Hearing from a Pure Devotee

SRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM 4.20.25
sa uttamasloka mahan-mukha-cyuto
bhavat-padambhoja-sudha kananilah
smrtim punar vismrta-tattva-vartmanah...
kuyoginam no vitaraty alam varaih

TRANSLATION
"My dear Lord, You are glorified by the selected verses uttered by great personalities. Such glorification of Your lotus feet is just like saffron particles. When the transcendental vibration from the mouths of great devotees carries the aroma of the saffron dust of Your lotus feet, the forgetful living entity gradually remembers his eternal relationship with You. Devotees thus gradually come to the right conclusion about the value of life. My dear Lord, I therefore do not need any other benediction but the opportunity to hear from the mouth of Your pure devotee."

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada:
It is explained in the previous verse that one has to hear glorification of the Lord from the mouth of a pure devotee. This is further explained here. The transcendental vibration from the mouth of a pure devotee is so powerful that it can revive the living entity's memory of his eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In our material existence, under the influence of illusory maya, we have almost forgotten our eternal relationship with the Lord, exactly like a man sleeping very deeply who forgets his duties. In the Vedas it is said that every one of us is sleeping under the influence of maya. We must get up from this slumber and engage in the right service, for thus we can properly utilize the facility of this human form of life. As expressed in a song by Thakura Bhaktivinoda, Lord Caitanya says, jiva jaga, jiva jaga. The Lord asks every sleeping living entity to get up and engage in devotional service so that his mission in this human form of life may be fulfilled. This awakening voice comes through the mouth of a pure devotee.
A pure devotee always engages in the service of the Lord, taking shelter of His lotus feet, and therefore he has a direct connection with the saffron mercy-particles that are strewn over the lotus feet of the Lord. Although when a pure devotee speaks the articulation of his voice may resemble the sound of this material sky, the voice is spiritually very powerful because it touches the particles of saffron dust on the lotus feet of the Lord. As soon as a sleeping living entity hears the powerful voice emanating from the mouth of a pure devotee, he immediately remembers his eternal relationship with the Lord, although up until that moment he had forgotten everything.
For a conditioned soul, therefore, it is very important to hear from the mouth of a pure devotee, who is fully surrendered to the lotus feet of the Lord without any material desire, speculative knowledge or contamination of the modes of material nature. Every one of us is kuyoga because we have engaged in the service of this material world, forgetting our eternal relationship with the Lord as His eternal loving servants. It is our duty to rise from the kuyoga platform to become suyogis, perfect mystics. The process of hearing from a pure devotee is recommended in all Vedic scriptures, especially by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. One may stay in his position of life—it does not matter what it is—but if one hears from the mouth of a pure devotee, he gradually comes to the understanding of his relationship with the Lord and thus engages in His loving service, and his life becomes completely perfect. Therefore, this process of hearing from the mouth of a pure devotee is very important for making progress in the line of spiritual understanding.

If one tries for it, then he is fool

Devotee (1): Do I have to join your movement to be happy? Can I just take Krsna consciousness outside your movement?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Devotee (1): So there is no possibility of me being Krsna conscious outside your movement.

Prabhupada: Krsna consciousness can be developed with devotees. Alone it is difficult.

Devotee (1): If I start my own community outside the movement?

Prabhupada: Yes. The community means many devotees.

Pusta Krsna: So you were saying, Srila Prabhupada, that if there is no happiness and one recognizes it, then he goes to guru.

Prabhupada: Then he must... Just like Arjuna submitted to Krsna because he was disturbed. So that is the point

where one must approach a guru, how to become happy. That is intelligence. Athato brahma jijnasa: "Now inquire about real happiness."

Pusta Krsna: So one who is looking for material happiness...

Prabhupada: He's a fool.

Pusta Krsna: ...it is very difficult for them to approach guru.

Prabhupada: He is a fool, rascal, blind. Where there is happiness not possible, he is trying to find out happiness. Therefore he is a fool. Which is not possible, if one tries for it, then he is fool.

Harikesa: But I look around and I see everybody else enjoying.

Prabhupada: Because you are fool, you are seeing like that. That is the proof that you are a fool.

Harikesa: They all tell me what a great time...

Prabhupada: Krsna says, duhkhalayam asasvatam [Bg. 8.15], and you are finding out happiness. Then how much fool you are. The best authority says that "This is a place of suffering," and you are finding out happiness. So how much fool you are, it is very difficult to estimate. (laughter) Therefore Vedic knowledge is perfect. Now just like there is signboard, "No admission." So who is the fool, create some trouble by entering into it? He's a fool. If there is signboard, "There is no admission," and if somebody enters to create some trouble, he is not a fool? So Krsna says, "There is no happiness," and if somebody searches happiness, he is not a fool? That is... Therefore Krsna consciousness required, that he gets perfect knowledge from Krsna. He has no trouble. Krsna said, "There is no happiness," and if somebody thinks, "All right, although Krsna said, let me try for it," then he is a fool.

Pusta Krsna: Similarly, they say that they can cure disease, but it's impossible.

Prabhupada: How it is possible? The disease is suffering, and this place is suffering, so where is the question of curing disease? Krsna consciousness means intelligence. We are guided by Krsna, so there is no trouble. Everything is all right. That is Krsna conscious. And as soon as you make experiment like fools and rascal, then you are doomed.

(Morning Walk -- October 20, 1975, Johannesburg)

Sri Krishna Janmastami Celebrations 2013 (videos)

'Vani and Vapuh' - Srila Prabhupada

There are two ways of association - by vani and by vapuh. Vani means words and vapuh means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not, but Vani continues to exist eternally. Therefore, one must take advantage of the Vani, not the physical presence. (CC, Antya 5 Conclusion)

I shall remain your personal guidance, physically present or not physically present, as I am getting guidance from my Guru Maharaja. (Room Conversation, Vrindavan, 14/7/77)

Physical presence is immaterial. Presence of the transcendental sound received from the Spiritual Master should be the guidance of life. That will make our spiritual life successful. If you feel very strongly about my absence you may place my pictures on my sitting places and this will be source of inspiration for you. (Letter to Brahmananda and other students, 19/1/67)

But always remember that I am always with you. As you are always thinking of me, I am always thinking of you also. Although physically we are not together, we are not separated spiritually. So we should be concerned only with this spiritual connection. (Letter to Gaurasundara, 13/11/69)

So we should associate by vibration, and not by the physical presence. That is real association. (Lectures SB, 68/08/18)

There are two conceptions, the physical conception and the vibrational conception. The physical conception is temporary. The vibrational conception is eternal.[...] When we feel separation from Krsna or the Spirirual Master, we should just try to remember their words or instructions, and we will no longer feel that separation. Such association with Krsna and the Spiritual Master should be association by vibration not physical presence. That is real association. (Elevation to Krsna Consciousness, (BBT 1973), Page 57)

It is sometimes misunderstood that if one has to associate with persons engaged in devotional service, he will not be able to solve the economic problem. To answer this argument, it is described here that one has to associate with liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic, the problems of life. (SB 3:31:48 P)

I am always with you. Never mind if I am physically absent. (Letter to Jayananda, 16/9/67)

Paramananda: We're always feeling your presence very strongly, Srila Prabhupada, simply by your teachings and your instructions. We're always meditating on your instructions.
Srila Prabhupada: Thank you. That is the real presence. Physical presence is not important. (Room Conversation, Vrndavana, 6/10/77)

You write that you have desire to avail of my association again, but why do you forget that you are always in association with me? When you are helping my missionary activities I am always thinking of you, and you are always thinking of me . That is real association. Just like I am always thinking of my Guru Maharaja at every moment, although he is not physically present, and because I am trying to serve him to my best capacity, I am sure he is helping me by his spiritual blessings. So there are two kinds of association: physical and preceptorial. Physical association is not so important as preceptorial association. (Letter to Govinda Dasi, 18/8/69)

As far as my blessing is concerned, it does not require my physical presence. If you are chanting Hare Krsna there, and following my instructions, reading the books, taking only Krsna prasadam etc., then there is no question of your not receiving the blessings of Lord Caitanya, whose mission I am humbly trying to push on. (Letter to Bala Krsna, 30/6/74)

Anyone who has developed unflinching faith in the Lord and the Spiritual Master can understand the revealed scripture unfolding before him'. So continue your present aptitude and you will be successful in your spiritual progress. I am sure that even if I am not physically present before you, still you will be able to execute all spiritual duties in the matter of Krsna Consciousness, if you follow the above principles. (Letter to Subala, 29/9/67)

So although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the Spiritual Master, vibration. What we have heard from the Spiritual Master, that is living. (General lectures, 69/01/13)

Devotee: ...so sometimes the Spiritual Master is far away. He may be in Los Angeles. Somebody is coming to Hamburg Temple. He thinks 'How will the Spiritual Master be pleased?'
Srila Prabhupada: Just follow his order, Spiritual Master is along with you by his words. Just like my Spiritual Master is not physically present, but I am associating with him by his words. (SB Lectures, 71/08/18)

Just like I am working, so my Guru Maharaja is there, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Physically he may not be, but in every action he is there. To serve master's word is more important than to serve physically. (Room Conversation, Vrindavan, 2/5/77)

So that is called prakata, physically present. And there is another phrase, which is called aprakata, not physically present. But that does not mean, Krsna is dead or God is dead. That does not mean, prakata or aprakata, physically present or not present, it does not matter. (Lectures SB 73/12/11)

So, spiritually, there is no question of separation, even physically we may be in far distant place. (Letter to Syama Dasi, 30/08/68)

I went to your country for spreading this information of Krsna Consciousness and you are helping me in my mission, although I am not physically present there but spiritually I am always with you. (Letter to Nandarani, Krsna Devi and Subala, 3/10/67)

We are not separated actually. There are two - Vani or Vapuh - so Vapu is physical presence and Vani is presence by the vibration, but they are all the same. (Letter to Hamsadutta, 22/6/70)

So in the absence of physical presentation of the spiritual master, the Vaniseva is more important. My Spiritual Master Sarsavati Goswami, may appear to be physically not present, but still because I try to serve his instruction, I never feel separated from him. (Letter to Karandhara, 22/8/70)

I also do not feel separation from my Guru Maharaja. When I am engaged in his service, his pictures give me sufficient strength. To serve master's word is more important than to serve him physically. (Letter to Syamasundara, 19/7/70)

The disciple and spiritual master are never separated because the spiritual master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the spiritual master. This is called the association of vani (words). Physical presence is called vapuh. As long as the spiritual master is physically present, the disciple should serve the physical body of the spiritual master, and when the spiritual master is no longer physically existing, the disciple should serve the instructions of the spiritual master. (SB 4.28.47 P)

In conclusion, if a disciple is very serious to execute the mission of the spiritual master, he immediately associates with the Supreme Personality of Godhead by vani or vapuh. This is the only secret of success in seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Instead of being eager to see the Lord in some bush of Vrndavana while at the same time engaging in sense gratification, if one instead sticks to the principle of following the words of the spiritual master, he will see the Supreme Lord without difficulty. (SB 4.28.51 P)

Therefore we should take advantage of the Vani, not the physical presence. (Letter to Suci Devi Dasi, 4/11/75)

Nityananda Triyodashi Celebrations 2014

Lord Nityananda Prabhu appeared as Lord Caitanya’s principal associate for spreading the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord. He especially spread the holy name of the Lord throughout Bengal. He is considered an incarnation of Lord Balarama.

'Festival Of India' Jaipur 26-2-14

Organized by Hare Krishna Community, Sitapura.
Dishes of 28 States of India offered to Lord Chaitanya, Prasadam was distributed to more than 3000 people, Srila Prabhupada's Video Shows, Sankirtan By Bhaktivedanta International Gurukula and Varnasrama College students, Dramas by BIG Gyan - Bhaktivedanta Institute of Gita Gyan, Jaipur devotees

   

                        


The renowned newspaper of Rajasthan Dainik Bhaskar also covered 'Festival of India 2014'

'Experimental science is condemned' - Srila Prabhupada

Pusta Krsna: Is there a Vedic definition of science?

Prabhupada: Vijnana. Jnana-vijnana. [break] ...not this science, experimental. That is not science. Vedic knowledge is science.

Pusta Krsna: So there is no experimental science in Vedic culture.

Prabhupada: Experimental science is condemned. What you will make, ex... You are imperfect. What is the value of your experiment? Therefore it is rejected. Whatever you'll do, that is imperfect. First of all you become perfect; then you make experiment. But you are... You remain imperfect, and you making experiment. What is the value of it? [break] ...is no experimental knowledge. All established truth. That is vijnana, or science.

Pusta Krsna: Established truth.

Prabhupada: Yes. The sun rises on the eastern side; that is established truth. You cannot change it. And that is vijnana. Man dies. This is established truth. You cannot make any change by experimental knowledge. This is vijnana. Nrpa nirnita: "It is already settled." In the Vedic knowledge there is no such thing as laboratory or experiment, discovery, nothing.

Pusta Krsna: People blindly would accept that cow dung was purified without having to test it.

Prabhupada: Yes. But you make experiment; you will find it all right. So we save time. [break] ...no experiment. [break] ...experiment has become successful? Hm?

Pusta Krsna: Well, they've cured certain diseases by experimentation.

Prabhupada: That is success? You stop disease. What is this, "cure disease"? Malaria, if it is not here, it is somewhere there. And if I am not suffering from malaria, I am suffering from syphilis. So what is this cure, experiment? Disease must be there. So you stop it. Then it is success.

Pusta Krsna: So it is not possible to stop disease.

Prabhupada: No. How it is possible?

Pusta Krsna: Is it worthwhile to try to prolong life?

Prabhupada: It is also condemned. Prolonged life... Suppose you live hundred years and a tree lives five thousand years, ten thousand years. Then what is the use of prolonging life, life like this? Is that very good life?
Pusta Krsna: No.

Prabhupada: Standing in one place for ten thousand years? Why should you prolong your life? For suffering? You are suffering, that is your problem, so what is the use of prolonging your life? This is foolishness. What do you gain by prolonging life if you are suffering? Stop suffering. That is wanted. How you can stop suffering? With suffering, prolonging life, what is the benefit?

Pusta Krsna: Just means more, longer suffering.

Prabhupada: Yes. And even if you prolong life, how long you'll prolong? There are trees. They are thousand times prolonging than your life. In... What is called? San Francisco, the Golden...

Pusta Krsna: Redwood trees.

Prabhupada: Redwood trees. One redwood, already seven thousand years old, they told me. So what is the benefit, seven thousand years standing in one place, very long? Hm? What is the benefit? You are trying to prolong life. Very good idea. But what is the use of prolonging life while suffering? One side, you are trying to prolong life; the other side, for acute suffering, one is committing suicide. So why this contradictory proposal?

Harikesa: Well, only some people commit suicide. As far as I'm concerned, I'm very happy. I have my car, my air conditioner...

Prabhupada: That means you are fool number one. That means you are fool number one. As soon as you say, "I am happy," it is immediately proved that you are a rascal, fool number one.

Pusta Krsna: But everyone is afraid of death. They don't like the idea of dying. Put if off.

Prabhupada: Yes. So therefore, you cure that first of all; then prolong life that there will be no death. Then you prolong life is... Make some understand. Can go this side?

Harikesa: So it's not possible that anyone's happy? There is no possibility of anyone being happy.

Prabhupada: No. One who thinks he is happy, he is number one fool.

Pusta Krsna: Everyone is searching after material happiness.

Prabhupada: Yes. But there is no happiness.

(Morning Walk -- October 20, 1975, Johannesburg)

He is not a human being

Candanacarya: One time you said that Krsna consciousness is not difficult, but to remain determined, that is difficult. Determination is difficult.

Prabhupada: That determination comes by tapasya. Therefore we have got rules and regulation. If you follow the rules and regulation, then you will be determined. Otherwise, you will be victim of maya. The rules and regulation is there just to keep you fixed up in your determination. But if you don't follow, then you fall down. Just like physician says, "You don't take this along with medicine. You take this." That is rules and regulation. If you follow, then you do not become victim of disease again. If you don't follow, then you... What the physician will do?

Candanacarya: But it also requires determination to follow the tapasya.

Prabhupada: Then if he cannot, then he is cat and dog. He is not a human being. Why he should accept initiation? Let him remain a cat and dog. He promises to follow, and if he cannot follow, then he is nothing but cat and dog. In the court, they take promises, that "In the name of God," "In the name of Bible." So that means he will speak the truth. Similarly, before the fire, before Deity, before guru, before devotees, he is promising something, and if he does not follow, then he is cat and dog. He cannot advance. It is not possible. That is the distinction between cat and dog and human being. Cat and dog, they cannot promise. It is not possible. But a human being can promise. And if he keeps his promise, then he is human being. Otherwise cat and dog. Word of honor. The cats and dogs, they have no sense of honor. Either you kick him or pat, he does not know what is the difference. That is cat and dog. He does not know the distinction. A human being knows what is promise, what is word of honor.

(Morning Walk -- January 10, 1974, Los Angeles)

'Helping students through meditation' Times Of India article

JAIPUR: Around 200 students, mostly with an engineering background have joined Hare Krishna Community at Sitapura in Jaipur, propagating the principles of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). So before they begin to attend classes on material science and conduct tests in laboratories to solve complex engineering puzzles, they prefer to start their day by meditating or chanting Hare Rama Hare Krishna.

Here students claim to have achieved multi-fold objectives; de-stressing themselves, seeking spiritual solace and become more focussed and a more healthy life due to organic food. Dayalu Nitai Das, an engineer in chemical branch from IIT-Kanpur who is the president of Hare Krishna Centre, Jaipur, has been training students on meditation and other spiritual activities since 2002.

"These devotees (students) are highly intelligent individuals who come to us after they are totally convinced by our philosophy. Here they follow a very tough lifestyle. Their day starts at 4 am to attend the 'arti' followed by chanting which improves their focus. Then they spend an hour in the 'goshala' (cow shed) washing and feeding the cows which makes them compassionate and kind towards living beings," said Das.

They also run special training programmes to curb suicidal tendencies among the students. Sitapura area has 30 engineering and 25 management colleges. Engineering students come under highly vulnerable group for suicides or suffer from hypertension due to academic pressure.

The community was set up for spreading the teachings but recently it realized the need to address student-centric problems. They began organizing seminars in engineering colleges and received an overwhelming response from the students who started attending meditation.

The community formed two hostels on the temple campus for those students who volunteered to live the tough lifestyle of a devotee. Deepanshu, a meritorious student from JECRC said, "My life has changed since I joined here. I have learnt how to attain deep focus which has sharpened my grasping power. Now I am able to complete college assignments almost in half time as compared to before."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Helping-students-through-meditation/articleshow/19284118.cms?intenttarget=no#.Uv22Na5owZY.facebook