Shukasari

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.