor apartment another thing that I could out see out from my study window, besides the tree, was a giant Electricity pole. Somehow I always took it as one of the portion of Krishna's foot, like a Virat purush form of Krishna. I learned from him that nothing, living or non living, is separate from Krishna.9. Punjabi Bagh temple community: I learned from them how to serve all Vaishanava as equal. I always saw a festive atmosphere whenever a senior sanyasi would visit the temple. In fact it was after an year that I found the special position of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami as each senior Sanyasi was accorded the same love and welcome.10. Jagannath puri Dhama : I learned how does one feel when one steps into the `darbar' (court) of the Lord. My first experience, which I shared in detail in one of my previous blogs, was transcendental. I would never forget that feeling in my heart. I learned how small and puny I am in the overall scheme of things.11. Vrindavan Dham : I learned from the Holy Dhama to be always merciful towards everyone. Irrespective of who comes to Vrindavan, with pure, polluted or zero consciousness, everyone gets the mercy.12. Prabhuji, Punjabi Bagh : I do not even know the name of this devotee but I see him every time I am there, he would mop temple floor everyday before guru puja, he would never look around for a `help'. Summer or winter he is there, then very humbly he would stand in the last line and dance during the Guru Puja. I learned from him to always remain unseen in our service and never try to take any credit or aspire for glorification by others.13. Buying a house, Gurgaon : I shared my experience while buying my new house in one of early blogs in detail, one person on whom I depended the most pulled the rug right under my feet and at the very last moment. I learned from that experience to never dislike anyone, that they are just messengers of what I did in my past and it is due to the mercy of Lord that i am getting its consequences in a far lesser dosage. And I must always remain under the shelter of the Lord, He knows what is best for me.14. Yoga: I practiced yoga for 3 years or so and I learned how to sit at one place and meditate.15. My Wife, Priti : I learned from her the boundless patience and love she had for the kids. I had to copy the same for Krishna and His devotees.16. Subir Prabhu, Delhi : He is a very enthusiastic devotee and always full of energy for any thing connected with devotional service. I learned from him to be always enthusiastic in any service given to us.17. Ujjain temple community: What a wonderful set of devotees and epitome of hospitality. I am trying to learn to think of myself as a servant of every vaishanava and treat each of them as my own master.18. Amogh Lila Prabhu, Delhi : He has a gift for humour and is a wonderful preacher, now vice president for the Dwarka temple. I am learning how we can use humor as a strong tool in preaching and that I should not be serious all the time.19. Radheshyam Prabhu, Gurgaon : Before he shifted to Vrindavan Dham, his service to devotees was unmatched in Gurgaon. He served and served, never in the limelight. I am learning from him to always try to serve the devotees with the best of my ability.20. My Son, Samir: He is always carefree and gets back into cheerfulness within seconds of being scolded or upset about something. I am learning from him to never feel bad or sulk about any particular incident or behaoviour as that particular moment has already passed and I should look for what best I can do in this present moment.21. Tulasi Maharani : She takes birth in so many homes, she does not desire anything for her own self other than helping devotees connect with Sri Krishna and she is happy being always under Lord's lotus feet. I am learning from her to always remain in the shelter of my Guru and Krishna, that is my happiest position.22. HG Mahadevi Mataji, Vrindavan : Mataji is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, I wrote about her in one of my previous blog on how I met her during the procession of taking Srila Prabhupada's Deity to all the Goswami temples in Vrindavan and how she reciprocate with Srila Prabhupada in that journey. I am learning from him how we can reciprocate with Srila Prabhupada and feel his divine presence around us at all times.23. HH Gopal Krishna Goswami maharaj : I learned from him how the mere glance of a pure vaishanava can purify me and I must always hanker to get darshan of pure devotees of the Lord.24. Neelu, Delhi : She is the HR manager in our small company. She is always respectful towards everyone. She would even address our office peons and drivers with such humility that initially I used to to get upset about it. I am learning from her to always give respect to others irrespective of what social order they belong to.Last but not the least, I have realised is that in spite of having these 24 gurus, 24 moons, I can learn nothing till I do not have a special half moon in my life, my spiritual master. Without the mercy of my spiritual master all my learning enter from one ear and go out from other ear. It is only by the mercy of my spiritual master that each learning enters from one ear and then penetrate my hard heart rather going out from the other ear ! This helps get me realisations. Now the 24 and half moons are completed.All glories to Srila Prabhupada.All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 8, 2014 at 4:30pm
Hare Krishna.
8th January, Gurgaon.
As I progress from a fresher to a neophyte I realise that as I move forward the distance between me and Krishna keeps on decreasing as well as increasing.
In one way we start experiencing the presence of Krishna and Guru near us, we just need to `tune' ourselves by our daily sadhna bhakti and a sincere desire to get some instructions and voila ! they usually come fast. We then take another baby step towards a firm faith in Krishna, Guru and Shastra. What is invariably missing is a sincere and burning desire inside me to receive instructions than the response.
On the flip-side I also realise how almost unlimited jivas are serving Krishna in the eternal world and that just being a servant of the servant of the servant also is a very far distance from Him. We also realise what could be the position of a single fallen infinitesimal soul, if anything at all, in relation to our previous acharays and devotees in serving Him. At first it is painful to see the increased or rather infinite distance as we realise that there is no chance to go near Him. But after sometime a strange phenomenon occurs in our heart and we suddenly become blissful and relish every moment in just being an instrument to serve Krishna indirectly. Not even serving Him but just thinking and praying that one day we may become an indirect servant makes our heart and soul glow, that thought gives us more pleasure than serving Him directly. In fact we forget that we ever wished to serve Him directly !
Krishna is not straight and nor are His ways very straight !
I also realised that this change happened when I prayed to Srila Prabhupada, tried to serve him sincerely and developed a relationship with him first. As this relationship developed I immediately realised my good fortune. I realised how fortunate I am to have come under the shelter of Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet and ISKCON. And how by being under the shelter of Srila Prabhupada opens a direct door of service to Krishna via MahaPrabhu and Guru parampara. The sooner I become aware of my good fortune, and act accordingly, the faster I progress in my devotional journey..
Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 7, 2014 at 3:55pm
Hare Krishna.5th January, Gurgaon.The Sunday morning class was enlightening, we have a new full time preacher in Gurgaon, HG Mahaprabhu Chaitanaya prabhuji. He gave an excellent class today. After the class got over we were chatting up when HG Haridas Thakur Prabhuji informed us that HH Giriraj Maharaj is visiting Noida at 1 pm today. After the breakfast prasadam they both left for Noida. I came back home in double mind on whether to go to Noida or not. The weekly Bhagavad Gita group meeting at my home would start at 4 pm and it would inappropriate to cancel it or miss it. As I was returning home I got a mail from HH Giriraj Maharaj that he is leaving Vrindavan for Noida and would also give the morning lecture at Delhi temple. I had invited Maharaj to visit Gurgaon, he had consented but he wrote back a few days back that he was unwell and won't be able to make it this time.As I read maharaj's email, I realised that if he could come to Noida to give a lecture in bad health and then what stops me to drive to Noida and take his darshan. I reached home and discussed the same with my wife, she too pushed me to go to Noida. I left home around 12noon and was at the temple sharp at 1 pm. Noida temple is right on the main road and at an excellent location, Sri Sri Radha Govinda ki jai. The temple would open officially on 12th Feb. The main hall was packed with devotees and there was wonderful kirtan going on.iskcon_noida-4_500x375Maharaj came around 2 pm and it was so good to take his darshan. He looked frail and weaker than when I last saw Maharaj at Punjabi Bagh temple 3 years ago. May Krishna give Maharaj a very healthy 2014.photo 2Maharaj said as a new year has just started he has picked up a relevant verse from Srimad Bhagavatam.,SB 2.3.17āyur harati vai puḿsām udyann astaḿ ca yann asautasyarte yat-kṣaṇo nīta uttama-śloka-vārtayāBoth by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.Like a magician Maharaj brought out different meanings and teachings from this wonderful verse.My lessons from the lecture :1. We should not waste a single moment of life, which can not be bought by any amount ofgold. It indeed given me new prospective of time management and my time spent in service of Srila Prabupada and ISKCON.2. We have to just remain alive in our devotional service to go back to Godhead.3. A devotee’s old age or disease in the present life is but an impetus to a guaranteed eternal life. He gets free from the cycle of birth, disease, old age and death.I then met Maharaj briefly and he spoke and looked with such affection. Maharaj then got busy in signing his books for the pleasure of the devotees. I realised that it was already 3.30 pm. I rushed home but before leaving spotted Gaurav prabhu, bought a book and requested him to get Maharaj's autograph on the same. He, always ready to help, agreed and I rushed back home.6th January, Gurgaon.By lord's mercy I again made up my mind to hear Maharaj at Delhi temple and went with HG MahaPrabhu Chaitnaya prabhuji. We reached just in time for the lecture. Maharaj looked better today, he spoke on the following verseei-kathā śuni' mahāntera mahā-sukha hayacaitanyera krpā yāńhe, tāńhe ki vismayaWhen the personal associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would hear of the activities of Rūpa and Sanātana Gosvāmīs, they would say, "What is wonderful for a person who has been granted the Lord's mercy?" ( CC madhya 19.132)My lessons from this lecture :1. We should not hesitate to write and we must distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada, this is our parampara.2. We should not try to copy six Goswamis, what they did was the external manifestation of their internal mood. This is a very very important lesson for me.3. The last lesson I learnt is that I must always hanker to listen from pure devotees in person, it has a very different effect on my consciousness compared to when I listen to lectures over internet or recordings.Maharaj explained that Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Thākura compared distributing literature to playing on a great mrdanga. A normal Mrdanga can only be heard for few blocks but Book Mrdanga goes hundred of miles. Maharaj gave examples of how people become devotees after reading Srila Prabhupada's books in far off places.As the lecture finished I heard the nectarean voice of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. Jai ! Maharaj too was there so it turned out to be a double bonus for me.photo 4Srila Prabhupada wrote in the purport of above SB verse that `a moment passed in the association of a pure devotee by hearing and chanting the transcendental messages of the Lord is a perfect guarantee for eternal life, for returning home, back to Godhead.' What I surely felt was that each moment passed in the association of Maha Bhagavat like HH Giriraj Maharaj and HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj is guaranteed like being in the spiritual world, Vaikuntha, no anxiety, only bliss.All glories to HH Giriraj Swami Maharaj.All glories to HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj.All glories to Srila Prabhupada.Please go to www.forthepleasureofthelordkrishna.com for blog with pictures.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 3, 2014 at 6:29pm
Hare Krishna.31Dec, Ujjain.20131231-145823.jpgAs we all stood outside the dining hall, after breakfast, soaking in the warm winter sun, there was a little commotion. I turned my head I saw devotees gathering around someone, my first thought was that some Sanyasi or senior devotee has newly arrived. Then I saw that a family is being welcomed and garlanded. They looked very simple and before I could ask someone, a devotee whispered in my ear ‘do you know who is he ? He is Srila Prabhupada’s youngest son and his family ‘. I was taken a back by this information and it took me a few seconds to absorb it. I then moved closer to them and, of course, one could see a marked resemblance with Srila Prabhupada. It was so good to see them.We can see them in the above picture.Later, Guru Maharaj called them on the stage and glorified them and spoke how Srila Prabhupada named each of his son after a holy place, Prayag, Mathura and Vrindavan. The youngest, Vrindavan Prabhuji, was amongst us today, he spoke in Bengali about how proud he felt being Srila Prabhupada’s son and how he had a discussion with Srila Prabhupada for two hours before Srila Prabhupada left for USA. And then Guru Maharaj shared how Vrindavan Prabhuji had come stay with Srila Prabhupada in Vrindavan and how this youngest son was closest to Srila Prabhupada.It was my good fortune to be in Ujjain as Srila Prabhupada’s son and his family arrived. Seeing them , I felt a very warm feeling in my heart and I somehow felt more close to Srila Prabhupada as if I got a peek inside the private life of Srila Prabhupada.I know Srila Prabhupada is happy with us being together, cooperating with each other, and most happy with Guru Maharaj.All glories to Srila Prabhupada.For the blog with the picture pl see www.forthepleasureoflordkrishna.comRead more…
Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 3, 2014 at 6:26pm
Hare Krishna.31st Dec, Ujjain.The meals at the Ujjain retreat are very lavish by ISKCON standards. So yesterday after having another sumptuous breakfast I commented to Baljinder Prabhu how nice the arrangements are for the meals and there are so many devotees serving us as if we are in some 5 star restaurant. After we filled our plates initially, each dish was being served piping hot at our tables so that we don’t have to get up from our tables. That was my consciousness.Then I met Atma Prabhu outside the hall and he told that he is going to have the lunch Prasadam with the Brahamcharis. When I asked him the reason he told me that one of the Brahmachari , when Atma prabhu invited him to eat in the main dining hall, told him ‘ We are servants and servants do not eat with their masters.’ I was bowled over by their humble statement. That was their consciousness.When I came back to the room then Subal Shyam Prabhu told me that he wish to have his lunch Prasadam at ….. You guessed it right … at Brahamchari ashram. His reason, he does not like to take so much service from the devotees. That was his consciousness.So it’s the same hall, the same prasadam, same facilities and yet each one of us is accepting it with a different consciousness.This showed me how I can carefully observe our devotee brothers and learn from them and how association of devotees is beneficial to us innumerable ways.All glories to the merciful Vaishanavas.All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
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Posted by Giriraj dasa on January 3, 2014 at 6:24pm
Hare Krishna30th Dec, Ujjain.During the morning class today Guru Maharaj spoke about how we can take the example that In the field of atheism and Buddhism Sankracharya sowed the seeds or a base of Vedas. To dig we have to go down, in the reverse direction , so Sankracharya made the base by digging in the reverse directions, which is impersonalism, then the four Vaishanava acharya build the temple on that base. Finally MahaPrabhu came and established the Deities of Sri Radha Krishna in that temple. Guru Maharaj also informed us that MahaPrabhu took two points from each of the four Sampradayas.During the question answer session, after the lecture, one devotee asked Guru Maharaj what were the two points that MahaPrabhu took from each of the Sampradaya. Guru Maharaj remembered a few of them and replied that he doesn’t remember each of them. He asked HG Ganganarayan Prabhu but he couldn’t recollect them.As Guru Maharaj went to answer the next question, I searched on the internet on my phone and in 10 seconds I had all the 8 points. First hunch ; should I raise my hand and tell Guru Maharaj that I have searched the answer for him. Somehow I felt it would be wrong to do so. Instead I gave my phone, with the that page opened, to a senior devotee sitting next to me , he took my phone with a little surprise and became happy after I pointed to the opened page and he read the contents. He then handed my phone to HG Ganganarayan Prabhu and I could see that he too became happy reading the contents. Prabhuji then went to Guru Maharaj and handed the phone to him informing him about the contents. Guru Maharaj too was happy to receive it , he praised HG Ganganarayan Prabhu for finding them so quickly. He then shared the contents with everyone.I realised that I felt very happy when each of the devotee became happy reading the contents on my phone. I was most happy when Guru Maharaj glorified HG Ganganarayan Prabhu for finding the answers so quickly. Surprisingly, for a character of my person, I didn’t feel envious that it was me who found it, I felt very happy from inside that prabhuji was glorified and some how I played a small part in it.And lastly I got a hint how we can I please Krishna and Guru by being servant of the servant of their devotees. And it made me three times more happy ! I had read these lines many a times in the past but didn’t know the feeling and today by the causeless mercy of Vaishanavas I got a little taste of the same.I pray at the lotus feet of devotees to continue to be merciful to a fallen neophyte like me.All glories to the merciful Vaishanavas.All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
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