AskTheSwami.org:Initiation in the names of Sri Nityananda and Lord Gauranga

krsna · September 27, 2005

Dear friends of AskTheSwami.org,

please accept my dandavat pranams

3 new Questions and Answers from Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti are online on AskTheSwami.org:

1) Initiation in the names of Sri Nityananda and Lord Gauranga

2) Falling down and getting up again

3) Rules and regulations in spiritual life

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1) Question: Dear Swami, I am from a country town in Australia, and due to distance from Hare Krsna communities, I have found association through internet with Swami Gaurangapada. He is very kind. I have been given diksha into the holy names of Nityananda and Gauranga. I was hoping you might be able to share your feelings on this procedure, to vanquish my doubts and assist me in my fragile faith?

1) Answer: Dear Nava Gauranga dasa, thank you very much for your inquiry.

In order to be initiated one has to find a spiritual master who is in an disciplic succession. If such a spiritual master starts taking care of you, you will certainly rejoice in the mission of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda. Unfortunately I do not know of any personality of our sampradaya who is initiating people exclusively in the name of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda prabhu.

Of course this is a touchy point since the holy names of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda accompany a Vaisnava hopefully from the beginning to the end of his life. But to give an initiation at the exclusion of the Maha-mantra Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare cannot really come in the line of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Prabhupada, nor do I know of any other line who used to teach in such a way.

Personally I am also very vary when somebody wants to propose a thesis of spiritual revelation which either questions or minimizes what my spiritual master has tought to me.

If those who are very addicted to Goura lila and to Lord Chaitanya's and Lord Nityananda's holy names have a great longing to increasingly chant their holy names while they also execute the service they may have received by their Gurudeva, I am sure the holy name will bless them with more and more insights.

Once I asked this question to Srila Bhaktivijnana Bharati Maharaja, one of the senior scholars of Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math. His answer was: It is all a question of faith in Sri Gurudeva. If we have full faith in Sri Gurudeva we will not concoct any new approach.

Since you have asked me this question so kindly I beg you to excuse me if I said anything which is not favouring your feelings. I am answering you as an attempt of service to Srila Prabhupada and as he tought me how to guide my life and others in regards to the chanting of the Holy Names.

Anyone who chants the names of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda will surely get some special bliss from that because they are the founding fathers of our movement.

Once Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Maharaja was asked the same question. He answered: My Gurudeva was very fond to install the deities of Goura Nitay in the whole world. Previously that was not seen so frequently. Only in their meeting place, nandana acharya bhavana, in Mayapur, and a few other places.

So the question arose if Radha-Krishna can be worshipped together with Lord Chaitanya on the same altar.

Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Maharaja explained that the mood is different. The worship of Goura Nitay is in the mood of sakhya rasa. But the worship of Radha, Krishna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and also of Gour Gadadhara leads towards madhurya rasa. Therefore they should be worshipped on different altars.

The Maha mantra definitely is in the stage of madhurya rasa. Even more specific: it contains the spirit of parakiya bhava (paramour relationship). In comparison to those who chant Radhe Syam Radhe Syam Syam Syam Radhe Radhe I heard sadhus in Vrindavan say that it is in the mood of svakiya bhava (marital relationship). The one is direct, the other one occult.

I do not know anything but what I learned from my spiritual masters. But I think our sampradaya which was started by Srila Rupa Goswami is introducing to us the most confidencial service to Srimati Radhika.

I hope this answer is of some help for you.

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2) Question: Why is it that after practicing bhakti yoga for many years one may still fall down?

2) Answer: If he is not careful, he will fall down. That is not a question of years and years of practice. If you are not careful, you can slip, this can happen on the first day or the last day, it does not matter. Therefore, if one wants to aviod falling down, he should always be careful and attentive of what he is doing.

One of the things that will make you fall is pride. A yogi must not be proud. Because pride comes before the fall. And that is how this world is. The more successful one is in doing something, the more danger appears that he becomes proud of himself.

So we should have confidence that if somebody takes shelter of Krsna but falls down, he may get up again and continue his spiritual life. That is actually good news because if we were not allowed to continue because of falling down, it would be pretty sad.

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3) Question: I would like to ask about the rules and regulations, I would like to know which is really a place for a Vaisnava. I would like to ask also what is more important to keep strong values, or to follow all the elaborated rules. I read once in your biography that personal relationships are above scriptures sometimes. What I understood for this is that the essence is to be followed and we shouldn't make things within rules that could hurt or make feel bad to another person. Am I right in what I understood?

3) Answer: Basically you are right in what you understood. The lemma of Vaisnavism is not to hurt anyone and to not make anybody feel bad about your actions. We should always give inspiration.

That requires a lot of responsability, sincerity, love, tolerance and patience. It starts in our families and reaches out to every person we come in contact with.

We have to abandon all kind of sectarianism and separatism from the will of God. The laws that are directing everything are all good. The environment is good. The only thing bad is myself. The only one who must change in this world is me. If the world is unpleasant for me it is because I created it like that. We are the creator of our proper good or bad fortune.

Do not think that is indifference or a philosophy of conformism. It is a help to take the opportunity of human live more serious and to become more responsable in our actions, words and thoughts. There is a saying: To err is human. But it is more human to blame someone else.

So we have to get out of the mood of hurting others and acting egoistically. We have to open your hearts and must not allow that any living being has to suffer from our actions.

Of course that does not mean to become indifferent to scriptural rules and regulations. Actually they help us to learn how to act in the mode of goodness. They are a guide that will lead us to a proper understanding of the essence of the scriptures, to establish a humble and loving relationship with the Supreme Father and every living being.

September 28, 2005

For posting these teachings of a most humble vaisnava, one whom I offer my heartfelt obiesancies to.

hare krsna, ys, mahaksadasa

stonehearted · September 28, 2005

I'm also happy to see Krsna share the honest, clear responses from Paramadvaiti Maharaja here. Maharaja is an inspired, hardworking preacher who never stays anywhere more than a couple of days at a time. He loves kirtan and always expresses appreciation for others' service without reservation. Whenever he comes here, which is not often enough, I make sure I spend a little time with him.

krsna · October 4, 2005

Dear friends of AskTheSwami.org,

please accept my dandavat pranams

5 new Questions and Answers from Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti are online on AskTheSwami.org:

1) Back in Sweden

2) Vraja Mandal Parikrama

3) The concept of Humbleness

4) The color of Sri Krishna

5) Service to Srimati Radharani

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1) Question: I read that you have been the temple president in Stockholm, capital of Sweden, in the year 1974 and that you have been preaching in Sweden once again recently. Can you tell us why and how you came back to Sweden?

1) Answer: I was sent to Sweden in 1974 from Denmark. Srila Prabhupada requested me to take over the temple in Denmark when the temple president there returned to England. And then later, after the Copenhagen temple was already organized, I was requested to move towards Sweden and try to help some conflicts which had arisen there in the recently founded temple.

So in one way or another there was the very beginning of my own experience of spiritual leadership and I was very charmed by this responsability my spiritual master gave to me to actually lead a spiritual community at the early age of 20 or 21 years. I learned Danish and later I learned Swedish. I actually managed to give classes in those languages. Unfortunately, due to not practicing it for almost 30 years, these languages escaped my availability. But those were very sweet days in Scandinavia.

We were travelling to Norway and Finland as well. We published the first book of Srila Prabhupada in Finnish: The easy journey to other planets. And then we returned to Sweden were we had our main center. At that time we were looking for a nice farm project in Sweden but many things took place and at some point I could understand that the people who had started the mission there, particularly Vegavan prabhu and Arjit prabhu had actually done very wonderful work. And when I was sent there to solve some problems I was working on behalf of the regional authority who actually had not behalved properly. So when I realized that I reported the situation to Srila Prabhupada and I decided to simply hand over the mission of Sweden to these wonderful devotees and I thought it was time for me to move on. At that time I just got a very nice bus which we made into a driving temple and I wanted to see if we could increase the book distribution of Srila Prabhupada with this bus. So with his blessings we started this travelling party with a full load of books.

One of the persons who was with me at that party was Smitha Krsna prabhu, of Swedish origin, who is nowadays one of the spiritual masters in Scandinavia. We had a very nice time. Later I was send to South America.

So totally disconnected from Sweden for 30 years it was for me a wonderful surprise when one day in Vrindavan, India, somebody knocked at my door. At first I could hardly recognize him but after a few moments I could see that it was Raivata prabhu who I met on Sankirtan in Jonkoping in the year when I was distributing books in Sweden. So in that time he decided almost spontaneously to make a temple in his home and from this time on we had known each other. He came to visit me and we were so joyful to reunite and also that we had very similar approach of the understanding how the heritage of Srila Prabhupada's mission had been developed over the years. We saw a great necessity to start more individual efforts.

Raivata came to India with a whole group of devotees who had been following him for a while and they stayed with us in Vrinda Kunja. So we got to know each other, went to Hrsikesh and had some wonderful time at the Ganges river there. Then we decided to start some project in Sweden. Some of his boys later came to Berlin and requested me to iniciate them. Particulary Brahma Samhita das and Vasudeva das. Later a very nice older devotee from Goeteborg, called Maha Hari, came also to Germany and connected with us. He had a very nice property called Imlitala which is situated right on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean in one of the Swedish Fijords. So we developed the plan of a new Swedish mission.

We must not forget that through the internet one very nice lady had been in contact with me a long time before that. She had taken iniciation from me. Her name is Manah Siksa devi dasi and she started the preaching by herself in Umeo, a places in the North of Sweden. She had been the instrumental to make a Swedish webpage for our mission and due to her talents in arts and websites she also became the webmaster of the conscious art website (www.consciousart.de) and the Vrinda News website (www.vrindanews.com). Practically her help has been essential in communicating with the English speaking world since most of the English speaking people connected to me, have very little time for that. Manah Siksa dd spread the message through the internet to many people, translated and published some of our writings from South America.

Invited by all of them I decided to visit Sweden again. First I went with the devotees to Jonkoping then to Umeo. It was in winter time. I found it very sweet that the service I had received from Srila Prabhupada had actually come back to me to once again give Srila Prabhupada's message out in Sweden.

I also met with Smitha Krsna prabhu in those visits. He is now Swami. We always had been very fond of each other and he represents to a certain degree the authority of ISKCON in Sweden. We decided it would be very wonderful to have a broad minded platfrom of Vaisnavas from different missions preaching in this country. Specifically because many devotees there had suffered from the departure from active preaching from one of our godbrothers.

The second time I went to Sweden was to strengthen what we had started. We also had a very nice little summer mela in Imlitala. Later on the way back to Stockholm we stopped and visited the Almviksgard which is the main farm of Smitha Krsna Swami and the devotees in Sweden. And we enjoyed to see how they are trying to establish a rural community. Also it was wonderful for me to meet some of my very dear old godbrothers who had been living there for a long time. Such as Harakap prabhu, Janmanalaya prabhu and Baratha prabhu.

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2) Question: Do you go on Vraja Mandal Parikrama in your mission?

2) Answer: Twice a year, in October / November for the time of Kartik and in February / March, the time around Gaura Purnima, our mission organizes pilgirmages to sacred places in India.

Destination of those pilgrimages is Vrinda Kunja, our Yoga Center in Vrindavan, the city of thousands of temples, where Sri Krishna was personally present 5000 years ago. The atmosphere of Vrindavan is imbued with spirituality and the mystic flair of a timeless civilization. Thousands of yogis, philosophers and transcendentalists are visiting Vrindavan throughout the year to experience the peaceful and festive spirit.

Vraja Mandal Parikrama is a time of meditation. It is ideal to step out of daily routines and troubles to dive into a world of mystic and spirituality, to get a better understanding of our true self and our position in the cosmic manifestation.

Participants will have the chance to visit historical, sacred places and learn more about the Vedic civilization and its timeless wisdom, which has ever been a great inspiration for philosophers around the world. Local artists from the Harmony School of Conscious Arts offer entertainment by presenting pleasant dramas and every pilgrim has the opportunity to take part in courses and workshops offered by the Vaisnava Academy. Topics include: Ayurveda, Vastu Sastra, Indian music, yoga, vegetarian cooking, and more. Additionally everyone can participate in different ceremonies to offer respect and appreciation for the gifts of Mother Nature and the Supreme Creator.

Everyone is invited to this matchless Inbound Yoga experience.

(For detailed information on parikramas and pilgrimages visit www.inbound.ws or ask for our new presentation CD-ROM: Inbound Yoga Tours)

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3) Question: I really don't understand that much the precise concept of humbleness. I really feel myself not more but also not less than the others. Is that right?

3) Answer: We are all children of the same universal father and everyone is equally dear to Him. The difference is that every living being has his individual nature and therefore also distinct duties and a different type relationship with Sri Krishna. We are always dependent on the Supreme Personality because He created us and He is the one that maintains us. Therefore we can never become God, be equal or greater than Him.

Our eternal, natural position is to be servant. So we have to become humble. If we are not humble before the Supreme Personality of Godhead we will bow down before material values and become attached to wealth, power and lust.

A devotee will always bow down before the Absolute Truth or a representative of the truth who is a student of the Vedas. He accepts the existence of a higher consciousness. A devotee of the Lord never think himself better or equal than other Vaisnavas. He always tries to serve the Vaisnavas with humility.

Humility does not mean to be afraid or to look away if some bad things are going on but to fight for the truth. That is the duty of a devotee of the Lord. Arjuna, for example, did not want to fight but wanted to run away from the battlefield of Kurukshetra as there were all his teachers, relatives and his family in the rows of the enemies. But Krsna convinced Arjuna to do his duty and fight for the truth.

In modern societies, the idea of being God has become popular. Everybody wants to be the controller. Therefore noone is humble. If everyone thinks he is God, why should he be humble? Why should he bow down and surrender to someone else? Therefore, in order to make spiritual progress the first thing we have to understand is that we are not this body. We are eternal, spirit souls who's position is to be the servant. Servant of the Lord, who supplies us with all that is necessary to live a peaceful and blissful life.

But how do we serve God? It is stated in the Vedas that by serving the servant of God one can please God more than by trying to serve the Lord directly. Therefore it is so important to accept a servant of the Lord, a spiritual master, as a guidance in life. Because by regularly hearing the message of the Lord and serving His pure devotee we will be able to make real spiritual progress.

Once Srila Prabhupada was asked how a person can become humble. Srila Prabhupada answered: Just act in a way as if you were humble, then you will learn it.

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4) Question: Please, my question is, is Krsna black or blue?

4) Answer: In the famous vers of the Brahma Samhita that is sung in temples around the world for Govinda Arati Sri Krishna's color is described as the color of dark-blue or blackish clouds.

With our material senses we cannot perceive the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He has no material body and thus is completeley transcendental to all material influences and examinations.

Only when Sri Krishna wants to reveil Himself in our hearts we might be affortunate enough to take a glimpse of the supreme beauty of Sri Krishna's original form.

When the Lord Sri Krishna descends to this world He accepts different colors according to the yuga (millennias) in which He appears. There are four yugas: Satya, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali. In the Satya-yuga the process of self-realization is meditation and the color of the principal incarnation is white.

In the Treta-yuga the color is red and the recommended process for self-realization is the performance of sacrifice.

In the Dvapara-yuga, Krsna was personally present, and the color was blackish or dark-blue (Krsna).

In the Kali-yuga the color of the principal incarnation is yellow (Caitanya Mahaprabhu). In this incarnation the Lord teaches people love of God by chanting the names of Krsna. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu thought the chanting of the holy names as the yuga dharma, the prescribed duty for the present age of Kali, and the only way to see Krishna.

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5) Question: It is said that in our line we try to realize the service of Srimati Radhika. We know that She is the love potency of Krsna. How to realize Her service in our every day life? What does Her service mean for me who is not so elevated realized soul?

5) Answer: The essence is to accept a spiritual master and to render unmotivated, continuous service to him. In the Brahma-samhita it is said that the Lord is never to be found by becoming a great scholar but He is very easily approachable through His pure devotee.

Our Guru is always considered to be an intimate associate of Srimati Radharani. So by pleasing the spiritual master he may give a recommendation to Srimati Radharani, who is also called Madan-mohan Mohini, the enchanter of the enchanter of cupid. Srimati Radharani may pass the recommendation on to Sri Krishna who will then accept the service of the devotee.

Spiritual life is all about taking up responsability and surrendering to a genuine spiritual master. It is like in the Bhagavad-Gita: Arjuna had to become responsable to fulfull his duty without attachment and he fully surrendered to Sri Krishna whom he accepted as his spiritual master.

By chanting the Holy names of the Lord with all our heart, by praying to become an instrument of the love of Sri Krishna, Srimati Radharani, we will become more and more aware of the great opportunity of this human life to enter the service of the devotees of the Lord.

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Please do not hesitate to visit the page to read more and ask your questions. Of course we would like to invite you to share the service of the page and this newsletter with your friends and relatives.

Haribol,

trying to serve you more

govardhan das

krsna · October 18, 2005

Pankaja_Dasa · October 20, 2005

Of course this is a touchy point since the holy names of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda accompany a Vaisnava hopefully from the beginning to the end of his life. But to give an initiation at the exclusion of the Maha-mantra Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare cannot really come in the line of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Prabhupada, nor do I know of any other line who used to teach in such a way.

Swami Gaurangapada initiates inot the Maha-mantram, and He himself chant 64 rounds a day of Hare Krishna. Many of his discples also chant like this. I still do not understand the points being made against Swami Gaurangapada in this regard. I am uttely confuced having read the Question and Reply around 5-6 Times over 1 month.

October 20, 2005

Sriman Paramadwaiti Swami makes the excellent point thAT ONE SHOULD BE WARY. I do not detect any criticism against the teacher by Bhakti Aloka, rather concern that his followers may not be properly linked up to any bonafide sampradaya.

Srila Prabhupada always spoke this way, too, that one must scrutinize a spiritual guide. If one accepts disciples, the first thing one must ask is who is this person's master. Only a disciple can be considered a vaisnava guru, nothing is presented independently.

Of course there is nothing "wrong" with mantras to Gaura Nitai. In fact, Srila Prabhupada teaches that prior to chanting the mahamantra, one should protect oneself against offence by chanting "Bhaja Sri Krsna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Adwaita Gadadhar Srivas adi Gaura Bhaktivrnda". But by following strictly in the line of Lord Chaitanya, the mahamantra as given by Lord Chaitanya, unchanged, is the Hare Krsna mahamantra.

Therefore, I have hAD THE SAME THOUGHTS ABOUT THOSE WHO INSIST THAT WE CHANT gAURA nITAI EXCLUSIVELY. How can one be pleasing Gaura Nitai if they do not follow their process of chanting the hare krsna mahamantra? Lord Chaitanya also did not come to enjoy the worship, he came to show us how to worship, by engaging in the process for this age, chanting the mahamantra. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and Srila Bhaktivedanta do not deviate one iota from this teaching of Lord Chaitanya, and Bhakti Aloka here insists that this non-deviance is necessary to be considered in the gaudiya line from Sri Chaitanya, the Goswamis of Vrndavana, Narottama, and through Srila Prabhupada.

A spiritual master does not make changes, even if they sound okay. Srila Prabhupada teaches this everywhere and universally, so I completely concur with Sriman Paramadwaiti Swamis instruction in this regard.

Hare Krsna, ys, mahaksadasa

Pankaja_Dasa · October 20, 2005

I have hAD THE SAME THOUGHTS ABOUT THOSE WHO INSIST THAT WE CHANT gAURA nITAI EXCLUSIVELY.

It is the discples that say this. Swami Gaurangapada has never diminished the chanting of Hare-Krishna, EVER. He has many sites, you can check them out. Of cource He does say Chanting Gaura-Nitai is most important, but He doesn't say to 'not't chant Hare Krishna. He says, that YOU chant Gaura-Nitai, to prep for chanting Hare Krishna, this is the obvious difference. And the missing point.

stonehearted · October 20, 2005

Pankaja: "He does say Chanting Gaura-Nitai is most important . . . that YOU chant Gaura-Nitai, to prep for chanting Hare Krishna, this is the obvious difference. And the missing point."

Missing from what? The teachings of all the acharyas? From the teachings of Srila Sarasvati Thakura, Srila Prabhupada, and all their disciples? That's what concerns so many of them: the appearance that he asserts (or at least seems to imply) that without his guidance, we're all missing the most important thing.

None of us minimizes chanting the names, qualities, pastimes, etc. of Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai. We all chant the songs given by Narottama and Bhaktivinoda. We worship Gaura-Nitai in our temples and homes. We read and speak from Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita and Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat. We chant the mahamantra on our beads and the diksa mantras at the three sandhyas of the day, as instructed by our spiritual masters. If I were you, I'd ask my spiritual master about the perception many have that B.R. Sadhu Maharaja is adding something to our acharyas' teachings to somehow distinguish himself from other preachers.

Kulapavana · October 20, 2005

Pankaji Prabhu, dandabat pranams.

asking other devotees about their opinion on your Guru Maharaja is somewhat improper. If you have questions regarding a particular issue, you should ask your Guru directly. Otherwise you will be confused.

Pankaja_Dasa · October 21, 2005

or at least seems to imply

All Swami Gaurangapada ever implied was to chant Gaura-Nitai Names, and hare Krishna, that's it.

Pankaja_Dasa · October 21, 2005

asking other devotees about their opinion on your Guru Maharaja is somewhat improper. If you have questions regarding a particular issue, you should ask your Guru directly. Otherwise you will be confused.

If I could ask my Guru directly I would, right now my Gurudeva is 93 years old, and a Babaji somewhat, so it's not possible to correspond without actually going to India. which I plan on doing with Devotees [and yours] blessing. Factually speaking I consider Swami Gaurangapada my Guru, and I know a disciple of His who tool 2nd initiation from Narayana Maharaja [with SG permission]. So I am not sure what all the fuss is about anymore. But if my Gurudvea said something I would of-cource accept it. Whatever He said.

stonehearted · October 21, 2005

You asked what the bother was, why Paramadvaiti Maharaja would raise the concerns he did, and I answered. Since you consider him your guru, I can't imagine why you would try to stir up trouble, or why I would have anything further to say on the topic.

Kulapavana · October 21, 2005

Swami Gaurangapada is a very wonderful Vaishnava. While the process he recommends to his disciples may be a little different from that of other parivars, that is certainly his right. Too often Vashnavas are needlessly divided and critical over minor issues. In the end, such narrow vision simply confuses people and discourages surrender - just like it happened to you.

OFTEN WE ARE A LOT MORE OPEN AND TOLERANT WHEN IT COMES TO ACCEPTING CHRISTIANS THAN OTHER VAISHNAVAS OF A DIFFERENT PARIVAR.

Such approach is patently absurd. If it is apparently OK to chant "Jehovah Jehovah" or "Allah Allah" why do we make so much fuss about our own Krsna Naam choices in different parivars?

Dont listen to such criticism of Vaishnavas you love and just follow your heart, Pankaji.

krsna · October 21, 2005

The Lord is overly protective of his devotees (bhakta-vatsala ). He cannot tolerate any offenses against them. They have bhakti (devotion), and they can awaken it within us. Bhakti is the sole means to attract Krishna, who is a slave of devotion. The same is true of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The Caitanya-Bhagavata states:

A person can attain the shelter of Mahaprabhu only by the grace of a higher Vaishnava. Religious practices and even chanting the Holy Name without devotion is useless.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada writes in his commentary:

Without developing a spirit of service, chanting the Holy Name is vain. Real devotion can only be cultivated when one receives the blessings of an unalloyed devotee.

Bhakti means devotion.

Vrndavana dasa Thakur says:

If a person commits an offense at the lotus feet of a Vaishnava, even though he may have received Krishna's mercy, he will never attain divine love.

krsna · October 21, 2005

BY BHAKTIRATNA SADHU SWAMI

EDITORIAL, Oct 11 (VNN) — (Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Vaisnava Seva. Sajjana Tosani 6/1)

Q. Who is a vaisnava, madhyama vaisnava & uttama vaisnava?

A. Till the time namaparadha is present in one's chanting, the real name does not actually manifest. The result of namabhasa is that the sinful reactions are finished. When the sins are finished, the mind and heart become pure. When the mind and heart become pure, at that time there is no chance for commiting namaparadha. Thus someone comes to stage of chanting the name regularly without aparadha, he is to be called a 'vaisnava'. In the same if the chanting of name without aparadha becomes continuous then he comes to the stage of 'madhyama vaisnava'. And when there is the manifestation of hladini-sakti in the heart of the devotee due to chanting he is to be considered the 'uttama vaisnava'.

(Thakura Bhaktivinoda in his commentary on the Manah Siksha, Mantra 10)

Q.What is the speciality of the definition of these three kinds of vaisnavas given in Sri Caitanya-caritamrita?

The vaisnava who is suddha nama-parayana (taken shelter of chanting the pure name without offenses is actually famous as a 'vaisnava'. The regular culivator of the holy name without offenses is known as a 'vaisnava'. The constant cultivator of the holy name without offenses is the madhyama vaisnava. And simply by whose presence, the pure name manifests in one's mouth is the topmost vaisnava. Constant association with such devotees is the prime duty of every living entity.

(Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Sadhu-ninda, Chp 4, Hari-nama-cintamani)

Q. To what one is a Vaisnava?

A. To the amount one has developed rati (attraction) for chanting of Krsna-nama, to that extent one is a vaisnava.

(Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Caitanya-sikshamrita 6/4)

Q. Who is actually qualified to engage in nama-bhajana?

A. A madhyama-vaisnava is actually qualified to engage in nama-bhajana.

(Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Sadhu-ninda, Chp 4, Hari-nama-cintamani)

Vaisnavabhasa, prakrtavaisnava, vaisnavapraya o kanistha-vaisnava- Eisakala ekai kotha

Vaisnavabhasa, prakrta-vaisnava, vaisnava-praya and kanistha-vaisnava are different names for the neophyte devotee.

Sadhu-sevahina arcca loukika sraddhaya.

Prakrta vaisnava haya vaisnavera praya..

The neophyte devotee (kanistha Vaisnava) displays a faith that is formal and worldly. He worships the Deity but has no service attitude towards the devotees of the Lord.

Vaisnava-abhasa sei, nohe ta' vaisnava.

Kemane paibe sadhusangera vaibhava..

He is almost a Vaisnava (Vaisnava-praya), but is not a real Vaisnava yet; hence, he is not able to take full advantage and understand the glories of sadhu-sanga.

Ataeva kanistha madhyete ta're gani.

Ta're krpa koribena vaisnava apani..

Such a neophyte will have to receive the blessings of a real vaisnava to advance further.

(Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Jaiva-dharma, Chapter 8)

Young Nityananda dasa asked, "Saintly babaji, what kind of Vaisnava am I? Am I a neophyte Vaisnava or an intermediate Vaisnava? An advanced Vaisnava I certainly am not."

Saintly Hari dasa Babaji smiled and said, "Can a person who accepts the name Nityananda dasa not be an advanced Vaisnava? Our Nityananda is very merciful. Even when He is beaten, He gives love in return. How can words properly glorify a person who chants Lord Nityananda's name and becomes His servant.

Nityananda dasa: I would like to know truthfully what my position is.

Hari dasa: Son, tell me all about yourself. If Lord Nityananda gives me the power to say, I will tell you.

Nityananda dasa: I was born in a lowly family in a village on the bank of the Padmavati. I was married at a young age. I did not learn how to be wicked. When my wife died, thoughts of renunciation came to my mind. In Baragachi I saw many Vaisnavas who had renounced family life. Everyone was respectful to them. Desiring to be honored like that, and inspired by the temporary feeling of renunciation my wife's death brought, I accepted the garments of a Vaisnava renunciant. After some days wickedness came into my mind. My Vaisnava friend was a very good person. Now he stays in Vraja. He gave me good advice, protected me with his good association, and kept my mind pure. Now my mind no longer wants to leave the right path. It likes to chant a hundred thousand holy names every day. I understand that the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His holy name are not different. Both are perfectly spiritual. I observe ekadasi according to the scriptures and I water tulasi. When the Vaisnavas sing the holy names together, I jn in the singing. I drink the nectar water that has washed the Vaisnava's feet. I read Sri Caitanya-mangala. I do not desire opulent food and clothing. I do not like to hear gossip. When I see how the Vaisnavas are filled with ecstatic love, I also become ecstatic and I roll in the dust that has touched their feet. In spite of all this, to a certain extent I still desire fame. Now please tell me: To what class of Vaisnava do I belong? How should I behave?

Showing a little smile, Hari dasa Babaji said to Vaisnava dasa, "You say. To what class of Vaisnava does Nityananda dasa belong?"

Vaisnava dasa: From what I have heard he has left the neophyte stage and become an intermediate devotee.

Hari dasa: I also think that.

Nityananda dasa: Good. From the mouth of a great soul I now know my true position. Please give your mercy to me so I may gradually become an advanced devotee.

Hari dasa: When you first accepted the garments of a sannyasi, you desired material fame. That inappropriate desire meant that you were still fallen.

In spite of that, the mercy of the Vaisnavas brought auspiciousness to you.

Nityananda dasa: I still have a slight desire for fame. In my mind I think, "Bewildered by the tears in my eyes and many other symptoms of ecstatic love, the people will worship me."

Hari dasa: You should struggle to renounce those thoughts. Don't keep thoughts like those. There is the danger they will diminish your devotional service. If you allow them to diminish your devotion, you will again become a neophyte devotee. Even after lust, anger, and other vices have left, the desire for fame may stubbornly stay with a Vaisnava. It does not go away very easily. A single drop of sincere love for the Lord is better than an elaborate pretense of that love.

Touching the dust of Hari dasa Babaji's feet, Nityananda dasa Babaji said, "Please have mercy on me." Hari dasa at once embraced him and made him sit down. How wonderful is the result attained by a Vaisnava's touch! Tears streamed from Nityananda's dasa's eyes. Taking a blade of grass between his teeth, he said, "I am very fallen and lowly. I am very fallen." Hari dasa Babaji embraced him and wept. How wonderful it all was! Nityananda dasa had attained the true goal of life. After a short time, when all the symptoms of ecstatic love had subsided, in his heart Nityananda dasa accepted Sri Hari dasa as his spiritual master. Then Nityananda dasa asked a question.

(Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Jaiva-dharma, Chapter 8)

"The second of these qualities is that one is friendly to the devotees, who are surrendered to the Supreme Lord. Any person in whom pure devotional service is manifested is considered a devotee surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. NEOPHYTE DEVOTEES ARE NEITHER PURE DEVOTEES NOR ARE THEY SURRENDERED TO THE LORD. THEIR TENDENCY IS TO DISRESPECT THE TRUE PURE DEVOTEES. THEREFORE ONE SHOULD MAKE FRIENDSHIP WITH INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED DEVOTEES ONLY. In answering a Kulina-grama devotee's question, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu described the neophyte, intermediate, and advanced devotees. He explained that the intermediate and advanced devotees are counted among the true Vaisnavas, whereas the neophyte devotees, who do not know anything beyond worshipping the Deity, are not yet true Vaisnavas. The true holy name of Lord does not appear on the mouths of such worshippers of the Deity. The name that appears on their mouths is only the shadow of Lord Krsna's holy name (chaya-namabhasa). Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhordered the intermediate (madhyama) householder devotees to serve all three classes of devotees, the three classes being: 1. a person on whose mouth the holy name of Lord is heard even only once, 2.a person on whose mouth the holy name of Lord Krsna is heard always, and 3. a person the sight of whom inspires one to chant the holy name of Lord Krsna. One should serve a Vaisnava who chants only a shadow of Lord Krsna's holy name. One should serve only a Vaisnava who takes shelter of the pure holy name of Lord Krsna. As there are different kinds of Vaisnava, so there are different kinds of service to Vaisnavas. The "making friendship" includes associating with Vaisnavas, conversing with them, and serving them. The moment one sees a pure Vaisnava one should greet him, honor him, and offered both a sitting place and conversation. One must serve him in all these ways. One should never hate, envy, or insult him. One should not disrespect him if his body is ugly or if he suffers from some disease.

(Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Jaiva-dharma, Chapter 25)

Vijaya-kumara: Please explain what benefit namabhasa brings and what benefit it does not bring?

Babaji: Sense pleasures (bhukti), liberation (mukti) and the eighteen yogic perfections are included among the benefits namabhasa brings. However, pure love for Lord Krsna (krsna-prema) which is the highest goal of life, is not granted by namabhasa. If a person whose chanting is on the level of namabhasa associates with a pure devotee (suddha-bhakta), then the chanter can come to the level of a madhyama-Vaisnava (intermediate devotee). From that status he can become further elevated, attain pure devotion, chant the holy name purely, and finally attain pure love for Lord Krsna (krsna-prema).

[Note: After studying the above definitions, I came to the conclusion that there are four stages:

FOUR STAGES:

VAISNAVA-PRAYA: Kanishtha-vaisnava who chants in namabhasa without much faith in the name and sadhu-sanga.

VAISNAVA : Between kanishtha and madhyama vaisnava, who regularly chants the name without offenses.

MADHYAMA- : Intermediate stage when one constantly VAISNAVAchants the name without offenses.

UTTAMA- : Perfected stage when one chants the pure name in love of God VAISNAVAand simply by whose presence others start chanting the pure name. Very rare according to TBV.

So from these most beautiful explanations by Thakura Bhaktivinoda, anyone can very easily understand his own position on the devotional ladder. For example, I came to the conclusion that I am not even a 'vaisnava-praya' what to talk of being a 'vaisnava']

Your aspiring servant, Bhaktiratna Sadhu Swami

(Earlier: Nayana-ranjana das brahmacari)

Preeminent Siksha-guru: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Diksha-guru : Param Pujyapada Bhaktisastri Sri Parampada Prabhu

Sannyasa-guru : Param Pujyapada Sri Bhakti Kumud Santa Maharaja

(All three are godbrothers and disciples of Om Visnupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. My diksha and sannyasa gurus have given me full blessings to completely dedicate my life to follow the teachings and the instructions of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as given in his books, lectures, letters, conversations etc.)

October 22, 2005

I detect absolutely no disregard from Sriman BA Paramadwaiti Swami toward another Vaisnava Teacher. In fact, just the opposite is true. He was asked a question, and replied in a straightforward fashion.

Of all those advaqnced vaisnavas who are Spiritual Masters and have their own disciples, Paramadwaiti Swami is the least sectarian and the very most supporter of the concept of Unity in diversity. His replies are full of utmost respect to the disciple of the Guru who is in question, and was very kind and respectful. A disciple should embrace the unity that Paramadwaiti has dedicated his life to foster in a world where folks go to war over minor worship techniques to the same Supreme Lord.

Do not take offense to diversity shown by vaisnavas of different schools than tourself. Paramadwaiti Swami, in his eulogy to the late Sriman Tusta Krsna das, makes clear point in this regard. He speaks of the two advanced godbrothers who disagreed on certain points, yet immediately overlooked the differences in favor to the unity that is held between all vaisnavas. This example is there for all to see, and Sri Paramadwaiti Swami articulates this point expertly. In closing, I will print this heartful tribute below. Hare Krsna, ys, mahaksadasa

....

A MEMORY OF A FRIEND AND VAISHNAVA PREACHER

by Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti

(06/Jan/03) In my office in Miami hangs an oil painting of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. I was looking at it with admiration when I went to Sacramento to visit my Godbrother, Sri Tusta Krishna das. He did not like to be called Prabhu and I respect this desire here in this memory of him. He gave me this painting and said: "You appreciate it more than me". Thus it is now with me giving me chance to think very often of him. You know, I have many Godbrothers, but believe me: not many really want to open up and really get to know you. But he was not like that. He told me so many stories about his meeting with Srila Prabhupada and how he had always searched out devotees who had no cruelty in their behavior.

Tusta was very busy. He had accepted his Godbrother, Jagad Guru Siddhasvarupanandaji, as his siksa guru after the departure of our Srila Prabhupada. He had been instrumental in preaching in so many places. His preaching record has no limits. He was running a business in Sacramento of medical billing and a tape ministry called Transcendental Sound from the offices. But he was usually in the Philippines, Russia, Poland, and Swiss or with his siksa guru in Hawaii. He didn¡¯t have much time to spend in his business, which was employing many devotees as well. He used to organize humongous Krishna-katha and Harinam chanting festival. Those retreats used to last for many days and his sweet kirtan went on for hours with apparently no end, and then in his classes he would answer every question meticulously so that everybody would be amazed. He conveyed the love for Sri Guru in such a way that many of the disciples of Jagad Guru, who had not had the chance to meet him personally, were growing with Tusta Krishnas love and care. Thus he opened so many branches of the mission of Lord Chaitanya. Definitely chanting the holy names was one of his favorite activities. What can I say; I am simply remembering his devotional symptoms to purify myself. As an international preacher he could appreciate immediately the great need of the World Vaishnava Association. When you are out there in some country, where nobody knows the glories of bhakti-yoga, and young children of influential people start joining your ashram, you can be sure that it is important that you will be looked upon as a genuine world religion, a recognized way to God, rather than some guru personality cult which has neither tradition nor pure values as has been seen here and there and has created in many people great fears what to speak when their own children are getting totally involved with a very little known monastic group. Due to somebody joining a temple, we have seen entire temples being arrested. Humongous press scandals and many heavy persecutions. Tusta Krishna knew that it was essential that Vaishnavas have a forum were they can present themselves jointly to the world, where they recognize each other with respect and where the roots of Vaishnavism, sanatan dharma, are associated with the Hindu world religion. Therefore he approached different Hindu-organizations when there was any chance to protect the dignity of Srila Prabhupada teachings.

He preached up a storm. Dedication to Sri Guru was for him a law and not an option. I was so lucky to get his inspired company as he came to India and visited holy places. He wanted the Chaitanya mission everywhere in the world. He sent missionaries to Hungary and Germany. Always fired up he also saw great value in the World Vaishnava Association. He started VINA, the Vaishnava Internet News Agency, to help people in the world respect the message of our gurudeva. He did not want to present internal difficulties in or amongst Vaishnava institutions mixed with an Internet news page which is there to glorify Krishna and our spiritual masters and their service to the world.

He was fierce in defending Vaishnavism when someone made an attack against the servants of Krishna or our philosophy. In Poland he defended the Vaishnavas in court and defeated the nun who had leveled attack against the Vaishnavas for supposedly serving an immoral God who married 16108 princesses.

But he solved the whole case before the judge. He asked her whether she had a ring on her finger. She remained silent. Then he asked her whether when she became a nun and they put a ring on her finger they had told her that she was becoming the wife of Jesus. Again she remained silent. Then Tusta Krishna turned to the judge and all in the courtroom and said:" She criticizes Krishna for his many wives but worships Jesus who is married to all the nuns in the world." After a great laughter the judge dismissed the case in favor of the Vaishnavas.

Tusta Krishna was always ready to work hard. He had a nice family which he told me he got because he was too attached to enjoy. But his preaching was so heartfelt that all felt that his love belonged to all.

His siksa guru and my Godbrother became known to me personally as we visited him together. He was so careful to do everything nicely. He took me to the person, who was the most precious jewel he had after Srila Prabhupada left this world. We sang and talked and talked and rejoiced about how close we were in our feelings and appreciations despite our cultural differences in upbringing and experience. But we shared intensively the desire to give Prabhupada and his loving message to the whole world. And we did not want institutionalism interfere with our priority. Unfortunately that time was over and the routine business took over. Yes it is wonderful to have real loving Godbrothers in this world. But they are busy and so are we if we take up the responsibility Srila Prabhupada left for us.

Then he told me he was sick. After a few years of intensive cell phone use he got strong headaches and a brain tumor was discovered. What followed was the departure of a great Sankirtan general from this world. He accepted the situation and kept preaching and encouraging all. I invited him to come and stay in Vrindavan before he would leave us. An operation was recommended but promised little or no hope for a cure. Gaining time maybe. But his beloved siksa guru told him to be close to him in Hawaii. Jagad Guru shared with me the great moments how he left this world. Being close to guru is being close to Krishna. There is the highest Vrindavan. He was chanting with incredible intensity. Our common friend Vidagda Madhava went to see him and made his thesis about Krishna into a book. We were all holding our breath. Here he was leaving us fixing every atom of his body on Krishna. It was glorious. The passing of a surrendered soul back home back to Godhead. As Srila Prabhupada had promised to us. Hey Tusta, now since you are there with Krishna ask him to give me a little bit of a break with this fickle mind, who does not want to give up his sense gratification, will you?

I had a small portion of his company. His devotees all over and his dear Godbrother/siksa guru know him and miss him so much more. Good that we are in a transcendental movement where the death of the body is nothing but a change of place for serving our Lord and master somewhere else.

I pray that his ideas will remain dynamic. He started the press office of the World Vaishnava Association and led the anti Xeena campaign when they were offending our deities for their amusement. He is a person whom you can go on serving for the rest of your life and feel fortunate to be close to him.

I wish I could discover that deep relationship with many more Godbrothers. One day we discovered a philosophical difference in our opinions. The first thing we concluded at that very moment was: Let us not destroy our relationship over this difference. And so it was. Pettiness creates a judgmental attitude, a feeling of superiority over all who understand things even slightly different than you.

Tusta Krishnaji. You did not visit this world in vain. Neither did you leave it in vain. You are still here in the form of all those who took up Krishna consciousness due to your preaching, or those who intensified their spiritual life due to your preaching. They will continue this life of dedication as well as the family you left behind who were heartfelt dedicated to you and your guide.

stonehearted · October 22, 2005

Thanks, mahak. Indeed, Paramadvaiti Maharaja did not criticize any preacher, which would be contrary to his character. He was asked about a particular practice, and he responded to the question, as asked, in a straightforward manner. This is also his nature. He shuns diplomacy (a polite word for dupicity, the opposite of the simplicity a Vaishnava should display).

krsna · October 22, 2005

SIMPLICITY AND FAITH 2

by Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja

Everything takes place according to the will of Krishna. If He

doesn't will, a blade of grass will not shake. So it is a question

of

faith. But why do we lack faith? Dhruva immediately put strong

faith.

He was not afraid of any situation. "Where is that Narayan? Where is

Narayan!" The example is also there in the story about the young boy

and Gopal. But we can't put faith. What is the reason? Why are these

small children able to have faith, but adults cannot? It is because

you are crooked and they are simple. A child is very simple, but as

soon as he grows up and associates with adults, those who are very

crooked, he develops crookedness. Otherwise, in the beginning a

child

is very simple. Simplicity is vaisnavism. All our acaryas have said

this. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami stresses on this;

saralata hi vaisnavata - simplicity is vaisnavism. Real vaisnavas

are

as simple as a child. There is no question of crookedness,

duplicity,

or pretentiousness in them. But our heart is full of these things.

We

are not at all simple-hearted persons. We are very crooked.

Duplicity, crookedness, and pretentiousness are in you. But Krishna

is in your heart. He knows what is in you; you cannot cheat Him.

Therefore we say that sadhu-guru-mahajana are patita-pavana, not

kapatya-pavana - they are the saviors of the fallen, not saviors of

the crooked.

Some persons say, "Shall I just have blind faith? Shall I not think

anything? Shall I not apply my intelligence, my deliberation? Should

I just put blind faith in whatever sadhu and sastra say?" They

say, "We have our own intelligence. We must think very seriously

before we can accept."

How can you deliberate on what Krishna says, what sastra says, what

the mahajanas say? They have no defects. You are a conditioned soul

with four defects: bhrama (the tendency to commit mistakes), pramada

(the tendency to be illusioned), vipralipsa (the tendency to cheat)

and karanapatava (imperfect senses). Your senses are defective. The

thoughts in your mind are defective. What you perceive through your

senses is defective.

"THERE IS NO SADHU PRESENT"

You say, "Oh! We have been cheated so many times. Now we won't put

faith in anyone. No sadhus are there. We don't see any sadhu."

Can you see a sadhu? Do you have the vision to see a sadhu? You are

a

conditioned soul. You have defective vision. How can you see a

sadhu?

You have developed this motto, "Seeing is believing." You say, "If I

see then I will believe. Can you show me? Can you show me the Lord?

Then I will believe."

But you are not prepared to admit that you are blind. You have no

vision to see the Lord. Even if I show you the Lord, how can you see

without vision? You are not prepared to admit your shortcoming. You

are such a crooked, pretentious, duplicitous person. You are always

trying to hide your defects. You are not prepared to admit them.

This

is proof that you are not at all simple. You are a crooked person.

Be

simple! If you just once say with an open heart, "Krishna I am

Yours!" then immediately Krishna will accept you. He is there in

your

heart, but you can't cry out to Him. Your heart is filled with such

filth, such duplicity and crookedness. You are never simple. And

Krishna knows it.

This is the reason why you cannot develop strong faith. Now you want

to see sadhu. You say, "We don't see any sadhus. There are no

sadhus."

If there is no sadhu then how are things going on? This is Kali-

yuga,

the most sinful and degraded age. Still there is ekapad-dharma, one-

legged religion, therefore things are continuing. Otherwise

everything would have been finished, destroyed. In Satya-yuga dharma

had four legs. In Treta-yuga three legs were there. In Dvapara-yuga

two legs were there, and in Kali-yuga there is one leg. Because this

one leg of dharma is present, things are going on and we are all

here.

The holy name came - this is the yuga-dharma for Kali-yuga. But we

have no faith, no belief in it. We are such crooked persons. We have

no simplicity. We only speak with the lips while something else is

in

the heart. This simplicity is vaisnavism. It is the only thing

required. Make your heart simple. Drive out, throw out all this

filth; crookedness, duplicity, and pretentiousness, and immediately

you will get Krishna.

Krishna emphasizes this sraddha in many places in the Gita: Chapter

four, text 39 states: sraddhaval labhate jnanam - "A faithful person

quickly obtains transcendental knowledge." In chapter nine, text

three, Krishna states: asraddadhanah purusa aprapya mam nivartante

mrtyu-samsara-vartmani - "Those who have no sraddha, no faith,

cannot

approach Me. Again and again they will fall down here to this mrtyu-

samsara, world of death."

SADHUS HAVE NO DEFECTS

Those who have vision, they see and they say, arya-vijna-vakya nahi

dosa catustaya - the words of the mahajanas, sadhus, are free from

the four defects. Why don't you put unflinching faith in their

words?

You say, "I must think about it first. I must deliberate on what

they

say. If I am convinced then I will apply it." - This is all

duplicity, crookedness, lack of faith! You are not prepared to admit

that you have four defects. Your senses are defective, how can you

see? You think, "I am the seer. I will see." But you are not the

seer. You have defective vision. How can you see a sadhu who is free

from defects and exists on the transcendental platform? He is in the

fourth dimension. You are limited to three dimensions: length,

breadth and height. Can your material mind conceive the fourth

dimension? Then how can you say, "If I see, only then I will

accept?"

Nonsense! Such nonsense! You can only act on faith. Nothing else.

In the story I told [see last issue], the mother instructed and the

child put faith in her words. The mother is authority and the child

is simple. Sadhu, mahajana, and sastra, are authority. But you have

no faith in them. How can you get Krishna? Faith is the most

important thing. Even if you put blind faith, still you will be

delivered because sadhu-mahajanas are free from defects, what they

say is real truth - mahajana yei kahe, sei satya mani (Cc. madhya

25.56). Suppose you put blind faith in sadhu's words and you go to

hell; then sadhu-mahajana will go to hell to deliver you. But by

your

manipulations, politics, and duplicity, even if you elevate yourself

to the position of Brahmaloka, Satyaloka, still you will fall from

there and you cannot be delivered by sadhu-mahajana. You should

understand that.

One who is very simple, immediately puts strong unflinching faith,

immediately surrenders, and immediately is accepted by Krishna. That

is what is needed. Simplicity is vaisnavism, but we are lacking that

thing.

You should take example from mahajanas like Rupa and Sanatan

Goswami.

How simple they are! Once a very puffed-up, proud pandita came to

see

them. He was travelling everywhere, challenging and trying to defeat

others. That pandita came to Sanatan Goswami and Rupa Goswami and

said, "You debate with me. If I am victorious then you will sign a

certificate of defeat and if you defeat me then I will sign a

certificate that you have defeated me." Rupa and Sanatan immediately

said, "No, we will give you a certificate. Please go, dandavats.

Yes,

we are defeated. You are victorious." This is simplicity.

JADA BHARAT AND THE DACOITS

Jada Bharat was also simple in this way. A group of dacoits were

searching for a nice human being to sacrifice so that Kali would be

pleased and they could get a benediction from her. They found Jada

Bharat sitting in a cornfield. He was very strong, stout, and good-

looking. They thought he would be very nice for sacrifice. Jada

Bharat was like a madman - dumb and callous like an animal. Just

like

the butcher taking an animal to the slaughterhouse, the dacoits took

him to be sacrificed. Jada Bharat went with no protest, just like a

simple child. He was such an elevated paramahamsa. The dacoits

bathed

him and put new clothes on him. They put vermilion on his forehead.

Then they asked him, "Please bow down here." Like a simple child he

did what they said. Then they raised a sword to cut off his head.

Kali is vaisnavi, a maidservant of Krishna. Seeing their activity,

she said, "What are these rascal dacoits doing?" Kali suddenly came

out from deity with a sword in her hand and chopped off the heads of

those dacoits and Jada Bharat was saved.

Nevertheless, you are thinking, "Shall I put faith blindly? Shall I

not think about it? Shall I not deliberate on it?" You are saying

like that because you have no faith. Because duplicity and

crookedness is there in your heart. You are not simple.

One who is very simple is really surrendered. He is a real sadhu,

and

he is protected. This simplicity is lacking in you. You think, "I

will see." But you are not the seer. Krishna is the seer; sadhu is

the seer. You are to be seen. But you are thinking just the

opposite, "I will be the seer and the sadhu will be seen." What is

this nonsense? They are the seer; Krishna is the seer, sadhu is the

seer. You have to be seen. When they cast their merciful glance on

you, then your good fortune arises. You become fortunate, subhagya.

But you are thinking, "I am the seer." Just the opposite. That's the

whole problem, nothing else.

QUESTIONS:

Devotee: How can someone develop simplicity?

Gour Govinda Swami: Associate with a simple sadhu. As I described my

guru-maharaja, how he came and inculcated faith. And why are you

lacking faith now? Because you are not associating with sadhus! You

say, "We cannot see sadhu. There are no sadhus present now." That's

the whole trouble with you.

Devotee: But if we are duplicitous in the heart, then we will be

blind and we won't be able to see who is a sadhu. So how can we

associate with sadhus if we don't know who is a sadhu?

Gour Govinda Swami: Therefore I say, even if sadhu comes, because

you

are blind you have no faith in him. You want to be the seer, so you

cannot get any benefit. You cannot associate. If a sadhu comes and

chants here, speaks krsna-katha, it will never enter your ear. You

cannot get any benefit. You don't do sadhu-sanga at all. Although

you

come and sit here, you are just posing, you are just pretending. You

are such a pretender! Because you have no faith, the sadhu's katha

will never enter your ear. Thus, you cannot get any benefit. Just

pretending. Sitting for ten or fifteen minutes, then getting up and

going out. Why is this? Because you have no faith. You are not

simple. You want to be the seer. But you are not the seer. That's

the

whole trouble.

Devotee: To have this simplicity and faith one should think as a

child. If we have some intelligence that if we get this or

that. . . .

Gour Govinda Swami: What intelligence do you have? It's impure

intelligence, not pure intelligence.

Devotee: So I should just give it up?

Gour Govinda Swami: Yes! Give up everything! Just throw it out!

Throw

it out! Make your heart clean and open. Jesus Christ said, "Empty

thyself. I will fill thee." But you are not emptying. Your heart is

full to the brim with crookedness, duplicity, and enviousness - all

nasty things. How can he fill you? There is no space. Empty

yourself.

Throw it out! Then you will get. ·

-- From an evening program in Lansing, Michigan, USA, 28 October 1991

krsna · October 25, 2005

Dear friends of AskTheSwami.org,

please accept my dandavat pranams

3 new Questions and Answers from Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti are online on AskTheSwami.org:

1) Favorite Bhajana

2) Article: The Yoga of the Internet

3) Krsna's arrangements, Maya's tricks

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1) Question: What is your favorite Bhajana?

1) Answer: Bhajana was explained by Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Maharaja as a mood; a mood of worship. A word that can hardly be translated by a song or a prayer. The whole mood of bhajana, of wanting to enter in the eternal relationship of service to the sweet will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is really the surcharging goal of devotional life.

How is your bhajana? How is your devotional life? A devotee usually answers with sadness: Oh, my devotional life is not very nice. So if you ask me "what is your favourite bhajana?" it is a very challenging question but I could say a few things. One of the things I very very much rejoice is hearing the Sri Sri Siksastakam of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Whether reading it or hearing it sung by somebody, what to speak if it is sung by Srila Prabhupada. These prayers have such a deep meaning and they are so broadminded. That is very softening to my heart. Even though my heart still wants to resist any softening process.

Another thing in regard to bhajana is that because we want to go deep into the mood of service, like when we sing Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur's song "Gopinatha", which is so full of remorce and prayer for real purity and service. If we sing that song in our local languages like we do in South America or in Germany, it is helpful to go much deeper in one's prayer. Therefore we have introduced with the blessings of Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Maharaja and Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Maharaja the singing of Vaisnava prayers, bhajanas and songs in local languages as well as the original Sanskrit and Bangali prayers.

I also think that when people want to express their joy about Lord Chaitanya and His transcendental gift to the world, it is highly appreciated when people express it in different musical styles. When it is transmitted to the people with local rhythms and melodies it is so charming to them and it brings about a new type of acceptance of the message of Lord Chaitanya in the local people. Like Lord Chaitanya says: "There is no hard and fast rule how to chant the holy names of the Lord". I am quite openly endorsing for those who have musical talents to make their own offerings of devotional songs. Either by composing new songs in the mood of the previous acharyas or by translating the songs of our great poets like Srila Narottama Das Thakura, Krsna Das Kaviraja Goswami, Srila Rupa Goswami and others into their local language.

Also we have some very wonderful contributions to the deep meditation and singing culture in our temples due to the wonderful, poetical contributions of Srila Atulananda Acharya who is one of the deep friends I was being given by Srila Prabhupada to serve in heart-to-heart union the plan of Lord Chaitanya. His writings and his expressions in Spanish are very charming and have enthused our students for many years. They are the embodyment of bhajana for me. Specifically since he also has taken it upon himself to take books like the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Chaitanya Charitamrta and to turn them entirely into poetical readings which can eventually develop into something like patiavaly kirtans where they may be musically recited so that the audience can be captured to the sweet message of Lord Chaitanya and thus increase their spiritual appreciation.

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2) Question:

The Yoga of the Internet

The Tao of the Internet

The Dharma of the Internet

The Ten Commandments for the Use of the Internet

2) Answer: The following recommendations are meant to serve the world and humanity by giving guidelines on how to properly use the World Wide Web.

1. The WWW, along with everything else in this world, has come into existence by the grace of the infinite Lord and shall be properly used to further the right cause of love, peace and enlightenment of the whole world.

2. The WWW is a place where the monopoly of information has come to an end. All ideas and presentations will have to pass the test of whether they contain any inherent goodness, wisdom or sincerity in the search for truth. Documents reflecting the inclination of their authors to further perpetrate injustice and exploitation against the earth, humans and animals, are disqualifying themselves in this unique information forum.

3. Bad things have always existed everywhere, even without the WWW. Now is the first time in history that researchers can study, side by side, the thoughts of the oldest thinkers of this planet, with the latest scientific discovery, and the statistics of the evolving social phenomena. It is a unique opportunity to separate the weeds from the fruit bearing plant. To further that research, and to avoid wasting valuable time, here are some hints:

- Start your research by questioning the final goal and motivation of any document.

- Develop your own set of values as you progress.

- Apply your power of discrimination. Whatever is good for all cannot be all bad.

- Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.

- Inquire into the nature of the cause of suffering.

- Inquire about the meaning of life in the present, its origin and what happens after death.

- Inquire about immediate benefits and dangers, and their prospective contributions.

- Progress by eliminating whatever disqualifies in your research, and accepting everything new, positive, and truly progressive you encounter.

4. Think about praying to the Almighty, infinite controller of destiny. Call Him God, or Nature, or as your heart feels inclined to guide you through the unending space of Cyber information. Find the truly beneficial, all loving Truth. Don't waste this human form of life in exploitation of any kind, or indifference towards the sufferings of others.

Let Love reign supreme and let the lovers of that Love be discovered for the benefit of all.

5. Be ready to become part of the solution and relinquish connection with anything that causes the mistakes of humanity. Be ready to forgive and humbly share with others what you discover. Search the association with like-minded lovers of truth.

6. Avoid all idle subjects on the WWW, or elsewhere, which serve no higher purpose.

Avoid, to the utmost possibility, all violence and aggression against others. Avoid giving pain to others.

Avoid harming yourself by intoxication of any kind. Avoid being victimized by sensual contemplation, envy and greed. Learn how to accept and tolerate what you cannot change, pray for the strength to lovingly oppose the unwanted things which you can change, and pray for the capacity to distinguish the two.

7. Try to practise meditation like the mantra meditation of singing, thinking or reciting the Holy Names of God. This purifies and gives strength; as confirmed in all religious traditions. Prayer is another type of meditation.

8. Consider universal brotherhood and sisterhood a divine principle. All prejudice against any human being or group is unacceptable when learning what real Love is.

9. The two sexes have to learn how to lovingly complement each other, rather then fight over rights or try to exploit one another. In the infinite, Male and Female are both contained in perfection. Lust, which violates the intuition of Love, is an impediment to self-realization.

10. Like a dangerous drug accessible to little children, the WWW gives access to many unwanted sites. This dangerous tool should be our inspiration to educate ourselves and our children to become responsible for our own choices. Think, hear, analyze and decide for the truth. It is not a luxury now. It is a necessity. If all human beings had access to trigger an atomic bomb, what would be left of this planet? The WWW gives us a new age of awareness like never before. Let us work hard to use it for the right cause.

Let Love be with you.

You are invited to copy these commandments into your documents and print them as you like. If you feel that your Homepage also serves the above described purpose, feel free to list the URL of your Homepage here so that other searchers of the truth may be able to find you. Why call it the Yoga of the Internet?

Yoga is a word which means uniting with God. Becoming one with God, by relinquishing all separate interests from his divine will, is the perfection of Yoga. Many different kinds of yoga are taught in the Vedic scriptures. Among them are the following:

Concentration and self control of Hatha Yoga.

Pious activities, charity and responsible action as in Karma Yoga.

Analysis and elimination of the dual and impermanent as in the process of Jnana Yoga.

Rules of conduct and meditation as found in Raja Yoga.

Selfless service, prayer, and devotional practices of Bhakti Yoga.

All of these kinds of yoga find their application as we approach the Internet connected Cyberocean. To reach true happiness in life, the Vedic scriptures recommend using everything for the service of God. To serve the happiness of all is the happiness of God. In this respect, we would like to invite you to read the previous rules on how to practise yoga as you search for truth in the WWW.

This document is inspired by the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Avatar for the present age of iron. Lord Chaitanya started to preach and distribute divine love and service to the infinite Truth about 500 years ago in Bengal, India.

(Text by Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti)

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3) Question: How can we know the difference between Krishna's arrangement and Maya's tricks?

3) Answer: Actually everything is Krishna's arrangement because Maya is also one of Krishna's energies. The Lord does not create a particular situation for any living being. But confused by the material energy and the wish to rule over maya, the living beings develop desires for specific conditions of life. That is how the chain of action and reaction, called Karma, begins.

All jivas, or souls, are given the capacity to desire by their free will. And the Lord, situated in everyone's heart allows them to fulfill those desires. But the Lord is never responsible for the Karma, or actions and reactions, of the desired situations. The Lord is neutral to everyone and He does not want you to do something egotistically, but if you insist so the Lord will allow you to act in the desired way. Therefore it is said in the Bhagavad Gita (4.11) that everyone is rewarded according to what he deserves.

By our nature we are always servants. But it is our decision whether we serve Krishna or Maya. Krishna does not cheat you. And it is impossible to cheat the Lord as He is omnipresent and omnipotent. But if you try to cheat the Lord, eg by making promises and not keeping them, His energy, called maya, will make arrangements so that you will be cheated.

So to speak of Krishna's arrangements or Maya's tricks is only possible if you see things in connection with Krishna, if you are at least somewhat Krishna conscious. Even as the Lord is neutral to everyone, He takes special care and gives inspiration to those who desire to live with Him and He removes the influence of Maya from that person.

For devotees who want to get out of illusion Maya sometimes provides special tests and tricks to make sure that they really prefer Krsna to material opulence and sense gratification. But most of the time Maya does not have to test us very much because we are so bewildered by her opulences that we do not really desire to escape her clutches but quickly we are satisfied with our mediocrecy and do not make efforts to make constant spiritual progress.

Unless we are very sincere in our desires to become a devotee we will not be able to escape maya. We have to understand that everything around us is perfect. We have to stop lamenting about all the things that do not fit our personal concept and face the reality, accept the things as they are. Because the way the world is, is the best it can be.

So in this way we can see that even Maya's tricks and tests are also to our favor. They are there to help us to progress on our path. To purify our consciousness and chant the Holy Names of the Lord without offenses.

And Krsna's arrangements are all good. They are on the absolute platform. So even if they are aparentely different from our personal understanding of "good", they are favorable. Krishna is the impartial ever well-wisher. He wants a nice relationship with all of his eternal children. So we should not worry about the results. Let Krishna be in charge of that part. If we just engage ourselves in the service of Krishna and the spiritual master and chant the Holy Names of the Lord it will make us happy and our lives will be a success.

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Please do not hesitate to visit the page to read more and ask your questions. Of course we would like to invite you to share the service of the page and this newsletter with your friends and relatives.

Haribol,

trying to serve you more

govardhan das

October 25, 2005

From "Spiritual Yoga" which is a compilation of talks by Srila Prabhupada on the 5th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam:

There are so many religious practices that have been invented. For example, the scriptures prescribe the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, but people have invented so many ways of chanting. If you chant Rama Rama Rama, Radhe Radhe Radhe, Krsna Krsna Krsna, that is also chanting the holy name, but you have to follow scripture. The scripture says chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare/Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. You have to accept that. Not that you chant nitai-gaura radhe-syama, hare krsna hare rama. No. What is the value of your invention? You are not perfect. You cannot invent a new mantra and be successful. Simply follow the recommendations of scripture and you will attain all perfection.

Pankaja_Dasa · October 31, 2005

Hare Krishna..

krsna · October 31, 2005

Dear friends of AskTheSwami.org,

please accept my dandavat pranams

3 new Questions and Answers from Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti are online on AskTheSwami.org:

1) Our Duties in Relationship with the Holy Dhama

2) Direct Service to Krsna

3) Obstacles in spiritual life

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1) Question: What are our duties in relationship with the Holy Dhama, Sri Vrindavan?

1) Answer: Srila Prabhupada said - I am quoting Hayagriva - That we should clean the Dham, fix the broken temples and establish the glories of deity worship.

When we visit the Holy Dham, we should avoid the offences against the Holy Dham. Plus Srila Sridhara Maharaja said: Vrindavana is a state of consciousness. So we should always try to be in that consciousness and

try to make Vrindavana present every where we go. We should also speak about he glories of Vrindavana and chant the Holy Name so we will become qualified to actually serve Vrindavana.

Srila Prabhupada took the glories of Vrindavana all around the world and it is quite reasonable to say that every devotee should send some help, in whatever way he feels inspired. In our mission, Vrinda, we have already established four Vraja-Seva-Asrams, managed schools and printed tons of material for the service of Vrindavana. We also designed a Krsna-lila park for the municipality, cleaned some streets around our asram and when the devotees come from foreign countries, they often bring gifts for the locals. Above all we try to participate in rising ecological awareness, which has been a tough job. I was present in many conversations of different organisations for the service of Vrindavana and we still go on in one way or another, trying to make ourselves useful. Because a little service is better than no service. Our seva-asramas in Vrindavana are generally known as the most beautiful examples of restauration of architectural jewels of Vrindavana.

Vrinda-kunja specifically and the Mungir-mandir of Sadhu Maharaja are examples of keeping some beautiful gardens.

Vraja mandala is 64 sq km an there is plenty of service to be done. If you want to help personally, you may contact me and I can advice you some project you may support according to your inclination.

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2) Question: It is said that it is not good to serve Krsna directly. Can you exlpain me how does a person act who wants to serve Krsna directly?

2) Answer: To directly serve the Lord is only possible in a pure state of consciousness and by the mercy of Krsna. So trying to serve the Lord directly is not the recommended process to purify our conditioned consciousness. If we try to serve the Lord directly, the Lord may be served or may not be served. The way to assure the service to Krishna is by serving His devotees, the Vaisnavas, His representants in this world.

In a Vaisnava we find the knowledge and love of Krsna because as he is surrendered to Krnsa, all his activities he preforms for Krsna. That's why a devotee, or Vaisnava, is very dear to the Lord. So the best way to become engaged in the service of the Lord is to accept a spiritual master and try to do some service for him. In this way our service will be connected to the disciplic succession (parampara) of Vaisnavas and in this way reach Krsna.

The Lord himself said: The one who renders service directly to me is not my devotee, the one who renders service to my devotee is not my devotee. So the idea of serving Krsna directly and independent from others means to ignore the instruction of the Lord and to ignore His devotees. But the devotees of the Lord are very dear to the Him. Krsna is not cheap, we cannot force Krsna to accept our service. If we want to serve Krsna we have to consider His devotees.

To accept a spiritual master as the guide of life and to render service onto him and the devotees is essential in spiritual life, because if we accept the Lord's devotees as greater than ourselves, we will also be able to accept that we are very small and insignificant before the Lord. Therefore we should always keep Krsna and the Vaisnavas dancing on our head.

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3) Question: I was asked to inquire from Acharyas, sannyasis and sadhus about their thoughts regarding the third gender. I consider my "cyber-association" with GALVA (the Gay & Lesbian Vaisnava Association) vital because I can communicate with fellow aspiring devotees in my situation. As with all types of bodily distinctions, these aspiring devotees have various standards of devotional principles and services. Some are very serious and others just enjoy prasadam and to chant. We would like to know what Sadhus, Sastras and Gurus think.

3) Answer: Lust is the major obstacle in spiritual life and lust can only be dovetailed to Krishna-consciousness by producing nice children in a marriage. If you find strength in the association of people who know how to control their senses, you will make spiritual advancement. If you associate with others who do not abide by the regulative principles, it will not be so conducive for your spiritual advancement.

What else can I say? This is the philosophy as we learned it from our spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. Those persons whose sexual identity has not developed according to their physical body surely face many difficulties in this material body. Personally I consider this to be a karmic reaction meant to teach us something. How many people wish to have children but due to some reason they can not reproduce. Others really want to get married and can never find a partner. I am not trying to write a law book here of karmic action and reaction, I am just trying to say that being Krishna conscious is much better than being gender conscious, or lets better say becoming absorbed into the particular sexual inclinations other people may have. I think it is better to talk about Krsna and try to conquer lust. Last but not least all we do is grow old and die. That is the real problem you have to face.

When I was a young boy I once met a homosexual men who was 28 year old. He tried to "preach" to me, how normal it was to be homosexual and that he was destined to introduce me so I could be more broad minded. Fortunately I did not think that I needed that broad mindness. Lust is a struggle for everybody who has a material body. Lets search out the association of those who have found joy in the higher taste, in a life without sex, or who are at least faithful to their children.

The real beauty of every living being is beyond the lusty sexual attraction. As you go through life, you will meet so many people with many different problems, but for your spiritual advancement focus on those who understand the value of divine love. As soon as you start talking about sexual preferences of people, you are talking about sex. This is not a very pleasant topic for those who want to understand that they are not this body.

And we are fortunate enough to say that much of this association is available on the internet.

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Please do not hesitate to visit the page to read more and ask your questions. Of course we would like to invite you to share the service of the page and this newsletter with your friends and relatives.

Haribol,

trying to serve you more

govardhan das

krsna · November 10, 2005

Dear friends of AskTheSwami.org,

please accept my dandavat pranams

3 new Questions and Answers from Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti are online on AskTheSwami.org.

We are happy to share with you a new service of AskTheSwami.org:

AskTheSwami.blogspot.com

All the questions and answers will also be published there. It is a Blog (News Page). Please visit it and invite others too.

1) Regaining Trust in Devotees

2) Mexico, the new Frontier

3) Samskaras, Purificatory Rituals

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1) Question: How can one develop an intimate relationship with devotees after bad experiences? How to develop trust in them?

1) Answer: You are asking me a very tough question. A burned child shies the fire, but you make me remember one important instruction Srila Sridhara Maharaja gave to us, specificially to devotees whose initiating spiritual masters have abandoned their duty.

He said: “Never feel cheated by Krsna.” Consider it your bad karma that you had to go through such a painful situation, and simply pray to be able to learn something. Of course you can also understand that surrender to Krsna is not such an easy thing. You cannot take it for granted that everything works perfectly. But if you asked me 'who is trustworthy?', I would put it in a very few words. He must be a person who is trying to take the service to his spiritual master as his life and soul. He is somebody who will never get unreasonably angry with someone. He is not sectarian. He appreciates all vaisnavas. He has a desinterested nature and impartial judgement and a strong common sense. Those who do not take their relationship with Guru and Krsna very serious, much less will they take their relation with you very serious.

What to speak of spiriutal masters. Just to know how to choose one's friends, one should take all this in consideration. If they do something very wonderful and they invite you to participate then you can try it. If you do not choose anything then you have no good association and nothing nice to do. So there is always some risk in life and we are always depending on the grace of Krsna. By His grace we are eating and sleeping and by his guidence He will provide us good association.

In my own life, after I lost my dear Srila Prabhupada, who gave me two initiations, I met another pure devotee, Srila B.R. Sridhara Dev Goswami Maharaja, who gave sannyasa to me. And after he went back to Krsna and the world surrounding me was submerged in sectarianism, I met another pure Devotee, Srila BP Puri Maharaja. He emphasized to me, that in front of Krsna all devotees are equal and that we should all work together on our common causes.

Srila B.P. Puri Maharaja became my siksa guru and the first president of the world vaisnava association. In my work as a secretary for the world vaisnava association, for the first five years of its existance, I had the mercy to get to know practically every Gaudiya acarya on the planet plus most of their leading disciples. I am very thankful for that experience. The more I know, the more grateful I am to have met Srila Prabhupada. Undoubtedly, there are many wonderful devotees in all missions, but still to meet those who are very advanced and who also have some skill of communication and understanding eastern and western Vaisnavas at the same time, such a person is rare to find.

I hope this information will give you something of value for your own search. I pray that you may be succesful to meet the most beautiful Vaisnavas and thus achieve happiness in your devotional service, because unless you achieve happyness, how will you be able to make others happy? Yogesavara, the master of all mystic powers ki jay.

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2) Question: Mexico is our new frontier in the Vrinda mission. What is the plan or vision for Mexico?

2) Answer: Mexico is a very wonderful place for spreading Lord Chaitanya's grace. The nature of the people is that they are inclined to be very pious. Just like Srila Prabhupada used to say that the influence of the Latin culture has made the people somewhat pious. And we can see that in Mexico just like in Chile, Ecuador or Colombia. The general attitude towards India and the message of India is very favourable. People are welcoming the devotees and want to know about everything which they are doing and what they have to offer.

Now Mexico is so incredible because there are so many cities. It is such a large country, with every climate you can imagine, really a paradise, just missing Sri Krishna. One Mexican poet said: "Poor Mexicans, so far away from God and so close to the United States of America." So bringing Krishna to Mexico is a great joy. In the middle of the old city we established a very nice center, and we called it the Prabhupada's Culture Center, hoping to inspire such a reaction as happened in many places of South America: that the message of Lord Chaitanya will go to every province and to all smaller places of Mexico. In a small scale that has already taken place. Some of our devotees are active in Puebla, some of them are active in Valle de Pravo, some of them are going to Vera Cruz and some others are in Texcoco and Vuanahuatu, Tepostlan. Wherever you go there is such a great chance. We can only imagine how wonderful the message of Lord Chaitanya will be celebrated in this country if more and more centres will start all around.

There are also some devotees in Cancun and Saldillo and I can see that Mexico will be one of the places where very large melas can be held. Because in South America there is something special. We can notice a certain perplexity which is like an inferiority complex and in some way, due to movies and the industry and whatever, the people are always looking to the North and not to the South. Somehow or other, to say it a little bit ironical: For Mexicans the world stops where Guatemala begins, for Guatemalans the world stops where Honduras begins, for Hondurans the world stops where Nicuaragua begins, and all the way down everybody is looking towards the North, towards the Hollywood culture. They are very frustrated and they cannot see how much of a great culture they themselves have. Provided they take up the real path of spirituality within their piousness. A living unity between their ancient tradition as well as some of their positive Christian attitudes, plus Lord Chaitanya's gift of the Holy Name and humility, can bring together a very beautiful synthesis of Latin American God consciousness. And I thinK Mexico, Central America and South America are the best breeding grounds for a new spiritual consciousness which we call Universal Love or All-embracing Love, 100% derived from the teachings of Lord Chaitanya, coinciding with all the sweet feelings of people inclined to the mode of goodness, who want to be helpful and who want to improve things in this world. So I look forward to see Mexico as a place where thousands and thousands of devotees will live.

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3) Question: What do you think about Samskaras?

3) Answer: Accoring to Vamana dasa all samskaras are purificatory rituals which are great pretext to get everybody to chant the Holy Name of Sri Krsna. Without the chanting of the Holy Name, no ritual can be successful.

On the other side, I am surprised by your question, because the samskaras accompany a devotees' life from the first day – ceremonies such as First Grain, initiation, marriage etc. They are parts of our life and cannot even be thought away. I received these ceremonies by the grace of my spiriutual master and we are trying to keep them happily alive.

The highest goal of life is to chant the Holy Name purely and to become a pure devotee. All rules and regulations hint in that direction.

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-----------------

Please do not hesitate to visit the page to read more and ask your questions. Of course we would like to invite you to share the service of the page and this newsletter with your friends and relatives.

Haribol,

trying to serve you more

govardhan das

krsna · November 15, 2005

Dear friends of AskTheSwami.org,

please accept my dandavat pranams

3 new Questions and Answers from Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti are online on AskTheSwami.org:

1) Rules of Devotional Music

2) About Abortion

3) Complete Surrender to Sri Krishna

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1) Question: Are there rules for devotional music?

1) Answer: Thank you for your inquery. I started the Harmony School of Conscious Art many years ago.

Thank you for your inquery. I started the Harmony School of Conscious Art many years ago.

The purpose of that school is to enthuse artists of all kinds to utilize the language of their art to awaken consciousnesses and to spread the glories of the Holy Name. We take shelter of this part of the Siksastakam, where Sri Caitanya says that there are no hard and fast rules to chant the Holy Names. There are different types of standards. I heard that my parama Gurudeva did not like the music of harmoniums in the temples, but my Gurudeva enchanted many thousands of people with beautiful harmonium bhajanas. He enthused George Harrison and had Yamuna Govinda-prayers played in every temple every day. On the other hand, myself, I cannot tolerate loud bells, wampers or gongs. When they create an incredible amount of decibel, “deafening” sounds, I have to run away immediately. Sometimes one cannot even hear which song they are singing. I asked many older devotees about that circumstance and most of them have the same feelings as I do. When I visit one of my temples, I first send somebody to find all the wampers and gongs and hide them. I tell the devotees not to use them but some devotees, who were previously attached to the heavy metal music still like to play them. So it may be a relative point. I do not think Krsna is deaf. He does not need so much noise to hear what the devotees are singing. One has to judge the rules of music according to place, time and circumstance. We have some straight-edge or heavy metal musicians amongst our devotees. They make this music for Krsna. Most of them are actually very serious devotees and they simply utilize this tool for attracting friends from that scene.

When we talk about ragas, there are so many rules. I do not know much about them.

Nowadays there exists vaisnava music in practicaly all musical styles. Of course in our temple ceremonies we prefer soft and classical styles, but that is not a hard and fast rule. When I was temple president in Sao Paolo, a famous Brasilian musician, Ceatano Veloso, came sometimes to the temple to sing the kirtana in the Sunday feast, in samba rhythm. We want to preserve the classic styles, but there is also space for expanding into new areas of devotional music. Everything can be utilized for Krsna. I am very fond of singing bhajans in any local respective language. That is so helpful for the devotees to understand the real meaning of the message. I have been critisized for introducing this singing, but I checked with senior Gaudiya Vaisnavas and got approval from them, both Srila Sridhara Maharaja and Srila BP Puri Maharaja welcomed it.

Even for myself, the songs which I have been singing for 30 years become close to me when I sing them in the language which a commonly use. I am sure much more can be said about this topic. I can just report to you, that due to the approach of the Harmony School of Conscious Art, in Santiago, the capital of Chile, the devotees have eleven devotional music and art groups. And “Ahimsa all Stars” under the guidance of BV Damodara Maharaja have already won two prices from the city; so there are some very positive results. And Akarma Prabhu's song “I want to live” was choosen by the UNICEF as a song for life. There is a lot of advice coming from our tradition on how to play kartalas and mrdanga and how to dance on sankirtan, but that is a topic which is better to be organized locally and according to the musical capacity of the devotees involved. In general I would say, whatever music we make it should sound as good as possible. Singing of any type which makes people run away is not the best choice. Even in the Caitanya Caritamrta it was pointed out that there were some expert dancers and singers.

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2) Question: When does human life begin? If it begins at conception, then is abortion wrong? If the soul does not enter the baby until it is born, then is abortion still wrong? What or where does the soul go if the baby is terminated? I am asking you these questions as my future-partner and I were discussing children, and he does not want children, and I do, and if I did become pregnant, he wanted me to have a termination. So, its been a very difficult time for me, as I am quite religious, and just wanted to know a little bit more about this issue. I am a vegetarian, and cannot think of eating flesh of any kind, so I cannot even comprehend killing something which is growing within me. But, as a Hindu, I need more answers. I hope you can help me.

2) Answer: Thank you very much for this question. It is a question that many young couples have to ask themselves and for which most of them do not find a satisfying answer in modern society.

The soul, the spirit, is very small. It enters into the father's sperm and it is injected in the mother's womb. Then the mother's ovum and the father's sperm unite and form a small body. This body only develops because the spirit soul is already there.

There are some very impressive documentaries that demonstrate the process of an abortion. It is a crime against the laws of nature, and the consequences for such actions are very strong. It is said that first men kill animals to eat them, then they kill children in the mother’s womb, and finally they even fight themselves on battlefields.

Family life is something very sacred. The responsibility of family life, of having and caring for a child and teaching it spiritual values, is very important and should be taken serious. Like in every form of community, we can also see that family life will only function nicely if we put God in the center. So I ask you to become exemplary parents who really love their children and give them the most prescious thing of all for their human lives, to show them the path of spiritual life.

The abortion of a child is like loosing the fortune of our life. The decision to kill a child will open many doors for misery. Women that have aborted a child confirm that they cannot forget the little creature that was killed by their decision. Actually we should appreciate being able to receive children in this world. So do not kill your unborn children.

Live itself is very precious, because it is always a gift from God. We must not put sense gratification or material values above the gift of live. If we listen to our heart, we will understand that we should give protection to our children and that we do not have the right to abort children.

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3) Question: What is it that stops us from fully surrending to Krsna and how can we overcome it?

3) Answer: Our satisfaction with our proper mediocrity is what stops us from completely surrender to the Lotos feet of the Lord. We always have to stay students, humble servants of the truth, because the quality of our service to Sri Krishna has no limits. And an increase of the quality of our service will also increase the amount of service that is to do. Our seperated interests, doubts and fears hinder us to fully surrender. But Krsna himself promises in the Bhagavad Gita that we do not have to fear, He will protect us and give us everything we need. And Krsna shows us the way how to approach Him: accepting a spiritual master, rendering service onto him and following his instructions. We cannot do it alone. We have to accept the help and guidance of a spiritual master and the Vaisnavas. This will give us faith to follow the spiritual path with more sincerity.

Pure devotees are fully dependent on the will and mercy of the Lord. The eight verses of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Sri Sri Siksastakam contain the essence of surrendering to Sri Krishna. Being humble and tolerant, give respect to others but do not expect respect for yourself, do not desire anything else than engagement in the service of the Lord, chant the Holy Names of the Lord with all profoundness of your heart and make yourself a slave to the will of the Lord.

Surrender means to surrender with body, mind and words. The Bhagavad Gita tells us that our mind may be our friend but also our enemy. That depends on our control of the mind. If we cannot control our mind we have to serve the dictation of lust, anger, avarice, illusion etc. But when we conquer our mind and when we are able to control it, one will be able to accept the dictation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead who is situated in our heart. There are nine kinds of devotional service that help us to surrender. The first two, and most important ones, are to hear and to talk and sing about the glories of the Lord. The daily engagement in hearing and chanting of the Lord will clean our consciousness.

Srila Prabhupada tells us in the book 'The Teachings of Lord Chaitanya' that there are six basic guidelines forsurrender.

The first is that one should accept everything that is favorable for the discharge of devotional service, and one should be determined to accept the process. The second is that one should give up everything that is unfavorable to the discharge of devotional service, and that one should be determined to give it all up. Thirdly, one should be convinced that only Krsna can protect him and should have full faith that the Lord will give that protection. An impersonalist thinks that his actual identity is in being one with Krsna, but a devotee does not destroy his identity in this way. He lives with full faith that Krsna will kindly protect him in all respects. Fourthly, a devotee should always accept Krsna as his maintainer. Those who are interested in the fruits of activities generally expect protection from the demigods, but a devotee of Krsna does not look to any demigod for protection. He is fully convinced that Krsna will protect him from all unfavorable circumstances. Fifth, a devotee is always conscious that his desires are not independent; unless Krsna fulfills them, that cannot be fulfilled. Lastly, one should always think of himself as the most fallen among souls so that Krsna will take care of him. Such a surrendered soul should take shelter of a holy place like Vrindavana, Mathura, Dvaraka, Mayapur, etc., and should surrender himself unto the Lord saying, "My Lord, from today I am Yours. You can protect me or kill me as You like."

A pure devotee takes shelter of Krsna in such a way, and Krsna is so grateful that He accepts him and gives him all kinds of protection.

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Please do not hesitate to visit the page to read more and ask your questions. Of course we would like to invite you to share the service of the page and this newsletter with your friends and relatives.

Haribol,

trying to serve you more

govardhan das

AskTheSwami.org:Initiation in the names of Sri Nityananda and Lord Gauranga

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