Just last month, I had to help my elderly mom and brother to move house. Believe me, it was a difficult task. We could not get movers as it was the holiday season over here. Moreover, we had to move from one block of the apartment to another block. I started packing two months earlier, but ended up not doing much as the kitchen stuff had to packed as we cooked our meals at home everyday. The new house was not ready as the owner had to fix the fans and there was plumbing works to be done. Finally when we got the keys, which was about a week earlier from the designated moving date, I decided to put as many stuff onto a trolley and move as much things as I can to the new block on the eighth floor. I realised I kept going up and down and the amount of stuff seem never ending. I pleaded with my mom and brother to ditch some stuff. It was really, really tiring. My mom was getting irritated, what with her advanced age and all. I then reminded her how many times have we moved from o...
Posts
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...
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 ...
The recent flood that hit my country, left me quite numb thinking about all the victims' pain and suffering. Here we are, trying to make living quite palatable, and all of a sudden torrents of rain comes to wash off everything we own. Houses were damaged, cars submerged in water almost irreparable, household goods becomes junk as everything owned was gone and had to be replaced. No matter how hard we try to make our living here comfortable, it is actually quite impossible as the design system of this material world is full of the three fold miseries, namely miseries arising from one's mind, miseries arising from another living entity and miseries given to us by the demigods. Although many were affected by the flood, there were also fortunate ones who didn't experience anything of that sort at all. Due to their good fortunes they still have everything they owned intact. As I was contemplating these while filling my cup with water from a Cuckoo water filter (bought by my...
The other day, a friend of mine who knows palmistry, looked into an old woman's hand. She must be around 85 years old. He smiled at her and said, "Madam, you have indeed a long life." The elderly lady looked at my friend grimly and said, "Who said so? I don't have a long life!" My friend and I looked at each other. We were not really perplexed at what the lady just said. It only shows how very correct our scriptures are. No matter how long we live, we still feel we don't have a long life. We may have those around us, leaving their mortal bodies, but we still feel, death will not come to us and we still want to enjoy this material world to the fullest. This is how Maya, the illusory energy of the Lord, tricks us into thinking thus. Ultimately, what is the use of a long life, if it is not used in devotion? What is the use of a long life, if it is not used to serve the Vaishnavas?
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...
The other day, I was having a conversation about children with this very sweet Mataji. Mataji lamented how she keeps worrying about her children, even though all are grown up. She keeps advising them, although her advice is really not that appreciated or even taken seriously by her children. Then, when they get a hard knock, only then, they realise that their mother was right after all. It is a very natural thing for a mother to keep worrying about her kids. Even in the spiritual world, Mother Yasoda keeps worrying about her Lala, Sweet Krsna. Of course, everything that happens here is a perverted reflection. Over there, it is only pure love of the Lord. The conversation then went on to Srila Gurudeva. Mataji said, she found it hard to keep up with all of Srila Gurudeva's instructions. Sometimes she feels she needs time to evolve. I told her everything will happen in due time. And just like how she worries about her children, Srila Gurudeva is also worried ...
Have you heard of people always saying that God gave them such a child, such a situation or even such a problem. Well, in such a child, meaning if the child is disabled, they would say God gave them such a child. And they have to accept it. If it is a problem or situation, then, they would say God placed them in such a predicament as a test. Now, the question is, why are we constantly blaming or saying that God has put you in such a situation? Do you really think that God is cruel to put you in such a situation? Think about it for a moment. God is all merciful. He always wants the best for His creations. Not even a blade of grass moves without His sanction. True, everything happens as God's will. But He has given us independence as well. We are free to make choices. And those choices can cost us deeply, not only in this life but in the next life as well. We reap what we sow. And that is actually our karma. For every action, there is an equal opposite reaction. If we we...
Hare Krsna! We all think we are going to be around for a long time. We make so many plans that we forget to live the moment. When was it we actually have time for real prayers and give our thanks to Sri Guru and to the Almighty Lord Krsna? Most times, we want everything to go our way. Of course, all of us want to pass this life of ours in a pleasing manner, not having too much stress. Unfortunately, this world is simply not that. It is a place of impermanence. We make plenty of plans, thinking it to last, when in fact our very bodies will perish one day. This idea of permanence is actually impermanence in this world we live in. Live the moment. Pray and serve the Lord's devotees whenever the opportunity arises. The mind is such, that it tends to go astray. Even if it does, bring the mind back to do some service to Sri Guru and Krsna. After all, that is the true permanence of the soul. Dreaming too big and making too much plans that stresses us is actually like a fool trying ...
What is Seva and Hard Labour? An excerpt from a lecture given by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Gosvami Maharaja in Chandigarh, India on 10 th November 2013 Hard Labour It does not matter how much service one performs. Externally one may look like Vaishnavas, but we cannot be Vaishnavas if we have desires for wealth. An example of this is, Srila Raghunath das Thakur's family who were constantly serving Vaishnavas in their homes. But they were only keen on accumulating wealth. If one is truly doing seva, service, then, he will have more attraction for harikatha. Anyone can be following all the tenets of being a sannyasa, brahmacari, grhastra etc but if there is no desire or attachment for harikatha of the Lord, then, they have not done any service but only physical hard labour. The Difference Between Wanting to do Seva and Given A Seva by Vaishnavas Chota Haridasa brought rice from the house of Madhavi devi. Mahaprabhu was not pleased because unless an...
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,...
. (Below is a very short excerpt of a lecture given by Sripad Bhakti Sadhak Sajjan Maharaja, disciple of Srila Bhakti Sri-rupa Siddhanti Maharaji on his recent tour to Malaysia.) "One should not have any doubt in the holy names or in the service of Thakurji or the Vaishnavas Once there was a person who had a small shop living close by the temple. He used to supply 2 months of groceries without fail, throughout the year. Very soon his business grew. He is now the number one merchant. Also there was a person who used to donate Thakurji's clothes everyday. Thakurji had new clothes everyday. This person too became very wealthy. Both of them are still doing so much of service. You see, if you have firm faith in the holy names, Vaishnavas and Thakurji, all auspiciousness will come to you. Of this there is no doubt." (Note: Anyone who wishes to invite Maharaji to their country/hometown, may contact him or whatsapp him at + 91 93314 30138 )
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...
Message of Godhead My very first ebooklet for your reading pleasure. Please click below:
(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...
Below is an excerpt from Sripad Bhaktivedanta S iddhanti Maharaja’s class on the 6 th May 2017 in Malaysia. The Complete Dedication of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada’s Disciples. "Srila Prabhupada’s disciples are very dedicated towards their spiritual master. One such disciple is Madan Mohan prabhu. He was a householder and whatever he earned for his upkeep, he used to spend half of the earnings for Srila Prabhupada’s mission. The other half is used to maintain his family. He once planted a mango tree for the service of Srila Prabhupada. He told all his family members that the mangoes from the tree is only for the service of Srila Prabhupada. One day, while Madan Mohan prabhu was at work, his eldest son ate a mango from the tree. Madan Mohan prabhu's wife saw this and she told her son that she will tell the incident to the boy’s father. As soon as Madan Mohan prabhu came home, his wife told him what had happened. Ma...
(Below is another excerpt of the class given by Sripad Bhaktivedanta Siddhanti Maharaja during his tour to Malaysia.) The Mood of a Devotee Once Arjun was thinking, “Who can be better than me?” When Krsna saw this mood in Arjun, He invited Arjun to the forest. Krsna said, “There is someone more superior than you. I will take you to him. Come, let’s go to the forest.” Arjun was surprised but he was just as curious to know who it was. Krsna and Arjun travelled for some time in a chariot into a forest. Soon, Krsna told Arjun to stop the chariot and walk to see this superior devotee. “The devotee will be doing austerities,” said Krsna to Arjun. Arjun did as he was told. He walked some distance and saw a yogi doing tapasya, austerities. When Arjun looked at this devotee, he thought, “O, he is not like me.” Then, Arjun wanted to know the mood of that devotee. He saw that the devotee had 3 tridents instead ...