Arrival Talks

Devotee: Giriraj Maharaja joined Prabhupada’s movement in Boston in the United States. I think that was in 1969. And a little after that, Maharaja went to India to assist Srila Prabhupada with the development of his movement there. Maharaja was in charge of Srila Prabhupada’s project of Radha-Rasabihari temple in Juhu, Bombay, and he was the temple president over there for quite some years. Due to various reasons, Maharaja left there at some point, and in early 1982, he came to South Africa for the first time, and all of the devotees were very pleased by Maharaja’s association and appreciated it so much.

And eventually, Maharaja became more and more involved in the South African yatra and He became the GBC, and He was more of this space for many years. And I hope many of you will remember those golden days, golden years when Maharaja was one of the local devotees, the leader, of course, of the local devotees.

Then, as time moved on as it does, approximately ten years ago or something like that, Maharaja became a little sick [Unintelligible 02:15]. But Lord Krishna and Srila Prabhupada, knowing our great need for his association, arranged for him to come back. It was four years ago, I think. And that was great news. And knowing our need for more association, They’ve arranged that he come now.

We are really grateful to Sri Sri Radha-Radhanath, we are very grateful to Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari, and we are very grateful to Srila Prabhupada for arranging things nicely like this so we are not just [Unintelligible 03:17] material existence.

So, with all our sincerity, we pray to Them, “Please allow us to have Maharaja’s association more and more and more.”

Of course, we do not want to [Unintelligible 03:45] . His health condition is a little difficult. So, that certainly has to be taken very carefully into consideration, but we certainly pray to Sri Sri Radha-Radhanath, Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari, Sri Giri Govardhana, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and Srila Prabhupada, that we will all be able to have much, much, much more of Maharaja’s association

Devotees: Haribol!

Devotee: We would also like to welcome all [Unintelligible 04:45] of Maharaja, His Grace [Unintelligible 04:51]. They are very wonderful and very qualified disciples of Srila Prabhupada from the United States of America, and they came here by the kind arrangements of Giriraj Maharaja to give us seminars. Already, [Unintelligible 05:35] was leading a japa seminar over the previous four, five days [Unintelligible 05:45].

They will be conducting a grihastha seminar at the Edgewood Campus in Pinetown. So, there will be an in-depth seminar on how to execute Krishna consciousness, how to practice Krishna consciousness very successfully from the grihastha ashram as a family person. And they are very successful themselves. They have been householders for quite a number of years. So, they are very experienced, and they are very successful, and they are extremely qualified when it comes to presenting matters of Krishna consciousness to an audience of devotees. Of course, the majority of you are householders. We very strongly recommend that you take part in that seminar, and surely, it will benefit you tremendously.

So, we would also like to welcome, sitting on your left is His Grace [Unintelligible 07:28]. He is also a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, and he has been a devotee, of course, for many, many years, based in the United States of America. And by our good fortune and by the arrangements of the Lord and Srila Prabhupada, he happened to marry a South African devotee, and [Unintelligible 08:16]. But he is a wonderful devotee.

Frankly, I don’t know very well. I know little bit, but he seems to be very open about it, broad minded. And he very kindly does service [Unintelligible 08:47], who really appreciates the association of devotees and really enjoys giving his association. So, please also make the most of [Unintelligible 09:03] Prabhu’s association.

So, now we will hand it over to the master of ceremonies. Anyway, we will hand over to the next host, who will take us deeper into the nectar of this program.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya! His Holiness Giriraj Swami Maharaja ki jaya! His Grace [Unintelligible 09:44] ki jaya! His Grace [Unintelligible 09:48] ki jaya! Her Grace [Unintelligible 09:51] ki jaya! Gaura premānande!

Devotee: His Holiness Bhakti Chaitanya Maharaja ki jaya!

Thank you, Maharaja. Now, we will have the good fortune of hearing from [Unintelligible 00:10:07].

Devotee: Hare Krishna. So, I’m [Unintelligible 00:11:21], wonderful devotees. It’s always [Unintelligible 00:11:28] that people can take home with, that is practical, that is useful. I know that everyone here is a humble devotee, yet your well-wishers and your prayers to benefit others are very important. So, I am reminded of Sri Chaitanya Maharaja when He encountered [Unintelligible 00:11:57]. And Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, “My dear, kṛṣṇe matir astu.” So, it’s a nice greeting that we can do for each other. May everyone be Krishna conscious. That’s a nice lesson we can all offer to each other. May we all be Krishna conscious.

So, on the drive here, I was thinking maybe we just read the verse that I thought might be appropriate for the theme of giving service to each other, sharing Krishna consciousness, having spiritual vision, and it’s from the Īśopaniṣad.

TEXT 6

yas tu sarvāṇi bhūtāny
ātmany evānupaśyati
sarva-bhūteṣu cātmānaṁ
tato na vijugupsate

TRANSLATION

He who systematically sees everything in relation to the Supreme Lord, who sees all living entities as His parts and parcels, and who sees the Supreme Lord within everything never hates anything or any being.

Devotee: Such a nice verse that meditates on the universality of Krishna consciousness, how Krishna is everywhere. He is in everyone’s heart. He is in the hearts of the devotees. He is in the heart of every soul so that he can practice jivdaya, kindness to others, compassion, and loving relationships.

We are here on the invitation of Giriraj Maharaja with my wife doing the japa retreat. Although every ashram is important, whether brahmachari, grihastha, vanaprastha, sannyasi, we wanted to promote grihastha ashram, the value of family life, good relationships between husband and wife, good children, purifying our existence, giving charities, so many activities of grihastha, so we can come to [Unintelligible 00:14:00]. The Deities here are. What can I say? They are so beautiful. I mean, what to say of beautiful. There are no words for seeing Their forms and opulence of the temple.

But what is the temple? The temple, in one sense, is the Deities. But in another sense, it’s all you, all the devotees, all the people who come and worship. I had the experience of some Deities in the temple room being worshiped, and I went there. I was another department devotee on behalf of Prabhupada to start a temple again. So, They were off somewhere, and They weren’t really being worshiped. And so, we thought, Well, the first thing we should do, we should have ārati and make a feast. So, we made a feast, and we had an ārati.

And spiritually, I didn’t have my spiritual vision, but every one of us felt the Deities come back. So, when we didn’t worship Them, They kind of left. And when we worshiped Them, They manifested. So, our devotion to the Lord is very, very important. Our relations to each other are very, very important.

So, I am just supposed to be speaking for fifteen minutes. [Unintelligible 00:15:30]. Hare Krishna.

Mataji: [Unintelligible 00:16:15]. So many familiar faces. Many weren’t able to attend, but at the japa retreat, I felt like I was home. It was a wonderful experience. I hope that the devotees who could do this will be able to share with those who could not have an opportunity and really create a culture of protective and serious japa [Unintelligible 00:16:54].

Over the last few years, my husband and I [Unintelligible 00:17:08] in mental health care, and I had the opportunity to counsel many devotees, and I feel that the real [Unintelligible 00:17:35] comes from chanting japa. [Unintelligible 00:17:42] our material situation together also. [Unintelligible 00:17:53].

Last year, after the [Unintelligible 00:18:15], we had the wonderful opportunity of getting to meet Giriraj Maharaja, who very serious sadhana, very [Unintelligible 00:18:27] by his concern for the grihastha ashram, and I think a big reason why he invited us here was to help the grihasthas here.

We call it our horizontal development, which is varnashrama, and our spiritual development, which is our vertical development. And we don’t have a firm platform to stand on and touch the stars. So, that firm platform is varnashrama, and many, many devotees, most devotees, are going to spend, most of their spiritual lives, in the grihastha ashram. So, it’s so important to be able to have faith.

There is one [Unintelligible 00:19:30], and he made a program [Unintelligible 00:19:40], which is so perfect for devotees. Because marriage is not about being happy, it’s about being married and to provide a structure by which you can find your own happiness. So, I just thought that it was so perfect for devotees that it provides a structure by which we can [Unintelligible 00:20:04] in a very safe environment and supportive environment for the children. It’s ideal.

So, tomorrow evening, we will begin having our couples, grihastha weekend, and Maharaja will actually be there tomorrow even to conduct [Unintelligible 00:20:28]. I am so touched by the culture, respect, service, and devotees here in South Africa. I have just never seen something like that before [Unintelligible 00:21:00] such intelligent devotees. [Unintelligible 00:21:08]. I am very happy to have gotten the opportunity to come here [Unintelligible 00:21:15]. I hope by Krishna’s grace, we can come back again. [Unintelligible 00:21:30].

Devotee: So, being here tonight with all of you actually reminds me of a dream I had many years ago, not that long ago, that I was in a very big temple. There were three floors in this temple, and each floor was about this temple room, and each floor was filled with devotees. And on the third floor, I came in, and Giriraj Swami was there.

Devotees: Haribol!

Devotee: Of course, everyone in this temple was waiting to see Giriraj Maharaja, and I was on the bottom floor at the other end also waiting to see him. So, seeing so many devotees here tonight just reminded me of that dream, and how important and how rare it is to get the association of such a wonderful devotee such as Giriraj Maharaja. So, somehow, in my dream, I was on the bottom level at the other end, but somehow, today, I am next to him. So, I feel it’s his mercy.

Sometimes on the battlefield, those who are the most wounded get to be helped first. So, that’s why I’m up here next to Giriraj Maharaja today, and actually receiving so much mercy from him. And from spending time with him, from getting his association in America, well, that dream is that he is fully absorbed in his sadhana, in chanting the holy names and reading, and just being fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness. And that he is so intent in giving Krishna consciousness to others, that he so much wants to help everyone else become Krishna conscious and get well. So, I feel like we are very fortunate to have his tireless efforts to help us become Krishna consciousness.

So, as Bhakti Chaitanya Swami was saying, actually, I am the one that’s fortunate to marry someone from South Africa, so I can come here today and have all of your association. And it’s very refreshing to see so many enthusiastic devotees taking to Krishna consciousness and just seriously taking up the process of Krishna consciousness. [Unintelligible 00:25:42]. And we will get more of the association. So, that’s all. Thank you very much, and Hare Krishna.

Giriraj Swami: Thank you all of you. [Unintelligible 00:26:16]. I am very moved by being here with all of you. I actually came last night for a visit without informing anyone that I was coming, and when I arrived here about 8:20, there was no one in the temple room, so I got to have some quiet time alone. Well, first I must say that I was very impressed by the condition of the temple room. The temple room is very well maintained. Of course, the temple itself is beautiful, and I thought of all the hard work that one can do [Unintelligible 00:30:20] , all the blood, sweat, and tears, and literally, they were all.

These early devotees really worked tirelessly, just sacrificed their full energy on the [Unintelligible 00:31:00] project. I think it was [Unintelligible 00:31:09]. Of course, even apart from the project, he came here at the time when Christians were holding many revival meetings and converting many Hindus. And he had the idea [Unintelligible 00:31:36] and see what they do, and see if we could apply the same ideas in Krishna consciousness. And from his expiration there, he came out with the idea of the [Unintelligible 00:32:02], and he traveled all over the Durban area [Unintelligible 00:32:10].

Maharaja was speaking. Devotees were performing the drama. I personally was very struck by one of the dramas he did. Of course, I came later, but I was struck by a drama, the Bhogi Yogi, and Maharaja [Unintelligible 00:32:51]. By the end, I was feeling a little uneasy because I started to identify with the Bhogi Yogi.

Anyway, and then, engaging people in the chanting. It was very similar to what he did in the pandals in India, everyone chants responsively and dividing them in half and competitions, chant louder, and then the prasāda, scrumptious prasāda for everyone. And Maharaja, all the devotees were very personal. And then for some time, he said, [Unintelligible 00:33:56] the construction of the temple.

I remember in 1994, but Tulasi dasa Prabhu was the national secretary, he foresaw that the nature of the ashram will change, and he felt it would require spiritual leadership of the caliber that he didn’t possess, although he was very expert as a manager, he was brilliant as a manager. The way he organized the fundraising activities, especially the organization in general. But it came as a shock because he was such a central figure here.

I won’t go into so much detail, but when I was requested to come here, I agreed, and I sat down with Tulasi dasa Prabhu, “How do I begin? What do I do?” And then he said, “There is a very good devotee there named Raghuveer. You should sit down with Raghuveer and have a long talk with him, and he will tell you much of what you need to know about the ashram, and he is very responsible, very dependent.”

So, [Unintelligible 00:36:18] the saṅkīrtana devotees who just go out [Unintelligible 00:36:39]. They took great risks, and they sacrificed every ounce of [Unintelligible 00:38:03]. She was a big collector. The marble that you are sitting on was brought by her hard efforts. [Unintelligible 00:38:33] tremendous effort for some years, year after year after year.

So, sitting here [Unintelligible 00:38:57] of all these devotees, and now we are able to enjoy [Unintelligible 00:39:18]. But to really make their effort slowly successful, we have to take full advantage of the [Unintelligible 00:39:36]. But beyond that, associate with the devotees, hear from them, hear from the scripture, kṛṣṇa-kathā, chant the holy name, and render service. This will engage us.

As I was listening to the singing of the Śrī-guru-vandanā prayer, each verse is so full of power, leading, and you have to just learn one verse and take it the entire part, our spiritual life will be successful. But I was thinking Srila Prabhupada, my position as his servant and cakṣu-dān dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei, divya jñān hṛde prokāśito, he opens my eyes, ignite within my heart, give me transcendental knowledge. He is my master, birth after birth. And śrī-guru-caraṇe rati, ei se uttama-gati, je prasāde pūre sarva āśā, the lotus feet of the spiritual master will fulfill all of our desires.

There are so many desires, spiritual desires. There are so many desires. They all will be fulfilled by attachment to the lotus feet of the spiritual master. But as some devotees mentioned at the japa retreat, that attachment should be real, not sentimental. Sometimes it’s okay, but beyond sometimes, it should be real. Real means based on following the instructions. The one instruction you will all get at the time of initiation is to chant sixteen rounds daily and avoid the ten offenses. One basic instruction, and if we follow the one basic instruction, and it’s not hard, it may require a little adjustment, but if you get up early, just sit and chant sixteen rounds with attention, making the effort to chant and hear with attention, it will make a huge difference.

And the devotees who have experienced straying from that instruction then become attached with, have commented that they never realized how important that instruction was, how important the morning program was, and in particular, how important that instruction was to chant sixteen rounds, especially in the morning, with full concentration. And ār nā koriho mane āśā, to not have any other desires [Unintelligible 00:44:21] of the spiritual master, all one’s desires will be fulfilled.

And then make the instructions of the spiritual master one with your heart and do not desire anything else. And what were Srila Prabhupada’s instructions in essence? To be Krishna conscious. It’s actually by chanting the holy name and the other processes, and then to distribute Krishna consciousness. That is so much a part of Srila Prabhupada, it can’t be separated, the mood of preaching, sharing, spreading.

And that, I would say, distinguishes amongst Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Amongst all the followers of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, he was the one who really picked up the essence of the mood of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura to spread Krishna consciousness. It was his constant absorption, his constant preoccupation. And he created ISKCON to be that real goal for that service, for that mission. And we’ll make ISKCON a working [Unintelligible 00:46:18] and make it successful in fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s desire.

ār nā koriho mane āśā, we should not have any other desires, no other desires. So many verses, and each and every verse. But I think this is really it, to taste Krishna consciousness, and that comes by entering deeply to the chanting of the holy name, and to share it with others, somehow or other, whoever you are, wherever you go, somehow or other, repeat the message of Krishna.

So, I am at your service. We are in the midst of the December book distribution marathon. Somehow, I could be getting in deep water here, but when I was just sitting here thinking of the December marathon, Srila Prabhupada’s [Unintelligible 00:47:52]. And hearing Bhakti Chaitanya Swami speak, [Unintelligible 00:48:05]. I came after four years, so I should just double it and come every two years. But he went on saying more and more and more and more [Unintelligible 00:48:23].

I am really looking forward to that, and I am also looking forward to the couple’s weekend over the next two and a half days, and on Monday evening, after the couple’s weekend, we are going to [Unintelligible 00:49:45]. And then, during the next week, His Holiness Bhakti Chaitanya Swami will give some seminars at the temple. And Wednesday night, we are going to have a special dome show following Srila Prabhupada DVD number ten, which features Prabhupada in Mauritius and South Africa. So, that will begin at six. Madhava Prabhu will be leading kirtan in the temple, and from 07:00–07:30, [Unintelligible 00:50:53].

He is also a very senior devotee and very instrumental [Unintelligible 00:51:34] in South Africa and Mauritius and many other countries throughout the world, so that will be a momentous occasion. And then, His Holiness Bhakti Chaitanya Swami will give some regular initiation, and there will be many opportunities for satsaṅga.

So, thank you all for your wonderful association, hospitality, generosity, and devotion. And now, we get to absorb in a wonderful ārati ceremony of Sri Sri Radha-Radhanath, Sri Govardhana, Sri Gaura-Nitai, Srila Prabhupada, and His Grace Madhava dasa will lead the kirtan. As I was entering the temple and I heard the kirtan, I thought [Unintelligible 00:53:12]. Srila Prabhupada ki jaya! Gaura-bhakta-vṛnda ki jaya! Nitai-Gaura premānande!