Rupa-Sanatana Tirtha. Krishna's compassion. Lecture 1
Bhakti Vijnana Goswami · Rupa-Sanatana Tirtha · 2014
Chapters
Invocation prayers and opening mangalacharana
Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa-pādām, saha gān lalitā, śrī viśākhā-vitamśam
he kṛṣṇa karuṇā-sindhu dīna-bandhu jagat-pate gopi-śa gopikā-kānta rādhā-kāntāṁ namo ’stu te tapta-kāñcana-gau-rāṅgī rādhe vṛndāvaneśvari vṛṣabhānu- sutē dēvi praṇamāmi hari-priyā-taru
vāñchā-kalpa-tarubhyaś ca kṛpā-sindhubhya ēva ca patitānāṁ pāvanēbhyō vaiṣṇavebhyō namō namaḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda śrī-advaita śrīvāsādi-gaura- bhakta-vṛnda
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare, Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.
ājānu-laṁbita-bhujaḥ kanakāvavadātaḥ saṅkīrtanaika-pitarau kamalāyatākṣau viśvambharau dvija-varau juga- dharma-pālau vande jagat-priya-karau karu- ṇāvatārau, tam taṁ mahā-vācā mē mama pra-guptāṁ saṁdiṣya vākyam akhilaṁ śakti-daraṁ sva-dhāma, anyaṁ ca hasta-caraṇa- śravaṇatva-gādiṁ praṇandam u bhagavate pṛcchatub.
śuddaḥ śritājanārtir raśāya na māsa gracias. namaḥ oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta- svāmin iti nāmine namaste sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī- प्रचारिṇe nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tārite.
Hare Kṛṣṇa. I am very happy to again having a chance to speak in front of all of you. Hare Krishna. Ami Apadeshava Shamya war bulti pades sohagavanikurshi. I am begging your blessings to be able to speak something useful.
Please give me your kripa. Rakabrabukama makadamkurun. It's actually only by the kripa, by the mercy, that we are able to do something.
Total reliance on divine mercy in bhakti
Should we want to Kripa Kripay Bare, Kabakur and Kachubalajana, Shakti Dhankarti. The path of bhakti from the very beginning till the very end is depending on kripa, on the mercy of the Lord.
On the other part, people they more rely on their own strengths, on the strengths of their body, on the strengths of their mind, their intelligence.
But path of bhakti from beginning till the end totally, completely, entirely depends on mercy only.
Hataba Urno Jayagate Baunastana Dakajai, Shadhar Manushtaradar Nijar Shokti, Nijir Manon, Nijar Budhi, Tarupa Nirfarkure We only have to become Kripa Patra, the recipients of Kripa of the Lord.
Everything from the very beginning, from the appearance of little Shrada, little face within our heart, is the result of the mercy of the devotees.
Tamadar Ridhajep Shraddha, Bamadha Ridhaje, Bhagavan Puti, Joy Kanti Kathake, Shittiriva Kare, Bhagavad Bhakti, Kripa And
as soon as we forget about this and think that I am great devotee myself, I don't depend on the mercy of Father Devoteus. We will be finished.
This dependence on the mercy of the devotees, Bhagavan and Holy Name is the most important uh quality of bhakti. The Bhakti Vane, Bhagavana Dibba Nam, Bhagavan Ashra Graham Karata, Shati Hatse Tijagotam.
I was asked to speak little bit about the holy name of the Lord. Damakebadana Dibanami, Mahima Shambhati Baltavala Hurse.
And also Devaki Mataji asked me to speak a little bit about the early days of Krishnacio Cusonsness Movement in the Soviet Union in Russia Makev Rudson Vagon Dibonam Shamparke emang Savit the Soviet Union Buratia And
I will try to connect these two topics together. Ami e do te viša, jaki karabala.
As you may know, now Russ is probably one of the most developed and one of the most rapidly developing yatras of Krishna consciousness movement is gone in the world.
There are devotees in Russia in 320 different cities and towns and villages. The Russia the Tinshu 15 Shagur And there is no material explanation of this success. The age mohe Krishna Hokti Bretchar Tarukana Jagoti Vekani.
This is only the result of the mercy of the Holy Name. The Eta Shudhu Mantra Ajay Shapalata Shati Sharvatov Have Dibba Name Karuna Rupan reversal Dibbaname Prabhavities
in the very beginning had this complete total faith in the holy name of the Lord and in the process of bhakti, uh, this much was achieved.
Gravity of committing offences against holy names
She Bhakti Givana Bhagti Givan Krishna Bhakti Prachara Shudhu Theke, Shekhankar Hapta, Bhagavan Dibona, and Bhagavanat Puti J Sharana Gotiva, Bhagavan Putti Atmosham Pitav.
So first I will speak a little bit about this very important topic of the offenses against the holy name and how the fence is blocking our progress in the chair in the path of chanting of the Holy Name. And then I will illustrate this by the historical facts and tell a few stories from the first days of Krishna consciousness movement in Russia.
Pracharji Bisham Hurwitze, Tanshati Shampor Kita Vibuno, Gulper Mantame, but we know a shot the hotter Mantame, she Bishai Gulokan Bernakurovo. The book Salted Brad is translated into Bengali and you probably many of you read this book. The debug imadagi if they amake Boletsen ge Salter Bron.
Salted Brad Gruntati.
And from this book, you can uh feel uh certain uh very strong faith and very strong surrender to the holy name of the Lord and to the process of Bhakti, which was there present in the first early divorces of the Soviet Union.
Uh Bhutham Dika J Hilan Tadaj Bagbara Dibon Amar Puti Shadanagoti Dibonamer Putti that is Ashra Grahun, Evan Tarakihabe, Dibon Amar Ashra Grahon Kore, E Shamosto, Shamusha Shamhoke, Guttarananhutikach a Shabishav Nadhinasan.
He explains that this initial phase that just by once chanting the holy name of the Lord is the begin uh and you can get everything by once chanting the holy name of the Lord.
Uh this understanding is very important on the pass of bhakti.
Evan Agbar Harina Kitun and Fale, Ji Shamasta Aparathake, Shamasta Papte, Muttuha, Shambhav, Jeti, Jibu Goshai Pat, Bhakti Shandav, Bananakarachan, Shatti Upluti Karata Again
and again and again in the holy scriptures in the Shastras it is said that you uh it's enough to chant the holy name of the Lord only once.
To wash away all the sins and to get rid of all the karmas which is accumulated over the many many years or many many of lifetimes.
A Agmar Harinaver falay Amadir John Mo John Mantara Jay Ojito Karma Ruetse Karmofal Ratze she Karmofale Prohapte and Ramuktoh.
Holy name is not of this world. It's transcendental, it's totally spiritually, and any amount of spiritual energy cannot or any amount of material energy kanat withstand hold in front of the spiritual energy of the holy name.
Shokti Roche, Sh Sheajoktirikace A Jagota Jagodikuna Shokti, Jagodikona Prahab, uhab istakur to Parima. Material sins and material karma which were accumulated is nothing in front of the holy name.
If you have a big pile of cotton, then it's enough just little spark of the fire, then the whole big pile of the cotton would be burned to ashes in no time.
Story of the king atoning for Brahmahatya
Cott There is a story uh in the Puranas about uh one son of a Rishi Puranekti and Upakhandrache action Rishi Chilem. There was one Rishi who was living in the forest and he was the expert in the chanting of the holy name.
And there was one uh Kshatriya king who committed a grievous sin. Somehow or other he killed a Brahmana. He committed a sin of Brahmahatya.
He was very remorseful in his heart and he was very afraid and he was uh looking for some Upaya for some means of liberation from the sin. How to get rid of the sin.
He was going to different Brahmanas in different saintly persons and asking what can I do to get rid of the sin of this Brahmahatya?
But everyone was saying that it's extremely difficult to get rid of the uh reaction of this very grievous sin and you will have to suffer, you will anyway have to go to hell because this is a very very serious sin which you have committed.
Ebam Iapura Teke Tumimuktibabena Tomake Tajana Niragami Hatehave, Ebam Tajana Tomakani Kostupoko Tehave.
He became very desperate, despondent, and he was roaming in the forest trying to find somebody who can give him good advice. Ultimately, he came to a little cottage of one Rishi and he got some hope.
Maybe he will give me some good advice. Takon Tani Shai a Jangalakut Takti, a Chotokure and Hablan, Janami Jai, Ikana Gale Hataba, Amikono Upodesh Pabo, Jar Dara Ami Eoperate Muktohti Pari.
And when he came, uh a little boy of maybe ten years old or twelve years old came out from the cottage and he asked, uh my dear king, uh what would you like, what what do you want?
And this uh king said, I uh do you have your father? I it seems to your your father seems to be a very saintly person. I need to speak with your father.
And the boy said no my father is not at home. He went for begging some alms and he may come maybe not today, maybe tomorrow, the after tomorrow, I don't know. But maybe I can help you.
Takhle Shay Brahman Balak Balan, our Pita Ekarne, Tini Tarhat Moshishabarita Gyatsan, Tinyaska Ashto Paran, Now Ashto Padan.
I am a student of my father, I am learning from him, so maybe I can also help you in your situation.
And uh this ksatri he said yes you may and he described his story and he said I committed this sin, what can I do to atone for this sin?
Takhana se uhrahman Balakarkate, Bolanje, Ami Aparat Kuratse Vishai, Talami Brahmahatar Aparatake, Ami Ki Havim Tilapkuttakari.
And the son said, oh, it's very easy, it's not so difficult. He sought a little bit and said, you know, my father knows the uh solution and I will tell you the solution. The solution is simple.
You just have to chant the holy name of Lord Rama three times. And all the reaction of the sins will be washed away from your heart and from And
some said it with such conviction and with such understanding and he had some effulgence and he had some Shakti, so the king believed him. Jyoti Virhotse Vang Tar Shi Prabhane Shaja Tarkathishashkola Vang Tarkatashunla.
And he said only this, only three times I have to chant the holy name of Lord Ram and Balak said yes, only three times. Takarnathy Raja Avara Jigashakul Matutin Bar Ramnam Kulley Have it.
And uh this khatri he became very enthusiastic, he chanted just in case four or five times, which just in case three times doesn't work And indeed he felt very much relieved and very much purified in the heart and somehow or other the hope came back to his consciousness. He thanked this little boy and he was going back to his kingdom.
And on the way back, he met the father of the son, Rishi, who was coming back to his cottage.
And this Brahman he asked this king why you're so happy, why you're so you know so joyous mm going back. What happened to the first time?
And the Kshatri the king told him the whole story and said, Your son is so nice, he gave me such a good advice.
He said, I have to chant holy name of Lord Rams three times. Takun uh Raja Bakutri Volan Abd Putra kup shoputro Tinyamakek Shadupud Dhan Karachan ebang Ami uh Ramnam Tin Baducharan Kori Ami uh Shamasta Pavte Maktohachi And
when the Sri Shri heard this advice, he became extremely angry. He became red, his eyes became red, he said, my son is an atheist.
Uh Rishi, I thought uh Tradito Hagal and Tatcho block the burnout. Nastik, Pashandi, he is a Pashandi.
And he came back and he cursed his son. He said, you don't believe in the power of the holy name. You said that he has to chant holy name of Lord Rams three times, whereas only one is enough.
So they say that in his next life, because of the curse of his father, this little boy had become Guhaka, friend of Lord Truman he served the Lord Trum, so it had a happy end this whole story. But he was born in a very low-cslas famil familyy, in a of hunters and forest dwellers because of this curse of his father.
Shikarius, Utra Rupe, can you uh jamma rah?
Offenses of considering scripture an exaggeration
Anyway, the point which I want to make is that the Holy Name is totally transcendental and it has immense power.
And uh if we believe in this power of the Holy But unfortunately, there is one grievous offense of the holy name which is called Harinama m which is called Artavada. Nama Artavada.
The to think that the glorification of the holy name which is there in the scriptures is exaggeration the Harinamat Putti Jeshapatse Namir Putti Arthur Arab Kara J Bajikshastre Hariname J Mahima Varnitha Srila Jivagaswam in his bhakti sandarb says that there are two most serious apparats, two most serious offences against the Holy Name.
He says that the first, the most grievous, and most serious offense against the holy name is the offending of the Vaishnavas, Vaishnava Parad. And the second most grievous offense among the offenses of the Holy Name is to think that the power of the Holy Name and the description of the power of the holy name which is there in the Shastras is exaggeration.
Arthawad Dithy Vish Dithy Aparati Shatiha Arthavada Arab Kada ba bodhi If we don't have the complete faith that the holy name of the Lord is not different from the Lord Himself and that the Holy Name by, chanting the Holy Name, we are coming in touch with the Lord Himself, and that the Holy Name can solve all our problems alone without any other Uh, any other means, then we are guilty in committing this offence.
Those who understand that the Holy Name is not different from the Lord Himself, they understand that the Holy Name is not only the means, the Holy Name is the end in itself. It's it's the goal and the means.
It's not the means, it's it's the end. It's the goal.
The Gibaners divonto her gorbana, Hurina Hatsima Given Lockho, Evan Harinami Hatsay, our Ekmatrupa, Eti Hatsay, uh Sheesh, Evan, eighty hatch of the Shop Śrīla Prabhupāda. And Prabhupada said that the result of this Hare Krishna Hare Krishna will be more Hare Krishna Hare Krishna.
As uh Sri Kirti Prabhu said this morning that when Prabhupada came, he had this complete, total, absolute faith in the holy name. You know, he knew that there is no need for anything else
and therefore and only therefore having this complete faith in the Holy Name he was able to spread the holy name so far and so wide all over the world.
An old 70-year-old Bengali Sadu coming to America, and when Prabhupada was going to America. He later said: I didn't know whether I will have something to eat in America or not.
And he said, I was mentally prepared to eat meat if needs there.
Valsilanami had se uh puthamay parts of the Jaguar Suturmaster Vashtag Bridho, Bangali Sadu. Tini Jakan Shatsatha Sha Jatra Golan, the Shlaprah Paparti the Volchilan. But what he had he he had forty rules in his pocket, he had f few books in in his baskets, but the most important wealth which he had with him was this complete faith in the Holy Name.
Tranke Tatakuntini Hatze, Suduthan, Actadrishilo, acta Vishilo, Shati Hatchihari Nam. And that's why he was able to sit in the middle of New York under the tree and chant Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare,
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare The
Shila Prabhupada, the Ono Konokichi Koran, the should not hurinam can shrade, say a near kids, not to near Boschet, and the Gache Tala Vershe, then should they This complete faith in the Holy Name means that the Holy Name will save me, the Holy Name will bring everything which I require.
Story of King Nriga and corrupted devotion
I do not need anything else.
Shila Jivagaswami while explaining this topic about apparatus against the Holy Name about About the offenses against the Holy Name and his Bhakti Sandarba gives a very interesting example from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
He, uh, so he gives the example of King Nṛga from the tenth canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. King Nriga Nriga Buddhini Srimad Bhagavatam Dashumas Kandhur Tikkei In many
places in Srimad Bhagavatam it is said that if you chant the holy name, then you will not go to Yama Raj, and Yama Raj will not be able to judge you and your Yamarach will not be able to give you any punishment.
But in the tense uh Kant of Shimad Bhagavatam in Tense Kanda, uh there is this story about King Nriga who went to Yamach and Yamach asked his questions: What do you want?
First, you want the result of your sins, or first you want the result of your piety. And when uh King Nriga tells this story to Krishna himself, we know King Nriga became lizard uh because of the punishment of Yamaraj.
He became a big lizard somewhere in Dvārakā. So King Nṛga says that during my lifetime I was chanting the holy name.
Takan uh Shay Maharaj Nirajik Bolan, Jamiyamar, uh Jibokalin Shramai, Ami Bhagavan Dibanamba a Hurinam Ucharan Kurachilam. I was serving Brahmanas. Ami uh Brahman the Shiva Kurachilam and I wanted to become your servant.
I was developing this dāsya-bhāva with my heart. And I wanted to see you face to face, he is saying to Krishna.
So the question arises, how come it is King Nṛga says that he was chanting the holy name, he was serving the Brahmanas, he was developing this serving mood towards the Supreme Lord, and still he went to hell and he was punished by Yama Raj and he became a lizard.
By Maharaj Rigo, uh Tinihoche, Hagana put the Dashroom Rekachilan, Tini Hagona Dibunam Kuratilen, Tinha Ridha Manohab Rekachil, Pagan with Dashab Manohab, Tabroth Hikano Hotse, Shay Nirai Gami Vanor Narogami Hurchil So
Shila Jivugaswami Pat, he explains why it happened. He says that it happened because even though he was practicing bhakti and definitely he was practicing some sort of bhakti some sort of bhakti.
He was doing it with offenses, Kitu Tiniji He was not believing in the path of Bhakti in itself. He didn't believe in this complete power of the Holy Name.
His practice of bhakti was covered by the practice of karma and therefore he was doing so much charity because he was thinking, you know, better I do some charity also because it may help me.
Half children, Jayami Hodidam Koshiba Tika, Amaketsu Dan Henna Karachi, the Dan Hen with the Monoji Hilan, Havchilant Tashe, Dan Batay, Karmo, Shetty Hotse, uh Shavujugi Habe, Tarjibone, Loc He was thinking that the main means of my the main means of my salvation, of my liberation, or of my attainment of higher destination would be that I distribute so much charity and by the way I also serve Brahmanas by the way I also chant the holy name and so on and so forth.
Praptohabu, Ba Amija Mukti Lakurbu, Takuna Mari, Dhan, Amarhatse Brahmande, Shivakara, Ba Amahatse Bhagavanam Jakara, Shiti Amajana Shahayakhabe, Shatiamajana Hatshu Halbaya And in the
course of doing this karma, distributing so much charity, he was giving cows and millions and millions and millions to different Brahmanas, he committed one little mistake. And by committing this mistake, he went to hell.
He went in front of Yamaraj. And Yamaraj asked him, What do you choose?
Would you first prefer to get the results of your little mistake and then enjoy the fruits of your piety, or first you get the results of your piety and then suffer because of the mistake.
Nakitomashe Puno Karmen, Batamajit Vidan Koraziletan Jeton Puna Karmohadse, She Punno Karma font me hokoticha. And he made a choice which is typical for a materialist.
The materialist they want to enjoy, but they don't want to enjoy thinking that after that I will suffer. So he said, let me suffer first and then I will enjoy without this mental agitation that I will suffer after.
Bector catre, it's correct, hubik, during hobbieshai, and gabuctira habe, the Amihatse uh shook, but our Ducka Babu, our costa babu, amakama, our duka. No, I shut a following Amihaze Aga So
Yamara said, so be it you become a lizard first.
And when he became a lizard he started thinking he still he he he maintained his memory he says even though I became a lizard I remembered everything which I was doing and he maintained his memory.
And he became very remorseful within his heart. He started lamenting within his heart saying, What is the use? I did so much piety. I was following it so strictly.
And still despite of all of this I am in this miserable condition as a lizard.
Takuntrianji Amiha Chamaji Vune, Ato Dhan Kurlam, Ato Gunna Kara Korm Karachtakolam, Ato Kichukolam All my karma didn't protect me, didn't save me from this uh condition being in this hellish body. My piety didn't save me.
What is the use of this piety? He became sorry, more so he said, Let this piety go to hell.
He said I didn't become devotee of the Lord, I didn't believe in the protecting powers of the Lord, then therefore I am here I am in this in this lizard body. Putija a Bhalamasha, Tarptiama Bishar Silona. She uh Bishar Basha Puripurno Bishasha, she operated following. And as soon as this uh pure bhavan this pure emotion appeared in his heart. Devotional emotion.
This total complete Sharanagati when he said, Better I would take shelter of the Lord, at this very moment Krishna came and picked him up from the uh you know Krishna saved him from this position.
Have coach and jamicano Hagan Chana Shampoo Basharana Gatoini, Bhagavan with the cano of che shampoo visha shracini, are a Ulutape Dana Tini Shardov, Haganacharna Sharana Gotovolen, Evan Sharana So Shila Jiva Gaswami Pat he makes this point that before that his bhakti
was corrupted with apparatus, with offences. And the main offense which he committed, he didn't have the complete faith in the holy name of the Lord, in the power of the holy name of the Lord.
This complete faith in the holy name of the Lord means that I I believe that I don't need anything. I don't need yoga, I don't need piety, I don't need anything. Only holy name is enough.
Didonish her manuatze, not dark name, Konoprakat Puna Karmo, Kuna Praka Dan, Kuna Praka Karmo, Konopraka Jago, Konopraka joke, our ective brush and shetty hot shape uh put the Ashraf.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Realizing spiritual bliss through pure chanting
So this sort of faith in the Holy Name makes our practice very powerful.
Immediately the blocking power of the apparatus becomes non-existent and we can experience the full Anubhav, the full experience, the full uh the full bliss of the Holy Name.
Tam Hari Namer Putija Dhiro Vishash, Shay Dira Vishash, and the Aquanath Drupja Bhara say, Shay Bhadha Teamta Kortepare, Evan Hurinamar Putti Dibbo, Bahurinamer Puti, Hurinamer Taraje Tak Like
Srila Rupa Gaswami says in his Namashtakam, Sudhitashita Janarti Rashaya Sukka Chit Gana Rupas Chitgana Sukhasvarupini Nama Nama Gokulama Hot Savait Krishna Purna Vapusha Namonamaha.
Silla Rupa Gaswami says in Namastikum that the holy name of the Lord can uh can burn away, can eradicate, can get away with you know piles and piles of sinful activities.
Sudhitash Rita of all the Sudhitashita Janarti Rashay can liberate us from all the sufferings.
the body that the holy name of the Lord is Chitgana uh Sukka Chitgana Swarupine he the holy name of the Lord is the concentrated
spiritual bliss Ebang a Harinam, Harinaman Madhsa Dibo Anando, Abastan God said, Harinam Anda Dam got the body.
Namagokulema Hot Savaite, it's Krishna himself who is the eternal festival of Gokul the Krishna at the sei Gokuler Usavswaruk uh that yeah Utsavswaruk yes.
And the uh Krishna Purnavapusha Namonamaha. I'm I'm boiling down to the holy name which is the Purnavapusa, the complete form of the Lord Himself.
If we chant the holy name with this understanding, with this faith in our heart, then the chanting will become a very powerful experience.
Amadir e Govir Nishta, Evan Govir Vishashtebati, Tale Huriname Puti, Ama Didbo Oruba, Shiti Matha Shakhamhav. Immediately our heart will be melted and the tears will come to our eyes and we will become transformed.
Rise of Krishna consciousness in Russia
And as I said in the beginning, because this faith somehow or other by the mercy of Krishna came to the hearts of early Russian devotees, there are some miraculous stories which appeared during the early days of Krishna consciousness in Russia.
Rashya Shrutika Bhakti Ridha Prakash Ratsilan Jardara Rashyate Etherean Bishaikar Evan Ethara Abuta Purbo Nidash Evan Rashyata Krishna Prachar And that time in Russia was a very special time because Russia was officially an atheistic country.
The atheism was the official religion of the country the Russia Shatihatse uh Nastikota Dikteke Ba Shekankar uh Shikrith say Nastikota Yeah.
People cannot live without religion and if they they don't believe in God at least they believe uh in what uh uh i uh they they have a faith that God doesn't exist and this is some sort of a religion.
You know Lenin who created this big big revolution in Russia in early 20th century, you know he became God for us.
The Lilinhatse Anik and Shay Andalan Tini Shutrupadhuti Yatsilan Evan Tini Shay Nasti got a Jaguran Hurti Asilan Shekane Among uh Tini Manushair uh Shekhanka Manusherganse Haguman Rupert Puthium.
They put the dead body of Lenin in a glass box. And somehow they were trying to maintain the dead body of Lenin so that it would not root.
Uh Liline J Mrito Dehoroche, Shirake Kona Kono Havey, Shotis Rafa Chestaka Shaky Rats Rick.
The idea was to prove to everyone that Lenin's roop Lenin's form is such ananda kuna Maybe not cheat and under but at least sat that it is eternal.
So there was a whole scientific institution. I think it was something like three hundred people were constantly working twenty-four hours a day to maintain this body intact.
Uh group roots, the nostril now and shake out of this dead body is still there, you can still see it.
And Russian people would stand in queue for hours and hours and hours to have little one-one second, split second darśana of the dead body of Lenin.
The Russian manhara hunter work on the topic Liletteary no acmurthards. You know, and they felt very purified, you know. I-I-I had this darśana. I saw this such it and on the roof of legend.
And as I said, it's a it's a religion. Atheism is a religion, nothing else. It's just a sort of religion. Very perverted form of a religion they don't
say a dark polyverti the roof eta tantra they would make murtis of Lenin, and the murtis of Lenin where they're everywhere practically in every office there should be some mūrti of Lenin, sometimes full-size, sometimes, you know, half-size
glothe uh come taka jinear um puro hot semurti but The idea is that Lenin is all-pervading, he's everywhere. Yeah, he's sarva-व्यापी, right.
So and then you know we know that during Kratayatra festival we take the form of Lord Jagannātha out on the streets in the carts and so that everyone could have darśana of Lord Jagannātha.
Radatraus Ramai amrade K Rasta Vidha Hai Just Janagan Bhagavan Jagarnat She Doshan Rap the Hoteparan.
So during big festivals in Russia, you know, they would take mūrti of Lenin on the cart and would drive the, you know, mūrti of Lenin and the cars on the streets of Moscow Moscow Rastay
Tarajotse Lenin Murti uh Shrikum Rothori Tara Rasta Diatani So there is no difference the same same thing We have Krishna consciousness and they have Lenin consciousness.
The only difference is that you you go to hell where Lenin is now if you have Lenin consciousness.
Journey of Srila Prabhupada to Moscow
And if you have Krishna consciousness, you go to Vaikuṇṭha. Anyway, so this was the country, and Śrīla Prabhupāda came to this country in nineteen seventy-one just for five days.
The Shatinghatse Edesh, Jadesh Sila Prabhupada, Pasdian Śrīla Prabhupāda was so eager to come to Russia for so many years he was trying to get Russian visa and somehow rather to come to Russia Prabhupada, Russia Jar Bishai Anik Ichuk Chilen Tini, Anik Botchodhre Kurunakuno Upay, Rashia the Jar Pasishta Kotsil.
Because of his compassion, he knew that these people are suffering. They need Krishna consciousness, they need God consciousness. Without that, they cannot be happy.
He had such a complete faith in Krishna that he knew he knew he was convinced that Krishna wants to be in Russia.
So one of his disciples, Krishna Das from Germany, he started entered into some letter exchange with one Indology professor from Moscow, Professor Katowski. Krishna Das. Krishna Das from Germany.
The Germany again hatto uh Śrīla Prabhupādaśto Krishna Dāsa Prabhu tini uh And
And then Śrīla Prabhupāda himself wrote letter to Professor Kotovsky where preaching this ancient tradition of India, the cult of Bhakti, the movement of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, which is very similar to the Soviet uh tradition because it's uh against all castes and everything. She wrote him a nice letter.
Evan bhakti-granthā, evan prakṛta-bhakte, jñāna bhāgavat-bhūti-viṣaya, evan śeṣe, rāśiyā-bhāva-rasa-sāndra-śābda-citā, kathā-vāśiki śrīpād-likhiḷ. Vishha, Evan Shetija, Rashia, Bhavarasha Sandra Shabuno, uh Shadakh Shunda Chiti, Kata Vashiki, Shlepad Likil.
And then Professor Katovsky wrote him back a nice, polite letter. Polite letter, not so nice but polite letter.
Tāhā katovskī śīlāprabhupātke u cilen. And he wrote him oh very interesting Swamiji, I'm very happy to hear this.
If you happen to be in Moscow, please come to see me. Tāhā koṭovskī-lāki-lān, jahā, svāmīji, ṭhiku halo, apni halākato viḷeṭsano, tāpi dākoṇo, rāśiyā āśana, tāhāṇ ābapni āmāṅguṛāṇ.
He didn't mean really come to see me, he was just he was being polite. And when Prabhupada received this letter, he became very, very happy. He said he invited me to come to Moscow.
And he gave this letter to Śyāmasundara Prabhu and he said, take this letter, go to the Russian embassy and say, I was invited by Professor Kotovsky to go to Moscow. Let them give me visa.
Tāhāṇ śrīpād śyāmasundara prabhu kadi to mīṭ śi rāśiyāṇ ambāsador, ṭa praphośar koṭovskī, āmāke rāśiyā, joṛjāno, nimonḍroṇ korāzān, āmi sekhānāi, āmi gonā visit and Russia, Jorjano, Nimondron Korazan, I mean Shekhanaj, I'm gonna visit and
the most amazing thing that he did receive visa for us. Not only him, but two of his American disciples, Śyāmasundara Prabhu and Aravinda Prabhu, also received visas for us.
Prophecies regarding Russia and communist collapse
And when he came to Russia and it was 1971, he made a very interesting prediction. He was going through the city and he was absorbing Russian people and he said, all these people are not happy.
He said that their faces are not happy, they're very gloomy faces, and somehow rather they don't have really joy of the soul in this country.
Śei mukhotchabi hāte chi hāśa, tāhāra hāte śukāne, tāhāder hṛdaya praśānto-nai. Prashantanoi.
And he was brought, uh, during the sightseeing in Moscow, he was brought in the area of Moscow University, which is up in the hills. The Moscow Bishubidalse Shatingatse Etipahari Rupor.
And Śrīla Prabhupāda was standing there in these hills, and he was seeing the whole huge big city of Moscow.
It was nineteen seventy one and at that time, you know, if you would I I was there in the university uh I little later. I entered Moscow State University two years after Prabhupada was there in 1973.
So there was not one student who believed in God Uh
Śrīla Prabhupāda jokhon seyi Moscow State University-te gesilen, du-bot pore, i mean, sei biśvavidyalayte hānsilam. Śrīla Prabhupāda-er jekhan ekṭi byāpār jāni, bhagabāne biśvās chilon nā.
There was around 20,000 students in Moscow State University. Among this 20,000 students, one person, he happened to be my acquaintance, one person admitted he believed in God.
He was kicked out from the university within a few weeks.
Sei biśvavidyālaye śīrṣasthānīya Moscow State University-te yārā chilo, tārā śudhumātra adharmatā, bhagabāne biśvās kṛta, tārā sobāke biśvās kare, he committed this grievous apparat against Lenin's consciousness.
Kāraṇa, tinihād says Lenin-er bhābanā, sei Lenin-er bhābanār biruddhe, and therefore he was deprived of his position in the society. Śrīkāra nāmi, samāje yār abasthān thāke, tāke-ye abanata karā Silom. He became Patita.
Totally fallen. Anyway, in this country in 1971, when nobody would dare to speak about God, Prabhupāda made a prediction. In this country, uh in 1971 when nobody belived in Gott. Nobody even dared to speak about Gott.
Prabhupāda made a prediction. Prabhupāda-ero ekaṭi bāṇī guruhilo. Prabhupada said in a few years there will be thousands of devotees in this city. And all these devotees will raise their hands.
And they will chant Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare So So he made another prediction. So Śrīla Prabhupāda-ero ekṭi bāṇī guruhila.
On another occasion, he was seeing some military forces, military people marching through the streets of Moscow. Tāhāraṇī śe Śrīla Prabhupāda dekhilena, ye onekerā march karā jakhan rāstāy.
And he said to Siamasunder Prabhu, this whole system is very artificial, it's only maintained by the military force. And he said in twenty years this country will be finished.
In 1991, Soviet Union was finished according to prediction of Śrīla Prabhupāda. Whatever pure devotee says will bound will be bound to come true. And in 1992, just one year after the fall of the Soviet
Union, the, you know, USSR, Soviet Union, devotees arranged a big program in Moscow City. It was the performance of Gaurāṅga Bhajan band, uh, some devotional music was performed there.
And for this concert, 30,000 people came. And all the 30,000 people raised their hands. And they chanted Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rāma Hare Rāma. Śrīla Prabhupāda kī! So how long should I go?
You can half an hour. Half an hour, okay. So when Prabhupada was in Moscow for five days, he was always looking for an opportunity to preach.
He was actually hoping that Professor Kotovsky, Kotovsky will arrange some public program for him or he will speak for some students. He actually wanted to address some students in, uh, the university.
But Professor Kotovsky didn't want to arrange anything for him, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
And of course Professor Kotovsky was not very impressed by Śrīla Prabhupāda at that time, but later in uh, actually I think it was '93 or '94, Professor Kotovsky came to our temple in Moscow, but you know.
And he saw so many bhaktas, shaven heads, tilakas, and they're running around and they have books and they are, you know, distributing prasāda. He was looking and looking and looking, and his eyes were becoming bigger and bigger and bigger. And then at one point he started crying.
He said, I never thought that Swamiji's movement will become so big in my country. Well chamikunning hapte parini, Shamiji, Jandalon, Amarty, atto Borough Havey so uh you
Becoming instruments of pure devotional compassion
you know, Prabhupāda was looking for an opportunity to preach to somebody, and Śyāmasundara Prabhu, as every, uh, you know, disciple of Śrīla Prabhupāda, were trying to help him and this desire to preach, and this desire to help people to manifest uh, compassion.
(Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura sings: śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu, dayā kar' more) (tāṅdera caraṇa-dhūli pūta-jala-bhāre) (āmi ta' kāṅgāla kāṇa, kāṅgāla tomāra) (dayā kar' deha' more pada-chāyā-bhāṅḍāra)
Actually this should be our desire. We may or may not have sincere compassion within our heart. (āmāra hṛdaye yadi gabhīra anukampā thāke vā nā thāke)
But we should have a desire to become the instrument of compassion of pure devotees. Whether we have compassion or don't have compassion, we should have desire to become helpful, to become the instrument, to help the compassion of the great devotees of the Lord.
So once Shamasundar Prabhu was standing in the queue in one shop trying to get some products, some food stuff to buy for Śrīla Prabhupāda and to cook something for him.
Shamshundan Prabhu, Dadiat Chilan, and Maksha Line, Tinikitsu Khatadra Bokan and Rjana Dariatilan, a Manshakadra Bukine, uh Tini Tarandan Kore, Randan Kut Kore Kutan, a Manshala Prabhupada Sha
Śyāmasundara Prabhu, his secretary, when he came with Prabhupāda, he was in devotional clothes, he was in dhoti and kurta and he was not hiding himself. Silabrah Jay Shavok, Shamushundar Prabhu, Tri Dhutti Kurt And when
he was standing in the queue, all of a sudden somebody next to him started whispering in his ear. Are you into yoga? And this person behind him started saying, I'm very eager, I want to know something about yoga.
Can you teach me? And Shamasundar Prabhu said, no, I cannot, but I have my guru with me and he can teach you.
So this person gave him the telephone number and he said, please call me on this phone number and we will meet and we will have some nice yoga session and you know teaching or whatever.
Then even Balanji Aprimak phone curve and joke bhishai amra shikbu. And Śyāmasundara Prabhu, he became very excited and he took this phone number and he came back to Śrīla Prabhupāda to the hotel.
To Sila Shams Ushahi Dahal, Shamshi kun number Sila Prahu Padre Kasi and he said to S Srilaila P Prabhupāda, there is somebody who wants to hear from you, who wants to know about yoga. He gave me his phone number.
Silla provattende immediately kunne se slå. Så det plant, så plåt. Ebban så att man ska säga, bis man But then on another occasion when Shamasundar Prabhu was walking along the
Meeting the first disciple in Moscow
street, one boy, one Russian boy and one Indian bo And this Russian boy asked a very interesting question of him. He said, I see you are an American. And he said do you have blue jeans?
You probably don't understand the subtleties of this question. The meaning of this question. At that time, blue jeans in Russia was the topmost dream of every young person.
She may have said Rashian Juba Garkatsay blue jeans say shop near Matha and uh you know it was not possible to get it so they would meet some foreigners and somehow rather try to trade some blue jeans into something else.
So this young Russian boy he saw somebody in a very strange clothes and dirty and he thought probably he doesn't need blue jeans he's american he must have blue jeans but he doesn't need them anyway blue jeans american jubus So
the Shyama Sundra Prabhu said, no, I don't have blue jeans. But I have my guru with me. Would you like to see my guru? And he said, of course, if you don't have blue jeans, at least I can see your guru.
Anyway, so this is how Prabhupada met with his first Russian disciple. He was in his initial interest was not in bhakti. It was in blue jeans.
But somehow or other because he met with a pure devotee, he got something much more precious than blue jeans. He got Krishna Bhakti.
Tatrija Shuddha Vhatter Shakat Praptachelan, Shri Karnatani, Shay Blues Thakyo, Odhik Vodik Mullavan, Shay Bhastutri Shakhat Pesalan, Krishna Bhaktishakat, Adri Prapta Vesalan.
Śāmasundara Prabhu remembers he says that you know I I watched Śrīla Prabhupāda talking with this young boy uh over three days or two days. And that they had something like two and a half days, three days together.
And Shamasundar Prabhu says, I was completely amazed. I didn't hurry Shay Silvishanga Kathabulte. Shamasundar Prabhu says that within these three days he said, I saw Prabhupada in his complete power.
Within this 3 days he gave to this boy everything and more than I got from Śrīla Prabhupāda over the years. Śrīla Prabhupāda manifested his universal form, so to speak. His his very powerful form.
And later Prabhupada said that you know the experienced cook he can judge about the du rädding aven avenis. By testing just one grain of ris. Och it skåd, den håll pot av ris är skjud.
This boy was sucking this transcendental knowledge and wisdom of Śrīla Prabhupāda very eagerly. He was so eager to get this knowledge from Śrīla Prabhupāda.
And Prabhupada said this whole country is ready to accept Krishna consciousness. And just because of this few days of association with Śrīla Prabhupāda, this young boy, he became an amazing preacher,
Shay Tarun Juva, a Bishraikon, Krishna Bhakti Burinahulan, Pracharakra Purigunita Hulam.
Śrīla Prabhupāda invested in his heart so much power and so much eagerness to spread Krishna consciousness that he started creating some miracles.
Evankshila Brahupada, Tardidai, Shay Krishavana Pracharaj, Udshaho, Tardidai Babunkolan, Shay Bhapito, Krishnah Pracharaj Utthaho, Shay Ushahotika, Shila Brahupat This is how Parampara works, the Parampara system works.
If the connection is established, then the recipient of the mercy can himself spread the mercy with the same power.
Among Kujiti, Sheikh Krishna Havanake Jathar to Havata Ridai, Dharun Karan, Bagram Karan, the Shake Krishna Havana, Shadus Futurada Lap Kore, uh Shake Krishna Havanake Prajar Krajino.
Until the uh connection is firmly established, the same power can be seen in the person who received the mercy if if this connection is there. Parampara connection.
The Parampara Jokshuta Jakonas Tapito Hai, Takon Jarkashi, Ganti Praptoha Hai, Tini Jahave Shay Gantike, Pracharkoteparan, Shay Akiva, Jini Prattohan, Tardara But as soon as the connection is broken due
to some offences on the part of the recipient of the mercy, when the recipient of the mercy feels that it's myself, it's I'm doing. Then the connection is broken because of the offenses and then everything stops.
Evan Jedi Aparader Falle Jokshu Trida Jesh Jokshutrida Valhakrasto Hai Evan Shajakon Niger Shoktivale Brachar Seva, Niger Shoktibale, Akanjo Champano Chevale, Shah Ruha Shri Bate, Takon Shay Param Pradhara Vichinnahai, Evan Tri Nishishakhan.
This boy Prabhupada gave him the name Ananta Shanti. Ananda Shanti Dash. But actually he was he became Ananda Shakti Dash.
Underground preaching methods of early devotees
Sashi Ananta Shanti Dash Mulato Ananta Shakti Dash Vananta Shakti Rubpe He would preach with such eagerness. I will tell you how he was preaching. His preaching method was very interesting.
Here in Bangladesh you can arrange some pundal program and some people would come and you can preach about the power of the holy name and But in Russia it was not possible.
If you could preach, you could only preach in a very hidden way. And very underground, you know, there's some flat, some little programs or whatever.
Uh Agam Gopuniot Rakakura Pasaka Haya with Slante Modhe Ikti Sotoprama Korea Shakanakis Walachish.
So this Ananda Shanti Prabhu, what he would do sometimes, or actually all the time, you know, whenever he would see somebody, he would meet somebody or whatever.
Like for example if he was standing uh on the bus stop waiting for a bus to come.
He was always remembering that we shouldn't waste a precious moments of human life. And in Russia you have to spend so much time waiting for buses and queues and things like this.
So you you you had to spend so much time, waste your time. So he would start preaching right there on the bus stop. He would come to a person and he would see him for the first time in his life, you know, some somebody
totally unknown to him, some stranger, and he would come approach him. And he would ask him a question. Are you already chanting mantra? And this person, he didn't understand what it means, what mantra?
The seeker said, I got a mantra? Mantra ki? They didn't hear this name mantra before. And Ananda Shanti would say, all my friends are already chanting Hare Krishna. And see in Russia at that time, you know,
everything was in deficit, there was shortage of food, there was shortage of clothes, there was shortage of you know some some basic things. Everything was in shortage.
So, whenever people saw some crowd, they would immediately join the crowd. Because in USSR, crowd would mean that they give some food or some clothes or something like this.
You know, crowd would only mean that something is being given. So, when people heard that somebody already received some mantra, he would always say, I also want this mantra.
That was a mentality of Russian people at that time. There When Ananda Shanti would say, all my friends are already chanting mantra. Do you want to receive this mantra?
They would say, yes, yes, of course, yes, give me this mantra, japa, mantra, japa, mantra, and Ananda Shanti either would give him mantra
just there on the bus stop, or would invite him to some flat where some little program, some underground program would take place. Girl then they extra flat program And
And sometimes during these programs, Ananda Shanti would do very interesting things. He would give some short lecture about the power of the Holy Name, how holy name
contains a lot of energy and how it can it it can transform and purify your consciousness and your mind, as Srila Prabhupada Harinam Givavai Hatsay, Ridhaike Hatse, Bari Batan Kare, Harinam Givay,
uh Shamasto Purishuddh Anta Bare Avi Shad And And then he would say that it's very important to receive mantra from the pure source. If you want to experience the full power of the holy name or of mantra,
you have to hear it from the mouth of a very pure soul. Evan A Mantra Jadi Jatharta Prabtohote Chana Abnara, Tahalaya Pradarke, Ajan uh Jatharto, Bhakti Kastake, Jaridhai, uh Parishudhoshay Bhakti Kastake Sovenkotahave.
And he would say that you please close your eyes. And now I will play to you a very pure sound of this mantra. je shuddo shabda shatiam prakashko and You try to absorb the sound very deeply within your heart.
And you will immediately feel that there is some transformation which is taking place. Please do this experiment now. A Harinam Karar Folage Onufati a Purimartunti afternuhakutti parab.
And everyone would close their eyes and sitting there eagerly waiting. And then Ananda Shanti would turn on the tape recorder.
And then from this tape recorder Śrīla Prabhupāda would chant mantra. And people would hear the sound of Hare Krishna mantra from Śrīla Prabhupāda's mouth.
Mukha Bad Mathake Shay Harinam Shravankotan Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Rama Hareama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Halama Hare Lama, Rama Rama Hare Hare
And sometimes people would cry, sometimes people would be completely transformed, sometimes there was so many different stories where there. That was Ananda Shanti's preaching a third night the other.
This is how he became the instrument of compassion of Śrīla Prabhupāda. He became the perfect instrument in Prabhupāda's hands. Among Shila Prabhupada, she And
And because of his desire to fulfill the desire of Śrīla Prabhupāda to liberate people of the Soviet Union, so many uh nice and beautiful devotees appeared.
Evan Taj Shlaprah Padir, Onukampa, Bitharana Kriana Khaj Prachta, Tardara Slaprah Padir Kuruna Prattohe, Anik, Anik Sudhu And by now around thirty million of Prabhupāda's books was distributed in Russia.
Evan uh Shla Prahu Padir, Krishla Khadik Gruntho uh Rashia Te Prachar Hurts. So anyway, I think my time is over. I started speaking, maybe we'll have some time to I'm I'm actually thinking we should have some.