Protection of Women

Srila Prabhupada describes in one purport in the First Canto that, in Draupadi’s case, Krishna had some plans. One of those plans was that Bhismadeva should be an instrument to show to the world: It doesn't matter who you are – even if you are Bhishmadeva, pitamaha -- if you don't give protection to women you will be destroyed.

Adapted from a lecture by His Holiness Romapada Swami on Sharing the Japa Retreat Experience,  Houston, September 2011

What Conquers Krsna

sri-bhagavan uvaca

na rodhayati mam yogo na sankhyam dharma eva ca

na svadhyayas tapas tyago nesta-purtam na daksina

vratani yajnas chandamsi tirthani niyama yamah

yathavarundhe sat-sangah sarva-sangapaho hi mam

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: "My dear Uddhava, by associating with My pure devotees one can destroy one's attachment for all objects of material sense gratification. Such purifying association brings Me under the control of My devotee. One may perform the astanga-yoga system, engage in philosophical analysis of the elements of material nature, practice nonviolence and other ordinary principles of piety, chant the Vedas, perform penances, take to the renounced order of life, execute sacrificial performances and dig wells, plant trees and perform other public welfare activities, give in charity, carry out severe vows, worship the demigods, chant confidential mantras, visit holy places or accept major and minor disciplinary injunctions, but even by performing such activities one does not bring Me under his control."

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.12.1-2

Eagerness to Hear

 

Even if we start with enthusiasm, sincerity, and a burst of eagerness to go for the real thing, the tendency is that somewhere down the line the standard somehow starts to sag. Then, “Whoa!….I need a vacation. I surrendered a lot prabhu. I need alittle sense gratification.” The spirit of ever striving to reach Krishna is eagerness. Niviṣṭah: it is through the ear, receiving Krishna. And if we are receiving that signal, that transcendental vibration enlivens the heart. It transforms the heart. But one can hear the same message and be like stone, very hard.

 

 - Adapted from a lecture given by His Holiness Romapada Swami on SB 1.3.44, given on January 6, 2008 in Brooklyn

Deepening our Relationship with the Holy Name!

What is important, of course, is the effort one makes in chanting, but receiving the holy name is also very important. It is a relationship, and we should want to deepen that relationship with Krsna and the holy name. When we make a commitment to a person, then there is both what we extend and what we receive -- the give and take. In our case, we are with Krsna and we are offering some service. So in our relationship with the holy name, the mood of service is very important. Simply chant as a service to the holy name. When we do that, what does the holy name do in turn? We should be ready to receive that which Krsna in the form of the holy name is extending to us. And we should be very open to whatever that is, because it is a relationship. We should especially bear in mind that the relationship with God is always on His terms. He is always the master and we are His servants.

Establish the relationship, or uncover and deepen that relationship we already have in this receptive mood, because many mysteries happen when we chant like that. The journey with the holy name itself is very mysterious. The theme of all of these is that our relationship with the holy name is deepening, even when the reciprocation is not necessarily according to our expectation. Sometimes it seems very painful to see devotees struggle, being in a valley while chanting, but that is also a relationship if we regard the situation properly.

We all can pray like this: "I am ready, on Your terms Krsna, please show me the way through this chanting of Your holy name that I can find myself more close to You in a deeper sense of relationship and connectiveness with You in the form of Your holy name". So be in the mode of receiving and be committed to the relationship with the holy name.

-- From a lecture by HH Romapada Swami titled 'Entering the Mood of the Retreat' during a Japa Retreat, delivered on September 2008 in Gita Nagari, Pennsylvania, US.

Chant from the Heart!

It is going to be pretty difficult when one is about to die, because everything breaks down and there’s so much pain and heat. The mind does not function. It cannot be like completing your rounds; it has to be from the heart. So we can practice chanting from the heart, because when the body is not working, and the mind is not working, and everything is too much overwhelming, it has to come from the soul itself. Govinda!

Adapted from a lecture given by His Holiness Romapada Swami on SB 1.3.41-42, given on March 1, 2008 in Hoffman Estates

Eagerness to Receive

We have two main categories of service to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna: receiving and giving. Receive that gift of Krishna in the form of the holy name, in the form of these literary incarnations of Krishna. Prabhupada writes that eagerness to receive sustains our enthusiasm to reach Krishna and places us on the spiritual platform. We therefore must accept Srimad-Bhagavatam as the direct representation of Lord Krishna. One who can see Srimad-Bhagavatam can also see Lord Krishna in person. They are identical. We have our Deity form of Radha-Govinda. We have our literary form of Srimad-Bhagavatam. We have the name, the sound form of Krishna. What fortune! We have the association of devotees. We are so fortunate to be in such association. Try it for a while without such association of devotees! We don’t recommend it, but if that happens, one will start to appreciate the association of devotees a whole lot more! And we have the holy dhama, the places where Krishna performs His pastimes. The most sacred powerful things!

Adapted from a lecture given by His Holiness Romapada Swami on Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.44, given on January 6, 2008 in Brooklyn

Is God a Person or a Reservoir of energy?

Q. In many lectures and discourses I have heard that just as we are persons, GOD is also a person. But I could not understand this concept as I as a soul have been in different bodies in different lifetimes. Does that mean that this personal theory applies only in the present lifetime since I am a person now?
Similarly how do we understand that Krishna is a person and not a reservoir of energy? Sometimes we are told that the concept of reciprocation is only  possible in case of GOD as a person but I think (please correct me if I am wrong) that in all the impersonal faith/religions, the seeker interacts with the impersonal energy (brahman if we may call it) and it reciprocates. So how come reciprocation is just a feature of the personal theory? I am confused, please help.

According to Vaishnava philosophy, both the living entity and Supreme Lord are eternally persons. This is confirmed by Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita. (BG 2.12)

Your confusion appears to be founded on a preconceived idea that "Soul" is impersonal, and in the human body alone it assumes personality. In reality, the soul or jiva is a person always, regardless of what body he enters in conditional life. The soul has his original, eternal form which is unaffected by the material body.
We can know for certain that God is a Person by hearing His own description of Himself, which is the most authoritative and conclusive. Krishna repeatedly confirms unequivocally that He is a person.

“Unintelligent men, who do not know Me perfectly, think that I, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna was impersonal before and have now assumed this personality. Due to their small knowledge, they do not know My higher nature, which is imperishable and supreme.” (BG 7.24)

“Those who fix their minds on My personal form and are always engaged in worshiping Me with great and transcendental faith are considered by Me to be most perfect.

For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, impersonal feature of the Supreme, advancement is very troublesome. To make progress in that  discipline is always difficult for those who are embodied.” (BG 12.2,12.5)

“I am the basis of the impersonal Brahman <http://vedabase.net/b/brahman>, which is immortal, imperishable and eternal and is the constitutional position of ultimate happiness.” (BG 14.27)

“O my Lord, sustainer of all that lives, Your real *face* is covered by Your dazzling impersonal effulgence. Kindly remove that covering and exhibit Yourself to Your pure devotee.” (Isopanishad 15)
...and numerous such direct assertions leave no room for misinterpretation.

By hearing directly from the Supreme Lord with faith, we can become free from all doubts. Hearing from unauthorized interpreters who have no perfect knowledge leads to confusion and bewilderment. Due to their faulty and incomplete understandings, their spiritual-sounding philosophy is fraught with inconsistencies. The idea of reciprocation from impersonal energy is one such example.

It is quite misleading to speak of interaction with an impersonal energy, and furthermore reciprocations from such an energy. Practically, we have no such experience in any sphere of life where an inert energy can either perceive or reciprocate. As soon as we speak of reciprocation, we are dealing with perception, feelings, qualities - someone perceives your desires or inquisitiveness, hears your prayers, feels your distress and sincerity of purpose; and that entity must feel pleased and impelled to reciprocate, which implies that entity has feelings like compassion, kindness etc. It is unreasonable to consider something that is endowed with so many characteristics, feelings, perception, knowledge etc -- all of which make up the very definition of personality – as simply a featureless, formless energy. Krishna is the basis of the impersonal energy which is but His bodily effulgence, and because He is the reservoir of all good qualities, He reciprocates with every living entity out of His boundless mercy, just as they approach Him.

- HH Romapada Swami

Truths about Chanting the Holy Name

Srila Thakur Bhaktivinode's Jaiva Dharma, chapter 23
With folded hands, Vijaya Kumar said, "Benign Gurudeva, by your mercy everything is auspicious for us. Please guide us in understanding the profound significance of nama-tattva."

The face of Raghunath Das Babaji immediately lit up with joy and he began to speak: "There are two categories of harinama: mukhya and gauna. Those names of Krishna that refer to his activities in relationship with the material nature are gauna-nama, secondary names. For example, srsti-karta, "creator"; jagat-pala, "the universal preserver"; visva-niyanta, "the universal administrator"; visva-palaka, "the universal maintainer"; paramatma, "the Supersoul", and so on. The word brahman, although a name of Krishna not referring to him in relationship with the modes of material nature, is also a gauna name. Though there are immense benefits from chanting these gauna names of Sri Krishna, they rarely bring forth transcendental results. "On the other hand, the names of the Supreme Lord associated with his transcendental spiritual abode are eternal and have nothing to do with the mundane plane. These names are absolute, spiritual, and are known as mukhya-nama, principal names. Examples are Narayan, Vasudev, Janardan, Hrishikesh, Hari, Achyuta, Govinda, Gopal, Rama, and so on. The mukhya-nama are of the spiritual sky and are non-different from the Supreme Lord himself. The most fortunate Nama-tattva souls in this universe attract the attention of mukhya-nama with the purity of their bhakti, and mukhya-nama dances upon their tongues in pristine glory. "The mukhya-nama have no connection with this phenomenal plane and are endowed with the complete sakti of Sri Bhagavan. They descend to this mundane illusory sphere to annihilate maya. Therefore, the conditioned souls of this material world have no better friend and well-wisher than harinama....

Vijaya: "Which is the sweetest amongst the principal names?"
Raghunath Das Babaji: "The Sata-nama-stotra states:
visnor-ekaikam namapi sarva-vedadhikam matamtadrk-nama-sahasrena rama-nama-samam smrtam
"One name of Sri Vishnu is superior to all the Vedic mantras, and one name of Sri Rama is more potent than a thousand names of Sri Vishnu."
Then, the Brahmanya Purana states:
sahasra-namnam punyanam trir avrttya tu yat phalamekavrttya tu krsnasya namaikam tat prayacchati
"When the thousand transcendental names of Sri Vishnu are chanted three times they are equivalent to chanting one name of Krishna."
Thus, we see that 'Krishna' is the supreme name. Therefore, we should always follow the instruction of Sri Gauranga and chant the maha-mantra:

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Starting Point of Loving Relationships

 

There is this sutra or distilled down little phrase in Krsna consciousness that loving relationships are suspended by common service together. Like this nice chandelier is suspended from a chain in the ceiling, but the chain in the ceiling is connected to this little rivet up there, and the rivet is connected to the beam. So loving relationships are suspended by common service together. The essence or the starting point of that common service is that we come together and hear and chant. We assist one another. Just like in a marriage, we assist one another to awaken and restore Krsna consciousness. That’s the Krsna conscious marriage anyway. And in any other kind of loving relationship -- friend to friend, or parent to child, or whatever it is -- that’s the essence from a Krsna conscious perspective. When that happens, not just material miseries cease to exist, but material existence ceases to exist.

Adapted from a lecture by His Holiness Romapada Swami on SB 11.3.3, entitled “Remembrance of Krsna Through Our  Loving Relationships with His Devotees” given in December 2011 at Chicago.

Happiness

April 23, 2012

The position of happiness is not achieved by whatever particular activity we are engaged in or the particular circumstances we find ourselves in. Happiness is found within.  Happiness from a spiritual perspective is our loving relationship with Krishna.

Adapted from a lecture given by Srila Romapada Swami on SB 5.8.1-11, The Pastimes of Bharata Maharaja – Part 2, in March 2011 in Vrindavan

Overcoming Fault Finding Tendency

Q. I have a "natural" tendancy to be very critical and hence find mistakes/faults in people. Most of the time, I find fault with people at the mental level and not necessarily express it. This habit also extends to devotees. I feel and know I am not supposed to do this. But, like I said, this has become a habit and I am finding it hard to relinquish it. In this whole process, I know I am wrong and hence I am always upset with my behavior (but this happens as a reflex action and not able to control my mind). Please advise me as to what I should do and how I should stop this habit of mine! I feel this will hamper my devotional process and that Guru and Krishna will not be happy with me.



HH Romapada Swami: There is a very simple and sure solution recommended to overcome fault-finding tendency -- deliberately cultivate the opposite habit! Search out and heartily appreciate the genuine good qualities in others, particularly in relation to how these qualities are the gift of Guru and Krishna, and are to be used in their service.

You can begin by making a very deliberate & conscious effort, as a daily exercise, of acknowledging and appreciating good qualities in devotees, and whenever circumstances allow, verbally expressing such appreciation and praise. Even better are opportunities to offer heartfelt service to devotees in a humble mood, and while offering such service doing so as a meditation and expression of appreciation of specific good qualities you find in them - such genuine service to vaishnavas can soften the heart and purge all critical mentality. You can also seek out the association of those who themselves have such a quality of genuine appreciation for others and serve in their company.

As you practice appreciating others, rather than arbitrarily praising some independent traits, it would be much beneficial to try to identify in what way Krishna's descending mercy is flowing into & transforming these devotees' lives and how they are making sincere efforts according to their capacity to take shelter of Krishna and His devotees. It is by this one good quality -- "krsna-eka-sharana" - that a devotee in time develops all desirable qualities, whereas it is concluded that a non-devotee has no good qualities whatsoever, because he is hovering on the mental plane. (Cf BG 1.28 purport)

Ultimately, we are interested neither in criticizing so-called bad qualities nor in praising mundane good qualities. Krishna decorates His faithful devotees with transcendental good qualities and by appreciating His devotees we are actually praising the manifestation of His mercy. You will find that even if there may be some factual, minor discrepancies in devotees, these become insignificant in comparison to the more significant factor of how their original nature is unfolding in relationship with Krishna, just like the black spots on the moon become insignificant in comparison to the flood of cooling illumination it provides.


Another very helpful meditation you can cultivate is to learn to see through the eyes of scriptures what the praiseworthy qualities in a devotee are. You can repeatedly study relevant sections from the Bhagavad-Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam where Krishna glorifies those engaged in His devotional service and how very dear they are to Him. E.g see BG 7.16-18, 9.14,15,22, 9.29-34. By regularly meditating on these passages, we can cultivate very deep respect and appreciation for the actual position of devotees beyond the external, circumstantial and temporary characteristics that we generally tend to focus on and instead appreciate their essential characteristic of taking shelter in Krishna.

By developing this spiritual vision, it can then also be extended to those who are not devotees; rather than being disturbed by their faults, we can learn to see the root cause of their difficulties viz. their disconnection from God and thus develop compassion for them.

Moreover, remind yourself of the fact that devotional service rendered sincerely is *SO* powerful that it can wipe out all discrepancies, in us and in others.

The process of devotional service is very powerful and by adopting the right means and applying oneself to them, lifetimes of habits and conditioning can be easily overcome. Have trust in this fact and with enthusiasm take up these positive steps. When we are actively cultivating the positive, there is no room for the negative; and the converse is also true! You are recognizing what is wrong and why it is wrong and you also feel genuine regret, but now do not dwell on it and let yourself be defeated by negative thoughts of frustration or anger towards yourself or how you are displeasing Guru and Krishna. Instead take up the positive and liberating process of rectification -- this will be most pleasing to them and attract their descending mercy which will further fill your heart with deeper appreciation of the glories of vaishnavas.

Keeping a Cool Mind while working hard to achieve things

Q. If a person has set an aim to achieve,(something) which is rather difficult, and is working hard to achieve this, is it okay for that person to get irritated and rude when dealing with their loved ones, or being selfish to an extent? How can they deal with the different pressures they have to face and keep a cool and composed mind?

HH Romapada Swami: It is neither justified, nor is it really necessary, to yield to the pushings of anger, irritation or harshness, under any circumstances. A thoughtful person should avoid the trap of the mode of passion, of which these pushings are the symptoms. The modes of passion and ignorance always lead to misery in the long run.

A thoughtful person is enjoined to cultivate the mode of goodness, and not to strive for extravagant goals beyond one's reach. Over-endeavoring for gains (prayasa), beyond what can be achieved by virtuous and natural means, can destroy all good qualities. Particularly in relation to achievements in the material sphere, as well as in regard to one's commitments towards spiritual life, a spiritualist is recommended to be dutiful but detached, being satisfied with whatever results come of their own accord after one's honest efforts.

Victory is always on the side of virtue. Our real aim and best efforts must be to act virtuously, and to please the Supreme Lord Krishna, rather than to achieve a specific goal. By acting virtuously, which includes being respectful and considerate to everyone at all times, one's efforts will finally be rewarded with success, beyond what can be accomplished by pushing one's way ahead unmindful of all other considerations.

Fear of Offenses and Bad Thoughts

An idle mind is the devil's workshop. Surfacing of unfavorable thoughts or fears is an indication that the mind is not appropriately engaged in positive devotional cultivation.

The first and fundamental step in bhakti is 'Sravanam'. Other processes of devotional service, such as chanting, praying, worshiping etc should be *founded* on the principle of sound hearing.  We must hear repeatedly from Pure Devotees who are themselves free from all offenses. We must chant and serve Krsna with their guidance. Please, therefore, take firm shelter in systematically studying Prabhupada's books and/or hearing his lectures. Negligent or sentimental practices of devotion, without help of deep understanding of Krishna based on scriptures, will leave our devotion weak, and prone to the attack of so many misgivings.

We have forgotten Krishna for so long, and have associated with heavily materialistic and atheistic conceptions. Offenses, or the tendency to commit offenses, is due to the lingering material conceptions and ignorance only. They cannot be overcome simply by fear or forceful efforts to banish offenses. Instead, the effort must go into cleansing the material contamination and misgivings in the mind. This is made possible by constant hearing from suddha-vaishnavas about the transcendental characteristics of Krishna.


mayy asakta-manah partha
yogam yunjan mad-asrayah
asamsayam samagram mam
yatha jnasyasi tac chrnu.
"Now hear, O son of Prtha, how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt." (BG 7.1).

When knowledge of Krishna is properly awakened, free from all doubts and misgivings, one will automatically become free from offenses, fears, rebellious tendencies and all their corollories.

Krishna is extremely merciful -- He overlooks our childish mistakes, especially of those trying to come back to Him. Despite their ignorant mistakes or offenses, such devotees are as much fortunate as a millionaire's child, in comparison to a lost and orphaned child who has no one to point out his mistakes!

- HH Romapada Swami

Advancement in Spiritual Life

The following section is taken from Chapter 16 of Adi-kanda of Caitanya Bhagavat, translated by Kusakratha Prabhu. It discloses *unique* direct teachings of Haridas Thakur to conditioned souls.

When he came there, with a glance of mercy Haridasa looked at all the prisoners. Seeing Haridasa Thakura's feet, everyone bowed down to offer respect. Haridasa's eyes were lotus flower. His face was a moon. His arms reached to his knees. His every feature was charming and handsome. No one was like him. Devotedly bowing down before Haridasa, the prisoners manifested all the symptoms of ecstatic love for Lord Krsna (sattvika- bhava). Seeing the advanced devotional service of the prisoners, Haridasa mercifully smiled at them. Smiling, he happily spoke this hidden benediction: "Stay. Stay as you are. May you always be as you are now." Not understanding the hidden meaning of these words, the prisoners became a little unhappy at heart. Then Haridasa mercifully explained the true meaning of that hidden benediction.

He said, "I have given you a blessing. But, not understanding its meaning, you are now unhappy. I did not give you a bad benediction. Please give this some thought and try to understand it. Now your hearts are attached to Lord Krsna. Please remain like that at every moment. Always gather together, chant Krsna's names, and remember Krsna. Remain like this at every moment. Never hurt anyone. Never trouble anyone. Instead, always think of Krsna and always, in a plaintive voice, call out 'Krsna!' Forget about material pleasures. Flee the company of wicked men. If you stay with material pleasures you will not attain love for Lord Krsna. Stay far away from materialists. Always think of Lord Krsna. A heart attached to sense pleasures brings only trouble. Sense pleasures are a trap that catches men and women. Sense pleasures lead to destruction. By divine arrangement a fortunate person attains the association of sincere devotees. He turns from material senses pleasures and worships Lord Krsna. However, if one commits offenses, he will return to materialistic life. Please hear about this. The benediction that I spoke did not mean, `May you remain prisoners.' Rather, day and night I give the benediction, `May you forget material sense pleasures'. Playing with words, I actually gave that benediction. Please do not feel even half a sesame-seed's worth of unhappiness. I place a glance of mercy on all spirit souls. 'May you attain firm devotion to Lord Krsna ' is the real benediction I give to you. Please don't worry. In two or three days you will be released from prison. This I tell you. Stay in a situation of material happiness, or stay in any situation, but do not forget these truths."

Main concern of a Devotee - Krishna's Happiness

While prosecuting spiritual life, we should be very cautious to not have circumstances take our attention away from what our purpose is. We should stay fixed in our purpose: vyavasayatmika buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana. What is that purpose? That buddhi is Krishna's happiness. We are the servant. Krishna is the master. We want to be situated in our relationship of servant unto the master.

Adapted from a lecture given by Srila Romapada Swami on SB 5.8.1-11, The Pastimes of Bharata Maharaja – Part 2, in March 2011

Purpose Behind Hearing and Chanting

Hearing and chanting leads to constant remembrance. Hearing and chanting is done in the association of those who like to hear and chant, but even more so in the company of those who like to hear and chant because they understand the purpose behind that hearing and chanting. The purpose behind hearing and chanting is to re-establish, in a profound way, our loving exchange with the Supreme object of love, the Personality of Godhead, whom we have forgotten, although we have an eternal relationship with Him. The association of devotees is imperative for aspiring devotees. It is not optional. One can’t learn this process on one’s own. It’s not to be done that way. By design, it’s not to be done that way. It won’t be effective that way. It will be effective in this way: by loving exchanges. The nature of loving exchanges Rupa Goswami has described in his Upadesamrta, translated by Srila Prabhupada as Nectar of Instruction.

Adapted from a lecture by His Holiness Romapada Swami on SB 11.3.30 titled “Remembrance of Krsna Through Our Loving Relationships with His Devotees’, given in December 2011 in Chicago.

Investing our Consciousness in Krishna

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.9.32
TRANSLATION Bhishmadeva said: Let me now invest my thinking, feeling and willing, which were so long engaged in different subjects and occupational duties, in the all-powerful Lord Sri Krsna. He is always self-satisfied, but sometimes, being the leader of the devotees, He enjoys transcendental pleasure by descending on the material world, although from Him only the material world is created.

Srimad Bhagavatam teaches us that our contemplations should be upon Krishna exclusively, because He alone is the object of meditation which can remove all material affinity (eg. see Srimad Bhagavatam 2.4.15). When we engage in varieties of devotional service, we need to "invest consciousness" within the activities we are performing, contemplating all the while the intended purpose: pleasing guru and Krishna. This kind of investing of consciousness will purify our existence, including our intelligence, mind and senses. As well, our dormant feelings of love for Krishna will awaken with greater and greater strength as we become accomplished in such contemplation. [We cannot make the same statement about contemplation upon any worldly object!]

Bhishmadeva's services as a statesman, ksatriya, grandfather, etc were all rendered with complete focus upon Krishna within his mind. However, when the circumstance was provided, at will he could completely "invest his consciousness" (or, here, his thinking, feeling and willing power) in Krishna alone, minus the extending of consciousness into the field of activity through active service. Such a capacity is something we should also cultivate --- while chanting japa, for example! Srila Prabhupada taught us that we should be fully contented and undisturbed in consciousness regardless of whether we find ourselves in a state of austerity or opulence. Focus of consciousness upon Krishna is the only means of achieving such complete detachment permanently.

- HH Romapada Swami

Freedom

Real freedom is to regain our natural, constitutional position. A fish out of water seeks water. A sick person seeks to regain his health so he can resume his normal functions. The jiva similarly hankers to regain his lost relationship with God.

Our nature is to be free in service to God. We are not meant to be constrained by pain, loss, scarcity, ignorance, anxiety, hunger, old age or repeated death and change of bodies. No, it is not true that everyone has to face death. A fully self-realized pure devotee does NOT experience "death", or any other material condition, as everyone else does. Such jivan-muktas quit their material bodily covering, but in full awareness, and continue their eternal life in service to the Lord. That is our natural condition also.

The fact is we all seek freedom, compulsively, whether we are consciously aware of our efforts to do so or not. Why else is the entire human civilization busy researching and inventing remedies to endless problems? Why invent so many new gadgets? Why nuclear families, or vacations? Why not simply resign to the inevitable? Search for freedom is an inescapable fact, but most people search in the wrong direction.

A prisoner wants freedom: simply resigning to his fate and doing his duties nicely within the prison will not satisfy. But misfire escape attempts will only earn him further severe punishment! His real escape lies in agreeing to co-operate and abide by the State and the Ruler/King. In other words, everyone must do their respective duties while within this prison of material world; freedom, however, is not doing so for one's personal or extended satisfaction within the prison, but for the satisfaction of Vishnu. (BG 3.3-9)
A housewife cannot whimsically give up her duty to her husband or children on the pretext of serving God. Not only immediate bodily relatives, but one is duty-bound to serve the community, the forefathers, the sages and philosophers, the scientists and administrators, the deities of universal administration, the birds and beasts around us, to serve mother earth, the rivers and oceans... No one can escape this staggering list of duties; neither can one possibly fulfill all these various duties perfectly, except by understanding that ultimately all of one's duty is towards God, through the medium of instructions received from bona fide spiritual master.

Such persons alone can go on executing their duties without hankering for a break or sense-gratification, and without being affected by the heat & cold, hunger & thirst, disease or old age etc. They actually experience freedom even while working in this world.

- HH Romapada Swami

Shelter of the Lord's Mercy

Overcoming Sense Gratification by taking shelter of the Lord's mercy (Lessons from the story of Dhruva Maharaj)

Material desires can easily draw us to the position of being taken far from the path of devotional life. A sincere devotee is quite aware of this danger, and takes all precautions to not indulge; even a small indulgence very quickly draws one into significant foolishness! To receive the Lord's protection from these desires, we need to be very very sincere in our purpose! Due to the amazingly merciful nature the Supreme Lord, recognizing our deeper sincerity of purpose, He may, according to His sweet will, both provide us with the means to see our desires fulfilled (as the cow supplies milk to the calf), but also supply protection from the sense gratification component of consciousness when coming in contact with the very object of those desires (as the cow protects her calf).

Dhruva recognizes this amazingly merciful nature of the Lord, just by dint of the purity he has received from the mercy which came from Narada, and the purification received from the devotional service rendered under the direction of Narada. He is feeling *extremely grateful* for this mercy of Narada! To qualify ourselves for this unique mercy of the Lord, as Dhruva did, what must each of us do? We must place ourselves in the care of Sri Naradaji or his representative, which means we must sincerely carry out the instructions we receive from such representative, stirred by feelings of great gratitude in our hearts for the mercy received. That was Dhruva's qualification, and it needs to become ours.

- HH Romapada Swami

These obstacles are My devotional service!

Where are the obstacles in Vaikuntha? There may seem to be obstacles, like Aristasura galloping down the road toward the residents of Vrindavan. They immediately take shelter in Krishna, and Krishna protects them. Even in Goloka Vrindavan, there are no demons, but there is the sense of demons. What is the purpose of that? It is there so that they can take more intensely their shelter in Krishna.

So to overcome obstacles in the path of devotional service, for one who is intensely absorbed in the mood of devotion, obstacles are impetus to surrender unto Krishna. Take the advanced devotee examples like Queen Kunti and the Pandavas. They had so many obstacles that Bhismadeva says that one would not have survived them in ordinary circumstances. How dear they must be to Krishna, but one may think, "If one is so dear to Krishna, why so many problems?" That's how less advanced devotees may be thinking.

Somebody may have this problem or that problem as an obstacle in devotional service. One may think, "If I did not have this problem or that problem, I could do more devotional service". But what about addressing the obstacle itself as a part of devotional service? What about that? Krishna is sending situation X, we take it as, "It is my devotional service" and Krishna is sending situation Y and we say, "It is my devotional service". Whatever it is, we should approach life and whatever is coming in our way in a manner of surrender unto Krishna.

The obstacles we face may be so big, like Aristasura coming down the road, that the whole earth is trembling. So, we need to make our practical plans when obstacles come our way. But the doership or fruitive worker tendency of thinking that "I am going to take care of it" is a loser. We lose bhakti. It's not that we don't make our practical plans. We are not dummies, unqualified, and unprepared. We are supposed to be qualified and prepared, and to make those practical arrangements with full dependency upon Krishna. Then, as things start to unfold, if they are not going according to our plan, we adjust, in service to Krishna. Because, what's the objective? It is loving devotion unto Krishna. So when obstacles come, it's an opportunity for loving devotion unto Krishna.

-- From a lecture by HH Romapada Swami on 'Clearing Obstacles in Devotional Service, Part 2', delivered on July 2009, in Detriot, US.