Verse: Srimad Bhagvatam 2.1.11
Place: Russia (Sochi)
Transcription: Anita Sharma Mataji
Edited: Vraja Kumari Mataji
etan nirvidyamānānām
icchatām akuto-bhayam
yogināṁ nṛpa nirṇītaṁ
harer nāmānukīrtanam
SYNONYMS
etat — it is; nirvidyamānānām — of those who are completely free from all material desires; icchatām — of those who are desirous of all sorts of material enjoyment; akutaḥ-bhayam — free from all doubts and fear; yoginām — of all who are self-satisfied; nṛpa — O King; nirṇītam — decided truth; hareḥ — of the Lord, Śrī Krishna; nāma — holy name; anu — after someone, always; kīrtanam — chanting.
TRANSLATION
O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge.
PURPORT
In the previous verse, the great necessity for attaining attachment to Mukunda has been accredited. There are different types of persons who desire to attain success in different varieties of pursuits. Generally, the persons are materialists who desire to enjoy the fullest extent of material gratification. Next to them are the transcendentalists, who have attained perfect knowledge about the nature of material enjoyment and thus are aloof from such an illusory way of life. More or less, they are satisfied in themselves by self-realization. Above them are the devotees of the Lord, who neither aspire to enjoy the material world nor desire to get out of it.
They are after the satisfaction of the Lord, Śrī Krishna. In other words, the devotees of the Lord do not want anything on their personal account. If the Lord desires, the devotees can accept all sorts of material facilities, and if the Lord does not desire this, the devotees can leave aside all sorts of facilities, even up to the limit of salvation. Nor are they self-satisfied, because they want the satisfaction of the Lord only. In this verse, Srī Sukadeva Gosvāmī recommends the transcendental chanting of the holy name of the Lord. By offense less chanting and hearing of the holy name of the Lord, one becomes acquainted with the transcendental form of the Lord, and then with the attributes of the Lord, and then with the transcendental nature of His pastimes, etc. Here it is mentioned that one should constantly chant the holy name of the Lord after hearing it from authorities. This means that hearing from the authorities is the first essential.
Hearing of the holy name gradually promotes one to the stage of hearing about His form, His attributes, His pastimes, and so on, and thus the necessity of the chanting of His glories develops successively. This process is recommended not only for the successful execution of devotional service, but also even for those who are materially attached. According to Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī, this way of attaining success is an established fact, concluded not only by him but also by all other previous Acharyas. Therefore, there is no need of further evidence. The process is recommended not only for the progressive students in different departments of ideological success, but also for those who are already successful in their achievement as fruitive workers, as philosophers or as devotees of the Lord.
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī instructs that chanting of the holy name of the Lord should be loudly done, and it should be performed offenselessly as well, as recommended in the Padma Purāṇa. One can deliver himself from the effects of all sins by surrendering himself unto the Lord. One can deliver himself from all offenses at the feet of the Lord by taking shelter of His holy name. But one cannot protect himself if one commits an offense at the feet of the holy name of the Lord. Such offenses are mentioned in the Padma Purāṇa as being ten in number.
The first offense is to vilify the great devotees who have preached about the glories of the Lord.
The second offense is to see the holy names of the Lord in terms of worldly distinction. The Lord is the proprietor of all the universes, and therefore He may be known in different places by different names, but that does not in any way qualify the fullness of the Lord. Any nomenclature which is meant for the Supreme Lord is as holy as the others because they are all meant for the Lord. Such holy names are as powerful as the Lord, and there is no bar for anyone in any part of the creation to chant and glorify the Lord by the particular name of the Lord as it is locally understood. They are all auspicious, and one should not distinguish such names of the Lord as material commodities.
The third offense is to neglect the orders of the authorized Acharyas or spiritual masters.
The fourth offense is to vilify scriptures or Vedic knowledge.
The fifth offense is to define the holy name of the Lord in terms of one’s mundane calculation. The holy name of the Lord is identical with the Lord Himself, and one should understand the holy name of the Lord to be nondifferent from Him.
The sixth offense is to interpret the holy name. The Lord is not imaginary, nor is His holy name. There are persons with a poor fund of knowledge who think the Lord to be an imagination of the worshiper and therefore think His holy name to be imaginary. Such a chanter of the name of the Lord cannot achieve the desired success in the matter of chanting the holy name.
The seventh offense is to commit sins intentionally on the strength of the holy name. In the scriptures it is said that one can be liberated from the effects of all sinful actions simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord. One who takes advantage of this transcendental method and continues to commit sins on the expectation of neutralizing the effects of sins by chanting the holy name of the Lord is the greatest offender at the feet of the holy name. Such an offender cannot purify himself by any recommended method of purification. In other words, one may be a sinful man before chanting the holy name of the Lord, but after taking shelter in the holy name of the Lord and becoming immune, one should strictly restrain oneself from committing sinful acts with a hope that his method of chanting the holy name will give him protection.
The eighth offense is to consider the holy name of the Lord and His chanting method to be equal to some material auspicious activity. There are various kinds of good works for material benefits, but the holy name and His chanting are not mere auspicious holy services. Undoubtedly the holy name is holy service, but He should never be utilized for such purposes. Since the holy name and the Lord are of one and the same identity, one should not try to bring the holy name into the service of mankind. The idea is that the Supreme Lord is the supreme enjoyer. He is no one’s servant or order supplier. Similarly, since the holy name of the Lord is identical with the Lord, one should not try to utilize the holy name for one’s personal service.
The ninth offense is to instruct those who are not interested in chanting the holy name of the Lord about the transcendental nature of the holy name. If such instruction is imparted to an unwilling audience, the act is considered to be an offense at the feet of the holy name.
The tenth offense is to become uninterested in the holy name of the Lord even after hearing of the transcendental nature of the holy name. The effect of chanting the holy name of the Lord is perceived by the chanter as liberation from the conception of false egoism. False egoism is exhibited by thinking oneself to be the enjoyer of the world and thinking everything in the world to be meant for the enjoyment of one’s self only. The whole materialistic world is moving under such false egoism of “I” and “mine,” but the factual effect of chanting the holy name is to become free from such misconceptions.
LECTURE
This is the first time I am coming to Sochi. I heard a lot about this place. Sochi is a very famous place. I think it is one of the most popular tourist places in Russia and it is also famous for the winter Olympics. Now I heard that the football match is going on, IFA (International Football Association) and for us (in ISKCON) it is famous for Krishna consciousness. So, I am very happy to meet all of you and I am very much looking forward to spending some wonderful time with you all in the next few days. I came to Russia few times before but for last five, six years I have not been able to come here. I think the last time I came near Sochi was during the Sadhu Sanga festival, but after so many years I have been able to come here again. It looks like I will be there twice because Bhakti Chaitanya Maharaj had been requesting me to come to the festival in Siberia, in Bernol.
Anyway, I am very happy to be here. I was told by Ishan Prabhu yesterday to select a verse I want to discuss and I was also requested to speak on our Gaudiya Vaishnava heritage and also, I will be giving the class at the GBC college we are starting this year in Sochi for the first time outside India. So there also I will be giving class on four principles of Krishna consciousness. Rather four most important instructions that we received from Srila Prabhupada. I will be speaking on those topics during the seminar and those instructions of Srila Prabhupada which were to never leave ISKCON. Do you think it is an important instruction? If you want to protect your spiritual life you have to stay in ISKCON.
Srila Prabhupada said out of ISKCON for us there is no possibility of maintaining our Krishna consciousness. Then Srila Prabhupada also told us that our love for him will be shown, how we co-operate with each other. The third instruction is executing Srila Prabhupada’s will and GBC is the ultimate managing authority of ISKCON and fourth aspect is unity in diversity. Any way to get into the topic of our Vaishnava heritage I selected the verse from Srimad Bhagavatam.
"DEADLY DESIRES" - HOW DOES ONE APPROACH THE VEDAS
In this verse it has been pointed out by Srila Śukadeva Gosvāmī that the chanting of holy name of the Lord is the ultimate spiritual activity. The Vedas are giving various types of instructions. The Vedas are actually meant for everyone. That is why the Vedas have been compared to a desire tree, like one can go to a desire tree and ask whatever he want and he gets it. Similarly, we can approach the Vedas with any desire.
Initially everybody wants to enjoy in this material nature. So, if one approaches the Vedas with the desire of a material enjoyment, the Vedas are providing all those facilities and that has been described in karma-kanda section of the Vedas. Karma-kanda section of the Vedas are telling us how to enjoy. Enjoyment actually means fulfilment of desires. We desire something and if we get it, we can enjoy. So, we can approach the Vedas with any desire - if anybody wants to be very rich and approaches the Vedas then he becomes very rich. If somebody wants to become a ruler or King, the Vedas can fulfil that desire also and even after becoming a king, if he is not satisfied, and he wants to become the king of the entire earth planet, the Vedas say that by performing this yagna, you can become the ruler of the entire earth planet. Even then if he is not satisfied, and he wants to become the ruler of heavenly planet then the Vedas are saying even that is possible - you can become Indra. In this way the Vedas in the Karma-kanda section are giving direction, how we can fulfil material desires, but no matter how much we want to enjoy, eventually we realize that we are suffering.
The intelligent conclusion is that we are suffering here. So then one begins to wonder, why am I suffering? How can I get out of the suffering condition? Then the Vedas say that is also possible. And the Vedas take us to the Jnana-kanda section and one then approaches the Jnana-kanda section. There different branches of Vedic philosophy gradually leading us to the point of recognizing that this material nature is the place of suffering and this body is a wonderful instrument to receive that pain. So how can you enjoy being in a body, that is very adapt in receiving pain in a place that is full of suffering? So, when one realizes that, then he wants to get out of this material nature. He aspires for liberation and this aspiration for liberation brings him to the point of recognizing his identity as part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When he recognizes that, then he surrenders himself to the Lord and then he becomes a devotee and when he becomes devotee, he actually achieves the ultimate goal of his life.
So, this is how Vedas through different stages brings one to the platform of pure devotional service. Karma-kanda section of the Vedas are providing one with all the facilities to enjoy. Jnana-kanda section of Vedas are telling us how to become liberated from material bondage and then when one become free from material bondage, then he becomes engaged in loving devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That point of becoming a servant of Supreme Personality of Godhead is an occupation that is desirable and acceptable and applicable to anyone and everyone.
That is why Srila Sukhdev Goswami is saying here that if somebody wants to enjoy the material nature or if somebody wants to achieve liberation, all of them can chant the holy name of the Lord because it is the ultimate goal of life. Sukhdev Goswami is making a very important point here. He is saying that this is not my conclusion. This has been instructed by all the previous Acharyas and Srila Prabhupada is also pointing out that this process is a universal process for everyone’s ultimate satisfaction.
The point actually is that when one surrenders unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead and becomes engaged in loving devotional service, he becomes a Vaishnava and that process is open to everybody and all his desires will achieve their ultimate fulfilment because that is the ultimate achievement. You can follow the process by going through Karma-kanda, Jnana- kanda and come to the point of loving devotional service.
SRI CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU’S RARE AND SPECIAL GIFT
The other consideration is that if you have access directly to engage in loving devotional service, then there is no need to go through different processes and that is what Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has given to us. Before Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came, the process was actually to go gradually step by step from Karma-kanda to Jnana-kanda and ultimately to the stage of pure devotional service.
After achieving perfection of yoga which is the ultimate aspect of Jnana-kanda, one used to come to the point of pure devotional service, but Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave it directly to us. Why? He saw that we’re totally unqualified; we are totally useless, completely useless to gradually climb up the ladder. Therefore, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu actually gave us a process that will directly elevate us to the topmost platform. In that respect we can consider there is a very tall building and if you want to go to the topmost floor. How do you go? You’ll climb up the stairs? There is another way to going up. You have to get into the left. Then what happens? Do you make any effort or you just stay in the lift? The lift (just) takes you up. So, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave us the process that enables us to get into that situation and we will automatically be elevated on the topmost region and that is what Srila Prabhupada came to give us. That takes us back also to another situation.
MAHARAJ PARIKSIT FORGIVES KALI – A WISE AND THOUGHTFUL DECISION
Pariksit Maharaj saw Kali torturing the cow and the bull. Torture to the cow and the bull is the most sinful activity. Pariksit Maharaj was seeing what Kali was doing (dressed up like a king). He immediately was going to kill Kali but Kali begged for his life and Pariksit Maharaj forgave him. One way to look at this is that when somebody begs forgiveness from a Ksatriya, he forgives him but Prabhupada pointed out that the reason why Pariksit Maharaj let Kali survive. It is because Pariksit Maharaj saw that in the age of Kali there is one great advantage. Although this is the most degraded age but this age has a great advantage and that is just by chanting the holy name of the Lord one can achieve ultimate perfection.
Although this age of Kali is an ocean of sinful activities but this age of Kali has one great benefit and that is just by chanting the holy name of the Lord one develops his loving relationship with Supreme Personality of Godhead which is the ultimate goal of life.
This is how Krishna has created this good fortune in the most degraded age and for the most degraded people. Although in this age personally we don't have any qualification for spiritual advancement but Krishna's mercy has come down to lift us, to elevate us to the topmost region of the spiritual sky. This mercy is flowing through Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and therefore this line of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Gaudiya Vaishnava line) is so special. The Vaishnavas are there since time immemorial. There are four Vaishnava Sampradaya, but all those have one goal which was to achieve Vaikuntha liberation, but Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came and gave us a process that is beyond these four Vaishnava Sampradaya, the ultimate goal.
The other Vaishnava Sampradaya were aspiring to be elevated to the Vaikuntha region, but Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came and opened the door to Goloka Vrindavan. For us, Goloka Vrindavan is beyond Vaikuntha, even the residents of Vaikuntha do not have access to Vrindavan but Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu made this Vrindavan available for the people of the age of Kali. If I may ask, how many of you would like to go to Vaikuntha? Nobody. And how many of you would like to go to Goloka Vrindavan? Everybody! On the way to Vrindavan, if you stop Vaikuntha, would you like to stay there? Will you be satisfied being in Vaikuntha? No.
This has been very beautifully explained by Srila Sanatana Goswami in his Brihad Bhagavatamrita. Gopkumar was gradually being elevated in his spiritual life. He was actually in Vaikuntha, he was in Dwaraka, still his heart was not satisfied and when he met Narada Muni, Narada Muni pointed out to him that actually his heart is not satisfied because his heart is aspiring for Krishna in Vrindavan. This is how we can see that the devotees of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu will not be satisfied even after being elevated to the Dwaraka. Their goal is Goloka Vrindavan. They are not going to settle for anything less. So, this is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s special gift for all of us and we are so fortunate to have access to it and when we found it, let’s take full advantage of it and remain eternally grateful to the Personality, who made it available for us His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada ki jai!
Thank you all very much!
Does anybody have any question or comment?
Devotee. You said Lord Chaitanya opened the door to Goloka Vrindavan and he gave us way to Raganuga Sadhana bhakti. So, do we have any elements so that this Raganuga Sadhana bhakti can be practice?
HH BCS: Very good point, let me briefly explain. There are two types of devotional service. One is called Vaidhi Bhakti and the other is Raganuga bhakti. Where Vaidhi bhakti means the devotional service that is practice by following the rules and regulations given in the scriptures and Raganuga bhakti is the devotional service in pure love for Supreme Personality of Godhead. Now when one follows Vaidhi bhakti, he achieves perfection, then he achieves Vaikuntha but the way to enter the Vrindavan is Raganuga bhakti. The word Raganuga means, “raga” means pure love and “anuga” means following. The residents of Vrindavan are known as Raagatmika bhaktas. Ragaatmika bhakta means whose devotion to Krishna is simply based on their pure love for him. So, these are two types of devotion. One devotion is to follow the rules and regulations and the other is just love. The residents of Vrindavan are Ragaatmika bhaktas and when one follows one of those residents of Vrindavan, that devotion is called Raganuga bhakti.
To make this point clear we can give an example- Laksmi Devi told Narayana: “I want to enter into your Vrindavan pastimes.” So, the Narayana said: “Ok, you have to follow one of the Gopis of Vrindavan.” The process to enter into Vrindavan is to follow one of the residents of Vrindavan, like one of the Gopis or associates of Krishna in Vrindavan, that is Raganuga bhakti, but Laksmi Devi said: “I am Laksmi how can I become subservient to someone else, how can I become subordinate to a Gopi of Vrindavan?” Then Narayana said: “Ok, then forget about Vrindavan.” Laksmi became very upset. So, she started to perform great austerities. The result of that austerity was that Krishna came to her and asked: “Laksmi what happened, why are you performing such austerity?”
Then Laksmi told Krishna what happened. Krishna placed Laksmi on his chest as Srivatsa and that is how Laksmi had entered in Vrindavan. This way we can see how difficult it is to enter into Vrindavan even for Laksmi Devi and the way is to follow one of the residents of the Vrindavan in order to enter there. Now there comes one problem, Rupa Goswami is saying in Nectar of Devotion:
[1.2.101]
śruti-smṛti-purāṇādi-
pañcarātra-vidhiṁ vinā
aikāntikī harer bhaktir
utpātāyaiva kalpate
If one executes devotional service (without following the rules and regulations of scripture) even though he is very honest, very sincere, it will simply create disturbance. So, the point is that the devotional service must be followed as Rupa Goswami pointed out, following the rules and regulations of the scriptures.
Then the question arises how will anybody ever enter Vrindavan? If everybody follows Vaidhi bhakti and achieving success through Vaidhi bhakti, he will enter into Vaikuntha and from Vaikuntha there is no access to Vrindavan. So that made Krishna wonder. After performing his past times Krishna disappeared and went back to spiritual world. Then he considered I have revealed my Vraja Lila and how will anybody ever enter into Vraja Lila? For everybody, the whole world renders devotional service following the rules and regulations but following the rules and regulations one cannot enter into Vrindavan. Therefore, in order to enable the devotees to enter into Vrindavan, Krishna decided to come as a devotee. So, when the Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshipped following the rules and regulations of the scriptures, then achieving perfection, he (the devotee) goes to Vaikunta.
But when this devotees Krishna is worshipped through Vaidhi bhakti, then he enters into Vrindavan. Here also there is another catch. Krishna came as a devotee, means what? Krishna came assuming the mood of devotion of Srimati Radharani. So, who is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu? Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna in the mood of Radharani. When you are following Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who are you following? RadhaRani and who is the greatest Ragaatmika bhakta in Vrindavan? So, when you are following Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, automatically Vaidhi bhakti to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is being transformed into Raganuga bhakti. Therefore, just by following Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, we will have access to Vrindavan and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu must be worshipped following the rules and regulations of the scriptures.
Actually, two years back I gave a seminar in Mayapur, during the ILS and the topic was “Srila Prabhupada gave us everything including Raganuga Bhakti.” The reason behind giving the seminar was sometimes some devotees are being misled by others, saying that Srila Prabhupada did not give everything and we have to go somewhere else to get that, but our understanding is that Srila Prabhupada gave us everything. There is no need to go anywhere else. Those who say that Srila Prabhupada did not give us everything, I have to go to them to say something more, they are in total ignorance. They did not understand Krishna’s purpose coming as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Prabhupada gave us everything and if we follow his instructions, ultimate perfection will be achieved.
Devotee: Before Lord Chaitanya there was no Raga Marg, but there had been some Raganuga bhaktas left such as Jayadev Gowwami amongst them.
HH BCS: Yes, some Raganuga bhaktas were there, who were following the process of Raga marg but was not widely available. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu made it available like there was Jayadev Goswami, Bilvamangala Thakur and Prahlad Maharaj, but they were very rare devotees, who were following the raga marg. But what Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did he just opened the gate for anyone and everyone to enter into Vrindavan. Even in Sochi we are having this opportunity. All over the world - Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy is inundating the whole world.
Devotee: Following the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada means also we are following the inhabitants of Vrindavan?
HH BCS: Yes, Srila Prabhupada just gave what Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came to give us. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came and gave it to India, but He predicted that it will be available all over the world in every town and village. In order to fulfil that prediction, He sent Srila Prabhupada and today by Srila Prabhupada’s Mercy this Krishna Consciousness movement is spreading all over the world. Although Srila Prabhupada left about 40 years back, but his movement is expanding because of his divine arrangement through ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada did not complete the mission but in order to complete the mission Srila Prabhupada created ISKCON and through ISKCON over a period of time, through the sincere endeavours of millions of devotees, this Krishna Consciousness movement will be spreading all over in every town and village.
Devotee: Thank you very much for the class. I liked it very much - your explanation about the Vedas. I also liked past of Lord Chaitanya and the analogy of the lift. I have one question about the analogy of the lift. Usually lift works when we have button. What is this button that pushes the lift to go?
HH BCS: Don't worry about the button. The lift man will push the button. The operator of the lift, Srila Prabhupada made the arrangement and the leading devotees of the movement will guide the other devotees to the ultimate destination. We simply have to just stay here. One more point the lift may stop at different levels, but don’t get out until you reach your destination.
Devotee: There are different types of lifts. Some goes very fast while some are slow. Is there any fast lift in ISKCON also?
HH BCS: ISKCON itself is very fast lift. You can't get any lift faster than this.
Devotee: When we are going by fast lift it may hurt or spin?
HH BCS: If that happens keep your eyes closed. Anyway, if you faint leave it. The point is as I mentioned earlier, never ever leave ISKCON, just stay in ISKCON. ISKCON will take you to the spiritual world and this is Prabhupada’s divine arrangement.
Devotee: My question is on Vaidhi bhakti. It seems just to make us understand and you said that the recommendation of the Shastra is to associate with the residents of Vrindavana. We can also practice it by proper association. So, it seems that we may have a choice, we can follow rules and regulations, or we can just associate with the devotees of Vrindavana and we see in our movement people said that following the rules and regulations gives to much trouble in the form of we love, we talk, we associate, we meditate or to many options are there.
HH BCS: Well as I quoted Srila Rupa Goswami from Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu that if one renders devotional service, no matter how earnest he is, if he is not following the rules and regulations of the scriptures, it will simply create a disturbance. So, Vaidhi bhakti means following the rules and regulations of the scriptures. So, following Chaitanya Mahaprabhu according to the rules and regulation of the scriptures is Sankirtana. So, rules and regulations of the scriptures have to be followed, otherwise it will create a disturbance. Therefore, as you are saying like starting a club other than what Prabhupada is emphatically telling us - just follow the rules and regulations.
Regarding this Srila Prabhupada has instructed us- if we are to concoct something it will simply create a disturbance. What to speak of them, those who are forming the Gopi Bhava club and so forth. Even those who are saying, Srila Prabhupada did not give us everything and we have to go to them (other clubs) to get the higher taste and so forth - they are actually creating a disturbance. They had been creating a disturbance. On the other hand, if we remain in ISKCON, practice the process the way Srila Prabhupada wanted us to, we become happily engaged.
The ultimate consideration is actually how we die, how to leave our body. I think I have noticed in ISKCON the way the devotees leave their bodies. It is absolutely confirmed that they made it back to Godhead. I will give an example - one Indian lady devotee in London, she was not very educated, not very remarkable even in devotion. When she was leaving her body, she had her beads in her hand and while she was leaving her body, her head bent on the side, she lifted her beads and kept them on her head (as she left her body). Tell me where she went? Another devotee, she was twenty-two or twenty-three years old. She had some incurable disease. She was the disciple of Radhanath Maharaj in Pune. One day she just fainted and she was taken to the hospital in the Intensive Care. When she came back to her senses, she found all the needles and things. She requested: “Please take them off and please let the devotees chant the holy name.” Devotees started to chant the holy name and she left her body. All these are proofs of achieving the ultimate perfection.
Devotee: The question is on behalf of all the devotees. How we can understand actually what Raga is, the ultimate love?
HH BCS: When you grow up, you will find out like a little boy or a little girl. Do they feel any attraction for each other? Then they reach the age of ten years. All of a sudden, they feel some sort of strange feeling in the heart. Just as the body has to grow some degree to achieve, to understand what attraction is for opposite sex. Similarly, the spirit soul has to develop it to some extent, to experience what that attraction for Krishna is like.
Devotee: Could you please explain more or elaborate what does it mean to remain in ISKCON?
HH BCS: Good, well I will give you an example, probably you don't see that phenomenon in Russia. In a country like America, I came across, some individuals who left ISKCON. They say ISKCON is dead and we are creating the real ISKCON. Ours is the real ISKCON. There are some claims like that. So, our answer to them is that ISKCON is the institution where Srila Prabhupada is the founder Acharya and the GBC is the ultimate managing authority and the temples are the units. So that is ISKCON. Now if somebody can build something better than this where Srila Prabhupada is the founder Acharya, GBC is the ultimate managing authority and the temples are the place, where devotees are practicing their spiritual activity. So, remain in ISKCON means to be connected to a temple which is being governed, which is being managed by the Temple President and the temple authorities, which is under the direction of GBC bodies and the GBC bodies are executing the plans of the Srila Prabhupada as the Founder Acharya. I couldn’t give an elaborate description but at least in short this would be enough.
Thank you all very much!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Gaura Premanande Hari Hari Bol!