Inquisitive about what?

"Inquisitiveness is a sign of intelligence". Yes. However, while intelligent people (who know what is good for them) are inquisitive about essential things, others are inquisitive about unnecessary
things like scandals and gossip. One must carefully guard against falling into the trap of letting these things occupy our minds.

We should be inquisitive about the most essential things that are directly related to us (like "Who am I?") rather than things totally unrelated to us like "Who killed the cricket coach?".

Abhijit.

In Search of Truth!

Dear All,

Srila Prabhupada says "Inquisitiveness is the sign of intelligence." Who will disagree? Therefore, the most intelligent and scientific and logical minded person wants to understand everything from the basics. So, the most basic question is "Who am I?" Isn't it? Who will disagree? Or is the most basic question "Where will I get most salary?" Lets think about this.

Another example. Suppose you are lost in a forest. And you are wandering and wandering and are almost dead of anxiety! And now fortunately you come upon a village of people! So, whats the first question that you will ask? Will it be "Where is the nearest Cinema Theater?" or will it be "Where am I?" Just think about this.

So, there are some basic questions whose answers are most important to an intelligent person. That's because the intelligent person understands that his well-being is based on the answers to
these essential questions! And that is why that person is called intelligent. He who knows what his well being is in.

Therefore, we must all strive to search for the answers to the most essential questions of existence. Only when we understand the answer to "Who am I?", will I be able to lead a life in such a way that I will become happy. Just like, suppose an old 80 year old poet starts thinking that "I am a Rugby player!" So, do you think he will be able to remain happy? Even if he firmly believe that he is a rugby player, he will not find a place in any team! And that will cause him misery.. because of not having any qualities of a rugby player, and yet thinking that he is a rugby player!

Similarly, if I start thinking (as the media is trying to force me to believe) that I am this body. That my existence will stop as soon as this body is dead.. Then I will start doing things as if I am the body. So, all my activities will be based on this assumption that I am this body. So, I'll protect my body, feed it, entertain it, and so on.. and the body will be all I know. But then, I will not be happy! Just as the old poet was not happy thinking of himself as a rugby player! Because he does not have any qualities of a rugby player. Similarly, my qualities are totally different from what I think they are. I think that I am the body, that will die one day and therefore, till I die, I should enjoy as much as possible. On the contrary, I am actually not the body, but the soul, which is actually eternal and will never die!! Therefore, because of pampering the body, and neglecting oneself (the soul), I (soul) can never be happy, no matter how much I take care of what I am not (the body).

Well, this is not very difficult to understand. However, the inquisitiveness must be there to know the truth. That is the sign of intelligence. If the inquisitiveness is there, then the Absolute
Truth (God) will guide you to the Truth!

Your servant, Abhijit.

Lord Chaitanya Is Krishna Himself!

Hear is proof from the Vedas.

Atheism Is Unscientific

Evidence from the Vedas about the Supreme Position of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!

Dear All,

We all keep encountering atheists, or so-called devotees (who say they believe in God, but spend all their spare time in watching movies and other such so-called entertainment). The so-called devotees are generally innocent people who dont know about God too much but nevertheless, wont openly blaspheme. However, the atheists are very arrogant and blasphemous. Both these kinds of people need to be woken up from their slumber of spiritual ignorance :)

I'll talk briefly about atheism in this article. Atheism is unscientific. Saying that God doesn't exist is unscientific, because one cannot prove the non-existence of something. In terms of Computer Science, its like an undecidable problem. Either you can prove something exists by experiencing it, or you can just say that so far I have not experienced. But in no way can one say that because I have not yet experienced it, I will never be able to experience it in the future.

In simple words, just because I have not perceived God, it doesnt mean that there is no God.

On the other hand, the Vedic literature is full of ways and means to realise God. Those who follow them, soon realise its verity. So, it is scientific. A process is there, a goal is there, and thsoe who follow the process, attain the goal. Nothing is random. So, it is scientific.

I think no one will object to what I have written so far.

Now, some people say, Ok agreed. But why should I accept the Vedas in the first place? They are written by some human beings and why should I care for what other humans have written?

Well, in reply, we know that the Vedas are the word of God. But if someone is just not willing to accept, then we can again go back to the scientific method and prove that what the Vedas say is always true. Despite, showing this logically, if the person is still not willing to accept, then again we know that we are speaking to an unscientific mind and must therefore utilise our time in some better way like chanting and dancing :)

Now the next question comes. OK agreed. But why should we follow Prabhupada's books? There are so many who have written their commentaries on the Vedas (especially on the Bhagavad Gita), then why should I follow only Prabhupada's?

Again, we see here that there is always rebellion against the preaching. This is mostly because of a sub-conscious lack of faith in spiritual matters and also because unfortunately so many people have cheated innocent people in the past :(

Apart from telling about the disciplic succession, we can tell them that Prabhupada's "Bhagavad Gita - As It Is" is the best sellers in the domain! Also, we can show proof that so many westerners, who are supposed to be very much independent thinking, and so many scientists and intelligent people have studied and accepted Prabhupada's books and have benefitted immensely. This certainly means that these books are sensible books!

Also, we must mention the position of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu! We can ask them "If Lord Krishna Himself tells you that Prabhupada's books should be followed, will you follow?" If they say "No", then again we can go back to more fruitful things than talking to such a person :). If he says "Yes", then we can establish the position of Lord Chaitanya as Krishna Himself! Then, a scientific minded person cannot but start seriously thinking about everything we tell him...

Ofcourse, having said all this, its totally upto Krishna's mercy who will become a devotee, and who wont :) We are not the doers. We are just instruments in the Hands of Gauranga!

Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!!

Your servant in Krishna Consciousness,
Abhijit.

Unfortunate Rebels!

Dear All,

There are different spiritual paths described in the Vedic scriptures along with the goal that is achieved by following them. What can be a more wonderful goal than to achieve the association of God? That's what Bhakti (Devotional Service) gives -- association with God!

Knowing this, I am surprised that people follow (really?) other paths which finally result in an existence devoid of activity and devoid of any loving relationships. Why are these people destroying their futures like this?

Related Article - Can Impersonalism be defeated?

Ofcourse, Prabhupada has extensively explained the reasons. One is that the living being gets frustrated with material life and thinks that he is miserable because of seeking happiness from material relationships (relationships without God in the center), and therefore thinks that all relationships are causes of misery, and thus, in fear, aspires for an existence without relationships. Similarly, he gets frustrated with material desires and thinks that he should give up all desires so that there is no more misery.

However, he is unaware that relationships or desires in themselves are not a cause of misery, but relationships and desires without God in the center are cause of misery.

The desire to become independent of God is the cause of misery. There is ample proof of this. Some survey made by some big well known organisation clearly indicates that people who believe in God are much happier than those who dont..

Point is, why this rebellion against God, despite seeing that surrender unto God is giving so much bliss to those who have surrendered? Again, Prabhupada answers extensively all throughout his purports. The living being is in this material world (full of misery) for the very reason that he wanted to become (or enjoy) independent of God! So, even after he understands that material world and material relationships and material desires are the cause of misery, he still wants to stay independent of God! Thats the original reason he is in the miserable material world, and yet he is unaware of this! As Prabhupada says, even if the person is fed up with material entanglement, that desire to remain independent of God is still there -- the last snare of Maya!

So, these unfortunate people, rebelling against God, want to become God. So they philosophise using big big flowery words to prove that God doesent exist and only the impersonal manifestation of the sum total of energy is the Absolute Truth. This way, they hope to remain aloof from both the material world and from God!

However, that is not possible. One has to either serve the material world or serve God. One cannot become God. God is always God, and never forgets that He is God as the foolish philosophers suggest.

So, as devotees, one should not get disturbed by such philosophers, who themselves dont really want to know the truth, but are just egoistic and are trying to become God! How can such people find the happiness that comes only by surrendering unto the most merciful God! If someone is just envious of God, and just doesent want to surrender despite the well known fact that those who surrender unto God are the happiest, then who can help them?

Your servant in Krishna Consciousness,
Abhijit.

The Prerana Festival -- Chowpatty

Hare Krishna!

Please accept my humble obeisances! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

I just returned an hour ago to Pune from a trip to Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple, Chowpatty, Mumbai! Had gone there for the Prerana Youth Festival. The topic of the day was "The Antya Lila of Cricket Consciousness" :) More on that in another article.


We left Pune at around 1315 by a State Transport Bus. There were Shailesh Prabhu, Deepak Prabhu, and three other nice friends of Deepak Prabhu whom Deepak Prabhu had so mercifully invited! Thats the mark of a Vaishnava. He wants to give to others what he has got - attraction towards the Supreme Personality of Godhead!

We reached the divine temple at around 1800. After about an hour of ecstatic Kirtan, the lectures started. We had two of the most wonderful disciples of our dear Srila Prabhupada. His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaj and His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj! They gave very vivid and awakening insights on the dark truths about organised sports.

After the lectures, we had an ecstatic feast! Then we went to a place called BanaGanga around 2-3 Kmsfrom the temple. I was pleasantly surprised to know that that little pond has a spiritual significance! When Lord Rama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, had come there with Mother Sita, Mother Sita became thirsty. So Lord Rama fired one of His divine arrows and there appeared Mother Ganga! :) I was a bit stunned that there can be such a spiritual place in such an unwelcome place as South Mumbai. Anyways, arrangements for our rest had been made in a place near BanaGanga. Such is the embracing mercy of the Vaishnavas who would have worked so hard to make the whole program such a wonderful event.

We woke up around 0345. Then all of us had baths (one after another) in a single bathroom under a single tap :) Sounds austere initially, but its part of spiritual life actually. One cant expect all material comforts while serving the Lord. The devotee must be ready to serve the Lord and His devotees under all circumstances. We reached the temple around 0500. Because of the renovation activities that are going on in the temple hall, the Mangal Arati is not held in the temple room, but on the ground floor in another room. But that doesnt prevent devotees from getting the Darshan of the Lord of their hearts! There is live video streaming. And we had Darshan! And boy! Is He gorgeous!!!

Gopinath is so so beautiful that the beauty cannot be described. His every limb is exquisitely beautiful. His Lotus Feet are the shelter of all beings. And they are so beautiful that the best poets amongst the purest of devotees can forever go on writing poems on Them. His calfs are so beautifully and perfectly shaped that there is no doubt that the Deity is Gopinath Bhagavan Himself, descending to this world just for the pleasure of His pure devotees. And the fold in His form at His waist is so charming that when one sees it, it seems as if the Supreme Dancer is dancing, though He is present in His Deity form, which is static. And His Hands are the most beautiful hands one can ever hope to see. Each hand, with fingers in certain positions, is playing some transcendental tune that can be heard in the beats of the Mridangam! And His Lotus face. I cannot explain what sheer disbelief it awakens in my heart! I just am amazed that something as gorgeous as His Lotus face can exist! Just that face of the Supreme Personality of Godhead can instill unflinching faith in the hearts of those who are fortunate enough to get the opportunity to see it. And this whole body of my sweet Lord is tinged with a bluish hue that radiates out and causes His body to glow and have an aura all around. No wonder that once you see Him, you can never forget Him.

I pray to Srila Prabhupada and all Vaishnavas that I can someday dedicate my every moment in the service of the most beautiful Lord - Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha Bhagavan!


After the Mangal Arati, everyone chanted their rounds. Then at 0830 started the Srimad Bhagavatam lecture by His Holiness RadhaNath Swami Maharaj! I was sitting three feet from him and I was so glad to bask in his divine presence. He glanced at me a couple of times during the lecture... and I did not know how to react. Whether to look into his eyes, or lower them, or what.. I was a bit nervous to be so physically near a pure devotee of Krishna for such a long stretch of time. 1.5 hours.

Then I met His Grace ChaitanyaCharan Prabhu discussing some matters regarding the blog for the Spiritual Scientist Magazine amongst other things. I was with him for about 2 hours. It was already 12:15 by then. Unfortunately, I missed the councellor meeting which was at 1600. Hopefully, JaiNarsimh Prabhu will forgive me. Praying for his forgiveness.

Overall, a very very wonderful trip!

Your servant, Abhijit.

Duality

Hare Krishna.

A couple of days ago I got some insights into one concept I was not quite clear about. Duality. His Grace SankirtanAnand Prabhu had come to the morning program. After the Mangal Arati, I asked him a question, in whose response was included this story of Adam and Eve! And in that story I got some insight into what is Duality!

Before telling you the story, let me offer my most humble obeisances to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada!

Here goes the story! It is from the Holy Bible. It is an allegory and teaches everyone about this important principle of Duality among other things. Adam and Eve were very happily living in the Kingdom of God. God had told them all this is your to enjoy! You can enjoy the flowers, the fruits, and so on.. Except that one apple there. That you should never eat! And Adam and Eve were very happy enjoying the opulences of the Kingdom of God and following this one
restriction.

But one day came there a serpant. And he asked Adam and Eve why they were not eating that apple. And they replied, "Well, God has forbidden us to eat it, so we dont eat it". But the serpant was very persuasive. He said, "You know, if you eat that apple, you will become God! And thats why God has told you not to eat. He doesnt want anyone else to become God".

And now, there arose envy in the hearts of Adam and Eve. And they said, "Oh! Is that so.. Lets eat that apple!" Eve ate first and then Adam did. And as soon as they did so, everything changed within their hearts... Suddenly thoughts that had never come to their minds, started coming. They started covering their bodies in shame (they were naked). They were feeling ashamed of being naked, despite the fact that they had lived all these years like that.

In essence, Duality arose in their hearts and minds! They started thinking in terms of right and wrong, good and bad, favourable and unfavourable. This is duality! Thn God came there and asked, "What happened?" And they replied. And God said, "I had warned you... but now because you have eaten the forbidden apple, you can no longer stay here. You will have to go to a place where there is Duality. Good and Bad, Happiness and Sorrow,... and so on.

Thus ends the story. The Forbidden Apple represents Envy for God! To want to become God! And the Serpant represents Maya! The story taught me that duality means the presence of two opposing entities like Happiness opposed by Distress. In the Kingdom of God, there is no question of Good and Bad. Everything is Good there. It is either Good, or Better, or more better and so on.. There is no Bad!

So, do we want to go back to the Kingdom of God!!

Your servant, Abhijit.

Temporary and Eternal Benefits

Hare Krishna.

The success of the teachers of bodily exercises and of some mental peace techniques is further proof that people in general in this Kali Yuga are very much in the bodily consciousness.

Keeping the body and mind healthy is definitely good and one cant find fault in the purpose of these teachers. However, their teachings are also based on (at least make some reference to) Vedic literature, and hence the general mass of people can sometimes mistake them as being highly spiritual, though the people are not really aware of the science of the spirit (soul).

Disappointingly, these teachers do not make any serious attempt to let their followers know about the soul, and continue to focus on their propaganda of how to keep the body and mind healthy! Don't these teachers know about the supreme importance of the science of the soul?

With these stream of thoughts, the following questions arise : Are these teachers ignorant of the science of the soul? Or is it that they are aware but are afraid that if they preach the science of the soul, their own position will come under threat?

Any serious student of the Vedas knows that the Vedas talk about getting people out of the cycle of birth and death! Just keeping body and mind healthy is not going to get you out of this cycle. No matter how much you try, the body is going to die, get diseased, give old age pangs, and get a next birth. No matter what (new?) techniques you use, there is going to be misery in this world!

Does anyone have to tell us this? Don't we already know from our own lives? Isn't it the duty of these (so-called?) Vedic teachers to let people know these things? Shouldn't these teachers use their commanding position to awaken people from their slumber of spiritual ignorance? If they are not doing this, then can we really say that they are totally pure at heart?

Why are these teachers trying to convince people that there can actually be any happiness in this material world? Haven't they read the Bhagavad Gita where Krishna declares that this material world is "dukkhalayam, ashasvatam", i.e. a place of miseries and temporary?

As opposed to that, we can see how amazingly well ISKCON is serving everyone by serving Krishna (God) Himself! One can easily see that devotees of the Lord all very happy, with significantly less mental stress and anxieties, and always bubbling with enthusiasm. Because
of following a regulated life, they are quite away from diseases too. Of course, as long as one is in the material world, one has to suffer, no matter what you do...

The point is that even ISKCON followers get all the benefits that others promise. However, ISKCON provides more! It works on the spiritual platform! It nourishes spiritual development! It caters to the real need of the self (soul) apart from the needs of the body and mind.

And ultimately it takes us closer and closer to the real goal of life, liberation from the cycle of birth and death. In fact, it does more than that! It takes us closer and closer to attaining Love of God, in front of which, liberation is considered as an insignificant side-effect!

So, the choice is ours! Are we going to run after temporary bodily (and of the mind) benefits, or after eternal spiritual benefits?

Hare Krishna!

Your servant in Krishna Consciousness,
Abhijit.

Seeking Your Blessings...

Dear Prabhujis,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Its so touching to see that all devotees have such a nice relationship amongst each other. I am amazed. At the same time, I am anxious that such relationships must not be disturbed by the inconceivable forces of Maya. We must always love other devotees and be ready to serve them at a moment's notice. Our lives must only be for the service of the Vaishnavas, Guru, Prabhupada, and Krishna. As long as this desire to serve and be a menial servant of the Vaishnavas is there in our hearts, we will be safe. Otherwise, we will very soon fall into the trap of Maya!

Prabhujis, I am saying all this mainly for myself. All attachment comes with a lot of anxiety regarding the thoughts of losing the object of attachment. We must all have this anxiety about not losing this great treasure that Prabhupada has left us in the form of Vaishnav Association.

Seeking the blessings of all of you that I eternally remain your menial servant.

Abhijit.

Putting ISKCON in perspective

Why ISKCON seems to only focus on well-to-do people?

I have some thoughts on this, stated below:

- We must tell the people that ISKCON goes to the intelligencia, to the IITs, and other top colleges because that’s the fastest way of spreading the movement. These people have tremendous potential and can do wonders when their energies are channelised properly. If we focus our preaching effors on the illiterate, poor, and so on, then where is the hope of spreading the movement. However, once we have very intelligent and competent people, they can then start up preaching (and other devotional activities like Kirtan and Prasadam distribution etc.) in the other sections of the society. The policy is to first create a lot of competent devotees, and then send them out to conquer more and more unconquered land! The ultimate goal is to spread the movement in every town and village on the face of Earth and for that its imperative that we have the best as our leaders!

- Having said that, it doesn’t mean that ISKCON neglects the poor! On the contrary, the only way to help the poor is to inspire the rich and talented to help the have-nots. Thus, because of having such talented and competent and intelligent and compassionate associates, gradually, ISKCON's influence is spreading to a wider and wider spectrum of the society. Thus, even if in the major preaching centers one might see the majority as the well-to-do, a lot of activity happens elsewhere which is often unknown to the casual observer.

- Furthermore, there is no organisation in the world that can totally satisfy all the food and shelter needs of the poor people in general. Therefore, its not quite logical to put that responsibility on ISKCON, knowing full well that that is not ISKCON's focus area anyway. Just like, one cannot go and accuse a school for not providing food and shelter to the students outside of school hours! Or, one cannot go to a cardiologist and accuse him that he is not curing brain diseases!

- Even people who do not understand the profound spiritual mission of ISKCON have a lot to appreciate. They can easily look upon ISKCON as an international educational organisation with organised professional grade teaching about the highest Vedic principles hapenning all over the world. Then, people can look upon ISKCON as a Yoga institution which is teaching the highest principles of Bhakti Yoga to the general mass of people free or at some easily affordable costs. This involves highly scientific concepts, most prominent of which is the Mantra Meditation (chanting of Hare Krishna MahaMantra!) This has given relief and brought joy to about a million people in the world as of today! Then, people can look upon ISKCON as an organization that distributes a lot of free food (which is actually prasadam!!) all around the world. ISKCON's "Food For Life" organization is one of the largest, if not the largest organization in the world that distributes free vegetarian food! These are just a few instances of the many many that prove that ISKCON is as good as (if not better than) any other social work organization. In this regard, you might want to visit the following link : The Barsana Eye Camp


- However, ISKCON is way way more than just a social work organization. It is the movement of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who is Krishna Himself, according to a lot of major Vedic literatures like the Srimad Bhagavatam and the MahaBharat. It is an organization that systematically propogates the message of God using the latest technological tools in order to reach the most number of people in as less time as possible. It is providing the opportunity for the general mass of people to transcend the cycle of repeated birth and death and go back to the Kingdom of God that is promised in the various major religious scriptures of the world.

Your servant,
Abhijit.

The Barsana Eye Camp

Hare Krishna!

Dear All,

There are people who think that service to God and service to man are independent of each other. Here is another related article. These ill-informed people and armchair philosophers dont really care for the suffering humanity despite their so called concern for them. So many times have I heard this same non-sense from the general mass of people that why doesnt ISKCON do some "social service"! What they just cannot appreciate is that ISKCON is doing more than they can even imagine! See this too!

However, even those who have no understanding of spirituality (Devotional Service to Krishna) and its supreme importance, can appreciate the devotees associated with ISKCON as they keep doing other wonderful activities too! And one such glorious example is the Barsana Eye Camp. I urge all to kindly go through the following:

Some pictures from the 2007 Eye Camp “http://news. webshots. com/album/ 558089985KIXYnT”

‘Let Them See’ a 11 minute documentary made by H.G. Yadubar Prabhu “http://video. google.com/ videoplay? docid=-612597813 8206736718&pr=goog-sl”

One can serve the Lord according to his or her propensities. These wonderful doctors are also serving the Lord by organising these camps and at the same time distributing prasadam and singing Kirtans! They are setting a wonderful example for all doctors to follow. As Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, "As the intelligent do, so the others follow."

The problem with the material world, especially in this Kali Yuga, is the alarming lack of purity in indivisuals. Due to this, even a good endeavour, though starts positively, very soon deteriorates as the people involved start thinking in terms of political posts, recognition, and so on. They start developing some kind of pride, and they start thinking that they are the doer, and not that they are just instruments in the Hands of Krishna.

To prevent such degradation, the only solution is for people to become Krishna Conscious. This will always keep people selfless and pure, and thus the various welfare organizations can continue to serve effectively over a long period of time -- as long as they keep Krishna as their center!

Your servant, Abhijit.

Gaur Pournima : Look what I got!

Hare Krishna!

On the most auspiscious ocasion of Gaur Pournima, by the mercy of the Vaishnavas, I purchased the following!
















Your servant, Abhijit.

Gaur Pournima : Lecture by RadheShyam Prabhu!

Hare Krishna!

His Grace RadheShyam Prabhu is the Temple President of Sri Sri Radha Kunjabihari (ISKCON) Temple, Pune. On the occasion of Gaur Pournima, he gave a very wonderful lecture after the Abhishek Ceremony of Their Lordships Sri Sri Gaur Nitai!. Here is a humble attempt to reproduce a few things he said. He spoke in Hindi, but I'll write in English.

Before starting, let me offer my most humble obeisances to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!!

Radheshyam Prabhu started by saying that when people see the Hare Krishnas dancing and singing on the streets, they feel that these people are having a nice party. Well, while that is true, RadheSham Prabhu emphasized that its very important to understand the "siddhanta" or the philosophy behind this Hari Naam Sankirtan. He also said that we can understand our great good fortune that we have been given this opportunity to associate with Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON by understanding more about Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

---

From here on, I'll paraphrase what RadheShyam Prabhu said.

Lord Krishna's eternal abode is Goloka Vrindavan. Apart from Goloka Vrindavan, there are innumerable other Vaikuntha planets where the Lord presides in His Vishnu form. We will never find in the Shastras that Lord Vishnu's mother is running after Him with a stick in hand :) Thats because in Vaikunthas, the Lord is in His majestic form. However, what the Lord enjoys most is being bound by the love of His loving devotees. This is easy to understand because even in mundane relationships, one does not like to accept subordination to anyone except to one who loves you.

Thus, in Goloka Vrindavan, the Supreme Lord enjoys Himself by accepting subordination to His loving devotees in the Saakhya (friendship), Vaatsalya (parent-child) and the Maadhurya (conjugal love) relationships. Such relationships are fully exhibited _only_ by Krishna! and not by any of the Vishnu forms.

However, Krishna saw that even in Goloka Vrindavan, His devotees were getting immense pleasure just by serving Him. He saw that, the pleasure enjoyed by the devotees, and especially by Srimati RadhaRani, in serving Him was way more than the pleasure enjoyed by Him in being served. So, Krishna decided to try and understand the mod of His supreme devotee -- Srimati RadhaRani. Therefore, to experience that pleasure, Lord Krishna decided to incarnate as Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!

There were three reasons why Lord Chaitanya came to this earth. They are explained below.

1. To understand RadhaRani's Love for Krishna!

When Krishna told RadhaRani about His plans to come to earth, She wanted to protect Him! She told Krishna that if you take on my mood, you will cry, laugh, jump, shout, and so on like a madman without caring for what others are saying. In order to protect Krishna, RadhaRani offered Her golden complexion to Krishna, and so Lord ShyaamSunder became Lord Gauranga! There is no difference between Lord Gauranga and Lord Krishna.. only the colour :)

2. To taste His own beauty!

Tukaram Maharaj writes -- "Hey Vitthala! What do you know about your own beauty!" :) Just like a lotus flower contains some nectar, and that nectar is enjoyed by the honeybee. The beauty of the lotus and the sweetness of the nectar is only known to the honeybee, not to the lotus. Similarly, Krishna wanted to know His own beauty. That what is it about Me that attracts My devotees to Me? :)

3. To understand how just by thinking about Him, His devotees experience ecstacy!

When RadhaRani used to hear the sound made by the bamboos, she used to fall unconscious thinking that this sound is the sound of Kishna's flute. When the Gopis would see the Tamaal tree, they would think this is Krishna! (The colour of the Tamaal Tree resembles that of Krishna). If the Gopis would see a bull, they would just take shelter of a Tamaal tree and just by thinking of Krishna, they would feel protected! Krishna wanted to undrstand this phenomenon.

---

After this, RadheShyam Prabhu told the basic teachings of Lord Chaitanya. He also explained that how it is very difficult to understand the pastimes of Lord Krishna. When someone sees a boy and girl together, immediately bad thoughts come to ones mind. But the same gopis of Krishna Lila came as male associates of Lord Chaitanya! In this way, understanding the relationship between pure devotees and Krishna has become easier. Such is the causeless mercy of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!

RadheShyam Prabhu ended by suggesting that people can buy Chaitanya Charitamrita and read Lord Chaitanya's Pastimes :)

Hare Krishna! Gaur Pournima Maha Mahotsava Ki Jai!!

Your servant, Abhijit.

To Dear Amol Katkar Prabhu

Hare Krishna!

I would like to express my very very sincere gratitude to Amol Katkar Prabhu for all that he has done and is still doing for me. Well, not only for me, but for a lot many others too.

I met him in Pune in my company. One day, he just wrote a mail to all in the company that he has a few copies of the Bhagavad Gita, and anyone interested can kindly come and buy one. Amol Prabhu tells me that I was the first one to come to him. I remember that as soon as I saw his mail, I ran to him! I was in that kind of mood. As Prabhupada explains in his purports, how eagerly a person takes to Krishna Consciousness depends on how fertile he/she is to recieve it. Prabhupada explains that a burning matchstick when falls on dry grass, the grass immediately catches fire, but when it falls on water, the matchstick just fizzles out.

So, I was really looking for answers in life. Well, nothing dramatic was wrong in my life :), but I knew that something wasnt just right! I was struggling within myself to answer the various questions that life poses. What is right, what is wrong? What is achievement, and what is failure? Am I the maker of my destiny? Or am I totally in the hands of a preset destiny? And if so, then whats the purpose of existence? What then is the difference between a hard worker and a lazy bum? But surely there is some difference, isnt there? But then, ultimately its all going to be finished by death.. Then whats the point in working hard? So, should I just laze around? But, I cant just laze around, its not in my nature... So, what should I do? What is the goal of life? Is there any goal at all? Or is everything a big illusion as somewhere I had heard? And if so, why then are people running here and there for something which is ultimately going to get lost.. isnt this insane? How can people totally ignore these questions? Dont they want to know? Cant they just see the futility of life, which is ultmately going to end in death? And why am I, who can philosophise so much, also not able to be peaceful? Why am I being pulled by two opposing forces of knowledge of impending death and the challenge of "doing something" before I die! Isnt it only because I want to impress others for the short period of time before I die? And isnt this just madness? And if it is madness, still why cant I give it up!!

Well, now you know what state I was in :) I couldnt work for whole days thinking about these points. Going around in circles, but reaching nowhere.

And then came this mail from Amol Prabhu! And now there are no doubts. Now everything is clear. All questions answered most satisfactorily. The mind is very peaceful (compared to what it was before ;) ). And I am eager to serve Krishna. Life is beautiful. Again. It was beautiful when I was in IITB too, but that was bliss in ignorance. The problem with bliss in ignorance is that even a little partial knowledge can totally smash that illusion of bliss. And once that happens, there is no bliss, unless one comes to real knowledge!

And real knowledge is given in the "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" by His Divine Grace Srila A. C. BhaktiVedanta Swami Prabhupada! And that knowledge came to me through my very dear Amol Prabhu.

Amol Prabhu is my best friend (after Krishna ;) ).

Your insignificant servant, Abhijit.

Gaur Pournima : Surrounded by Wonderful Devotees!

Hare Krishna!

This is just to express gratitude to Prabhupada ad Krishna that I am asociated with so many wonderful devotees. Just to gve some examples -- yesterday, on Gaur Pournima, Amol Katkar Prabhu chanted 70 rounds (at least), Sumit Sharma Prabhu chanted 54 rounds (at least), and Viraj Kamat Prabhu chanted 32 rounds (at least). By being in the association of such devotees, surely even a person like me can nicely progress in Krishna Consciousness.

My humble obeisances to all these wonderful devotees of Gauranga!

Hari Bol!
Hari Bol!
Hari Bol!

Your fallen servant, Abhijit.

Gaur Pournima : Only by Mercy!

Hare Krishna!

Yesterday was Gaur Pournima, the appearance day of The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Gauranga!

I reached the Sri Sri Radha Kunjabihari Temple at 1030. Way too late. I should have reached by 0430. I had decided to do that. I had also decided to chant a lot of rounds on this most auspicious day. But, I chanted only 16.. Why? Actually, this last Janmashtami I had indeed chanted 65 rounds! How then, that same me, could not repeat it yesterday?

Honestly, I know the answer. I had this very strong realisation yesterday that it was only due to my becoming complacent and proud that I could not do what I did on Janmashtami. I became complacent because I thought "Oh, I have done it once, I can do it again, big deal!" And I became proud that "See, I am such a nice devotee, I can chant more rounds than others!". And it is these "anarthas" that Lord chaitanya just doesn't like. I could feel very strongly that because my mood was not of love and surrender, I could not do what I did the last time. I realised that it is only due to the mercy of Prabhupada and Krishna that I can do any spiritual activity. And that mercy only comes when I am humble, prideless, and very serious.

So, my Gaur Pournima day started with this very strong lesson.

I plead the Vaishnavas to kindly bless me that all these anarthas get quickly washed away from my heart.

Your insignificant servant, Abhijit.

The Ecstatic Dehu Yatra!

(above: Sri Sri Radha Krishna near the Gatha Mandir)

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis!

Here is an account of one of the most blissful days in my life so far! And judging from the things that keep happening to me, its only going to get better! All this is due to, and only due to the blessings of you all Vaishnavas and Srila Prabhupada. And ofcourse, when that happens, Krishna just cant help showering His blessings too! ;)

Let me pay my most humble obeisances to Srila Prabhupada who has changed my life in the most amazingly beautiful way. Who has shown me what I was always searching out for -- Perfection. And just by being in his divine association in the form of his ISKCON, all of us are tasting the pure spiritual bliss of Loving Devotional Service to the Lotus Feet of Sri Sri Radha Krishna.




















(above : JaiNarsimha Prabhu)

Let me also pay my humble obeisances to JaiNarsimha Prabhu who has very kindly bestowed upon me his mercy by giving me shelter. Its only through him that I have any hope of progressing steadily in Krishna Consciousness.


JaiNarsimha Prabhu had taken all his councelees to the holy village of Dehu on Sunday, February 25, 2007. This is the narration of that blissful day. There were about 25 of us. We all assembled at the Sri Sri Radha Kunjbihari Temple at around 0800 and left for Dehu around 0930 in a small bus. In the bus we had wonderful prasadam cooked lovingly by various Matajis. Poha, Idli, Chutney, Sandwich, Juice! Ya, it was a feast! In a bus! And ofcourse, we had Kirtan! Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Raam Hare Raam Raam Raam Hare Hare.

(above: Feasting in the bus!)



We reached Dehu around 1100. To be very frank, I dont quite remember the times. It was all seeming to me as an endless series of blissful moments. After getting out of the bus what did we do? What do you think? Ofcourse! We did Street Sankirtan! On the streets of the holy village of Dehu were singing and dancing the Hare Krishnas! That's us :) I had never before been part of a street Sankirtan... and let me tell you, it was pure bliss! We had the pleasure of having HariNaamAnand Prabhu with us, and his name says it all!

(above: Street Sankirtan in Dehu!)

Dehu is located on the banks of the River Indrayani. It is known for being the birth place of the great saint and devotee of Vitthala (Krishna), Tukaram Maharaj. He has written around 4,500 "abhanga"s. "Abhanga" means without fault. In his writings he writes that Lord Chaitanya initiated him! So, Tukaram Maharaj is in our sampradaya too! No wonder he had intense love for the Supreme Lord Sri Vitthala.



The Vitthala Rukhmini Temple in Dehu is very nice and peaceful. One can feel the spiritual vibrations there, especially in front of the deities of Sri Sri Vitthala Rukmini. We had very very ecstatic Kirtan inside the temple premises. The pujaris (and others) there know the Hare Krishna devotees and also love and respect them a lot. This was told to me by one of the pujaris when I had visited Dehu earlier.

(above: Ecstatic Hari Naam Kirtan inside the Vitthal Rukhmini Temple!)



We had the very great fortune of having with us DwarkaNath Prabhu and AtmaTatva Prabhu. DwarkaNath Prabhu had especially come to Dehu for us. In the temple, he spoke wonderful introductory words in glorification of Dehu and Tukaram Maharaj. He is very well versed with the history and teachings of Tukaram Maharaj. Also, he runs an ISKCON center in Dehu! DwarkaNath Prabhu Ki JAI!!

(above: L to R : AtmaTatva Prabhu and DwarkaNath Prabhu)

With him was AtmaTatva Prabhu who lives in (as far as I understood) the Nigdi ISKCON Temple. He was from the Warkari Sampradaya and was preached by an ISKCON devotee, after which he joined ISKCON :) He sang very heart touching and loving Abhangas written by Tukaram Maharaj. AtmaTatva Prabhu Ki JAI!!



After the ecstatic Kirtan, we left the temple to visit the birth place of Tukaram Maharaj. There again DwarkaNath Prabhu gave a nice sweet lecture. And then what did we do? Well, some more Kirtan! This time even more ecstatic. Dancing!
(above: Tukaram Maharaj's birthplace)

After paying our respects to Tukaram Maharaj's deity and also the deity of his wife Jijabai, we left the house of Tukaram Maharaj. His descendants still live there. Then we sung and danced our way to the "Vaikuntha Sthan" -- the place from where Tukaram Maharaj was taken to Vaikuntha on a vehicle that had come for him from there! He went in his same body, a very very very rare thing. Such was the greatness of this pure devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Hari.

At the Vaikuntha Sthan, we chanted (atleast) a round. DwarkaNath Prabhu spoke again about the activities of Tukaram Maharaj and about his love for Vitthala. Also, a local person explained the glories of that place to all present. After paying respectful obeisances to the Tukaram Maharaj deity there, we went to the banks of the Indrayani River. The plan was to hire a boat and ride along the river to another holy spot some minutes away.



Before boarding the boat, we had a very enlightening discussion with HariNaamAnand Prabhu about playing the Mridangam. I have already posted a blog entry (Mridangam Or Flute) about it earlier. On the boat also, we had Hari Naam Sankirtan!! We were having a great time! :)

(above: Boating time!)







The destination was the place on the banks of the Indrayani where Tukaram Maharaj had performed austerities for 13 days, and all his writings, which the envious people had thrown into the river, came up absolutely dry!! The writings are called "Gatha"s and in the honour of this event, a grand temple named "Gatha Mandir" is coming up there.

(above: Gatha Mandir on the banks of the Indrayani)

There is already a small and very peaceful Radha Krishna Temple near where Tukaram Maharaj had performed the austerities. In its open-air temple hall (roof is present), DwarkaNath Prabhu again gave a very enlightening lecture on Tukaram Maharaj's life and teachings. He made a lot of wonderful points. Mainly he portrayed how Tukaram Maharaj's teachings are very much in line with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's techings, further establishing that Tukaram Maharaj was indeed initiated by Lord Chaitanya.


After that we had ecstatic Lunch Prasadam! It was wonderfully arranged by DwarkaNath Prabhu! Then the devotees took baths in the river and the kids had a blast! Then, DwarkaNath Prabhu had to leave. We then went to Bhandara Hill. Ths hill is special because it was on this hill that Tukaram Maharaj used to come daily and chant. We all went there in our bus. It is 8KM from the Gatha Mandir.

(above: A view of the temple where we had Lunch, with the Indrayani in the background)

After paying obeisances to the deities there, JaiNarsimha Prabhu spoke for about 10 minutes on Tukaram Maharaja and Dehu and Pandharpur. Then SachiTanuj Prabhu organised a very nice skit, which left a deep impression on me (and I am sure on others too). The purport of the skit was that if we chant but are not attentive, then it means we are inviting the Lord in our house but ignoring Him once He has come! So, now whenever I chant, I remember this purport and try to be attentive.

Then we boarded the bus and and reached the Radha Kunjabihari temple at around 7PM. On the way we had Antakshari! Antakshari of Hari Naam Sankirtan! We had to sing the Hare Krishna Mahamantra in different tunes!

(above: The Group Photo!)

Thus ended one of the most ecstatic days in my life. As Prabhupada says about Krishna Consciousness -- "Its not imaginary ecstacy....". Its unimaginable ecstacy!! :)

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Raam Hare Raam Raam Raam Hare Hare

Your insignificant servant,
Abhijit.

RadhaRani's Domain -- Prasadam Cooking

Hare Krishna!

Yesterday, the cook of our YOGA (Youth Of God's Abode) center left for his hometown -- Mayapur :) So, now its up to us all to share the responsibilities of cooking for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Kunjabihari and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai.

Anil Timbe Prabhu impressed upon us the special position of Prasadam cooking. Mother Yashoda used to call RadhaRani to cook prasadam for Krishna. He explained that in the temple only Brahman Initiated devotees are allowed to cook for Krishna and therefore its a wonderful wonderful opportunty for us to do this very exalted service to the Lotus Feet of Sri Sri Radha Kunjabihari and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai.

Anil Timbe Prabhu also reminded us of what great trouble our authorities (i.e. RadheShyam Prabhu and co.) have taken just so that our devotional life can progress with least trouble. We must always always be tremendously grateful to them all for so much that we are getting.

Also, Prasadam cooking is one of the most purifying service and Anil Prabhu assured us that once we handle this phase (where we have to cook also), we will be able to become even more grateful to all the Vaishnavas.

Anil Prabhu then quoted the example from Chaitanya Lila, where Mukunda gets ecstatic when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu tells him that he can have Darshan of Him only after a million births! Mukunda was so so ecstatic in gratefulness that some day he will get Darshan of the Lord. Seeing this, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu became very pleased with Mukunda and immediately gave him Darshan. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said that he will never give Krishna Prem to ungrateful people.

Your servant, Abhijit.