Live From Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir!
Date: March 9th, 2011
Topic: Dhruva Maharaja Goes Back to Godhead
Verse: 4:12:33
Speaker: HH Prabodhanand Sarasvati Swami
iti vyavasitam tasya
vyavasaya surottamau
darsayam asatur devim
puro yanena gacchatim
TRANSLATION: The great associates of Vaikunthaloka, Nanda and Sunanda, could understand the mind of Dhruva Maharaja, and thus they showed him that his mother, Suniti, was going forward in another plane.
PURPORT: This incident proves that the siksa- or diksa-guru who has a disciple who strongly executes devotional service like Dhruva Maharaja can be carried by the disciple even though the instructor is not as advanced. Although Suniti was an instructor to Dhruva Maharaja, she could not go to the forest because she was a woman, nor could she execute austerities and penances as Dhruva Maharaja did. Still, Dhruva Maharaja was able to take his mother with him. Similarly, Prahlada Maharaja also delivered his atheistic father, Hiranyakasipu. The conclusion is that a disciple or an offspring who is a very strong devotee can carry with him to Vaikunthaloka either his father, mother or siksa- or diksa-guru. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura used to say, "If I could perfectly deliver even one soul back home, back to Godhead, I would think my mission -- propagating Krishna consciousness -- to be successful." The Krishna consciousness movement is spreading now all over the world, and sometimes I think that even though I am crippled in many ways, if one of my disciples becomes as strong as Dhruva Maharaja, then he will be able to carry me with him to Vaikunthaloka. [End of Srila Prabhupada's purport to SB 4.12.33]
HH Prabodhanand Sarasvati Swami: So Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport expressing his greatest humility that, "The Krishna consciousness movement is spreading now all over the world, and sometimes I think that even though I am crippled in many ways, if one of my disciples becomes as strong as Dhruva Maharaja, then he will be able to carry me with him to Vaikunthaloka." That means the Srila Prabhupada wants us to be surrendered devotees like Dhruva Maharaja.
Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura in his Saranagati says that:
sad-anga saranagati hoibe jahara, tahara prarthana sune sri-nanda-kumara [SNG: Introductory Song]
If a devotee could fully surrender at the lotus feet of Krishna or in other words when a devotee exhibits the symptoms of saranagati - there are six principles of surrender - then all his prayers will be fulfilled by the Supreme Lord immediately. Krishna fulfills the desires of a surrendered devotee. Sad-anga saranagati hoibe jahara, tahara prarthana sune sri-nanda-kumara. Then he is saying what are the symptoms of saranagati?
dainya, atma-nivedana, goptrtve varana, 'avasya raksibe krsna'-visvasa,palanabhaki-anukula-matra karyera svikara, bhakti-pratikula-bhava varjanangikara[SNG: Introductory Song]
There are six symptoms of saranagati. If each follower can follower these principles of saranagati in his life then all his prayers can be fulfilled by the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna. Whatever desires comes in his mind like we are seeing here the desire of Dhruva Maharaja was to deliver his mother. He was thinking seriously about his mother. He did not tell Nanda and Sunanda. The associates of Vaikunthaloka, Nanada and Sunanda could understand the mind of Dhruva Maharaja thus they assured him that his mother Suniti was going forward in another airplane.
The first symptom of surrender is dainya. Dainya means humility. Just like here Dhruva Maharaja was exhibiting this quality. Though he had desire forliberating his mother he was also considering that he was not the Supreme therefore Krishna fulfilled his desires. Only then would it be possible. So he was depending upon Krishna. He was not thinking, "I am capable of delivering my mother."
Similarly Srila Prabhupada is exhibiting his humility. In many instances we see how even though he was a maha-bhagavata uttama Vaisnava and we are alldepending upon him to return back to Godhead but Srila Prabhupada is saying that if someone becomes as strong as Dhruva Maharaja then he will be able todeliver him to Vaikunthaloka. This is because of his humility. This is a symptom of an uttama Vaisnava that,
uttama hana apanake mane trnadhama, dui-prakare sahisnuta kare vrksa-sama[Antya 20.22]
When someone is on the maha-bhagavata platform he thinks that I am the most fallen soul. Bhaktivinode Thakur sings in the bhajan 'Gopinatha'
visayi durjana, sada kama-rata, kichu nahi mor guna [Verse 1]
Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura is telling Gopintaha, "I have no good quality. I have so many lusty desires." In fact this is expressing his humility. Srila Prabhupada also in many instances has exhibited this quality that a pure devotee never i himself as a devotee.
Once Srila Prabhupada was arriving at the airport and devotees were waiting to receive Srila Prabhupada. There were many devotees chanting and dancing,brahmacaris were with shaved head and they were chanting Hare Krishna maha mantra, and Lord Caitanya's mantra and then Jai Prabhupada. There were somejournalists there who were surprised to see the devotees chanting and dancing. They enquired why they were chanting and dancing and what they were doing there. The devotees told them, "We are here to welcome our spiritual master who is just about to arrive here." So the journalist became more inquisitive and waited there. Upon Srila Prabhupada's arrival the disciples saw Prabhupada from a distance and paid their full dandavat pranams. When Prabhupada came close they offered garland upon garland upon him. The journalist were surprised to see what was going on and wondered why this person is getting so much respect.
Even the countries president or prime minister upon their arrival there is some gunfire or some form of formal respect is shown to them but this person was getting so much respect by these people. So as Srila Prabhupada was walking one journalist asked Srila Prabhupada, "Swamiji are you God? Why are you getting so much respect?" Srila Prabhupada said, "No I am not God. I am servant of God." He took a step further and stopped and when the journalist came to his side Srila Prabhupada said, "Actually I am simply trying to be a devotee of Krishna." So that is the humility of Srila Prabhupada. A pure devotee never considers that he is a devote. He also considers that, "I am a fallen soul."
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura used to say to his disciples when they paid obeisances to him, "Daso 'smi - I am simply your servant" The spiritual master thinks in that way that, "These disciples are sent to me by Krishna simply for me to guide and serve them.
In one of his songs Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura says:
ami ta' vaisnava, e-buddhi ha-ile, amani na haba amipratisthasa asi', hrdaya dusibe, ha-iba niraya-gaminije srestha jani', ucchistadi-dane, habe abhimana bharatai sisya tava, thakiya sarvada, na la-iba puja kara [Kalyana-kalpataru]
Bhaktivinode Thakur is expressing his feelings that - ami ta' vaisnava, e-buddhi ha-ile - thinking that I have become a Vaisnava, amani na haba ami - then thinking that I have now become a great Vaisnava I cannot be humble thinking that now I have become a great Vaisnava so everyone should pay me respect. Everyone must pay obeisances unto me. pratisthasa asi' - my heart will get contaminated by the desire for name, fame - puja and pratisthasa. Then thinking that I am I great Vaisnava I will think people should touch my feet and take dust from there then they will become free from sinful reactions; if they eat my remnants all good qualities from me will be transferred to them. Ucchistadi-dane, habe abhimana bhara - in this way I will get polluted within my heart having desire for name fame and distinction.
Sila Bhaktivinode Thakur prays that, "Please bless me my Lord so that I may always remain as a disciple of my spiritual master that I may always keep myself as a disciple and not as a guru. Bless me to become a perfect disciple of my spiritual master." So these are the feelings of the great Vaisnavas. So Srila Prabhupada is expressing humility in this way. Although we are all depending upon Srila Prabhupada and he also has given us a guarantee that if you follow these principles given by him: attending mangal arati, regularly hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam and performing devotional service then we will return back to Godhead by his blessings. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura says,
krsna se tomara, krsna dite paro, tomara sakati acheami to' kangala, 'krsna' 'krsna' boli', dhai tava pache pache
Krishna belongs to His pure devotees, aham bhakta-paradhino [SB 9.4.63] Srila Prabhupada can give Krishna to us but as we heard Srila Prabhupada is saying that, "My disciples can take me back to Godhead." People generally want a son - putra. Pu means hell and tra means to deliver. One who delivers his forefathers from hell, he is called putra. That is the duty of a putra, son - to deliver his forefathers from hell. Here Prabhupada gave the example of Dhruva Maharaja and Prahlada Maharaja delivering his demoniac father, Hiranyakaspipu. When Nrsimhadev asked Prahlad Maharaj to accept some boons Prahlad Maharaja said, "I am not a businessman. I performed devotional service unto You simply to please you, not to take any material things in exchange."
If a devotee by performing devotional service wants something material from the Lord but when the Lord told Prahlad Maharaja to please ask for something. He asked him this again and again then only did he express his idea for delivering the conditioned souls and finally he said, "My father has committed so many offences at Your feet please deliver him." The Nrsimhadev told him, "You do not have to ask for such a boon. For a pure devotee like you My dear Prahlad Maharaja twenty one generations of your family automatically get delivered from hell." Prabhupada told his purport that his forefathers from his previous birth also, not only from this birth. The family members of a devotee's family from his previous birth also get delivered. That is the exalted position of a devotee.
That is why Prabhupada use to say putra means to deliver his forefathers from hell. If a son is not able to deliver his forefathers from hell then he is not called putra. He is called mutra. That is a very strong word that Srila Prabhupada used to say. Semen and urine comes from the same source. A son's duty is to deliver his forefathers from hell and if he cannot perform this duty then he is not a son. That is why everyone wants a son. So Prahlad Maharaj begged for his father Hiranyakasipu and here we see Dhruva Maharaja was thinking about his mother. At the same time they are not selfish n only thinking of their parents. Prahlad Maharaja was also thinking about all conditioned souls.
naivodvije para duratyaya-vaitaranyas [SB 7.9.43]
Just like yesterday HH Danavir Goswami Maharaja already recited that verse from the Bhagavatam how Prahlad Maharaja was so compassionate towards the conditioned souls. He was thinking about delivering all conditioned souls from the cycle of birth and death. In another verse it is said, - SB 7.9.44 Prahlad Maharaja says,
prayena deva munayah sva-vimukti-kamamaunam caranti vijane na parartha-nisthahnaitan vihaya krpanan vimumuksa ekonanyam tvad asya saranam bhramato 'nupasye
He is expressing that almost everyone is thinking about their own deliverance from the cycle of birth and death, their own liberation. That is why they go to the Himalayas and maunam, they become silent and they meditate on the Supreme Brahman. They are thinking how to deliver themselves from this material world. But Prahlada Maharaja is not thinking like that. He was thinking for all other living entities, all other conditioned souls. So he was not ready to go with Nrsimhadeva even though Nrsimhadev personally asked him to return back to Godhead with Him he was saying how could he leave behind all these conditioned souls.
Similarly we see in Lord Caitanya's pastimes about Vasudeva Datta. He was asking a boon from Caitanya Mahaprabhu that, "Please give me all the sinful reaction of all the living entities born in 84 lakh species. Give all of their sinful reactions to me. Let me suffer for them for time immemorial in hell but please deliver all conditioned souls from death. This is the mood of a Vaisnava.
Although Dhruva Maharaja went to Badrikasrama and was performing austerities there still when he was already on board the divine spiritual airplane he was still remembering how to deliver his mother. This is an example that a Vaisnava is very compassionate to all conditioned souls.
So how can we perform saranagati as I was saying in the beginning, we may have such desires but Krishna will fulfill our desires when we become a pure devotee and exhibit all the symptoms of saranagati. First is dainya, humility. A devotee thinks, "I am very fallen." Even though he is on the topmost platform like Srila Prabhupada and Prahlad Maharaja or Bhaktivinode Thakura. They are expressing their feelings in that way.
Then atma nivedanama. A devotee surrenders everything at the lotus feet of Krishna. Bhaktivinode Thakura says,
janaka, janani, dayita, tanay, prabhu, guru, pati-tuhu sarva-moy [[Manasa Deha Geha]
Janaka, janani - Krishna is my mother, Krishna is my father; dayita, tanay - He is my son; Prabhu - He is my master; guru - my spiritual master; pati - my husband and relative. He is my everything. Krishna is everything for me. Surrendering everything to Krishna like Bali Maharaja also surrendered everything at the lotus feet of Krishna. When one surrenders everything at the feet of Krishna then he is not illusioned. Actually Krishna thinks about the devotee who surrenders everything at His feet.
Goptrtve varana - Krishna is my protector. Krishna is my maintainer and Krishna is doing everything for my welfare. Krishna is my only well wisher. These are the feelings of a devotee.
A devote thinks Krishna is my protector. That is why devotees become fearless. They never fear anyone. In this material world everyone fears death but a devotee is never fearful about death because a devotee feels the presence of Krishna with him. When a devotee is alone, like when a child is alone and he sees a gigantic person in front of him then he become fearful. But if his father is with him he will not fear If the person in front of the child would speak some word to the child, the child will immediately answer or reply. In this way a devotee always thinks that Krishna is his protector all the time.
Not only is Krishna protecting him, Krishna is also maintaining him. Krishna maintains all living entities whether a small ant or an elephant. A small ant eats just a small speck of rice and an elephant eats isome other substances but everything is supplied by Krishna. So Krishna maintains His devotee. The pure devotee thinks, "My duty is perform devotional service and we have to leave what we eat (?) That is Krishna's duty." Krishna never neglects His devotees." Like we see how Madhavendra Puri was doing parikrama around Govardhana Hill but he was not thinking of any arrangement for his food. He was sitting at the bank of Govinda Kunda and Krishna came as a cowherd boy and supplied milk for him. Krishna personally brought milk for him.
There are many instances like this how Krishna maintains a devotee. Krishna fulfills all the necessities for His devotee. Devotee thinks in this way, "Krishna is my protector. Krishna is my maintainer. And whatever Krishna is doing is for my benefit."
suhrdam sarva-bhutanam, jnatva mam santim rcchati [Bg 5.29]
Krishna explains in Bhagavad-gita, fifth chapter, concluding verse: that one who accepts Krishna as his beneficiary, friend and Krishna as the friend of all living entities then such persons can achieve peace and happiness. So when we accept that Krishna is the only original friend then one can achieve peace. This is one symptom of saranagati.
Finally there is:
bhaki-anukula-matra karyera svikarabhakti-pratikula-bhava varjanangikara
anukulyasya sankalpah, pratikulyasya varjanamraksisyatiti visvaso, goptrtve varanam tathaatma-niksepa-karpanye, sad-vidha saranagatih [Hari-bhakti-vilasa (11.676)]
There are six symptoms of sarangati. Anukulyasya sankalpah - a devotee accepts what is favorable for devotional service and rejects what is unfavorable on the path of devotional service. We know, utsahan niscayad dhairyat [NoI: verse 3] Rupa Goswami instruct in his Nectar of Instruction, to be enthusiastic when performing devotional service. With firm determination one should think that, "In this one day if I can achieve success in my devotional service."
One must be patient - dhairyat and follow in the footsteps of the previous acaryas. tat-tat-karma-pravartanat, sanga-tyagat sato vrtteh [NoI: verse 3] One should give up association of non devotees and Mayavadis and remain always in the association of the devotees and follow in the footsteps of the previous acaryas. These are helpful for advancing in spiritual life. This is called bhaki-anukula. And one must reject that which is not favorable.
atyaharah prayasas ca, prajalpo niyamagrahahjana-sangas ca laulyam ca, sadbhir bhaktir vinasyati [NoI: verse 2]
These things atyaharah - to accept something that is not required. One should be satisfied with the minimum necessities. Just like Prabhupada used to say, "Simple living and high thinking." Devotee should aspire for things which are not desired for him to maintain his body. He must eat just what is necessary to maintain his body and not just saying in this human body to eat and enjoy.
In this way one must avoid atyaharah and give up that which is not necessary for maintaining this body and performing devotional service. Over endeavorto get all these material things for sense gratification. And Prajalpa, not to talk about mundane things. Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave a warning:
gramya-katha na sunibe, gramya-varta na kahibe [Antya 6.236]
One should not talk about gramya katha or mundane things and one should not hear about gramya katha or mundane things. This is called prajalpa.
Niyamagrahah. Prabhupada defines niyamagrahah in two ways niyamagrahah and niyamagrahah. Some people follow the principles very strictly but they donot understand what is the purpose of following these principles. Some avoid all the regulative principles and think themselves to be on the path of ragabhakti and they give up all rule and regulations artificially. So both of these will destroy devotional service. So one must be careful and observe the instructions of the spiritual master and also know what is the purpose why he is following those things. The raganuga bhaktas like the Gosvamis of Vrindavan are strictly still following:
sankhya-purvaka-nama-gana-natibhih kalavasani-krtau[Sri Sri Sad-gosvamy-astaka Eight Prayers to the Six Gosvamis by SrinivasaAcarya]
They are strictly chanting the holy name of the Lord in a specific quantity as advised by Lord Caitanya. We see Raghunath dasa Goswami who is consideredas prayojana acarya was performing devotional principles very strictly. Thus in Caitanya-caritamrta Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami is mentioning that:
raghunathera niyama, -- yena pasanera rekha [Antya 6.309]
Just like one puts a line on a stone and it cannot be erased so easily similarly Raghunath dasa Gosvami was performing his sadhana very strictly. He was paying thousand dandavats to Radha Krishna, two thousand dandavats to the Vaisnavas and every day chanting a specific number of rounds like more than one lakh and he was speaking for about three hours on Caitanya lila. He was speaking and only drinking one cup of buttermilk within forty eight hours. So they are strictly following the regulative principles. Raganuga bhakti platform does not mean that one should give up all the regulative principles. The Gosvamis were following strictly. They were following theinstructions of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So niyamagrahah - one should follow therules and regulations given in the scriptures but at the same time knowingwhat is the purpose.
jana-sangas - one should give up bad association. Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave awarning
asat-sanga-tyaga, -- ei vaisnava-acara 'stri-sangi' -- eka asadhu,'krsnabhakta' ara[Madhya 22.87]
One should leave these two types of asat sanga. One is too much attached to women, stri-sangi and those who are thinking women are only for one's sensegratification. Too much attached to women. Krsnabhakta' ara - one who is a non devotee, specifically Mayavadis, sunyavadis. Mayavadi krsne aparadhi [Madhya 17.129] They are offenders at the feet of Lord Krishna. On should give up association of Mayavadis and non devotees.
Then laulyam - one should not be thinking of achieving material things. You are getting something today and you will get more tomorrow. Like this you make more and more plans to achieve material facilities. Material desires are unlimited and one cannot be satisfied. Desires come one after another.
When a devotee follows all the principles of saranagati in his life then Bhaktivinode Thakura says, tahara prarthana sune sri-nanda-kumara. Then Nanda-kumara Krishna fulfills all the desires of such a devotee. It is not so easy to become a strong devotee just for a while. He is telling if somebody becomes a strong devotes like Dhruva Maharaja. This is what it means by 'a strong devotee' - it means a saranagata bhakta, fully surrendered devotee who thinks, "Krishna, everything is for You" and who is surrendering to the feet of his spiritual master and Krishna. Surrendering to Krishna means surrendering also to the feet of the spiritual master.
Spiritual master is representing Krishna and Krishna's instructions are coming to us through our spiritual master. In this way this is what it means to be a strong devotee. As Prabhupada explains if somebody becomes a strong devotee he could deliver himself and he could help deliver others from this material world and the cycle of birth and death. Hare Krishna. Any Questions?
Prabhu: There are favorable activities and there are unfavorable activities and you explained that we should be fully surrendered but sometimes I see the devotees make their standard so high that it is so difficult and they don't make so much advancement. How do we know, like I may say I will chant thirty two rounds but maybe for me it is too much? Or I may be a working man and I maya say that I will work less and devote more time o Krishna consciousness but maybe that is not good. But you were saying that we should be fully surrendered but how can we gradually get there?
HH Prabodhand Sarasvati Swami: So there are three things - sadhu, sastra and guru. We check instructions of the spiritual master, following strictly whatever instructions given by the spiritual master. And the instructions given by Srila Prabhupada to specifically chant at least sixteen rounds and follow the four principles: no gambling; no meat eating; no illicit sex and no intoxication.
Sometimes devotees ask whether we are advancing in spiritual life or not. Actually a devotee knows whether he is advancing or not specifically what is going on within. Ask oneself how much you are free from material desires, from lust. So In this way a devotee knows how much he is i If he is strictly following the instruction of spiritual master then he is advancing, if he is abiding by all the advice given by the spiritual master, chanting sixteen rounds etc.
Srila Prabhupada followed strictly his spiritual master and he told, "This is the secret of my success that I followed very strictly the instructions of my spiritual master." So if one surrenders to the spiritual master and follows his instructions strictly then he is a surrendered soul.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur said to chant 64 rounds but Srila Prabhupada said only sixteen rounds. How it is possible that by chanting sixteen round one can return back to Godhead? But Srila Prabhupada gave us guarantee. He told us, "I am not cheating." Spiritual master is never a cheater. We must have full faith in the words of the spiritual master. Prabhupada said those who are chanting sixteen rounds will enter into the spiritual worldiWe must have full faith and follow our spiritual master strictly then it is considered i We cannot imitate the standard of Raghunath dasa Goswami but at least we can follow the instructions of our spiritual master strictly, what Prabhupada gave us.
Prabhu: Regarding chanting sixty four rounds: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur said that those who have no engagements they can chant sixty four rounds and those with preaching engagements minimum four rounds less that sixteen rounds.
HH Prabodhand Sarasvati Swami: So today is also the appearance day of a great Vaisnava acarya, Purshottama dasa Thakur who is considered one of the twelve Gopas in Krishna lila. The tenth gopa's, his name was Stoka Krishna in Krishna's pastimes. Now in Caitanya Mahaprabhu's pastimes he appeared sthe son of Sadasiva Kaviraja. He is considered the twenty fourth branch of Nityananda Prabhu's branch. It is mentioned in Adi Lila, 11th chapter and also in Caitanya Bhagavata in Antya lila 5th there is description about Purushottama dasa Thakura that he was very dear to Lord Nityananda. He could understand the heart of Nityananda and he was immersed in transcendental emotion chanting and dancing and glorifying Lord Gauranga.
Purushottama dasa Thakura had three disciples, Sri Mahdvacaraya, Sri Yadavacarya, and Devakinandana dasa. Mahdvacaraya later became the son in law of Nityananda Prabhu. He married Ganga devi, the daughter of Nityananda Prabhu. And Devakinandana dasa was a great Vaisnava poet. He composed many devotional songs and specifically a book glorifying all the Vaisnavas. His resident was in Sukhasagara. Now his deities are in Candudegrama which is known as i nowadays. So today is his appearance so we pray at his lotus feet for his mercy so we can make spiritual advancement. Hare Krishna. SrilaPrabhupada Ki! Jai! [Applause]
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