Genuine vs. Fake Religion

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

His Holiness Mahavishnu Gosvami Maharaja is always kindly showing us the doubtless way of pure devotional service by the torchlight of transcendental knowledge, as in the following class on the Srimad Bhagavatam 6.16.41, given in London, July 7, 2008.

visama-matir na yatra nrnaam
tvam aham iti mama taveti ca yad anyatra
visama-dhiyaa racito yah
sa hy avisuddhah ksayisnur adharma-bahulah

"Being full of contradictions, all forms of religion but Bhagavata-dharma work under conceptions of fruitive results and distinctions of "you and I" and "yours and mine." The followers of Srimad Bhagavatam have no such consciousness. They are all Krishna conscious; thinking that they are Krishna's and Krishna is theirs. There are other, low-class religious systems, which are contemplated for the killing of enemies or the gain of mystic power, but such religious systems, being full of passion and envy, are impure and temporary. Because they are full of envy, they are full of irreligion."

(H G Devakinandana Prabhu informed us that this verse, being part of King Citraketu's prayers to the Lord, made in a special meter not found elsewhere in the Bhagavatam, can be recited in the Damodarashtakam tune)

We started by reading Srila Prabhupada's purport: "Bhagavata-dharma has no contradictions. Conceptions of "your religion" and "my religion" are completely absent from Bhagavata-dharma. Bhagavata-dharma means following the orders given by the Supreme Lord, Bhagavan, as stated in Bhagavad gita: sarva-dharmaan parityajya maam ekam sharanam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. God is one, and God is for everyone. Therefore everyone must surrender to God. That is the pure conception of religion. Whatever God orders constitute religion (dharmam tu saakshaad bhagavat-pranitam [SB 6.3.19]). In Bhagavata-dharma there is no question of "what you believe" and "what I believe." Everyone must believe in the Supreme Lord and carry out His orders. Aanukulyena krishnaanushilanam: [Cc. Madhya 19.167] whatever Krishna says—whatever God says—should be directly carried out. That is dharma, religion."

Maharaja said that the religious systems started by men are impure, temporary and full of irreligion.

THE ROOT:
We should remember that Srimad Bhagavatam is the root of everything – including all religious systems. For example, in all religions, whenever we talk about God, unknowingly the finger points up. But it is only Srimad Bhagavatam who has the scientific descriptions of all the planetary systems and their directions. So we have to believe this, because apart from this there is nothing.

THE PROOF:
The ruling religion is forced upon the people. Take for example how Christianity came into India. Then before Islam was the ruling religion. Before, in India, this "I" and "my" was completely absent, all until the caste system became rigid. We must have firm conviction that Krishna is sarva karana karanam (the cause of all causes). To understand Vedic culture is the only goal of life. Otherwise, there is no culture at all. We can see the proof: they glow! If your religion is best, why can't we see it on your face?

Lamentation is there only due to:

a) Lack of faith in Krishna.

b) Lack of austerities: (Maharaja answers a question about practicing yoga to attract people to Krishna Consciousness) But what saadhana you have, that western people will be attracted to you? Coming there in jeans and t-shirt, what are you going to teach? The problem is: We're not serious to find out the root, because the austerities are not there. At four O'clock we have to wake up.

c) Our greedy nature: Now honesty is completely absent in India. The higher values are completely absent because of our greedy nature. And now the need is also there, because nothing is available. Our consciousness is completely bankrupt. How many years will it take in Krishna consciousness to purify that nature?

Nobody is ready to do the austerities. Unless we stand up at four o'clock in the morning – you will not come to your senses. (Maharaja sings a Gujarati folk song) Here, the morning routine; getting up before sunrise, brushing teeth with salt, taking bath and so on is explained in very simple language.

(We continue reading from the purport) "If one is actually Krishna conscious, he cannot have any enemies. Since his only engagement is to induce others to surrender to Krishna, or God, how can he have enemies? If one advocates the Hindu religion, the Muslim religion, the Christian religion, this religion or that religion, there will be conflicts. History shows that the followers of religious systems without a clear conception of God have fought with one another. There are many instances of this in human history, but systems of religion that do not concentrate upon service to the Supreme are temporary and cannot last for long because they are full of envy."

THE GIST OF THE WHOLE THING:
"Just sit with the Srimad Bhagavatam, read one paragraph and understand it. There's nobody needed to accompany you. Alone! Alone means with scripture. Computer may be effective for research, but at the same time, misuse of computer is there: "I have to check my mail" and so on. Association is beneficial if it's like-minded association. Unless we associate with like-minded people, there is no gain. Now Srila Prabhupada is available everywhere in his books, so we can take advantage easily. But we take only what we think is suitable to us; that's the problem.

As soon as doubt creeps in, we're on our way out. Therefore we should not touch doubt. Everything except Krishna is doubtful. We claim people have to come to us, to become liberated. But no, they can get everything from Srila Prabhupada's books. "

Chant,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna

Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama

Hare Hare

and be happy.