Protecting Ourselves from The Effects of Maya

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

The following is an excerpt from the lecture given by our Guru Maharaja H.H. Mahavishnu Goswami on 14.12.2006 on Srimad Bhagavatam 11.7.4 at Sri Sri Radha-NeelMadhav Dham, Rajkot.

yarhy evaayam mayaa tyakto
loko 'yam nasta-mangalah
bhavisyaty aciraat saadho
kalinaapi niraakrtah
O saintly Uddhava, in the near future I will abandon this earth. Then, being overwhelmed by the age of Kali, the earth will be bereft of all piety.

Gurudeva explains here, Though, Lord Krishna withdrew His physical presence from the earth, as a Supersoul He is present everywhere, and by His mercy only Kali is permitted to reside on this earth. But Kali cannot enter into our heart and soul unless we allow it to. As I tell you many times, Maharaja continued, Kali yuga is just an excuse and to remain in Kali yuga or not is in our hands even today. Since Kali is present here only by Krishna's mercy we have to understand clearly that Krishna is superior to everything and only by serving Him alone, we can save us from all these nast-mangalah (inauspicious) activities. Until and unless you do not understand your constitutional position you cannot get away from any miseries. What we should never forget is that it is again always by the mercy of Krishna alone that we are able to do whatever we are doing at present, otherwise without His desire it is not possible to even think of taking a single breath. You have to always and always thank Him for everything.

Whether we believe it or not Gurudeva said, nature's ratio is always working. Food for an ant and food for an elephant is provided accordingly, everyday. Everything is done by Krishna's arrangement. What has to happen is destined to happen, changing the tracks of nature is not possible but just as in rain we can cover ourselves from getting wet by using coat or an umbrella, similarly we can cover ourselves from the effects of maya using the coat or umbrella made from Krishna Bhakti. Even in material work if we keep Krishna in the center than it too becomes spiritual. The confidential things of this material world is that everything is going to go away. To achieve any material product, whether you Walk Or Run - Lose Definitely (W.O.R.L.D.) Nothing is permanent. As stated in purport of Bhagavad gita 2.40. "Material activities and their results end with the body. But work in Krishna consciousness carries a person again to Krishna consciousness even after the loss of the body." Maharaja said, it is clarified here that nothing else other than Krishna bhakti is permanent because it is connected with the soul.

From this temporary world what we can steal away is the permanent devotional way of glorifying Krishna, and this process can be learnt through Bhagavad gita and Bhagavatam only. Anyone else changes or not, you change yourself. Have pity on yourself and your soul atleast, don't allow it to wander into different bodies and planets. Devotional service should be inter-woven in our everyday activities. Reading-reciting-researching-practicing and ultimately preaching Bhagavad gita and Srimad Bhagavatam are the only ways of taking back our soul to where it belongs; back home, back to Godhead.

I beg for the blessings of Gurudeva to guide me so that I can satisfy my soul and help me to sincerely devote my time in glorifying Krishna.


Chant,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna

Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama

Hare Hare

and be happy.