Clips

"By performing devotion, one will not develop conceit; rather, humility will come.

If someone who is not eligible hears discourses about the Lord and studies Vedas and other scriptures, then his studies and his performance of devotional practices is just for the sake of ego. And in case of devotees, these same activities will make them very meek, humble, simple; their dealings will be sweet.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu, what has He done for going to Vraja? Only chanting of 3 lakh harinama, it cannot give a person entrance into Vrndavana, Vraja. There must be gopi-anugtya. Following of gopis, following the activities and bhava [moods] of gopis is gopi-anugtya.

"Jiva Gosvami established the doctrine of the Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya through his philosophical writings. Right from his childhood, Sri Rupa Gosvami showered him with fatherly affection and offered him at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. At that time, Jiva Gosvami was just a child.

We should have complete faith in the mantra awarded by Gurudeva [at the time of initiation]. In all respects. If a disciple doesn’t have this faith, he or she cannot progress an inch. Even if, Guruji hasn’t even explained its glory or when or how it has to be chanted, sitting in which direction… Even if nothing has been told. But our faith should be so strong that all perfection will be attained by this alone. Nothing else.

 Manah Siksa and the section about 'Anartha-nivrtti' from Madhurya Kadambini - understand these very thoroughly. After this, when lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride and envy will go away then one will not commit offences to the holy name, Vaisnavas, while doing seva, etc. Only then can one enter the pastimes of Mahaprabhu. And after entering the pastimes of Mahaprabhu, then entry into the pastimes of Krsna will be possible.

God can be realised, How? – tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya. ‘How can we come out of birth and death, miseries and sorrows?’ ‘Who is the controller of this world?’

You should remember Krsna. Then He will give you intelligence to know all these things. He will inspire us in our mind [heart] that you should go to any realised person. Tattva darsi – who are realising in their heart everything, go to them.

So, whatever you gave to me, it is not to me. I am giving it to my Gurudeva’s lotus feet. So abhimana (pride) should not come, false ego, that I am now Guru. I want to save [myself] from all this false ego. I want to be guru sevaka. What I have, I have only by guru seva.

There is no need of doing all these things. Because six gosvamis, what they have done we should do. They have not done anything like this, Katyayani-vrata and all these things. We should not [go] across them. We should do what they have done. Otherwise, we cannot have gopi-bhava.

What is the relationship between Radhika and Yamuna? Yamuna means Visakha. And what is the relationship between Radhika and Visakha? They are sakhis. Then what will be our relation with Yamuna? Will she be Mother or Sakhi? All our relations depend on Radhika’s relationships. Because if one has decided that I am [fixed in my relationship as an aspiring] maidservant of Srimati Radhika then such a person will not say - ‘Yamuna Maiya Ki Jaya’ Every relationship should depend especially on Srimati Radhika’s relationships.

Those who are serving at the matha, they should never become overcome by the material ego. [‘I am the doer’] [We think] ‘Oh, my intelligence is very sharp. I’m strong. Using these qualities, I will accomplish these tasks.’

In the realm of devotion, all this is of no use.That is why one should not become overcome by material ego. Such individuals cannot serve the matha.

 This is the specialty of Gaudiya Vaisnavas, which is not there in any other sampradayas. The feeling of bosom relationship of this world [laukika sat-bandhu]. Like, Krsna is my beloved. Krsna is my friend. Krsna is my son. This worldly mood will exist. However it is not worldly. It is transcendental. Krsna is also transcendental. The devotee is also transcendental. But towards Krsna, one will possess a mood like an intimate relationship of this world. Otherwise vraja-prema cannot become realised.

Vamana Mahārājaji’s mother brought him [to the matha] when he was extremely young. Guruji would keep him with himself. He came in 1930. When guru Mahārāja formed the Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti (1940), all of his correspondence, taking care of various activities, taking dictations, to accompany him on preaching, to cook for him, to oversee everyone. All these sevas only Māhārāja would perform.

Giriraja Svami: “In 1977, when Guru Maharaja (Srila AC Bhaktivedānta Swami Prabhupada) was to leave this world, some of us felt little angry towards Krsna that He is taking Guru Maharaja away from us. So, what is the proper Vaisnava attitude?”

If you have no taste in chanting the holy names, again and again, you should do. Don’t be distressed. Don’t be hopeless. Again and again, you will do, this is the medicine and diet also, harinama. And then what is the essence of all the instructions?

‘Vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām’, What is the meaning? Any bona fide devotee never calls Krsna or Supreme Personality of Godhead or anyone that ‘I should be saved’. Never. We do not want. We do not fear death. We are always ready to embrace death because I am 76 years old so I know that in this body I cannot do any sadhana [devotional practices], not so strong sadhana-bhajana, I cannot do. So, if death is coming to give me a new body, new energy, then why should I not take it? So, I should embrace death.

So, this is our paramapara. Then they will sprinkle their mercy [with this blessing-] “Oh! [May you have] Raganuga bhakti, in the guidance of Rupa Gosvami." You should serve Radha-Krsna conjugal but bending towards Radhika. This is very, very secret. I have brought you all for this. Svamiji [AC Bhaktivedānta Swami] wanted to give but there was no time to give. He wanted. So, in their [disciplic] line, I am telling so many things about Raganuga. No one else is speaking. All are silent. But I am not silent. Oh! I should go to hell, no harm, but they should all have Raganuga bhakti. [applause] But you will have to surrender.

If someone wants to attain vraja-rasika bhakti, then can his mind get absorbed in the ordinary things? In material sense gratification? But if his mind is absorbed in material things, and he also desires vraja bhakti at the same time, then what will that mean?

Rupa Manjari and Rati Manjari, they always serve Srimati Radhika. They are solely inclined towards Radhika. Without Radhika, they cannot live. If Krsna is defeated by Srimati Radhika, they are overjoyed and clapping. And if Krsna defeats Srimati Radhika then some problems come. They do like this [hang their head down]. So, these manjaris are always with Radhika, at all times.

 Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Prabhupada is Nayana Manjari. And here he has taken the name of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Gosvami Thakura or Prabhupada. Some may say that, “Oh! He was very proud that he accepted the name [title] of ‘Prabhupada’.” Prabhupada means like Jagad-guru [spiritual master of the entire world].

“I accept my Guru but I do not follow him, his instructions” - what is this? Like nonsense! Nothing.
Not only by words, you should try to follow from the core of your heart. Each instruction what he has given is all important. Only [thinking] ‘I am disciple’ it will not do.

Only coming and going and hearing will not do. What we are hearing, we should try to follow.