Close the eyes (I's) of Kaliyuga

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

na vastavyam tvayaiveha
mayaa tyakte mahi-tale
jano 'bhadra-rucir bhadra
bhavisyati kalau yuge
"My dear Uddhava, you should not remain here on the earth once I have abandoned this world. My dear devotee, you are sinless, but in Kali yuga the people will be addicted to all types of sinful activities; therefore do not stay here."

Gurudeva explained, "Because we are in the age of Kali we are deteriorating day by day. Our food, our behaviour, our culture are all affected due to material things and material activities. It is not that we are to be blamed only for engaging more and more in such non-sensical activities but also for encouraging others and our children too into these pitfalls. You will be definitely put into even more miseries and difficulties if you try to solve your material problems through material ideas. How is it possible to extinguish fire by pouring in more ghee? This world is a bank and everybody has a joint account with problems. Problems may differ for each of us but they are always there. If we try to solve one problem, another problem comes up. If we solve that problem another one is waiting. This way there is enough for us in this material world."

Maharaja read from the purport of Srimad Bhagavatam 1.11.3. "The material existence of our present status is full of fear. Out of the four problems of material existence, namely the food problem, the shelter problem, the fear problem and the mating problem, the fear problem gives us more trouble than the others. We are always fearful due to our ignorance of the next problem. The whole material existence is full of problems, and thus the fear problem is always prominent." The solution is there to each and every problem only in the scriptures, mainly Bhagavad gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. Only if we are satisfied with our material situation somehow or other, can these scriptures touch us. Then by trying to follow the instructions of the scriptures we should search out a genuine way of living.

The reason for my lectures that suggest you more on practical living is to save you from the influence of maya. Always engaging in service of Krishna either chanting, reading, preaching or serving the deities will never keep you away from His mercy. Remember the root of all difficulties is only one- forgetfulness of Krishna. When there is absence of Krishna there is something else which is maya. Close the following eyes "I's" of Kali.

-Illicit relations (relation with men/women other than married partner)
-Ilegal money making (gambling, stealing, etc.)
-Intoxication habits (tobacco, cigarettes, etc.)
-Innocent animal food (being a pure vegetarian)" .

Maharaja said, turn towards good things. See good in all, ponder only good things from others and magnify them so much that the bad things are nowhere to be seen. Stop critizing others and do not find defects in them because we too are similar, somehow or the other. When a devotee asked Prabhupada as to how to know who is a pure good devotee, Prabhupada replied, "A good devotee is one who considers everyone else as a pure devotee except himself." Good is always good and only good things survive, bad and false things cannot continue for long. Keep good habits, have good thoughts and always speak good words but without any attachment. Anything that is good either material or spiritual - that is Krishna. Gurudeva recited a verse from Bhagavad gita, 10.41:

yad yad vibhutimat sattvam
srimad urjitam eva vaa
tat tad evaavagaccha tvam
mama tejo-'msa-sambhavam
"Know that all opulent, beautiful and glorious creations spring from but a spark of My splendor."

Who does not like good things, good words and a good person? Anybody either a devotee or a non-devotee person are all attracted towards goodness - the product of Krishna. Even a godless person likes to wear good clothes, live in a good house and have a good wife. Unknowingly they too are living with Krishna, but their centre point of living is missing - knowing Krishna, which is unknown to their inferior knowledge.

Srila Prabhupada has very aptly said in 1.5.22, "All ‘knowledge’ not engaged in the service of Krishna is but nescience."

I beg for the blessing of Gurudeva to shower upon me mercy so that I can understand the real knowledge in real practical way.

Chant,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna

Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama

Hare Hare

and be happy.