Date: February 17th, 2010 Verse: Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.32.37 Speaker: HH Bhakti Raghava Swami

pravocam bhakti-yogasya svarupam te catur-vidham kalasya cavyakta-gater yo 'ntardhavati jantusu

TRANSLATION: My dear mother, I have explained to you the process of devotional service and its identity in four different social divisions. I have explained to you as well how eternal time is chasing the living entities, although it is imperceptible to them.

PURPORT: The process of bhakti-yoga, devotional service, is the main river flowing down towards the sea of the Absolute Truth, and all other processes mentioned are just like tributaries. Lord Kapila is summarizing the importance of the process of devotional service. Bhakti-yoga, as described before, is divided into four divisions, three in the material modes of nature and one in transcendence, which is untinged by the modes of material nature. Devotional service mixed with the modes of material nature is a means for material existence, whereas devotional service without desires for fruitive result and without attempts for empirical philosophical research is pure, transcendental devotional service. [End of Srila Prabhupada's purport to SB 3.32.38.]

HH Bhakti Raghava Swami: So this morning I was thinking everyone is going on parikrama. I won't have anyone in class but I am happy to see that we have a good crowd. There are so many verses in the Bhagavatam and although we may have read all of them there are many verse we have not read or we may have read a long time back. When we first read the translation it mentions about four divisions so I was thinking, "Oh I will get an opportunity to speak about varnasrama - four divisions. And of course Prabhupada doesn't make any reference directly to varnasrama but he very nicely and very expertly explains something very, very essential, very, very important in connection with dharma, in connection with bhakti-yoga.

We generally think that bhakti-yoga is the nine processes of bhakti yoga beginning with sravanam upto atma nivedanam, full or complete surrender but here in the purport very interestingly Srila Prabhupada is in explaining what is in the verse regarding four divisions divides these four divisions into two.

The first division he refers to as the three modes of material nature. He is speaking about bhakti-yoga. Prabhupada is speaking of bhakti-yoga in four divisions. We generally don't think that way therefore we need somebody like Srila Prabhupada to help us understand more deeply about bhakti yoga. So the first level of bhakti yoga that Prabhupada is referring to as he translates here - "Bhakti-yoga, as described before, is divided into four divisions, three in the material modes of nature and one in transcendence," In order to follow the Bhagavatam classes that I have been hearing like all of you I am always on the lookout for the word varnasrama especially because last year two of our GBC resolutions were directly highlighting varnasrama, one of them being as most of you know that whenever there is a Bhagavatam class given the speaker should make and effort to give maybe ten percent of his presentation in connection with varnasrama.

So today I would like to mention, announce that the whole class is going to be in regards to varnasrama to make up for other classes, which did not mention the word varnasrama. I am just coming out of a four-day seminar. Yesterday was the last day. We started everyday at ten o'clock and 6.30pm - twenty-four hours all together of each day four modules. This year for those who enjoyed the lecture. So many wonderful things happened in the course here in Mayapur festival. Really this year I noticed many wonderful things happened at the same time because many of us are not that types of yogis who can be simultaneously in two places at the same time so we have to chose between one and another. And it is difficult to miss the inauguration going on of the Temple of Understanding. On the same day many classes are going on.

This is something extremely important. I have taken a few quotations and notes in connection with the seminar and directly in connection with the point that Srila Prabhupada is making here. I am asking Sri Sri Radha-Madhava and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai to kindly help me to try to make some of these very, very crucial points which are often either not known or misunderstood or even possibly neglected, some of them in the context of our lives.

The explanation being given here by Srila Prabhupada is that bhakti-yoga is divided into two levels. Dharma is also - this we need to understand very clearly - dharma is meant to be understood, not only understood but also practiced in two features. Prabhupada is referring directly to this in the purport. Ones nature is, for those of us, who are here in this material world and to some degree or other except for very exceptional cases still connected with the modes of material nature - I won't ask for a show of hands. All of us Prabhupada explains have come to this material world because we have been sinful. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur explains, the greatest sin that we have all committed is that we have rejected Krishna. And here we have the material world, a world of illusion - a world of forgetfulness of Krishna, forgetfulness of two things actually. One is the higher level of bhakti yoga or the higher level of dharma, which we can very easily understand as bhagavat-dharma. And also forgetfulness of the other level of yoga or the other level of yoga, which is called varnasrama dharma.

When we begin to actually analyze this point more closely we need to understand the following in the very same way that bhakti yoga is highest definition, highest realm, that of pure bhakti. Krsna-bhakti nitya-siddha. Nitya-siddha is the eternal perfection of the living entities - to be engaged in devotional service. So this bhakti, this higher level of yoga, this higher level of dharma, bhagavat-dharma, no one can be happy unless we come to that understanding and we begin to practice pure devotional service. It is as Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Prabhupada explained 'Nectar of Devotion' the complete science of devotional service. It is a science given by Krishna therefore it is also perfect science and without it we cannot be happy.

What is also important to understand especially for devotees, especially for practicing devotees of bhakti yoga - and this is a point being made here by Srila Prabhupada is that there is another dimension of yoga which we cannot neglect which is actually referred to as varnasrama dharma. In the same way that bhakti yoga which is pure devotional service is a scientific ad standard process given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna Himself. This process of varnasrama dharma is also the most scientific material arrangement for those of us who are here in the material world. It is a standard process, which is not meant to be abandoned, which is not meant to be changed. And when we do abandon it, when we do change it, it opens the doors to what we see today - total chaos, ugra-karma, varna-sankara. These things automatically come because we don't follow this process.

I want to share some important quotations from both Srila Prabhupada, our foremost leader, founder acarya of our society and also of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, another great personality who spoke, who gave a very important insight regarding varnasrama dharma in relation to Vaisnavism. Because sometime the devotees, we have this false notion that we are Vaisnavas. We don't really need so much this varnasrama. It is a matter of fact that our devotees often presenting the argument, "You now Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu rejected varnasrama. It is there is the Caitanya-caritamrta in His conversations with Ramananda Raya. And He also rejected varnasrama when He was touring South India. He didn't give some much importance to varnasrama so because in general our devotees to this day within our Iskcon Society have difficulties. There are a few reasons to have difficulties with the ideology of varnasrama or even with the term varnasrama.

I had a small realization. all of us at different times Krishna is very kind to help us understand. That is the process. Krishna within the heart when he is satisfied with our humble attempts to try to serve Him, serve the mission He gives a little bit of realization. My small realization before I quote some of these verses, very important verses. During the time of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur we know how the whole Vaisnava lifestyle and Vaisnava practice was looked down upon because it was misused. There were so many sahajyas, so many apa-sampradayas and Bhaktivinode Thakur had to work very, very hard to actually re-establish in its proper glory what is Vaisnavism. This is our history.

We learn of how after the disappearance of Narottama dasa Thakur and Syamananda Pandit - these three great personalities who were pushing forward Lord Caitanya's movement - after they disappeared actually the whole movement of Lord Caitanya went into like the dark ages practically. By the time Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur made his appearance that world was not accepted properly because of abuse, In a very similar way today the concepts behind varnasrama are in a very similar way not understood and very often looked down upon. Of course we should know and I should make this point very clear the ultimate and highest expression of dharma is bhagavat dharma or pure bhakti but what we fail to understand is that there is an intimate link and connection between this process of varnasrama dharma as a means to achieve this highest level of pure bhakti.

So the point that is being made here in the verse is that not only is bhakti meant to be performed in the literary stage of paramahamsa, not only is bhakti meant to be performed - this will help us in the context of Nectar of Devotion - not only is bhakti meant to be performed at the level of raganuga-bhakti. Bhakti is also meant to be performed at the level of sadhana. Isn't it? Sadhana-bhakti, which is mixed devotional service.

Srila Prabhupada has very often spoken about varnasrama and he spoke especially about daivi-varnasrama. Normally varnasrama meant to be daivi-varnasrama. Daivi varnasrama means that system of varna and asrama whereby the individuals are directing all of their activities towards pleasing Krishna, where the members of each varna and asrama know about devotional service and are willing to practice devotional service within the confines of their varnas and asramas. I would like to share with you all some very interesting quotes from Bhaktivinode Thakur but before I do that it actually means that bhakti is meant to be performed in these two levels of dharma - in the stage of bhagavat dharma or pure devotional service to Krishna and also within the level of varnasrama dharma. That is actually very directly connected with - this came to mind this morning just before giving class - it is a very well known verse in the Bhagavatam 2nd canto chapter two:

akamah sarva-kamo va moksa-kama udara-dhih tivrena bhakti-yogena yajeta purusam param [SB 2.3.10]

Whatever our activity maybe whether it is still tinged with material desires, still we should be practicing bhakti yoga. Here is the first quotation, from Sri Bhaktyaloka written by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur. In this particular quote Bhaktyaloka confirms that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not reject varnasrama dharma. Actually he is quoting a well-known verse from the Bhagavatam:

Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.8) it is said: dharmah svanusthitah pumsam visvaksena-kathasu yah notpadayed yadi ratim srama eva hi kevalam

"The occupational activities a man performs according to his own position are only so much useless labor if they do not provoke attraction for the message of the Personality of Godhead." Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur comments:

"From this one should not conclude that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has ordered us to discard varnasrama-dharma. If that would have been the case, then He would not have instructed all living entities through His pastimes of completely following the orders of grhastha and sannyasa." [SBL 12: Sadhu-vrtti] Lord Caitanya Himself took sannyasa as we all know. Prabhupada in one purport explained that the very fact that Lord Caitanya took sannyasa means that He accepted varnasrama system because that is part of the varnasrama system.

This is a very important statement here by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, "As long as one has a material body the system of varnasrama-dharma must be followed, but it should remain under the full control and domination of bhakti. Varnasrama-dharma is like the foundation of one's supreme occupational duty. When one's supreme occupational duty is matured and one achieves his goal, then the process is gradually neglected. Again, it is also abandoned at the time of death." [SBL 12: Sadhu-vrtti] This point we were mentioning earlier. It is a very important means. Actually Srila Prabhu mentioned that unless we adopt this system of varnasrama dharma, we would not be successful in our bhakti.

Although it is subservient, varnasrama dharma being a material system given by the Lord it is a perfect system, which we need to understand and which we need to implement as much as possible. Here are further quotes from Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, "But a devotee who desires to properly pass his life still accepts his duties according to varnasrama, as those duties are favorable to devotional service and counted as part of devotional service. All these activities are no longer called karma." [SBL 2: Prayasa] All the activities within the framework of varnasrama when performed in that consciousness don't incur karma.

Two other short quotes from Bhaktivinode Thakur before we go what Srila Prabhupada is saying and then we shall try to summarize by bring conclusions within our context as the Iskcon society. This is from the Sri Caitanya Siksamrta written by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, "With the assistance of varnasrama dharma, a person should cultivate bhakti. It is also necessary to follow the rules of varnasrama in the cultivation of bhakti." [Sri Caitanya Siksamrta, Chapter 3 Part four - Relationship between secondary rules and primary rules.] This in my last quote, "Though all humans have a right to practice bhakti, those who follow the regulations of varnasrama have a much easier time." Those who accept to follow the system of varnasrama will be able to advance more easily in bhakti.

Srila Prabhupada as we all know made this very important statement - "Unless in the human society the varnasrama system is introduced, no scheme or social order, health order or any order, political order, will be successful." [Room Conversation Vrndavan 18 October 1977] Very strong statement! There are some other very interesting statements given by Srila Prabhupada. I will just read them quickly.

"Actually, everyone should be engaged to produce food, but the modern set-up of civilization is that few people are engaged in producing food, and others are eating. They are offering… They are artificially getting money." [Srila Prabhupada - Garden Conversation with Mahadeva's Mother and Jesuit Priest — July 25, 1973, London] We need to understand how our Vedic culture, our way of life as practicing devotees. Vedic culture is primarily, if you look at history, even if you look at the history of kali yuga and even of course beyond, is primarily an agrarian based culture. Why is it an agrarian based culture? Primarily because of it's intimate close and very essential connection with the land and the cows.

We all know ho modern society is deviating more and more from this standard way of life. Many of us have not been exposed to that culture, especially those from the western countries - we do have difficulties in relating to that. Not to be denied! We have lots of difficulties in understanding varnasrama. We should however try to understand some basic principles and concepts, which cannot be changed. If we are true followers of dharma we cannot accept one part of dharma and neglect the other part f dharma - as we are actually doing. We need to understand that the more society as is the present case around the world is becoming more and more urbanized. Most devotees for example do not know how - I have been sharing this with devotees - when I first came to India in 1976 at that time the population in the villages must have been around 90%. Definitely in the higher 80% - the population of people living in the villages!

Two months ago when I was in Andrapradesh having some discussion with a pancagraj (?)- Someone who is overseeing the development of over a hundred villages - so he knows about villages in India. He revealed to me that for the first time in India the percentage of the population in the villages has gone below 70% and according to statistics and surveys within ten years it will come down to 50%. Some of our devotees may say, "Well is that really so important?" Actually it is very important.

When we abandon this natural way of living as we are doing it is a real crisis situation. Actually the whole world is in a crisis situation largely because majority of the people are totally unfamiliar with these two dimensions of dharma. They don't know about the spiritual dimension of dharma and also most people do not know about the material dimension of dharma. And what is very unfortunate is that many of our devotees also don't realize that material dimension of dharma. When we neglect that material dimension of dharma - means varnasrama then we should expect difficulties especially when it has been underlined and stressed so much by the founder of our society.

A few other small quotes: "Prabhupada: Clever means that he must stay in his own land. He should not be cheated by the paper9paper money) and go to the city." [Srila Prabhupada Garden Conversation with Mahadeva's Mother and Jesuit Priest — July 25, 1973, London]

"Gandhi's program was very nice, village organize so that they may not come to the city and help the capitalists. Remain satisfied in the village." [Srila Prabhupada - Room Conversation (Bullock Cart SKP) — September 12,
1976, Vrindavana]

"So this Krishna consciousness movement is trying to revive the original, constitutional position. So one of them, in Krishna consciousness movement, is village organization, as you are trying here." [VD 32: Philadelphia, July
15, 1976: Evening Lecture at Gita-Nagari Farm] Our original/highest constitutional position is pure bhakti in the spiritual world. Prabhupada mentions here, "So one of them, (constitutional position) in Krishna consciousness movement, is village organization," In different ways in different places Prabhupada was trying to come back to the same point - our constitution, the natural way that the majority of the people should live in is in that more simplified way. He often quotes simple living high thinking but we fail o understand the deep meaning of what that actually means.

The last quotation, "India's civilization was based on village residence. They would live very peacefully in the villages." [Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk — Durban, October 13, 1975 (New-2003)] In addition to being a very large topic I can't reverse the topic I know. Having met and spoken to various devotees the point I am trying to make although it may be controversial and although we may not have so much of attraction. The point I was trying to make earlier I did not finalize explaining how Bhaktivinode Thakur before his time Vaisnavism was looked down upon but by his efforts, he worked very, very hard and gave it the glory that it has. Varnasrama we need to work towards changing our own attitudes towards varnasrama. Unless one follows the various rules and regulations etc. within the varnasrama one is not considered a human being.

So one or two small points before closing here and taking questions. This is something I didn't even touch upon but devotees should know that Srila Prabhupada has given a very clear vision. Prabhupada has written down his vision in a very clear manner identifying four areas. I will just mention them. I gave a class on that maybe last year or the year before. I consider this as like very, very essential to know and to understand that Prabhupada clearly applied his vision to spread the movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in four ways:
1. He referred to the holy name and books - the sankirtan movement. These are the words used by Srila Prabhupada himself, 'the sankirtan movement.'
2. The second he called deity worship movement - establishing temples with deities
3. He called spiritual initiation movement, which means basically various congregations within our Iskcon Society - nama hatta programs, bhakti-vrksa, youth meetings.
4. Prabhupada coined as pastoral society. He was referring to varnasrama.

The first three are primarily within the framework of brahminical activities and to a large extent what our society is still largely focused upon, which is very nice and very much needed in our city temples. When we start looking at varnasrama it takes us to a different dimension and if we are not able to accommodate these four dimensions our four movements given by Srila Prabhupada or identified by Srila Prabhupada we will not succeed either individually or as a society to fulfill Srila Prabhupada's desire. This may sound like a heavy statement. It is a heavy statement actually but it is not mine it is Prabhupada's. It is Prabhupada's direct statement as I quoted directly from Srila Prabhupada, that unless we understand and begin to see the positive light many of the advantages - it is a very big challenge actually for all of us, Krishna consciousness in itself is a challenge. It is a big challenge to get out of this material world, not an easy task but we must meet that challenge.

I was actually going to quote what I already quoted Srila Prabhupada's strong statement that unless this is introduced in the society not only within the society at large but within our own devotee society or our own devotee community then things will not come out as they are meant to come out. So I will stop here actually. I don't want to go over the time - after nine o'clock. There is a few minutes left for some comment or question regarding this.

HH : .During the class you made the point that 10% of every class should be centered around varnasrama, I wanted to get some clarification on this for sincere persons, also it is written in his purport .. HH Bhakti Raghava Swami: Good point. I will just repeat it. This was a resolution passed by the GBC whereby they encouraged the speakers to give
10% or ten minutes. Maharaj mentioned sometimes we are dealing with a theme, which would make it artificial for us to make the connection with varnasrama. So how strictly are we meant to follow this request? Well we should make an effort because actually there are many references or many opportunities, which are there. Some people may read today's verse and not even think of varnasrama but to me it is like very obvious that we have to speak about varnasrama here and that is not the only thing we should speak about… Question: Are you a member of the GBC? HH Bhakti Raghava Swami: Yes I am a member of the GBC. I was waiting for that to come! Question: .the aggregate total of preaching in other words not in every class. it is meant to be. not artificially ten percent. HH Bhakti Raghava Swami: Thank you. Question: In relation to .. HH Bhakti Raghava Swami: If I understand your question correctly it is that people may consider that this system of varnasrama is bringing India down. Equality is how we should progress. Well lets look around and see what kind of progress. India and other countries are following the policy and the ideology of equal rights for everyone and freedom for all which is being propagated - the American way of life, the American dream which is a happy life but if we analyze what is taking place where individuals and society as a whole, all kinds of social problems are there. In all fields, in all spheres there are serious dilemmas, serious problems and it all boils down to the way we are living, the way we are abusing mother nature - it is in a very critical condition.

Unless one is able to begin accepting some spiritual knowledge, some spiritual guidance then one will have these kinds of mayayapahrta-jnana. All these leaders in different countries they are all materially intelligent but devoid of proper insight as o how we should be organizing society and what is the real happiness. Material way of life and material leadership is that people will be happy. We can have a nice material situation. But even someone who is beginning Krishna consciousness will understand that we cannot be happy in that way. We can only if we understand that we are not this body and if we take up the practice of spiritual life or Krishna consciousness. Real happiness is the domain of the spirit soul. The material world is already stamped and certified that it is dukhalayam asasvatam and we can see that. Whatever happiness there is very meager.

So due to lack of understanding this knowledge it means preaching on our part in different ways to bring about the necessary change. Prabhupada mentions we need to bring about a complete overhaul in society. That is another heavy statement. So through education, through training ourselves and others.. Prabhupada wanted to meet Indira Gandhi to recommend that the leaders should attend Bhagavatam class so that they can be proper leaders, rajarsi.

Question: Maharaj I just had a few thoughts on ho we can . Yesterday we were coming back from the goshala area and I saw one of the workers in the fields cutting the grass and chanting Hare Krishna very loudly and I noticed many devotees were walking on that path, the kirtan was so nice that most people were looking. I used to work outside and I found that most of the workers in companies and factories they .mind that they cannot chant. HH Bhakti Raghava Swami: Yes. Good point. So our time is up. If anyone has any other question you can ask me after class.

Srila Prabhupada ki, jai! Gaura-bhakti-vrnda ki, jai! [Applause.]

source :http://www.dandavats.com/?p=8246

Importance of Varnasrama Dharma(tho material) & Bhakti Yoga!- Most Important4BetterPerception

An Excerpt from

HH. Satsvarupa das Goswami

Is this my heart? It is shaped like a heart but it is made of iron or steel and it is locked. My heart is locked against harinama. The key is devotional, attentive chanting, but I seem to have misplaced it. It is a very formidable lock, and I can't cut it with scissors or a chisel. The best thing is to find the key and open it. The spiritual master gave the key and said to keep it safely. We have misbehaved.

Let us sit down and discuss how we may open this lock; we have to ask the spiritual master to help us to find the key again.

But he may be deliberately keeping it from me for my misbehavior.

Can we go to a professional locksmith and have him trick open this lock or make a new key? They are expert in those things. You could even use dynamite. But explosives might destroy the door and the contents behind the door. I think it requires a delicate operation, the finding of the person with the original key. Let us ask in the neighborhood. Let us chant Hare Krishna at the entrance of the heart shaped lock and pray and beg for the appearance of the spiritual master, the original giver of the key, to appear and give us back the key or a spare. I do not want to attempt a violent operation. It may damage the heart. If we can only find the key!

But we could get a locksmith to make a new key or open this one and then keep it open. There is no need to keep the heart locked on the harinama. Do you really think our spiritual master locked the heart or that we did it ourselves and threw the key away? We should open the heart and chant in freedom.

I am not sure what to do and how this predicament arose. But we should go on chanting at the door. Pray to the spiritual master in the heart and consult his instructions and his devotees and ask for advice.

Source: http://yellowsub.sdgonline.org/satsvarupa_goswami/366

Is this my heart?

The Stages of Spiritual Life:

1. Worldly Person
2. Spiritual Aspirant
3. Spiritual Seeker
4. Spiritual Master

1. Worldly Person: A worldly person is the one who cannot think beyond the five senses. Sensual pleasure alone gives him pleasure and if restrained from it he feels annoyed. He prays God and pleads Him for money, wealth and sense pleasures.

2. Spiritual Aspirant: A spiritual aspirant is a person who acknowledges that his present condition cannot give him permanent happiness and something must be done to overcome this limitation. However, an aspirant is often a confused person. He knows that he wants to change but he doesn't know how. He then starts looking for various spiritual paths. While searching a spiritual path an aspirant often shows selfishness. He expects that the path he selects should be easy. Though he knows that some change is needed in his life he is not wholeheartedly ready to take efforts in that direction. Once he feels that the path of Knowledge is right for him and the next moment he thinks that path of Devotion is more suited for him. When he comes across the path of Yoga he starts evaluating its merits and demerits. The idea of rigorous self-disciplines makes him nervous. Can I do it? Why is such strict life needed? Well, I can do that even without any disciplines, such are his thoughts.

An aspirant often hops from one Guru to the other. He considers himself so much knowledgeable that he tries to judge the Gurus. He decides on his own that Guru A is bad and Guru B is good. Out of thousand spiritual aspirants only few realize that in order to attain some spiritual progress honesty and determination is needed. Changing path or Guru often provides no solution. In fact it makes the situation worst. They now make up their mind to follow a chosen path and Guru. They sincerely request the Guru to impart his teachings. They are now ready to spend their entire life in the pursuit of the spiritual goals. This is how an aspirant evolves into a seeker.

3. Spiritual Seeker: A spiritual seeker is a person who has chosen a particular spiritual path and Guru and is dedicated wholeheartedly to the path. A true seeker rarely engages in acquiring knowledge via mere reading. More importantly Guru's words are scriptures for him. He has full faith in his Guru's teachings. No situation in life can shatter his belief from his path and Guru. Such a person alone can make any real spiritual progress. A true seeker rarely engages in intellectual debates. He rarely criticizes other paths of spiritual unfoldment. He says "My path is good for me but the other paths are equally good for their followers." Such a seeker works hard towards his goals. He has no doubt left about his path. At the advanced stages he starts getting glimpses of the Truth. Though he has made considerable progress there is still danger of degradation. Even an advanced seeker can get carried away from his path if he is not alert and allows worldly events to interfere in his spiritual life. Even if he might have got glimpses of Divinity but still he comes back to the material plane again and again.

4. Spiritual Master: After a lot of rigorous practice a seeker realizes the Truth. He gets convinced by the Truth and is able to dwell day in day out in the state of realization. He now becomes a master. Now he doesn't have slightest of doubt about the Truth because he has experienced it. He continues to live like an ordinary person but he is no longer affected by material events. He eats, drinks, sleeps and works like an ordinary person but he has become a Jivanamukta. Such a master can kindle the spiritual flame of thousands of seekers or he may opt to serve silently to the God. His life is now controlled by the Divine will. He lives his life only to finish the prabdha karma never to return back in this worldly plane.


Whatever stage one may belong to one should eye to the next stage with constant and sincere efforts. Never feel sad about your current stage. We all can try our best and strive to reach the next level finally reaching the ultimate goal. This is the only way to cross this ocean of birth and death.

SOURCE : http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/profiles/blogs/the-stages-of-spiritual-life

The Stages of Spiritual Life:

Value of Vaishnava Association ( A story)

God gives us the best -- a small but highly illustrative story. Pls meditate.

What is the purpose of Life?

Why is There Suffering in the World?

What is Real Wisdom?

What is Real Wisdom?

Today's Quote!

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Special seva

My Most Merciful Nitai

By Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura

are bhai! nitai amar doyara avadhi!

jivere karuna kori,' dese dese phiri' phiri'

prema-dhana jache nirabadhi

adwaitera sange ranga, dharane na jaya anga,

gora-preme gada tanu khani

dhuliya dhuliya chale, bahu tuli' hari bole,

du-nayane bahe nitaiera pani

kapale tilaka sobhe, kutila-kuntala-lole

gunjara antuni chuda taya

kesarijiniya kati, kati tate niladhati

bajana nupura ranga paya

bhubana-mohana besa! majaila sava desa!

rasd bese atta atta hasa!

prabhu mora nityananda kevala ananda-kanda

guna gaya vrindavana dasa

TRANSLATION

 1. 0 Brothers! My Nitai's mercy is limitless. He wanders village to village giving prema-dhana (the mood of love of God) to one and all.

2. He always cuts jokes with Sri Advaita Acarya. His whole body is made of love for Gauranga Mahaprabhu. He is always intoxicated with prema-rasa. An intoxicated person is unable to walk properly. How does He walk? Like that: dhuliya dhuliya chale. Raising His arms and saying, "Haribol! Haribol! Haribol!" and shedding tears from His two lotus eyes.

3. Nice tilaka and curly locks beautifully decorate His forehead. His hair is bound up with red gunja. A blue belt encircles His lion-like waist. His feet look red. He wears nupura on his reddish feet always making a tinkling, tinkling sound.

4. His beauty enchants the whole world. Always absorbed in prema-rasa, He smiles and laughs! —Atta atta hasa! Vrndavana dasa sings, "Lord Nityananda Prabhu is my Prabhu (master). He's full of nothing but pleasure."

SRI NAGAR KIRTANA

The Market Place of the Holy Name

By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

1. Nityananda Mahajana so mercifully opened a marketplace in Nadiya-Godruma for the welfare of the suffering souls. In that mar­ket place only the Holy Name is traded.

2. What is the price? sraddhavana jana he! sraddhavana jana he! Those who have faith in the Holy Name and faith in the words of sadhu, sastra, guru. This is the price! Faith! Only those persons are allowed to enter that marketplace. They can buy and sell the Holy Name. Sri Nityananda Prabhu requests the faithful persons, those who have developed faith in the Holy Name, to come and take it! Sri Nityananda Prabhu says, 'This is the order of My Lord! My Prabhu! My Master! Therefore I have come to your doorstep, 0 brother! I am a beggar! I beg for these alms. 'Utter the name of Krsna! Do krsna-bhajana! Accept what Krsna has taught us!' These are the alms I am begging from you.

Further more glories can be found in the attached word document...

Your Servant

dinesh

My Most Merciful Nitai-Must Read!!!!!!!!!

A Date With a Woman (Must Read )

From: Pragosh das <servant@prabhupadavani.org>

"From Frying Pan To The Fire" Hyderabad, September 29, 1975 listen  Take a test Prabhupada: (Hindi) ...mandah, all bad men. Manda sumanda-matayah. And if he is supposed to be a good man, he will manufacture some mata, manda-mata, not approved by the sastras. This is going on. They will not hear Krsna. They will give quotation from Brahma-kumari. This is the greatest defect of modern civilization, that they won't accept real authority. They will create some authority. Or rascal, he becomes authority. Especially in India, this is the drawback. In the Western countries they do not know much about this. Therefore they accept what I say. But here they bring so many. So such an important man, he is bringing authority, Brahma-kumari, a house of prostitution. If he is bringing their quotation as authority, then what to speak of others? [break] Just like that Christian convent house. They supply woman to rich men, and they supply money. That's all. This is Brahma-kumari. Rich man, the same disease is there -- yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukha hi tuccham. So if they get facility for some maithuna, they will give you money. (Hindi) ...prostitute, for convent house. Hm? Brahmananda? Convent house? What is that convent house? It is not prostitution? That's all. Brahmananda: Usually it's between the priests and the nuns. Prabhupada: Unless one is actually spiritually situated, this material center of happiness, maithunadi, that will go anywhere. You give any color, spiritual or religious or political. You see? Why Gandhi's asrama failed? Do you know that? This is... When Gandhi was in jail, when he came back he saw all pregnant. You did not know that? Kartikeya: No, we imagined, but we don't have information. Prabhupada: That what... Gandhi said, "What is this asrama?" Indian man (1): No, but Gandhi... He is well known, very well known. Prabhupada: He is well known. Indian man (1): Including mother Desai and all, there were lot of complaints and countercomplaints. Prabhupada: Yes. It cannot be. You cannot stop the sex unless you are fully in Krsna consciousness. It is not possible. And that is the material bondage. In the material prisonhouse they have got so many means-big, big walls, handcuff, chain -- but nature is so perfect that simply give you a beautiful woman, and you are all prisoner. Big wall, handcuff and chain -- everything is complete. I think I have discussed in my recent purports. Harikesa: Oh, yes, yes. Indian man (2): Even in case of mother Desai, it was a classic incident, that his wife came one day to Gandhiji, that "This man is your personal writer but he is going on with another woman in your camp." Prabhupada: There are so many. Indian man (2): "And he comes only because of that woman. Otherwise he is not willing to be your personal writer. So I have complained." Then Gandhiji said, "All right, when did you know it?" So she said, "I was thinking for the three months, but fifteen days before I came." "All right, Mahadeva, you come here. You will fast for fifteen days." And one week later (indistinct) Mahadeva Desai was that he wanted food very badly. So after seven days he was about to die. Then that woman, wife, came again, "Maharaja I made a mistake. I made a complaint. All right. But now this man will die and where I will go?" (indistinct) "Then why have you made a complaint? So you can take off for seven days but you fast for seven days." So he is relieved. Prabhupada: One -- there are so many cases. This Lilavati Munshi, this is the same thing. You know that? There is a big history behind this. Kartikeya: The failures are due to some basic reason. All the big people have failed, and they have not been able to deliver the country or anything because their moral character... Prabhupada: No, no, even they have delivered the country, these physical elements you cannot avoid. You cannot avoid unless you are on the transcendental platform, Krsna consciousness. So long you are on the physical platform, you cannot avoid. It is impossible. (Hindi) Gandhiji... (Hindi)... mistake. (Hindi) "And physical? Oh, you have done this? Fifteen days fasting." Indian man (1): What is alternative? What do you do when... Prabhupada: No, no, alternative, that alternative will not correct. That is the defect of Gandhi's movement. He is supposed to be reading Bhagavad-gita, but he has never said, recommended, Krsna worship. That is the defect of his education. Rather, he denied the existence of Krsna. "I don't believe if any person as Krsna ever lived." This is his concept. Gandhi has written in his life that while his father was dying he was enjoying sex with his wife. You know that? Indian man (2): Gandhiji? Prabhupada: Yes, he has written it. Indian man (1): It is, after all, only... Prabhupada: No, no. After, he became a great sage. That is all right. But in the beginning everyone is subjected. Which way we shall... Kartikeya: We can go straight. Prabhupada: (Hindi) Brahmananda, you just take an idea. We shall construct Gurukula in this pattern. Brahmananda: This building here, double story. Prabhupada: Yes. Yes. Exactly. Double or three-storied. Kartikeya: Most simple type. Prabhupada: Very simple type, very nice. Just get a sketch with your work. This will be done like that. Brahmananda: I'll ask Bhargava. He has his camera. He can take photographs. Prabhupada: Yes. And downstairs, all shops. Only the roadside. Other side... Brahmananda: Oh, no. That's the courtyard, and then other side, a building. [break] Bhavananda: ...at the Gurukula best thing is outdoors classes. As soon as they're in rooms it gets too hot. Prabhupada: As far as possible, outdoors. Bhavananda: Best place in Mayapur is on the verandas of the big building. It's perfect. Prabhupada: That is very nice. Brahmananda: They have verandas on this building? Prabhupada: Yes, there is veranda that side. Brahmananda: On the inside or the outside? Prabhupada: No. No. Inside. Outside closed. [break] ...no that reinforced concrete, all brick. This is all brick. (Hindi) You have got that brick manufacturing concern near? Brahmananda: Yes. Prabhupada: Take as many bricks as you like. And we have got one address. You have taken, Agra, they will supply this lime. [break] (Hindi) ...rich men. Still, they are adulterating cement. (Hindi) [break] I heard it from very reliable source, my teacher. He was second teacher in my school, graduate, very good gentleman. He said that Edward VIII, er, VII, he was stealing jewels. You see? Indian man (3): A very bad habit. Prabhupada: Emperor of British Empire, and he was a thief. Just see. Brahmananda: You've said that a fly sitting on a throne is still a fly. Prabhupada: Yes. [break] ...one gentleman, young man, he was very rich man's son. He would come in the evening in the Howrah station nicely dressed and would approach any gentleman, "Sir, I am very sorry. I have lost my purse. Can you give me? Otherwise I cannot return." So he will collect five, ten rupees and go to a restaurant and eat and go home. [break] It is the second nature. Now the door is open? We can go? Kartikeya: Yes. [break] Prabhupada: ...enter. Not the cows. Indian man (4): Physical world, this earth is there. Are there any other earthly planets of this type where human beings or other beings are staying other than spiritual beings? Prabhupada: Oh, yes. Indian man (4): Why the information is not given about that? Prabhupada: Why not? In Bhagavata there is all information. Indian man (4): About the other earthly planets also? Prabhupada: Oh, yes. All, every each and every planet, Janaloka, Tapoloka, Maharloka, what kind of men are living there, what they are doing -- everything is there. Svargaloka. Indian man (4): But do they not come here sometimes to visit us or we cannot go there? Prabhupada: But you cannot see them. Your philosophy is unless you see, you don't believe. That is your philosophy. But you do not consider what you can see. That is the defect of this imperfect world, that people do not think that they are imperfect. With all imperfectness, they think they are perfect. That is the defect. Therefore it is said, andha. One is blind, and he is becoming the leader of other blind men. Andha yathandhair upaniyamanas te 'pisa-tantryam uru-damni baddhah [SB 7.5.31]. Isa-tantrya, by the laws of nature he is bound up very tight, hands and legs, and he is thinking he is free to think, free to see, free to... That is the defect. He is not at all free, completely under the clutches of material laws, and he is thinking that he is free. That is the defect. And when this sense comes, that "I am not free; everything is forced upon me," then he becomes human being. Otherwise he's a dog. Just like, you see, if a dog thinks he is free. He is jumping here, there. He is thinking, "I am independent," barking, attacking somebody. Oh, he is thinking he is free to do everything. When one comes to this sense, that he is not free, that is beginning of human life. Athato brahma jijnasa. Then the question will be that "Why I am not free? What is the reason?" Then that is... Real human life begins. Otherwise he's a dog. Is it correct or not? What do you think? If one is not free and wrongly thinks that he is free, then what is that mentality? A doggish mentality. And if I say, "Yes, you are free. You can think in any way you like. That is correct," then you become more encouraged to become, to remain a fool, to continue. That's all. So we shall go now? That is the defective part of modern civilization. Everyone is thinking, "I am free." Is it not? Everyone. Indian man (5): Yes. "I am perfect. I am like this." Prabhupada: Yes. Indian man (5): He thinks who is living under the delusion. Prabhupada: That is explained in the Bhagavad-gita, Sixteenth Chapter. "I am..." Adhyo 'smi dhanavan asmi ko'sti mama samah: "Who is there like me, intelligent? I will do this. I will do that." These are all... Indian man (5): Continues delusion. Prabhupada: Yes. Therefore Krsna has imposed death, that "You may make your plan as free man, but you'll not be allowed to stay. I'll kick you out." These poor men, they did not think of it, that "I am making so nice plan, but at any moment I'll be kicked out. So where is my freedom?" Dull brain does not think of it. A prisoner, if he thinks that he is free to act, is it not foolishness? A prisoner, in prison, and if he thinks that he is free to act, is it not foolishness? So that they do not think. Therefore Krsna has grouped them: mudha, these rascals, mudha. They conduct freedom movement. Just like in our country also, before this British Empire or this Mohammedan Empire there was no knowledge about this freedom. Indian people never thought of freedom. They know that "We are not free. Where is the question of freedom?" These things have come from the foreign countries, freedom movement. What is freedom? Where are you free? You are completely under the laws of nature. Where is your freedom? So they were thinking of greater freedom, to get out of the clutches of the laws of nature. That is real freedom. What is this freedom? From frying pan to the fire? (chuckles) Now we have freedom means from frying pan to the fire. Formerly there was one viceroy. Now in each state three dozen viceroys, and you have to maintain that. So many legislators, so many secretaries, so many ministers. All, they are sucking our poor blood. That's all. Hare Krsna. And as soon as you approach them for some grievances, "All right, give me application," and, after six months, "No." So we are maintaining for this purpose? Yes. "I say no." That's all. Hare Krsna. Jaya. [break] ...ing of freedom, but we have no freedom even to stay in this body. Indian man (6): Yes. That is not our plan. Indian man (5): Somebody else is controlling that. Prabhupada: Yes. We learn that na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. "This is my position. I am eternal. So why I am obliged to accept body which is hanyamana?" These questions do not bother them. And where is my freedom? "I am eternal. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. I do not die after the destruction of my body. Then why I am put into this body which will be destroyed, which will become old, useless? And where is my freedom?" These things do not bother them, and they are reader of Bhagavad-gita. Indian man (6): Somebody told that they are made to come here... Prabhupada: Eh? Indian man (6): Is it the sin of some of the...? Prabhupada: No, that we shall consider. First of all we have to see that I learn that my position is na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. So why I am put into this body which is hanyamana? (aside:) Hare Krsna. Jaya. Yes. (Hindi) They want to remain in darkness, and any leader who will keep him in the darkness in flowery language, he will be welcomed: "Oh, he is very good leader." "And this man is very conservative: 'Don't do this, don't do this, don't do this.' " So here is freedom. "Whatever you like, you do" -- here is freedom. If this rascal does not do what you do and you go to hell, that is their business. Krsna therefore says, "You rascal, where is your freedom?" Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-duhkha-dosanudarsanam [Bg. 13.9]. First of all you see. Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi. So where is your freedom? First of all get out of these things; then question of freedom. Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-duhkha-dosanudarsanam. This is your knowledge, that "Where is my freedom? If I am under the rules and regulation of janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi, then where is my freedom?" (aside:) Hare Krsna. Jaya. Simply rubber-stamped freedom will help me? Suppose I was dependent on British rule, and now I have become free. So will this help me to get freedom from janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi? Then where is my freedom? What are major questions, they have set aside. "Don't discuss all these things, and bother your head with trifle things." And our philosophy is that "Don't bother with these trifle things. Just seriously think of the major problems." This is our philosophy. Hare Krsna. [break] Tesam aham samuddharta mrtyu-samsara-sagarat [Bg. 12.7]. Samuddaharta, just to deliver them from this ocean of mrtyu-samsara. That is not care. Real freedom is given by him -- that you don't care. [break] ...will be given by Krsna. This is no freedom. Here the so-called freedom-giver, he has no freedom. And what he will give, freedom? Gandhiji preached so much about nonviolence, and nonviolence said, "All right, you have no freedom from nonviolence. You die." (Hindi) [break] ...is there, there is no question of freedom. (end)   >>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk -- September 29, 1975, Ahmedabad HOME

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on: "From Frying Pan To The Fire"