---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dr Satish Gosain (Sri Krishna Hari Das) <sri.krishna.hari@gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Girija Srinivas <girija.srinivas@gmail.com>

 

Dear Prabhujis and Mathajis,

Hare Krishna! Please accept our humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Gurudev!

We came across a very nice past time of the Lord and wanted to share this with all of you. On one occasion, Narada went to Lord Narayana. In the course of their conversation, Narayana asked Narada, "You move around the three worlds, what news have you brought for Me from your wanderings? Have you seen anything great in My creation?" "What can be greater than You in the three worlds!" replied Narada. On hearing this, Narayana said, "I am asking you about My creation and not about Myself."

Puzzled by the Lord's reply, Narada said, "I do not understand the question." Sensing Narada's confusion, Narayana then asked him, "There are the Panchabhuthas (five basic elements). Which is the greatest among them?" "The earth is the biggest , Narada replied. But not satisfied with the reply, Narayana asked, "But in the earth, is not three-fourths of the area occupied by water?"

On hearing this, Narada agreed that water was indeed greater than the earth. But Narayana observed, "But since all the water in the oceans was drunk by the sage Agasthya in one gulp, who do you think is greater, water or Agasthya?" Narayana obviously had something in his mind. Narada had to but agree that Agasthya was greater. Afterall the person who could drink all of the ocean's water in one gulp had to be greater than water! But Narayana had more in store. After Narada was convinced that Sage Agasthya was the greatest, Narayana quipped, Agasthya is but a star in the sky. In the vast firmament, Agasthya is merely twinkling as a small star! Is not the firmament greater than the star then?"

Again, Narada had to agree with Narayana. He was now convinced that the firmament was greater than Agasthya. But Narayana obviously wanted to teach Narada something and did not stop with that. He then said, In My Avatar as Vaamana I had covered the entire earth and sky with just one foot of Mine. So is the firmament greater or My foot?

Narada replied, 'Your Foot, Lord. That is greater. Narayana then asked, "If My foot itself is so great, am I not greater than My foot?" Narada was beginning to get the Lord's point. He nodded in agreement. Narayana then observed, "Although I am great, I am confined in the hearts of My devotees. So, dear Narada, My devotees are greater than Myself. And therefore, wherever My devotees sing My Name I am there".

When Durvasa muni approaches Lord Vishnu to protect him from Sudarshana cakra, Lord assures the same in Srimad Bhagavatam verse 9.4.63 also.

shri-bhagavaan uvaaca
aham bhakta-paraadheeno / hy asvatantra iva dvija
saadhubhir grasta-hrdayo / bhaktair bhakta-jana-priyah

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said to the brahmaṇa: I am completely under the control of My devotees. Indeed, I am not at all independent. Because My devotees are completely devoid of material desires, I sit only within the cores of their hearts. What to speak of My devotee, even those who are devotees of My devotee are very dear to Me.

Lord Siva the greatest Vaishnava, also tells us the mantra about association of devotees in Srimad Bhagavatam verse 4.24.57 as follows.

kshanaardhenaapi tulaye / na svargam naapunar-bhavam
bhagavat-sangi-sangasya / martyaanaam kim utaashisah

"If one by chance associates with a devotee, even for a fraction of a moment, he no longer is subject to attraction by the results of karma or jnaana. What interest then can he have in the benedictions of the demigods, who are subject to the laws of birth and death?"

In the purport, Srila Prabhupada has wonderfully explained "As stated in Srimad-Bha gavatam (1.2.6): yayaa tmaa supraseedati. One can be fully satisfied simply by devotional service, and that is the result of association with a devotee. Without being blessed by a pure devotee, no one can be fully satisfied, nor can anyone understand the transcendental position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

We all must have personally experienced the change after associating with Maharaj and our wonderful devotees. At times, I am really surprised how small kids who are in the nursery they recite all the toughest slokas with perfect pronunciation. These kids are able to sit in the Bhagavatam classes for hours together understanding Bhagavatam in their own devotional way. As Srila Prabhupada explains in his 12.18-19 purport about the devotees. He is very patient. He does not speak of anything but the topics about Krishna; therefore he is called silent. Silent does not mean that one should not speak; silent means that one should not speak nonsense. One should speak only of essentials, and the most essential speech for the devotee is to speak for the sake of the Supreme Lord.

Whenever we would want to communicate with devotees, we just need to apply this rule, "Am I talking sense or nonsense?"

Thank you very much,
Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada and Gurudev,
Sri Purushottam Krishna Das and Sharada Devi Dasi,
Bangalore


--
Yours Servant

Sri Krishna Hari Das
(Dr Satish Gosain MBBS DNB i Med)



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