SB 10.2.31 – Kirtan and Talk on the Appearance of Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna, my dear devotees. So now, we will read about the birth of Lord Krishna from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Canto Ten, Chapter Three- entitled “The Birth of Lord Kṛṣṇa.” I will begin by reading the chapter summary.

SUMMARY

As described in this chapter, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, Hari in His original form, appeared as Viṣṇu so that His father and mother could understand that their son was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because they were afraid of Kaṁsa, when the Lord appeared as an ordinary child they took Him to Gokula, the home of Nanda Mahārāja.

Mother Devakī, being fully transcendental, sac-cid-ānanda, does not belong to this material world. Thus the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared with four hands, as if born from her womb. Upon seeing the Lord in that Viṣṇu form, Vasudeva was struck with wonder, and in transcendental happiness he and Devakī mentally gave ten thousand cows in charity to the brāhmaṇas. Vasudeva then offered prayers to the Lord, addressing Him as the Supreme Person, Parabrahman, the Supersoul, who is beyond duality and who is internally and externally all-pervading. The Lord, the cause of all causes, is beyond material existence, although He is the creator of this material world. When He enters this world as Paramātmā, He is all-pervading (aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu-cayāntara-stham), yet He is transcendentally situated.

Vasudeva offered prayers full of meaning to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Devakī followed her husband by offering prayers describing the transcendental nature of the Lord. Fearing Kaṁsa and desiring that atheistic and materialistic non-devotees not know that the Lord has appeared, she prayed that He withdraw His transcendental four-armed form and appear like an ordinary child with two hands. 

The Lord reminded Vasudeva and Devakī of two other incarnations in which He had appeared as their son. He had appeared as Pṛśnigarbha and Vāmanadeva, and now this was the third time He was appearing as the son of Devakī to fulfill their desire. The Lord then decided to leave the residence of Vasudeva and Devakī, in the prison house of Kaṁsa, and at this very time, Yoga-māyā took birth as the daughter of Yaśodā. By the arrangement of Yoga-māyā, Vasudeva was able to leave the prison house and save the child from the hands of Kaṁsa. When Vasudeva brought Kṛṣṇa to the house of Nanda Mahārāja, he saw that by Yoga-māyā’s arrangement, Yaśodā, as well as everyone else, was deeply asleep. Thus he exchanged the babies, taking Yoga-māyā from Yaśodā’s lap and placing Kṛṣṇa there instead. Then Vasudeva returned to his own place, having taken Yoga-māyā as his daughter. He placed Yoga-māyā on Devakī’s bed and prepared to be a prisoner as before. In Gokula, Yaśodā could not understand whether she had given birth to a male or a female child. 

COMMENT

So in the Bhagavad-gītā, Lord Krishna says,

janma karma ca me divyam
evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ
tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma
naiti mām eti so ‘rjuna

That anyone who understands the transcendental nature of His appearance and activities in this world never takes birth again in this material world, but goes to Him, in other words goes back home, Back to Godhead.

So these topics of Krishna are not only very relishable and purifying to the heart, but the understanding we get from them qualifies us to go back home, Back to Godhead. So I could say much about the appearance of Krishna and Balarama, but I am inclined now to read a very important verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto Ten, Chapter Two- “Prayers by the Demigods for Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Womb.” Because this verse glorifies not only Krishna but also the acharya. And as we are also approaching Srila Prabhupada’s Appearance Day, I thought that this would be an appropriate verse to read and discuss because it is a, you can say, a glorification of both.

So we will read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto Ten, Chapter Two. Text Thirty-one.

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya

Again, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Canto Ten, Chapter Two.

TEXT 31

svayaṁ samuttīrya sudustaraṁ dyuman
bhavārṇavaṁ bhīmam adabhra-sauhṛdāḥ
bhavat-padāmbhoruha-nāvam atra te
nidhāya yātāḥ sad-anugraho bhavān

TRANSLATION

O Lord, who resembles the shining sun, You are always ready to fulfill the desire of Your devotee, and therefore You are known as a desire tree [vāñchā-kalpataru]. When ācāryas completely take shelter under Your lotus feet in order to cross the fierce ocean of nescience, they leave behind on earth the method by which they cross, and because You are very merciful to Your other devotees, You accept this method to help them.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

This statement reveals how the merciful ācāryas and the merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead together help the serious devotee who wants to return home, back to Godhead. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, in His teachings to Rūpa Gosvāmī, said:

brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
 guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja        [Cc. Madhya 19.151]

One can achieve the seed of bhakti-latā, devotional service, by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa. 

COMMENT

As it is said, by the mercy of Krishna one gets Guru, and by the mercy of Guru one gets Krishna.

PURPORT (continued)

The duty of the guru is to find the means, according to the time, the circumstances and the candidate, by which one can be induced to render devotional service, which Kṛṣṇa accepts from a candidate who wants to be successful in going back home, back to Godhead. After wandering throughout the universe, a fortunate person within this material world seeks shelter of such a guru, or ācārya, who trains the devotee in the suitable ways to render service according to the circumstances so that the Supreme Personality of Godhead will accept the service. 

COMMENT

Now before I continue reading the purport I would like to read about the verse that Srila Prabhupada quoted here in the purport,

brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
 guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja        [Cc. Madhya 19.151]

TRANSLATION

“According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate(bhāgyavānbhagyavan) gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada [Cc. Madhya 19.151]

Out of many of these living entities, one who is actually fortunate (bhāgyavān) comes in contact with a bona fide spiritual master by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.

Kṛṣṇa is situated in everyone’s heart, and if one desires something, Kṛṣṇa fulfills one’s desire. If the living entity by chance or fortune comes in contact with the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement (COMMENT: like all of you) and wishes to associate with that movement, Kṛṣṇa, who is situated in everyone’s heart, gives him the chance to meet a bona fide spiritual master. This is called guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāda.

Kṛṣṇa is prepared to bestow His mercy upon all living entities, and as soon as a living entity desires the Lord’s mercy, the Lord immediately gives him an opportunity to meet a bona fide spiritual master. Such a fortunate person is fortified by both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master. He is helped from within by Kṛṣṇa and from without by the spiritual master. Both are prepared to help the sincere living being become free from material bondage.

How one can become this fortunate can be seen in the life of Śrīla Nārada Muni. In his previous life he was born of a maidservant. Although he was not born into a prestigious position, his mother was fortunately engaged in rendering service to some Vaiṣṇavas. When these Vaiṣṇavas were resting during the Cāturmāsya period, the boy Nārada took the opportunity to engage in their service. Taking compassion upon the boy, the Vaiṣṇavas offered him the remnants of their food. By serving these Vaiṣṇavas and obeying their orders, the boy became the object of their sympathy, and by the Vaiṣṇavas’ unknown mercy, he gradually became a pure devotee. In the next life he was Nārada Muni, the most exalted of Vaiṣṇavas and the most important guru and ācārya of Vaiṣṇavas.

Following in the footsteps of Nārada Muni, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is rendering service to humanity by giving everyone a chance to come in contact with Kṛṣṇa. If one is fortunate, he becomes intimately related with this movement. Then, by the grace of Kṛṣṇa, one’s life becomes successful. Everyone has dormant kṛṣṇa-bhakti — love for Kṛṣṇa — and in the association of good devotees, that love is revealed. As stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta [Madhya 22.107]:

nitya-siddha-kṛṣṇa-prema ‘sādhya’ kabhu naya
śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya

Dormant devotional service to Kṛṣṇa is within everyone. Simply by associating with devotees, hearing their good instructions and chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, dormant love for Kṛṣṇa is awakened. In this way one acquires the seed of devotional service. Guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja.

COMMENT

So that was very nice to hear from Srila Prabhupada about how a Guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja, by the mercy of Guru and Krishna, one gets the seed of devotional service.

So now, coming back to our verse and purport for today.

Devotee: Hare Krishna Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Yes?

Devotee: Haribol. Jaya! Thank you Maharaja for such a wonderful class. I believe I speak for all the devotees here that we totally enjoy the class by your Holiness. Before we bid our goodbyes to Maharaja, I believe we still have some time for a short Q and A session Maharaja?

The devotees who would like to ask any questions please kindly raise your hand or do type it out on the chat box, and for those on the Facebook live if you are not, so some of the technical team members they will be looking into questions over the Facebook live and we can raise it here before Giriraj Swami Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Okay, but if we have time I would like to finish reading the purport.

Devotee: Sure Maharaja. 

Giriraj Swami: We were discussing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.2.31) is very instructive. I will begin from the beginning, just remind us of where we left off because it is a very nice glorification of the acharya and will increase our appreciation of Srila Prabhupada and the process of devotional service that he gave us.

So purport again.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada: (SB 10.2.31)

This statement reveals how the merciful ācāryas and the merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead together help the serious devotee who wants to return home, back to Godhead. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, in His teachings to Rūpa Gosvāmī, said:

brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja        [Cc. Madhya 19.151]

One can achieve the seed of bhakti-latā, devotional service, by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa. The duty of the guru is to find the means, according to the time, the circumstances and the candidate, by which one can be induced to render devotional service, which Kṛṣṇa accepts from a candidate who wants to be successful in going back home, back to Godhead. After wandering throughout the universe, a fortunate person within this material world seeks shelter of such a guru, or ācārya, who trains the devotee in the suitable ways to render service according to the circumstances so that the Supreme Personality of Godhead will accept the service. This makes it easier for the candidate to reach the ultimate destination. The ācārya’s duty, therefore, is to find the means by which devotees may render service according to references from śāstra. Rūpa Gosvāmī, for example, in order to help subsequent devotees, published such devotional books as Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu. Thus it is the duty of the ācārya to publish books that will help future candidates take up the method of service and become eligible to return home, back to Godhead, by the mercy of the Lord. In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, this same path is being prescribed and followed. Thus the devotees have been advised to refrain from four sinful activities — illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling — and to chant sixteen rounds a day. These are bona fide instructions. Because in the Western countries constant chanting is not possible, one should not artificially imitate Haridāsa Ṭhākura, but should follow this method. Kṛṣṇa will accept a devotee who strictly follows the regulative principles and the method prescribed in the various books and literatures published by the authorities. The ācārya gives the suitable method for crossing the ocean of nescience by accepting the boat of the Lord’s lotus feet, and if this method is strictly followed, the followers will ultimately reach the destination, by the grace of the Lord. This method is called ācārya sampradāya. It is therefore said, sampradāya-vihīnā ye mantrās te niṣphalā matāḥ (Padma Purāṇa). The ācārya sampradāya is strictly bona fide. Therefore one must accept the ācārya sampradāya; otherwise one’s endeavor will be futile. Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura therefore sings:

tāṅdera caraṇa sevi bhakta sane vāsa
janame janame haya, ei abhilāṣa

One must worship the lotus feet of the ācārya and live within the society of devotees. Then one’s endeavor to cross over nescience will surely be successful.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Giriraj Swami: So, now we can have questions and comments.

Devotee: His Holiness Giriraj Swami Maharaja ki jaya!

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Krishna Janmashtami Mahamahotsava ki jaya!

Hare Krishna Maharaja. Okay, I am so sorry that I cut in between just now Maharaja because I misunderstood the conversation. My sincere apologies to your Holiness for that.

So now I would like to open the floor of for any question and answer session, or any comment or feedbacks from the devotees over the Zoom. And for Facebook Live, the technical team will be monitoring the chat so any question from there will be raised to Maharaja.

So, okay, His Grace Shyam Vallabha dasa Prabhu has raised his hand. So Prabhu, you may unmute and speak to His Holiness.

Devotee: Haribol Guru Maharaja, please accept my obeisances. It is wonderful to be here with you all again and hear this class as you were speaking, I thought about how I have heard several times that the demigods are actually waiting to take birth and to be a part of this movement that Srila Prabhupada has brought to us. And so, it made me reflect on how fortunate, how very fortunate we are to be here during this time, the beginning of this Golden Age Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu introduced and that Srila Prabhupada has given, has brought for us, for me, for all of us to get back home, back to Godhead. So, it just made me think of how fortunate I am that first of all I was able to come into your shelter, and I really am. I think about that all the time how thankful I am, but just to be part of this movement that Srila Prabhupada has introduced, it is overwhelming how fortunate we are. And I don’t want to waste this opportunity, so more of a comment than a question is just reflecting on how fortunate we are, even the demigods are waiting to be part of Srila Prabhupada’s movement. So, thank you very much Guru Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Thank you for sharing that wonderful reflection with us. Yes, we are most fortunate, and we should take full advantage of our good fortune by strictly following the process that Srila Prabhupada gave us, and share our good fortune with others.

Hare Krishna.

So next one is Hemlata Arcot.

Devotee: Hare Krishna Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your lotus feet. Thank you for a nice class Maharaja.

I have a question, this purport- 10.2.31, I could even extrapolate it to not just our Sampradāya authorities but also to the authorities of other traditions. For example, Christianity or Islam because the purport says that when the acharyas leave a method for the followers, then Krishna mercifully accepts the method. So for example, I could apply this to say Jesus Christ left Ten Commandments for his followers, and if they follow that, then Krishna will accept; or say, Lord Buddha gave non-violence to His followers as a principle, and if they follow, Krishna will accept that, right? So, is that a right way to interpret this purport or am I in a wrong direction?

Giriraj Swami: That is a very liberal interpretation. I mean, the purport is giving the method that the acharyas have left, and Srila Prabhupada mentions specifically Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sri Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu. And by following the method given by Srila Prabhupada and the previous acharyas, we will be eligible to go back home, back to Godhead. And the other religious traditions like you mentioned Christianity, as Srila Prabhupada said, “The basic principles of every bonafide religion will be the same, but there is more detail in Krishna Consciousness in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. For example, as Srila Prabhupada would say, “Every religion will say that God is great, but how great He is they don’t know. And they don’t know the details about who God is but we know His name, His forms, His qualities, His pastimes, His associates.” And our ultimate goal is to develop love for God.” premā pumartho mahān—that is our ultimate goal. 

And how can you love someone if you don’t know him? Or to put it otherwise, with Krishna too, to know Him is to love Him. So therefore, it is important to have this knowledge. And as Srila Prabhupada said, “You can remain whatever you are. You can remain Hindu, Christian, a Muslim or whatever you are, but add this and become a better Hindu, better Christian, better Muslim. So, I would take that approach—if someone is Christian, they want to remain Christian, well and good. They can add this and become a better Christian. Same with Muslim or whatever.

Devotee: Okay, thank you Maharaja. Hare Krishna.

Giriraj Swami: Siddhi Lalasa dasi?

Devotee: Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja. This is a comment on Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta, I have been studying Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta with a group of devotees, and we completed it. It is the concise version, six volumes, and by His Holiness Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami Maharaja. It is a realization for me. I have been hearing or reading Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta many years from the very beginning of my life in Krishna consciousness, and it is a reading that I completed last month, but what I got from it was enormous. First thing that I would say, that concise version is a masterpiece of summarizing seven volumes and giving the essence of Prabhupada at different stages of his life till the end. So, it is like fast forward I would say, like seeing a sequence of activities, strategies which for me was like a breathtaking adventure and believe me, extraordinary. And I finally understood how Prabhupada implemented those five most important items of devotional service in ISKCON.

And just a few days back I was reading Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta. In one purport, Prabhupada was saying what you mentioned about following the footsteps of the previous acharyas. So Prabhupada is writing that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has given the method, and there is no need to experiment anymore, we just have to follow the method, and we will achieve the highest perfection. And if we don’t follow that method, we can’t do it, otherwise we can’t achieve the highest perfection. So this verse for me, that was like the faith that is required by a follower to be just like blindly accept the process that has been given to us, that Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta showed me the science of what Prabhupada was actually doing. For me, that was a very very valuable realization that I had after so many years being in the movement.

Giriraj Swami: Nice. So yes, we should follow the method, and sincerely and seriously and get the result. I remember when Śrīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta first came out, so many people in Juhu—friends, congregation members came to me in my office and said that since reading Śrīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta, not only do they appreciate Srila Prabhupada more, but they also are more eager to read Srila Prabhupada’s books. So yes, it is a wonderful contribution.

Are there any other questions or comments?

Devotee: Hare Krishna Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna.

Devotee: My question is rather a simple one really, you mentioned that we must always pray to Krishna so that He could render service to us according to our circumstances. Would you mind elaborate more on that Maharaja? Hare Krishna.

Giriraj Swami: Well, Srila Prabhupada gave the example in the purport that he prescribed sixteen rounds minimum for us. As said in Western countries, it is not possible for people to chant for extended periods of time. And he also said, “These are bonafide instructions.” So of course, if we can chant more, it is welcome, but Srila Prabhupada has said, “If we just chant sixteen rounds daily, follow the regulated principles, and do our best to spread Krishna Consciousness all over the world, we will go back home, back to Godhead at the end of this very life.” And as the verse says, the verse and purport that Krishna accepts the method that the acharya has left for the devotees. So yes, it is deceptively simple, it is not complicated. Yes, but we have to do it, of course, we have to do it.

Now, Srila Prabhupada said, “Chanting is easy, but the determination to chant is not so easy.” But if we have the determination to chant at least sixteen rounds daily, follow the four regulated principles, and do our best to spread Krishna Consciousness, we will get Prabhupada and Krishna’s mercy, and be eligible to go back home, back to Godhead.

Devotee: Thank you Maharaja. Maharaja, I would like to ask a follow-up question Maharaja. But how do we know that we are actually doing our level best in spreading the Krishna Consciousness Movement Maharaja? Hare Krishna.

Giriraj Swami: Well, Srila Prabhupada emphasized working cooperatively. He said that our love for him will be shown by how we cooperate to keep ISKCON together after he leaves. So where do you live?

Devotee: I am from Malaysia, Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Malaysia?

Devotee: Yes.

Giriraj Swami: I see. And are you near any temple there?

Devotee: Yes, I am serving in a temple Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Okay, so I am sure the devotees in the temple will advise you what you can do to spread Krishna consciousness, serve the devotees, serve the mission and spread Krishna consciousness. Of course, we can always feel we should be doing more, we should always feel that we should be doing more. And then, we should do more.

Devotee: Thank you Maharaja. Hare Krishna.

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna.

Yes, Namrata.

Devotee: Hare Krishna Maharaja. Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Thank you very much for letting us insight into the Krishna janma story. I had a question in reference to what is the popularly realized as Krishna’s birth in Mathura in the prison house of Kamsa. But we also know of Krishna Shyamasundara being born on the left side of Mother Yasoda, and the potency was carried by Vasudeva merged with the potency of Shyamasundara Krishna. So, my question and my doubt about this is that why is the story of Krishna being born in Mathura as the publicized story that we generally hear in the world as opposed to knowing the real reason of Krishna Shyamasundara coming on the left side of Mother Yasoda and obviously merging etc. So my question was why do we not hear the real stuff?

Giriraj Swami: Well, some things are confidential. About what you said is correct. Mother Yasoda actually gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. The boy was the original Krishna, and the girl was Yoga Maya. And when Vasudeva was carrying the Vasudeva Krishna from Mathura to Vrindavan, that Vasudeva Krishna got absorbed into the original Krishna.

Devotee: Into the Shyamasundara Krishna?

Giriraj Swami: Yes, and then Vasudeva took Yoga Maya. And as far as why it is not publicized—well, it is a subtle point. Generally people know the version from the Tenth Canto in which Krishna appears in the prison house of Kamsa to Vasudeva and Devaki and so on. And they are not aware of the mystery. I wrote an article called The Mystery of Lord Krishna’s Birth. They don’t know the mystery that actually Yasoda gave birth to twins, one to Krishna and one a daughter, Yoga Maya.

Devotee: Thank you very much Maharaja. Hare Krishna. Please accept my obeisances.

Giriraj Swami: Thank you. Jaya!

Devotee: Hare Krishna Maharaja. Next we have Hari Priya Mataji just raised her hand.

Giriraj Swami: Yes, Hari Priya, should mention, is from Tehran, Iran. Yes, Hari Priya.

Hari Priya: Hare Krishna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. And all glories to you. Please accept my most humble obeisances. Just I wanted to tell you thanks for all the lights you brought to my life. From the moment you came to my life, my life changed and with your guidance and your support, my life changed completely. Thanks to Krishna and thanks to you for all the things you did and you will do for me. Thanks a lot. And thanks for all the beautiful words today you share with us and you brought more light into our hearts. Thank you a lot.

Giriraj Swami: Thank you.

Hari Priya: Hare Krishna.

Giriraj Swami: guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja. Thank you very much.

Devotee: Hare Krishna. Thank you so much Hari Priya Mataji.

Hare Krishna Maharaja, there was a question in the Zoom chat box from Nivashini Mataji. I will just read it out Maharaja. So the question goes like,

Hare Krishna Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances. Maharaja, I realize bhakti- yoga is very important to enhance our devotional life, but how about reading books? Srila Prabhupada has mentioned several times how important it is to distribute and read books. At the same time there are devotees who are more into physical sevā than jnana-sevā Maharaja. So which one is more important according to your Holiness Maharaja?

Giriraj Swami: Well as we read in the purport, the acharya finds the ways and means that are suitable to the candidate. And as you mentioned in your question, different devotees are more inclined to one service or another. And generally, we want to encourage devotees to do the service that appeals to them, but not always because sometimes a service may be required that is not according to the devotee’s liking, but we ask the devotee to do it, and the devotee does it because it is needed. My own example, may not be the best example, but my own example, I was more inclined to preaching than to managing. But Srila Prabhupada wanted me to become the President of the Juhu Temple which involved a lot of management. And I also had faith that Srila Prabhupada knew what was best for everyone. So even though in a way it wasn’t my inclination or my nature, but I surrendered and I did it. 

But yes, if all other factors are equal, if a devotee does some service that is according to his nature- well and good, maybe more enthusiastic because it is in keeping with this nature. And Nivashini, just out of curiosity, where are you?

Devotee: I am from Malaysia Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Giriraj Swami: You are from where? I missed it.

Devotee: I am from Malaysia Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Malaysia!

Devotee: Yes.

Giriraj Swami: Ei, Malaysia gets all the good ones?

Devotee: Thank you Maharaja. 

Giriraj Swami: Okay, thank you.

Devotee: Thank you so much Maharaja. It is a pleasure to meet you, to be able to talk to you Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances.

Giriraj Swami: Thank you. Hare Krishna.

Devotee: Hare Krishna. Thank you so much Nivashini Mataji. And yes Maharaja, Nivashini is also a part of Namasraya, the organizing host for this entire event. So, Tulsi Maharani, the previous mataji who asked the question, she is also part of Namasraya. Now, Pushpita Mataji, another devotee who is part of Namasraya and currently handling the technical team, has a special request for Maharaja, so I would unmute her so she can speak with your Holiness now. Pushpita Mataji, the floor is yours! Hare Krishna.

Devotee: Hare Krishna Maharaja. Thank you so much for a wonderful class Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances. Maharaja, I was saying that, it would be from Srila Prabhupada, but when we hear about Srila Prabhupada’s kathā from various devotees especially the disciples, we will get more taste into reading Srila Prabhupada’s books and also about Krishna and overall. It would be really nice Maharaja, I suggest a request; it would be really nice if we could share about Maharaja’s pastimes with Srila Prabhupada, if that is okay Maharaja? 

Giriraj Swami: You mean now?

Devotee: If we have [Unintelligible] because Maharaja actually a lot of devotees are asking that if it is okay with Maharaja, they would love to hear more from Maharaja, from Facebook and from Zoom.

Giriraj Swami: But are you suggesting we do that now or are you suggesting to arrange another meeting because it is a vast topic. I could write volumes, I have written volumes, and I am writing another volume about it. I think if you want that, maybe reschedule another meeting. It is too broad, I wouldn’t know where to begin or where to end.

Devotee: Yes Maharaja, maybe we could have another session on this, maybe on Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja Maharaja, it would be really nice to hear Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Yes. Okay.

Devotee: Thank you so much Maharaja. But Maharaja, I think other devotees, actually they were saying that they wanted to hear more from kṛṣṇa-kathā if only a [Unintelligible 00:54:55] Maharaja. Some of the comments were saying that they want to hear more from Maharaja on kṛṣṇa-kathā as well.

Giriraj Swami: I think that they should ask a question because again it is such a broad topic- kṛṣṇa-kathā, Prabhupada-kathā.

Devotee: Hare Krishna dear devotees. So, any devotee who wants to speak or ask any questions to H.H. Giriraj Swami Maharaja, you may raise your hand and can speak with Maharaja directly. We have this golden opportunity where most of us actually, I mean from this part of Malaysia Maharaja, honestly, we haven’t had the opportunity to do so and this is like my first time interacting with Your Holiness. And we really hope Maharaja, I am not so sure Maharaja had come to Malaysia or not before, but if you have not, please Maharaja we are humbly looking to having you here, to serve Your Holiness nicely here in Malaysia. Please give us mercy if you can come here Maharaja because now I think the borders are all open Maharaja. So we really hope Maharaja for you to place Your Holiness lotus feet in our land, purify us even more Maharaja, give us that fire so that we can Maharaja push this movement even stronger. So as we wish to contribute our energy and our time now to the Krishna Conscious movement to help all our sannyasis, all our Srila Prabhupada’s disciples and to materialize Srila Prabhupada’s vision even more Maharaja. Thank you so much for that mercy and blessings that Maharaja has given.

Maharaja, Haribol! Is it okay if Maharaja wanted to do a short kirtan together with all the devotees here, they would love to participate with Maharaja in a short hari-nāma kirtan, if that is all right with Maharaja?

Giriraj Swami: All right.

Devotee: Haribol! Maharaja can begin leading, and all of the devotee here would follow via Zoom. Hare Krishna.

Giriraj Swami: So when you say short, what do you have in mind?

Devotee: It is entirely up to Your Holiness. Maharaja decides, we follow. Maharaja gives instructions, we follow. That is all Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: I am going to begin by singing a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. It is a beautiful verse- loads of Sanskrit and the meaning. And it also ties into the verse we read from the Tenth Canto about taking shelter of the boat of the lotus feet of Krishna to across the fierce ocean of nescience. This is Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto Ten and Chapter Fourteen. I think Text Fifty-eight. 

samāśritā ye pada-pallava-plavaṁ
mahat-padaṁ puṇya-yaśo murāreḥ
bhavāmbudhir vatsa-padaṁ paraṁ padaṁ
padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ na teṣām

And the meaning or maybe I will give the word meanings also. [Maharaja reads the synonyms]

TRANSLATION

For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murāri, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Although there is danger at every step the devotee cross right over it.

Giriraj Swami: So it is a beautiful verse. And in the old Boston Temple we used to sing it every morning as part of our morning program. I will sing it again. I like it so much.

Devotee: Hare Krishna Maharaja. So sorry, would you mind repeating the Canto and the verse Maharaja, maybe some devotees have missed it.

Giriraj Swami: Yes, Canto Ten, Chapter Fourteen, Text Fifty-eight. 10.14.58. 

samāśritā ye pada-pallava-plavaṁ
mahat-padaṁ puṇya-yaśo murāreḥ
bhavāmbudhir vatsa-padaṁ paraṁ padaṁ
padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ na teṣām

So nice. Oh, we read the purport.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, this verse summarizes the knowledge presented in this section of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet are described as pallava, flower buds, because they are most tender and of a pinkish hue. According to Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī, the word pallava also indicates that Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet are just like desire trees, which can fulfill all the desires of the Lord’s pure devotees. Even exalted devotees like Śrī Nārada, who are themselves the great shelter for the conditioned souls in this universe, personally take shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. 

COMMENT

And we read that mahat-padaṁ, that mahat can refer to the cosmic manifestation or the great souls. So, Krishna’s Lotus feet are the shelter of both cosmic manifestation and the great souls such as Sri Narada.

PURPORT (continued)

Even exalted devotees like Śrī Nārada, who are themselves the great shelter for the conditioned souls in this universe, personally take shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Thus it is natural that when Lord Kṛṣṇa manifested Himself as all the young boys and calves of Vṛndāvana, their parents were more attracted to them than previously. Lord Kṛṣṇa is the reservoir of all pleasure and, being all-attractive, the ultimate object of everyone’s love. 

COMMENT

So this chapter, Canto Ten, Chapter Fourteen contains Lord Brahma’s prayers to Lord Krishna after he had stolen away all the cowherd boys and calves. And yes, there are many many very important verses in this chapter. And this last verse is sublime. I could yes, since we are on the topic, I will read a few more of these beautiful verses from Lord Brahma’s prayers to Lord Krishna. What I am going to read now or recite now Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.14.3. When Lord Chaitanya was discussing with Ramananda Rayai, what is the ultimate perfection of life and what is the means to attain it, Ramananda Rayai gave so many answers which Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu rejected, but finally when Ramananda Rayai recited this verse Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu accepted it that ‘Yes, this is the method.’ 

So this is Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.14.3. 

jñāne prayāsam udapāsya namanta eva
jīvanti san-mukharitāṁ bhavadīya-vārtām
sthāne sthitāḥ śruti-gatāṁ tanu-vāṅ-manobhir
ye prāyaśo ‘jita jito ‘py asi tais tri-lokyām

Sounds very good. We see the synonyms on the screen, and then we will read the translation and purport.

TRANSLATION

Those who, even while remaining situated in their established social positions,

COMMENT 

Sthāne sthitāḥ, means you remain in your position.

TRANSLATION

Those who, even while remaining situated in their established social positions, throw away the process of speculative knowledge and with their body, words and mind offer all respects to descriptions of Your personality and activities, dedicating their lives to these narrations, which are vibrated by You personally and by Your pure devotees, certainly conquer Your Lordship, although You are otherwise unconquerable by anyone within the three worlds.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada: 

Here the word udapāsya clearly indicates that one should not even slightly endeavor to understand the Absolute Truth by the process of mental speculation, for it invariably carries one to an imperfect, impersonal understanding of God. The word jīvanti indicates that a devotee who always hears about Lord Kṛṣṇa will go back home, back to Godhead, even if he can do nothing except maintain his existence and hear topics concerning the Lord.

COMMENT

Yes, sometimes it is translated jīvanti, it means we just have to stay alive in Krishna consciousness. That is all we have to do.

PURPORT (continued)

Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī has explained the words tanu-vāṅ-manobhiḥ (“by the body, words and mind”) in three ways. In reference to devotees, through their body, words and mind they are able to conquer Lord Kṛṣṇa. Thus becoming perfect in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, they can touch His lotus feet with their hands, call Him to come with their words, and attain His direct audience within their mind simply by thinking about Him.

In the case of nondevotees, the words tanu-vāṅ-manobhiḥ refer to the word ajita, “unconquered,” and indicate that those not engaged in the loving service of Lord Kṛṣṇa cannot conquer the Absolute Truth by their bodily strength, verbal expertise or mental power. Despite all their endeavors, the ultimate truth remains beyond their reach.

COMMENT

Srila Sanatana Gosvami has given such a beautiful explanation.

PURPORT (continued)

In reference to the word jitaḥ, “conquered,” the words tanu-vāṅ-manobhiḥ indicate that the pure devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa conquer His body, words and mind. Lord Kṛṣṇa’s body is conquered because He always remains by the side of His pure devotees; Lord Kṛṣṇa’s words are conquered because He always chants the glories of His devotees; and Lord Kṛṣṇa’s mind is conquered because He always thinks about His loving devotees.

Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has explained the words tanu-vāṅ-manobhiḥ in regard to the word namantaḥ, “offering obeisances.” He explains that the devotees can take full advantage of the transcendental topics of the Lord by offering all respects to those topics with their body, words and mind. One should engage his body by touching the ground with his hands and head while offering obeisances to the topics of the Lord; one should engage his words by praising transcendental literatures such as Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, as well as the devotees who are preaching such literatures; and one should engage his mind by feeling great reverence and pleasure while hearing the transcendental topics of the Lord. In this way, a sincere devotee who has acquired even a small amount of transcendental knowledge about Lord Kṛṣṇa can conquer Him and thus go back home, back to Godhead, for eternal life at the Lord’s side.

COMMENT

Jaya! Fantastic. Well, as I mentioned there are other many very important verses in this chapter, but I think that we can end here because it is getting a little late here for me. But yes, it was a great pleasure being with all of you and discussing kṛṣṇa-kathā and Prabhupada-kathā. And yes, I look forward to the other such opportunities. So, if we are going to end now, I suggest that we conclude by offering Vaishnava praṇāma.

Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord who are just like desire trees and can fulfill the desires of everyone, and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls.

vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha
kripa-sindhubhya eva cha
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaishnavebhyo namo namaha

Anantkoti Vaishnava-vrinda ki jaya!

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Giriraj Swami Maharaja ki jaya!

Devotee: Thank you so much Maharaja for bestowing Your Holiness, your blessings and association upon us today., not only from Malaysia but all over the globe Maharaja, from different various time-zones.

Haribol!

We all are truly grateful Maharaja. Hare Krishna. Thus, we have come to an end about [Unintelligible 01:18:50] session today, an amazing one, in fact, an enlightened one by His Holiness Srila Giriraj Swami Maharaja. So I also like to add that 24-hours virtual Global Mela 2022 by Namasraya on which today is the last day of our program Maharaja. It is the grand finale today. 

So, do visit our Facebook page dear devotees which is Namasraya to check our kirtan videos available for the past seven days for twenty-four hours continuously and chant together with all the devotees that we have invited across twenty-five different countries so that we could all gear up and be in the festive mode for Sri Krishna Janmashtami soon.

So, now I believe it is time to wrap up today’s meeting. So on behalf of Namasraya, I would like to humbly thank all the devotees present here especially His Holiness Srila Giriraj Swami Maharaja ki jaya! And our sincere apology for any shortcomings from our team. We are very much appreciative of all the devotees’ attendance here, as well as any feedback are most welcome, we would try to rectify our mistakes to do even better, progressive even in the near future.

Thank you so much Maharaja. And yes Maharaja, we would definitely contact Your Holiness for a separate session regarding Srila Prabhupada’s kathā because we believe Your Holiness has immense associations with His Divine Grace. And we would want to hear it from Your Holiness, so we would definitely contact Maharaja soon. So thank you so much once again.

vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha
kripa-sindhubhya eva cha
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaishnavebhyo namo namaha

Anantkoti Vaishanava-vrinda ki jaya!

Jagat guru Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

H.H. Giriraj Swami Maharaja ki jaya!

Haribol! Hare Krishna!

Thank you so much Maharaja.

Hare Krishna Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Jaya!