Monday 29 April 2013

How to Act and Who is liberated-SP

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Yesterday for our weekly Saturday Feast program, we looked carefully at the verse in BG 3.9 which states that all work must be done for Lord Vishnu otherwise all that work is Karma, or binding the soul to the wheel of birth and death.  Personally I don’t think devotees think enough about the beginning chapters of BG, which stress how to act in this world, which is the foundation for how to act eventually upon the spiritual platform. Please consider thoughtfully, these quotes from Srila Prabhupadas books.

Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das

1.Madhya 2.31  Certainly that heart is steel-framed which, in spite of one's chanting
the holy name of the Lord with concentration, does not change and feel
ecstasy, at which time tears fill the eyes and the hairs stand on
end."

(So this above verse in CC gives us the end result of chanting Hare Krsna mantra.
We should not forget that this is the end point and reward for successful execution
of chanting Hare Krsna maha mantra. To forget it means we are just blindly following rules without profit.)

2. SB 2.3.24 P   . If there is no such change, the heart must be
considered steel-framed, for it is not melted even when there is
chanting of the holy name of the Lord. We must always remember that
hearing and chanting are the basic principles of discharging
devotional duties, and if they are properly performed there will
follow the reactional ecstasy with signs of tears in the eyes and
standing of the hairs on the body. These are natural consequences and
are the preliminary symptoms of the bhava stage, which occurs before
one reaches the perfectional stage of prema, love of Godhead.
   If the reaction does not take place, even after continuous hearing
and chanting of the holy name of the Lord, it may be considered to be
due to offenses only. That is the opinion of the Sandarbha. In the
beginning of chanting of the holy name of the Lord, if the devotee has
not been very careful about evading the ten kinds of offenses at the
feet of the holy name, certainly the reaction of feelings of
separation will not be visible by tears in the eyes and standing of
the hair on end.

3. Excerpts from Srila Bhaktivinoda and his book called Sri Bhaktyaloka 

There are two types sanga-association an attachment. Association is of two types-with non devotees and with women. Similarly attachment is also two types-attachment  for prejudices and attachment for assets.
Those matahmas who wish to attain perfection in Devotional service should carefully  give up sanga in the form of association and attachment, otherwise this sanga will gradually ruin everything.

Now let us consider sanga in the form of attachment. Attachments are of two kinds-attachment for prejudices and attachment for assets. First I will discuss the attachment for prejudices. There are two type of prejudices-ancient and current. The conditioned living entity has been performing fruitive activities and endeavoring for knowledge since time immemorial and the prejudices that have developed in his subtle body as a result are called ancient prejudices. Those prejudices are known as ones nature. As stated in BG—the embodied spirit master of the city of his body does not create activities nor does he induce people to act not does he create the fruits of action. All this is enacted by the modes of material nature.”Srila Baladev Vidyabhusana comments-The primordial  material  desire that is active since time immemorial is called ones nature. Due to such a desire the living entity is supplied with material bodies and other paraphernalia. False identification with the bodies causes one to act and causes others to act although this is not the pure souls real constitution or nature.” Regarding the bondage of prejudices of knowledge the BG says (14.6) O sinless one the mode of goondess  being purer than the others is illuminating and it frees one from all sinful reactions. Those situated in that mode become conditioned by a sense of happiness and knowledge. Srila Baladev  comments-“I am wise, I am happy”. By this pride the living entity is bound by goodness.
Peoples association with karma and jnana is the result of attachment born from the prejudices of  ones nature that are produced from past karma and jnana.
From ancient prejudices one develops association with karma and jnana Association with these ancient prejudices is inevitable. Despite all attempts up to suicide one cannot give up ones prejudices.

The prejudices or attachments for good and bad attained in this life due to association are called modern prejudices. Everyone in the world is under the control of these two kinds of prejudices.  When a living entity is not bound by maya then by nature he is a servant of Krsna.  Being bound by maya a living entity cannot give up ancient and modern wicked prejudices.  At that time ancient wicked prejudices become his second nature.  Only sadhu sanga can reform the attachment to prejudices. Sadhu sanga is the only remedy for this disease. Unless one reforms his attachments to prejudices, one cannot attain perfection in Devotional service by any means.

Association with prejudices is very dangerous. By affectionately associating with pure devotees of the Lord ones association with prejudices in the form of karma and jnana is destroyed. Due to this association with prejudices a living entites propensity for ignorance and passion becomes stronger. Whatever propensities for goodness passion  and ignorance are seen in peoples eating sleeping and sensual activites are all due to association with prejudices. Karmis and jnanis disrespect Vaisnvavas only due to this attachment for prejudices.Until the attachment for prejudices is destroyed the 10 offenses in chanting will not be uprooted.

4.The 6th Offenses to chanting the Holy Names-Give some concocted interpretation to the chanting of the Holy Names. This means  the chanting of Hare Krsna depends upon proper understanding of the philosophy before one can chant without offense. Otherwise
why there are so many books on the subject? And why no tears and hairs standing on end when we sing the names of God??

5.Define Pure Bhakti Yoga-SB 3.29.8 P   To act under the direction of a bona
fide spiritual master with a motive to satisfy the Supreme Personality
of Godhead is pure devotional service. But if one has a motive for
personal sense gratification, his devotional service is manifested
differently

6. One time Sruti Kirti told a story when Prabhupada was in the LA Temple.
Prabhupada had his japa beads on his hand, then took the bead bag
and tossed it on his table and said: "there my 16 rounds are finished,
now I can do any damn thing I want."   

7. NBS 13 P-If a diseased person is being cured of the symptoms of his disease
but does not care for the principles of healthy living, there is every
possibility of a relapse. Similarly, the neophyte devotee serious
about advancing in devotional service must carefully follow the
principles of regulative devotional service; otherwise there is every
possibility of his falling down. Strictly speaking, if a devotee
ignores the regulative principles and acts according to his whims--if,
for example, he does not eat krsna-prasadam but eats anywhere and
everywhere, such as in restaurants--there is every possibility of his
falling down. If he accumulates money without spending it for
devotional service, there is every possibility of his falling down. If
he applies his energy not in the service of the Lord but in some
material activity, there is every possibility of his falling down. If
the devotee does not engage himself always in hearing and chanting the
topics of Krsna and His activities but instead indulges in idle talk,
there is every chance of his falling down. If a neophyte devotee does
not follow the orders of the spiritual master and simply officially
sticks to the principles, or if he does not strictly follow the
principles, there is every possibility of his falling down. To become
greedy is another cause of falldown. And to associate with persons who
are not in devotional service is the last word in maya's allurements
for causing a devotee to fall down  

8. 750203mw.haw               
1. Devotee (1): No, I know, but for his actions other than just following
the four regulative principles and chanting sixteen rounds. He does so
many other things during the day. Where does he derive his authority
if he's not, let's say, living in the temple
?
Prabhupada: I do not follow. The authority is guru. You have accepted.
Bali Mardana: For everything.
Jayatirtha: Say I have some outside job, I'm living outside, but I'm
not giving 50% of my income. So then that work that I'm doing, is it
actually under the authority of the guru?
Prabhupada: Then you are not following the instruction of guru. That
is plain fact.
Jayatirtha: So that means that whole activity during the day, working,
that means I am not following the instruction of the guru. It's
unauthorized activity.
Prabhupada: Yes. If you don't follow the instruction of guru, then you
are fallen down immediately
. That is the way. Otherwise why you sing,
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado. It is my duty to satisfy guru.
Otherwise I am nowhere.
So if you prefer to be nowhere, then you
disobey as you like. But if you want to be steady in your position,
then you have to follow strictly the instruction of guru   

9. 730506SB.LA                    Lectures                  215476/530501
So the beginning you cannot do so, that anything
you can dovetail. No. In the beginning you have to learn first of all
how to become Krsna conscious. You are, we are in the training period.
We are in the training period. We should not imitate: "Oh, Yudhisthira
Maharaja was ordered to speak lies, so let us go on speaking all
lies." No, not that. You cannot do so. First of all, be trained up.
For being trained up, you have to follow the regulative principles,
the orders of spiritual master. In this way, sevonmukhe hi jihvadau.
When your all parts of your limbs will be engaged in Krsna's service,
hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam, in this way when you are actually advanced,
then whatever you do in Krsna consciousness, that is good.

Example-760314mw.may- Acyutananda: If a man says, "I am giving you this donation because it
is a spiritual organization," but if the money is misused, does that
man benefit?
Prabhupada: If money is misused, then both of them become implicated.
If it is not used for Krsna, then both of them becomes under the laws
of karma.

(This particular quote example is to show us how exacting do the laws of nature operate upon
us all. One would naturally think that if he or she gives some donation to some spiritual group, then some good spiritual result would come. But it is just the opposite, if one is not careful. )

10.  Bg 7.29 T     Intelligent persons who are endeavoring for liberation from old age
and death take refuge in Me in devotional service. They are actually
Brahman because they entirely know everything about transcendental and
fruitive activities
.

Bg 4.16 T      Even the intelligent are bewildered in determining what is action
and what is inaction. Now I shall explain to you what action is
knowing which you shall be liberated from all sins.

Bg 2.49 T    O Dhananjaya, rid yourself of all fruitive activities by devotional
service, and surrender fully to that consciousness. Those who want to
enjoy the fruits of their work are misers.

Bg 4.17 T     The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore
one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and
what inaction is.

                               PURPORT
   If one is serious about liberation from material bondage, one has
to understand the distinctions between action, inaction and
unauthorized actions. One has to apply oneself to such an analysis of
action, reaction and perverted actions because it is a very difficult
subject matter
.
To understand Krsna consciousness and action according
to the modes, one has to learn one's relationship with the Supreme;
i.e., one who has learned perfectly knows that every living entity is
the eternal servitor of the Lord and that consequently one has to act
in Krsna consciousness. The entire Bhagavad-gita is directed toward
this conclusion. Any other conclusions, against this consciousness and
its attendant reactions, are vikarmas, or prohibited actions
. To
understand all this one has to associate with authorities in Krsna
consciousness and learn the secret from them; this is as good as
learning from the Lord directly. Otherwise, even the most intelligent
person will be bewildered.      

11. Bg 4.20 T   Abandoning all attachment to the results of his activities, ever
satisfied and independent, he performs no fruitive action, although
engaged in all kinds of undertakings.
                               PURPORT
   This freedom from the bondage of actions is possible only in Krsna
consciousness when one is doing everything for Krsna.

12. Bg 4.33 P    The purpose of all sacrifices is to arrive at the status of
complete knowledge, then to gain release from material miseries, and,
ultimately, to engage in loving transcendental service to the Supreme
Lord (Krsna consciousness). Nonetheless, there is a mystery about all
these different activities of sacrifice, and one should know this
mystery
. Sacrifices sometimes take different forms according to the
particular faith of the performer
. When one's faith reaches the stage
of transcendental knowledge, the performer of sacrifices should be
considered more advanced than those who simply sacrifice material
possessions without such knowledge, for without attainment of
knowledge, sacrifices remain on the material platform and bestow no
spiritual benefit

Real knowledge culminates in Krsna consciousness,
the highest stage of transcendental knowledge. Without the elevation
of knowledge, sacrifices are simply material activities
. When,
however, they are elevated to the level of transcendental knowledge,
all such activities enter onto the spiritual platform. Depending on
differences in consciousness, sacrificial activities are sometimes
called karma-kanda, fruitive activities, and sometimes jnana-kanda,
knowledge in the pursuit of truth.
It is better when the end is
knowledge.


13. Bg 5.2 P    One is considered to be a failure in life as long as he makes no inquiry about his real identity. As long as he does not know his real identity, he has to
work for fruitive results for sense gratification,
and as long as one
is engrossed in the consciousness of sense gratification one has to
transmigrate from one body to another
. Although the mind may be
engrossed in fruitive activities and influenced by ignorance, one must
develop a love for devotional service to Vasudeva. Only then can one
have the opportunity to get out of the bondage of material existence."
   Therefore, jnana (or knowledge that one is not this material body
but spirit soul) is not sufficient for liberation. One has to act in
the status of spirit soul, otherwise there is no escape from material
bondage.

14. 760510SB.HON                   Lectures                 
The injunction is that tad viddhi, if you want to understand
transcendental subject matter, not material, spiritual... Spiritual is
completely unknown to us
because we do not know what is spiritual. We
are identifying with this body. You do not know even that "I am spirit
soul." So where is the possibility of spiritual understanding
? One
cannot see himself, what he is. He is thinking, "I am this body,"
exactly like the dog. The dog is thinking, "I am dog." So if I think,
"I am American," "I am Indian," where is the difference? There is no
difference. Yasyatma-buddhih kunape tri-dhatuke. If one thinks that "I
am this body," then he's no better than sa eva go-kharah. The animals,
they also think like that, "I am this body."


15. 741117SB.BOM                   Lectures  
 This is self-realization. Self-realization means to see one's proper
identity
. At the present moment we are not finding out our proper
identity. We are seeing to the body. I see you, your body, and you see
me, my body. We have no vision of the real person, which is, who is
occupying this body
. This is the first lesson we get from
Bhagavad-gita: dehino 'smin yatha dehe. Dehi... This body is called
deha, and the owner of the body is called dehi.
So when we can see that we are not this body, "I am not this body,"
that is beginning of self-realization
. That is called brahma-bhuta
stage. Aham brahmasmi: "I am not this material body." Aham brahmasmi.
This is self-realization.

(Prabhupada explained above, that as long as one thinks and acts as this
body, then that fruitive work will continue to bind us to birth and death. “As long as he does not know his real identity, he has to work for fruitive results for sense gratification”.)

(Srila Prabhupada explains below that liberation is not just chanting 16 rounds and following the 4 regulative principles-because that is just the beginning. )
16. 760607mw.la                 Conversations               
Hari-sauri: Because sadhana-bhakti is a gradual process, they
immediately want the highest perfection quickly.
Prabhupada: That is the danger. But if they at once go to rasa-lila,
because they are not trained up neither they are liberated, they'll
think this rasa-lila is just like our young boys, young girls mix
together, have sex like that.
… And they'll do that. That sahajiya tendency is very
easy to take up…. Thinking of Radha-Krsna lila, that is in liberated stage,
not in the conditioned stage.

Ramesvara: Each one of us has an original relationship with Krsna,
some as plant, some as tree, some as cow, some as cowherd boy. So if
that is re-established, why should the devotee desire to change it?
Prabhupada: That will be revealed when you are liberated. Why you are
bothering now?
Ramesvara: That's the point.
Prabhupada: A patient is thinking, "How shall I dance when I become
healthy?" First of all, rascal, become healthy, then talk of all this.
The rascals are thinking like that. You are patient; first of all cure..

(So all these devotees in these days were following the regulative principles as
best they could, yet still Prabhupada says that ones siddha deha,(spiritual body)
will be revealed when one is liberated, but not right now!)

17. 760816rc.bom                Conversations               
Acyutananda: Some of the devotees, they said that it is for liberated
souls. So they said, "Well, we are all liberated."
Prabhupada: Yes. Liberated for going to hell.

18. 760816rc.bom                Conversations               
Prabhupada: Liberated soul never says that "I am liberated." As soon
as he says "liberated," he's a rascal. A liberated soul will never say
that "I am liberated." That is liberated. Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He is
God--guru more murkha dekhi' karila sasan. "My Guru Maharaja saw Me a
fool number one, and he has chastised Me." He's God. This is the
example. If one remains always a servant ever-lastingly of guru, then
he is liberated. And as soon as he thinks that he is liberated, he's a
rascal. That is the teaching of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Guru more murkha
dekhi'. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is murkha? Why He's posing Himself that
murkha? "I am fool number one." That means that is liberation. You
must be ready always to be chastised by guru. Then he's liberated. And
as soon as he thinks that "I am beyond this chastisement, I am
liberated," he's a rascal. Why Caitanya Mahaprabhu says guru more
murkha dekhi' karila sasan? This is sahajiya-vada. He is thinking, "Oh
I have become liberated. I don't require any direction of my guru. I'm
liberated." Then he's rascal. Why this Gaudiya Matha failed? Because
they tried to become more than guru. He, before passing away, he gave
all direction and never said that "This man should be the next
acarya." But these people, just after his passing away they began to
fight, who shall be acarya. That is the failure. They never thought,
"Why Guru Maharaja gave us instruction so many things, why he did not
say that this man should be acarya?" They wanted to create
artificially somebody acarya and everything failed. They did not
consider even with common sense that if Guru Maharaja wanted to
appoint somebody as acarya, why did he not say? He said so many
things, and this point he missed? The real point? And they insist upon
it. They declared some unfit person to become acarya. Then another man
came, then another, acarya, another acarya. So better remain a foolish
person perpetually to be directed by Guru Maharaja. That is
perfection.


(Better we learn how to act first, then liberation will come later)


19. Bg 5.26 P   In the conditioned soul the desire to enjoy the fruitive results of
work is so deep-rooted that it is very difficult even for the great
sages to control such desires, despite great endeavors.
A devotee of
the Lord, constantly engaged in devotional service in Krsna
consciousness, perfect in self-realization, very quickly attains
liberation in the Supreme. Owing to his complete knowledge in
self-realization, he always remains in trance.

(So now here below, Srila Prabhupada talks about just ordinary karma yoga-, not even bhakti yoga, and how karma yoga is superior of Vaidhi Bhakti yoga)

20. 740401mw.bom                Conversations               
Prabhupada: Karma-yogi means one who does everything for Krsna. He's
karma-yogi.
Guest (1): One who does everything for...?
Prabhupada: For Krsna.
Guest (1): For Krsna.
Prabhupada: Just like you are doing, doing some work. For whom you are
doing?
Guest (1): For my own benefit.
Prabhupada: That's all. So that is karma. But when you do the same
thing for Krsna, that is karma-yoga.

Prabhupada: ..done not meant for Krsna, that is
for his own satisfaction. Just like Arjuna wanted to become
nonviolent: "No, no, Krsna. I cannot kill my kinsmen." That is a good
proposal. But that was his satisfaction.
Guest (1): That is very correct.
Prabhupada: Yes. That was his satisfaction. But Krsna wanted that "You
must fight." And when he agreed to that, that is his perfection.
Before that, he was trying to satisfy he.(himself)
... Whatever you do, that is your satisfaction. That is karma.
..karma. ...for your own sense satisfaction,
that is karma. And if you do it for Krsna's satisfaction, that is
karma-yoga.
Makhanlal: Pure bhakti and karma-yoga considered to  be exactly the
same?
Prabhupada: Exactly the same.
Prabhupada: Pure bhakti is above karma-yoga. Pure bhakti is above
karma-yoga.
Bhagavata: That is the difference between the Chapter Karma-yoga and
Karma-yoga in Krsna Consciousness.
Prabhupada: Yes. Pure, pure devotion means Sravanam kirtanam.Makhanlal: ...you're performing, is the vaidhi-bhakti stage of...
 ...of the sadhana-bhakti, the regulative principles.
Prabhupada: Yes, vaidhi-bhakti means regulative principles, and when
you are accustomed, automatically you perform, that is raga-bhakti.
Makhanlal: So vaidhi-bhakti is considered superior to karma-yoga then.
Prabhupada: No. Karma-yoga is better
.
Makhanlal: Karma-yoga is better?
Prabhupada: Yes.
Indian man: Pure bhakti is superior.
Prabhupada: Pure bhakti is sravanam kirtanam. Sravanam kirtanam
visnu-smaranam pada-sevanam, that is pure bhakti.
(break)
Yasomatinandana: ...formed by anybody.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Yasomatinandana: Karma-yoga.
Prabhupada: Unless one is inclined to take to devotion, it is not
possible to take to karma-yoga. Who can sacrifice the profit
?
Yasomatinandana: Does karma-yoga mean to follow exactly the sastras?
Prabhupada: Karma-yoga means yat karosi yaj juhosi kurusva tat
mad-arpanam.
Yasomatinandana: Doing only for Krsna.
Prabhupada: Yes. That is karma-yoga.Devotee: Which means?
Prabhupada: "Whatever you do, the result give Me."Devotee: To Krsna.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Yasomatinandana: So we are also, those who are on the vaidhi-bhakti
(indistinct) on karma-yoga path because we are...
Prabhupada: Yes. They are acting under the order of the spiritual
master. That is bhakti-yoga.
Bhagavata: So when one follows the nine activities of devotion purely,
that is pure bhakti.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Bhagavata: Then when he's following those nine activities, then he's
superior.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Bhagavata: Then that's superior to karma-yoga, to follow those nine
principles purely.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Makhanlal: Raganuga-bhakti is also superior to karma-yoga then?
Prabhupada: Bhakti is perfect stage. That is not for ordinary man.
21. 760920SB.VRN   ..Sinful activities mean anything you do without any purpose
to serve to Krsna, that is sinful. That is sinful. Not that "In the
material calculation this is very good work, the opening of hospital
or this or that, very good work. And Deity worship and going to the
temple is bogus." You may think like that.

22. 720827SB.LA                    Lectures                  211232/530501
 No. Brahmana means one who has seen, brahma-darsana. Darsana means seeing. And in that platform you can see God, or you can realize what is Absolute Truth.
…Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye. Out of many millions of
persons, kascit, somebody is trying to become a brahmana. That is
siddhaye. Kascid yatati siddhaye. Siddhaye means to become successful.

And yatatam api siddhanam. And out of many millions of persons who has

become successful, out of them some may know what is Krsna.
   So anyway, brahma-darsanam. Brahma-darsanam means the preliminary
understanding of the Absolute Truth. Brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti
sabdyate. In the preliminary understanding, impersonal Brahman is
realized; and if you make further progress, then you are, you realize
the localized aspect, Paramatma. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese
'rjuna tisthati. In your heart you will see. And, further progress
means you'll see Visnu, or Lord Krsna--brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan
iti. The one thing, thing is one, absolute, but a different capacity.

… Ordinary men, those who are in the sunshine, they cannot understand
what is the temperature in the sun globe. And even if you go nearer to
the sun globe, it is very difficult to enter into the, within the
planet. Similarly, the first understanding of the Absolute Truth is
impersonal Brahman, brahma-darsanam. Then, if you can make further
progress, then you will see that Absolute Truth within your heart by
yoga system. And if you make further advance, then you see Him eye to
eye and give your service, render your service personally. These are
the stages.

23. 721001SB.LA                    Lectures                  
Vaisnava means he is transcendental to the brahminical qualities also. But if you do not
maintain even brahminical qualities, then where you are a Vaisnava?
   So to become a Vaisnava is not so easy thing, because it is
transcendental to the brahminical quality. But it is very easy. Lord
Caitanya has made it easy, provided you stick to the principles. If
you simply chant regularly Hare Krsna... This is the special facility
for the people in this age. You can remain steady in transcendental
position. Ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam. As soon
as you remain in the offenseless chanting platform, immediately you
become transcendental to these material qualities. Very simple.


Some conclusions:
We started out at the very beginning with the verse from CC which stated that if ones heart is steel framed, then tears wont come to the eyes when chanting nor will the hairs stand on end. So
The last verse above says everything is very easy-AS LONG as one remains upon the offenseless platform of chanting Hare Krsna . I don’t know what everybody else concludes, but as far as myself is concerned, if these transcendental symptoms do not appear that means I am still chanting with some offense.

So these verses test our Krsna Consciousness and actual level of understanding.
Prabhupada has several times said that when one joins this movement and gets initiated
he is just like a beginning student who has entered the university. A freshman is hardly the
same as a graduating senior who has passed all his tests. So when one can follow the
basic pre requisites such as 16 rounds a day and the 4 reg's, that mean he has come to
at least the human platform, and not necessarily the transcendental platform, as some mistakenly are thinking. For example a fully qualified brahmana (kanistha adhikari) is still on the material platform     
So the whole point is this-If we are actually on the transcendental platform, which means every action we perform is for the satisfaction of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krsna, then this work is A-karma, or without reaction. That is moksa, and in that platform, tears will come to the eyes when we chant Hare Krsna.

NoD 10    Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu also recommended this process of hearing as
a means of self-realization in the present age of Kali. In this age it
is very difficult to follow thoroughly the regulative principles and
studies of the Vedas which were formerly recommended. However, if one
gives aural reception to the sound vibrated by great devotees and
acaryas, that alone will give him relief from all material contamination.

Friday 26 April 2013

No More Jagai and Madhais after chanting Hare Krsna !

750301rc.atl                Conversations                373300/530501
Indian man (1): Swamiji, my main question is: although spiritualism is
the Absolute Truth, can we not in some way make spiritualism in such a
way, modify in such a way, as to help the common people, the masses
?
Prabhupada: Yes. Yes, that we are doing.
Indian man (1): They have been steeped in ignorance for such a long
time. It will take a long time to bring them into the fold of
spiritualism.
Prabhupada: No. It has been made easy by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
that "You don't commit sinful activities and chant Hare Krsna. Chant
Hare Krsna and don't commit sinful life." That's all
. As sinful life,
we have given them: no illicit sex... We don't say, "No sex." No
illicit sex. No illicit sex, no meat-eating. Suppose... They are not
now eating meat. Are they unhealthy? They are known now as
"bright-faced." So no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no intoxication and
no gambling. This is avoiding sinful life. And chant Hare Krsna. Just
see the result. Just see the result, within four, five years, how they
have advanced. Not that they are Vedantist and they have studied all
the Vedas, not that. Simple thing. Have you ever come here in the
evening when they perform arati, kirtana? Just see how ecstatic it is,
simple thing
. Don't commit sinful activities and chant Hare Krsna.
Bas. You become elevated. Jagai-Madhai, they were... In those days,
because they were drunkards, woman hunters, meat-eaters, they were
considered most sinful. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu delivered them by this
process. So there were two Jagai Madhais, and hundreds and thousands
Jagai-Madhai now becoming purified.
 
              papi-tapi jata chilo, hari-name uddharilo,
                       tara saksi jagai madhai
 
   Everyone wants evidence. Papi-tapi, all sinful men were delivered
simply by chanting Hare Krsna. So you may ask, "Where is the
evidence
?"
                       tara saksi jagai madhai
 
   "The evidence is here, Jagai-Madhai." So not that Jagai-Madhai,
five hundred years ago. Now see at the present moment
. They did not
come to me after studying all the Vedas and Vedantist. They came to
me. I asked them that "Don't commit these sinful activities and chant
Hare Krsna." That's all. Anyone can do. Even the child can do. So you
are all educated men. You study this philosophy. Try to understand,
also join
. It is your duty because you are Indian. Caitanya Mahaprabhu
entrusted this mission to the Indians.
 
               bharata-bhumite manusya-janma haila yara
                janma sarthaka kari' kara para-upakara
 
   Indians are meant for doing good to others. That is Caitanya
Mahaprabhu's mission. An Indian can become perfect because there is
all the Vedic literature. Janma sarthaka kari. First of all, you
become perfect; then preach the knowledge for others' benefit. This is
Caitanya Mahaprabhu's...
 

Thursday 25 April 2013

Prabhupadanugas "The Hare Krishna Radio"

Hare Krishna prabhus
PAMHO AGTSP
 
You can listen the radio Hare Krishna at  this address: http://www.vedaveda.com/air/en.html
At this page you'll see the instructions to how to configure your smart phone.
The Hare Krishna Radio will be with you everywhere.
 
Have fun!
 
Ys
Aprakrita Dasa
 

Thursday 18 April 2013

Devotees are protected by Lord from the very beginning


SB 9.4.48 P  The Lord, however, knows how to protect His devotee. As
indicated by the words prag distam, the Lord knew everything.
Therefore, before anything happened, He had already arranged for His
cakra to protect Maharaja Ambarisa. This protection is offered to a
devotee even from the very beginning of his devotional service
.
Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati (▼Bg. 9.31). If one
simply begins devotional service, he is immediately protected by the
Supreme Personality of Godhead.
This is also confirmed in
▼Bhagavad-gita (18.66): aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami.
Protection begins immediately. The Lord is so kind and merciful that
He gives the devotee proper guidance and all protection, and thus the
devotee very peacefully makes solid progress in Krsna consciousness
without outward disturbances. A serpent may be very angry and ready to
bite, but the furious snake is helpless when faced by a blazing fire
in the forest. Although an enemy of a devotee may be very strong, he
is compared to an angry serpent before the fire of devotional service.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
Glories to Prabhupada
 
Sometimes we may think that God (Krsna) is not "there" behind the scenes. But the
solid realization that He is there comes with active service on His behalf.
We may know of some times when we actually  felt His protection directly, but there are
probably many more times when Krsna was protecting us without our even knowing about it. 
In this purport Srila Prabhupada explains that even for the most beginner of bhaktas, Krsna is
taking charge of that persons life and giving direction and protection to him or her. Even tiny steps
towards surrendering to the Lord are noticed, and immediately protection comes with those tiny steps.
This surrendering process to the Lord is the real insurance policy as the karmis will always let you down.
If you ever had to make a claim to a so called" insurance company" you will know what I mean.
They really dont want to cover your accidents, but only say so in their advertisements , and sometimes
you have to hire a lawyer to get them to do what they promised you they would do.
But with serving the Lord, their is no such hassles to encounter-Krsna immediately takes charge of
His devoted servants and give them all protection. Therefore Krsna Consciousness is the real insurance policy !
 
Hari bol
Damaghosa das

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Two material tendencies-enjoyment and renouncement-SP


Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhuapda
 
Below is excerpts from a lecture by Srila Prabhupada where he explains
the back and forth oscillations of materialists who try to enjoy and try
to renounce-both with futility. Then he gives explanations of real spiritual
practices like mind and sense control. Then he concludes with pure
devotional service as the only  and final answer.
710727SB.NY                    Lectures                 
 The, there are two kinds of tendencies: one is bhoga and one
is tyaga. Bhoga means enjoyment, sense enjoyment, and tyaga means to
give up this material world
. But without guidance, one does not know
how to renounce this material world. That is called tyaga. Bhoga and
tyaga, two kinds of tendencies are going on in this material world
.
First of all they want to enjoy, and when they are frustrated in
enjoyment, then there is renouncement
. Again when they are tired of
renouncement, again enjoyment
. Just like the clock pendulum, this side
and that side--tock, tock, tock, tock. Similarly, we are oscillating:
sometimes in the platform of enjoyment and sometimes on the platform
of renouncement.
Two things are there in this material world. The
karmis, they are trying to enjoy this world, whole day and night
that
expressway, always trucks and cars are going on--sonh, sonh, sonh,
sonh. Bhoga, how to enjoy, first class. Another, the hippies. They
don't want to do anything. Both sides are there in your country, bhoga
and tyaga.
   But in neither of the paths you'll be happy, because that is not
your proper position.
You cannot enjoy or you cannot renounce.
Actually the whole thing belongs to Krsna. Nothing belongs to anyone.
Whatever you have got in possession, that is Krsna's property.
 
   Then what to do? That is direction given by Krsna: sarva-dharman
parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja. You have created different types of
religion on the basis of this bhoga and tyaga. So you give up all
them. Then? Mam ekam saranam vraja: "You surrender unto Me
." Because
you cannot enjoy nor make any renunciation. But here it is said
tapasa, tyagena, by renouncing. Renouncing means that you're falsely
possessing. So you give it to Krsna, the original proprietor. Just
like one hundred dollars note, a child has taken from the father. The
child does not know how to use that hundred dollars note, but he,
he'll not give it to the father. "No, I shall not give it." Father is
begging: "Oh, my dear child, you are so nice. Kindly give it to me."
Actually the note belongs to the father. But because he's child, he's
innocent, ignorant, he does not know. Therefore Krsna says, dadasi yat
kurusva mad-arpanam. Dana, this tyaga, "You renounces this world for
Me. You renounce your wealth, your property for Me." The same thing.
Everything belongs to Krsna
. He's not a beggar. But He's patting the
child, "Oh, you are very good boy. Kindly give it to Me." That is the
way. Krsna is so kind. Because... The same example: the child does not
know how to utilize that hundred dollars note. He'll simply spoil it.
The best thing is to give it over, hand it over to the father. He
knows how to use it. It is his property.
   Similarly this tyagena means to practice, to give everything to
Krsna. Everything
. Tyagena. Samena(controlling mind) damena(controlling senses) tyagena(giving in charity). This is the different steps of elevating yourself to Krsna consciousness. ...
   So you are all initiated to become brahmana. You have become
brahmana. Don't become false brahmana. Real brahmana. It is not by
birth; it is by education, by practice, by knowledge.
So we are
offering the sacred thread to the Americans and Europeans in the
Western countries, and some of our Indian contemporaries, they are not
very happy with my action. They are under contemplation that a
brahmana can be, I mean to say, seen by birthright. No. No. Brahmana
is by qualification. Brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra. That is the
verdict of Krsna. We are concerned with Krsna, not any other else.
Krsna says, catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah: "By
division of quality and, guna, and work, one must have the symptoms,
the quality of a brahmana, and work as a brahmana." Not that...
Quality will be tested by work
. Suppose if you are engineer. You have
got the quality of... But if you sit down at home, what is your value?
You must be engaged in some engineer work. Suppose you are lawyer, and
if you don't go to the court and sleep at your home, then what is the
worth of your studying law? Therefore guna-karma. One should not be
simply qualified as engineer or lawyer, but he must work also, as
engineer, as lawyer. Then he's bona fide.
Similarly, unless you work
as a brahmana, simply saying that "I am a brahmana," what is the
value? Useless. They..., therefore Krsna says, guna-karma-vibhagasah.
There must be quality and work also. So here we are qualifying the
students to be raised in the brahminical platform, and they're working
also as brahmana. How they are working as brahmana? Because they're
fully engaged in Param Brahma's service, Krsna's service. Therefore
they are brahmanas.
...Therefore the process is being explained
by Sukadeva Gosvami: tapasa. First thing is tapasya, austerity. Even
it is painful... Austerity's painful. Brahmacarya is painful. Because
we want, unrestricted, to do everything. But no. As soon as it is
regulated it appears to be painful. When it is practiced, it is not
painful.
One brahmacari in Indian city, in severe cold, he was
sleeping in the open air, without any covering. And it was severe
cold. But it was practice. During Magha-mela, many saintly persons
come there on the bank of the Ganga, Ganges. This year we had our own
camp; we have seen. The whole night they are sitting in the open air,
without any covering.
   So practice. So practice means if you undergo austerity, tapasya,
everything will be practiced
 As soon as they're neglectful to the practice---falls down.
They cannot stay. Immediately goes out. So that is called austerity,
tapasya. Practice. Practical life. So these are the processes.
...So because our life is continuously committing sinful activities, from time immemorial... You
do not know when it began. Evolution, many births. Therefore this life
is meant for rectifying all mistakes that we had committed in our
previous life or in this life. How? By this process
. Ksipanty agham.
Agham means the resultant action of sinful life. Mahad api. Although
it is very great, mahad api, how? Venu-gulmam, venu-gulmam ivanalah.
Just like if you set fire to unwanted grass and creepers in the field.
You set fire, and they will be all burned. Similarly, by this process,
tapasa brahmacaryena, you can liquidate all of your sinful activities
of life and you become purified.
   So the next process, another alternative process is being suggested
by Sukadeva Gosvami
.
                        kecit kevalaya bhaktya
                          vasudeva-parayanah
                      agham dhunvanti kartsnyena
                        niharam iva bhaskarah
 
..Or somebody simply by becoming Krsna conscious,
agham dhunvanti, they kill all resultant action of sinful life.
.. Just like there is fog and, as soon as the sun rises,
whole fog gone, finished. Very good example. ..But as soon as there is sunrise, some
way or other, everything finished. Similarly, some way or other, if
you take to Krsna consciousness, all the sinful reaction of your life
immediately finished like the fog
. So, but... This process is accepted
kecit, somebody, very fortunate. Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore said:
 
            ei rupe brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
               guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija
 
The Krsna consciousness is not for ordinary persons. It is meant for
very, very fortunate persons
. But simply by accepting one thing, Krsna
consciousness, he finishes all business of brahmacarya, tyaga, yama,
niyama, sama, dama, everything.
   So Sukadeva Gosvami is prescribing, kecit kevalaya bhaktya.
Kevalaya bhaktya. Kevala-bhakti. There is no mixture. Kevala means
only pure devotional service. What is that pure devotional service?
No other desire than to please Krsna. Not that "I have become a
devotee. Now my income will increase
," or "I shall be..." That, that
will come automatically. You want money to increase your income to
become happy. But if you take to Krsna consciousness, automatically
you'll be so happy that you'll neglect to collect money
. That will
automatically come. There is no need of separate endeavor. Happiness
will come. Yam labdhva. Just like Dhruva, Dhruva Maharaja. He was so
lamenting. Those who are recording, I mean, transcribing my tapes, how
he was lamenting, that "How foolish I was that I took to devotional
service with a desire for some material p
rofit." He was so much
repentant. So that is, that is another profit of the devotee. For
material profit, somebody goes to somebody, some boss, some rich man,
some demigod, some powerful man. But a devotee does not go anywhere.
He goes to Krsna only. Even if he has got material desires. That is
the advantage. This advantage: that if you go to Krsna for some
material advantage even, then day will come, you'll forget that
material advantage.
   Just like Dhruva Maharaja, he was repentant, that "I came to Krsna
for asking some material..." The example is given: Just like one has
pleased a very big, rich man, and the rich man said, "All right, you
ask me whatever you want. I shall give you." So when he's asked to beg
whatever he wants, then if he asks that "Give me some broken rice
grains," is that very good proposal? If he's asking that "You can ask
anything else from me"--he's a rich man--ask him for millions of
dollars or something like that. But instead of..., if you ask for your
foolishness, that "Please give me some broken grains of rice..." So
similarly, to go to Krsna and to ask some material benefit is exactly
like this, to go to some rich man and ask from his "Please give me
some broken grains of rice." Why one should ask for material happiness
from Krsna? Material happiness will roll on his feet: "Please take me,
please take me."
These Krsna conscious boys and girls, in sixty
centers, just see how they are materially opulent. They're living in
the best house. They're eating best food. They're in best
consciousness. They have got the best hope. Everything best. Their
feature of body is best. What you want material happiness more than
this? They have got wife, children, happiness, home--everything--full.
So material happiness is nothing to a Krsna conscious person. He gets
automatically by the grace of Krsna. There is no need of asking for
it. Simply be steady to ask Krsna, "Please engage me in Your service."
Anukulyena krsnanusilanam. How Krsna will be satisfied? Then your
satisfaction will automatically come. Don't bother for material
happiness.
   Thank you very much.
Some conclusions:
Prabhupada has given yet again another brilliant class explaining how one purifies
himself in this life. He starts with telling about bhoga -tyaga-the back and forth position
of every conditioned soul who first works hard all week in his office or workplace,(tyaga or
temporarily renouncing enjoyment) and then bhoga(enjoys) on the weekends. Then
again on Monday more tyaga, or renouncement. This back and forth position, nobody is happy with.
So what to do?
Purify oneself and come to the spiritual platform. First he mentions bramacari life and
how one must practice it daily. Once practiced for some time, it becomes easier.
Next he mentions Sukadev Goswami saying better than this samena (mind control) damena (sense control)
is pure  devotional service because in one stroke everything is accomplished.  Dont go looking for material
betterment as a result of your devotion because it will find you in due course of time. And Prabhupada
gives the example of how so many devotees all over the world are living in the palace with the King (Krsna) and enjoying life with Him. So dont be like Dhruva by going looking for broken pieces of glass or material
opulence. Simply try for pure devotional service, because that will satisfy all our desires.
 
SB 6.1.16    My dear King, if a sinful person engages in the service of a bona
fide devotee of the Lord and thus learns how to dedicate his life unto
the lotus feet of Krsna, he can be completely purified. One cannot be
purified merely by undergoing austerity, penance, brahmacarya and the
other methods of atonement I have previously described.
 
Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das