Shukasari

In order to pursue money which is like honey for almost everyone, certain individuals and political bodies do not care for the destruction of historical or religious sites. Thus the building of a bridge across Yamuna takes place. Many devotees and well-wishers are protesting. This will bring about an ecological destruction of the Kesi Ghat area. Here we are trying to preserve what is ours, yet there are those who are bent on seeing it go forever. The heart bleeds. The eyes cries. The body quiver with uncontrollable rage. Yet never to give up, we shall rise. It may bring in the big tourists' money. But at what cost??? Firstly, the residents of Vrindavan, especially the sadhus should be consulted in this matter. Instead, the construction is simply going on. I suppose at the end of the day, only the Lord knows His own big plan. Still we protest and we try and we pray. Let us all join our hearts and hands, and with Srila Gurudeva's blessings. protest against such destruction. Pleas...

This world is not only full of miseries but envy also. We are plagued by envy like a poisonous snake hissing its venom. Such envious thoughts and deeds will eventually consume our well-being and bring our own downfall. What should our actions be when we see someone more qualified than ourselves. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 4, Chapter 8, verse 34 it is stated: gunadhikan mudam lipsed anukrosam gunadhamat maitrim samanad anvicchen na tapair abhibhuyate "Every man should act like this: when he sees a person more qualified than himself, he should be very pleased; when he meets someone less qualified than himself, he should be compassionate toward him; and when he meets someone equal to himself, he should make friendship with him. In this way one is never affected by the threefold miseries of this material world." Unfortunately, when we meet someone who is more qualified, we become envious of him. When we find someone who is less qualified, we deride him. And when we find some...

Srimati Uma didi gave a one day class on 15 November 2009. Srimati Uma didi is a disciple of Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Gosvami Maharaja. She has served her Guru Maharaja for many years including Srila Bhaktivedanta Trivikrama Maharaja and Srila Gurudeva, whom she has taken siksa from. Below is the excerpt of the class from my own notes: "In the scriptures, it is mentioned that when Hari-katha, topics related to Lord Krsna and His devotees, is going on, sun cannot enter. Sun-god is stealing our time. Upon sun set, our lifes become minus. One day passes and our life is diminishing. When Hari-katha is going on, sun-god has no power to steal our time. Hari-katha means direct, no difference of nama, the holy names of the Lord and nami, the Lord Himself . Time becomes eternal. When Hari-katha is going on, then Krsna must be present. Krsna will be present by the grace of Sri Guru. Krsna enters through our ears and enters our heart. With attentive listening, some mood will come. Krsna ...

Srimati Uma didi (left) and Rangavati didi. I’ve always wanted to do a nagar-sankirtan seva (congregational chanting of the holy names). But having to acquire a police permit is a little daunting. The law here requires any public display of religious sentiments to have a permit so as not to disturb others of different faith. That’s when I came up with the idea of chanting at the park. Devotees can sit around the park and chant. We can even call it “Krsna Picnic." I talked to Lalita didi about it and she was excited to do this. But it had to be after the Kartik month since she was going for parikrama. I also talked to some other devotees and they were just as eager. Nitai Gauranga Jaya!! Gaura Hari!!! When Lalita didi came back, we set the date for 15th November. We did not call many devotees as the weather was really bad. It rained everyday. And we had to do a lot of cancellations if it rained. Unfortunately, a day before the scheduled nagar sankirtan, Lalita didi had some emerg...

Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Maharaja (left) with Srila Gurudeva (right) Today, 1st November 2009, we celebrate the disappearance day of Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Maharaja. Below is an excerpt from His Divine Grace's Book, "The Art of Sadhana - The Devotee's Prayer." "We should pray as follows: “I am fallen and useless, O Lord. May my spiritual master be pleased with me. May he give me the spiritual strength to follow his directions. May all the obstacles to my worshipping the Lord be removed so that at the end of my sojourn in this world, I may sit alone far from the hustle and bustle of the material world and, with a steady mind, chant the Holy Names with emotion. May the Lord be merciful an allow me to give up my last breath in this way. With or without knowledge, I have committed so many offenses to His Lotus Feet, and even now I continue to commit offenses. O Lord please forgive all such offenses and give me a place at Your Lotus Feet. Make my life complete by...

I had an interesting conversation with a devotee. He told me that if a person becomes quiet and goes deep within himself or herself, they will find solace. Not only that, miseries surrounding us can be cut into half. Most of our miseries come from us talking too much nonsense. This will not only put us in trouble but put a dent in another person's heart as well. This place is dukhalayam --- a place of misery. Why make it any worse for oneself by talking unnecessarily. He went on to say that even people who are not on the spiritual platform or for those seeking higher truths, become quiet to think about the mysteries of the world. As for Krsna devotees, who have so much more knowledge handed down by their spiritual masters, should use this material body and progress even further. So less talk. More thinking. More Meditation. More Service.

Srila Bhakti Rakshaka Sridhara Maharaja and Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja Prabhupada. This picture was taken in 1973 at the opening of the Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir "We are quarrelling in a foreign land for fictitious gain. But Krsna is engaged in a loving search for His long lost servants" --- Srila Bhakti Rakshaka Sridhara Maharaja. Srila Bhakti Rakshaka Sridhar Maharaja: (the speech given at the opening): This ashram is being opened today. What is its position? In Srimad Bhagavatam we find: vanam tu sattviko vaso gramo rajasa ucyate tamasam dyuta-sadanam man-niketam tu nirgunam (S.B. 11.25.25) “Residence in the forest is in the mode of goodness, residence in a town is in the mode of passion, residence in a gambling house displays the quality of ignorance, and residence in a place where I (the Supreme Lord) reside is transcendental.” Vana-vasa means plain living with the minimum of material things to help our life, that is vana-vasa. It is a simple life, plain ...

Mahamsa das : (regarding some young Indian ladies about to take initiation from Srila Prabhupada) I don't know what is the position of the ladies being initiated. They are young girls. They may get married to someone outside the society. ( Srila Prabhupada ): Still they can chant and observe the rules and regulations. ( Mahamsa das ): Even if her husband does not follow? ( Srila Prabhupada ): That does not matter. It is individual. My sister, when she married, everyone at her father-in-law's house were all eating fish. She was a young girl, ten, eleven years old. She was given this foodstuff with fish and everything and she started to cry. Her mother-in-law asked, "Why are you crying?" "No, we do not touch all these things." Her mother-in-law immediately arranged special cooking for her. So her husband and other family members were taking fish, but she never touched it. She does not know what fish is. If one wants to keep oneself pure, he or she can keep pur...

Thousands of pilgrims would have and will be gathering at Vrindavan at the month of Karthik. It's the best place to be. Yet parikrama can test one's patience and tolerance level. Firstly, many devotees are bound to fall sick. Then there are those who are really nice people, suddenly turning into temperamental creatures. Tempers flare and patience tested to the brink. I suppose at the end of the day, Vraja parikrama teaches us something. To tolerate, to accept, to forgive. Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaja once said during Karthik, " Take the nectar and throw the bitter ." That sums up parikrama. Only take the nectar, the Hari-katha, and wonderful association with sadhus.

Once when Srila Gurudeva was in Kuala Lumpur, and was hosted by a family in a residential area, the neighbours complained that the devotees were making too much noise early in the morning, meaning during mangala arati. This matter was brought up to Srila Gurudeva by some devotees. Below is the excerpt of the conversation: ( Devotee s): Srila Gurudeva, there's been some complain about us making too much noise early in the morning. ( Srila Gurudeva ): O you should all tone down. Do not disturb anyone. ( Devotee ): But I already talked to them and they said it was alright. ( Srila Gurudeva ): No, No. We should still keep it down and not disturb them. Also, a similar incident happened in the Philippines in 1999 when Srila Gurudeva was hosted in a beach resort during Christmas. There was loud blaring of music and much merriment was going on. One of the devotees complained the matter to the resort management. The devotees were also planning to move Srila Gurudeva to another b...

Sometimes devotees tend to forget that people out there who have no inkling about Krsna consciousness, should not be judged or criticised. Each time I talk to a person, devotees will query me whether they are devotees or not. Also, there are those who are bent on saying they cannot get along with non-devotees. They rather not work for them and find all kinds of excuses just to be judgemental about non-devotees. I personally feel such persons are living on a self-denial mode. Krsna is in everyone’s heart. If we know how to conduct ourselves as devotees, then even the non-devotees will know how to reciprocate with us. It is not that now ‘I am initiated, I should only be with devotee group.’ Although, there is no doubt it is for good association, we must not neglect the outside world when we are not ready to do so. Artificial renunciation is definitely not accepted. Why not start making friends with them and slowly bring them to Krsna consciousness. After all we are Krsna’s one big family...

Once I missed Sripad Bhaktivedanta Vana Maharaja's class. Maharaja queried me why I did not come to which I answered I had to work. In jest, Maharaja told me to give up my work. I simply replied, "Not yet, Maharaja." (It's better to be slow but steady.)

Once a devotee had an interesting darshan with Srila Bhaktivedanta Trivikrama Maharaja. ( Devotee ): I have given up everything. My job, my house, my family, my wealth. Everyhing! ( Srila Bhaktivedanta Trivikrama Maharaja ): Yes, that is monkey renunciation. (One who has really given up would not realise they have given up anything. Only a great soul, maha-bhagavata knows our hearts.)

In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, (Kali-yuga), Kali Maharaja has 2 disciples, that is duplicity and hypocrisy. We are quick to point others’ duplicitous and hypocritical character, forgetting our very own. Where there is duplicity and hypocrisy, there's a tendency to commit sin. Just like in Mahabharata, Duhsasana tried to disrobe Draupadi. Duryhodhan always wanted to kill the Pandavas. Krsna-katha is full of teaching for us to imbibe in our daily lifes. When we point a finger at others, 3 other fingers are pointing at us. It is difficult to clean our own backyard first, but by constant chanting and praying, it is possible for us to cross over this insurmountable task. Therefore, we must constantly beg for the mercy of Sri Hari, Guru and Vaishnavas.

It sure was a frantic night, having to stage a drama on Krsna-lila called Dan-ghati or toll collection. The children whose ages range from 5 to 18 years did a good job performing on Radhasthami. They were really nervous. Performing in front of so many people obviously saw some glitches. 3 days later, with a proper stage put up, courtesy by one of the parents, the children were to perform live yet again. Now, in front of Sripad Bhaktivedanta Vana Maharaja and Sripad Bhaktivedanta Bhiksu Maharaja. All the kids came to the temple at around 6:30 p.m. or earlier. I did a trial run on stage with them, pointing out their positioning and everything. It was almost 7:00 p.m. One of the main actress as "Srimati Radhika" was no where to be found. After some panic, one of the older girls in the cast said, "'Srimati Radhika" will come, and that she will be delayed as she had to attend a function." The time now was almost 7:30 p.m. Panic turned into desperation. The young...

After His Divine Grace's usual morning walk in 1990's, Srila Gurudeva spoke of the true meaning of the word brahmacari. "What is the meaning of brahmacari? Is it just wearing saffron cloth and being celibate? True brahmacari means one who is constantly searching or finding for Krsna. "Cari" always seeking, searching for Krsna. 'Where is Krsna?! Where is Krsna?!'" ( May such truths manifests in my heart )

In his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 10.3.47, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada describes this topic: "Srila Viswanath Chakravarti Thakur discusses that Krishna appeared simultaneously as the son of Devaki and as the son of Yasoda, along with the spiritual energy Yogamaya. As the son of Devaki, He first appeared as Vishnu, and because Vasudev was not in the position of pure affection for Krishna, Vasudev worshipped his son as Lord Vishnu. Yasoda, however, pleased her son Krishna without understanding His Godhood. This is the difference between Krishna as the son of Yasoda and as the son of Devaki. This is explained by Srila Viswanath Chakravarti Thakur on the authority of Hari-vamsa."

Way back in 1997, Srila Gurudeva talked about how He is willing to help anyone who comes to him. What His Divine Grace said made a huge impact in my heart. ( see quote below ) "I will continue to help whoever that comes to me. If a child was to urinate and pass stool on the mother, the mother will simply wash herself and the child included. She is not going to stop loving her child. She will continue to nourish and help her child. In the same way, I will continue to do so even if they are criticising me." ( When will I be able to imbibe such a mood in myself? I can only cry and pray for this .)

Most of the time, we are looking for appreciation for the things we do. Although we say we are not, but deep down inside we feel good when someone acknowledges what we have done. We glow inwardly when others give us some sort of credit. A dangerous situation in spiritual aspirants for we do not wish to enjoy. We may also go on an ego trip stating “I have done this or that.” After a while those around us will eventually start to tire of us. We will be left all alone to lick our wounds. Perhaps even become bitter. Only when we actually do seva without enjoying the results of it, we are on our way to peace and bliss. Everything is in Srila Gurudeva's hand. Success or otherwise, if it gives pleasure to the Divine Couple, then so be it. We have to accept. O When will I realise such truths?

Way back in 1999, Srila Gurudeva asked his audience this question: ( Srila Gurudeva ): When you're chanting and suddenly you saw an accident. What must you do? ( Devotee 1 ): We must continue chanting. We must not leave our chanting. ( Devotee 2 ): We can see if there are others helping, then we can go our way and continue chanting. ( Devotee 3 ): We have to see whether they are related to Krsna or not? ( Srila Gurudeva ): What?? All are related to Krsna! All your answers are completely bogus, bogus, bogus. Although we are chanting, if someone is in trouble we must try to help. Anyhow render some help.

Today is the beginning of Caturmasya. When I was in Hong Kong I asked Srila Gurudeva the benefits of fasting during these 4 months. ( Ald ): What is the benefit of observing caturmasya, Srila Gurudeva? ( Srila Gurudeva ) O the benefits are endless. Limitless. Our entire guru-parampara followed it. The 4 Kumaras also observed caturmasya. My Guru Maharaja also. You cannot imagine the benefits. All in our lineage followed it. ( Sripad BV Madhava Maharaja & Sripad Brajanath Prabhu in unison ): And our Srila Gurudeva is also following it. Below are the foods restricted for the entire 4 months and particular foods during each of the 4 months: Eggplants, tomatoes, loki, parmal, urad dahl and honey Particular foods that are restricted during the first month : No leafy vegetables, such as spinach, salads of all types, cabbages of all types, kale, leafy herbs like coriander, mint, parsley, curry and powdered leafy herbs and teas. 2nd month : No yoghurt 3rd month : no milk 4th mon...

(Srila Bhaktivedanta Trivikrama Maharaja was one of the three pillars of devotion in Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti, which was established by Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja. His Divine Grace left this world on November 7, 2002) Some time ago, I a devotee told me of an interesting darshan she had with His Divine Grace. Below is the excerpt: (Srila Bhaktivedanta Trivikrama Maharaja): Do you love your husband? (Devotee): Yes, I do. (Srila Bhaktivedanta Trivikrama Maharaja): Do you think he loves you? (Devotee): I suppose so. Surely he must love me. (Srila Bhaktivedanta Trivikrama Maharaja): This is the dealings of the material world. As long as someone does exactly what you want them to do, then they become your husband, wife, good friends and so on.

Once an elderly Vaishnavi, said how some brahmacaris only want to speak hari-katha to young girls. Apparently, when an old woman requests them to speak hari-katha, they (the brahmacaris) always say they are busy. Pondering about that fact, it only goes to show how opposites attract, especially when we are in our blossoming youth. I know of someone who wanted some ladies to get to gather and speak hari-katha or do some seva. Most of the ladies seem to be "extremely" busy. One even said it may be a waste of time for her. But when the same concept was introduced by a male, they seem to be interested. Of course this cannot be true to every single person. There are some successful ladies sanga group. Unfortunately, such situation is not pretty common. Opposites do attract. And this can lead to dangerous liaisons, especially for aspiring spiritual practitioners.

We have too many "wants." I want a nice big car and house, I want a good husband, I want a beautiful wife, I want delicious foodstuffs, I want lots and lots of money. Always wanting this and that. Most of the time we contemplate of these things. Why not start to want: I want to serve the Vaishnavas more, I want Sri Guru to sit in my heart, I want the Divine Couple to sit in my heart, I want to see only the good in others, I want to see the bad in me, I want to go home, back to Godhead. O I want these prayers answered.

Recently a mother of five was a little distressed about her children. She feels they don't really need her they way they used to. She was wondering where did that little patter of feet and that cute gurgle all gone to. Before puberty, it was almost always, "Mom! Where are you?" or "I want my mommy!" Then all of a sudden they have all grown up. They have their own set of friends. Their own life to live. And most of all not much time for mommy. So this mother is totally bewildered. She wonders at the turn of events. The truth is she don't seem to realise that she herself has made a cycle. She does not realise that once before she was a baby, toddler, a young child, a teenager, a woman, married lady and now a mother. She herself did exactly the same things to her parents. The same cycle goes on. Yet, a lot of us can identify with her. We get bewildered by Krsna's time factor. We have been mothers, fathers etc etc before. Married and had children a zi...

We are wandering and wandering in 8 million and 400 thousand species of life. Of that 400,000 are humans. How many ethnic groups or race do we know of? There's Indian, Malay, Chinese, French, Italian etc etc. The list goes on and on. Just like that we have been caught up in this vicious cycle of birth, disease, old age and death. When is it ever going to end? I saw these little birdies and said to myself: "I too was once a bird, perhaps. Or a dog, hog etc etc." Now I have this human body. Should I waste it in bickering and politics? Even when I have come to a bona fide guru, should I caste it away, and go back to this vicious cycle? No! O Gurudeva , I want to go home--- Back to Godhead. That should be my business now. O Little Birdies, I can only chant the maha -mantra to you. May you with the mercy of my Gurudeva and the entire guru- parampara , Nitai and Gauranga become Krsna bhaktas in your next life.

Are we the doers? Sometimes we maybe doing so much of "service." We tend to forget at times we are not capable of even moving a blade of grass. Everything happens with the sanction of Lord Krsna. As Srila Gurudeva once mentioned we want to do service but Srila Rupa and Srila Sanatana Gosvamis are in the service itself. But they never feel they have done anything at all. Even Srimati Radhika Herself, the personification of Tolerance, says She has not served Krsna at all. Instead She glorifies the deer and everything else in Vrindavan. So, are we the doers? Sometime back His Holiness Hrishikesh Maharaja mentioned what Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Maharaja said about service. "It is not the service itself. But the attitude towards the service."

Sometimes it is so hard to see the good in others. We almost always contemplate how others have wronged us in many ways. The truth is we may have wronged them too. Perhaps not in this life but many, many life times ago. It's just that we don't seem to recall about such things. What goes around, comes around. It's karma. Whether we like it or not. How is it different for those who have come under the guidance of a bona-fide spiritual master? He protects and guides us from within. Whatever karma we may have to suffer, the pain is somewhat eased due to His mercy. So instead of calling it karma, we must look at it as mercy. For without such pain and suffering, we will not be able to go deep within our self and seek solace. What do we do when we, the spiritual aspirants are faced with such situations? Constant prayer at the lotus feet of Srila Gurudeva will help alleviate whatever pain we may be going through. He will show us the path to enlightenment. We must really tr...

This incident happened to me a long time ago. Each time I tell this story, it only reinforces my faith in the maha-mantra. When it happened I have not met my Srila Gurudeva. Even then the maha-mantra can protect and save you. Read on: I once had a colleague who was a pretty good dresser. She's also quite a looker as she gets all the attention from the boys in the office. One fine afternoon, I was sitting right opposite her cracking my head as I was suffering from writer's block. She (let's call her Sherry) started to shiver. My initial reaction was the air-conditioning was too cold. Besides, everyone was almost down with the flu at that time. Soon my other colleagues scooted her off to a room adjoining to our main writers' room. The poor girl was really sick, I thought. I continued doing whatever work since there were others looking after her at that moment. All of a sudden, my colleagues started running out of the room. Their faces looking quite blank. I tried to stop ...

Yesterday was Wesak Day. My god sister Lalita didi and I decided to distribute our Srila Gurudeva’s books outside the Buddhist Temple in Brickfields. Lalita didi wanted to go there after lunch. So we met up about 2:30 p.m. The heat was intense. Beads of perspiration were trickling down my face. To make matters worse, I forgot my sun-hat! When we arrived here, Lalita didi wanted to go inside the temple premises to check things out. I said I will wait for her outside near a stall with a big shady umbrella. Many people passed by me. Some did not even bother to look. I tried really hard to distribute. The heat was getting to me. I was thinking to myself: “What am I doing? Am I able to distribute here?” The gentleman who was manning his sweets-stall asked me to come closer towards his shady umbrella. Out of desperation I said: “I will, if you take a book from me.” The man smiled. And I was like: “O Krsna, Gurudeva, how am I to do this?!” After about 20 minutes, the man came up to me and ask...

Preaching and bringing in new people to chant is not an easy task. We have to be persistent. Srila Gurudeva often says, "Preaching is really for the preacher himself/herself. The more we preach, the more realisation we can acquire." There's this university student, Priya , whom I got in touch with 2 years ago by one god-sister. Since my god-sister, Malati, who resides in India cannot always be in constant preaching contact, she therefore forwarded Priya's e-mail and contact number to me. Many times I had invited Priya for programmes at our preaching centre, which she will politely decline. This is because she lives very far away and she don't own a car, as yet. She is a student after all. Besides, her mother do not approve of her going out after dusk. To this I usually advised her to listen to her mother. Just 4 days ago I decided to have a lunch house programme this Sunday. So I text ed message Priya and to my surprise she confirmed her coming through e-mail. ...

GURU-SEVA IS NOT EASY by Srila Gour Govinda Mahäräja (as told in Oriya, translated by Bhakta Pradosh) Once there was a guru living in an ashram on the bank of the Gangä with a few brahmacari, celibate students, disciples. He was engaging them in varieties of devotional service, like cooking, serving prasädam, gardening, cleaning pots, taking care of the cows, etc. One disciple, named Govardhan, whose nickname was Govara, had a daily service to go to the river with a big water pot and collect Ganga water for the ashram. He did the service very sincerely for the pleasure of his guru. But after some time, he thought, “Why is it that although I have been doing this service for so long I am not feeling any happiness? Maybe I should leave this ashram, go to the city, get married, and enjoy the rest of my life.” From his childhood he had lived in the ashram and performed sevä, service. He had no idea of anything else, no experience of any big cities—he didn’t even know where they were. Day by...