HH Prabhavisnu Swami

[Guest guest]

sa nirgatah kaurava-punya-labdho

gajahvayat tirtha-padah padani

anvakramat punya-cikirsayorvyam

adhisthito yani sahasra-murtih

 

TRANSLATION: By his piety, Vidura achieved the advantages of the pious

Kauravas. After leaving Hastinapura, he took shelter of many places of

pilgrimages, which are the Lord's lotus feet. With a desire to gain a high

order of pious life, he traveled to holy places where thousands of

transcendental forms of the Lord are situated.

 

PURPORT: Vidura was undoubtedly a highly elevated and pious soul, otherwise

he would not have taken his birth in the Kaurava family. To have high

parentage, to possess wealth, to be highly learned and to have great

personal beauty are all due to past pious acts. But such pious possessions

are not sufficient for obtaining the grace of the Lord and being engaged in

His transcendental loving service. Vidura considered himself less pious, and

therefore he decided to travel to all the great places of pilgrimage in the

world in order to achieve greater piety and advance nearer to the Lord. At

that time, Lord Krsna was personally present in the world, and Vidura could

have at once approached Him directly, but he did not do so because he was

not sufficiently freed from sin. One cannot be one hundred percent devoted

to the Lord unless and until he is completely free from all effects of sin.

Vidura was conscious that by the association of the diplomatic Dhrtarastra

and Duryodhana he had lost his piety and was therefore not fit to associate

at once with the Lord. In Bhagavad-gita (7.28) this is confirmed in the

following verse:

 

yesam tv anta-gatam papam

jananam punya-karmanam

te dvandva-moha-nirmukta

bhajante mam dròha-vratah

 

Persons who are sinful asuras like Kamsa and Jarasandha cannot think of Lord

Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth. Only those

who are pure devotees, those who follow the regulative principles of

religious life as prescribed in the scriptures, are able to engage

themselves in karma-yoga and then jnana-yoga and thereafter, by pure

meditation, can understand pure consciousness. When God consciousness is

developed, one can take advantage of the association of pure devotees. Syan

mahat-sevaya viprah punya-tirtha-nisevanat: one is able to associate with

the Lord even during the existence of this life.

 

Places of pilgrimages are meant for eradicating the sins of the pilgrims,

and they are distributed all over the universe just to give facility to all

concerned for attaining pure existence and God realization. One should not

be satisfied, however, merely by visiting the places of pilgrimage and

performing one's prescribed duties; he should be eager to meet the great

souls who are already there, engaged in the service of the Lord. In each and

every place of pilgrimage, the Lord is present in His various transcendental

forms.

 

These forms are called arca-murtis, or forms of the Lord which can be easily

appreciated by the common man. The Lord is transcendental to our mundane

senses. He cannot be seen with our present eyes, nor can He be heard with

our present ears. To the degree that we have entered into the service of the

Lord or to the proportion to which our lives are freed from sins, we can

perceive the Lord. But even though we are not free from sins, the Lord is

kind enough to allow us the facility of seeing Him in His arca-murtis in the

temple. The Lord is all-powerful, and therefore He is able to accept our

service by presentation of His arca form. No one, therefore, should

foolishly think the arca in the temple to be an idol. Such an arca-murti is

not an idol but the Lord Himself, and to the proportion to which one is free

from sins, he is able to know the significance of the arca-murti. The

guidance of a pure devotee is therefore always required.

 

In the land of Bharatavarsa there are many hundreds and thousands of places

of pilgrimage distributed all over the country, and by traditional practice

the common man visits such holy places during all seasons of the year. Some

of the arca representations of the Lord situated in different places of

pilgrimage are mentioned herewith. The Lord is present at Mathura (the

birthplace of Lord Krsna) as Adi-kesava; the Lord is present at Puri

(Orissa) as Lord Jagannatha (also known as Purusottama); He is present at

Allahabad (Prayaga) as Bindu-madhava; at Mandara Hill He is present as

Madhusudana. In the Anandaranya, He is known as Vasudeva, Padmanabha and

Janardana; at Visnukanci, He is known as Visnu; and at Mayapura, He is known

as Hari. There are millions and billions of such arca forms of the Lord

distributed all over the universe. All these arca-murtis are summarized in

the Caitanya-caritamrta in the following words:

 

sarvatra prakasa tanra-bhakte sukha dite

jagatera adharma nasi' dharma sthapite

 

"The Lord has so distributed Himself all over the universe just to give

pleasure to the devotees, to give the common man facility to eradicate his

sins, and to establish religious principles in the world." [End of purport]

 

 

 

Prabhavisnu Swami: (repeats translation) So Prabhupada says here, Vidura was

undoubtedly a highly elevated, pious soul. As we know, Vidura was actually

Yamaraja. Yamaraja, of course, is one of the twelve mahajanas, one of the

most exalted devotees of the Lord who fully understands the science of

Bhagavat-dharma.

 

Once there was a sage called Manduka Muni. He lived in a cave. It so

happened that some thieves were fleeing from the government and they took

shelter in the cave of this sage. The police chased them and arrested them.

They also arrested the muni, thinking him to be involved. So they were

brought back to the capital city and they were punished by being pierced

with lances. So the thieves left their bodies, but this sage, he was very

powerful and he didn't give up his body. He remained there alive.

 

This information was brought to the king, who was very shocked. He

immediately went there to apologize, to beg forgiveness from that muni. The

muni, he forgave the king, but he demanded to know from Yamaraja, because he

knew there is some higher power behind this. So he demanded to know from

Yamaraja, "Why has this happened? Why have you ordained such punishment for

me?"

 

Yamaraja said, "When you were a child, you used to pierce insects with a

blade of grass."

 

That muni became very upset, "I was an innocent child. I didn't know any

better. This is very severe punishment for such an insignificant offense."

He cursed him, "You will have to take birth as the son of a sudrani."

 

In this way, he took birth as Vidura. Of course his father was Vyasadeva,

actually. As we know that story also from Mahabharata. He was born of the

maidservant of those two queens, Ambika and Ambalika, who were the wives of

Victravirya. Victravirya had died early, could not produce any offspring.

 

Satyavati was very worried how the royal dynasty would be continued. She

pleaded with Bhisma. He was her stepson. He was born from Ganga. So she

pleaded with him to kindly marry, but he had taken the vow not to marry so

that his father could marry Satyavati.

 

He suggested that in such cases it sometimes happens that a first-class

brahmana can be called upon to beget children in the womb of the wife or

wives of the king. Then she recalled, she told Bhisma how when she was a

young maiden, Parasara Muni had begotten a child, Vyasadeva, in her womb.

The child had grown up fully instantly after taking birth. He told his

mother, "If you ever need me, just meditate on me, think of me. I'll come

immediately."

 

In this case, Bhisma advised, "Yes, this is appropriate to call Vyasadeva."

 

He came and he begot in the wombs of these two wives, but the first wife was

so shocked by his appearance, she covered her eyes, closed her eyes, so he

said, "The child will be born blind."

 

The second wife was trembling so the child was born white, like an albino.

That was Dhrtarastra and Pandu.

 

The third time, because Satyavati wanted a very perfect child to be the

king, she requested again to beget a child in the womb of the first wife.

That wife was so turned off by the idea that she sent her maidservant

instead. The maidservant was very humble and pleased Vyasadeva. In this way,

he gave blessings: "This child will be a great devotee." That's Vidura. In

this way, he took birth as the son of a sudrani, but his father was of the

highest caliber.

 

Thus he played a very important role in all these pastimes of Krsna, the

Kauravas and the Pandavas. He was always the well-wisher and protector of

the Pandavas, helping them in so many ways when the Kauravas put them into

difficulty. He was also the well-wisher of the Kauravas, always giving them

good advice even though they didn't like to hear it. He was neutral. He was

impartial.

 

He had the characteristics of a great soul:

 

titikasavah karunikah suhrda sarva-bhutanam

ajata-satravah santah sadhavah sadhu-bhusanah

 

That the ornaments of a devotee, described by Kapiladeva, are that he is

tolerant, he is merciful, and he is a friend and well wisher of all living

entities. He was no enemies. He is very peaceful, he always abides by the

scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.

 

This verse can be applied to Vidura. Another famous verse Yudhisthira

Maharaja spoke directly about Vidura, "Saints like you are likened unto

places of pilgrimage because you carry the Lord within your heart.

Therefore, you are like a place of pilgrimage."

 

Places of pilgrimage are also considered non-different from Krsna. Krsna is

present in so many ways in his name, form, pastimes, and his abode. So

therefore, as Prabhupada mentions here in the purport, since time

immemorial, people of India go to visit such holy places for purification.

 

But just going to holy places to take bath is not sufficient. Rather, it is

strongly advised that one should associate with the devotees, the pure

devotees, who reside in such holy places, and hear from the about Krsna,

engage in kirtan in glorification of the Lord with them. In this way, one

will get the real benefit of visiting the holy places.

 

Therefore Srila Prabhupada established this wonderful Sri Mayapur Candrodaya

Mandir and the Sri Krsna Balarama Mandir in Vrindavan. He stressed that when

devotees come to these temples, they should attend the programs, join in the

kirtans, listen to the classes, have the association of the devotees. In

this way, get the full benefit of being Krsna consciousness because in the

holy places, one can get the concentrated Krsna consciousness.

 

But of course, there are also so many other temples of ISKCON throughout the

world. Srila Prabhupada said they are embassies of Mayapur and Vrindavan

because the same activities are also going on there: devotional service to

the Lord, worship of the Lord, hearing and chanting about the Lord. But

still there is extra potency in the holy dhams because devotees are living

in those temples or near to those temples engaging in devotional service,

but still, they go out to preach, they go out into the public for different

services. There may be some sort of effect due to the sinful behavior of the

people in those countries.

 

For extra purification and recharging of one's spiritual batteries, it is

recommended by Srila Prabhupada that devotees visit these temples of Mayapur

and Vrindavan, especially during the time of the festivals when many

devotees are gathered together so the potency is increased, the potency of

kirtan, the potency of hearing and chanting.

 

We are very fortunate that we have this opportunity created for us by Srila

Prabhupada. Certainly we wouldn't know anything about Krsna consciousness if

we simply took birth in the western world during some other time like the

first part of the last century, or previous centuries. People were not at

all engaged in devotional service in those countries. But now so much

facility is available. There are so many temples, books are available in so

many languages of the world, so many devotees who are practicing Krsna

consciousness and can show us the example of how to do that.

 

So therefore, visiting places of pilgrimage, but most important is the

association of the devotees of the Lord. By that association, one can get

strength and inspiration in Krsna consciousness.

 

Lord Caitanya described sixty four aspects of bhakti, but among those he

stressed:

 

sadhu-sanga, nama-kirtana, bhagavata-sravana

mathura-vasa, sri-murtira sraddhaya sevana

 

sakala-sadhana-srestha ei panca anga

krsna-prema janmaya ei pancera alpa sanga

 

The association of devotees, sadhu-sanga, the chanting of the Holy Names,

the hearing of the Bhagavatam, the visiting of holy places, and the worship

of the Deities. These are the five most important items of devotional

service. We find all these items are there in ISKCON. These are the pillars,

foundation of ISKCON, especially we find these present here in the holy

dham.

 

So we welcome all of the devotees here and encourage you to take full

advantage of this wonderful opportunity and to spread the glories of the

holy dham all over the world, to invite more and more people to come here

and help to develop the community of Vaisnavas. The bigger and stronger the

community of Vaisnavas grows in Mayapur, the stronger the movement will be

all over the world. Srila Prabhupada said that in the rainy season there is

flooding in Mayapur and this is the sign that from Mayapur, the world will

be flooded with love of Godhead. This is the fountainhead, the source of

krsna-prema.

 

Lord Caitanya is the form of Krsna who has appeared in this Kali-yuga. He

came to taste that krsna-prema himself. The Lord wanted to taste the

ecstatic love that Radharani felt for him. Therefore, he took the mood and

color of Srimati Radharani. She is Gaurangi, so he is Gauranga. In this way

he tasted krsna-prema. He tasted it especially by performance of

congregational chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord.

 

So even though one may not have any previous pious qualification, still, by

this special mercy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he can enter into this lila of

sankirtana and also taste this krsna-prema.

 

Here Srila Prabhupada has quoted the verse:

 

yesam tv anta-gatam papam jananam punya-karmanam

te dvandva-moha-nirmukta bhajante mam drdha-vratah

 

"Persons who have acted piously in this life and previous life, whose sinful

activities have been eradicated, can engage in devotional service with

determination."

 

Once a devotee asked Srila Prabhupada that, "We did not perform any pious

activities in previous lives, or even in this life, so how is it that we

have the chance to engage in devotional service?" Srila Prabhupada said, "I

have created your pious activities." So simply by giving the Holy Name, by

giving Krsna consciousness, everything is included.

 

There is a verse in the Third Canto spoken by Devahuti:

 

aho bata sva-paco 'to gariyan yaj-jihvagre vartate nama tubhyam

 

That one who is chanting the Holy Name of the Lord, even if he is born in a

family of dog eaters, it is considered that he has studied all the Vedas,

visited all the holy places, performed all kinds of austerities, and done

everything necessary.

 

So just by chanting the Holy Name, everything is included there, all kinds

of sub-religious principles. In the Bhagavad-gita also it is described how

person who are engaged in devotional service of the Lord, it is considered

that they are acquiring -

 

vedesu yajnesu tapahsu caiva danesu yat punya-phalam pradistam

 

They have gotten the results of studying the Vedas, performing all kinds of

sacrifices, performing austerities, giving in charity. Everything is there.

It is included in devotional service, and so much more as well. Therefore,

it is not so important to be performing all those other kinds of activities

if one is simply engaged in devotional service, chanting the Holy Names.

 

Of course we may have some yajna, fire yajna here or there. We are studying

these sastras of course, mostly Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, but

sometimes devotees may study little bit from other scriptures, to give them

a little bit broader understanding and to back up their understanding of

Krsna consciousness. But ultimately, it is not so important, all those other

activities. The most important activity is chanting the Holy Names of Krsna.

 

Just like when Srila Prabhupada installed the Deities in the Krsna Balarama

Mandir, he invited the local brahmanas to perform various rituals, but he

said, "Actually this is to satisfy the local people that the installation

has been done properly. We could install the Deities simply by chanting Hare

Krsna."

 

Of the five types of devotional service that Lord Caitanya stressed, he did

say the chanting of the Holy Name is most important. It is the yuga-dharma.

But in order to chant, we must chant in the association of devotees, so the

association of devotees is also especially important.

 

In this way we can follow in the footsteps of Vidura. When he went to these

holy places, he absorbed himself in devotional service. He worshiped the

Deities. He chanted the Holy Names of the Lord. In this way he was in

ecstatic Krsna consciousness at all times. He was not a materially attached

person. He just left his home, his family. As we were reading, due to the

abusive behavior of Duryodhana, who wanted him kicked out, he simply left,

gave up everything because his attachment to Krsna was so much stronger than

his attachment to anything else. And because he always carried Krsna in his

heart, it was no problem at all for him to leave. He took it as an

opportunity to surrender more to the Lord, to become more advanced in Krsna

consciousness.

 

In the lives of devotees sometimes there are difficulties or reverses, but a

devotee should learn to see those as the arrangement of the Lord to become

more dependent on the Lord. Just as Queen Kunti prayed, "I wish all of those

difficulties would happen again for thus we would remember you again and

again and remembering you is the only way to cross over the ocean of birth

and death."

 

Now we have such a wonderful opportunity to remember the Lord, to absorb

ourselves fully in the devotional service of the Lord. let us take this

opportunity and perfect the human form of life. This will be beneficial for

us and beneficial for the entire world.

 

Thank you very much. Hare Krsna.

 

Srila Prabhupada ki jai.

 

Grantha raja Srimad Bhagavatam ki jai!

 

Samaveta bhakta vrnda ki jai!

 

Gaura premanande, hari, haribol!

 

END