Digest 345: March 15th, 2011. Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja
You are invited to send your questions to His Holiness Romapada Swami at
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Dhruva Maharaja and our material motivations
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721) How did Dhruva Maharaja get purified, even though he had a material
motivation/desire (of getting the highest kingdom) in following Narada's
instructions? Does it mean that we should follow the Spiritual Master's
instructions even if our motivation to follow them is material? Will this
eventually purify our material desire? And how do we see it in the light of
Bhagavatam (1.2.6) which emphasizes ahaituki bhakti?

Answer: Having material desires itself does not bar one from approaching
Krishna. Srimad Bhagavatam emphasizes:

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

Whether one is desireless, or full of material desires, or desirous of
liberation, in any case an intelligent person should engage in
*tivra-bhakti*. "Tivra" indicates great force, like that of concentrated
sun-rays. By the force of such tivra-bhakti, executed under proper guidance,
material desires are purified.

SB 1.2.6 is a description of the *process* by which one can attain to the
stage of ahaituki-bhakti, even if one may not possess it at the outset. Such
a process is described as the best religion; it alone can bring full
satisfaction. What is that process? That is elaborated in subsequent verses
in SB 1.2.12-22. The process is, with single-pointed attention, hear about,
glorify, remember and worship the Supreme Lord. It begins with hearing and
serving the mahats or great souls. (Verse 16) By that endeavor, ignorance,
passion, lust, greed etc are destroyed almost to nil, and irrevocable
devotion is established.

Dhruva Maharaja's success lay in meticulously applying this process -- as a
result, he attained ahaituki-bhakti.

While Dhruva's example is highly encouraging for all beginning devotees, we
should also carefully observe *how* Dhruva Maharaja executed the
instructions given to him.

  - Dhruva was very sincere in his purpose -- not merely to achieve the
greatest kingdom, but to do so *ONLY by pleasing Vishnu*. He requested
Narada to give him an "honest" path to achieve his goal. (SB 4.8.37)
  - He was willing to sacrifice anything and undergo any difficulty to
please Vishnu. He was not looking for any other material means or short-cut
to fulfill his desire by hook or by crook.
  - He strictly followed all the directions of Narada with great enthusiasm
and determination, without compromise, without considering personal
convenience or inconvenience.

This tivra-bhakti purified him. Please study Srila Prabhupada's purport to
SB 4.8.72.

Materially motivated persons generally go to some demigod, or some
influential personality within this world, or rely on some material method
to quickly achieve their desires.

       kanksantah karmanam siddhim
        yajanta iha devatah
       ksipram hi manus e loke
       siddhir bhavati karma-ja

Krishna can easily and quickly fulfill all desires, in fact it is He who
fulfills everyone's desires - directly or through many agents. (nityo
nityanam cetanas cetananam eko bahunam yo vidadhati kaman). But those who
are too materially attached are reluctant to approach Krishna directly,
because they know that Krishna will only fulfill the desires after purifying
them of those desires! Although bhakti is very easy and simple, because of
strong attachments, they would rather prefer to adopt much more troublesome
austerities within this world to achieve their desires. But a sincere soul
like Dhruva, even if they desire material gain, is determined to accept it
only if Krsna offers it, without depending on any other means. This honest,
non-duplicitous devotion attracts Krsna's attention.

The presence of material desire does not, or should not, hinder our taking
shelter of a spiritual master. We should honestly admit our heart before the
spiritual master, seek his direction, and then sincerely follow it, without
worrying about success or failure, or in other words, fully confident of
success.

A sincere disciple humbly admits that he is bound up by hundreds of desires,
which is all the more reason why he is dependent the special mercy and
instructions of spiritual master. This is the mood in which Devahuti
approaches Kapila: "I am sick of the disturbance cause by my material
desires and have fallen into the abyss of ignorance. You are my
transcendental eye, you are the ax that cuts the material existence..." Note
that the purpose of approaching the spiritual master is to become free from
these desires; or at least, to fulfill them ONLY by pleasing Krishna,
whatever it entails. The not-so-sincere position is to approach a saintly
person with the idea that he will give blessings by which all my troubles
will be easily removed, all my wishes will magically come true, so I can
continue to enjoy life happily ever after, independent of Krishna!

Having material desires itself does not bar one from approaching Krishna

Choosing our influences for our sacred space

via KKS Blog by noreply@blogger.com (aatish) on 8/03/11

We can choose what influences we allow to enter into our consciousness.
We can declare our consciousness as a sacred space:

"This consciousness is something that I declare a sacred space and within this consciousness I'll try and bring in influences that are uplifting, that are giving me strength and that are adding to my happiness"


Transcribed by Madhumati Devi Dasi
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Sydney 2010)

Choosing our influences for our sacred space

Change is Now!

via KKS Blog by noreply@blogger.com (Hina) on 13/03/11

Change is now! We must discipline ourselves, but it is difficult - so let us take shelter of devotional service, that is our hope! And we see that those devotees who are serious about taking on some service in Prabhupada's movement, they become transformed overtime. They are the ones that overtime somehow or another begin to change. The devotees who are half hearted and half baked potatoes – time for half baked service – they never quite make it. They are the flaky ones!

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Melbourne, March 2011)

Change is Now!

Purity Is The Force And Not Intellectualism!

via KKS Blog by noreply@blogger.com (Hina) on 15/03/11

The best is to simply glorify Krishna, that's what Prabhupada did. He didn't care about such things – where he was or who the audience was. He would just glorify Krishna and as it came, and that is the essence, because purity is the force and not intellectualism, if we are trying to cater for the audience. Prabhupada said:

"In our preaching we are not trying to please the audience - we are trying to please Krishna, and that is an important point".

We are faithful to pleasing Krishna. We are not trying to present ourselves in such as way that the audience will be so pleased. No, if we in our speech we are trying to please Krishna than automatically people will be attracted, because the purity will be there – That's a guarantee! So simply please Krishna, and the more we will become faithful towards Krishna. Therefore, it is important to absorb the words of Krishna - just absorb and keep very close to them.

You can see that Prabhupada in his preaching is very chaste and that he is using so many examples directly from the scripture. He uses metaphors – very much scriptural, because we can understand that Prabhupada throughout his life must have been in close contact with the scripture, considering that he took Sanayas relatively very late – it's not that he started learning the scripture at that time and read it for the first time. No, he must have studied it earlier when the mind was more fresh and when he could remember, because in old age the memory goes, unless one has over prolonged period of time had absorbed the knowledge. So our business is Bhagavad Gita every day, and if you missed yesterday than you have to read the double today! So everyday there is some connection.


(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Melbourne, March 2011)

Purity Is The Force And Not Intellectualism!

A Glorious End jahnavi | March 15, 2011 at 11:47 pm | Tags: cremation, death, funeral, kirtan, Krishna | Categories: Inspiration!, Krishna Consciousness | URL: http://wp.me/p1Fgd-af

Some days remain etched within the mind forever. I think yesterday was one I will never forget.

I've only attended a few funerals in my life. None have been for people I was particularly close to, but all were moving in their own way. I'm sure everyone remembers the first time they saw a dead body - that strange twist of fear and morbid fascination and loss. I always felt so uncomfortable at the outpouring of emotion. As a teenager, I felt confused at what I was supposed to do. Should I try and cry, even if I don't feel it? Would people appreciate it if I try and be lighthearted? Am I supposed to comfort people, or do they want to be left alone?

Yesterday's ceremony was perhaps one of the most cathartic, moving experiences I've ever had. Close to eight hundred people gathered at the North London crematorium to pay last respects. One hundred and fifty crowded the small, sunlit chapel, whilst the remainder watched outside on TV screens. I sat with a few friends in a corner behind the plinth where the coffin would eventually sit. We were there with harmonium, kartals, mridanga, flute and violin to lead the major portion of the ceremony - continuous kirtan. Several family members gave beautiful speeches, glorifying the unique qualities of their father, uncle and brother. They spoke of his generous, unfailingly open heart and his humility. His desire to serve others and his lighthearted, loving nature were celebrated by so many. From my vantage point at the front of the room, I could see heads nodding as they spoke, each a moving testament to the truth of their words. The time line of his life was recited. It almost felt as if we walked through a gallery, examining images and memories, and fragments of a life, mapping his journey up to the present moment. It can be sobering to hear a life summarised. One life seems so short - a fluttering rush of days and months, like a moth falling towards a flame. But even a short life is glorious when lived with integrity and substance.

After speeches the front and back doors were thrown open, the March wind gusting in with the shafts of sunlight. A non stop line of people passed through, holding flower petals which they placed at his feet as a sign of respect. The kirtan began, and the sound carried up to the high ceiling. Watching every person pass, I was captivated by the range of emotions on each face. So many kinds of tears - of love, of pain and loss, of joy. Some were overwhelmed and wept uncontrollably, whilst others looked on his face with a steady gaze and peaceful heart. Children passed, looking dazed or distressed, and teenagers, trying to control emotions they never expected. Old friends, colleagues, saffron clad monks. Perhaps the worst to see were his parents, saying goodbye to a cherished son. They lovingly touched his face and walked away from the coffin with faltering steps. I sat watching, singing and playing my violin - trying to stay present to my task but finding tears streaming down my face at unexpected moments. They dripped down my nose, falling all over my violin. I looked over at my friends to see them crying too. My dear friend sang with her eyes closed, only pausing once in two continuous hours because emotion overwhelmed her.

Despite so many tears, as the ceremony drew closer to the end, an indescribable feeling of joy began to rise within the room. Voices called with such love and focus. The sound was heavenly in a rare way. With an irresistible rise and fall, the mridanga drum picked up tempo, and a few men began to dance. They stood beside the coffin, gazing at their old friend with such love, arms raised, swaying and stepping in time. More joined in and soon almost everyone was standing and moving to the beat - even those looking on from the rear balcony. I wondered if it was disrespectful to dance at a funeral? It certainly seemed incongruous in the white walled, Victorian chapel. But no one cared - in those last moments, all sounds were of loving prayer - every tear stained face decorated with a smile.

Then silence fell, and my Dad recited the final prayers from the ancient Upanishads. 'Let this temporary body be burnt to ashes, and let the air of life be merged with the totality of air. Now, O my Lord, please remember all my sacrifices, and because You are the ultimate beneficiary, please remember all that I have done for You.' We repeated the words together, speaking one final prayer that described the glory of kirtan as the garden-like oasis for the weary soul. Then with the press of a button, it was all over. Vacuums were quickly whipped out to clean away the petals and everyone was ushered out.

May we all lead lives rich with love and service, that flower in such a glorious end.

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