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Archive for February, 2001

Vrindaban “The demigods place many

February 8th, 2001

Vrindaban

“The demigods place many obstacles on the path of those who worship You to transcend the temporary abodes of the demigods and reach Your Supreme abode. Those who offer the demigods their assigned shares in the sacrificial performances encounter no such obstacles. But because You are the direct protector of Your devotee, he is able to step over the head of whatever obstacles the demigods place before him.? (Bhag. 11.4.10)

I read this interesting verse this morning in the Bhakti-sandarbha. The demigods are envious that the devotees will transcend their abode and thus put obstacles in their way. Jiva Gosvami, in his explanation to this text, reiterates that the troubles sent to a devotee do not remain obstacles on his path, but become steppingstones on a stairway toward God. In other words, the troubles sent a devotee, although externally appearing as obstacles, are meant to strengthen him by giving exactly the realizations required to move forward in spiritual life.

The image of Dhruva Maharaja comes to mind. He faced death personified at the end of his life, but instead of death subduing him, he stepped on the head of death to enter his celestial airplane back to Godhead. This verse from the Bhagavatam helps us understand the sense that a devotee becomes free from karma. It does not necessarily mean that when one becomes a devotee the reactions of his past do not come to him. That can happen. It means that the real fruit of karma, distress, does not come to him, as a devotee by dint of transcendental knowledge, reacts to all circumstances in a positive way to impel him further on his life’s mission. He thus transcends the distress of his past sins, his karma, by rising above the duality of happiness and distress.

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Vrindaban I’m finally settled in

February 7th, 2001

Vrindaban

I’m finally settled in my regular Vrindaban program and I am even happily cooking for myself, but still the energy of leaving soon is unsettling and I am not satisfied with the quality of my studies.

An Ayurvedic doctor once told me that a person that lives in the present is in the mode of goodness, a person who lives in the future the mode of passion, and a person who lives in the past the mode of ignorance. It takes me time to settle into the present, which is why I don’t like traveling and never did, but it is my duty as a sannyasi and I surrender to my fate.

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Nityananda Trayodasi Kaustubha has been

February 6th, 2001

Nityananda Trayodasi

Kaustubha has been praying for Gaura-Nitai deities since the beginning of tour. He found an exquisite set of 12″ astadatu Gaura-Nitai deities in Vrindaban that he had refined by Prabhu Dayal, a saintly artisan near Loi Bazaar. This morning at 7AM, in the japa-kutir, we install the deities by abhishek and kirtan. I speak briefly on the glories of Nitai.

Rama Raya comes in quickly to take darshan before running back to the temple to complete his own worship before the temple kirtan begins at 10 o’clock. He speaks briefly and I appreciate his points.

“The Deity one eventually worships should be a manifestation of the Lord that one has already been worshiping is His heart and thus one should be somewhat mature before worshiping personal deities.”

Of course, deity worship is generally considered for neophyte devotees, but his point is well taken. It is not solely for neophyte devotees, and ideally, such worship should have some connection to one’s spiritual sentiments, otherwise deity worship can become a fad, and the deities can go neglected, like a mantle piece on a shelf.

By serving the sankirtan mission sincerely for years, Kaustubha has a naturally deep affinity for Gaura-Nitai. His deities are a manifestation of the Lord in his heart and will be worshiped with affection.

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Vrindaban Time is ticking away

February 5th, 2001

Vrindaban

Time is ticking away in Vrindaban. I become conscious of the worth of every moment. I should live everyday in this consciousness, not only when leaving here reminds me of the value of every moment in life for advancement in devotional service.

I leave in a week. I need to energize myself for a serious use of my final days here, but I feel the counterforce of winding down my stay here.

Vrindaban I called Raghunatha, the

February 3rd, 2001

Vrindaban

I called Raghunatha, the director of the Bhaktivedanta Hospital, to confirm a date for a minor surgery I require. Raghunatha told me that he had just returned from Bhuj, the epicenter of the huge earthquake that had devastated Gujurat, where the Bhaktivedanta Hospital team rushed a team of doctors to assist in the medical relief, distribute prasadam, hold kirtana, and provide counseling.

These doctors have their jobs, families, and are strict in their spiritual practices. They also diligent in the various devotional services they have, so already every spare moment is being utilized in Krishna?s service. This emergency relief work must be a great sacrifice for them. I worked hard for most of my life for Srila Prabhupada’s mission and now Krishna has given me time for my spiritual practices, but their surrender and selflessness makes me feel almost guilty about staying longer in Vrindaban to personally enjoy my spiritual life.

Raghunatha described to me the devastation and fear he saw in Gujarat. He asked one taxi driver who picked him up at the airport what it was like in his town during the earthquake. The driver described how his simple dwelling suddenly began to shake violently and how he quickly grabbed his wife and child and ran out to the road. He then described seeing a large greenish brown cloud hover over the whole village like the aftermath of an explosion, and how when it settled minutes later, there was absolutely nothing left of his village?only rubble.

While speaking to Raghunatha, I recalled Srila Prabhupada’s words in his last days to his young sannyasis. “Don’t think this won’t happen to you.” I am now enjoying Vrindaban life, but I shouldn’t forget the inherent suffering nature of material existence, and how I also will inevitably face material devastation, in one form or another, unless by advancement in Krishna consciousness, I transcend the dualities of the world.

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Vrindaban Most of the devotees

February 1st, 2001

Vrindaban

Most of the devotees leave tonight. Many told me they had life-changing experiences confirming my conviction that pilgrimage?times of the year dedicated solely to the pleasure of God?are an essential part for spiritual development.

We enjoyed the krishna-katha so much at Javat and Nandagram yesterday that I feel impelled to continue speaking on Chandrika Camutkara, Krishna’s uproarious pranks written by Viswanatha Cakravarti Thakur, instead of Caitanya-Bhagavata for my evening class. We also roll in waves of hilarity as Krishna disguises himself as a female doctor to cure Srimati Radharani.

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