Shukasari

( a nice story related by Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja ) A wolf was drinking water from a river at the same time as an innocent lamb. The wolf thought, "Somehow or other I must devour that lamb." The wolf said, "Hey! Don't you know? Can't you see I am drinking water here? Why are you making the water muddy for me? I shall kill you." The lamb said, "O sir, you are drinking water upstream and I am drinking water downstream. How is that I am making the water muddy for you?" The wolf said, "Why did you call me bad names one year ago?" The lamb said, "O sir, I am only three months old. How is it that I could call you bad names one year ago?" The wolf said, "Your mother must have done so. Anyway, I will still kill you!" This is how all concocted stories are going around. This story illustrates how hatred, speaking ill, and concocting stories arise from intolerance or enviousness. In the same way we find all kinds of fault in

Below are some excerpts from Srimati Syamarani didi’s class on her recent visit to Malaysia. Didi very expertly gave class on what Srila Gurudeva would want us to be doing: Refraining From Quarrelling “Gopis always glorify others that there is no time for quarrelling. Srila Gurudeva says: ‘I want all the temples to serve my mission and not be disunited.’” On Leadership Srila Gurudeva says: “Be equal to all, kind to all and be broad-minded. Don’t be selfish.” Cure for Criticizing --- the Medicine “Criticize yourself always. If you simply chant, you will have material desires. So sing bhajans and pray to Sri Guru and Guru-parampara, ‘Please let your words be mine.’” Keep praying. Always think: “I am the cause of any sufferings I have.”

Recently many devotees were jolted about the serious condition of Srila Gurudeva’s health. Many of us offered our prayers so that Srila Gurudeva will stay many more years with us. Srila Gurudeva is now getting better. We must know that Sri Guru is not an ordinary personality. Srila Gurudeva Himself mentioned this that He is not ordinary and He can cure Himself if He wants, and it all depends on His disciples. Yes, it all depends on the disciples. We all want Srila Gurudeva with us for a very, very long time. Yet, most of us seem to miss out the point. By constantly being at logger heads and disrespectful to each will not please Srila Gurudeva. Whatever orders He has given we must carry it out with our heart and soul. What must it take for us to see the brother and sister in all of us? We are indeed one big family under the guidance of Srila Gurudeva. Yes, it all depends on Srila Gurudeva’s disciples.

Party politics are everywhere. The other day I read the Bhagavad-gita verse 2 and 3 which only affirmed that such a thing has always existed. Here Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja explains that when Duryodhana saw the military phalanx arranged by the Pandavas, he got very disturbed. He asked his teacher Dronacarya about the matter. Dronacarya has taught the Kurus and the Pandavas, including the son of Maharaja Drupada who would end up killing Dronacarya. Although the big commander in chief Dronacarya and Grandfather Bhismadeva knew that the Kurus were wrong in waging a war against the Pandavas, still they sided with them. This was because they were obligated to the Kurus. The Kurus was maintaining them with financial support and so on. In the same way, sometimes they are so much party politics which would make one to take sides. Even though they know what they are doing is wrong. It is the “comfort zone” that they want to relish without taking into consideration of their own actions.

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

This was related to me by Sripad Vallabhi Kanta prabhu who heard it first hand from Sripad Bhaktivedanta Vaishnava Maharaja. Srila Gurudeva mentioned to Sripad BV Vaishnava Maharaja that He would like to put all his disciples in His pocket and take them on a world tour. (Sripad BV Vaishnava Maharaja): Why is that so Srila Gurudeva? (Srila Gurudeva): Because when I leave, they will all start to quarrel. Note: Let's ponder deeply on Srila Gurudeva's divine words.