Appointment with Krishna 8/12

(Compiled from notes on lectures of H. H. Mahavishnu Goswami)

We are all tested when we have to face the reverses. Otherwise we have the tendency to come and hear the discourses also for enjoyment. But the discourses are not for sense gratification but they are meant to force us to reduce our sense gratification. They help us to become immune to any tragedy we are bound to see. Maharaja made it very very clear that we cannot defy the orders of the Supreme Lord. We are helplessly carrying out His orders. This is described in Srimad Bhagavatam 5.1.11 as:

vahāma sarve vivaśā yasya diṣṭam- "All of us must carry out the order of the Supreme and we cannot deviate from His order."

We cannot defy the orders of the Lord. In this regard Maharaja was profusely praising the family of H.G. Shyam Charan das Prabhu who were patiently and prayerfully going through a distress at that time. Maharaja said that there were no tears because of unflinching faith in the order of Krishna. The remote cause of all the happenings is Him. If this really sinks into us, we are not disturbed. Till we are alive, we are forced to see any unexpected tragedy.

The efficacy and potency of this process is again and again tested and proved. This is not fictitious, not a fallacy and not a concoction. Our tradition is that we don’t hear anything other than Krishna. The more we hear the mundane things; we are subject to all kinds of hallucinations. But for those who are chanting Krishna’s names, the subtle living entities do not come near them. Hence the young ones must be forced to chant. The following wonderful verse from Srimad Bhagavatam 5.1.12 increases our faith in the Lord’s order. Thus Srimad Bhagavatam really settles everything and hence we have to read Srimad Bhagavatam page to page.

na tasya kascit tapasaa vidyayaa vaa
na yoga-viryena manisayaa vaa
naivaartha-dharmaih paratah svato vaa
krtam vihantum tanu-bhrd vibhuyaat

"One cannot avoid the order of the Supreme Personality Of Godhead, not by the strength of severe austerities, an exalted Vedic education, or the power of mystic yoga, physical prowess or intellectual activities. Nor can one use his power of religion, his material opulence or any other means, either by himself or with the help of others, to defy the orders of the Supreme Lord. That is not possible for any living being, from Brahma down to the ant."

Maharaja was emphasizing that these orders of the Lord are definite. We misuse our independence, concoct our own ideas and try to defy the orders. He gave the example of the pigeons that never eat non-vegetarian food, and they don’t store the food. That is why we do not see any hospitals for the pigeons. They die naturally without being seen by anyone and thus they do not defy the orders of the Lord. We human beings are competing, fighting and envious of each other. The scientists are always trying to defy the Lord but everywhere they are baffled. If we defy, we are punished. If we are favorable to His orders as mentioned in the scriptures, we can settle all our material accounts and we can be peaceful. Our first and foremost requirement is to have a tranquil mind. To control the mind, breathing exercises are required. This is described in the pages of Srimad Bhagavatam in 3.28.9 as follows:

praanasya sodhayen maargam
pura-kumbhaka-recakaih
pratikulena vaa cittam
yathaa sthiram acancalam

"The yogi should clear the passage of vital air by breathing in the following manner: first he should inhale very deeply, then hold the breath in, and finally exhale. Or, reversing the process, the yogi can first exhale, then hold the breath outside, and finally inhale. This is done so that the mind may become steady and free from external disturbances."

The mind can be controlled just by fixing it attentively on the sound vibration of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. All our singing of the verses are breathing exercises.

We should take care of the body so that we can go to Krishna. Extra water and irregular air are the causes of our ailments. Otherwise there is no other problem. This water and air can be regulated by walking and swimming. Walk as much as possible, thus have a sound body and a cool mind.

We can take up this process only if Krishna gives His sanction for us. When Krishna is extra merciful, He drags us and forces us to hear about Him. We are all waiting for His mercy. To attract His mercy, we must all conscientiously try to read Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad gita. This is the real mercy of Krishna. Only people who are selected by Krishna can do these things. Apart from this nothing exists. If something is not there in Srimad Bhagavatam it is all mental concoction. Hence bury your heads in Bhagavatam. Maharaja so kindly said, "Be selected by Krishna. It is in your hands. When we chant His names, we are selected by Him. He selects and gives us the appointment. Our special appointment is to be with Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad gita. Please don’t miss the special appointment with the supreme specialist."

Chant,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna

Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama

Hare Hare

and be happy.