yad grhyamanair hari-nama-dheyaih
na vikriyetatha yada vikaro
netre jalam gatra-ruhesu harsah
"Certainly that heart is steel-framed which, in spite of chanting the
holy name of the Lord with concentration, does not change when ecstasy
takes place and tears fill the eyes and hairs stand on end."
Tad asma-saram hrdayam batedam. So just like stone or steel does not
melt very easily, similarly, anyone's heart which does not change
after chanting Hare Krsna mantra regularly, then it is to be
understood that it is steel-framed, made of stone or iron. Actually,
harinama is especially meant for cleansing the heart.
All misconception is within our heart, beginning from the wrong
identification, that "I am this body." That is the beginning of all
misconception. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc.
Antya 20.12]. So as you go on chanting, gradually the heart will be
cleansed, and you'll be able to understand that you are not this body.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura sings that "My dear Lord, when I was in the womb
of my mother, at that time I saw You once, became visible." Those who
are spiritually advanced, they can see God within the womb of the
mother. When a child remains packed up and the consciousness is
gained, he feels very uncomfortable. So at that time, one who is
pious, spiritually advanced, he prays to God, "Please rescue me from
this bondage. I am too much suffering. And this time I, after taking
my birth, I shall simply be engaged in Krsna consciousness," promises.
But Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, janama hoilo pori' maya-jale.
As soon as birth is taken, the maya is there; we forget. Immediately,
father, mother, other relatives, they take up the child and pats very
nice. So in this way we forget that we were in such a precarious
condition, almost suffocating. So this we forget, and being taken care
of, affectionate father and mother, on the lap, we think life is very
nice, this is life. But this is maya, this is illusion. Actually, this
bhava, to take birth, is very, very unpleasant task. It is blazing
fire, bhava-maha-davagni.
So if we can cleanse our heart during this life ... This is that
opportunity. It is not possible ... When I take birth as an animal,
cats and dogs, that is not possible. But as I have got now this human
form of body, we should not be again misled. If we can cleanse our
heart, then this blazing fire of repetition of birth, death, disease
can be extinguished. But the illusory energy is so strong that we
forget our last death-time miseries. At the time of death we suffer
very much. Just imagine, when we give up our life, how much difficult
position at that time.
So we have become steel-hearted, steel-framed heart. We do not
consider all these things. These are practical. And still, we are
under the impression that we are advancing in material civilization.
We are advancing in the art of cutting stone and wood. Within two
months one can build one wood house. Means expert in cutting wood.
Wood-cutter, stone-cutter. But we are not meant for cutting wood and
stone. We are meant for understanding our spiritual identity.
Nobody wants to die, nobody wants to go again into the womb of the
mother. Nobody wants disease, nobody wants old age. Here
Srimad-Bhagavatam gives you hint that hari-nama-dheyaih. By chanting
harinama, you can get out of this.
- Srila Prabhupada (SB 2.3.24 Los Angeles 1972)
Comments
Hare Krishna
PAMHO
Dandavat Pranam
Thank you So much for posting these wonderful lecture of srila Prabhupada
i got lot of knowledge from this post
Thank u once again
wish u happy new year
yours in service of lord Shri Krishna