SB 7.15.25–27 – The Culture of Krishna Consciousness—Carpinteria to Mumbai

Giriraj Swami: We have so many gifts that have come to us through Krishna and the paramparā. If we think of the most potent items of devotional service, there is sādhu-saṅga, that obviously involves other devotees, and nāma-kīrtana, chanting the holy name. We get the holy name from devotees and we chant with devotees. And bhagavata-śravaṇam, hearing Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, even the books we get because of devotees, and then when we discuss the books, it’s in the association of devotees. So, everything that we have comes from devotees, and so our relationships with devotees are most important. And in the Upadeśāmṛta, Srila Rupa Gosvami explains how to associate with devotees in a loving way.

NOI 4

dadāti pratigṛhṇāti

guhyam ākhyāti pṛcchati

bhuṅkte bhojayate caiva

ṣaḍ-vidhaṁ prīti-lakṣaṇam

COMMENT

And especially the central dyad, guhyam ākhyāti pṛcchati, revealing one’s mind in confidence and inquiring confidentially is very important because inevitably in life and even in Krishna consciousness, there are challenges, and when there is some challenge or some reversal, we don’t know what to do, we are dealing with a situation that’s new to us and a situation that at least initially we wished wasn’t there. And so, guhyam ākhyāti pṛcchati, inquiring confidentially, disclosing one’s mind in confidence and inquiring confidentially are most essential.

And in order to do so, we have to have confidence that the person that we are confiding in will not betray our confidence, in other words, they won’t tell other people what we told them, either at all or in a way that we wouldn’t want or to someone whom we wouldn’t want. And so, this confidentiality is extremely important, because if we don’t have confidential relationships, we’ll be afraid to disclose our minds, and then we’ll keep things inside, things that we need help with, and those things may not just solve themselves, they may stay inside and get bigger and bigger.

So, part of the Mitra system is to make it easier for devotees to reveal their mind in confidence to an appropriate person and have that person respond in an appropriate way and not in any inappropriate way. But this principle, of course, is not limited to the Mitra system, it’s a principle of association. And we may have devotees with whom we can confide or in whom we can confide who may not be Mitras, may not even be part of the system, but it’s a principle. But the system is meant to facilitate these six kinds of loving exchanges, and Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is nourished by these six kinds of loving exchanges.

So, in the association of devotees, all of our practices are enhanced. Of course, sādhu-saṅga means associating with devotees, and especially, it means svato vare, devotees who are more advanced than we are, and snigdhe, devotees who are affectionate to us. And bhagavata-śravaṇam, we want to spend our time chanting and hearing about Krishna. And Srila Prabhupada has given us so many books, and there are other devotees, followers of Srila Prabhupada, who are giving more books, following in the line of Srila Prabhupada.

And so, we should fill our minds with Krishna, yena kena prakārena, somehow or other, we should fill our minds with Krishna, and that comes from reading, chanting, and hearing, and the bhagavata-śravaṇam and nāma-kīrtana, chanting the holy names. But guhyam ākhyāti pṛcchati, inquiring confidentially, revealing one’s mind in confidence and inquiring confidentially, that can apply very much to our reading of the scriptures, because while reading the scriptures, we may also have some doubt about what we’ve read, and instead of keeping it inside and sort of pretending that we are pure devotees and we accept everything that’s in the scripture and we have no doubts, it’s better to express those.

And one of Srila Prabhupada’s last instructions, when he was lying on his bed in Vrindavan and translating Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and dictating his purports, one of his last instructions was, “Discuss Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam daily, as much as possible.” The more the subject is discussed, the more it becomes clarified, and this applies on every level.

After the Gaura-purnima festival at the Laguna Beach temple, I visited with Vaisesika Prabhu at the home of the devotee where he was staying for these few days, and that was basically what we did, guhyam ākhyāti pṛcchati, and it went on for six hours. And we only began at 5:30 coming from the festival at the temples, that means 5:30 – 11:30. And we weren’t tired at all, we were very alive. And there were issues that came up and we were able to discuss them, and things did become clarified.

And I’m not sure to what extent the different ideas that are floating around among ISKCON devotees are there in India or in Mumbai, but there are a lot of ideas floating around, and many of the ideas are related to guru. And as we discussed, things became more clear related to guru in terms of philosophy and also in terms of culture. Because we have a culture, a Vaishnava culture, Bhagavad culture, and in some quarters, there is an attempt to, you could say, erode the position of the guru, or even the external respect offered to the guru, which is not part of our culture.

And Vaisesika Prabhu really, I mean, reads Srila Prabhupada’s books and studies Srila Prabhupada’s books. And so, as we were discussing, once or twice, he would take out one of Prabhupada’s books and read from it, which had the effect of both supporting his thoughts and maybe clarifying or enhancing his thoughts.

So, I’m going to read a little of what he read when we were speaking last night. Of course, in a way, the culture is stronger in India or at least the remnants of the culture, so it may not be so much of an issue, but then again, ideas float around everywhere. And I’m not reading this for any personal benefit. Vaisesika Prabhu said the same thing, he is not attached to receiving respect, in a way, he doesn’t particularly like it and he always has to be careful not to want to enjoy it, but he feels that this culture is beneficial for the disciples, and without the culture, their studies of the scripture and their efforts in devotional service will not develop as well.

So, I will take this time to read a few of the verses and purports, both for the subject, and also for the example of how we can spend our time together, reading and discussing Srila Prabhupada’s books.

So, this is Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto Seven, Chapter Fifteen, Instructions for Civilized Human Beings. Are you civilized human beings? If you are, then these instructions are for you. So, you can repeat after me, it’ll be good. Of course, you’ve been having kirtan, but the vibration is good.

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya 

So, this is Text Twenty-Five. To save time, I’ll just read the translation and purport.

TEXT 25

One must conquer the modes of passion and ignorance by developing the mode of goodness, and then one must become detached from the mode of goodness by promoting oneself to the platform of śuddha-sattva.

COMMENT

Pure goodness.

TEXT 25

All this can be automatically done if one engages in the service of the spiritual master with faith and devotion. In this way one can conquer the influence of the modes of nature.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

Just by treating the root cause of an ailment, one can conquer all bodily pains and sufferings. Similarly, if one is devoted and faithful to the spiritual master, he can conquer the influence of sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa very easily. Yogīs and jñānīs practice in many ways to conquer the senses, but the bhakta immediately attains the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead through the mercy of the spiritual master. Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo.

COMMENT

I’m going to see if I can prop up the book so I’m not looking down so much.

PURPORT (continued)

If the spiritual master is favorably inclined, one naturally receives the mercy of the Supreme Lord, and by the mercy of the Supreme Lord one immediately becomes transcendental, conquering all the influences of sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa within this material world. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate). If one is a pure devotee acting under the directions of the guru, one easily gets the mercy of the Supreme Lord and thus becomes immediately situated on the transcendental platform. This is explained in the next verse.

COMMENT

So, the way Prabhupada states it, if one is a pure devotee acting under the directions of the guru. And pure devotee means basically that one does not engage in devotional service for any material benefit, either in the realm of sense gratification or impersonal liberation. It doesn’t mean that you are at the stage where you always remember Krishna, never forget Him, although that’s our effort, but it means that you try to engage all of your energy in devotional service, you don’t take breaks. “Okay, now I’ll engage in devotional service. Krishna consciousness, that’s my religion, that’s part of my life, but I have other parts of my life that have nothing to do with Krishna consciousness.”

So, it is a stage, but that’s not the ideal. The ideal is that everything we do should be related to Krishna consciousness, either directly, hearing and chanting about Krishna, or somehow or other, remembering Krishna and helping to progress in Krishna consciousness. Even if it’s going to work, earning money, taking care of family members, all of those can be done in an attitude of devotional service. Going to school, studying, taking exams, passing exams, they can all be done in the mood of devotional service to please Krishna.

I’ll read one more, the next verse.

TEXT 26

The spiritual master should be considered to be directly the Supreme Lord because he gives transcendental knowledge for enlightenment. Consequently, for one who maintains the material conception that the spiritual master is an ordinary human being, everything is frustrated. His enlightenment and his Vedic studies and knowledge are like the bathing of an elephant.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

It is recommended that one honor the spiritual master as being on an equal status with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Sākṣād dharitvena samasta-śāstraiḥ. This is enjoined in every scripture. Ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyāt. One should consider the ācārya to be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In spite of all these instructions, if one considers the spiritual master an ordinary human being, one is doomed. His study of the Vedas and his austerities and penances for enlightenment are all useless, like the bathing of an elephant. An elephant bathes in a lake quite thoroughly, but as soon as it comes on the shore it takes some dust from the ground and strews it over its body. Thus there is no meaning to the elephant’s bath. One may argue by saying that since the spiritual master’s relatives and the men of his neighborhood consider him an ordinary human being, what is the fault on the part of the disciple who considers the spiritual master an ordinary human being? This will be answered in the next verse, but the injunction is that the spiritual master should never be considered an ordinary man. One should strictly adhere to the instructions of the spiritual master, for if he is pleased, certainly the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased. Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi.

COMMENT

I’ll just read the next verse, but I won’t read all of the purport, but it expands on this idea that family members and neighbors of a spiritual master may consider him to be an ordinary human being, but that doesn’t mean he is ordinary. And although they may have that view, a disciple should not have that view, and if he does, well, he’ll be doomed, as Srila Prabhupada said.

And I saw this quite vividly when Adavit dasa, who received first initiation from Tamal Krishna Goswami and second from me, took me to visit Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s apartment in Calcutta. And we saw the layout of the apartment; many of his deities are still there, many of the photos of Krishna and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and devotees are still there, and we saw the room where he left his body.

But we also saw that there was some worship of shakti by the family members. In other words, they couldn’t really appreciate his position as an acharya, and they didn’t really take all of his instructions to heart, they were quite mixed. And even the way they kept his room, I could just see it was sort of mixed. They knew he was a great devotee, but he is just part of their family.

And it was interesting that of all the people in the household, really, the one who received us well and seemed to express the most appreciation for Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON was the daughter-in-law. She wasn’t born in the family, but coming from outside, she was able to perceive the value of Krishna consciousness.

So, I’ll just read the first paragraph of the purport, and then we can move along. Oh yes, I have to read the verse. Text Twenty-Seven.

TEXT 27

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, is the master of all other living entities and of the material nature. His lotus feet are sought and worshiped by great saintly persons like Vyāsa. Nonetheless, there are fools who consider Lord Kṛṣṇa an ordinary human being.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

The example of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s being the Supreme Personality of Godhead is appropriate in regard to understanding the spiritual master. The spiritual master is called sevaka-bhagavān, the servitor Personality of Godhead, and Kṛṣṇa is called sevya-bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead who is to be worshiped. The spiritual master is the worshiper God, whereas the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is the worshipable God. This is the difference between the spiritual master and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

COMMENT

So, as he was reading this, Vaisesika Prabhu commented, “This is our culture, this is our system. Are these the law books for the next ten thousand years, or is this something that we can sort of adjust to suit what we think is appropriate or relevant for the present society?” Anyways, this is just one example. But our culture is important, etiquette is important. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu emphasized it very much with His devotees about the importance of Vaishnava etiquette. And so, these are parts of our culture and we are meant to get these from Srila Prabhupada’s books, and we are meant to practice them in the association of devotees. And that includes giving respect to seniors.

Now, sometimes someone’s in a position of receiving a lot of service and he may or may not like it, or she may or may not like it, but in a way, it is a service to accept the service. But yesterday at the Laguna Beach festival, I served prasāda and I didn’t honor prasāda until pretty much everyone else had finished, and I’m thinking, I receive so much service. Whether I like it or not, sometimes people offer service and I may not even want to accept it as such, but I don’t want them to be discouraged or feel that I’m rejecting their offering of service.

But when there is a good opportunity to serve the devotees and not receive service, I take advantage of it. And that’s what I did yesterday, and Vaisesika Prabhu also, and Vaisesika Prabhu’s wife, Nirakula Mataji, who is also a very advanced devotee. Yeah, we all did that. So, that reciprocation should be there, bhuṅkte bhojayate caiva, offering prasāda and accepting prasāda.

So, this is the basic idea and these are the principles, eternal principles, sat-dharma, and we should absorb ourselves in Krishna consciousness. And our Krishna consciousness is supported by our culture. And the Mitra system is meant to encourage us in Krishna consciousness by creating opportunities for hearing and chanting about Krishna, for developing our skills as devotees. And it happens simultaneously with the Mitras and with the devotees who are learning from the Mitras, everyone is learning at the same time, everyone is meant to be improving together.

And along with these very specific programs for chanting and hearing, it’s turned out to be a great boon that Radha Gopinatha Prabhu is coming and giving us his association, and really, specifically chanting and hearing about Krishna. And different groups have made outings to different places to chant and hear about Krishna, pray to the Deities, honor prasāda, and have a sharing among devotees.

I mean, any system in the material world has room for improvement, and the Mitra system is the same. We are working on refining the system itself, we are working on helping the Mitras improve in their skills and their Krishna consciousness, and it’s a work in progress. Every one of us is sort of a work in progress, and so we shouldn’t find fault, “Oh! The system’s not perfect in this way, or that Mitra is not perfect in that way,” but we should understand the intention of it and work together in a cooperative way, appreciating the good in the devotees, the good in the system, and trying to help it improve, because it is very important, it’s very necessary, and it’s very beneficial.

So, today is, I believe, it’s the day on which you can. . . And also, within the Mitras, some like Nama Chintamani, because of her health, she is not able to continue, others who have been trained or are just sort of naturals, they’ll become available now, individuals or couples who weren’t available before. And so, it’s a time that one can reconsider who one’s Mitra will be. But as we’ve discussed before, it’s really that each individual is sort of the responsibility of the whole group if someone might be under a particular Mitra. But really, everyone should feel concerned for everyone else, and everyone should try to do what’s best for every devotee. And it’s meant to purify us and elevate us.

So, I wish you all the best. If any of you would like to share any of your thoughts or realizations or ask any questions, we can take some time for that now.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:39:31].

Giriraj Swami: At Laguna Beach after our talks, Vaisesika Prabhu said we should ask the audience to share some realizations, and nobody raised their hands. And Vaisesika Prabhu told me, “You have to force them, at least three must speak.” And then finally, one spoke, then another, then another, and it was really nice. This is guhyam ākhyāti pṛcchati. And then he said, “You should force another three.” And I said, “It’s like Srila Prabhupada’s instructions for book distribution, he always said, ‘Double it.’” So, it was nice. Yes, Sita Thakurani?

Devotee: Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna.

Devotee: About this system, I can see that it has really helped me personally, and then as a mentor, Lila Manjari and her husband, they help me lot, my husband and myself both. Initially, I had a little resistance about this system, but somehow, I followed it and today, I definitely also see that it is a very good system, has been introduced by you, and it is helping, it is giving us security, it is helping us in our spiritual development. And in our personal lives also, we feel secure in each other’s association. So, I specifically thank you so much from the bottom of my heart that you have given us this system, and it is helping us. Thank you so much, Guru Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Well, thank you. That was a nice realization you shared with us. Two more.

Devotee: Hare Krishna, Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna.

Devotee: This system is such, Guru Maharaja, we need energy. . . Get connected to each other and our spiritual progress, we get spiritual progress also. Thank you, Guru Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Nice, thank you.

Devotee: Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna.

Devotee: Different system for all of us, in the sense not only in the spiritual level, but I think all levels, there are many things that are being sorted out [Unintelligible 00:43:19].

Giriraj Swami: Yeah.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:43:23]. So, I think it’s acknowledging the spiritual aspect, but in other aspects also, it’s a great boon, and we are very thankful to you for bringing the system to us, Guru Maharaja. Thank you so much.

Giriraj Swami: Oh, thank you, that was a nice thought and experience you’ve had and shared with us. Well, I would also like to thank Sridham and Kishori for putting in so much time, and energy, and intelligence, and care to helping develop the program, and not just develop the program but also to help many of you individually. And yes, it is very encouraging. So, Sridham Prabhu and Kishori Mataji, is there anything else you would like to discuss while we are on Skype together? Or how should the program proceed now?

Devotee: Hare Krishna, Maharaja. Maharaja, I think they all had very sumptuous prasāda. Prasāda is already over.

Giriraj Swami: Okay.

Devotee: And I think another very transcendental piece in form of your association is already also wonderful. I think what we are looking now is to have the administrative work of [Unintelligible 00: 45:44], but otherwise, I think what you have spoken. . . I must inform the devotees that Maharaja came yesterday night at 12:35.

Giriraj Swami: Two, two, two.

Devotee: Sorry, Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: No, no, that’s alright. Because I finished with Vaisesika Prabhu at 11:30, and even at that hour, without traffic, it was still two and a half-hour drive. Okay, no problem, no problem, I’m fine, I’m happy.

Devotee: Maharaja has specifically come [Unintelligible 00:46:29] just to address all of us. So, I think it’s a great kindness of Maharaja to really give time [Unintelligible 00:46:44].

Giriraj Swami: Are you hearing me as clearly as before? All right. So, I don’t know what to do. I felt one thing that was missing was kirtan with me, nothing very long, but I did think of leading the Nṛsiṁha prayers. And as far as Phalguna, I don’t know what to say. Well, I’m not sure how much of what you had to say was for me or for the others, but I guess you can say it, I might hear a little of it. Oh, now it’s better.

Devotee: Maharaja?

Giriraj Swami: Yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s better now. Yeah, now it’s fine.

Devotee: Hare Krishna, Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. I just wanted to share that this Mitra system is really helping me. I came in Krishna consciousness with the same feelings I am having, it’s the same enthusiasm I’m feeling with devotees. And thank you so much for this system. And I make sure all the time that every time I don’t miss any Mitra meeting, which is so helpful to me, and I have a little book by Srimati Nirmala, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, having little glorification of yours. I would like to read one or two paragraphs, allow me for two seconds or few seconds.

Giriraj Swami: All right, all right.

Devotee: Thank you. This book is called Swami Giriraj. Introduction: Generally, when a devotee thinks of marble pillars, then he automatically thinks of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva. Then for the personification of fearlessness, he automatically thinks of Prahlada Maharaja. But for  [Unintelligible 00:49:36]. Therefore as mentioned in his vyasa-puja offering last year, the marble pillars of Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari mandir are resting place of Giriraj Maharaja’s heart, and that lotus heart is the residing place of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva. [Unintelligible 00:50:02] never forget him or his smiling and encouraging eyes, his genuine concern for others’ problems and difficulties, his determination to help others [Unintelligible 00:50:22], his soft heart, his experience in presenting such chastisement so that it doesn’t hurt, his expertise in presenting a word of praise so that it doesn’t produce pride, his simplicity, his unlimited mercy and compassion is a great detachment we could go over and over forever just as I [Unintelligible 00:50:47] never stop singing the glories of the Lord Krishna, so we can never stop glorifying His pure devotee, His Holiness Giriraj Swami Maharaja. This Vyasa-puja [Unintelligible 00:51:04] is presented by Srimati Nirmala Sundari [Unintelligible 00:51:10] most dear faithful follower of Srila Prabhupada. [Unintelligible 00:51:15] in India almost unbearable helping in so many ways by giving them medical treatments, prasāda and loving and encouraging association.

His Holiness Giriraj Swami Maharaja ki jaya! Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Giriraj Swami: It was nice, very nice. There is some exaggeration, but it was nice. Thank you. And especially, because I was just about to read the Nṛsiṁha prayers. All right.

namaste narasimhaya prahlada allhada dayine
hiranyakarsipor vaksaha silatanka nakhalaye

ito nrsimhah parato nrsimho
yato yato yami tato nrsimhah
bahir nrsimho hrdaye nrsimho
nrsimham adim saranam prapadye

taba kara-kamala-vare nakham-adbhuta-srngam
dalita hiranyakasipu tanu bhrngam
kesava-dhrta narahari rupa jaya jagadisa hare

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:58:56].

Giriraj Swami: Oh, yeah, nice, nice to see you here.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:59:11].

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna. Yes, I saw you. Yeah, I’m glad you are here.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:59:25].

Giriraj Swami: Oh, tell her I send my love and best wishes to her.

Devotee: Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja. [Unintelligible 00:59:43].

Giriraj Swami: Good. Yes, I see, wonderful. Yeah, it’s very good to have mangoes.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:00:12].

Giriraj Swami: Oh, nice, yes, I’m ready for breakfast.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:00:29].

Giriraj Swami: Oh, okay, nice.

Devotee: This is custard [Unintelligible 01:00:44].

Giriraj Swami: Okay.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:00:50].

Giriraj Swami: Wow, okay.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:00:58].

Giriraj Swami: Very good.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:01:03].

Giriraj Swami: Who brought?

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:01:11].

Giriraj Swami: Oh, wonderful, wonderful.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:01:17].

Giriraj Swami: Good.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:01:27].

Giriraj Swami: Okay, wonderful.

Devotee: This is Radha-Rasabihari samosa, Radha-Rasabihari mahā-prasāda.

Giriraj Swami: Nice, thank you. Yeah, the samosas are famous. Someone told me there was a Hindi film, Bollywood movie, and in the movie, one of the characters says, “I’m going to the Hare Krishna temple in Juhu to get samosas.”

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:02:17].

Giriraj Swami: Okay, thank you, thank you.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:02:39].

Giriraj Swami: All right, thank you, Kula Priya Mataji. What’s the child saying?

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:04:01]

Giriraj Swami: All right, I will let all you wonderful devotees continue with your meeting. It’s really very wonderful that we could come together and associate like this. And yeah, Sridham Prabhu said there is some business at hand for all of you, and I think you can carry on with your work. But it was really, really nice getting together like this, really very nice. Very grateful to all of you for all of your sincere efforts, and especially to cooperate. As Srila Prabhupada said, “Your love for me will be shown by how you cooperate.” So, it’s very, very encouraging to see this effort.

Devotee: Maharaja, I just want to share with you. Yesterday was a very historic day, maybe forty-five years ago, 26th March, 1971, it was the first time Radhanath Swami met you at Cross Maidan and you gave him the first devotional service in the Hare Krishna movement [Unintelligible 01:06:53].

Giriraj Swami: Wow, that’s quite an event, quite an event.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:07:07]. It was the 45th anniversary yesterday.

Giriraj Swami: Thank you, thank you. Thank you for that.

Devotee: Hare Krishna, Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna.

Devotee: When Guru Maharaja is coming back to India? We are missing you a lot.

Giriraj Swami: Well, I’m looking to come in before Kartik, before the beginning of Kartik.

Devotee: How is your health, Guru Maharaja?

Giriraj Swami: It’s better, yeah, there were a couple of things that happened along the way, but it’s good now.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:07:53].

Giriraj Swami: Yeah, yeah, I’m missing you too. As you know, I wanted to come, it’s sort of my routine to come. October, November, December, January, February, I wanted to attend the Drama Festival and so many things, so many things. But yeah, it didn’t work out this time, but Krishna willing, I will stay in it for an extended period, beginning before Kartik. Hare Krishna.

vāñchā-kalpa-tarubhyaś ca
kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca
patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo
vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ