720227 - Lecture Bengali - Mayapur

Lectures by Date, 1972

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

720227LE-MAYAPUR - February 27, 1972 - 31:35 Minutes

These lectures were given by Śrīla Pūri Mahārāja and Śrīla Prabhupāda (Śrīla Prabhupāda's lecture starts at 22:50 mins) (Translated from Bengali)

Purī Mahārāja: (introduction)

(Gaudiya-matha Invocation)

vanca kalpatarubhyas ca krpa sindhubhya eva ca

patitanam pavanebhyo vaisnavebhyo namo namah

namo mahā-vadānyāya

kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te

kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-

nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ

(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya 19.53)

ajanu-lambita-bhujau kanakavadatau

sankirtanaika-pitarau kamalayataksau

visvambharau dvija-varau yuga-dharma-palau

vande jagat priya-karau karunavatarau

(Śrīla Vṛndāvana Dāsa Ṭhākura)

he kṛṣṇa karuna-sindhu dina-bandho jagat-pate

gopeśa gopika-kānta rādha-kānta namo 'stu te

tapta-kāñcana-gaurāṅgi

rādhe vṛndāvaneśvari

vṛṣabhānu-sute devi

praṇamāmi hari-priye

nārāyaṇaṁ namaskṛtya

naraṁ caiva narottamam

devīṁ sarasvatīṁ vyāsaṁ

tato jayam udīrayet

(SB 1.2.4)

I offer my obeisances to the lotus feet of Svāmiji Maharaja, and all the devotees of Bhagavān, present here.

Today, on this auspicious land of ours where Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared four hundred and eighty-six years ago, on that land all of you have gathered here.

Svāmiji Mahārāja, who is propagating Śriman Mahaprabhu's teachings, all over the world in countries outside India, and within a very short time has preached to people of foreign lands who have now joined his mission, and has visualised building the tallest temple in the world that will touch the skies. It is a great fortune because no other temple of such proportions will be one of its kind. This is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's gift, not only to Bengal, but to the whole world. He is one who is most munificent and charitably disposed.

namo mahā-vadānyāya kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te

kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ

(CC Madhya 19.53)

What is that gift that Sri Caitanya Mahāprābhu has gifted? It is Kṛṣṇa-prema. In this present day, that love is being distributed in foreign countries. Caitanya Mahāprabhu has said,

pṛthivīte āche yata nagaradi grāma

sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma

(Śrī Caitanya Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 4.126)

This name is being distributed all over the world. This spiritually exalted man has propagated all over the world, the message of Mahāprabhu who appeared in Navadvīpa in district Nadia. This is most amazing, and I am not sure if in the future, anyone is going to be able to make such a great contribution. This is why we have all been able to congregate here on this sacred land along with many people from all over the world who are constantly engaged in congregational chanting of the holy name in various ways to preach the message of Mahāprabhu.

In the movie that will be shown today, you will see how devotees in foreign countries are preaching the message of Mahāprabhu, and how the foreigners are listening to the words of Mahāprabhu. This is Mahāprabhu's vāni that is being propagated. Mahāprabhu's message that is known there as Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This means,

Jīvera 'svarūpa' haya-kṛṣṇera 'nitya-dāsa

kṛṣṇera ‘taṭasthā-śakti' ‘bhedābheda-prakāśa

(CC Madhya 20.108)

Mahāprabhu's internal potency Sanātana Gosvāmī, asked Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in Kāśī dham, "Ke āmi . . .

Ke āmi, kene āmāya jāre tāpa-traya

ihā nāli jāni-kemane hita haya

(CC Madhya 20.102)

āpanāra hitāhita kichui nā jāni

grāmya-vyavahāre paṇḍita tāi satya māni

(CC Madhya 20.100)

Sanātana Gosvāmī said, "I am a learned man in ordinary dealings because all these years I was a minister in Hussain Shah Badshah's government. I am educated all material knowledge, I am not a fool, yet I do not know who I am."

Then, Mahāprabhu said: "Your true identity is that you are a spirit soul and an eternal servant of Krsna. You have forgotten Krsna, and have come to this material world, and you are being carried away by the waves of māyā, sometimes up, sometimes down." Sanātana Gosvāmī is an eternally liberated soul, yet he asked just a question, for the sake of teaching us.

The constitutional position of a living entity is to be an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. An eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa is meant to constantly worship Kṛṣṇa. When such a servant renders devotional service to Kṛṣṇa, by the dint of such service the living entity is able to elevate and regain the spiritual form and eternal devotional service to Bhagavān, the Supreme Lord. It is this Kṛṣṇa-kīrtana, or chanting of the holy names, that is Kṛṣṇa consciousness . . . by hearing this word, please do not think that this is a new creation, this process of the living entity rendering devotional service to Bhagavān is being practiced since time immemorial. The living entities in this world have turned their backs, and is therefore forced by the material nature to forget Kṛṣṇa.

bhayaṁ dvitīyābhiniveśataḥ syād

īśād apetasya viparyaya-smṛtiḥ

(SB 11.2.37)

In this time and age, the living entity is becoming shattered, and the reason for that is the living entity's forgetfulness of Bhagavān, the Supreme Person. There are two mistakes that living entities are committing. Firstly, they have forgotten their eternal spiritual identity. Secondly, having forgotten their true identity, they have surrendered to the false ego identifying the self as the body, believing that everything related to the body is their possession. By surrendering to anger, greed and lust, the living entity is suffering being tossed around by māyā, sometimes up and sometimes down. These living entities will be able get respite from the onslaught of māyā, if they are able to receive the blessing of a bona fide spiritual master.

brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva

guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja

(CC Madhya 19.151)

After transmigrating through millions of bodies and births in this material world, if a living entity receives the mercy of a bona fide spiritual master, then it is possible to realise the true identity of the self, engage in the living entities' original spiritual occupation of devotional service, and regain the eternal spiritual form. That original spiritual occupation of devotional service is known as Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

The living entity by forgetting Kṛṣṇa is suffering in the blazing fire of māyā in this material world. However, if the living entity returns towards Kṛṣṇa, engages in devotional service to Kṛṣṇa, and derives joy, then it is possible to get freedom from the clutches of māyā, and get released from the bindings of the mundane world.

This is the message that he is preaching. By listening to this message, all these people from foreign countries like America whose forefathers had never heard the name of Bhagavān, the Supreme Person, neither did they know about chanting the holy names of Kṛṣṇa, they are now constantly chanting the the names of the Supreme Lord. Not just that, they are studying, and have understood and accepted the philosophy because without study of the scriptures and conclusions of the previous bona fide spiritual authorities, we cannot discuss the activities and pastimes of the Bhagavan. Therefore, they have surrendered themselves after studying and understanding the bona fide scriptures, as taught by the authorities of the disciplic succession . . . ataḥ pumbhir dvija-śreṣṭhā (SB 1.2.13) or Hari-bhakti-vilāsa

If a caṇḍāla is a devotee of Hari, the Supreme Lord, such a person is considered to be the top-most. We must not think that these people are outsiders, foreigners, outcasts, and they have no right to be a part of the Vaiṣṇava community. They have the right. They have the right to devotional service of the Supreme Person, Bhagavān. They have follow all the rules and regulations of devotional service. They have surrendered themselves, and are chanting the holy names of the Supreme Person, all the time. They do not just perform congregational chanting of the holy name, you will notice that they also chant japa. And they are always enquiring and discussing topics related to Kṛṣṇa. They are not outcaste.

Regarding this matter, when Caitanya Mahāprabhu met Vallabha Ācārya, a Vedic scholar and brāhmaṇa, he said, "Do not pay attention to them. They are śūdra." Mahaprabhu said, "They are not śūdra. They are always chanting the holy names of the Supreme Lord Hari, so they cannot be śūdras."

Those who are chanting the holy names of the Supreme Person are always performing austerity, sacrifice and receiving its benefits. Hence, "śvādo 'pi sadyaḥ savanāya kalpate" (SB 3.33.6). Even a person born in a family of dog-eaters immediately becomes eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices if he once utters the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead . . ." There are many such evidences.

Therefore, we have to think, "These are foreigners. How can we associate with them?" However, they are exalted and learned because they are immersed in the devotional service of the Supreme Person, Hari. Please observe their humility, their soft attitude, their constantly being engaged in chanting the holy names. By observing these qualities, we understand that they are pious. "catur-vidhā bhajante māṁ, janāḥ sukṛtino 'rjuna :(Bhagavad-gītā 7.16)

Those who are impious cannot chant the holy names of Kṛṣṇa. Those who are pious chant the holy names of Kṛṣṇa. Who are those who chant Kṛṣṇa's name?

manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu

kaścid yatati siddhaye

yatatām api siddhānāṁ

kaścin māṁ vetti tattvataḥ

(Bhagavad-gītā 4.34)

Not just that, even amongst millions of those who are liberated, the devotees of Kṛṣṇa are rare. We can observe that this is the breed of Kṛṣṇa devotees that these people belong to. Just because they are foreigners, we do not have to despise them or reject them. We must not despise them. They are Vaiṣṇava, chanting the names of Bhagavān the Supreme Person, they are not chanting any other names. Therefore, by being close to them, we have a lot to learn. We are people of Bengal where Mahāprabhu appeared but the people of Bengal are not accepting Mahāprabhu's message. Only these foreigners have accepted Mahāprabhu's message, and they are teaching us how to chant the holy names of Hari, the Supreme Person.

"kathā gānaṁ nāṭyaṁ gamanam". The inhabitants of Vṛndavan, their speech is a song, their walk is an education in dance. Just like Bharata-nātyam. Some people open a school or an institute to learn dance forms like these, but they are chanting without any such learning. "Sevonmukhe hi jihvādau svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ" (Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.234).

If we observe them, we get the feeling that this is how the chanting and dancing must have taken place when Mahaprabhu was here. Mahaprabhu used to go to every town and village and perform nagara-kīrtana or loud chanting of the holy names through the streets of towns and villages." In the same mode, there is still a little bit of this kīrtana in Bengal. With Mahāprabhu's blessings, we can now see such kīrtana being performed again.

Therefore, if we have the courage and are fearless, then we have to accept these devotees are Vaiṣṇavas. They have come to this process after giving up a life of material enjoyment, and the affluence and comfortable life. The kind of material enjoyment they have experienced is not available here. They have given up that life and accepted one of simple living after offering everything to Bhagavān, the Supreme Person. They do not even smoke, take any intoxicants, and neither do they drink coffee or tea. This is surprising.

People of think country think twice before keeping a tiki (śikhā) and performing Hari-nama, thinking of what people will say. We do not wear tilaka, do not wear Tulasī beads. However, these devotees are fearlessly wearing beads, and performing Hari-nama, they are therefore worthy of our respect and worship. They have come here and have a lot to share, so please listen to what they say.

Respected Svāmiji, has within a very short time established in several centers all of the world. The holy names of the Supreme Lord is being preached through these centers. A Japanese scientist has stated that if the propagation of the holy name continues in this manner, then by 1981 it will spread to every village and every corner of this planet. If it is not being preached so widely then how would so many devotees be present here. This is the prediction of the mahājanas.

Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has said that, 'When will white-skinned people from foreign lands join us in an embrace and dance to the chanting of the holy names." They are now dancing. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura's desire is now being fulfilled. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmi desire is being fulfilled. And the person through whom this prophecy is being fulfilled has to be thought of as a greatly elevated spiritual man, and we do not have to worry about anything because look how many people have arrived from foreign lands and are chanting the holy names. They are now reviving these abilities that have always been there within us by performing the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Supreme Person. Please perform nāma-sankīrtana.'

This is the aim Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This aim and objective, that is known in English as Kṛṣṇa consciousness, do think of this as a foreign import, no, this is your own dharma, my dharma, your dharma and every living entities dharma. This being preached all over the world in accordance with Caitanya Mahāprabhu's message, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī, Rūpa Gosvāmi, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, and the words of all the Vaiṣṇavas in this disciplic succession.

The present ācārya who is the founder-ācārya of this consciousness movement, he his spreading this message fearlessly that Kṛṣṇa is Bhagavān, the Supreme Person, he is propagating this emphatically saying, "Listen everyone! Please read the Gītā, Bhāgavatam, Upanishads. Do not hesitate to establish Bhagavān, the Supreme Person, whose form is eternal, full of knowledge and bliss. Please accept Kṛṣṇa, understand who He is, understand His transcendental form."

In the Brahma-saṁhitā it is said,

anādir ādir govindaḥ

sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam

(Bs. 5.1).

"Īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ". Who is īśvaraḥ? Who is Parameśvara? Parameśvara, the Supreme Controller, is Śrī Kṛṣṇa, in the form of Śyamasundara, Muralī-dhāri. He has a form. He form is eternal, full of knowledge and bliss. He has established this fact fearlessly. I have observed this through his lectures and writing. No other ācārya before has preached in this message that Kṛṣṇa is Bhagavān, the Supreme Person, and His eternal, full of knowledge and bliss, as fearlessly all over the world and he has. He has translated to English, two extremely valuable scriptures, with many pictures in them, that people in foreign countries are reading and being amazed because no other ācārya has ever succeeded in achieving.

No other person to preach about Kṛṣṇa in this manner has taken birth, and it is most amazing that scriptures worth six-lakhs every month, are being bought and listened to by people. It is not the question of money, rather it is wonderful that so many people are eagerly listening about Kṛṣṇa and His pastimes. Mahāprabhu has said that these pastimes and glories about Kṛṣṇa must be preached, "ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeśa-tanayaḥ, vrajeśa-tanayaḥ tad-dhāmavṛndāvanam".

Mahāprabhu said, "Worship Kṛṣṇa, who is the son of Nanda Mahārāja." So, this what the entire preaching mission is emphasising. Worship and disciplined practice of chanting the names of Kṛṣṇa - this is the only way. Śreya-mārga is nāma-sankīrtan. In Kali-yuga, in all ages but particularly during the age of Kali, chanting the holy names of Kṛṣṇa is the only recommended practice, that leads to realisation of the spiritual-self and form. These are the topics that Mahārāja is preaching all over the world. And people are listening. The ones who never listened, and there was no one who went to foreign countries who distribute this so that people could listen.

People are eager to listen and want to listen to more. However, there is a lack of enough people to spread this message to each person, so Mahārāja, in his old age, is trying to preach this message all by himself in so many countries without wasting anytime. I believe, after this he is going to Australia which is very far away. People are starving to listen to Kṛṣṇa's pastimes and glories. By his mercy, so many devotees have assembled here today, and slowly Mahāprabhu's huge temple is going to be built here, and this will give lakhs of people from all over the world to listen to Mahāprabhu's glories. We too will listen and be inspired. Now, Svāmiji will speak and all of you will listen.

vanca kalpatarubhyas ca krpa sindhubhya eva ca

patitanam pavanebhyo vaisnavebhyo namo namah

Śrīla Prabhupāda:

. . . vrinda, matri-vrinda, all of you have enthusiastically gathered here to listen to narrations about this Kṛṣṇa consciousness society, I thank all of you.

All my disciples who are present here, do not understand the Bengali language. This lecture that we are giving today is one or one and a half hours long, and for it would be difficult someone who does not understand the language, to quietly sit through it for so long. However, even though they do not understand Bengali, because there is so much mercy in the narrations of Kṛṣṇa's pastimes and glories, that just to hear the word 'Kṛṣṇa' every now and then, is sufficient to make them sit quietly and listen.

Whenever someone brought any writing to our gurudeva, he would check to see if Kṛṣṇa and Caitanya Mahāprabhu's names have been mentioned many times, he would then approve of the written piece.

It is a fact that Kṛṣṇa-kathā is very pleasing and beneficial. Kṛṣṇa helps from within.

śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇa

puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ

hṛdy antaḥ stho hy abhadrāṇi

vidhunoti suhṛt satām

(SB 1.2.17)

naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu

nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā

bhagavaty uttama-śloke

bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī

(SB 1.2.18)

Kṛṣṇa-kathā is "puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ". If a person only listens, even without understanding anything, it is beneficial. The words itself are like that which is known as transcendental vibration in English. Just by listening to the sound bestows auspiciousness. "Puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ". It is auspicious for the person who is listening, as well the person narrating. According to our scriptures, there are two kinds of activities – auspicious and sinful. This is mentioned in the scriptures. There is no point in throwing caution to wind and ignoring this.

I had explained yesterday what sinful activities are – demonic or sinful activities, and devata-kārya or auspicious activities. Śrī Rāmānujācārya-pāda has stated that those who listen to and accept the words of the Supreme Person, they are demigods, and those who deny the words of Bhagavān, and do not want to listen to Him, are demon. The ones who do not want to believe in the Supreme Person are demons. Those who are demonic are troubled by the Lord's illusory energy. All of you must be aware, how Mother Durgā chastises the demon.

Hare Kṛṣṇa.

(Devotees chanting japa)

Purī Mahāraja: The electricity will be restored soon, so please be seated.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Please sit down. (sside) They will not be able to hear. This is a big problem.

The demonic tendencies are not going to be tolerated by material nature. This is the law of this world. We worship Durgā in Bengal. We have seen that next to Mother Durgā, there is Lakṣmī, Sarasvatī, Ganeṣa, Kārtika, above her head, there is Śiva, and there is the lion and the demon. And what is Mother Durgā doing? She has ten arms, and each hand is holding a different weapon. And the lion has been sent after the demon, just as sometimes we send a dog to chase after someone. The lion is biting with its teeth and has captured the demon with its nails. Other than this, she has a triśūl that is embedded in the demon's chest.

All of you must have seen pictures and this is according to the scriptures. Those who are demons . . . who are these demons? Rāmanujācarya, and the Bhagavad-Gītā explains that those who do not listen to Bhagavān, or do not believe in Him, they are demons. Material nature is definitely going to punish them. This is natural. The happiness and distress that we can observe in this world is all due to a lack of devotion to the Supreme Person.

Bhagavad-bhakti-hīnasya jātiḥ śāstraṁ japas tapaḥ

aprāṇasyeva dehasya maṇḍanaṁ loka-rañjanam

(Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya 3.11)

Occupationally, they maybe renowned scientists, warriors, businessman, industrialists – however, if there is no devotion to the Supreme Lord, then all those decorations, big houses, big factories, big workshops, big cars, or even this electricity – all these things are then reduced to 'decoration of the dead body'.

Sometimes we may find that a needy person may live all their lives in torn clothes but when the person dies, they wrap the body with an expensive shawl. So, what satisfaction does the dead body gain from that shawl? But the family members are feeling proud that their father or grandfather has been decorated with a shawl for the cremation . . . (end)