Choosing to Depend on Krishna

Glories of Qunti Devi

When we independently choose to be dependent on Krishna, we become successful. When we misuse our free will and choose to be the controller and not be controlled by Krishna, all material miseries and illusions will follow. To accept the truth that we are completely dependent on Krishna.

When we have Krishna we have everything, if we don't have Krishna we have nothing.

A mother always boasts about the qualities of her children like beauty, education, fame and piety done. Queen Kunti on the other hand having Pandavas as her sons always said that my sons have no power but  but it is all the power of Krishna.

Queen Kunti prays that without Krishna all material opulences like wealth, education, good birth and parentage, beauty, knowledge are all a big ZERO. I am nothing without Krishna.

'This whole world is void without you Govinda' - When we chant in a helpless state of mind and when we realize that we are dependent on Krishna for our every breath, then we can chant the Holy Name properly.

The crocodile was holding onto the lotus feet of Gajendra because Gajendra was surrendering to the lotus feet of the Lord. That way when the Lord appeared, even Gajendra was delivered. So we should always hold on the association of the Devotees.

The goal of life is wholesale dependance on Krishna. For one who has shelter of Krishna pada pada yad vipadam na tesam; this material world where at every step there is danger, will become a place where there is no danger.

Devotional Service is the best way we can serve the Lord and it is the greatest fortune and wealth.

The only fear of a devotee is the fear of forgetting Krishna and serve the illusory energy.

Those who are completely dependent on Krishna, Krishna never leaves such a devotee.

Our only purpose of living is to develop complete attachments and dependence on Krishna with no ego and aspirations.

Srila Prabhupada capturing the essence performed so many sacrifices and we have inherited that mission. We should be willing to accept whatever sacrifice to help those people who are engulfed in the illusion of material life.

- HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj

Lord Balarama - Sri Krishna For a Day!

“Lord Balarama is called “Douji” (the elder brother who protects and cares for the younger brother). After lifting Govardhana Hill Lord Krsna killed a succession of ferocious demons including Sankasura and Aristasura. Balarama hadn’t killed a demon for a long time, and He was concerned about Hi duty of protecting Krsna as His elder brother. Desiring to dress like Krsna, Lord Balarama once asked Krsna if He could wear His peacock feather and play Krsna’s flute for just one day. Krsna, who dearly loved His elder brother, agreed and personally gave His peacock feather and flute to Balarama.

“ Krsna and Balarama warmly embraced and then Balarama laughing happily, ran away playing gaily on Krsna’s flute. Mean-while, in Mathura, the wicked King Kamsa was about to send the horse demon, Keshi, to Vrindavana in order to kill Krsna. The Keshi demon asked King Kamsa, “How will I recognise Krsna?” Kamsa told him that it would be easy to tell, because Krsna would be the only person wearing a peacock feather and playing a flute.

“While Balaramji was fully enjoying His pastime of being Krsna for the day, the fierce horse demon, Keshi, stormed into Vrindavana. Seeing Balarama wearing a peacock feather in His crown and playing a flute, matching the description King Kamsa had given of Krsna, the Keshi demon roared up and gave Balarama a mighty kick that could have killed a full-grown elephant. This kick totally knocked the wind out of Balarama, and sent Him tumbling far away out of the demon’s sight. Thinking that he had killed Krsna, the Keshi demon galloped away. Balaramji, picking Himself up, began to cry. Balarama’s chest still hurting from the demon’s kick and He was short of breath. Balarama was hungry, very tired and sore all over from tumbling so far.

“Reaching home, Balarama immediately went to Krsna and returned His flute and peacock feather. Balarama told Krsna that He never again wanted to wear them, and that a huge horse demon had just violently kicked Him; thinking He was Krsna. Then Balaramji met His mother Rohini and fell asleep in her arms.    
“Krsna replaced the peacock feather in His crown, tucked the flute back in His belt and walked into the village. Then Sri Krsna met the horrible horse demon and effortlessly killed him”

“Srila Prabhupada writes, ‘Lord Balarama is the original Vishnu; therefore anyone remembering these pastimes of Lord Balarama in the morning and evening will certainly become a great devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus his life will become successful in all respects’ “(SB 1O.79.34p.)

In Glory of Lord Balarama

Hare Krishna,

Today (August 02) is the appearance day of Lord Balarama. :)




“Sri Baladeva is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. He is equal in supremacy to the Supreme Godhead, yet wherever Krsna appears, Sri Baladeva appears as Krsna’s brother, sometimes elder, sometimes younger”(SB 10.1.24p).


“In His vaibhava-prakasa feature, Lord Krsna manifests Himself as Balarama. The Balarama feature is as good as Krsna Himself, the Only difference being that the bodily hue of Krsna is dark and that of Balarama is fair” (TLC Chap.7).

‘These two Lords, Krsna and Balarama, are each the seed and womb of the universe, the creator and His creative Potency. They enter the hearts of living being and control their Conditioned awareness. They are the primeval Supreme’ (SB10.46.31v.).



“Lord Balarama’s beauty is enhanced by the earrings touching His cheeks. Balarama’s face is decorated with tilaka made from musk, and Balarama’s broad chest is ornamented with a garland of gunja (small, red, black and white berries native to Vrindavana). Sri Baladeva’s complexion is as white as an autumn cloud, and He wears blue garments. Balarama’s voice is very grave and His arms are very long, touching His thighs” (NOD Chap. 4).

Balarama is the servitor Godhead who serves Lord Krsna in all affair of existence and knowledge. The transcenden­tal abode exists by the energy of Lord Balarama. Krsna’s first expansion in a form for pastimes is Balarama. Balarama Himself helps in the pastimes of Lord Krsna and He does the work of creation in four other forms. In all forms Balarama tastes the transcendental bliss of serving Krsna” (CC Adi 4.8-11v.).



“If we develop consciousness of this fact, then we are in actual Krsna consciousness. We should always remember that Krsna is the only Supreme Master and that everyone else is His servant ekale isvarah krsna, ara saba bhrtya. Either Narayana or Lord Siva, everyone is subordinate to Krsna. Even Baladeva is subordinate to Krsna’ (SB 10.13.53p.).

“1n the transcendental pastimes, Krsna is the chief hero, and Balarama provides additional help.” (SB 10.8. 27p.).

As Krsna’s cowherd friend and elder brother in sakhya rasa, Sri Balarama sometimes accepts service from Krsna after defeating Him in a wrestling match. But generally, Balarama ‘s fraternal feelings are mixed with servitude (dasya rasa) and parental affection (vatsalya rasa). In the mood or vatsalya rasa, Sri Balarama sometimes protects Krsna as a parent or chastises Him as the elder brother. “Once Lord Balarama told Subala, ‘My dear friend, please inform Krsna not to go to Kaliya lake today. Today is Krsna’s birthday, and so I wish to go along with Mother Yasoda to bathe Him. Tell Krsna He should not leave the house today! This shows how Balarama, Krsna’s elder brother, took care of Krsna with parental love, within the scope of fraternal affection” (NOD Chap. 42).



“Srila Prabhupada writes, ‘Lord Balarama is the original Vishnu; therefore anyone remembering these pastimes of Lord Balarama in the morning and evening will certainly become a great devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus his life will become successful in all respects’ “(SB 1O.79.34p.)

When he (the aspiring sadhaka) develops his love for Nityananda Prabhu, he is freed from all attachment to the material world, and at that time he becomes eligible to understand the Lord's pastimes in Vrndavana. (Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 7.17 purport)


When Balarama embraced His brother in a playful mood of ecstasy, Krsna looked like a blue jewel held within a conchshell. Seeing the mixture of Their brilliant effulgences, Yasoda could not tell Them apart. (Kavi-karnapura, Ananda-vrndavana-campu, Ch. 5 page 49)

That was his voluntary contribution

(H H Kadamba Kanana Swami, Prague, 17th July 2012) Lecture: SB 4.12.24 All our service is resting on the previous generation of the vaisnavas. This is how devotional service works, because vaisnavas create facility for worshiping Krishna, then more vaisnavas will come, and they will create more facilities. So when Srila Prabhupada was in his final months in India, his health was not so good, and he was very much encouraging Lokanath Maharaja in doing village preaching, by taking the bullock cart into the villages in Padayatra. After that Lokanath Maharaja did a lot more than what Prabhupada had actually asked him, because he took it all over the world. That was his voluntary contribution, just as Srila Prabhupada took the order of his spiritual master. Srila Bhakti Siddanta said to Prabhupada: 'Preach in the English language.' Okay that is easy he could have given a few lectures in English, 'I'm finished now. So I've done that – followed the order of my spiritual master!' But Prabhupada took it as: 'Okay preach to the English speaking world, and not just to them, but preach to the people of the whole world.' And he had his books translated in so many languages…So Lokanath Maharaja in the same way when he was instructed to preach in the bullock cart in India, he took it to villages of world. Afterall it's all Bharat. The whole planet was once called Bharat!! So I'm very happy to be blessed by the presence of all the Padayatris, becuase this Padayatra is a very wonderful program. It goes to the very heart of Krishna Consciousness. It is a program which is based on the protection of the cow and bull! The scriptures says: 'namo brahmaṇya-devāya go-brāhmaṇa-hitāya ca…' (Viṣṇu Purāṇa 1.19.65). That even before the brahmanas the cows are to be worshiped and in a society where the cows are being protected then everything will become auspicious, and suddenly there will be blessings in society, and everything starts to become favourable. Nature will again become favourable and the earth will produce profusely, and there will be natural prosperity!

Krishna always protects His Devotee

In the conditioned stage there is every possibility of being mistaken; but Krishna will always protect us if we are sincere; even if there is a gross mistake, Krishna forgives his devotee who is very sincere; so go on working sincerely and Krishna will protect you always.

-Srila Prabhupada Letter to:  Satsvarupa, Vrindavan, August 29, 1967

Hearing about Govinda - Fulfills the Loving Propensity

Our loving propensity is satisfied when we are hearing about Krishna. Krishna is the enlivener of the senses. We are also worried about our senses, will our senses be satisfied? Govinda, the very name suggests the enlivener of the senses. Krishna says hear about Me, talk about Me, serve Me; then you will experience the fulfillment of your loving propensity.

Q1. We see fight in material world; so in spiritual world are there fights?

Yes, Krishna is expert not only in loving but also in fighting. When He was a three month old baby, He was killing. He knew how to kill Putana. At every stage of Krishna’s appearance, he demonstrated that he is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is God. So many books about Krishna, the hindu forest God and there are pictures of Krishna dancing with His consorts. But that’s not the only thing He does. Krishna is the best killer, playmate. He is full in Himself.

Q2. If Krishna is the Supreme Lord, then Krishna asks Indra to grant Him the boon that His friendship with Arjuna be eternal. If Krishna is Supreme Lord, how can Indra grant Him the boon?

Krishna likes to show how He has a relationship with His devotees. Why is He driving the chariot of Arjuna? Chariot driver is not a prestigious position; He likes to show that He’s dependant on His devotees. Krishna enjoys being in control and He will also enjoy voluntarily coming under the control of His devotees. We have this idea that God can only enjoy by commanding but in Krishna you see everything there, perfect and complete. You yourself would like it, if someone you trusted would order you. Later when you have a family, you would see. (Laughter)

Q3. What about the other faiths like Jesus and Allah?

There is God and there are representatives of God. Jesus we refer as Guru, he always referred to God as Father. Muhammad taught us to be servant of God. God has unlimited names. Why are we stressing Krishna – because Krishna is the most expensive and comprehensive understanding of God. Not God as order supplier; that is religion in mode in passion; not God as impersonal. The transcendental understanding is to know Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Now you have the opportunity to understand God in full, therefore you should be so careful to take full advantage of this opportunity.

Q4. There are many youngsters who come to such spiritual gatherings? Is it the restlessness or insecurity which brings them here?

They are very fortunate. They have found the place by being guided by Lord Krishna in their heart. Whether they are going to be Brahmacari in the ashram or practicing Krishna consciousness at home; here they will get the highest perfection of life. 

Q5. For a devotee following Krishna Consciousness, how to overcome all obstacles? Ofcourse, we chant and associate with devotees which gives us certain opportunity to be in devotional service; again we are also engaged in materialistic activities as we are working or students and associate with people not in Krsna Consciousness. How to overcome this?

We are followers of Rupa Goswami. Nirbandha Krsna-sambandhe; yukta-vairagyam ucyate. We are practicing real renunciation - that means not denying this energy but using it for Krishna. The more that you use things for pleasure of Krishna, the more you will be free from contamination even while acting within the material world, that is the secret. Not that this world is matter and reject it - that’s the failure. If we try to control senses you will fail and if you try to be the proprietor you will fail. Bhakti-yoga means yukta-vairagya; proper, expert renunciation – using everything in Krishna’s service. You cannot claim proprietorship over anything in this world or renounce it – it’s not yours. For example, we are walking near Citibank, and I say ‘This is Citibank and I am renouncing it.’ This is absurd as I never owned Citibank. The more the elements of your life are used in Krishna’s service, the more we will be perfect.

Q6.  Other Religions like Christian, Muslim they have one entity of God; why in Hinduism there are so many entities of God?

You will probably notice that in Bhagavad-gita there is no confusion. Yes, the devatas exist but Krishna says He is the chief and so give everything to Me. Those who are less intelligent influenced by lust will worship the devas, but actually it’s meant for Me. So, it’s not confusing; it’s very clear. Even if we think it’s confusing, take the last thing what Krishna said, ‘Abandon all varieties of concocted ideas and follow Me.’ Krishna operates above a nested hierarchy of consciousness. Outside of India, people are given the impression that Hinduism means there are so many Gods.  The problem in India is people are not getting a proper and authentic idea of Bhagavad-Gita; therefore Prabhupada gave us Bhagavad-Gita As It Is and not Bhagavad-Gita as we would like it to be.  In Bhagavad-Gita Krishna says, Man mana bhava mad-bhakto; Always think of Me – everything becomes crystal clear.

Q7. In this world, there are different names of Krishna like Maakhan Chor, Shyam, Krishna. In BG, Krishna tells Arjuna when you are counting your last breath, take My name. What is the original name of Krishna? Before Mahabharata, Krishna’s name was not Krishna. So what is His original name; not a physical name.

Krishna’s name is not a material name. In Padma Purana it is said Nama cintamani Krsnah, caitanya rasa-vigrahah, purna-suddha nitya-mukto abhinatvad nama naminoh – Holy Name of Krishna is like touchstone, it is a form of blissful spiritual mellow, full and complete, it is perfect and eternally free from material contamination. Why? Because Krishna’s name is not different from Krishna.  Understanding Krishna begins from the tongue. People want to see God, but why only seeing when there are other senses? One can hear God. Actually Krishna has no name. Why? Because He has unlimited activities so His names are unlimited. Of all the unlimited names, Krishna is the chief name. The name Krishna reveals the Lord in His enjoying capacity. 

Q8.  We have loving propensities because Krishna has boy and girl relationships. He has Hladini Shakti and so He does not have to go outside. What is Hladini Shakti?

Krishna and His pleasure potency – Sita Ram; Laxmi Narayana; Radha-Krishna. When a devotee attains pure love of God, Krishna is showering his Hladini Shakti on the devotee. Krishna’s dearest  devotee becomes pleased with a devotee and recommends that devotee to Krishna.

Q9. Real love is loving Krishna. But we are bombarded with TV, Movies, opposite sex around us. So, how to shift that attraction for Krishna?

If every morning you chant your Japa with attention then you will find that you are protected throughout the day. We don’t understand the number one spot that Japa should occupy. If you give Japa the top spot during the day, you will be protected by the onslaughts of material nature. That way, the devotee will attract the mercy of Krishna. Then Krishna will see that the devotee is serious about serving Me, and Krishna will not only protect the devotee but will show the devotee newer and newer ways of serving Me. That is the life of a devotee. Yes, there are many things but if you are focused on the Holy Name of Krishna, then you will not be capsized by these things. 

[Adapted from a Lecture by HH Devamrita Swami at Prerana Festival, Mumbai]

ISKCON Deity Darshan - 10.07.2012

Essence of Sadhana Bhakti

The essence of sadhana bhakti is to carefully consider and follow the path displayed by the previous and the present mahajanas (great personalities). One should not neglect the practice of remembering the pastimes of the Lord, for devotional service should be performed with the mind as well as the body. 

--Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura
Sri Prema-bhakti-candrika 2.2

 

Remembering Srila Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada held a final meeting with his disciples in the afternoon, granting, as he had done the year before, the entire assembly of devotees darsana in his room. Srila Prabhupada sat on his ornate wicker asana below the stained-glass windows. On Prabhupada's right sat Pusta Krsna; on his left, Hari-sauri.

Devotees and guests filed into the room, placing various gifts on Prabhupada's desk -- donations of money, baskets of fruit and nuts wrapped in coloured cellophane, jars of honey, dishes of sweets, and bouquets of flowers.

The mood was happy and festive. Newly-initiated Hari dasi presented her young daughter before Srila Prabhupada, asking if he could give the child a spiritual name. Prabhupada spoke up softly. "Puspa," he said.

The pair offered their obeisances and sat down.

It appeared Hari dasi had started a trend. Girimakha approached Srila Prabhupada with the same intention. "Can you give my daughter a spiritual name?" he asked.

Prabhupada smiled. "You can call her Rose."

Girimakha looked astonished. "What sort of name is that, Srila Prabhupada?"

Prabhupada answered Girimakha with a slight twinkle in his eye. "It is the name of a flower."

When everyone was seated and the room quiet, Prabhupada spoke encouragingly to the young men and women who sat before him. The orders of the spiritual master, he explained to them, were first and foremost in a devotee's life. One should become perfect and then help others to become perfect. This, he continued, was real preaching. "Amara ajnaya guru hana tara' ei desa. Become guru, and try to make others guru. This is the desire of Lord Caitanya."

Prabhupada stressed that the Deity worship should go on without any reduction in standards. "Remain humble and enthusiastic," he said, "and go on worshipping the Deity, gorgeously."

Prabhupada ended the darsana by asking for questions. One young girl asked, "Should we always do what the temple authorities say?"

"Yes," answered Srila Prabhupada.

"In all circumstances?"

"Yes."

Gopikanta raised his hand, and asked, both as an affirmation of his service as a full-time book distributor, and for the benefit of others, "We know there are many things that please you, Srila Prabhupada. We would like to know what would please you the most."

Prabhupada's reply was brief and to the point. "Understand Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, become perfect and distribute this knowledge to your fellow countrymen."

Prabhupada drew the darsana to a close. Since no auspicious event would be complete without distribution of prasadam, Prabhupada personally handed a sweet to each devotee as they slowly filed past. They thus happily received Krsna's mercy in the shape of coconut balls, laced not only with sun-dried currants and honey, but also with the potent blessings of Krsna's pure devotee.

- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu

Vrindavan Daily Darshan - July 09, 2012