Verse: Srimad Bhagvatam 10.31.9
Date: October 23rd, 1997
Place: ISKCON Zurich, Switzerland
Transcription: Sundari Radha Devi Dasi
Edited: Ambarish Maharaja Das
tava kathāmṛtaṁ tapta-jīvanaṁ
kavibhir īḍitaṁ kalmaṣāpaham
śravaṇa-maṅgalaṁ śrīmad ātataṁ
bhuvi gṛṇanti ye bhūri-dā janāḥ
SYNONYMS
tava — Your; kathā-amṛtam — the nectar of words; tapta-jīvanam — life for those aggrieved in the material world; kavibhiḥ — by great thinkers; īḍitam — described; kalmaṣa-apaham — that which drives away sinful reactions; śravaṇa-maṅgalam — giving spiritual benefit when heard; śṛīmat — filled with spiritual power; ātatam — broadcast all over the world; bhuvi — in the material world; gṛṇanti — chant and spread; ye — those who; bhūri-dāḥ — most beneficent; janāḥ — persons.
TRANSLATION
The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of Your activities are the life and soul of those suffering in this material world. These narrations, transmitted by learned sages, eradicate one’s sinful reactions and bestow good fortune upon whoever hears them. These narrations are broadcast all over the world and are filled with spiritual power. Certainly, those who spread the message of Godhead are most munificent.
PURPORT
King Pratāparudra recited this verse to Śrī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu during Lord Jagannātha’s Ratha-yātrā festival. While the Lord was resting in a garden, King Pratāparudra humbly entered and began massaging His legs and lotus feet. Then the King recited the Thirty-first Chapter of the Tenth Canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the songs of the gopīs. The Chaitanya-caritāmṛta relates that when Lord Chaitanya heard this verse, beginning tava kathāmṛtam, He immediately arose in ecstatic love and embraced King Pratāparudra. The incident is described in detail in the Chaitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 14.4-18), and in his edition Śrīla Prabhupāda has given extensive commentary on it.
LECTURE: SRILA PRABHUPADA - THE MOST MUNIFICENT PERSONALITY
“Dear Lord, words spoken by You or by hearing words describing Your activities are full of nectar and simply by speaking or hearing your words one can be saved from the blazing fire of material existence. Great demigods like Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva are always engaged in chanting the glories of Your words. They do so to eradicate the sinful activities of all living entities in the material world. If one simply tries to hear Your transcendental words, he can simply be transferred to the platform of pious activities. For the vaishnavas your words give transcendental pleasure and saintly persons who are engaged in distributing your transcendental message all over the world are first class charitable persons.” (This is confirmed by Rupa Goswami also when he addressed Lord Chaitanya as the most munificent person because Lord Chaitanya distributed the words of Krishna and love of Krishna free of charge all over the world).
THE GLORIES OF THE GOPIS OF SRI VRINDAVAN
So, these are the words of the cowherd damsels of Vrindavan. Of all the devotees of Krishna, the devotees of Krishna in Vrindavan are the highest. Of all the devotees of Vrindavan the cowherd damsels are in the topmost position. They know Krishna in the best possible and most intimate way and their love for Krishna is of the highest category.
So, they were searching for Krishna in the forests of Vrindavan. While searching they were offering these prayers to Krishna or they are speaking about Krishna in this way. Here they were saying “tava kathāmṛtaṁ”, Krishna the nectarean words about you, “tapta-jīvanaṁ”, can deliver one from the forest fire of material existence. The nectarean words of Krishna can deliver us from the miserable condition that we are in. Our existence in this material world is very very painful and miserable. It’s only due to illusion that one thinks he is enjoying in this material nature. In the material nature everyone is suffering. But due to one’s ignorance and due to being illusioned by the illusory energy of the Lord one thinks that this material nature is a very wonderful place to be in.
THE IMPORTS OF ILLUSION
But the fact of the matter is this material nature is like a forest fire. If one finds himself in the middle of a forest fire, do you think one considers himself to be very pleasant? But only a fool will think it to be nice in the middle of a forest fire. And in the forest fire he tries to make some nice arrangement for himself. So, the condition of the living entities is something like that. They are in a very miserable condition, but they are trying to make a beautiful arrangement. That is what is called illusion.
KRISHNA KATHA – A SOOTHING BALM THAT HEALS THE WOUNDS OF MATERIAL SUFFERING
But those who realize, that they are suffering in the material nature - for them the mitigation of suffering, the deliverance from that miserable condition is words of Krishna. When one hears about the glorification of Krishna and hears about the instructions of Krishna then he becomes free from this miserable material condition. That’s what these cowherd damsels, the Gopis of Vrndavan are saying. “tava kathāmṛtaṁ tapta-jīvanaṁ”. Your nectarean words are the means of deliverance from the material nature. “kavibhir īḍitaṁ” the great personalities have said that.
This fact has been propounded by great personalities and they are engaged in chanting the glories of your words. Who actually chants the glory of the Supreme Personality of Godhead? The most elevated personalities. When one takes up to the chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord it is to be understood that he has reached the highest spiritual platform. Not only is he situated in the highest material platform, but he is situated on the highest spiritual platform. One on whose tongue the Holy Name of the Lord vibrates it is to be understood that he has performed all different types of spiritual activities and he has attained the spiritual perfection, the perfection of yoga.
Those who chant the Holy Name of the Lord are not ordinary people. Therefore, those who have taken to the chanting of the Holy Name should be respected as the most elevated personalities. And these great personalities chant the Holy Name of the Lord, why? To eradicate all the sinful activities of all the living entities in the material world. By chanting the Holy Names of Lord all the sinful activities that are the cause of suffering become eradicated, become mitigated. For the Vaishnavas, if one simply tries to hear Your transcendental words he can very quickly be elevated to the platform of pious activities.
Chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord is the highest form of spiritual activity or pious activity. For the Vaishnavas your words give transcendental pleasure and for the saintly persons who are engaged in distributing your message all over the world are first class charitable persons. Those who chant the Holy Name of the Lord and those who sing the glory of chanting the Holy Name of the Lord and those who urge others to chant the Holy Name of the Lord, it is to be understood that they are the most munificent personalities. They are the most benevolent personalities; they are the most charitable personalities because this is the highest gift that anyone can ever receive.
SRILA SANATANA GOSWAMI, THE BRAHMANA & THE TOUCH STONE
This chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord is the highest form of a gift. Nothing can be compared to this Holy Name of the Lord. To give an example, Sanatana Goswami, one of the intimate associates of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. How many of you know about Srila Sanatana Goswami? (devotees raise hands) Okay. Sanatana Goswami was a very intimate associate of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He used to reside in Vrindavan. He was staying on the banks of Yamuna at that time. Once a poor man came to Sanatana Goswami and started to tell him, why God put has put him in this poor condition. So, Sanatana Goswami said whatever Krishna gives it is for our benefit. If Krishna made you poor then there must be some reason behind it, it is for your benefit. Then the man kept on complaining that, “No no! How can it be? I need money.” Then Sanatana Goswami said, “Ok if you want money then you do one thing don’t blame Supreme Personality of Godhead that He didn’t give you money.
Just go to the back of my hut there is a garbage pile and in that you will find there is a stone and that stone is a touch stone.” Now touch stone is a kind of stone when you touch with any metal then that metal will be converted into gold. Like iron will become gold. So, he said, “Take that touchstone, how much money you want?” So, that Brahmana went and saw that garbage pile and, in that garbage, pile he saw a strange looking stone. He picked it up and he was very excited now he is the richest man in the world, that he got the touchstone. He became so excited that he even forgot to thank Sanatana Goswami for the gift. He picked up the stone and ran to his house.
Then on the way he just felt what kind of wealth this devotee has that this touchstone has become like a garbage to him. He kept thinking what kind of wealth he has that the touchstone became has become like a piece of junk that he kept in garbage pile. So, he became curious to find out and he ran back to Sanatana Goswami. He asked Sanatana Goswami, “What kind of wealth do you have that this touchstone became a piece of garbage to you?” Then Sanatana Goswami said, “Yes I have something compared to that, the touch stone is a piece of junk.” Then the Brahmana said, “Please tell me what that is and please give that to me” Then Sanatana Goswami said, “Yes I will give it to you, but first you have to throw the touchstone in the Yamuna and come back to me, I’ll give you.” So the Brahmana was is intelligent, he went to Yamuna and threw the stone and came back to Sanatana Goswami. Then Sanatana Goswami gave him,
“HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE”
So, this is how precious this Holy Name of the Lord is. You take all the wealth of this world and put all the wealth of this world on one side and then you put the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, the Holy Name on the other side. The Holy Name weighs more than anything else. Now if you think the Holy Name is so powerful then think about the person who gives the Holy Name. And He is giving it for free. The devotees of the Lord do not ask for any money. In the mid-60s in America giving a mantra was a big business. Some people went from India and were selling mantras. Some mantras were costing $50 some were $500, and some were $5000. But this Hare Krishna mantra is free.
Anybody can chant. By chanting one will receive the highest spiritual benefit. So that’s what the Gopis were singing and Gopis were saying about Krishna. Chanting the name of the Lord, chanting the glory of Krishna and receiving the instructions of Krishna. To distribute that, Krishna came as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. To do that he has to become a devotee of Krishna. Krishna Himself came as a devotee and He started to give Krishna prema, Krishna Consciousness. Therefore, Rupa Goswami has identified Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as the most munificent who came to distribute the Holy Name and love of Krishna without any discrimination.
There is another incident pertaining to this particular verse. When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was in Jagannath Puri, soon after taking His sannyasa, King Prataparudra, the king of Orissa wanted to meet, wanted to have the audience of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. So, the king appealed to the different associates of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu but when they went and appealed to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, He refused to see the king. He said the king is a very materialistic person whereas a sannyasa, a person in the renounced order should not have any dealings with a king because the association of materialistic people will affect his consciousness.
Persons in renounced order should be very careful not to become attached to materialistic way of life. A person in renounced order should guard himself against the allurements of the illusory energy of the Lord that comes in the form of wealth and women. Now a king is naturally very much absorbed in wealth and women in a normal condition. Therefore, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu didn’t want to see the king. The king kept on appealing while Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was completely reluctant. When the associates of Mahaprabhu started to speak on the behalf of the king then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu became very upset. Then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu told them, “If you all want to stay with the king then you all stay with the king, I am leaving.” Then everyone became worried and afraid that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu may leave Jagannath Puri. They loved Chaitanya Mahaprabhu so much that could not dare to risk that He would leave.
So, they stopped urging Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu from meeting the king. Then it was the time of Rathayatra, the chariot festival of Lord Jagannath. Lord Jagannath was taken out of His temple and He was taken onto a chariot and the chariot was pulled towards another temple called Gundica. On the way the chariot stopped at a place called Balagundi where Lord Jagannath receives all offerings given by his devotees. Anybody can come and offer their offerings. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was dancing in front of the chariot. (After Rathayatra) He was lying under a tree in a garden. At that time King Prataparudra in the guise of a simple village farmer came to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and started to massage His feet.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu apparently was exhausted (from) dancing in front of the chariot. King Pratarudra who came as an ordinary person, came and started to massage His feet and while massaging His feet started to recite one verse from Srimad Bhagavatam. What is that verse?
tava kathāmṛtaṁ tapta-jīvanaṁ
kavibhir īḍitaṁ kalmaṣāpaham
śravaṇa-maṅgalaṁ śrīmad ātataṁ
bhuvi gṛṇanti ye bhūri-dā janāḥ
So, the last line, bhuvi gṛṇanti ye bhūri-dā janāḥ, the meaning is one who distributes this Krishna consciousness, he is the most charitable and munificent personality. Those who are preaching the glories of the Lord they are the most benevolent personalities. So, when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu heard this verse, He jumped up saying, “bhuri-da bhuri-da.” The one who distributes Krishna consciousness he is the most munificent personality. Saying that He embraced King Prataparudra. The king whom Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did not want to see embraced the king after hearing the verse. King Prataparudra sang this verse, why? Because he was revealing the identity of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
THE MOST MUNIFICENT PERSONALITY IN KALIYUGA
Who is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu? Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna who came to give Krishna consciousness. So, who is the most munificent personality? Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself. But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu pointed out that it is true. One who distributes Krishna consciousness is the most munificent personality. Now let us consider Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came and distributed Krishna Conscious but He did it only in India. Five hundred years back, He came and distributed this Krishna Consciousness only throughout India. But He predicted that it will spread all over the world in every town and village including Zurich. Who did it? Chaitanya Mahaprabhu distributed it all over India but who distributed it all over the world? Srila Prabhupada.
So, we can see who is the real “bhuri-da”? Who is the real munificent personality? Srila Prabhupada is the real munificent personality. It is due the mercy of Srila Prabhupada that Krishna Consciousness is spreading throughout this world. And as a result, what has happened to the people all over the world? The gateway to the spiritual sky is wide open. It was very difficult to go back to the spiritual world, and because of Srila Prabhupada it has become very, very easy.
SRILA PRABHUPADA’S SIMPLE FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
All you have to do is just join ISKCON and lead your life following Srila Prabhupada’s instructions. And what are those instructions? Very simple! Chant sixteen rounds every day and follow four regulative principles, associate with devotees and render devotional service through the temple.
As we are seeing, although not many devotees have left their bodies because they are young - But we have seen those devotees who left their bodies in ISKCON - it is a clear indication that they went back to the Godhead. At the time of leaving their body, surrounded by devotees and chanting the Holy Name. I have seen those devotees who have not lived in the temple but followed the process of Krishna consciousness have left their bodies in a very, very wonderful way. It is a clear indication that they went back to Godhead. So, this is how Srila Prabhupada has benefitted this world. Therefore, this prayer:
tava kathāmṛtaṁ tapta-jīvanaṁ
kavibhir īḍitaṁ kalmaṣāpaham
śravaṇa-maṅgalaṁ śrīmad ātataṁ
bhuvi gṛṇanti ye bhūri-dā janāḥ
Actually, applies to Srila Prabhupada. We can see that even the Gopis were also glorifying Srila Prabhupada and his followers who are trying to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world by distributing his books and spreading his mercy all over the world. They are many such wonderful Maharathis who are present in this room. This is a land of book distribution led by Maharathis like Harinaamananda prabhu and Navina Nirada prabhu and many other devotees. They are the real benefactors of this world.
Hare Krishna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Does anybody have any questions?
Navina Nirada Das: You were saying the Holy Name does not cost anything yet although it doesn’t cost anything not many are eager to get it (and) but there is still some sort of cost involved like sincerity. People are ready to pay money, but they are not ready to pay the price of sincerity because they are afraid, they may lose their life, material life? Could you say something?
HHBCS: Well, you can imagine. You can go a madman and give a diamond, a large piece of diamond to a madman. What will he say? He will say why are you wasting my money and your time? Why are you giving me this piece of junk? Why are giving me this piece of glass. Get out of here. Now this material world is actually a mad house. Most of the people are insane. They do not really know what they want. They are trying to enjoy but it is like camels eating thorns. You know camels eat thorns and the thorn cuts his tongue and palate and he starts to bleed. He gets the taste of his own blood and thinks how delicious these thorns are. So, that is how absorbed people are in the material platform. They are sucking their own blood and thinking how delicious it is, how relishable, how joyful it is. And when you go and tell them, “Stop this self-torture, you are not enjoying, you are suffering”. They do not want to listen to you. Even if you go and tell them they will say why are you saying all these things. Don’t waste my time. That is the situation. Therefore, the devotees who are the real benefactors of this suffering humanity have to keep on trying again and again to bring them back to the right consciousness. Today they may not understand but tomorrow probably they will understand.
Navina Nirada prabhu: It is nice that you call this material world a madhouse. But people in a mad house think normally that we are crazy and they are looking at devotees and saying you people are nuts and completely mad. As time goes on it is going to become an established, recognized religion they try to force us to cope with their principle madness in an institutionalized way. And you can see how it is harming the preaching to a great extent. So, what is the proper balance?
HHBCS: You see there are two forces that are in conflict. One is the divine force and the other demoniac force. The divine force is led by the Lord Himself. So, the demoniac force, no matter how well organized and oppressive they may be, they will never be able to win over the divine force led by the Lord Himself. The divine force has always been opposed by the demoniac force, but have they ever been able to conquer it? You can give an example. Say when Jesus came, the demoniac force got organized and they tried to get rid of him. They tried to crucify him. But did they succeed? Where are the Heralds, where is Pontius Pilate, where is roman religion today? But Christianity which Jesus is teaching is spreading and Jesus is glorified still even after two thousand years. So those who fight for the Lord will never be defeated. No matter how powerful and organized the opposition is, in due course of time they will become powerless and will crumble. Therefore, those who are trying to rescue the victims of this mad house should never be worried. They should never give up.
Navina Nirada Prabhu: It seems that when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was here, it seems it was so easy to get Love of Godhead. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu just was dancing and embraced this person. Then that person became mad in love of Godhead. But nowadays it is not so easy. Does the Lord restraint His mercy to a certain extent?
HHBCS: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy is continuously flowing but unfortunately, we are not able to receive it ourselves. We are lacking. Those who were present during Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s time and those who were receiving His mercy they were very pure. Therefore, when they got the touch of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and chanted the Holy Name, they immediately got the spiritual taste of ecstasy. But unfortunately, our consciousness has got so contaminated that it is not working. Not that it is not working but it is taking time. Doesn’t matter but keep on taking the medicine but it will work in due course of time. Another consideration is that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wants this movement to spread all over the world in every town and village.
Therefore, if the devotees get absorbed in ecstasy, then they won’t be able to preach. So, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is holding the ecstasy for the time being. Therefore, Prabhupada used to say, “Service now, Samadhi later” or “service now, ecstasy later”. So, keep on serving and keep on spreading Krishna consciousness and in due course of time Chaitanya Mahaprabhu will give the ecstasy. Because if you all get into the ecstasy, I mean that kind of ecstasy, the madness ecstasy then will you be able to distribute the books? Can you imagine Navina getting ecstatic in the middle of book distribution? Throwing all the books and chanting “Haribol Haribol!” Then who will distribute the books? Therefore, we have to distribute the books now so that the books spread everywhere and people will read the books and get absorbed in Krsna consciousness. Then when Harinamananda and Navina Nirada will see, the whole world has got submerged in Krishna Consciousness and then they will start dancing like madmen saying “Haribol, Haribol!”
Question by Harinamananda prabhu: In ISKCON preachers should have revolutionary spirit. So now you see as time goes on new generations may lose the spirit to spread Krishna Consciousness. Can you explain why is it happening and what we can do about it?
HHBCS: It is a very good point you made Harinamananda Prabhu. Your point answered the question. You see, revolution means movement, but revolution means spirit and progress is synonymous to movement. Progress is not static. So, if we want to progress, we can’t keep on doing the same thing. Right. We must think different ways and means for distributing Krishna Consciousness. When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came five hundred years ago, He was spreading Krishna Consciousness just by singing and dancing but at this age when Prabhupada came four years after - how did he spread Krishna Consciousness? By writing books. He gave the same thing but in a different packet which is conducive to the present time. Therefore, the preachers have to be in touch with reality and make the presentation according to the need of the time. So, that’s what is the revolution in the spirit. When the revolution of spirit is lacking then it is stagnated. And those who lead the revolution, they are the leaders. Therefore, the leaders have to be revolutionary. Not in negative sense but in a positive sense.
Hare Krishna.
Question: Now are books still the basis of spreading Krishna Consciousness?
HHBCS: Well books are the basis for Krishna Consciousness. That is what Srila Prabhupada pointed out. But personally, I saw that the books are not being read. Millions of books have gone out but people have not joined, because the books are not being read. Why they are not reading because they don’t have any time. Why they don’t time is because all the time are being taken by watching TV. That’s why I decided to present Prabhupada’s books through television and videos. That’s one step that I thought of taking. I am sure there are different devotees who have thought of different ways and means. In ISKCON there are lot of revolutionary ideas going on.
One is Varnashram, establishment of Varnashrama system, social development. Actually, this movement is meant to spread all over the world, and it’s going to happen through ISKCON. Through ISKCON all kind of wonderful things are going to happen. Another revolutionary idea is the temple in Mayapur. It will be such a wonderful structure that people from all over the world will come to see the temple. When they see the temple, it will simply blow their mind. They will surrender. In this way all kinds of wonderful things are happening. So, these are the needs of the movement.
Question: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who is so merciful bestowed His mercy to Jagai and Madhai while He did not want to bestow His mercy on King Prataparudra?
HHBCS: First point is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did not deliver Jagai and Madhai. It was Nityananda prabhu who delivered Jagai and Madhai. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was about to finish them. But it is Nityananda Prabhu’s pastime. Pastimes means play, to teach some message to the people. So, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is in a pastime where He is teaching. What is He teaching?
The first teaching that He gave is those who are in the renounced order should not intimately associate with materialistic people specially the wealthy people, because their association can be contaminating.
And the second aspect of His instruction is when somebody is a devotee whether he is a rich or poor, it doesn’t matter. Mahaprabhu is ready to give him His mercy.
Question: The eternal consort of Nityananda Prabhu. Could you tell something about that?
HHBCS: You see, the Supreme Personality of Godhead has eternal consorts just as Krishna and His eternal consort Radharani. Narayan and His eternal consort is Lakshmi Devi. Ramachandra, His eternal consort is Sita Devi. As the Lord expands His eternal consort also expands. Like Krishna, Radha Krishna. Krishna becomes Ramachandra, Radha becomes Sita Devi. Krishna becomes Narayan, Radha becomes Lakshmi. Similarly, Krishna becomes Balaram then Radha Rani becomes Revatidevi. When Lord Balaram becomes Nityananda Prabhu then Radha Rani becomes Jahnava Devi. This is the meaning of eternal consort.
Nityananda Prabhu left home when He was at the age of 12. A sannyasi came and took him away. The sannyasi stayed at Nityananda Prabhu’s father’s house, Hadai pandit. Then His father asked the sannyasi what can I offer you? Then the sannyasi told if you really want to offer me something then give me your son. And Hadai pandit was so truthful he said OK take him. But after Nityananda Prabhu left the house, His father died in separation while calling out His name.
Then Nityananda prabhu travelled with this sannyasi, travelled throughout India. Then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu started to spread the Holy Name, He went to Gaya, took His initiation, went back to Navadvip and started the Sankirtan movement. At that time Nityananda prabhu joined Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Nityananda Prabhu in a way He was a renunciate.