Watering the Seed Introduction

Giriraj Swami: If we had longer, I would have had time to tell some of my more personal experiences. Because yes, the philosophy is very strong. It’s very powerful. But apart from the philosophy, one also wants to see if it works. I mean, it’s natural. Everyone will want to test. Like in school, you have your class in science, or chemistry, or something then you go into the laboratory and mix the chemicals.

So, the Krishna consciousness movement is both. It’s the classroom, in which we learn the science of bhakti-yoga, the science of how to revive our eternal relationship with God. And, it’s also the laboratory, in which we apply, what we have learned and see the results.

So, over the years, we have so many experiences that confirm and reconfirm the truth of Krishna consciousness and the worthiness of the practice. And those stories are worth sharing because one gets an idea of how an individual soul, born in the material world in ignorance, can begin to find his way out of this darkness by the light of Vedic knowledge, and by the light of the knowledge received from the spiritual master and saintly teachers.

So, when I was quite new to the movement, perhaps I had. . . Well, I joined the temple in Boston where Satsvarupa was the temple president, and he was also the editor of Back to Godhead magazine. So, he encouraged us to write articles for Back to Godhead magazine. So, I wrote one on the subject of guru. And the production schedule was such that, it took some months between the time I submitted the article, and the time it was actually published. And by then, I had left the United States. I was one of a small group of disciples who accompanied Srila Prabhupada in India to establish the mission in India.

And while we were in Gorakhpur, the Back to Godhead magazine, in which I had written the article, arrived. It was sent to Srila Prabhupada, and he saw my article. So, he asked to meet me, not asked to meet me, he called for me, and I was delighted to go. And he said, “I’ve seen your article. It is very nice. You should write.” And that was one of the first direct instructions, I ever got from Srila Prabhupada, “You should write.” He said, “Writing should be your main business.”

So, for many years, I first traveled with Srila Prabhupada in India and then on his order, I made my base in Bombay and Juhu. And, we developed the Juhu project and then sort of maintaining the Juhu project, and at the same time, traveling to different places, it was hard to really find time to write. I did write some articles for Back to Godhead magazine but nothing more than that. But then finally, some years ago, circumstances were such that I reduced my traveling and made my base in Santa Barbara, California. And then, I was able to apply myself more seriously to Srila Prabhupada’s instruction to write.

And so, the first result was this book called, Watering the Seed. The idea is that Srila Prabhupada, it’s mentioned in Caitanya-caritāmṛta, guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya pāya bhakti-latā-bīja. That one gets the seed of devotional service or bhakti, by the grace of guru and Krishna. But then after getting the seed, one is advised to become a gardener, and plant it, and water it. And the process of watering is hearing and speaking about Krishna.

So, the idea of the title is that we’ve received the seed of bhakti from Srila Prabhupada by the grace of Krishna. And since then, we have tried to water it by hearing from him, reading his books, hearing from him. And then repeating, what we have heard from him.

So, this book first came out some years ago. I wasn’t in England at the time, but Tamal Krishna Goswami was there at Bhaktivedanta Manor. And one of my disciples in England, presented him a copy. There are some nice photographs of him looking at the book. And, this is what he said.

Now, I was a little shy about the whole thing. And, before I came into the temple room, I phoned my dear friend His Holiness Ṛtadhvaja Swami and told him that I felt quite shy about the whole event. And, he quoted Srila Prabhupada, ‘Never be bashful in business or in eating.’ [laughter]

So, I’m trying to follow Srila Prabhupada’s instruction that was presented to me, by my dear godbrother Ṛtadhvaja Swami. I might also add that a major inspiration in recent years, has been His Holiness Indradyumna Swami, he has always insisted that your main contribution is writing. Other things will come and go, but writing will remain.

So, a little before beginning on this tour, I get, I don’t remember if I phoned him or he phoned me. But anyway, we spoke on the phone and I mean, I’ve done this but I really wonder. I mean, we have Srila Prabhupada’s books and Srila Prabhupada’s books are so perfect, and complete, and powerful. And, I’m really wondering, what is the value of this? And, he made a few points.

The first point he made was that Srila Prabhupada instructed you to write. So, do you think his intention was that you should write and then put the pages away in the drawer of the desk, and leave them there, or did he expect that you would write, and what you wrote would be published, and people would read it. Then the next point he made was that the subject of your book is Srila Prabhupada and his teachings. So, by reading your books, people will get the same teachings and learn more about Srila Prabhupada. And then the third point is that having done so, their appreciation of and interest in Srila Prabhupada will increase, and they will become more eager to read Srila Prabhupada’s books. So, he said, don’t even entertain such thoughts.

So, anyway, trying not to be bashful. When Tamal Krishna Goswami was given the first edition, and he was paging through it, he saw the pictures and read some of the articles. There was quite a big piece about him and that he said, “Oh, I’m in here, too.” Anyway, this is what he said, “Get the association of Giriraj Swami, soft heart. . . very soft heart and good brain, good combination. That’s why Srila Prabhupada liked him so much.”

So, I mean, I’m not really worthy of those words. But out of his magnanimity, he did utter them. So, I do feel, it’s appropriate that this book should be made available for the first time here in Dallas which was his headquarters. Is Nityananda Prabhu here? Do you want to say anything?

Nityananda Prabhu: Hare Krishna. Happy to here, in home, Vrindavan, India, and spent a very nice amount of time with many of the leaders there, the GBC meetings. And fortunately, I got a chance also to go to Vrindavan for three days, so spent all three days in Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi, chanting every day, there getting the inspiration from Srila Prabhupada so that we can push forth this mission in the United States. Maharaja is the senior most devotee in our movement and disciple of Srila Prabhupada, we are very fortunate to have him with us.

Actually sometimes, one doesn’t appreciate the presence of a great saintly person until the person has left the mortal world. And that’s very unfortunate. For those of us who have a little bit of intelligence, it’s better to take advantage of a person when they are present so that we can learn from them and make the maximum progress we can in Krishna consciousness.

Maharaja had personal association with Srila Prabhupada, and most of us here don’t have a clue what that really means, honestly speaking. If you really have to preach in Krishna consciousness and to take part in this movement, in a very committed way to understand how momentous this movement is. This is the most powerful movement in creation. This trip to India helped me understand this point really nicely, seeing what is happening. I’m just a small example.

The Delhi temples are thirty-two centers now developing in Delhi. They can’t fit devotees in their temples. They are building more and more centers, and they can’t fit those in those centers, they have to build more centers. It’s amazing. On the day of Lord Nityananda’s appearance, it’s happened that I was passing through Delhi [Unintelligible 00:14:32–00:14:33] they asked me to inaugurate the new centers in New Delhi. Five minutes before the program, they told me, you have to speak in Hindi. I think, Oh my God! all my lectures are given in English. Ten years ago, I gave some lectures in Hindi.

So, I thought to myself really prayed, Lord Nityananda to inspire me, so I can speak in Hindi. And, I spoke in Hindi at next class but the number of people who respond as a result of what’s happening. It’s just amazing, what’s happening. One of the persons who responded, she wanted to preach because she thought this is very good. I should also preach. Two weeks later, at Srila Gurudeva’s disappearance festival, I will get asked to speak in New Delhi. She met me and she said, “After you spoke and I started preaching. I now have three hundred and fifty people in my group that I’m preaching to, in two weeks.”

Giriraj Swami: Jaya. Haribol. [Applause]

Nityananda Prabhu: That’s how. . . [Clapping] the power of preaching. What Srila Prabhupada has done is so incredible, we cannot even scratch the surface of the glories of Srila Prabhupada’s preaching that happened on this planet. And, how this whole world, may I would say, all the three worlds will be saved as a result of his coming and preaching.

And Maharaja had so much intimate association to Srila Prabhupada. You may as well say that you are directly associating with Srila Prabhupada when you are associating with Maharaja. You get direct benefit at that level, and in fact, you get more because now, you get to combine mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Maharaja also. So here, this is actually a most important event. I’m not very sure. This book has come up with the new edition. Is this the first place you are actually doing this program?

Giriraj Swami: Yeah, yeah.

Nityananda Prabhu: This is the first place, Dallas TX, is the first place where this book is being inaugurated. How fortunate are we? [Applause] We may think, I already have the first edition. Why do I need the second edition? The second edition has 35 percent more content. So, it’s pretty much half an additional book in [Unintelligible 00:16:54] form and has twice as many color photos in it that you will see.

This book, the proceeds of this book goes towards great causes like the Govardhana project. How many of you know the Govardhana project at all, of Govardhana project? Okay, very few of us. It’s a very important project that’s happening there at [Govardhana], and very great studies are going on there. And now, we are teaching Sanskrit and subject matters that have to do with Vedic writings etc. These are very foundational things for the spreading of Srila Prabhupada’s mission and the glories of Sri Krishna all over the world. Very very important events happening there. Maharaja supports that project. He actually is, the founder of that project.

So, the funds go towards that and towards the new hospice that has now started in Vrindavan. It’s a very important program. This is where the devotees are taken care of. Krishna says that one who thinks that he is My devotee is not My devotee. But one who is the devotee of My devotee is actually My devotee.

So, serving devotees is even more important than serving Krishna. Maharaja understands this principle and has followed through with a very important project, taking care of the devotees who are leaving their bodies in difficult circumstances.

So, these are not easy situations to deal with, but Maharaja is actually supporting that. And of course, the funds also go towards the new book. This is a very important new book that’s coming out after this called Many Moons, in which Maharaja actually speaks about nine exalted followers of Srila Prabhupada. Six of them have already left their bodies. Just to give us an example that if we follow this process. . . What is possible if we follow this process? These nine devotees – Jayananda Prabhu, Gaura Govinda Maharaja, Tamal Krishna Maharaja, Śrīdhara Swami Maharaja, Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja, Bhakti Svarupa Maharaja and their followers, Arca Vigraha devi dasi, Abhiram Thakura, Pada Kirti dasa, who is here right in Dallas.

So, please take advantage of the situation. Maharaja is going to personally autograph the books that anybody takes. Take advantage of this program and get a book for yourself. Do yourself the greatest honor and benefit that you can. Thank you very much. Hare Krishna.

Giriraj Swami Maharaja ki jaya!

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Nitai-Gaura premānande Hari Haribol!