Shukasari

Today is the appearance day of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada. We are so fortunate that Prabhupada out of his causeless mercy decided to come into this world to deliver us fallen souls. Below is an excerpt of his lecture on what is pleasing: The difference of consideration between those on the path of what is pleasing and those on the path of gaining what is for their own benefit: There are two kinds of paths - Sreyas, or the path what is truly beneficial and preyas, the path of what is pleasing. The topics of sreyas may often not be pleasing to the material ears like that the topics of preyas often are. The topics on preyas are always pleasing to the senses. In most cases the hearer thinks ---- let the speaker speak what I like and what is favourite to me. But those on the path of sreyas think ---- even if it is apparently distasteful to me, I will only hear about the impartial truth.

Singing the kirtan "Gurudeva Krpa Bindu Diya.... The Aswini Kumaras blessing Upamanyu The Aswini Kumaras trying to get Upamanyu to eat the "cake." Upamanyu did not do so without the permission of his Guru. Upamanyu's Guru worried about Upamanyu not returning to the ashram Upamanyu being chastised by his Guru Upamanyu obediently following his Guru's orders The children performing kirtan Vyasa puja was celebrated with the presence of Sripad Bhaktivedanta Madhava Maharaj, Sripad Brajanath Prabhu, Srimati Vrinda didi and many wonderful devotees at Sri Sri Radha Govinda Gaudiya Math, Malaysia. The Kanu Youth Club Children first performed a kirtan followed by a play by the Kanu Youth Club. It was entitled "Upamanyu." The story of Upamanyu strongly encapsulates the true meaning of surrender and that is the true and deep meaning of vyasa-puja. May this insignificant soul realize all these truths one day. O Gurudeva, I'm hungry for your mercy.

It's been a week already Since you decided to leave from my material vision You know what's best for all your children It's us who still have to figure it all out This individual is so very thankful for all that you did You turned worms into beautiful butterflies all over Your bluish glance melted hearts world over Your ever so charming smile made our hearts churn You will always be the wind beneath my wings Without you, there is nothing Really... Even during your last manifest pastimes You still taught us that nothing lasts An eternal teacher you are But you taught That service and true love will prevail It's the only thing The only liberator for all of us Love and service for you and the Divine Couple Will take us across And if we follow everything you've said It will take us across O Gurudeva... This insignificant soul is waiting for the day Till we meet again......

The light of my life has gone The very breath of my soul is no more Yet he is not gone He lives on In my heart In my breath In my everything For he is everywhere But this unfortunate soul cannot feel so For this separation is going to go on for a lifetime Perhaps by his mercy, some realization will come That he is actually my life and soul And who he really is .....

Book distributing can be a little daunting at times. But most times it’s pretty interesting, especially when you get to meet all sorts of people. On a recent visit to my dentist I brought along the local “Message of Godhead (MOG)” I mean, you’ll never know who you’re going to meet and when. After the scaling was done, I took out the MOG at the reception. At first the lady was a little apprehensive. I told her she could give me any amount as a donation. Then the head nurse who attended to me earlier came over. She looked at the MOG and said she worships Durga-devi. I told her it was alright. Then she asked me whether I was giving her the MOG to which I replied in the affirmative. To my delight, she took out 10 bucks as a donation. I told her that it was a lot. She smiled and said she will read it. Oh, I did mention a little daunting at first. Well, it was another visit to another dentist. This time it was my grandmother’s dentist. As usual I whipped out the MOG to the r...

I read an interesting event that took place in Srila Gurudeva’s life when he was a police inspector. At that time an important file went missing. All of Srila Gurudeva’s colleagues were anxiously looking for it. With all the commotion going around him, Srila Gurudeva was calmly chanting his rounds. One of his colleagues asked him whether he was anxious at all. It was a file containing an important case, you know. Srila Gurudeva calmly replied, “No.” As soon as he finished his rounds, Srila Gurudeva got up and went straight to a particular shelf that contained the file! Amazing lila that teaches us the power of the holy names! Srila Gurudeva’s lila reminded me of one such incident that happened not too long ago. When Syamarani didi was staying in my house her computer used to go bonkers almost always. Her assistant would rave and rant about this, because they are doing such important seva sending out all the Hari-katha to everyone around the world. Syamarani didi would give her a kno...

What an emotionally and spiritually charged roller coaster parikrama!!!!. Srila Gurudeva’s lila is indeed very mysterious. Not easy to fathom what is going on. But one thing is for sure, we cannot assume that he is an ordinary person and will succumb to disease like any ordinary persons. "A Vaishnava is always protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but if he appears to be an invalid, this gives a chance to his disciples to serve him." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 9.11 purport) Srila Gurudeva has “cured” many persons with ailments. One such example is of this scribe. Many times chest pains plagued me. Once it was so bad that I could hardly breathe. At that time, Srila Gurudeva was to visit me at my home. Somehow I managed to make some preparations. The pain gradually subsided and when Srila Gurudeva was taking his leave he asked me whether I was working on any book project. I said I was not well and had chest pains. With a stroke of his hand he simply said, “I...