Who is a Vaishnava- Part 1(Prahlada Maharaja's Qualities)

Srimad Bhagavatam (SB 7.4.33) Lecture by HH Radhanath Swami On Who Is A Vaishnava given in Mumbai in the year 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uczzLNOWu4

SB 7.4.33

nodvigna-citto vyasaneṣu niḥspṛhaḥ
 śruteṣu dṛṣṭeṣu guṇeṣv avastu-dṛk
dāntendriya-prāṇa-śarīra-dhīḥ sadā
 praśānta-kāmo rahitāsuro ’suraḥ

Although Prahlāda Mahārāja was born in a family of asuras, he himself was not an asura but a great devotee of Lord Viṣṇu. Unlike the other asuras, he was never envious of Vaiṣṇavas. He was not agitated when put into danger, and he was neither directly nor indirectly interested in the fruitive activities described in the Vedas. Indeed, he considered everything material to be useless, and therefore he was completely devoid of material desires. He always controlled his senses and life air, and being of steady intelligence and determination, he subdued all lusty desires.

Develop character

Qualities of Sri Prahlada Maharaja are being summarized here. By studying them carefully we can truly understand what is a vaishnava. We may read volumes and volumes of philosophy  memorize many teachings and even have the power to speak in such a way that people are mesmerized. In these few verses of SB it is clear what is expected of us. What are the characteristicss that we must sincerely strive to live by in our lives.As CM has spoken one cannot really understand Krishna or how to love Krishna even by studying scrutinizingly all the various scriptures, but one can understand by observing the life of a pure devotee. Mahajan yen agatah- this is the path of perfection to follow in the footsteps of Mahajanas. Because this is the culmination of the essence of philosophy. This is where all the philosophy is trying to bring us to achieve - these personal qualities. These do not necessarily come by getting a position- temple president, counselor  sankirtan leader, GBC , guru anything but you will not necessarily adopt those qualities by having a position- it is these characteristics  that attract and please Krishna.They are not easily achieved. In fact if we study these verses describing Prahlada Maharaja it is very difficult but yet we must strive, pray , do our sadhana, study scriptures with the aim of developing these qualities. Narada Muni tells the qualities of Prahalada. He was completely cultured as a qualified Brahamana. SP has told us that this movement is especially meant to create a class of true brahmanas and for one who is a vaishnava all the real essential qualities of a brahamana are there even if he may not be performing all the activities of a brahmana. 

We must be determined to develop these qualities

Having very good character and determined to understand the absolute truth, having a learning, yearning, eagerness determination to understand the absolute truth. In school for most people- if they want to do well there has to be a determination to understand the subjects.When we read the books when we come to the classes, it should not just be because we are supposed to, it should not simply be for social purposes, to catch extra rest. We come to class with a determination to understand the absolute truth, if you are determined then you will be awake. To be determined means willing to fight all obstacles- that is the quality of determination.

Prahlada Maharaj's Qualities

"He had full control of senses and mind and he was kind to everyone"

It explains his relationship with others.How and all of these qualities can only take place in a person who is not envious or at least the beginning stages of not acting out of the influences of envy that may be lurking within our hearts.

 To respectable persons PM acted like a menial servant.

Very interesting- he is the fav son of the king, usually some in that posn is naturally very proud. But he was willing to serve them in any way- menial servant does not discriminate between high, low, prestigious or something people would criticize you if you do. Menial servant means that you will do whatever to please that person.

"To those who were poor,PM was like their father"

- very profound- a father doesn't just give something in charity- a father really cares- if your child is sick- does he say here is some medicine.A father really cares wit his heart for the welfare- extend himself and make sacrifices. PM saw every poor suffering person as his own son. He himself was only 5 years old.

This was the standard of his devotion. Practically everyone who was poor was old enough to be his father-

but he was seeing them as his own children- why because he had something help them to serve them.

Its not just about money. Its about respect also.We read about SP when he was living in the bowery- ghetto of Manhattan island. There were people who were really really poor, not only poor economically but poor in every sense of morality. They were alcoholics, drug addicts, sleeping on the roads and nothing due to their addictions they lost everything they had- completely totally rejected by the whole society.

Srila Prabhupada's example- gave people a sense of dignity and value

SP had less money than they did. He had practically nothing but yet, he was intoxicated with Krishna's love- he would walk among them he always showed respect, honor them. He was the only person who gave them respect or honor. They would open the door for him to reciprocate with him. they would not do that for anyone. He was giving them a sense of dignity-  when you give someone a sense of dignity you are actually giving them the strength to give up their bad habits and improve themselves. Just give them money you are not really helping them very much. Because the medicine, money, food is not going to give them the strength to overcome their suffering. But if you give them a sense of dignity then you can give them a sense that their life has a value, there is something in me that is good- I don't see it, nobody sees it, but this person sees it so it must be there. That gives the strength to overcome so many obstacles, to come out of Maya and attain Krishna. PS was like a father. PM 5 years old was also like a father. He respected everyone, he gave honor and dignity to everyone- How is that possible? 

SP's giving dignity to them  was different from how modern psychiatry and psychology view dignity, self worth

From a psychological perspective you can analyse how it is very vital for encouraging a person who is a depressed condition. But PM< SP and the great souls are seeing from a different perspective. vidya vinaya.... samadarsinah. They are seeing the ultimate good in every living being, Brahaman, cow , elephant, cow or dog eater- they are seeing beyond the external dress- body and mind are dresses. Body outer clothes mind is like the underwear. But the soul is the person.Now you may or may not like a person's clothes, you may not like the underwear, but its the person that is important. Every living being, whatever designation they maybe- they are part of God-they are sat cit ananda - they are our brothers sisters, Krishna is our father- everyone is pure. There is love of God there everywhere. If someone sees that in you- sees Godliness in You, see godliness in you, divine love in you. That person can really encourage you and also empower you,. In the psychology, psychiatry and various new methods to deal with mental problems, there is a sense of giving a sense of self worth- giving them the comfort that I am important, I am valuable. In this world there are so many situations that can be depressive to a person's mind. There is a movement of self care- self value, but when that is only on the material plane. It can make you feel better, But it can also inflate your false ego and give you an illusory sense of your value. But SP, PM and these great souls they are not just trying to pump our depressed ego- they are trying to give us knowledge of who we really our, what we really our what our real value is and if you understand your value according to their perspective then you cannot think I have real value and they don't.

Modern systems could bring you to I have value but others don't, I am better than you. But here we understand who we really are and we understand everybody's essence is full of bliss, of inconceivable value. Sometimes SP compares the soul just and infinitesimal part of Krishna vibhu to a spark or rays of the sun.

Bringing the soul to its real glory by bringing it closer to Krishna

From the perspective of a spark what is the significance of a spark so tiny  so small anu very little cannot illuminate very much. The farther the spark is away from the fire the less it glows the less value it has. But when that spark comes closer to the Lotus Feet of Srimati Radharani who is the source of all love and devotion then that spark glows brighter and brighter. When that spark is very close to Sri Sri RG then it can generate a light that can illuminate the entire universe- that little spark.

In actually trying to give a person their real value, we convince them that you are spirit soul , part and parcel of Krishna pure love in your heart, unlimited joy in your heart. Theoretically that can make a person feel nice. Real inner fulfillment has to go beyond the theoretical.

But if we convince people of this concept, of this truth and bring them closer to the Lotus feet of Sri Sri RG then their real sense of , that little infinitesimal soul starts glowing brighter and brighter and its divine virtues become more and more manifest  In the spiritual world we find , although there are unlimited jivatmas.- rats alone in mumbai are countless, what to speak of the humans and the mosquitoes, microbes and cockroaches, how many jivatmas are there? Could human intelligence could create a number to estimate the number of jivatmas in the cosmic manifestation- unfathomable. This is just the prison. 

People in prisons are small % of society. How many are there in Goloka Vrindavan- Vrindavan, svetadvipa, dwarka and Mathura, Unlimited vaikuntha planets. How many living entities  Yet because each jiva's heart is so close to Krishna due to love, he can make everyone feel, I love only you. My full affection is just for you and that doesn't give you  a superior complex over others?You are not envious when you see Krishna loving others? why doesn't one feel envious when one sees Krishna someone else more- bec they are so totally satisfied by Krishna's love for me.When they see Krishna loving someone else it makes them more thrilled gives them happiness. So yes the closer the soul comes to Krishna the real value of the soul is brought out. A real father who is trying to help the poor- is not only giving them some physical symptomatic relief but gives them the knowledge of who they are and brings them closer and closer the Krishna.

Therefore Lord CM is given the instruction - that we should all perform the highest welfare work for human society to bring people closer to Krishna- to feed and nourish people on the spiritual platform- our physical and emotional welfare work is connected to the needs of the soul People are hungry give them food- they are hungry again- give them prasad they will be hungry again but in the process of eating you have brought them closer to Krishna awakening them to their full glory.

 If you can heal a person's sickness but put them in an environment where their souls are being awakened - burned out little spark laying in the dry sand no light in it, if you can somehow bring them closer to the Lotus feet of Radha Krishna then that type of philanthrophy is para upkara. Ceto darapana- prime benediction for humanity at large, is Krishna who has descended in his name with all of His fullness His opulence.He has manifested in His Name.

Therefore the greatest strength charity we can offer to another with real care real love is to bring people closer to Krishna by inducing them to take shelter of the Holy Name.Hare Krsna Radha and Krishna We can be close to Krishna in every situation and allow that little soul in our heart to blaze with love and all good qualities and the Holy Name is something we cna take shelter of Krishna at all places and all times. 

This was Prahlada Maharaja- although he was a Little 5 yr old boy- he cared for everyone as a father not just poor in wealth but poor in heart. In the Bible Jesus said "Blessed are the poor in heart"- those who have humble hearts - who realize that nothing is mine everything is the property of God.the more we realize that the more we come closer to God.

To His equals, PM he was attached like a sympathetic brother.

 To other vaishnavas who are equal- not just a friend- we should have friendships ,

but what is the spirit of his friendship there was attachment to them like a sympathetic brother- you deep down really care about that person. His problems are my problems, joy , suffering success. You really care- no matter what. Sympathetic brother.

How can devotees be attached to one another?

Developing attachment on that level- Mayawadis are again any type of attachment- devotees also we read so much about vairagya we get the idea we should be detached from everything everyone. But in Vaishnava Society, PM his is attached to his equals but not to exploit them, not for his sense gratification - he is attached because he knows that they are his brothers and sisters. They are Krishna's children and he is attached to serving them with love. that is how we should try to cultivate relationships with all of our peers- attachment to serving them with love.

RG explain the 6 loving exchanges- to be attached to those exchanges with each other is very good- its the symptoms of a Mahajana. He considered his teachers, that means siksa Guru's spiritual masters, SP said he treated his older God brother's as good as the SPG- His teachers, Gurus and older God brothers.

How was he able to do this?

 He was completely free of unnatural pride

- why unnatural? In spiritual life there is natural pride- based on truth- to be proud of Krishna is natural pride- to be proud of other vaishnavas for the good things they do bec they are empowered by Krishna. If you are proud of Krishna, will you not be  spontaneously be proud of anything Krishna does thru someone else. When we glorify Krishna and show our pride in Krishna- this is our GOD. When we read about SP our hearts should swell with pride- pride in SP. We see anybody serving nicely, being empowered we should be swelling with pride- how my God brother or somebody else's disciples how they are empowered by Krishna nd the Parampara to do wonderful things. This is natural pride. - focussed on Krishna.

False pride- we put ourselves in the center. Natural pride in Guru, Krishna and Vaishnavas unifies us. Helps us to transcend all ency and disputes. Unnatural pride- creates disunity, creates envy, destroys our humility. Natural pride increases our humility- when our pride is with Krishna and others in the center it makes us humble. When our pride is with us in the center it makes egotistical, arrogant

Service to Vaishnavas reveals the highest truths

1993-168_Serving_Vaishnavas_With_Life_And_Soul_SB-10_47_54-56_Mumbai_-_Radhanath_Swami_1993-11-12_IDesireTree.mp3

SB 10.47.54 — Uddhava remained there for several months, dispelling the gopīs’ sorrow by chanting the topics of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes. Thus he brought joy to all the people of Gokula.

SB 10.47.55 — All the days that Uddhava dwelled in Nanda’s cowherd village seemed like a single moment to the residents of Vraja, for Uddhava was always discussing Kṛṣṇa.

SB 10.47.56 — That servant of Lord Hari, seeing the rivers, forests, mountains, valleys and flowering trees of Vraja, enjoyed inspiring the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana by reminding them of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Lecture Transcript: not verbatim

SRila SG is herein giving us a beautiful description that how it was that Uddhava sought to give pleasure satisfaction to the residents of Vrindavan. so much is revealed to Uddhava the highest truths of the topmost subject matter of all religion and truth. The pure spontaneous and ecstatic love

of the Brijbasis and especailly the Supreme most perfection and source of all love Srimati Radharani was all witnessed and given to Uddhava. But it was given in reciprocation to his own humble consciousness- he came to Vrindavan for only one purpose to give pleasure to all Vrajvasis to give relief to them on the order of Lord Krishna.

Highest truths can only be revealed by service to devotees
Great personalities within their heart is the treasure of love of God. Such Krishna prema cannot be understood by study of any amount of scriptures by the memorization of sholkas and performance of terrible austerities. By performing sadhana vaidhi bhakti by great care and attention- but it is by pleasing the great devotees of the Lord, by satisfying them we satisfy Krishna. Satisfying Krishna by satisfying His devotees, He reveals the greatest of all blessings of the truth of Krishna prema - there is no other way.

Narottam Das Thakur's humble service to Lokanatha Goswami
NDT explains -chadiya vaishnava seva  no one in all history has ever obtained KC - love of Krishna without serving and pleasing great vaishnavas. Bec to serve means to please.It is not simply a mechanical process. In the beginning we may do our particular bhajan or seva bec it has to be done. It should be our growing aspiration that we perfomr our seva with the motivation and attitude of

pleasing great vaishnavas - bec when they are pleased Krishna is pleased and then only is that knowledge revealed to us. We read in the life of Lokanatah oswami- humble saint- living in Vrindavan a very secluede life . At a particular time when he was becoming old- he was living in the bank of Yamuna , now it is Sri Radha Gokulananada . He made a vow- will not accept disciples as he considered himself very fallen. After the departure of Lord CM, RG, SG, RDG- he was so much in the pain of separation of vaishnavas that he could not consider anything else in his life but in crying while taking the names of Rahd aKrishna. But NDT knew it was the will of Lord CM that he accept Lokanatah gosawami as hi SM. He requested LG, but he said it cannot be done- he said there are so many great Vaishnavas in Vrindavan- RDG, JG, why are you coming to me. Lokanatah refused, but then NDT so humble he was that he did not want to disturb his Guru's mind by askign again and gaain- whether he initiates me or not, I cna serve him sincerenly. BUT Lg would not take any service - NDT had to serve secretly. LG would go to bank of Yamuna to respond to nature's call and NDT in the night when nobody is around- he would secretly go to that place and wash it with his own hands. Not expecting any credit for his seva- not even expecting that anyone would ever know what he had done. HE knew LG would be pleased bec the area was clean even if he doesnt know its me - . LG was wondering who is doing this- how is this happening. So he personally hid secretly n the bushes that night and there he saw NDT completely unassuming just wanting to clean the place and do some seva. LG said NDT hy are you doing this- this is below you- you are a prince- you are the only son and a great wealthy powerful king- you should not be doing this work which is unfit- cleaning everyday the stool and urine of another. NDT he explained to LG that is the highest service- service to a Vaishnava- the highest thing- being a great prince is not the highest but pleasing Krishna and his devotees is the highest service . The greatest wealth can only come through such humility. LG began to cry seeing NDT humble desire to serve and ultimately gave him initiation but gave to no one else .

Haridas Thakur pleases' Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Through this story how the key secret to unlocking that great treasure from the heaqrat of Krishna and His devotees is to please His devotees then only everything is revealed. Therefore the utmost emphasis is on harinaam and Vaishnava seva. Simply reading Rasika Shastra's of Vrajabhumi - we can memorize it, discussit- but Krsna will not revela the true meaning of any of these subjects - but if we simply serve Vaishnavas , try to relieve them of stress and please them - Krsna will reveal

everything. Haridas Thakur- was an untouchanble but he had a burningdesire to serve Lord CM to relieve him of his stress - seeing the fallen people wasting their life in material enjoyment, how to give them love of God, they have no inclination, this is creating pain in my heart, birth and death and suffering. Here is the source of all bliss- rasaraj, atmarama- to see the pain of others in firgetfulness of Krishna. HDT said- bec you have come to spread the HN of Krishna all those people who are connected to you will be reliueved. Not only did he speak this but he acted on it as well- beated in 22 marketplaces, - HDT " If you can beat me, cut me, torture me, but you can neevr get me to stop from spreading the HN around because it pleases Krishna and His devotees. Death will come before I can stop this preachin. This is pleasign to Krsna and His devotees" His only Qfn- he was willing to give anything his own life to please the Lord and His devotees- He was made Namaacarya- empowered to do the greatest seva.All these realizations come to the humble devotee who simply wants to serve the devotees of the Lord.

Uddhava's service to the Brajawasis
Uddhava - Krishna felt compassion for the residents of Vrindavan- He promised that He would return but did not - He could understand the pains of separation of the Brijwasis- He sent Uddhava to please His devotees who dedicated hie life in the service of the Lord to please the Lord's devotees. Sometimes they were crying- Nanda Maharaja , Radharani, Gopis were chastizing him., but all the while he understood this is what is required to sevre them to please them. He remained in Vrindavan cfor 3 months and throughout - he as always discussing Krishna. Therefore he got them such joy, Xcendental ecstascy that those 3 months seemed like a moment - How he pleased them by reminding them about Krisnhna- greatest way to please devotees and all jivatamas. How to remind them of Krishna- srvanam , kirtanama. ? IN CC- all devotees would get together and discuss hari kirtana and kari katha. e are here to disciuss the beautoful SB- we are doing this to please the Vaishnavas- speaking to please the audience- speaker is doing it as a service for the pleasure of the Lord and the Vaishnavas.

Those who are coming to hear attentively because this is the order of Gurudeva- to hear the SB philosphy- 5 most important rules - hear SB daily. We are coming to please our Gurudeva- whatever Vaishnavas happens to be speaking- ultimately to please the Lord of the heart.

When Krishna sees that within our hearts we have this anxiousness to hear his Katha - he becomes pleased and removes all anarthas from our hearts.

How to please the devotees?
Uddhava sets the highest eg of how to please the devotees- by reminding them about Krishna.
We congregationally come together to chant the HNs and hear Hari Katha to please Guru, Krishna and Vaishnavas. Our motivation throughout the day should be - to truly satisfy the devotees- only then they will reveal the truth to us- inquire submissively and offer service to the great souls. Pari prashnena sevaya. Otherwise the so called information we get- it may appear to be the truth in form but in essence the truth is far away- truth is revealed by great souls when we offer service to them. Brijwasis were pleased by Uddhava and they revealed to him the highest levels of Soiritual consciousness. Uddhava said " You sent me under the illusion that I will give them something, but they gave me something so great" Krishna says elsewhere tro Uddhava mad bhakta puja adhika- to please my devotees is the greatest offering to me. Even Brahma, Shiva, Laskhmi are not so dear to me as you because you have given your life in service to me. Uddhava on recieveing the blessings of the VRajvasis and being in such an exalted posn - he prayed to be a blade of grass so that the vraja gopis might step of him and he will recieve their dust. To receive the blesisngs is the supreme religion, only means of understanding Krishna prema.

Mukatamnama api siddhanam naryana aparayanama sudurlabha prasannatma---- to attain liberation is not a very important accomplishment. to attain great powers, siddhis and ability to perform great miracles, is not a very impressive accomplishment. But narayana parayana to attain devotion to Krishna is so rare ec one who attains such devotion , the supreme master of all mystics Mukunda the giver or all liberation becomes sub ordinate to that love- that love can be attained only by pleasing all the devotees and recieing their blessings. Ishwatra puri cleaned the stool and urine of Madhavendra Puri got his blessings- through which he was given the highest levels of love of God and the empowerment to be Guru of Lord CM. This si what we are seeking in our life- humble service then everything will be revealed to us.
Simple way of pleasing a\we must approach advanced devotees- and without interpretation or speculation we must just do whatever has been told, with all our life and soul.

Questions and Answers?

Question? Aspire to be servant of servant - there maybe more people giving service then who to please?
Answer: Try to please everyone, but you must know what is your service. You may water the branches but miss the root- you must know what is your service- say if you have your project and ten other devotees are giving you other projects then you must do the project given to you- whatever spare time you have you can help other devotees without neglecting your service.

Question? Particular service may cause physical inconvenience?
What does service mean- its not physical. Bhakti is the offering of one';s heart, one's life. Hanuman was carrying huge mountain tops and squirrel was keeping dust. Hanuman wanted the squirrel to stand out of his way. Rama said his picking of a grain of sand is as pleasing to Me as you carrying mountaintops. There is no question of being fit or unfit for DS- simply our desire to please makes us fit or unfit.

One person maybe doing great service but his motive is pride and prestige, anotehr devotee maybe very old and sickly but his motive is to please Krishna and the devotees.

Old lady Radha Damodar would come everyday with bucket of Jamuna water and flowers- very difficult for her to carry- would bring this everyday for Radha Damodar- as she is going back to Godhead. SP said she will go BTG as she does this service with so much attention and faith. This little bucket was more pleasing to the Lord than wealthy people creating big temples to install the Deitires. She was doing everything she could to please Krishna.

Question? Is too much enthusiasm good or bad?
Depdends how you define Too much enthu- if it means you are following your own mental concoctions to serve then it is not good. You cannot have too much enthu if it is properly directed-If we understand the proper process of pleasing Krishna and devotees then we cannot have too much enthusiasm. But if with our enthusiasm we get carried away that that we do so many things that are not pleasing to Krishna and devotees- that is not too much enthusiasm - but it is misdirected enthusiasm on the basis of our own desires- that we want to do something in a particular way that pleases us. The problem is our desire is not being properly directed- the more enthusiastically you do it, the more trouble you get into.
If somebody wants to do something that is not right and is lazy it does not case so much problem.But if somebody wants to do something that is not right- what I want- not what Guru and Vaisnavas want and is enthusiastic to do it then it creates chaos. But if we understand what Guru wants, Krishna and  devotees want then the more enthusiastically we serve the more effulgent we become. We should be humble. We should be enthusiastic to perform what will please the great soul- enquire submissive and then perform service with great enthusiastically.

How Krishna inspires you from within may be misconceviedv with how my false ego inspires me from within- therefore we must be humble and if there is some correction we must simply accept it. We must not be attached how Krishna is inspiring me from within- we must be attached to pleasing those for whom we are doing it and that comes by hearing submissively. If we are sincere then Krishna will inspire us to do more and more but we must be careful to really strive to work under the guidance of devotees,

Question? No intention ot please, but Vaishnava is displeased
First we must carefuly calculate if we did ptoperly if there were mistakes, if that is then we must rectify it and ask for forgiveness. But if we tried sincerely and Vaishnava is displeased then we mjust take it as a purification- Krishna does not want you to proud .

When we share our joy of devotion with each other the greatest blessings come.

http://audio.iskcondesiretree.info/05_-_ISKCON_Chowpatty/09_-_2012/01_-_Jan_2012/12-01-08_SB_10-05-17_-_Get_Happiness_To_Give_Happiness_-_Radhanath_Swami_ISKCON_Chowpatty.mp4

When we share our joy of devotion with each other the greatest blessings come.

SG is giving the description of Rohini. In this world whoever we are there is always the light and dark parts of life. If we expecting everything to go our way- we can never be happy- there is tragedy, crises , failures for whoever we are.

Adhyatmika, Adhi daivika, Adhidevika
own mind- distress, anxiety, diseases

The real source of ll suffering when the soul identifies with the temporary body and things of this body.

Bible says to live in this world but not of this world.
SP's heart grieved to see his own brothers and sisters - thinking all there is to life is the uncertainties of this world. Wake up understand who you are , what is your relationship- understand that happiness cannot ever be touched by any situation of this world. This balance of compassion on a human level for whatever type of suffering people have and the connection to the eternal infinite divine source of life the soul- we can celebrate the beauty and the fortune of Krishna and the opportunity that everyone in the world has for that- at the same time feeling the suffering of others and wanting to help them physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Rohini apparently transgressed etiquette by dressing beautifully. We must understand that the purpose of rules, regulations, etiquette is to please God- means to please the Lord's devotees and be compassionate to all living beings.

One time a Sanyasi a Swami came to the temple for Maharaj ws a pujari. Young new devotees were very excited- they bowed them in the room- he got angry this is an offense - do not bow to anyone in the temple of Krishna except Krishna.

Purpose of rules is to transform our character - they should make us humble and respectful
if those same methods make us hard hearted eositic nd judgemental - we have missed the purpose What please Krishna.

rohini was pleasing Krishna immensely- she was dressed very beautifully against the expected social custom- but Nanda and Yashoda had given it to her with love and joy and by accepting it she would give them joy.- She is the mother of Balarama the original Guru and all Gurus- she was serving everyone- despite the miseries of material life that she was experiencing her heart was permeated with happiness as there was something beautiful to celebrate- Krishna's mercy.

If we are miserable and despondent what we can do for anyone0- I am miserable because you are miserable let us suffer together- this love we suffer together birth after birth.

Life is more than that - if we there is darkness in the world there is one thing that can give light in darkness which is light- when Devotees actually find inner joy. inner peace , inner love of Krishna of the beauty of the soul- and see that potential in others then even in the greatest suffering, with compassion we are happy - its not that people are suffering and we go dancing and say too bad we are happy- that is not how it is- you feel for them and you want to give them the joy that is beyond the circumstances and pain and joy of the world

SP how can we repay you?
Just accept what I have given you and give it to others- when we accept what he has given to us it is a meaningful life which is beyond the suffering of the world. The more we give the joy we have recd then it increases - the joy is watering the root- when we learn to love Krishna then we learn to love every living being.

Rath yatra- Krishna is manifesting the mood of in giving we receive.

Rath Yatra Vrindavan vasis are meditating on bringing Krishna back to Vrindavan home where there is the deepest intimate love.Pull ropes to bring Krishna to Vrindavan - the result- if you are bringing Krishna to vrindavan where are you going - to Vrindavan back home back to godhead- automatically we go back to vrindavan when we bring Krishna back without any motivation we got BTG. If we please Krsna then ultimately we become pleased.

This bhakti or DS to Me, it will give blissful eternal life to anybody who simply accepts it. Doesn't matter male, female, red, white, yellow, high sates low caste no caste, literate, illiterate,rich or poor, we simply serve with devotion seva, and Krishna is pleased with the quality of our service, by love and devotion, Krishna reveals the treasure within ourselves of eternal blissful life. Rohini was celebrating by serving the guests with great joy - we feel for them from a platform of actually being a soln to the problem by connecting to the eternal joy of Krishna's love- by spreading this bhakti and chanting the Holy Name

When sometimes, is really suffering, loss of loved one- people try to help the person to forget the misery but in Bhakti param drstva nivartate- we want to help people to Xcend the misery to recognize and feel the misery that is there but simultaneously to xcend it- if we dont feel it we become callous and hard hearted towards it esp towards other people, but when we feel it from a xcendent [perspective by giving people infinite hope of who we are what we have and what we could give.


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He forgot to pull up the anchor- our motivation to be the proprietor, the enjoyer and the controller it is our selfish desires, we have to have the intent to pull them up - we have to have the tapasya the austerity in resisting these tendencies within us- then our sadhana will actually give us really good progress towards the destination- CM- the bhakti lata beeja is like a little seed - sadhana is like the watering of the seed the water makes the seed grow but weeds also grow- we have to be very attentive- able to identify the weeds and pull them out- if we do not then the same water will also water the weeds and the weeds are going to smother and choke the seed of devotion if we do not pull them out- selfishness, egoism, fault finding are all weeds- we have to keep watering with hearing and chanting if we do not pull out the weeds we become more hardhearted and mean instead of compassionate and that happens to often and that is actually what sincerity means - SP- would tell just take this KC sincerely without ulterior motives with actually striving to live with the right motivations.

 Human life is meant for tapasya and accept favorable and reject unfavorable- chanting is most favorable - ten offenses stifle the effect of chanting the HN when we are critical egoistic- therefore as we are performing our sadhana we have have to under stand the spirit that Lor CM emphasized gopi bhartur pada kamalayor --- strive to be a humble servant- if we are not humble, gentle, compassionate not pulling up the weeds that will choke those qualities then we are materialistic like any other religionist- if we are not tasting bhakti then we will seek out the taste of fault finding and sens gratification and we lose our taste for sadhana as we are not doing it properly. In SB simply by practicing DS all good qualities come- but we cant separate striving to live by the proper character of a vaishnava that is what DS is also. BSSt wrote if we dont have this humble service attitude we can chant birth after brth and never find love of God, because we allow these weeds to grow and grow and let that anchor us deeper into the body - so yes the first and foremost is the chanting of Gods name, reading SB, serving Vaishnavas, worshipping the Deity and going on pilgrimage- but if we do not do it in the proper char and make offenses ultimately only one this that can liberate  us and tht is Krishna's grace- we follow the re principles to get the grace of Krishna. Krishna doesnt give grace bec of the rituals we perform he gives it because of the intent and sincerity with which we perform our sadhana- if we dont have sincerity we associate with those who do and try to cultivate- however senior we may be safe way to practice is to think i am a brand new devotee- else we think i know i am senior and we become complacent - if we perform our sadhana with humility nothing can stop us.