What does it mean to be Surrendere​d to God?–SP

June 3, 2012 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa

740502mw.bom                 Conversations
Prabhupada:  Yes. When Krsna… Therefore we shall fully surrender to Krsna. As  Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, marobi rakhobi yo iccha tohara: “Now I  surrender. Now if you want to maintain me, that is all right, and if You want  to kill me, that is also all right.” This is surrender. It is not business, “If You maintain me, then I surrender. If You kill me, then I do not.” It is  not like that. Marobi rakhobi yo iccha tanhara. “As You like. If You  want to maintain, that is also good; if You want to kill, that is also good.” This is devotee’s view. Satsvarupa: Someone might say, “But if one is  surrendered why should Krsna give him trouble?” Prabhupada: Yes, it is  because he is always free. Why do you make Krsna dependent on your  so-called good-will, that “Krsna must give me always pleasure”? This is sense  gratification. This is sense gratification that you approach  Krsna for your comfort, sense gratification. That is not bhakti. That is  sense gratification. Prahlada Maharaja was given suffering by his  father so harshly, but he never said, “Oh, I am devotee and Krsna giving  me so much trouble? Oh! Give it up.” He never said that. Neither he  asked Krsna to come and save him. That is Krsna-bhakti. The Pandavas. The Pandavas, they were always with Krsna and they were suffering.  They never asked Krsna that “You are the Supreme, and why we are suffering?” Never said.  Never said. That is Krsna-bhakti.
Giriraja: “Because You are the  Absolute Truth, there is no difference between Your mercy and  punishment.”
Prabhupada: Yes. This is to be understood. If we understand  the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Absolute Truth, then this  is understanding, that either suffering or enjoying, it is all  Krsna’s mercy. There must be some purpose. When Krsna puts me into  suffering, there must be some purpose. So we should welcome because  it is Krsna’s mercy. Tat te ‘nukampam susumiksamano bhunjana evatma-krtam  vipakam. (Hindi) (break) “…misdeeds. It is Krsna’s mercy that He is  reforming me, slightly suffering. I would have suffered very greatly on  account of my past deeds, but He is kindly accommodating me by giving  little suffering. That’s all.”

Why it’s important to meet regularly with devotees for kirtan

March 21, 2012 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa

Hare Krsna to all
Obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I was reading over some past articles I have sent out the past two  years from one notebook I have at my
prasadam table and below is what came from it today.
Here are 4 very good reasons (from Prabhupadas books) why the sincere  and intelligent devotees meet regularly for  sadhu sanga, arotik,  kirtan, class, discussion and prasadam. We may say we know and understand the  “philosophy” of Krsna Consciousness, but if we do not apply it regularly, then  it is exactly like not knowing it at all. It remains theory only and the  material and spiritual benefits of the chanting will not be  forthcoming.
Hari bol
Damaghosa das
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1)  690619SB.NV                     Lectures
 Maya  is already there, side by side, Krsna and maya. Just like this light. This  side is light; this side is darkness. Take this example. This light, the  one side is very bright; another side is dark. So this darkness and this  light is always side by side. Similarly, Krsna and maya…  So as soon as you become little slack in Krsna  consciousness, immediately maya is ready to capture you.  Maya is always going side by side. As Krsna is all-pervading, the maya is  also all-pervading. As soon as there is lack of Krsna consciousness, there is  immediately maya.