Monthly Archives: December 2019

by Damaghosa dasa

The work we do-Is it authorized by God? What happens if not-SP explains

December 28, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

Room Conversation with Richard Webster,
chairman, Societa Filosofica Italiana
May 24 1974 Rome
Richard Webster: Well, I agree with you.
….Well, yes, you said restaurants.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Richard Webster: Is it that it depends on the restaurant or is that necessarily bad?
Prabhupāda: Yes, our principle is that we can eat only what is offered to God. So we cannot eat things in the restaurant because it is not offered to God. We may prepare nice things for Kṛṣṇa and offer to Him. Then we take. This is our principle. Yajña-śiṣṭāśinaḥ santo mucyante sarva-kilbiṣaiḥ. Yajña. Yajña means worshiping the Lord. So worship the Lord, it is not difficult. Everyone is cooking for eating, every home. So cook certain things which is acceptable to Kṛṣṇa. Then offer to Him and take the prasāda. There is no difficulty. But you become purified. Yajña-śiṣṭāśinaḥ santo mucyante sarva-kilbiṣaiḥ. Because willfully or not willingly, we are committing so many sins.
Richard Webster: Yes, I appreciate that very much. I only say is it not possible for things to be dedicated to God without actually being placed on the altar in that way? I mean what people may be doing that in different ways maybe…
Prabhupāda: No, thing is, if you want to offer to God, then—God is all-pure—the things you offer, that must be pure. And you must follow the instruction of God. Suppose if you want to give me something eatable, as a matter of etiquette, you ask me, “What can I offer you?” And if I say that “You offer me this thing, and that is very nice,” you cannot offer me according to your whims. That may not be acceptable by Him.
Richard Webster: Yes, I was thinking…
Prabhupāda: That, your dedication, must be with the sanction of God. If you dedicate something which is not sanctioned by God, then that offering is not pleasing. Suppose I have got a certain taste. If you ask me, “What kind of food I shall prepare for you…” In India, still the system is that the housewife asks the husband, the head of the family, “What you want to eat?” [break] …offer something to God, you must take sanction from the God if He wants to eat that.
Richard Webster: Oh, well I was thinking of things like work, the work which people do, with that offered to God…
Atreya Ṛṣi: Service.
Richard Webster: The work…
Prabhupāda: Yes, the service also, you must take sanction. Anything you want to do you must take sanction from the Lord. You cannot do anything whimsically and you think that “I am rendering service to the Lord.”
Richard Webster: Oh, yes, but then the sanction, would that apply to scientific activities like engineering, one of the factories of producing (indistinct)
Atreya Ṛṣi: Would God sanction activities in the factory, technological, scientific world?
Prabhupāda: No, there is no sanction. These are all sinful activities.
Richard Webster: These are material activities.
Prabhupāda: Yes. You have created all these things. God has not sanctioned. God has not sanctioned for running on a factory. Therefore as soon as you run on a factory, you simply commit sinful activities. In the Bhagavad-gītā we don’t find any such sanction that you run on a factory, a slaughterhouse or the brothel and this business and brewery no such sanction. But you have done at your whims.
———————————–
►750403mw.may Conversations There are so many land. Come here and grow food. Grow fruit. That is… That is the desire of Krsna. Annad bhavanti bhutani. Produce food and eat in sufficiently, be strong, and chant Hare Krsna.That is our philosophy. Why you are producing bolts and nuts, tire and tubes? Eat. Rascal. They do not know that first of all you must eat. No, everyone is engaged in industry. Why? Krsna does not say that“Take to industry.” Krsna says, “Produce foodstuff.” Annad bhavantibhutani. If you produce foodstuff, then both your animals, yourself,will be happy, becoming strong. Why do they manufacture other things?
►740621mw.ger Prabhupada: Most unnatural life. City life, most unnatural.
740602mw.gen Prabhupada: Wasteful, yes. Therefore I say they have no brain. All, they are rascals. Rascal leaders. A little labor in agriculture willbe sufficient to produce the family’s food stock for the whole year. You can stock. You work only three months, and you get sufficient foodfor your whole family.And less nine months, you chant Hare Krsna. Butthese rascals will not do that. They will work hard like ass simplyfor eating. Nunam pramattah kurute vikarma yad indriya-pritaya aprnoti. They will not accept easy life.
Jan 11 1977 conversations
Devotee: Should we try to make an effort to have our householders go and live on the farms, a special effort? If it’s ready to do that?
Prabhupāda: Why householders? Everyone.

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by Damaghosa dasa

SP says bogus gurus are “extremely sinful”

December 26, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

SB 6.2.5-6-People in general are not very advanced in knowledge by which to discriminate between religion and irreligion. The innocent, unenlightened citizen is like an ignorant animal sleeping in peace with its head on the lap of its master, faithfully believing in the master’s protection. If a leader is actually kindhearted and deserves to be the object of a living entity’s faith, how can he punish or kill a foolish person who has fully surrendered in good faith and friendship?
PURPORT-The Sanskrit word viśvasta-ghāta refers to one who breaks faith or causes a breach of trust. The mass of people should always feel security because of the government’s protection. Therefore, how regrettable it is for the government itself to cause a breach of trust and put the citizens in difficulty for political reasons. We actually saw during the partition days in India that although Hindus and Muslims were living together peacefully, manipulation by politicians suddenly aroused feelings of hatred between them, and thus the Hindus and Muslims killed one another over politics. This is a sign of Kali-yuga. In this age, animals are kept nicely sheltered, completely confident that their masters will protect them, but unfortunately as soon as the animals are fat, they are immediately sent for slaughter. Such cruelty is condemned by Vaiṣṇavas like the Viṣṇudūtas. Indeed, the hellish conditions already described await the sinful men responsible for such suffering. One who betrays the confidence of a living entity who takes shelter of him in good faith, whether that living entity be a human being or an animal, is extremely sinful. Because such betrayals now go unpunished by the government, all of human society is terribly contaminated. The people of this age are therefore described as mandāḥ sumanda-matayo manda-bhāgyā hy upadrutāḥ [SB 1.1.10]. As a consequence of such sinfulness, men are condemned (mandāḥ), their intelligence is unclear (sumanda-matayaḥ), they are unfortunate (manda-bhāgyāḥ), and therefore they are always disturbed by many problems (upadrutāḥ). This is their situation in this life, and after death they are punished in hellish conditions.
SB 2.8.7 purport…In the process of devotional service, the first step is to take shelter of the spiritual master and then inquire from the spiritual master all about the process. This inquiry is essential for immunity to all kinds of offenses on the path of devotional service. Even if one is fixed in devotional service like Mahārāja Parīkṣit, he must still inquire from the realized spiritual master all about this. In other words, the spiritual master must also be well versed and learned so that he may be able to answer all these inquiries from the devotees. Thus one who is not well versed in the authorized scriptures and not able to answer all such relevant inquiries should not pose as a spiritual master for the matter of material gain. It is illegal to become a spiritual master if one is unable to deliver the disciple.
From above quote (SB 6.2 5-6)… One who betrays the confidence of a living entity who takes shelter of him in good faith, whether that living entity be a human being or an animal, is extremely sinful.
And…..“ It is illegal to become a spiritual master if one is unable to deliver the disciple”

Some Conclusions-One would think with common sense, that if ones so called “guru’ tells him he cannot deliver him but it is Srila Prabhupada who is delivering him, then that so called disciple would then would or should think— then what do I need this guy for? If my so called guru cant deliver me from birth and death, then why take initiation from such a person. ?
I recently watched about 5 hours (youtube) of a recorded interview with Hansadutta das, a former GBC and initiating guru in iskcon, who many years ago published two separate magazines, the first one explaining how he was not the guru of his many hundreds of disciples but in fact it was Srila Prabhupada who was their guru. He was the only one (of those original 11) to come clean and admit his huge mistake and apologize to his disciples and all the others he offended along the way.
One thing he mentioned in this interview, which stuck with me was he said it is better to error on the side of caution that to go ahead and do something you are not sure of and will regret. Iskcon still to this day does not have a final guru tattva siddhanta paper. They keep changing it regularly.
Hansadutta gave an example about cow killing. He said if the Vedas says it is sinful to kill animals and you go ahead and do it anyway, the Vedas say that is very sinful. On the other hand he said that if we refrain from killing animals, how can that be sinful? So it is better to err on the side of caution than to go ahead with something that we have seen has caused so much trouble and dissension in iskcon. So if these people would just accept the ritvik system Srila Prabhupada already had set up and then put it in writing with the July 9th letter-then following that system would be erring (if you want to call it that) on the side of caution. He said the disciples would be safe, the officiating acarya would be safe and Prabhupada would be safe.
But will they do that? No, not up to this date some 40 years later.
The verses and purports above show and tell us how extremely sinful it is to take someones loyalty and faith in himself and then misuse it by posing as guru. And because…”Because such betrayals now go unpunished by the government, all of human society(iskcon) is terribly contaminated.”
Better to leave these people completely because they cannot be reformed and simply go on worshiping Srila Prabhupada and the bona fide param para.
——————————————

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by Damaghosa dasa

Different ways to see God-Krsna

December 18, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

What follows is a very beautiful description of the Lords Transcendental Body by Sukadev Goswami
 
SB 6.4 35-39–Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, who is extremely affectionate to His devotees, was very pleased by the prayers offered by Dakṣa, and thus He appeared at that holy place known as Aghamarṣaṇa. O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, best of the Kuru dynasty, the Lord’s lotus feet rested on the shoulders of His carrier, Garuḍa, and He appeared with eight long, mighty, very beautiful arms. In His hands He held a disc, conchshell, sword, shield, arrow, bow, rope and club—in each hand a different weapon, all brilliantly shining. His garments were yellow and His bodily hue deep bluish. His eyes and face were very cheerful, and from His neck to His feet hung a long garland of flowers. His chest was decorated with the Kaustubha jewel and the mark of Śrīvatsa. On His head was a gorgeous round helmet, and His ears were decorated with earrings resembling sharks. All these ornaments were uncommonly beautiful. The Lord wore a golden belt on His waist, bracelets on His arms, rings on His fingers, and ankle bells on His feet. Thus decorated by various ornaments, Lord Hari, who is attractive to all the living entities of the three worlds, is known as Puruṣottama, the best personality. He was accompanied by great devotees like Nārada, Nanda and all the principal demigods, led by the heavenly king, Indra, and the residents of various upper planetary systems such as Siddhaloka, Gandharvaloka and Cāraṇaloka. Situated on both sides of the Lord and behind Him as well, these devotees offered Him prayers continuously.
 
What follows is a description from the Lord Himself of His body
 
SB 6.4.46-My dear brāhmaṇa, austerity in the form of meditation is My heart, Vedic knowledge in the form of hymns and mantras constitutes My body, and spiritual activities and ecstatic emotions are My actual form. The ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices, when properly conducted, are the various limbs of My body, the unseen good fortune proceeding from pious or spiritual activities constitutes My mind, and the demigods who execute My orders in various departments are My life and soul.
 
PURPORT-Sometimes atheists argue that since God is invisible to their eyes, they do not believe in God. For them the Supreme Lord is describing a method by which one can see God in His impersonal form. Intelligent persons can see God in His personal form, as stated in the śāstras, but if one is very eager to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead immediately, face to face, he can see the Supreme Lord through this description, which portrays the various internal and external parts of His body.
…. If one is unable to see the Supreme Lord although He is present as Kṛṣṇa in His various incarnations, one may see the Supreme Lord’s impersonal feature, according to the direction of the Vedas, by seeing the activities of material nature.
 
There was no impersonal brahman nor Supersoul before Creation-and these two conceptions Prabhupada says are more or less “materially contaminated”-WOW, Hare Krsna !!!
 
 

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by Damaghosa dasa

Two verses from SB which explain completely the difference between body and spiritual consciousness

December 14, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

SB 6.4.24-As the sense objects [form, taste, touch, smell and sound] cannot understand how the senses perceive them, so the conditioned soul, although residing in his body along with the Supersoul, cannot understand how the supreme spiritual person, the master of the material creation, directs his senses. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto that Supreme Person, who is the supreme controller.
PURPORT-The individual soul and the Supreme Soul live together within the body. This is confirmed in the Upaniṣads by the analogy that two friendly birds live in one tree—one bird eating the fruit of the tree and the other simply witnessing and directing. Although the individual living being, who is compared to the bird that is eating, is sitting with his friend the Supreme Soul, the individual living being cannot see Him. Actually the Supersoul is directing the workings of his senses in the enjoyment of sense objects, but as these sense objects cannot see the senses, the conditioned soul cannot see the directing soul. The conditioned soul has desires, and the Supreme Soul fulfills them, but the conditioned soul is unable to see the Supreme Soul. Thus Prajāpati Dakṣa offers his obeisances to the Supreme Soul, the Supersoul, even though unable to see Him. Another example given is that although ordinary citizens work under the direction of the government, they cannot understand how they are being governed or what the government is. In this regard, Madhvācārya quotes the following verse from the Skanda Purāṇa:
yathā rājñaḥ priyatvaṁ tu bhṛtyā vedena cātmanaḥ tathā jīvo na yat-sakhyaṁ vetti tasmai namo ’stu te “As the various servants in the different departments of big establishments cannot see the supreme managing director under whom they are working, the conditioned souls cannot see the supreme friend sitting within their bodies. Let us therefore offer our respectful obeisances unto the Supreme, who is invisible to our material eyes.”

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by Damaghosa dasa

comparison of BG SB and Caitanya Caritamrta-this one is pure nectar !!!

December 11, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

As he stood up after ending a lecture in Munger, an earth tremor caused mild flooding of the adjacent Ganga. The water soon receded, after which Srila Sarasvati Thakura said:
“In due course maha-pralaya (devastating floods) will inundate the entire universe. If you attempt to survive by swimming in that deluge, then do not neglect to take hold of Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. Or if you cannot hold all three, then release Bhagavad-gita. If necessary you may also relinquish Srimad-Bhagavatam, but under no circumstances release your hold on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, for if this one book remains then the flood can do no actual damage, because after it has subsided, the message of sastra can be revived from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta alone, it being the essence of all sastra.”
The 400th Anniversary of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta
By Brijabasi dasa (Ukraine)

The coming May, 8, [2015] (in the Western Hemisphere) or 9 (in the Eastern Hemisphere) is a very special day – according to the last verse of the Caitanya-caritamrta Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami completed it on this day:

Krsna dasa Kaviraja writing Sri caitanya Caritamrta
sake sindhv-agni-vanendau
jyaisthe vrndavanantare
suryahe ‘sita-pascamyam
grantho ‘yam purnatam gatah

“In Vrndavana in the year 1537 Sakabda Era [A.D. 1615], in the month of Jyaistha [May-June], on Sunday, the fifth day of the waning moon, this Caitanya-caritamrta has been completed.” (Antya-lila 20.157).

The 20th of May also marks the 100th anniversary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s Anubhasya commentary on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, that was the basis for Srila Prabhupada’s purports. He wrote it in 1915 in Mayapura several years before taking sannyasa and starting a large-scale preaching. At that time his Guru Maharaja, Srila Gaura-kisora dasa Babaji, was still living in Navadvipa. In his Foreword Srila Sarasvati Thakura describes three types of readers who approach Sri Caitanya-caritamrta:
“The readers of Sri Caritamrta are divided into three types. One of them is a reader who becomes inclined to study this book being guided by curiosity. Another reader reads the book with hostility in order to invite his own inauspiciousness. The third type of reader is one who attentively reads the book with the aim to achieve auspiciousness and due to his strive for the truth he attains the actual result of such reading. As they read the book, curious readers quickly establish themselves either in the second or in the third category.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta-bhumika)

In the Caitanya-caritamrta Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami has quoted more than 90 different sources (among them he quoted Srimad-Bhagavatam the most – 404 times). The book consists of 62 chapters (“paricchedas”) divided into three parts (“lilas”) and 11.555 verses, out of which 97 Sanskrit slokas were composed by the author himself, 933 Sanskrit verses were quoted by him from many different sources and the remaining 10.525 bengali verses (“payaras”) were, of course, composed by Srila Kaviraja Gosvami.
Here is a brief history how the author started writing Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (from Adi-lila 8.71-83):
In Vrndavana there were also many other great devotees, all of whom desired to hear the last pastimes of Lord Caitanya.
By their mercy, all these devotees ordered me to write of the last pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because of their order only, although I am shameless, I have attempted to write this Caitanya-caritamrta.
Having received the order of the Vaisnavas but being anxious within my heart, I went to the temple of Madana-mohana in Vrndavana to ask His permission also.
When I visited the temple of Madana-mohana, the priest Gosasi dasa was serving the feet of the Lord, and I also prayed at the Lord’s lotus feet.

When I prayed to the Lord for permission, a garland from His neck immediately slipped down.
As soon as this happened, the Vaisnavas standing there all loudly chanted, “Haribol!” and the priest, Gosasi dasa, brought me the garland and put it around my neck.

I was greatly pleased to have the garland signifying the order of the Lord, and then and there I commenced to write this book.

Actually Sri Caitanya-caritamrta is not my writing but the dictation of Sri Madana-mohana. My writing is like the repetition of a parrot.
As a wooden doll is made to dance by a magician, I write as Madana-gopala orders me to do so.

I accept as my family Deity Madana-mohana, whose worshipers are Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami.

I took permission from Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura by praying at his lotus feet, and upon receiving his order I have attempted to write this auspicious literature.

Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura is the authorized writer on the pastimes of Lord Caitanya. Without his mercy, therefore, one cannot describe these pastimes.

I am foolish, lowborn and insignificant, and I always desire material enjoyment; yet by the order of the Vaisnavas I am greatly enthusiastic to write this transcendental literature.”

Srila Narottama dasa Thakura about Sri Caitanya-caritamrta:
“Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, the devotee who knows very well the loving relationships of Radha and Krsna, compiled Sri Caitanya-caritamrta and Govinda-lilamrta, describing the nectarine pastimes of Sri Gaura-Govinda. Even the stones melt in ecstasy upon hearing these narrations. But alas! Only my mind is not attracted to them.” (Prarthana, 5.3).

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura about Sri Caitanya-caritamrta:
From his Autobiography:
“While I was at the school in Medinipur [in 1868] I decided that I would obtain and read books on Vaisnava dharma. At the Medinipur school there was a jati vaisnava pandit. I learned from speaking with him that Caitanya Prabhu preached the vaisnava-dharma in Bengal and that there is a books named Caitanya-caritamrta which contains the history and teachings of Caitanya. Even after searching for it I could not get a copy of Caritamrta. I had faith that by reading that book my mind would become happy, but Vaisnava books were not in print then.” (Svalikhita-jivani, p.102-103).

“In Dinajapur the Vaisnnava religion was somewhat strong due to Raya Kamalalocana Saheb… I developed a desire to know what is genuine vaisnava dharma. I wrote to my agent, Pratapa Candra Raya, and he sent me printed Caitanya-caritamrta and a translation of Bhagavatam… On my first reading of Caitanya-caritamrta I developed a little faith in Sri Caitanya. On the second reading I understood that was no pandita equal to Caitanya. Then I had a doubt: being such a learned scholar, and having experienced the reality of love of Godhead to such an extent, how is it that Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommends the worship of the improper character of Krsna? At first I was amazed and started thinking about that. Afterwards I prayed to the Lord with great humility: O Lord! Please let me understand the mystery of this! The Lord is unlimitedly merciful. Seeing my eagerness and sincerity, within a few days He bestowed his mercy upon me and supplied the intelligence by which I could understand. I then understood that Krsna-tattva is extremely confidential and the highest principle of the science of Godhead. From this time on, I started seeing Mahaprabhu Caitanyadeva as God.” (Svalikhita-jivani, p.129-130).
“Srimad Bhagavatam and Sri Caitanya-caritamrta are the two invaluable jewels in this world. You should discuss them with utmost care.” (Svalikhita-jivani, p.157)

From the article entitled “Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja” (Sajjana-tosani 2.10-11):
“Kaviraja Gosvami was a learned scholar of all the scriptures. This is easily realized by reading his books Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Govinda-lilamrta, and his Saranga-rangada commentary on Sri Krsna-karnamrta. Srila Kaviraja Gosvami Prabhu was a great devotee and one of the principal scholars in the Caitanya-sampradaya. We do not need to prove this statement. The books written by Kaviraja Gosvami are themselves a wonderful proof of this. One becomes struck with wonder by seeing the compassion of the unlimitedly glorious Kaviraja. Out of compassion for those who have no knowledge of Sanskrit sastras he compiled such a wonderful book, Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. In our opinion, if Kaviraja Gosvami did not exhibit such compassion, then persons who are ignorant of scriptural knowledge and philosophy would never know the eternal Vaisnava teachings given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Who knows what would have been their fate. O glorious Kaviraja! Learned and ignorant devotees of the Vaisnava sampradaya are indebted to you. How much can we sing about your glories with one mouth? The pure Vaisnavas are always singing your qualities. O Kaviraja! Which atheist will not like to take shelter of your lotus feet if he remembers your perfect words?
You have said in Caritamrta (Madhya 2.87):
yeba nahi bujhe keha, sunite sunite seha,
ki adbhuta caitanya-carita
krsne upajibe priti, janibe rasera riti,
sunilei bada haya hita
“If one does not understand in the beginning but continues to hear again and again, the wonderful effects of Lord Caitanya’s pastimes will bring love for Krsna. Gradually one will come to understand the loving affairs between Krsna and the gopis and other associates of Vrndavana. Everyone is advised to continue to hear over and over again in order to greatly benefit.”

On the strength of such perfect words, many foolish persons in the Vaisnava sampradaya are becoming greatly qualified to understand Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. O Kaviraja! We offer innumerable obeisances at your lotus feet.”
From Sri Caitanya-siksamrta (1.2):
“In order to understand the teachings of Sriman Mahaprabhu, we must refer to the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. Lord Caitanya himself did not leave any written works, except the eight verses of the Siksastaka. There are few verses attributed to him in the Padyavali, but from those verses we cannot take any systematic instructions. There are also a few very small books which some people claim were written by Lord Caitanya. Having examined everything thoroughly, we have come to the conclusion that these are all false claims. From the many works which the Gosvamis wrote we can thoroughly understand Lord Caitanya’s teachings, but they do no mention any works written by Lord Caitanya Himself. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta is the authoritative work. From this work we can fully understand the Lord’s character and teachings. These teachings are confirmed perfectly by the words of the Gosvamis. For this reason Sri Caitanya-caritamrta is given so much respect. Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami wrote his book having appeared immediately after Mahaprabhu. Sri Mahaprabhu’s direct disciples, Sri Dasa Gosvami, Sri Rupa Gosvami and many others gave Kaviraja Gosvami their assistance in writing his work. Before him Sri Kavi Karnapura had written Sri Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka and Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura had written Sri Caitanya-bhagavata. These works were a great help to Kaviraja Gosvami. Considering all points, we must depend upon Sri Caitanya-caritamrta.”

Here is an instruction from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura to the readers of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta:
“As one should carefully study Vedanta and rasa-sastra from a bona fide spiritual master, in a similar way one should read this great literature (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta).” (“Prabodhana” published in Sangini-patrika, 3.11. Quoted in Sri Bhaktivinoda-vani-vaibhava, 98.22)
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura about Sri Caitanya-caritamrta:
From Srila Prabhupadera Upadesamrta:
“Always study Caitanya-caritamrta and hear it explained by persons conversant with its actual purport. Chant Krsna’s holy names offenselessly in the association of devotees. And continue to read— Caitanya-caritamrta, Prarthana, and Saranagati especially—and you will find fortune. If you chant in the association of devotees, Gaurahari will bestow His mercy on you.”

(501) Q: Is Sri Caitanya-caritamrta simply a book of the Lord’s pastimes?
A: Sri Caitanya-caritamrta is not simply a book of Sri Caitanyadeva’s pastimes, but more – it is an extremely wonderful book of great philosophical conclusions – it gives philosophical explanations to the pastimes of Mahaprabhu. Sri Krsna’s second pastimes are the pastimes of Sri Caitanya, and Sri Caitanya’s second pastimes are the pastimes of Krsna. Srila Kaviraja Gosvami Prabhu has written this book by following the path of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

From the letters:
“You should study Sri Caitanya-caritamrta very carefully.” (Mayapur, August, 2, 1915).
“You should study Sri Caitanya-caritamrta with deep understanding and chant the holy names of Hari without offenses.” (Mayapur, June, 10, 1916).

“Always read Sri Caitanya-caritamrta.” (Sri Bhagavat Press, Krsnanagar, January, 2, 1918).
“By studying Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, service to Lord Krsna and chanting of the holy name are accomplished.” (Sri Caitanya Matha, Mayapura, 5.8.1926).

From Sri Bhaktisiddhanta-vaibhava (Vol.1, pp277-280):
“Sri Caitanya-caritamrta was Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s favorite book. He regarded it as a matchless devotional work and the most important biography of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, because it succinctly yet definitively imparts His teachings and gives significantly more insights into the nature of the Lord’s highest ecstasies than do Sri Caitanya-bhagavata or other narratives. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati himself read both Sri Caitanya-caritamrta and Sri Caitanya-bhagavata 108 times and told others to do likewise. Especially in his later life, whenever he got time he generally read Sri Caitanya-caritamrta.”

“Some persons claiming to be Gaudiyas study the Sanskrit writings of the Six Gosvamis but not Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja’s Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, considering it inferior due to being composed in Bengali. Yet Sri Caitanya-caritamrta is the definitive work containing the essence of the siddhantas of the Six Gosvamis. Thus, however learned and expert in Sanskrit a scholar may be, without attaining eligibility for studying
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, he cannot grasp the message of the Six Gosvamis.”
“If somehow all the books in the world were destroyed, leaving only Srimad-Bhagavatam and Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, the people of this world could still achieve the ultimate goal of life. Even if Srimad-Bhagavatam were lost, leaving only Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, there would be no loss to humanity, for whatever has not been revealed in the Bhagavatam is found in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. The Absolute Truth is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the combined form of Radha and Krsna. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta is His sound incarnation, within which is found the divine mystery of Radharani’s divine status and glories. Therefore, can there be any doubt concerning the supreme status of this transcendental literature?”
As he stood up after ending a lecture in Munger, an earth tremor caused mild flooding of the adjacent Ganga. The water soon receded, after which Srila Sarasvati Thakura said:
“In due course maha-pralaya (devastating floods) will inundate the entire universe. If you attempt to survive by swimming in that deluge, then do not neglect to take hold of Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. Or if you cannot hold all three, then release Bhagavad-gita. If necessary you may also relinquish Srimad-Bhagavatam, but under no circumstances release your hold on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, for if this one book remains then the flood can do no actual damage, because after it has subsided, the message of sastra can be revived from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta alone, it being the essence of all sastra.”
From Srila Prabhupadera Hari-kathamrta (Vol.1, p.43, also quoted in Shri Chaitanya’s Teachings, p.186):
“There is no other book in the universe like Srimad-Bhagavatam. This is not mere tittle-tattle or an amplified homage. An objective judge will realize that there has not been any book like the Bhagavatam, nor will there be one. This book presents a consideration of gradual evolution, from the increasingly better conceptions of skepticism, atheism, attributelessness, neuterdom, masculinity, sex, consorthood by marriage (svakiya), and lastly paramour love of the gopis (parakiya). Krsna-lila is described in the Tenth Canto. What then was the necessity of composing the preceding nine cantos? In them have been shown the deliberation of these theories, to prepare the ground for introducing the main subject, namely the description of Krsna’s transcendental pastimes with the Vraja-gopis, as given in the “Gopi-gita” and similar sections of the Tenth Canto.
There were many who read Srimad-Bhagavatam before Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu came into this world, but the only ones who have been able to seize the real import and actual object of the Srimad-Bhagavatam are they who read it after reading Sri Caitanya-caritamrta of Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, one of His chief followers in the line of Sri Rupa Gosvami, in other words, those who have read Srimad-Bhagavatam within Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. The unrefined ease-loving people pretending to be Vaisnnavas (prakrta-sahajiyas) read Srimad- Bhagavatam and mercenary discoursers explain it, yet they only misconstrue and cover the true reading as according to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. Their elucidation might please the minds of their hearers, but it merely makes the path to hell more easily accessible for themselves and their admirers.

Srila Prabhupada about Sri Caitanya-caritamrta:
From the Jaladuta Diary, September 1965:
THURSDAY 9
Till 4 o’clock afternoon we have crossed over the Atlantic Ocean for twenty-four hours. The whole day was clear and almost smooth. I am taking my food regularly and got some strength to struggle. There is slight lurching of the ship and I am feeling slight headache also. But I am struggling and the nectarine of life is Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita the source of my all vitality.
FRIDAY
Today the ship is plying very smoothly. I feel today better. But I am feeling separation from Sri Vrindaban and my Lords Sri Govinda, Gopinath, Radha Damodar. The only solace is Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita in which I am tasting the nectarine of Lord Chaitanya’s Leela.
From the lectures:
“The asset of this Caitanya-sampradaya about this devotional service is very great. Very great. This Caitanya-caritamrta is also one of them. Yes.” (Lecture on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.66-96 — New York, November 21, 1966).
“So there are two different kinds of Vedic literature. One section is called sruti, originally coming. Just like this Caitanya-caritamrta. This is a book written by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, a great devotee of Lord Caitanya. It is called smrti. Why? Everything written here is corroborating the Vedic literature. There is nothing, suggestion, “I am a philosopher. I am a speculator. I think this will be like this” Here you’ll see in every step he is quoting from Vedas.” (Lecture on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 22.5 — New York, January 7, 1967).
“So this is the Vaisnava devotee’s temperament, humble and meek. They, although they are always in the exalted position, they never advertise that “I am in exalted position.” He is never puffed up. As you have read it, the author of Caitanya-caritamrta, such a great devotee, who could produce in his ripe old age such nice transcendental literature, which is certified by my Guru Maharaja as the postgraduate study of the devotees…” (Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.8 — Montreal, July 2, 1968).
“…It is the, I mean to say, general tendency of a devotee that he always thinks that “I am lower than the lowest. Lower than the lowest.” Purisera kita haite musi se laghistha [Cc. Adi 5.205]. Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami, the author of a literature, Caitanya-caritamrta, unique in the world, he said that “I am lower than the worm in the stool.” Purisera kita haite. Purisa means stool and kita means worms. There are some worms in the stool. So he said that “I am lower than that worm in the stool.” Just see.” (Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.13 — Montreal, August 21, 1968).
“We should always be prepared to take instruction from the authorities. We should never think that we have become perfect. Although you are perfect. Trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna. One should be very humble, meek, and always think that “I am nothing.” Just like the author of Caitanya-caritamrta, such a great, stalwart man, such a great devotee. Nobody has produced such literature as Caitanya-caritamrta. He is presenting himself that “I am lighter than the worm in the stool.” Purisera kita haite musi se laghistha. Purisa means stool and kita means worm. So “I am lower than the worm in the stool. Anyone who takes my name, all his pious activities immediately becomes lost.” In this way he is presenting himself. That does not mean that he’s actually so, but that is the attitude of a devotee. He’s always very meek and humble.” (Lecture — New York, April 16, 1969).
So Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu… This is the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, appearance site of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sridhama Mayapur. So in this place this is the appropriate literature, Sri-caitanya-caritamrta. We may try to discuss during these holy days. Last year some gentleman suggested, after seeing my all literatures, that “You kindly write a translation of Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta.” He thought that this business I can do very nicely. So I took the initiation from this gentleman and began to write. Now it is almost complete. I am now translating Madhya-lila, Twentieth chapter, the discussion, ‘sanatana-siksa.’ So it is estimated that ten volumes like this… [aside:] You think like that? Ten volumes like this, that will complete Caitanya-caritamrta. Caitanya-caritamrta is the postgraduate study of Krsna consciousness. The Bhagavad-gita is the A-B-C-D to entrance, and Srimad-Bhagavatam is the graduate study, and Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta is the postgraduate study of spiritual life. My Guru Maharaja, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada, whenever he got some time he used to read Caitanya-caritamrta. And he predicted that the whole world like to read Caitanya-caritamrta, and for this reason they’ll learn Bengali. Therefore, following his footsteps, I have kept the Bengali character and tried to give the literary meaning of each word of the Bengali poem. This is, of course, Sanskrit. This book is full of Sanskrit verses. Some of them are composed by the author himself, Kaviraja Gosvami, and some of them are quoted from various literature, Vedic literature. (Lecture on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 7.1 — Mayapur, March 1, 1974).
“Caitanya-caritamrta author, such an exalted person, practically the most exalted personality in Gaudiya-Vaisnava… His Caitanya-caritamrta, there is no comparison. It is postgraduate study. So the author of the book, he’s presenting himself, that “My position is lower than the worm in the stool.”” (Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.39 — Mayapur, October 19, 1974).
“So study this Caitanya-caritamrta. Now we have got this English edition, very elaborately described, following the footsteps of our Guru Maharaja, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada. So there is no such edition of Caitanya-caritamrta, very elaborately described. But it can be understood by the advanced student. It can be… And so… Advanced, you can, anyone, you can become advanced. Advanced means at least one should understand that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If you simply understand these two words, that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then you are advanced. It is not very difficult.” (Lecture on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 1.1 — Mayapur, March 25, 1975).
“O the great sadhu, you are…,” although you know he is a great rascal. [laughter] Still, I will have to speak to him. This is the process of preaching. Is that all right? You tell him, “Oh, you are a great sadhu.” Then he will be: “Oh, yes, yes. [laughter] You are right. You are right. What do you want from me? Tell me.” Then you can say, he sadhavah sakalam eva vihaya durad: “What every rascaldom you have learned, please forget. [laughter] Please forget.” “Then what I have to do?” Caitanya-candra-carane kurutanuragam. “You become adhered to the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya. That is my… That’s all. So I have brought this Caitanya-caritamrta, seventeen volumes. If you kindly take this…” So they will take. They have got money. And if he reads one line, he’ll be perfect. This should be your process of preaching.” (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 7.3 — Nairobi, October 29, 1975).
From the books:
“So the Bhagavad-gita is the science of how to know God. The preliminary science. If you want to know more, then read Srimad-Bhagavatam. And if you are in intense love with God, read Caitanya-caritamrta—how your love for God can be still more intensified. That is Caitanya-caritamrta.” (Civilization and Transcendence, 12: How to Love God).
“Actually, the Caitanya-caritamrta is not intended for the novice, for it is the postgraduate study of spiritual knowledge. Ideally, one begins with the Bhagavad-gita and advances through Srimad-Bhagavatam to the Caitanya-caritamrta. Although all these great scriptures are on the same absolute level, for the sake of comparative study the Caitanya-caritamrta is considered to be on the highest platform. Every verse in it is perfectly composed.” (Introduction to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta).
“Since a devotee writes in service to the Lord, the Lord from within gives him so much intelligence that he sits down near the Lord and goes on writing books. Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami confirms that what Vrndavana dasa Thakura wrote was actually spoken by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and he simply repeated it. The same holds true for Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami wrote Sri Caitanya-caritamrta in his old age, in an invalid condition, but it is such a sublime literature that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja used to say, “The time will come when the people of the world will learn Bengali to read Sri Caitanya-caritamrta.” We are trying to present Sri Caitanya-caritamrta in English and do not know how successful it will be, but if one reads the original Caitanya-caritamrta in Bengali he will relish increasing ecstasy in devotional service.” (Purport to Adi-lila 8.39).
“…In any case, when I had published Srimad-Bhagavatam, First Canto, in three volumes in India, I thought of going to the U.S.A. By the mercy of His Divine Grace, I was able to come to New York on September 17, 1965. Since then, I have translated many books, including Srimad-Bhagavatam, the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Teachings of Lord Caitanya (a summary) and many others.

In the meantime, I was induced to translate Sri Caitanya-caritamrta and publish it in an elaborate version. In his leisure time in later life, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura would simply read Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. It was his favorite book. He used to say that there would be a time when foreigners would learn the Bengali language to read the Caitanya-caritamrta. The work on this translation began about eighteen months ago. Now, by the grace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, it is finished.” (Antya, Concluding Words).
“It is my wish that devotees of Lord Caitanya all over the world enjoy this translation, and I am glad to express my gratitude to the learned men in the Western countries who are so pleased with my work that they are ordering in advance all my books that will be published in the future. On this occasion, therefore, I request my disciples who are determined to help me in this work to continue their cooperation fully, so that philosophers, scholars, religionists and people in general all over the world will benefit by reading our transcendental literatures, such as Srimad-Bhagavatam and Sri Caitanya-caritamrta.” (Antya, Concluding Words).

The concluding verses of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta:
“Sri Caitanya-caritamrta is filled with the activities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. It invokes all good fortune and destroys everything inauspicious. If one tastes the nectar of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta with faith and love, I become like a bumblebee tasting the honey of transcendental love from his lotus feet.”

“Since this book, Caitanya-caritamrta, is now complete, having been written for the satisfaction of the most opulent Deities Madana-mohanaji and Govindaji, let it be offered at the lotus feet of Sri Krsna Caitanyadeva.” (Antya 20.154-155)

sruyatam sruyatam nityam
giyatam giyatam muda
cintyatam cintyatam bhaktas
caitanya-caritamrtam
O devotees, may the transcendental life and characteristics of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu always be heard chanted and meditated upon with great happiness.
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by Damaghosa dasa

The two kinds of persons who are happy in this world–SP

December 10, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

May 27 1966 NY lecture….
Simply by… There are many so-called mendicants in India. They, I mean to say, loiter in the street naked, and sometimes they are arrested by the police, like that. Imitation is not required. Imitation is not required. But there is a stage like that. Just like a madman. Sometimes a madman, he also, I mean to say, wanders the street naked. So he is also compact in some thought, but he is a madman. But similarly, a person who is completely compact in Kṛṣṇa thought, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he is also a madman according to the calculation of this world.
I think there is a line in Shakespeare’s literature, “The lunatic, mad, and the poet” or something like that, “all compact in thought.”
[The actual reference is A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act V, Scene I: “The lunatic, the lover, and the poet, are of imagination all compact.”].
So a madman and a ātma-rati person, self-satisfied man, outwardly, you will find there is no difference, but inwardly, oh, there is vast difference.
There is a story of Jaḍa Bharata. Jaḍa Bharata, a brāhmaṇa boy whose name was Jaḍa Bharata. He was formerly the emperor of this world. His name was Mahārāja Bharata. And by his name now India is called Bhāratavarṣa. Formerly this whole planet was named as Bhāratavarṣa. Before that, this planet was named as Ilāvṛtavarṣa, long, long years, millions of years before. But Jaḍa Bharata, he also lived ātma-rati, self-satisfied. In the beginning of his spiritual life he left this world, a very young age. When he was only twenty-four years old he left his wife, children, and kingdom. It is not joke. An emperor with beautiful young wife, small children, and palace—he left everything. There are many instances like that.
SB 3.7.17—Both the lowest of fools and he who is transcendental to all intelligence enjoy happiness, whereas persons between them suffer the material pangs.
Canakya pandit states Ch 4 verse 2
Most sons, friends, and kinsmen are against the devotees of the Lord, but there are a chosen few who understand and associate with them. Only through this way of living does the human become sanctified.
Canakya pandit-Chapter 2 verse 9
You cannot find diamonds in every mountain,. You cannot find gems in the head of every elephant. You cannot find sandlewood in every forest, and you cannot find saintly devotees everywhere.

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by Damaghosa dasa

logic and authority-must have both

December 10, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

June 8 1974 Geneva conversations
Prabhupāda: Yes. (indistinct) consider what kind of life I’m going to get. (indistinct) They have made their own rascal philosophy that there is no life after death. Although they’re experiencing that I am changing my body in this duration of life. I know that I have a child’s body, child’s body. That body’s finished. Still I’m existing. So why I shall not exist after this body’s finished? Where is the logic? Where is the… The simple logic they cannot understand. So dull brain. And they’re advanced in civilization, big, big professor, big, big Indologist, this logic. The simple reason they cannot understand. What did they say? You have talked to many men about this logic?
Guru-gaurāṅga: About life after death?
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Satsvarūpa: They say it doesn’t go beyond… They have to agree that the baby’s body is gone and the young man’s body is gone. They have to agree. But they say that that doesn’t mean logically that I have to take another body.
Prabhupāda: What is the other logic? If you have changed your body so many times, why not change this body? What is your reason? Natural course it should be that I have changed so many bodies so this body I shall change. This is natural logic. And what is his logic?
Satsvarūpa: So he said… They say it may be or it may not be.
Prabhupāda: But that is your rascaldom. But this is the real logic.
Guru-gaurāṅga: They also say that it is not… It is the same body, more or less…
Prabhupāda: Same body…
Guru-gaurāṅga: But it is just developed, but it is not a different body.
Prabhupāda: No. Developed means different body. Development means different body. They cannot say it is not different body. Then if it is not different, then go to childhood again. That means they’re not human being. Human being means with logic. According to their definition, man is rational animal. They’re not even rational. Like cats and dogs. There is no rationality. Cats and dogs also they have got rationality. Logic plus authority, Kṛṣṇa says. How you can deny? That means they don’t agree with Kṛṣṇa’s instruction. You see? This logic, I am not giving this logic. This logic is given by Kṛṣṇa. So unless… The difficulty is that unless they accept the authority, it is very difficult. Logic is there. The authority is there.
Puṣṭa-kṛṣṇa: They feel, Prabhupāda, that they’ve been cheated so much by so many philosophies that when we say that the Vedas are written by a person who’s not contaminated by the modes of nature, they say, “Well, how is this possible? My experience is that everyone who’s written books, they’re all materialistic and therefore the philosophy must be like that.”
Prabhupāda: But you must be following some philosophy. You’re not without philosophy. Even the hippies they’re also follow… They’ve got their own philosophy.
Puṣṭa-kṛṣṇa: Yes.
Prabhupāda: So you cannot give up philosophy. Now it is misfortune that you met with the cheaters. So make your fortune now. Believe in Kṛṣṇa’s philosophy. Then you’ll be happy.
Puṣṭa-kṛṣṇa: Jaya.
Prabhupāda: That argument that we don’t believe… But you’re believing in Lenin’s philosophy, the communist. And what is this hippies, their philosophy, Allen Ginsberg’s philosophy? Ha? Debauch number one. (laughter)
Satsvarūpa: Ultimately, they don’t follow anyone, although they may like people, they…
Prabhupāda: No, they follow.
Devotee: They say our only…
Prabhupāda: But they are manufacture their own philosophy. Philosophy there must be. They’ve become their own authority. That is a chaotic condition. Authority he has made himself. Yes. I am my authority. Authority has to accept. But he does not know that I am fool No. 1, what is the value of my authority? Authority he must accept. But he makes himself his authority. That is the tendency now. “In my opinion.” All rascals say like that. “In my opinion.” He does not… He’s rascal No. 1, what is the value of his opinion? But he’ll say, “In my opinion.” That is the difficulty. And this is called creative philosophy. Is it not?
Puṣṭa-kṛṣṇa: Yes.
Prabhupāda: This is going on. All rascals have creative philosophy.
Puṣṭa-kṛṣṇa: When I hear in the United States there’s a saying, a slogan, amongst the young people: “Do your own thing.” And also in India now when I go there they say, “So many men, so many minds.”
Prabhupāda: Yes, that is Vivekananda. Yata mata tata patha. That means everyone can become authority. This is their philosophy.
Satsvarūpa: And this they praised as good.
Prabhupāda: Ha?
Satsvarūpa: And others praise this as…
Puṣṭa-kṛṣṇa: Very tolerant, liberal.
Prabhupāda: :Yes, but our philosophy, Kṛṣṇa says, “You rascal, give up everything. Just surrender unto Me.” This is our philosophy. “You rascal, you give up everything and surrender unto Me.” This is our philosophy.

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by Damaghosa dasa

Who is happy here and who knows he is not happy here?-SP explains

December 8, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

May 27 1966 NY lecture….
Simply by… There are many so-called mendicants in India. They, I mean to say, loiter in the street naked, and sometimes they are arrested by the police, like that. Imitation is not required. Imitation is not required. But there is a stage like that. Just like a madman. Sometimes a madman, he also, I mean to say, wanders the street naked. So he is also compact in some thought, but he is a madman. But similarly, a person who is completely compact in Kṛṣṇa thought, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he is also a madman according to the calculation of this world.
I think there is a line in Shakespeare’s literature, “The lunatic, mad, and the poet” or something like that, “all compact in thought.”
[The actual reference is A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act V, Scene I: “The lunatic, the lover, and the poet, are of imagination all compact.”].
So a madman and a ātma-rati person, self-satisfied man, outwardly, you will find there is no difference, but inwardly, oh, there is vast difference.
There is a story of Jaḍa Bharata. Jaḍa Bharata, a brāhmaṇa boy whose name was Jaḍa Bharata. He was formerly the emperor of this world. His name was Mahārāja Bharata. And by his name now India is called Bhāratavarṣa. Formerly this whole planet was named as Bhāratavarṣa. Before that, this planet was named as Ilāvṛtavarṣa, long, long years, millions of years before. But Jaḍa Bharata, he also lived ātma-rati, self-satisfied. In the beginning of his spiritual life he left this world, a very young age. When he was only twenty-four years old he left his wife, children, and kingdom. It is not joke. An emperor with beautiful young wife, small children, and palace—he left everything. There are many instances like that.
SB 3.7.17—Both the lowest of fools and he who is transcendental to all intelligence enjoy happiness, whereas persons between them suffer the material pangs.

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by Damaghosa dasa

16 parts to our subtle bodies-how to be free of them -by SP

December 6, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

BG 10.1 purport...The more one hears about the Supreme God, the more one becomes fixed in devotional service. One should always hear about the Lord in the association of devotees; that will enhance one’s devotional service. Discourses in the society of devotees can take place only among those who are really anxious to be in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Others cannot take part in such discourses. The Lord clearly tells Arjuna that because he is very dear to Him, for his benefit such discourses are taking place.
(Note- I send out hundreds of such notices, but only the devotees who are serious are interested)
SB 6.1.49 purport....It should be understood that a person who does not have Vedic knowledge always acts in ignorance of what he has done in the past, what he is doing at the present and how he will suffer in the future. He is completely in darkness. Therefore the Vedic injunction is, tamasi mā: “Don’t remain in darkness.” Jyotir gama: “Try to go to the light.”
…..Even though he has a human body, a person in the mode of ignorance and interested only in his present body is like an animal, for an animal, being covered by ignorance, thinks that the ultimate goal of life and happiness is to eat as much as possible. A human being must be educated to understand his past life and how he can endeavor for a better life in the future. There is even a book, called Bhṛgu-saṁhitā, which reveals information about one’s past, present and future lives according to astrological calculations. Somehow or other one must be enlightened about his past, present and future. One who is interested only in his present body and who tries to enjoy his senses to the fullest extent is understood to be engrossed in the mode of ignorance. His future is very, very dark. Indeed, the future is always dark for one who is grossly covered by ignorance. Especially in this age, human society is covered by the mode of ignorance, and therefore everyone thinks his present body to be everything, without consideration of the past or future.
SB 6.1.51-The subtle body is endowed with sixteen parts—the five knowledge-acquiring senses, the five working senses, the five objects of sense gratification, and the mind. This subtle body is an effect of the three modes of material nature. It is composed of insurmountably strong desires, and therefore it causes the living entity to transmigrate from one body to another in human life, animal life and life as a demigod. When the living entity gets the body of a demigod, he is certainly very jubilant, when he gets a human body he is always in lamentation, and when he gets the body of an animal, he is always afraid. In all conditions, however, he is actually miserable. His miserable condition is called saṁsṛti, or transmigration in material life.
PURPORT-The sum and substance of material conditional life is explained in this verse.
SB 6.1.52-The foolish embodied living entity, inept at controlling his senses and mind, is forced to act according to the influence of the modes of material nature, against his desires. He is like a silkworm that uses its own saliva to create a cocoon and then becomes trapped in it, with no possibility of getting out. The living entity traps himself in a network of his own fruitive activities and then can find no way to release himself. Thus he is always bewildered, and repeatedly he dies.
PURPORT-As already explained, the influence of the modes of nature is very strong. The living entity entangled in different types of fruitive activity is like a silkworm trapped in a cocoon. Getting free is very difficult unless he is helped by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(Note–SB 4 .22.32-There is no stronger obstruction to one’s self-interest than thinking other subject matters to be more pleasing than one’s self-realization.
June 12 1974 conversation-
Devotee: Prabhupāda, what is the devotee’s greatest enemy? A devotee’s greatest enemy?
Prabhupāda: He, he himself. Because he’s a rascal, he’s his greatest enemy. So just get out of this rascaldom, and you become your friend. Nobody is enemy. You are yourself your enemy. Nobody is enemy. )

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by Damaghosa dasa

Association of devotees is the greatest happiness

December 3, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

Two peas in a pod-Sukadev and Damaghosa- I really miss him

Here we are during one of his annual two week summer visits..

'Sukadeva giving me an elbow- with "love"'
Madhya 8.2.48-Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked”Of all kinds of distress, what is the most painful?” Sri Ramananda replied, “apart from separation from the devotee of Krsna, I know of no unbearable unhappiness.
Brhad Bhagavatamrta 1.5.,51-King Yudhisthira said “Out of all kinds of desirable things experienced in the life of a living entity, association with the devotees of the Lord is the greatest. When we are separated from a devotee even for a moment, we cannot enjoy happiness.”
(Govinda das kavira-Bhajahu re mana)”…Having obtained this rare human birth cross over this ocean of worldly existence through the association of devotees”..
This life is tottering like a drop of water on a lotus petal, therefore you should always serve and worship the diving feet of Lord Hari…”
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