Appointment with Krishna 9/12

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

As His Grace Devakinandan Prabhuji said, what is coming out of Srila Gurudev's lotus mouth is not knowledge, but realization. This needs to be sunk into our polluted heart and thereby some cleaning is possible for us in this life time. As I was astounded by our loving Gurudev’s transcendental activities and in a bit of over enthusiasm I enquired him that how was it possible for him to come to Abu Dhabi at 1.30 a.m in the early morning and then start giving lectures for one and half hour and continue Mangala Aarati? I asked him, "You have not taken rest in the flight (whereas I just dose immediately in the aircraft the moment it goes into the sky) and still you are able derive so much energy at this age. I am completely becoming puzzled and bewildered by this act of yours. Please enlighten me on this."

Maharaja immediately replied in a grave voice, “Sajjan, my breaths are limited and anytime I may pass away. I do not have faith in this breath and therefore every breath has to be used in devotional service or otherwise when again I will get this opportunity to use these breaths in His service I do not know. I have to remind myself of this urgency and therefore I cannot postpone it. Every one of us should try to cultivate this feeling especially when we are in the old age. 'Wasting time is the greatest crime and wasted time is a wasted mind'. This demon from USA (lovingly referring to HG Atma Prasad Prabhuji who wrote the poem 'Maharaj, Maharaja please hear us') in just two sentences has given the essence of Srimad Bhagavatam. Why you people cannot churn your brain to understand Bhagavatam like this? You people can do more than this”.

This reminded me of Srila Prabhupada's profound statement that every time when he goes to take a small nap of sleep he feels that he is going to waste time.

How much important it is that every breath of ours is to be used in devotional service to protect us from this precarious condition of life (mrthyuh antike – death personified sitting next to us)?

Maharaja always quotes this verse very emphatically:

nihsvaase naahi visvaasah
kadaa ruddho bhavisyati
kirtaniya mato baalyaad
harer naamaiva kevalam

"There is no certainty when the last breath will come and put an abrupt halt to all one's material plans; therefore it is wise to always practice chanting from very childhood. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything."

I pray to the unlimitedly merciful Gurudev, Srila Prabhupada and Lord Sri Krishna to give me their mercy and sane thoughts about the undependable breaths and become dependent on ever-dependable holy names, Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad gita and never miss this appointment with Krishna at any time.

Chant,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna

Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama

Hare Hare

and be happy.