RISK OF UNDESIREABLE ELEMENTS

If the organizations have got same end— unadulterated devotion to Sri
Krishna, there is no apprehension of erosion in the mutual
love-relations. Due to non-desire to serve Sri Krishna—aversion to Sri
Krishna, living beings are enveloped by illusory energy of Supreme
Lord and are hurled down into this world to pass through cycles of
births and deaths and to suffer three-fold afflictions. The Prison
House of Brahmanda is filled with enslaved jivas. A few living beings
due to their previous eternal good deeds can have the aptitude to
worship Sri Krishna. Worshippers of Sri Krishna are rarely to be found
in this world. When we want quality, we cannot get quantity. If we
want to increase quantity we shall have to sacrifice quality. When
preaching centres and Maths are established for cultivation of
spiritual and devotional enhancement, there is fear of entrance of
undesirable elements into the spiritual organizations. Such ill-motive
persons can create disturbance due to their ill motives. There exist
such problems in all Societies, because there are differences in the
entrants about their calibre, taste and behaviour, which cannot be
rectified all of a sudden. No Institution can run without sevakas, for
that they allow sevakas. Undesirable elements also enter into it. All
Institutions have got this practical difficulty. The ideal is high, no
doubt, but persons acting on it are very few. So, Krishna Bhakti
cannot be spread over without the initiative of Sri Krishna. There is
no other way than to make the best of a bad bargain.

           - His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj

Our minds are preoccupied with thoughts of the world. We cannot
totally eradicate these worldly unholy ideas all of a sudden. It will
take time. It depends upon the intensity of sadhana. Even Maha-Bhagwat
Ambarish Maharaja could not remove worldly ideas in a day; he also
could remove these ideas gradually. The more you will imbibe in your
mind divine ideas, the more worldly ideas will be purged out. This is
the only way, applicable to all. You are not to be disheartened; with
enthusiasm you are to do sadhana. You are to remember the teachings of
Srila Rüpa Goswami in Upadesamrita -

utsahan niscayad dhairyat
tat-tat-Karma-pravartanat
sanga-tyagat sato vrtteh
sadbhir bhaktih prasidhyati

(These six principles assure the complete success of pure devotional
service: (1) being enthusiastic, (2) endeavouring with confidence, (3)
being patient, (4) acting according to regulative principles, (5)
abandoning the association of non-devotees and (6) following in the
footsteps of the previous acharyas.)
We have imported to our minds ideas of the material world through our
sense organs which are like cameras snapping photos of the world
through eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin. The worldly ideas of
millions of births have occupied our minds. We have taken those ideas
in our minds with adoration. Now when we want them to go out from our
minds, they will not go. For example,
You cannot vacate a tenant if you allow him to occupy a portion of
your house. Nobody wants to leave the place when once he is allowed to
occupy it. We have embraced the material thoughts, now when we want to
concentrate our minds to the object of worship; those thoughts in our
minds come up and disturb us. It is our fault or mistake that we have
imbibed material thoughts in our minds, so it is our duty now to
remove those thoughts.

Mind is very restless, how to quiet it or control it? Lord Sri Krishna
advises us to practise Abhyasyoga' and 'Vairagya'. 'Abhyasyoga' means
to try repeatedly. Vairagya has two implications — detachment to
worldly non-eternal objects and attachment to Eternal Entity Sri
Krishna. We should not become disheartened under any circumstance and
stop performing Bhajana. Worldly thoughts, which are light, will be
purged out to the extent we shall imbibe divine thoughts, which are
heavy and sublime, to our minds.
We get some sort of temporary pleasure in fulfilling the demands of
the senses. That delusion of sense-pleasure drags us forcibly to the
sinful acts whose ultimate result is suffering. When we shall actually
realize the harmful result of sense-gratification, we shall refrain
ourselves from doing so.

If we pour 'Ghee' (purified butter) into the fire, the fire will
increase. In like manner if we fulfil the desire of lust, the
lust-fire will increase, it will not be extinguished. That is not the
procedure of getting deliverance from our propensity to fulfil
lust-desires. If we can pour huge quantity of Ghee at a time to the
fire, the fire will be extinguished. In the like manner if we have
craving for the Absolute-Whole —Sri Krishna, that craving will
extinguish the fire of worldly desires — sense-gratification desires.

- His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj

Sri Narasingh Bhagwan removes our obstacles of Bhajana. It will be
good for you to remember Him daily.
You are to pray for the Grace of Patitpavan Nityananda Prabhu, Sri
Gauraìga Mahaprabhu and Vaishnavas. They will show you the right path.
Remembrance of 'Sri Narasingh Deva' is good for all. You should also
remember Him. He will show you the right direction.
We should always remember 'Narasingh Deva' — morning, day time,
evening and night.
We should not do anything emotionally. It is good that you are
chanting the Holy Name regularly.
Bhagwan Balarama appeared in Kaliyuga as 'Nityananda', Who is gracious
to all fallen souls. If you pray to Him with sincere heart, all doubts
and obstacles in your Bhajana will be removed. We should also remember
"Narasingh Bhagwan."
   - His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj

----- Original Message -----
From: Tamalkrishna Das
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2006 3:51 PM
Subject: Upcoming Harikatha Videoconferences

Dear Devotees,
Hare Krishna.

We are glad to inform you that His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh
Tirtha Goswami Maharaj will be blessing us with nectarine harikatha on
the following auspicious days:

18 July, Tuesday        Hindi        Srila Lokenath Goswami's
disappearance anniversary
21 July, Friday           Hindi        Kamika Ekadasi

Srila Maharaj will speak in the New Delhi Math. Video conference will
also be there. Participation in video conference is extremely simple
and easy. Anyone aspiring for sadhusanga is invited. No charges or
registration necessary.

Hope to see you all.

Haribol.

Sri Gurukripa-prarthi,
Tamalkrishna Das
tamalkrishna@...
www.sreecgmath.org
Address of Delhi Math is :  3399, Gali Hari Mandir, (Near Sheila
Cinema) Paharganj, New Delhi.

----- Original Message -----

From: hemantag

To: sreecgmath@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2006 12:46 PM

Subject: [sreecgmath] Upcoming Harikatha Videoconferences

----- Original Message -----
From: Tamalkrishna Das
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2006 3:51 PM
Subject: Upcoming Harikatha Videoconferences

Dear Devotees,
Hare Krishna.

We are glad to inform you that His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh
Tirtha Goswami Maharaj will be blessing us with nectarine harikatha on
the following auspicious days:

18 July, Tuesday Hindi Srila Lokenath Goswami's
disappearance anniversary
21 July, Friday Hindi Kamika Ekadasi

Srila Maharaj will speak in the New Delhi Math. Video conference will
also be there. Participation in video conference is extremely simple
and easy. Anyone aspiring for sadhusanga is invited. No charges or
registration necessary.

Hope to see you all.

Haribol.

Sri Gurukripa-prarthi,
Tamalkrishna Das
tamalkrishna@sreecgmath.org
www.sreecgmath.org
Address of Delhi Math is : 3399, Gali Hari Mandir, (Near Sheila
Cinema) Paharganj, New Delhi.

THE GLORY OF SRI TULSI

You have expressed the desire in your letter to know about the glory
of 'Sri Tulsi' and necessity and efficacy of 'Tulsi Püja'. There are
enough scriptural evidences which have described elaborately about the
glories of Tulsi which cannot be quoted here in a letter. The subject
has been elaborately dealt with in some issues of 'Sri Chaitanya-Vani'
monthly magazine.
You will get enough evidences in Skanda Purana, Padmapurana, Brahma
Vaivarta-Purana and other Puranas regarding glories of Tulsi and
advent of 'Sri Vrinda Devi' as 'Holy Tulsi Tree' in this world to
grace the 'Jivas' of this world by bestowing on them service of Sri
Krishna and Sri Narayana.
Jivas are deprived of the service of Sri Krishna, when they
unfortunately become averse to Him due to misuse of relative
independence. It is narrated in 'Brahma Vaivarta Purana' that 'Vrinda
Devi' appeared in this world as 'Tulsi' accepting King Dharamadhwaj
and Madhavi Devi as her parents in Kartika Purnima Tithi as per desire
of Sri Krishna and Srimati Radha Rani. As there was none equal to her
in beauty, she was named 'Tulsi'. Tulsi made a lila in performing
severe penance to get 'Narayana' as her husband (Pati) and got the
boon of Sri Brahma in regard to this. As per desire of Srimati Radha
Rani, Sudama Gop appeared in this world as 'Sankhachur Danava', with
whom Tulsi at first was married. Sankhachur Danava seized 'Swarga'
(abode of demigods) by his tremendous power. 'Devatas' (demigods) at
first took shelter to Brahma, the Siva and ultimately Vishnu for their
rescue from the oppression of 'Sankhachur Danava'.
Vishnu Bhagwan appeared, killed Sankhachur Danava and fulfilled the
desire of Tulsi. Vishnu conferred boon on Tulsi that her body would be
Gandaki Nadi (Gandaki River) and her hairs would be Tulsi. Vishnu
Bhagwan appeared in this world as Salagram Sila.
Whatever is done by the Will of God is for the eternal benefit of all,
as He is All-Good. Cow-dung (stool of cows), Conch-shell (bone of an
animal) have become sacred by the Will of Lord. So what difficulty is
there in believing 'Tulsi' as the Holy tree appearing in this world by
the Will of Supreme Lord Sri Krishna to bestow on us His service?
There is nothing impossible for God Who is Omnipotent. God can appear
in this world in any form He likes, for the eternal good of the
enslaved Jivas, over whom He has got affection. You are to perform
Tulsi püja daily.
The glory of Tulsi has been narrated immensely in all scriptures. It
has been stated in the scriptures that only most fortunate persons
have got the opportunity of being cremated by Tulsi tree after death.
Even if a bough or branch or twig of Tulsi tree is offered on the dead
body during cremation, the person will get emancipation from all sins.
But Tulsi branch should be put on the upper portion of the dead body.

     - His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj

The scriptures, as well as our predecessor acaryas, have advised us to
give up karma (fruitive activity), jnana (knowledge), yoga
(meditation), tyaga (renunciation), vrata (accepting vows) and tapasya
(practising austerities), and have advised us to practice only harinama:

harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
nasty eva gatir anyatha
(Båhan-naradiya Purana 38.126)

"In this age of Kali there is no alternative, there is no alternative,
there is no alternative for spiritual progress other than the Holy
Name, the Holy Name, the Holy Name of the Lord."

Therefore, forgetting all fascination for any other type of discipline
and understanding that there is no difference between the Name and the
Named, chant the Holy Name. There is no sadhana greater than this. No
other way will yield faster results. Nama-bhajana is the topmost among
the thousands of limbs of devotion and is the essence of the teachings
of Sri Caitanyadeva. Pretending to call out to Bhagavan Sri Hari while
having somebody or something else in mind does not constitute
nama-bhajana. On the contrary, it is an offence unto the Lotus Feet of
the Holy Name. I shall consider myself fortunate if both of you
lovingly continue your nama-bhajana and worship of the Supreme Lord.

Without transforming the ego, it is not possible to begin the search
for Sri Krishna. What the mundane ego prompts us to do will inevitably
be mundane and gross. Without transcending this barrier of maya, the
search for paramartha cannot begin. When one understands his origin in
Vaikuntha—the spiritual kingdom transcendental to maya—then
automatically, one's greed for and sense of habitual duty towards the
objects of the material world disappear. "I am an eternal servitor of
Sri Bhagavan"—when this awareness awakens, then love for Sri Krishna,
His personal associates, and anything connected with Sri Krishna
automatically surges forth. To serve Sri Krishna and His devotees,
knowing one's relationship with Them (sambandha-jnana), is known as
hari-bhajana. Prior to the awakening of pure sambandha-jnana, there
may be mixed devotion (misra-bhakti), such as offering all results of
one's activities etc., but there cannot be pure devotion
(suddha-bhakti). Suddha-bhakti might be extremely rare, but yet, that
is our goal. One may find many enchanting things in the orchard of the
fruitive workers (karma-kandis), but none of them will be of use in
getting Sri Kåñna. The real fact is that without being established in
knowledge of the Self (atma), one cannot practice actual
vaikuntha-bhajana. It would be foolish to waste this precious human
birth in chasing the mundane and ordinary under the regular course of
affairs. In fact, we should make the best use of a bad bargain.

--- Om Vishnupad 108 Sree Sreemad Bhakti dayita Madhava Goswami Maharaj

Sree Sree Guru Gaurangau Jayatah!

Ignorant persons, enmeshed as they are in worldly objects, always
undergo suffering in the material world and are continuously in a
state of fear. But the pure devotee or the intelligent person knows
that Sri Kåñna is the Supreme Controller. This is why those who
worship Sri Kåñna never fear anything or anyone, as there could never
be any cause for them to fear. Maya enters the heart of the jiva and
increases suffering, fear and lamentation born of ignorance in the
same proportion as the separation that there is between the jiva and
Sri Kåñna. There is a big difference between showbottle or
recreational spirituality and actual kåñna-bhakti. Dovetailing all of
one's desires with the desires of Sri Kåñna is known as suddha-bhakti.
We must endeavour for this. When you belong to Sri Kåñna, Sri Kåñna
will also belong to you.

Om Vishnupad 108 Sree Sreemad Bhakti Dayita Madhava Goswami Maharaj

Sree Sree Guru Gaurangau Jayatah!

You have to be vigilant, making sure you are not diverted due to
attachment to material and temporary religious practices. If you
analyse in detail the characters of those who try to obstruct you in
your path of hari-bhajana, you will find that they are leading their
lives deeply engrossed in activities that are totally averse to Sri
Krishna. Moreover, the views of such enslaved souls and those of pure
devotees can never be similar. The difference in their views is
natural and must necessarily be there. But the wise and clever
devotee, keeping intact his devotion to bhakti, does not withdraw from
usual interaction with the world around him. Only those activities
that are against bhakti must be avoided. There is no need to abandon
material and social activities that are not averse to suddha-bhakti. I
do not see why householder devotees should give up their routine
social activities. You should cooperate with or help your relatives at
the time of functions such as marriages and so on. However, eating
non-vegetarian food and remnants of food offered to demigods is
strictly prohibited.

If no one from your family or from the society you live in were highly
educated, then taking this plea, would you also wish to remain
uneducated? Similar is the case with spiritual knowledge. No wise man
on this planet will advise you to keep yourself devoid of such
invaluable spiritual knowledge. Rather, you will be advised by any
well-wisher to set a high standard from which the others will benefit.
For the sake of the temporal, do not harm your actual, spiritual
interest (paramartha). Consider this carefully: How much can you
flatter others for the sake of material comforts? How much will you
benefit and for how long? What good will it accrue to either of you? A
human being may die at any moment. How much will your sympathy towards
such people benefit them after your death and vice versa? Remember
that at the time of our death, all objects related to the body will be
left behind and we will have to go far away. Do not ever be concerned
about pleasing the ordinary conditioned souls who cannot differentiate
between good and bad, who are attached to lust, anger and greed, and
enveloped by bad habits. Sri Bhagavan is the protector and maintainer
of all. Do not waste your invaluable and tender devotional life
blindly following some helpless and hapless foolish people who are
bereft of their own eternal welfare.

Om Vishnupad 108 Sree Sreemad Bhakti Dayita Madhava Goswami Maharaj

Following is an excerpt from the book "Dasavatara" by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj.

Sri Krishna and Balarama's wandering place of Vraja-dhama was decorated with all the pleasing qualities of spring even during the summer season. One day, Krishna and Balarama, along with Their friends, were engaged in playing, dancing and singing when Pralambasura entered their midst disguised as a cowherd boy. The cowherd friends were unable to understand this, but omniscient Lord Krishna understood that the newcomer cowherd was a demon in disguise. In order to kill him, He received him as a friend. All the cowherd boys then divided into two parties for a game. Krishna became the leader of one group and Balarama became the leader of the other. The condition of the game was that the party that was defeated would carry the victor on his shoulder. When they played, Sridama and Vrishabha of Balarama's party became victorious. Consequently, Krishna carried Sridama and Bhadrasena carried Vrishabha. On the other side, Balarama defeated Pralambasura. Avoiding Krishna, Pralambasura ran away carrying Balarama stealthily on his shoulders.

 
uvaha krishno bhagavan

sridamanam parajitah

vrishabham bhadrasenas tu

pralambo rohini-sutam

(Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.18.24)

Balarama, understanding the ill motives of the demon, became so heavy on the shoulders of Pralambasura that he was unable to bear His weight. The demon then assumed his real form. Upon seeing the terrible form of the demon, Haladhara Baladeva at first expressed symptoms of doubt. But just as Indra hurled his lightning bolt, shattering mountains to slay the demons, Baladeva struck the demon a ferocious blow on the head with His fist. This blow shattered Pralambasura's head and he began to vomit blood. He left his body in this state of repeatedly vomiting blood. The cowherd boys and demigods then began to glorify Lord Baladeva profusely due to the excellence of His deed.

Sri Kåñna is the embodiment of all transcendental delightful mellows (akhila-rasamåta-mürti). He is therefore competent to satisfy the prayers of devotees of any of the different mellows. Those who do not have any ulterior motive in their hari-bhajana will get the opportunity to fully savour the Form of the Supreme Lord filled with transcendental mellows. In whichever mellow a devotee serves Him, Bhagavan Sri Kåñna will reciprocate accordingly. Bhagavan can only be attained by adopting the devotional path because only devotion is competent to do so. For this to happen, we will have to sacrifice all our material comforts and material inclinations. It is useless to sacrifice one's own self—body, mind and speech—for the happiness of worldly people who are averse to Bhagavan. It will only be appropriate to offer the gift of sacrifice to the All-Powerful Bhagavan Sri Kåñna, Who is All-Existence, All-Knowledge and All-Bliss. Go on chanting the Holy Name of the Supreme Lord without apprehension. He will definitely absolve you of all your anarthas.

A LECTURE BY SRILA BHAKTI BALLABH TIRTHA GOSWAMI MAHARAJ ON THE EVE
BEFOR JANAMASTAMI. (SOURCE- TASTE OF TRANSCENDENCE, MANDALA PUBLISHING.)

Our Most Revered Gurudeva, Nityalila Pravishta Oà Vishnupada Sri
Srimad Bhakti Dayita Madhava Gosvami Maharaja, Founder/President of
Sri Caitanya Gaudiya Math institution, established this Calcutta Math,
and his objects of worship, Sri Sri Guru-Gauraìga-Radha-Nayananatha
Jiu, appeared here by dint of his devotion.  He installed the Deities
during the winter season.  Thereafter, our Gurudeva introduced two
five-day religious meetings in the Calcutta Math, to celebrate the
occasions of the anniversary of the installation of the Deities and
Sri Krishna Janmashtami, the advent anniversary of Sri Krishna.  At
that time, when he was living on this earth, we were under him
directly, so we had no worries.  Whatever he directed was directed by
Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.  Gurudeva is the absolute counterpart of the
Supreme Lord, and we were not to be worried.  But, after his
disappearance, we could not see him physically although, indirectly,
he was still directing everything.  As God is eternal, His absolute
counterpart is also eternal.  As long as there is the sun, the light
of the sun, the quality of the sun will also be there.  If the sun is
eternal, its light will also be eternal.  Like that, the Supreme Lord
is the Supreme Eternal Entity and, therefore, His absolute counterpart
is also eternal.  He is grace incarnate.  He graces all the deserving
enslaved jivas of this world.
	 By the grace of the Supreme Lord, we can see that His grace incarnate
is the bonafide guru, His personal associate.  Gurudeva, the grace
incarnate of Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Gauraìga Mahaprabhu, appeared
and put his holy footprints in our own place.  I had no knowledge of
Gaudiya Math, but he attracted me.  He is the expansion of Caitanya
Mahaprabhu.  Caitanya Mahaprabhu sent His own personal associate here.
  Gurudeva also went to many different places and rescued many fallen
souls.  We have to remember Gurudeva.  Without his grace, without
submission to him, without sincere belief in him, we cannot have any
kind of contact with Krishna.
	 Throughout the infinite planets, you will find all the pastimes of
Sri Krishna going on continuously, one after another.  In this sense,
His appearance pastime is eternal:

ei-mata brahmanda-madhye sabara `parakasa'
sapta-dvipe nava-khande yaìhara vilasa
sarvatra prakasa tanra—bhakte sukha dite
jagatera adharma nasi' dharma sthapite
Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya-lila 20.218-219)

There are infinite brahmandas and infinite planets—so many that we
cannot even conceive of them.  Somewhere within these brahmandas, He
is appearing continuously.  So, in this sense, His appearance is
eternal.  But He also appears, reveals Himself, in the sanctified
heart of the suddha bhakta.  This is also His eternal appearance.  We
have to prepare ourselves so that Krishna will think us to be
qualified to get Him.  Then He will appear in our hearts.  Today is
the day before Janmashtami—"adhivasa".  "Adhivasa" means that we have
some prior duty to perform before His appearance, so that we will be
ready for Him.  We have to sanctify our hearts so that Krishna can
appear there.  Krishna is already there, but we are not aware of His
presence.

ceto darpana marjanaà bhava-maha—davagni nirvapanam
sreyah-kairava-candrika-vitaranaà vidya-vadhu-jivanam
anandambudhi-vardhanaà prati-padaà pürnamritasvadanaà
sarvatma-snapanaà paraà vigayate sri-krishna-saìkirtanam
(Sikshashtaka 1)

Supreme Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wrote this verse thereby
instructing us how to attain the association of Krishna.  How can
Krishna appear in us?  What do we have to do?
"Sri-krishna-saìkirtanam":  chant the Holy Names of Sri-Krishna.  Then
you will get everything.  "You do not need to do anything to purify
your mind, except to go on chanting `Radha-Krishna', Hare Krishna
mahamantra.  Everything will come to you."  We say this repeatedly
with our words but, in practice, we have no belief.
	 The Supreme Lord will descend into our hearts—will be revealed in our
hearts—when we actually and sincerely take absolute shelter at His
lotus feet.  He will reveal Himself to the surrendered soul.  If we
chant with bonafide submission, we will find that everything is there
in the Holy Name—Form, Attributes, everything.  The Name is
saccidananda.  Krishna is saccidananda.  This realization will descend
into our hearts.  We might think that we will get Him by our own
capacity, but He is not subservient to us.  He is Self-effulgent,
Self-luminous like the sun.
Svami Maharaja (Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja) used to say,
"If one is enlightened by that knowledge by which ignorance is
destroyed, then that knowledge reveals everything, just as the sun
illuminates everything at daybreak."  When the sun rises, he shows
himself and everything else in proper perspective.  We think harinama
to be material sound and that we can get Krishna by our own capacity.
  No!  If we submit to God and His absolute counterpart, then all will
be revealed.
	 We cannot bribe the Supreme Lord.  Everything is within Him, there is
nothing outside Him.  Dhruva Maharaja received the grace of the
Supreme Lord.  We are uttering the Name and we are not getting this
grace.  Why?  "He is not gracing us!" we complain.  No, no.  The sun
is giving light to all.  It is shining in the filthy place, the clean
place—everywhere.  Some are taking advantage of it, but the majority
is not.  Nonetheless, we complain, "The sun is not blessing us."
Dhruva had firm belief.  His faith was without a trace of doubt.  "My
mother told me that, by crying the Name of Sri Hari, I shall get Sri
Hari."  He was crying, crying, crying continuously.  We are not doing
this.  He was continuously uttering the Holy Name, completely absorbed
in Hari and, whatever he saw, whether a lion, crocodile or any other
beast, he embraced.  They did no harm to him as he was protected from
all danger.  However, we have difficulty believing this.  Ultimately,
he received the grace of Narada Gosvami.
That was an example from Srimad Bhagavatam but, in this Kali-yuga,
when we were once in Punjab, a very astounding event took place.  A
devotee woman was traveling by rickshaw from her shop to a remote
place, about two miles away.  She was wearing many gold ornaments.
She traveled for some time along the well-populated road when suddenly
the rickshaw driver turned away from the main road, toward a field.
"Why are you going across this field?" the lady protested.  "That is
the way, over there."
"No," the rickshaw driver said, "I am taking a shortcut.  We will go
this way."  He would not heed the woman's words.
Then, the woman became afraid, thinking, "I am wearing so many golden
ornaments.  The driver must be greedy for them.  He will rob me and
kill me."  For this reason, she jumped from the rickshaw and started
to run away, shouting, "Hah Govinda!  Hah Govinda!"  This is fact.  We
were there at the time.
To save herself, she jumped into a well.  In terror, she remained in
the well throughout the night, all the time uttering, "Hah Govinda!"
At dawn, the next morning, many people from the village came for their
morning walk.  They heard the sound of a woman's voice uttering the
Holy Name.  "What is this?" they asked.  They followed the voice to
the well and found the woman who was crying,  "Hah Govinda!  Hah
Govinda!"  An extremely poisonous snake was swimming around her,
circling her.  "What is this?" they wondered.  Then, they saw the
rickshaw.  A man holding a dagger lay next to it—dead.  A great cry
rose from the crowd and many people gathered from different places to
see what had happened.  By now, it was daylight and, as people came to
the woman's aid, the snake left.
All the witnesses at the scene said they had never seen that snake
before and, since that time, they have never seen it again.  When the
rickshaw driver went to kill the woman with his dagger, the snake bit
him and injected him with venom, killing him instantly.  After that,
the same snake protected the woman throughout the night by circling
her, so that no one could come near.  The woman had firm belief.  She
did not utter any other name, only, "Govinda!  Govinda!  Govinda!"
Even in this Kali-yuga, you can find such an event.  Therefore, you
should have belief.
Janmashtami and other auspicious functions at the Math are
"hari-smarana-mahotsava" (grand celebrations dedicated to the
remembrance of Hari).  You will find, in a certain hymn, that the
entire purpose of performing bhajana is to remember Krishna.  We shall
destroy all evil thoughts by remembering Krishna.  We shall get
everything by remembering.  But, it is said in the scripture called
Vaishnava Cintamani, that it is not easy to remember, to meditate,
with this material mind.  It is very difficult.  All the sins, vices
and evil thoughts will be destroyed by remembrance of Krishna, but it
is not so easy.  But we can remember Krishna if we utilize our lips to
utter His Name.  By moving these lips, we can obtain eternal benefit,
but, unfortunately, we have no aptitude for this.  We cannot remember
Krishna by means of the material mind.
When we are able to remember Krishna by loudly and continuously
performing harinama, and that remembrance is revealed in our hearts,
then we will be entitled to perform bhajana in a secluded place, but
not now.  Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is teaching us.  Our Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakura is teaching us.  If our Gurudeva ever saw some
devotees dancing and chanting the Holy Name, he would show them great
respect.  "They are expressing their hearts!  Hari bol!"  In order to
gain some respect, name and fame, I was also dancing.  "Ah!  Very
good!"  Gurudeva would say.  He would be pleased with me, although I
was doing it to receive praise.  Inside, I had no feeling, no want for
Krishna, and no perturbation of heart.  I did it only to get respect
from others.  Nonetheless, Gurudeva was so satisfied.  Why?  This you
have to understand.  "Kirtana prabhave smarana haibe"  (Srila Bhakti
Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakura).  Remembrance of Bhagavan comes from
constant chanting of the Holy Name.
Prahalada told all the demon boys, "Why are you afraid?  There is no
difficulty in worshipping Krishna.  You should just utter the Name.
You are calling your father and your mother without difficulty.  Call
Him and He will be satisfied.  There is no difficulty.  He is within
you.  He has affection for you.  You will find the affection of crores
of mothers in Sri Hari."  Here in this world, one always encounters
difficulty when trying to please another person, but Krishna is not at
all difficult to please.  With a sincere heart, utter His Name.
In your household life, you wile away the time for nothing, for
worldly things.  If you are also gossiping about these things here in
the temple, then why have you come?  The temple is for the worship of
Krishna, nothing else.  You should think about this.  Why have you
come here?  Have you spent so much money to come here only to gossip
about worldly things?
What is bhagavan-bhajana?

sravanaà kirtanaà dhyanaà harer adbhuta-karmanah
janma-karma-gunanaà ca tad-arthe 'khila-ceshtitam
(Srimad Bhagavatam, 11.3.27)

Once, our Guru Maharaja was in Vraja-mandala performing parikrama.
Generally, our Guru Maharaja would remain in front to perform kirtana,
guiding the other devotees.  On this particular occasion, Guru
Maharaja was held up with work at some place and would not be able to
come until later.  At the front of the procession, all the Vaishnavas
were chanting the Holy Name and the others were answering him back.
But, at the back of the procession, there were so many devotees who
were idly gossiping about worldly things.  They did not know that Guru
Maharaja was coming up from the rear.  When Guru Maharaja came up to
them, he said, "Oh!  Your whole life's fortune has been destroyed!  At
this great procession you are also gossiping about worldly things?
Then they quickly started chanting, "Radhe Govinda!  Radhe Govinda!"
What is the reason why we have spent so much money to come and be
here?  Is it to give our energy to worldly things?  If we hear about
Krishna, we shall go to Krishna.  If we hear about worldly things, we
shall go to worldly things.  If we sing about Krishna, we shall go to
Krishna.  If we speak about Krishna, we shall go to Krishna.  If we
remember Krishna, our minds will go there.  If we devote all our sense
organs for the service of Sri Krishna, we shall go to Him.  This is
called bhajana.  If we go on expending all our energy for worldly
things, while remaining externally in the Math, what benefit will we
receive?
	 Tomorrow, Krishna will appear.  He will appear in the shrine of our
hearts.  He is there within us and He will appear there.  So, today,
on this adhivasa tithi, we have to clear the heart and mind so that
Krishna will come and sit there.  Krishna does not take His seat in an
impure, dirty place.  Krishna is the Holiest.  We have to prepare our
hearts, purify our hearts.  There should be no desire other than the
service of Sri Krishna.  If there should be any other desire, then
that heart is impure.  As long as impure thoughts are there, Krishna
will not appear.
	 In Purushottama-dhama (Puri), during the time of the car festival
(Ratha-yatra), Lord Jagannatha travels from His temple in Puri to the
Gundica Temple, a distance of about two miles.  Caitanya Mahaprabhu
explains that the Gundica Temple is Vrindavana and the Jagannatha
Temple is Kurukshetra.  During a solar eclipse, people go to
Kurukshetra to bathe and perform other rituals.  In the scriptures,
you will find descriptions of the immense glories of this practice.
During the time of Krishna's pastimes on Earth, there was a solar
eclipse where Krishna came from Dvaraka to Kurukshetra with all His
personal associates.  At that time, Krishna was the King, Emperor and
Sole Proprietor of Dvaraka.  All His subjects, consorts and personal
associates were very eager to go to Kurukshetra during the solar
eclipse so they could bathe, perform sandhya and other rituals.  If
they could perform these sacrifices with the brahmanas, they could get
immense fruits.  To fulfill this desire of His subjects, Krishna said,
"All right, we shall go."  So, all the numerous subjects, consorts and
personal associates came to Kurukshetra.  Krishna intentionally
invited everyone except the Vrajavasis—the devotees of Vraja.
Narada Gosvami was very shocked by this.  He approached Krishna,
saying, "The Vrajavasis love You so much.  They are experiencing
extreme separation grief by not seeing You.  You are inviting everyone
in the whole world but You are not inviting the Vrajavasis?  What
offense are they guilty of?  Have they committed an offense by loving
You?  I cannot tolerate this!"
Then Krishna said, "They are our own people.  No one has to send
invitations to one's own.  Parents do not invite their children, and
vice versa.  They are our own.  Outside people are invited.  How can I
invite the Vrajavasis?  You are right, I intentionally did not invite
them because they are saturated with love for Me.  They have no
interest in performing sacrifices to obtain mundane benefits.  If they
come, the results of all these ritual practices will be destroyed.
For this reason, I have not invited them."
Although not invited, the Vrajavasis came to learn that Krishna was
coming to Kurukshetra.  The Vrajavasis thought, "Kurukshetra is much
closer to Vraja-mandala than Dvaraka is.  We should avail ourselves of
this rare opportunity to see Krishna!  We can have darsana of Krishna!
  We should not miss this chance!"
But they could not venture to go there.  Why?  They thought, "Krishna
has become the Emperor.  His standard is very high, and we are merely
cowherd men and women.  We are poor people.  Perhaps Krishna has
forgotten us.  If we go there, He will not recognize us.  Someone of
such a high position will not come to see ordinary people like us.
Previously He was a cowherd boy in our Vraja-dhama, but now He has
become King.  But we are extremely grief-stricken.  We cannot tolerate
this separation."
Thinking like this, the Vrajavasis reasoned, "A man might forget
everything else, but he will never forget his parents, even if they
live far away.  If Nanda Maharaja and Yasoda go there, then Krishna
will bow down to them and make obeisances."  So they went to Nanda
Maharaja, saying, "Krishna is coming to Kurukshetra!  We are too
grief-stricken with separation grief.  We have not seen Him for such a
long time, but we do not have the courage to go there.  We do not know
if Krishna will give us the opportunity to see Him, as His present
standard of living is so high.  But, if His parents go there, then
Krishna will come to them as their son and offer obeisances."
Then Nanda Maharaja and Yasoda said, "No, no.  This is not correct.
He has not come here for such a long time!  He has so many consorts
and servants serving Him there.  He is so wealthy now.  His wives are
also wealthy.  We are only cowherd men and women.  We have nothing.
After so long, how can we go?  If we go there, will He come to see us?
  If we go to Kurukshetra and are deprived of seeing Krishna, we shall
die!"
When Krishna, the Emperor of Dvaraka, entered Kurukshetra, so many
cavalry units, elephants, horses, etc. accompanied Him.  Only those
who had permission were allowed to go to speak with Him.  He was
surrounded by servants.  There were four gatekeepers, one in each
direction.  The King's parents, Vasudeva and Devaki were also there.
The brahmanas had gone to start the sacrifices.  So, no one was
permitted to disturb the King.
Nanda Maharaja, Yasoda Devi and all the cowherd boys and other friends
of Krishna approached where He was.  Nobody acknowledged them.  Armed
forces, cavalry and elephants surrounded Krishna.
Nanda Maharaja approached one of the guards.  "I have come to see my
beloved son," he said.
"Who is your beloved son?" a guard asked him.
"Krishna."
"How is that?  You are a poor person.  He is the King!  His parents
are already here—Vasudeva and Devaki.  We do not believe you!  From
where have you come?  Why are you claiming that He is your son?  We do
not believe you!"
Nanda Maharaja cried, "I shall die!"
The guard said, "I am doing my work as per the order of the King.  If
I do anything against His orders, I shall be dismissed.  Do you have a
permit?"
"No."
"Then I cannot let you in," the guard replied.
Then all the cowherd boys, carrying their small cow prods, cried, "My
friend!  My bosom friend!  Kanhaiya!"
"What?  He is the King!  His friends are like this?  You are paupers!
  I do not believe you!"
Then the gopis cried, "We are the consorts of Krishna!"
	 "What?  The consorts are already here.  Satyabhama, Rukmini and all
the other queens are here!  From where have you come?  Show me some
permit from the King or His Prime Minister!"
	 Then, Yasoda Devi said, "I told you that, if I go to Kurukshetra and
I am deprived of seeing Krishna, I shall die!  I have nothing left.
My life is finished!"  She cried loudly, "Gopala!" and fell unconscious.
	 At that time, Krishna was with the brahmanas, who requested Him to
start the sacrifice.  Krishna removed all His royal garments and
became a small, naked boy, crying, "Mother!  O Mommy!  Mommy!  Mommy!"
  He cried and cried and cried and ran to sit on the lap of Yasoda
Devi.  Now, without Krishna's presence, all the ritual sacrifices were
destroyed.  By hearing one single call from Yasoda Devi, Krishna could
not remain there.
	 Then Krishna met the gopis and the others.  The gopis attracted
Krishna.  They said, "We are not very happy seeing You here.  There
are so many cavalrymen, elephants and chariots—we should go to
Vrindavana.  There, it is sweet.  All this is Your majestic aspect.
So, please allow us the opportunity to see You in better circumstances
by coming with us to Vrindavana.  Please do not remain here!  "He
Gopinatha!  He Gopinatha!  Vrindavane calo!  He Gopinatha!"
In that mood of the gopis, saturated with gopi-bhava, Caitanya
Mahaprabhu pulled the chariot from the Jagannatha Temple (Kurukshetra)
toward Gundica (Vrindavana).  During the chariot festival, Krishna,
Baladeva and Subhadra make the trip in three chariots.  The day before
the festival, Caitanya Mahaprabhu told the devotees, "You see, Krishna
will come to the Gundica Temple tomorrow.  You must come with Me and
cleanse the temple."  "Cleansing the temple" means that you must
remove all the thorns and rubbish outside and trim the grass.  You
must clear the path of any stones and sweep away all the dust with a
broom.  But it also means that you are to engage your sense organs for
the service of Krishna.  If you do not engage your sense organs for
Him, you will not get Him.  For this reason, you have to clear your
heart of all desire for the attainment of material benefits, both here
and in the hereafter, in heaven.  If such desire is there, Krishna
will not come.  The desire for non-eternal benefits and emancipation,
the desire to merge yourself in formless Brahman, the desire to merge
yourself in Paramatma, these sorts of desires will deter you from
going to Krishna.  Krishna will not come to you.  For this reason, you
have to clear all of this away—these desires are like hard stones.
Outside, you clear them away with brooms, and all the devotees bring
earthen pots full of water to wash everything.  After this, there
should be no desire for name and fame and other such things.  All of
this should be totally removed.  For this reason, Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
with the help of His own uttri (the cloth that a sannyasi wears around
his neck), scrubbed the inside of the temple.  There should not be any
kind of material desires within the heart, not even those hidden
secretly.  Then Krishna will come tomorrow.
Krishna is coming here from the Jagannatha Temple, and you have to
clear these unwanted things away.  This means that you have to clear
your mind.  There should be no other desire except desire for Krishna.
  Krishna is coming to Vrindavana.  Krishna is the only Autocrat there.
  No other ideas, forces or persons should dominate your heart, except
Krishna.  So, you have to make your heart the same as Vrindavana,
where Krishna is solely dominant.  He is the Sole Proprietor.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, "I have made this mind Vrindavana, so that
Krishna will be free—free to perform all His pastimes and sporting
activities."  You have to make your mind Vrindavana.  No one else
should be allowed to enter, and no other thoughts should be allowed.
Now you are staying in a room and outside you have placed a big sign
that says, "Welcome."  So, others see the sign and say, "Oh, welcome,"
and they come to your door.  But the door is closed and, behind the
door, there are many chairs, tables etc.  In fact, the room is
completely filled with furniture!  They cannot even open the door.
So, they go away, disappointed.  Outside, your sign says, "Welcome,"
and you are thinking that you are welcoming Krishna.  But, when
Krishna comes, you have thoughts in your mind of wife, children,
house, money, name, fame and other things.  All these things have
filled up your heart.  Krishna will come and then go back.  You have
to clear your mind, your heart, for Him.  Clear away all attachment to
non-eternal things.  Then Krishna will come tomorrow.
We have to perform harinama.  This is the best method.  So, in these
days leading up to the advent of Sri Krishna, we should perform
harinama saìkirtana.  We should not do this to show off to others.  We
have to do our own bhajana.  We must call and call Krishna from the
core of the heart.  The days should be spent performing saìkirtana.
Then our minds will be cleansed and Krishna may appear.  If you want
Krishna, you have to remove all things that are not Krishna.  This is
"adhivasa".
Caitanya Mahaprabhu has taught us that you will get everything, all
kinds of attainments, by means of the Holy Name.  He made all the
devotees chant the Holy Name, being careful to avoid the tenfold
offenses.  You are not to engage in meditation or any other kind of
practice.  Your mind will be cleansed.  All the unwanted desires will
be removed: "ceto darpana marjanaà."  You have multifarious desires
but, if you perform saìkirtana, the first attainment is that your
desires will be removed.  When these desires are gone, so too will be
the pangs of threefold suffering—miseries.  The desires are the
miseries.  As long as you have desires, should there be some hindrance
to the fulfillment of these desires, your mind will become upset.  For
this reason, when the desires are removed, there will be no
afflictions and Krishna will appear.  Krishna is All-Good.  After
that, you will have a relationship with Krishna, thinking, "I am of
Krishna."  With love, you will utter the Holy Name and you will be
drowned in the ocean of ambrosia—bliss—and, at every step, you will
have the taste of that sweet transcendental ambrosia of the Supreme Lord.

Sri Sri Guru Gaurangau Jayate!
Sri Krishna Janmastami Tithi ki Jaya.

Dear Devotees,
                 Dandavat Pranams!
                                  Srila Gurudev has comeback to math on
14th eve. The condition of his heart is stable now. However he is
still feeling weak. He is staying in delhi math and taking rest.

Sri Gurukrpa prarthi
Hari Prasad Das

Those who possess kåñna-prema are neither enjoyers nor renunciants. They are not karmis, fruitive workers; neither are they jïanis, persons cultivating knowledge of the impersonal Brahman. Those who perform activities opposed to scriptural injunctions honour karmis who abide by scriptural injunctions; and when karmis who are eager to enjoy the results of their endeavours see the external renunciation of jïanis and renunciants, they may be attracted to them. However, those who hanker for bhagavad-prema. disregard both of these paths. They are attracted only by behaviour that nurtures the cultivation of this prema.

anyabhilañita-sünyam

jïana-karmady-anavåtam

anukülyena kåñnanu-

silanam bhaktir-uttama

(Bhakti-rasamåta-sindhu 1.1.11)

[The cultivation of activities that are meant exclusively for the pleasure of Sri Kåñna, or in other words the uninterrupted flow of service to Sri Kåñna, performed through all endeavours of the body, mind and speech, and through the expression of various spiritual sentiments (bhavas), which is not covered by jïanakarma (reward-seeking activity), and which is devoid of all desires other than the aspiration to bring happiness to Sri Kåñna, is called uttama-bhakti, pure devotional service.]

                               Sree Sree Guru Gaurangau Jayatah!

Without awareness of any relationship, love for Bhagavan cannot be experienced. It is the knowledge of relationships that gives birth to love. Even in our day to day lives, whenever someone desires to know our identity, we rattle off a string of relationships such as: `I am the child of that mother or father,' `I am the mother or father of that child,' `I am the husband or wife of that person,' etc. Carrying with us the concept that our identity is comprised of such mundane types of relationships, we visit the temple, view the Deities, participate in hari-kirtana, listen to hari-katha and go through the motions of observing various religious practices. However, we find that these observances do not take us to Sri Hari, but instead, root us ever more firmly in our family and friend relationships. These works are punya, or dharma (actions performed for future merits). They are not bhakti, or devotion. The false ego drives man to fruitive activity. This petty ego must be discarded. However, our real ego—`I am an eternal servant of the Supreme Lord'—should remain. `I belong to this world'—with this false knowledge, we work for our wife, child, etc. Even when we visit the temple, it is for the interest of this false self and for all that is seemingly connected with or related to it. We do not go to the temple for Sri Bhagavan. Thus, it is only natural that we display the tendency to follow the dictates of our ego, falsely thinking that therein lies our self-interest.

                                        Sree Sree Guru Gaurangau Jayatah!

The day I realise that I belong to Sri Bhagavan and that all my relationships are with Sri Bhagavan, then my real self will become manifested, and spontaneously, all my actions will be for Sri Bhagavan and Sri Bhagavan alone.  Identifying my interests with those of Sri Bhagavan, I will then surrender myself and all that belongs to that self to Sri Bhagavan. Only in that specific situation is love and devotion for Sri Bhagavan possible. The grace of the bonafide guru or preceptor will enable us to realise to whom we are actually related. Prior to this knowledge of relationship, it is not possible to have any idea of Sri Bhagavan. When we do not exert much effort to understand the nature of this relationship, our realisation is understandably delayed. After establishing this relationship, we can start our sadhana (abhidheya or spiritual practices) and begin to understand our real needs (prayojana). The scriptures of sanatana-dharma and all the wise sages have discussed three important points in great detail: (1) sambandha, the conditioned soul's relationship with the SupremeLord, (2) abhidheya, the regulated activities for reviving one's relationship with the Supreme Lord, and (3) prayojana, the ultimate goal of life to be attained by the conditioned soul, i.e., kåñna-prema, love of God.

Whenever one acts in relation to the Lord or for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord, whether unknowingly or without proper understanding, then this is known as bhakti-unmukhi-sukåti—a pious deed that culminates in pure devotion. As the number of such pious deeds increase, in due course of time, one gets an opportunity to associate with a pure devotee of the Lord (sadhu-saìga).

In the Båhan-naradiya Purana (4.33) it is said:

bhaktis tu bhagavad-bhakta-

saìgena parijayate

sat-saìgah prapyate pumbhih

sukåtaih pürva-saïcitaih

(Hari-bhakti-vilasa 10.279)

This means that due to pious deeds accumulated in previous births, a living entity gets the association of a sadhu and in that association, learns to discriminate between good and bad. Those who are deprived of sadhu-saìga do not possess real knowledge and mistake sadhu for asadhu, sat for asat, and vice versa. Therefore, sadhu-saìga is essential.

It is not easy to get sadhu-saìga. As already mentioned, only when one has accumulated sukåti from previous births or this birth is one given an opportunity to associate with sadhus.

This is also described in Bhakti-rasamåta-sindhu (1.4.15-16):

adau sraddha tatah sadhu-
saìgo 'tha bhajana-kriya
tato 'nartha-nivåttih syat
tato niñöha rucis tatah
athasaktis tato bhavas
tatah premabhyudaïcati
sadhakanam ayam premnah
pradurbhave bhavet kramah

 When a living entity accumulates sukåti in large numbers, then that living entity develops faith (sraddha) in the Supreme Lord. In this verse, sraddha means visvasa, or firm faith. When one's faith in the Supreme Lord becomes firm, then by the influence of that faith, one practises the regulative forms of devotion under the guidance of the devotees of the Lord. Such a person gradually develops the samskaras or habit for liking the association of sadhus. Wherever he goes, he always yearns for sadhu-saìga. This is the reason why one person engages in much sadhu-saìga and another does not, even when presented with the opportunity to do so.

Lord Kåñna explains to Arjuna in Bhagavad-gita (7.16):

 catur-vidha bhajante mam

janah sukåtino 'rjuna

arto jijïasur artharthi

jïani ca bharatarñabha

"Only four kinds of pious men worship Me, namely the distressed (arta), the desirer of wealth (artharthi), the inquisitive (jijïasu), and one who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute (jïani). But if one has no sukåti, or if one has the opposite—duñkåti—then even if one is severely distressed or in dire need of money, one never surrenders unto Me."

Out of these four kinds of devotees, the jïani is the best. But if even the jïani has no accumulated sukåti then even he does not surrender unto the Lord:

 
na mam duñkåtino müdhah

prapadyante naradhamah

mayayapahåta-jïana

asuram bhavam asritah

(Bhagavad-gita 7.15)

 
The Lord says that others do not surrender unto Him because they are rascals and are bewildered by His threefold external potency. Although human beings, they are the lowest among men. All their knowledge has been stolen by illusion, and they have now accepted the atheistic nature of demons. Such a person says, "Where is God? Where is Rama? Where is Kåñna? There is no God, and even if He exists, why should we surrender unto Him?" Such a proud, duñkåtivan living entity does not have faith in the Supreme Lord or worship the Supreme Lord even when diseased or undergoing difficulty. In other words, only pious persons have faith in the Lord and associate with sadhus.

Srila Gurudev's Health Updates

2 Sept, New Delhi: We are glad to inform all devotees that Most Revered
Srila Gurudeva is now performing pastimes of better health. He is
gaining strength but is advised by doctors to maintain taking rest
until further examinations are done after a month. Occasionally,
devotees are blessed with His darshans.
He was very eagerly looking forward to observing the auspicious
occasion of Sri Radhashtami. He was permitted by doctors to speak
Harikatha for 20 minutes. But as He started to speak the glories of
Srimati Radharani, about her appearance in this world and the pastimes
of the transcendental realm Goloka Vrindavan, He could not help to go
on speaking for almost an hour.
Unfortunately, it was not possible to broadcast the holy event. But
Srila Gurudeva will bless us again with His blissful harikatha on
Ekadasi Tithi. Live videoconference will also be held on the occassion
and it would also be broadcast live over the internet.

Dear Devotees,

Next videoconference in Hindi:

6 Sept., Wednesday         Appearance day of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur and disappearance day of Srila Haridas Thakur

8 pm - 10 pm (India Time)

Please visit www.sreecgmath.org for participation details.

Hope to see you in the conference.

We apologize for not being able to inform about it much in advance.

Haribol.

 

Sri Gurukripa-prarthi,

Tamalkrishna Das

Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math

Saìgat saïjayate kamah (Gita 2.62). If one associates with a thief, he develops the habits of a thief and becomes a thief himself. Similarly, if one associates with a sadhu, one becomes a sadhu oneself and is able to distinguish between good and bad. After this, one will try to learn about sad-vastu, the Supreme Lord, and in order to achieve the service of the Supreme Lord, one will surrender unto the pure devotee of the Lord.

There are two types of faith:

1. Laukika-sraddha: customary or worldly faith.
2. Tattvika-sraddha: ontological faith.

If one goes to the temple, pays obeisances to the Lord or serves the devotees to satisfy the requirements of customs prevalent in the society, then this is classified as laukika-sraddha. Tattvika-sraddha, however, is completely different from this.

In Sri Caitanya-caritamåta (Madhya 22.62), Srila Kåñnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami describes the word sraddha as follows:

`sraddha'-sabde—visvasa kahe sudådha niscaya

kåñne bhakti kaile sarva-karma kåta haya

 Sraddha means "firm faith," i.e., to not only believe in God but to have firm faith (sudådha-visvasa) that the Supreme Lord is the lord of all other controllers or isvaras, that He is omnipotent, and that if we serve the Lord, all our familial, societal, political and other duties will be automatically served. If the Lord is satisfied, everybody is satisfied. This type of firm faith in the Lord is known as sraddha according to Srila Kaviraja Gosvami.

Dear Devotees,
  Hare Krishna. Dandavat Pranams.

  We are glad to inform you all that Gurudeva His
Divine Grace Srila Bhakti
Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj is now performing
pastimes of better health.

  It is stated in authentic scriptures, devotional
practices performed on
Ekadasi Tithi bestow millions of times more
benefit than on ordinary days.
On the upcoming Ekadasi Tithi, once again we will
be blessed with the great
opportunity to hear divine Harikatha by Srila
Gurudeva. The Videoconference
schedule will be as follows:

  Hindi Harikatha Videoconference
  Monday, 18 September, 2006
  8 pm - 10 pm (India Time)

  For details of participation and timings check
www.sreecgmath.org

  Hope to see you in the conference. Haribol.

  Sri Gurukripa-prarthi,
  Tamalkrishna Das

  Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math
  www.sreecgmath.org


>

Sincerity of heart is the only requirement. Bhagavad-gita (18.66) states:
sarva-dharman parityajya  mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo  moksayisyami ma sucah
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall
deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."

Certain souls obtain freedom from the grip of Prakrti.
Krsnaika-sarana, or surrender to Lord Krishna, is the only means of
crossing over the ocean of birth and death (samsara). Performance of
one's duty, simple morality, development of bodily or mental powers,
acquisition of material knowledge, detachment from material things, or
even the knowledge that one is a spiritual being cannot bring about
realization of God. Vision of God is proportionate to the degree of
bhakti or love for Him in one's heart. Lord Krishna says in the
Bhagavad-gita (18.55):
bhaktya mam abhijanati   yavan yas casmi tattvatah
tato mam tattvato jnatva   visate tad-anantaram
"One can understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of
Me by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God."

--- His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj

The living beings in this world have got actual and real relation with
Supreme Lord Sree Krishna. Relations in this world are apparent.
Conditioned souls of this world are passing through numerous births
and deaths being enveloped by the illusory energy of Supreme Lord. The
fruits of the actions of conditioned souls, which have started, will
have their end, and then nobody can remain in this world. Sree Krishna
says in the Gita - "The wise do not mourn for the going and coming of
the conditioned souls". The only way of doing eternal benefit to other
conditioned souls is to worship Sree Krishna with pure devotion. If
God is satisfied, all will be satisfied.

--- His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj