Just the other day, I went to the supermarket with my mom. After the usual buying and paying at the counter, we were on our way to the escalator which will take us to the ground floor. Just then, my mom caught sight of a family of five with their shopping trolley packed to the brim. My very elderly mom said, "Wow, that's a lot of stuff!" I told my mom, it may not be a lot for them and it could be "just nice" for a family of five. It then hit me. The father, the man/master of the household was walking behind his little daughter, his wife, another daughter and a son. It dawned upon me how we think we are masters of our homes, boss of a corporate firm or even the complete owner of a business etc. But the truth is, we are servants. We are always serving someone or something and of course our senses. Our spiritual masters have countless times reminded us that we are not the masters nor the doers. Only Lord Krsna is the Master and the Doer. Like what my spiritual m...
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What is success? Many times we view success, even in devotional life, as having multiple temples, many devotees, loads of amazing festivities and the list goes on. Well, nothing is wrong in that. But the success in spiritual life must be in accordance to what Sri Guru wants and not what we want. If a temple is small and has a very small congregation, does that mean they are not successful? We tender to measure everything with mundane vision and with extremely limited foresight even in our spiritual path. Whether big or small, as long as Sri Guru and Krsna is pleased, that is all it takes to move forward in the path of devotion. At the end of the day, each and every soul has their own unique journey and realizations to finally go back home, back to Godhead. One can be like Sabari, residing all by herself in the forest but very firmly holding on to her guru-seva in plucking berries which eventually led her to have darshan of Lord Rama or even having many association in a...
Today on this date 25th January, 25 years ago, I met my Srila Gurudeva and it was on my birthday. Although, I may think I met Srila Gurudeva, actually it was Srila Gurudeva who took me under his wings. I really didn't realise it then, and I hope to realise something eventually... I still remember that day. We didn't have a car, so my husband asked a friend of his to come along to Sungai Long, a new house in a relatively new housing estate. The place was quite a distance from our house. A would be godbrother's brother welcomed Srila Gurudeva to this new house of his. We waited and waited and finally a phone call came. My heart just broke. My husband's friend said his car broke down and it will take a while before he could reach us. My husband suggested we go the next day, but I was adamant. I wanted to meet this saint, whom I heard once or twice when I was still in Iskcon. His name resonated with my biological father's name and somehow I wanted to meet him. After ...
Hare Krsna. Hope you are well and fine. Once a man was very frustrated and he started to question God’s injustice. He told himself that he prayed regularly, did not harm anyone and did everything righteous while his friends did not pray, told lies and did all sorts of bad deeds. But his friends were living a wealthy life, drove fast cars while he on the other hand, struggled to make a living. He felt God is being totally unfair to him. And this was not justice at all! Have you ever felt like that? You see, God is not our servant. Understand this. We are His servants. God is not someone whom we could make Him do what we want. The reason we are suffering is due to our own deeds. Whatever is due to you will come and what is not yours will not be yours. Let others enjoy what is due to them. Justice and Injustice is not for us to mete out on others. That is the Lord’s work. Also, who are we to hope that someone gets punishment from God. We should just mind our own bus...
An excerpt from a lecture given by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Gosvami Maharaji in Puri 2015. "“There is this elderly grandmother who comes to the temple everyday to hear hari katha. Her grandson would often request her to take him to the temple as well. But she would not do so. One day, the grandson was very persistent in wanting to go to the temple with his grandmother. Finally, the grandmother relented. When they were at the temple, the grandson heard the hari katha about the glories of Ekadasi, and how it is important to observe Ekadasi which is the very next day. As soon as the grandson went home, he told his mother that he will fast the next day. He only wanted some money to buy bananas and would not take any grains. When the mother heard this, she became furious and scolded the grandmother for taking her son to the temple. She said that her son is very young to be observing such fasts. The grandmother soon called her grandson and told him,...
The day is beautiful The birds are chirping The mind wakes up to nature's beauty All geared up what the day may unfold Giving thanks to the Almighty Come afternoon - Oh the sweltering heat! Our sweat sticks to us Our dealings sometimes soured Mostly because of our own mind Then, our morning resolution of thanks to Almighty tossed out of the window Again, gossip and complain prevails Where's the morning's thankfulness? Where's the morning's blessings? Gone, Gone, Gone! Night comes Fatigued by the mind's battle Deep into slumber we dream of something Again, morning may come to some The turmoil of the mind once again prevails And it goes on and on Oh! foolish mind Don't waste any time Chant, the holy names when you are awake Chant, when you are to be engaged in an arguement Chant, when the heat is too much to bear Chant yourself to sleep Then perhaps by the mercy of Sri Guru you will find peace. True peace. Bliss a h...
(On 17th June, Sri Sri Radha Govinda Gaudiya Math, Malaysia had the good fortune to host Sripad Bhakti Bibuddha Bodhayan Maharaja on his recent tour here, Below is an excerpt of the Hari-Katha given by Maharaji) Srila Gour Kishore das Bahaji Maharaja Once Srila Gour Kishore das Babaji Maharaja called a doctor to come immediately to him. The doctor thought that Srila Maharaja must be ill. Therefore, he rushed to where Srila Maharaja was living. As soon as the doctor arrived, Srila Maharaja ordered the doctor to treat his wooden Deities – Their Lordships, Sri Gaur N itai. The doctor thought this must be some kind of joke. How can an image of wood be treated? The doctor thought to himself. He assumed that Srila Maharaja had lost his mind. But Srila Maharaja insisted and asked the doctor to check his Deities' pulses. Seeing such determination and also to pacify Srila Maharaja, the doctor checked the Deities' pulses. As soon as he touc...
Recently Malaysian devotees had the good fortune to associate with Sripad Bhaktivedanta Siddhanti Maharaja. Below is a short excerpt of Maharaj's class: Once King Akhbar asked his trusted minister Bilbar, how is it that God comes Himself to save his devotees from any dangers. Why not sent His armies instead? When Bilbar heard that, he asked the King to give him a few days to think about the question. Sripad BV Siddhanti Maharaja Finally after some days, Bilbar asked the King to go on a boating trip. He requested the young prince to be present in the boat as well. When the King heard this, he came with all his associates and confidantes. When the boat was in the middle of the lake, Bilbar threw the young prince into the water. The King was shocked and immediately without thinking jumped into the waters to save his young son. When the King was back on the boat, he rebuked Bilbar to have acted in a maddened way. Bilbar told the King why he acted that wa...
( Sripad Bhaktivedanta Padmanabha Maharaja had a short stopover in Malaysia. Below is an excerpt of Maharaji's Hari-Katha on 9th April 2016. ) In 1996, when Srila Gurudeva first started to travel around the world, Srila Gurudeva was humbly requested by devotees to visit a very wealthy doctor’s house living in the United States of America . Sripad BV Padmanabha Maharaja This doctor is Indian born and he had left India for almost 30 over years and has been living in the States. His house was overlooking the ocean and was incredibly huge. When we arrived at his house, we rang his doorbell for 3 or more times. We were wondering what was going on. Here we are with our spiritual master and there was nobody to receive Srila Gurudeva in a proper manner befitting a maha-bhagavat. Finally the door opened and it was the doctor’s wife. She wore a pair of jeans and T-shirt at that time. She welcomed Srila Gurudeva and the devotees into the house. Srila Gurudeva sat dow...
The Malaysian devotees had the good fortune to host Srimati Uma didi, especially during the most auspicious occasion of the Appearance Day of Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Gosvami Maharaja and the Disappearance Day of Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja. Below are two short excerpts of the glories of Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Gosvami Maharaja by Srimati Uma didi. The Ghostly Wedding "Once my Gurudeva wanted to visit his disciple in a nearby village. At that time there was no public transportation. So, Guru Maharaja used to walk everywhere. He walked for a very long time and soon it was really late at night. He was passing by a jungle and the time was almost ten at night. Suddenly, he saw some bright lights. It was as though some wedding festival was going on. A person approached Guru Maharaj and asked Guru Maharaj to bless his daughter and son-in-law. Although, very late, and not thinking anything out of the ordinary, Guru Maharaj obliged. ...
On the Disappearance day of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja, this heart felt poem was written: A Little Bird Flew into my Home Today, a little bird flew into my home It was beautiful With a long red neck and colourful feathers I chanted "Radhe! Radhe!" to it It looked at me, disoriented Today, a litte bird flew into my home I chanted "Haribolo!" It looked my way To whom do I owe my remembrance to the Holy Names? To my Guru and Guru-varga Today, a little bird flew into my home I marvel at its beauty At its creation I think he must be Kanhaiya's friend Perhaps he's here with a message Today, a little bird flew into my home I remember Srila Prabhupad I remember my Gurudeva I remember seeing Srila Prabhupad in my Gurudeva as I chant "Hare Krsna!" to the bird Today, a little bird flew into my home I think about the beauty of Srila Prabhupad Without whom the Westerners and Asians alike will not be able to chant ...