The following is a transcription of a discourse delivered by Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja in Miami, Florida, on May 10, 1999 (Bhakta Bandhav Anthology Volume 39)

 

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: I cannot chant and remember. When I begin to chant and remember, all worldly things are coming, so many things. I have so many unwanted things in me. I don’t have the mercy of an associate or a devotee. So, I am so unhappy.

(Audio break)

hā hā svarūpa, sanātana, rūpa, raghunātha
bhaṭṭa-juga, śrī jīva, hā prabhu lokanātha

Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Prabhu Dayā Karô More (6)

[Alas! O Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, Sanātana Gosvāmī, Rūpa Gosvāmī, and Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī! O Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, and Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī! O my master, Lokanātha Gosvāmī (give me your mercy)!]

Devotee: O Svarūpa Dāmodara Prabhu, Rāmānanda Rāya Prabhu, Sanātana Gosvāmī, Rūpa Gosvāmī, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī. Like this he is praying to all the Gosvāmīs, to Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī and so many, remembering all the associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: What can they do? They have left this world, so what can they do? What is the use of praying like this? They are not in this world now. So, who will hear this prayer?

Devotee: They are eternal; they are not material.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: If anyone can poison Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Svāmī Mahārāja and he will die, then how can he give mercy to all others? Those who think that Śrīla Prabhupāda has been poisoned and died…if he has died, then similarly, all the Gosvāmīs have died. They are not in this world, so who will hear our prayers?

Devotee: The first instruction is that Guru and Vaiṣṇavas are not ordinary. We should not have martya-buddhi (worldly intelligence) or faith like ordinary people. They are transcendental. They are as good as Kṛṣṇa because they are His part and parcel and very near and dear.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: So where are they now – Svarūpa Dāmodara, Rāmānanda Rāya, Rūpa Gosvāmī, Sanātana?

Devotee: They are in the eternal pastimes of…

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: They are in all atoms. They are everywhere in this world. In the air, in the sky, everywhere. Wherever you pray to them, they will hear. But for others, material persons, they are not in this world. So they will listen to our prayers. God is everywhere, Kṛṣṇa is everywhere. Also, all the associates of Mahāprabhu and Kṛṣṇa are with Kṛṣṇa and Mahāprabhu – everywhere.

Devotee: Then he is praying for the mercy of Śrī Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Jīva Gosvāmī, and he is praying for the mercy of Śrī Lokanātha Gosvāmī.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Why is he praying to Jīva Gosvāmī?

Devotee: Without Jīva Gosvāmī there is no siddhānta.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: You should try to think something here, not only see things with your material mind. Why is he praying to Rūpa Gosvāmī? Why? He wants all rasa-śāstra and his mercy to come. Why is he praying to Sanātana Gosvāmī? Oh, sambandha-jñāna should come. Why to Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī? How can we make bhakti into bhakti-rasa. Why does he want the mercy of Lokanātha dāsa Gosvāmī? Why is he praying to him?

Devotee: He came to Vraja before Mahāprabhu and other Gosvāmīs and is more merciful. He can bestow his mercy so that we can get the mercy of all other associates.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: So when you read any song, try to go deep. Otherwise, nothing will come, nothing. Melody will do nothing for us.

Devotee:

dayā karô śrī ācārya prabhu śrīnivāsa
rāmacandra-saṅga māge narottama dāsa

Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Prabhu Dayā Karô More (7)

[Be merciful, O Prabhu Śrīnivāsa Ācārya! Narottama dāsa begs for the association of Rāmacandra Kavirāja.]

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Who is Śrīnivāsa? What relation does he have with Narottama Ṭhākura?

Devotee: They are like godbrothers.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: He is like the elder godbrother, senior godbrother of Narottama Ṭhākura. When he used to read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Kṛṣṇa with all His associates used to come, and all used to see him. Narottama Ṭhākura especially wants that Śrīnivāsa should order Rāmacandra to always associate with Narottama Ṭhākura because Rāmacandra is near and dear to Śrīnivāsa Ācārya.

Devotee: Did Narottama Ṭhākura write this song after the disappearance of Śrīnivāsa Ācārya?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: No harm. Whether in the presence or after the disappearance, no harm. This song is eternal, like this.

If you depend on this black box, it will always cheat you. I know that all the GBC members have not only one but two, three, four, five, and six computers. I know. He knows more than me. They have so many things. Yet, why are they falling down? Their black boxes fell and broke, and their hearts were also broken. So don’t depend on this black box. One should depend on one’s heart. We never used these things. And those who used these things learned nothing; they realised nothing. They will never do so. One should have faith in one’s heart. Kṛṣṇa has given us this very powerful heart. You should always try to hear, not always do these things. You can start recording first, keep it aside, and then try to open your heart.

So, there are two ślokas in Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu. Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura is saying that Rūpa Gosvāmī has stated that there are three kinds of devotees. Those who are in sādhana-bhakti, then bhāva-bhakti, and then prema-bhakti – these three classes of bhakti. Sādhana-bhakti, bhāva-bhakti, and then prema-bhakti. Why has he made three divisions here? Why not only sādhana and prema? Why three divisions? Why has he written bhāva-bhakti here? Bhāva-bhakti can also be considered a kind of sādhana-bhakti. Or it is also a kind of siddha-bhakti like prema-bhakti?

So then, why has he made three divisions here? Then Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura is saying that in Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, it has been said that those who have attained prema, they don’t know, but yet their body is here in this world. Although their body and senses are here, those who have attained a very little drop of prema cannot experience the world’s suffering, problems, misery, or anything. Miseries or anything cannot touch them, even if there is a bit of prema.

They don’t have any suffering. They don’t know any of these things. Why? At the beginning of sādhana-bhakti, all kinds of sins – avidyā, asmitā, rāga, dveṣa, abhiniveśa, prārabdha, aprārabdha, kūṭa, bīja–pāpa – everything is removed and all śubha comes. Śubha means auspicious things come, auspiciousness comes. So this is only at the time of sādhana-bhakti. There will be no problems, suffering, disease, or anything then. Understand? But it has been said that in the stage of bhāva-bhakti:

naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu
nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā
bhagavaty uttama-śloke
bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.18

[By regular attendance in classes on the Bhāgavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.]

It has been told they realise some problem, but it is like mūrcchita-kaṣāya; some contamination is there. Problems may come at the stage of bhāva. They will not touch that person, but difficulties, sufferings, and diseases may appear. When? When bhāva is there. But they will not be worried about that. For instance, Haridāsa Ṭhākura has bhāva or more than that. They were beating him here and there, and he was bleeding profusely, but he had no problem. Then, after a minute or two, he returned fresh with a new body. Or, like Prahlāda Mahārāja, he was given many things, but he never felt anything. He never prayed to Kṛṣṇa, “O Kṛṣṇa, save me.” If he had been praying like this, we could consider him at the stage of sādhana-bhajana, a sādhana-bhakta. But he was not a sādhaka.

So even for a sādhaka who is genuinely doing bhakti, these things cannot touch them. So, if we think that poison can cause a problem for Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Svāmī Mahārāja, he cannot be siddha. Understand? He would not be siddha, not even a bhāva-bhakta. So we should always be careful about this. We have no time for these things. Let them do what they are doing, those who are in that stage. They should do so, no harm. But we do not have time for these things and to constantly engage our minds in this. Understand? If it is proved in court, what will be your gain? Will there be any gain for the devotees? Any gain?

And if it is not proven, what will be our gain or loss? Whatever happened has happened. We should try to chant and remember. We know full well that a Vaiṣṇava cannot die. So, how can he die? So don’t always engage your mind in these things. A little distraction may exist because you are a baddha-jīva (conditioned soul). Sometimes, one’s mind will go there. But don’t worry about these things. Try to follow the gopīs. How?

Kaṁsa has sent Akrūra to bring Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma into the council of Kaṁsa. Kaṁsa thought, “If Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva are in Vṛndāvana, then we cannot do anything. They cannot be killed. Alone, anyone cannot kill Them. But if by trick anyhow we can bring Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva to Mathurā in our council, in our fort where our elephant, Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, and so many others are, along with all my brothers and my father-in-law Jarāsandha, then we can all surround Him, and we can kill Him.” This idea was so good and appreciated by all the counsellors of Kaṁsa, and that is why Akrūra was sent. Why Akrūra? Because Kṛṣṇa has some faith in Akrūra.

Also, he is familiar with Kṛṣṇa. Thus, Akrūra, by cheating Them and telling some false thing, brought Them to Mathurā. Kṛṣṇa thought, “Akrura can never tell anything false.” But all the gopīs and Vrajavāsīs knew, “Oh, he is telling all false things. He is discovering one new thing: that Kṛṣṇa is the son of Devakī and Vasudeva.”

But when Kṛṣṇa heard that Devakī and Vasudeva were suffering so much because of Kaṁsa, He thought, “He is the friend of My father and mother, so I must save them.” Then Kṛṣṇa quickly came to Mathurā. Nanda Bābā also went there with his cart, so many sakhās came. Then, at last, Kṛṣṇa came to Mathurā. All the boys and all the Mathurāvāsīs, even blind persons, ran to have the darśana of Kṛṣṇa.

When Kṛṣṇa entered the arena of Kaṁsa, a mad elephant was there having the power of ten thousand elephants. He stood at the gate thinking, “When Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva will come, I will do like this and kill Them.” But what did Kṛṣṇa do? Baladeva Prabhu grabbed one tusk very easily, and Kṛṣṇa took one tusk. Then, with those tusks, They beat him, and he died. The driver was also killed. After that, He took that tusk here and looked like a lion. Some spots of blood were here and there, and like this, They entered the arena where Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika were.

At once Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika took Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva, “Come on.” They wanted to smash Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva. Kṛṣṇa told them, “I am so weak. I can wrestle, but not with you. I can wrestle with anyone who is like My equal.”

But they replied, “No, no, You have killed Pūtanā and Aghāsura and so many. So, You are strong enough to fight with us.” At that time, the wives of the Yādavas were saying, “This is very bad. This is against the law. It is illegal. Those present and watching this will be affected by sin, as it is not a religious gathering. They want to kill Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva. So many are here surrounding Him. Kaṁsa is like a mahā-durācārī (culprit number one). So if we are staying here, then mahā mahā sin will touch us. We should go away.”

Then they said, “Oh, how fortunate were the gopīs!” We are unfortunate. We are seeing the same Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva, but not like the gopīs saw Them.”

puṇyā bata vraja-bhuvo yad ayaṁ nṛ-liṅga
gūḍhaḥ purāṇa-puruṣo vana-citra-mālyaḥ
gāḥ pālayan saha-balaḥ kvaṇayaṁś ca veṇuṁ
vikrīdayāñcati giritra-ramārcitāṅghriḥ

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.44.13)

[How pious are the tracts of land in Vraja, for there the primeval Personality of Godhead, disguising Himself with human traits, wanders about, enacting His many pastimes! Adorned with wonderfully variegated forest garlands, He whose feet are worshipped by Lord Śiva and goddess Ramā vibrates His flute as He tends the cows in the company of Balarāma.]

O sakhī, the actual truth is that the land of Vraja is supremely pure and blessed because here, the Supreme Person is living, disguised as a human being. That same Lord, whose lotus feet are worshipped by the lord of all lords, Mahādeva Śaṅkara, and by Śrī Ramā-devī, wanders about here with His brother Balarāma and His cowherd boyfriends. Adorned with a garland of multi-coloured flowers, He grazes the cows and sweetly plays the flute. Absorbed in many pastimes, He wanders here and there with delight. By the touch of His lotus feet, this land of Vraja has become virtuous and successful.

“Oh, how glorious are all the gopīs of Vṛndāvana! I know that this whole pṛthivī is glorious due to the gopīs. The whole world is glorious because of the presence of Vṛndāvana, and Vṛndāvana is glorious because the gopīs are there. Where purāṇa-puruṣa (the Supreme Personality of Godhead) plays in a very hidden way. Who is that boy? He is playing the flute and keeping a peacock feather here. He is tri-bhaṅga-lalita (three-folded), very beautiful. He has a vaijayantī-mālā down to His feet. How beautiful!

candana-carcita-nīla-kalevara-pīta-vasana-vanamālī
keli-calan-maṇi-kuṇḍala-maṇḍita-gaṇḍa-yuga-smita-śālī

Śrī Gīta-govinda (1.40)

[“His golden garment and wreath of wildflowers contrast His dark limbs besmeared with sandalwood paste. Jewelled earrings dangling from His ears make His cheeks glitter, setting off the bewitching smile on His face.”]

Dressed in yellow cloth and a garland of forest flowers, with sandalwood paste smeared upon His dark limbs, Kṛṣṇa feels the utmost elation as He enjoys pastimes with captivated young brides in this Vṛndāvana forest. His earrings swing to and fro, the beauty of His cheeks is astonishing, and His face displays a wondrous sweetness with the honey of His playful laughter.

His pīta-vasana (yellow garment) is more than a thunderbolt. His kuṇḍalas (earrings) are always kissing the cheeks of Kṛṣṇa. So, “How lucky are these gopīs!” These wives of the Yādavas are speaking like this. Kṛṣṇa is going to cowherd with lakhs and lakhs of cows. Some are black, some are white, and some are reddish. Baladeva is with Him (Balarāma is with Kṛṣṇa). Also, lakhs and lakhs of cowherd boys are there, and all are playing on their flutes. Very charming. Where are they playing? Where Girirāja Govardhana is. They are playing on the top of Govardhana, in the valley of Govardhana, at Rādhā-kuṇḍa, Śyāma-kuṇḍa, everywhere. They are playing with the cowherd boys and the gopīs in the kuñjas.

Lakṣmī and Śaṅkara and all others always worship His feet. So, “The gopīs are so fortunate that they can see this scenery. We cannot see this scene. We are seeing Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva here like They are in prison. Like a lion when it is in a cage, although we can see it, it is not so beautiful at that time.” So Kṛṣṇa looks more beautiful where? In the company of the gopas and gopīs on the top of Govardhana Hill in Vṛndāvana, at Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Śyāma-kuṇḍa. His fullest beauty is there. Manmatha-manmathaḥ.

tāsām āvirabhūc chauriḥ
smayamāna-mukhāmbujaḥ
pītāmbara-dharaḥ sragvī
sākṣān manmatha-manmathaḥ

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.32.2

[Then Lord Kṛṣṇa, a smile on His lotus face, appeared before the gopīs. Wearing a garland and a yellow garment, He directly appeared as one who can bewilder the mind of Cupid, who himself bewilders the minds of ordinary people.]

“So what austerities the gopīs have done, we should do that so we can see Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana. We want to be a gopī and see the beauty of Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva and all these things, how He is playing with these gopīs. The gopīs are not only seeing Him, but they are playing with this Supreme Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa.”

gopyas tapaḥ kim acaran yad amuṣya rūpaṁ
lāvaṇya-sāram asamordhvam ananya-siddham
dṛgbhiḥ pibanty anusavābhinavaṁ durāpam
ekānta-dhāma yaśasaḥ śriya aiśvarasy

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.44.14

[What austerities must the gopīs have performed! With their eyes they always drink the nectar of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s form, which is the essence of loveliness and is not to be equalled or surpassed. That form is the only abode of beauty, fame and opulence. It is self-perfect, ever-fresh and extremely rare.]

Sakhī, I do not know what austerities the gopīs have performed to be always drinking the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa’s form with their eyes. What is the nature of His form? It is the essence of bodily beauty (lāvaṇya–sāra). Within this material existence or above it, there is no beauty equal to His, what to speak of a greater beauty. No one decorates Him, nor do ornaments and clothes perfect Him. Rather, He is perfect in Himself. While seeing this form, one does not become satiated because its beauty increases every moment. All fame, beauty, and opulence take shelter in it. Only the gopīs are fortunate enough to have such a darśana of Kṛṣṇa; no one else.

In the company of the gopīs, Kṛṣṇa’s beauty becomes like manmatha-manmathaḥ, most perfect. Lāvaṇya–sāra, that beauty is the essence of all beauty. He is beautiful, and His beauty is the essence of all beauty. That beauty is not even in Rāma or anyone, not even in Dvārakādhīśa or anywhere. Ananya-siddham, there is no need for decoration, ornaments, or kājala. It is the essence of all beauty. It is the ornament of all ornaments. When any ornament is given to Kṛṣṇa, then Kṛṣṇa’s beauty becomes the ornament of that ornament. If He is naked, He is even more beautiful. Then, if any black spot is given there, it will be more beautiful. Even the dust of Vṛndāvana on His body becomes like a powder, and He becomes more beautiful.

So we should chant and remember all this beauty. Who is thinking all these things? The Yādava-patnīs (the wives of the Yādavas). “And the beauty of the body of Kṛṣṇa is what? It is the highest form of all beauty, all glories, and all opulence. This very boy Kṛṣṇa, all opulence, all powers, everything is in that body. And the gopīs are drinking all the beauty of Kṛṣṇa, all the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa. By what? By their eyes. We cannot do so. Here, we see that all are engaged in killing Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is there, Baladeva is there, but there is not so much beauty here. So we want to die and to become gopīs in Vṛndāvana.”

yā dohane ’vahanane mathanopalepa
preṅkheṅkhanārbha-ruditokṣaṇa-mārjanādau
gāyanti cainam anurakta-dhiyo ’śru-kaṇṭhyo
dhanyā vraja-striya urukrama-citta-yānāḥ

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.44.15

[The ladies of Vraja are the most fortunate of women because, with their minds fully attached to Kṛṣṇa and their throats always choked up with tears, they constantly sing about Him while milking the cows, winnowing grain, churning butter, gathering cow dung for fuel, riding on swings, taking care of their crying babies, sprinkling the ground with water, cleaning their houses, and so on. By their exalted Kṛṣṇa consciousness, they automatically acquire all desirable things.]

“The gopīs are so glorious. Their life is successful. Only the lives of the gopīs are successful. Why? When they were in their houses, they engaged all their senses in household activities…”

(Audio break)

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: While putting a child to sleep, they would sing,

govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
govinda dāmodara mādhaveti

While brooming,

govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
govinda dāmodara mādhaveti

If a friend came to them, “Oh, I want to speak with you.”

govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
govinda dāmodara mādhaveti

Some parrots were in their houses, and they were training them, “Oh, repeat after me.”

govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
govinda dāmodara mādhaveti

While churning yoghurt,

govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
govinda dāmodara mādhaveti

“O, these gopīs, how glorious they are! We want to be the dust of the lotus feet of these gopīs. We cannot be like a gopī. But we desire to serve the dust of the gopīs’ lotus feet. Then our life will be successful.” When Kṛṣṇa is going to cowherd with lakhs and lakhs of cows and lakhs and lakhs of cowherd friends, the gopīs are standing where? By their doors, in their groves, on the tops of the roofs, by their windows. What are they doing? They are only thinking and waiting, “When will Kṛṣṇa come?” If a gopī is applying kājala, she will think, “Oh, Kṛṣṇa will pass by if I waste time. Then what will be the use of my life?”

If anyone puts on a necklace, “Oh, Kṛṣṇa will go. Then what will be the use of my life? Give up these things.”

“But I have only applied kājala in one eye. I will have to do the other eye.”

“Oh, don’t. Give me, give me, give me. I have no time at all. I will die if Kṛṣṇa will pass by.” They are always waiting for Kṛṣṇa. Then, in the evening, when Kṛṣṇa is returning to his house, they are thinking, “Where is Kṛṣṇa? Where is Kṛṣṇa? Is Kṛṣṇa coming? Is Kṛṣṇa coming? Is Kṛṣṇa coming?” Like this. They curse Brahmā, “Why have you made only these two eyes? Even these two eyes have eyelids that always come down. Especially why have you made tears? Tears are coming. Brahmā does not know how to create.”

Devotees are always like this. When will they have time to eat their meals, sleep, and do everything else? They have no time to do these things, like the gopīs. So you should try to lead a life like this, always chanting and remembering like this. If any problems arise,

govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
govinda dāmodara mādhaveti

If a friend comes to take our time, “Oh, today America has invaded Iraq, and there is war in Yugoslavia,” Oh,

govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
govinda dāmodara mādhaveti

“Can you travel with me? I am going to Hawaii. It has a very good climate, and everything is there.”

“Oh, have no time at all.”

govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
govinda dāmodara mādhavet

A mother-in-law is saying, “Where are you going?”

“I am going to see Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is going to cowherd.”

“Oh, don’t go.”

“Oh, you should be silent. Why are you not checking your daughter? No one in Vraja checks anyone. Why are you checking me? I will not listen to you. I will give up the house, my husband, and everything else, but I must go there.”

prātar vrajād vrajata āviśataś ca sāyaṁ
gobhiḥ samaṁ kvaṇayato ’sya niśamya veṇum
nirgamya tūrṇam abalāḥ pathi bhūri-puṇyāḥ
paśyanti sa-smita-mukhaṁ sa-dayāvalokam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.44.16

[When the gopīs hear Kṛṣṇa playing His flute as He leaves Vraja in the morning with His cows or returns with them at sunset, the young girls quickly come out of their houses to see Him. They must have performed many pious activities to be able to see Him as He walks on the road, His smiling face mercifully glancing upon them.]

They are seeing very soft Kṛṣṇa, taking all the beauty from their eyes and drinking that. So the wives of the Yādavas think, “We should try to follow them if we want bhakti.” If you are doing any worldly thing,

govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
govinda dāmodara mādhaveti

And if not that, then,

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

(hari) haraye namaḥ kṛṣṇa yādavāya namaḥ
yādavāya mādhavāya keśavāya namaḥ

(Hari) Haraye Namaḥ Kṛṣṇa (1)

[I offer praṇāma unto You, O Hari, O Kṛṣṇa, O Yādava, O Mādhava, O Keśava!]

gopāla govinda rāma śrī madhusūdana
giridhārī gopīnātha madana-mohana

(Hari) Haraye Namaḥ Kṛṣṇa (2)

[O Gopāla, Govinda, Rāma, Śrī Madhusūdana! O Giridhārī, Gopīnātha, Madana-mohana!]

jaya rādhe, jaya kṛṣṇa, jaya vṛndāvana
śrī govinda, gopīnātha, madana-mohana

Jaya Rādhe, Jaya Kṛṣṇa (1)

[All glories to Śrī Rādhā, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and the divine forest of Śrī Vṛndāvana. All glories to Śrī Govinda, Gopīnātha, and Madanamohana (the three presiding deities of Vṛndāvana).]

śyāma-kuṇḍa, rādhā-kuṇḍa, giri-govardhana
kālindī yamunā jaya, jaya mahāvana

Jaya Rādhe, Jaya Kṛṣṇa (2)

[All glories to Śyāma-kuṇḍa, Rādhā-kuṇḍa, and Govardhana Hill. All glories to the river Yamunā (Kālindī) and to the great forest known as Gokula Mahāvana (where Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma performed Their childhood pastimes).]

By this, your maintenance and everything will be done. If not, Kṛṣṇa will come Himself, carrying baskets of fruits, milk, and everything. He will come. And go on doing like this. Gaura-premānande.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: When I was in Costa Rica, there were so many devotees there, more than one hundred and fifty. Very good preaching was there, and all were hearing. On our last day, some also took harināma initiation. [Looking at] the son and daughter of Rameśa, I thought, “I will only give them neck beads.” But they wept. I told them, “Paramādvaitī Mahārāja is there, and he is like your Guru. He will support and nourish you, no harm. I am giving you neck beads only.” But they wept for mālā. I gave them mālās also, but I told Mahārāja, “You should support and nourish them. Don’t think that they are my separate disciples. I am giving them to you like your own disciples.”

Everywhere we should be like that. You can help my devotees, and I will help them like they are the same, no harm. We should not be misguided. If I have given anyone harināma initiation and he wants to take second initiation from you, no harm. I think they are in one line of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrīla Prabhupāda. So there should be no confusion about this. Understand? We will help each other. If anyone will come to me, I will help them like my disciple, like a śikṣā-guru. You can also be a śikṣā-guru. I can also be a śikṣā-guru.

Thus, we can preach throughout the world. If ISKCON were favourable like this, there would be worldwide preaching. But they are falling down. But if they were associating with you or us, they would never fall down. Anyhow, I don’t worry about them. I want to help them. If they are doing anything wrong to me, no harm.

Devotee: Today, we have something in the world, and they are called vegans. They are people who don’t drink milk and don’t eat any cheese or use butter. They do that because they say our cows in this system are not treated very nicely. It is true. The cows give milk, and then later, they will be killed. So they say that we should not take this type of product. I was thinking, how can we argue that or what can we say because we offer milk and ghee to Kṛṣṇa even though those cows will be killed later?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: The cows are going to be killed, but if you take the milk and make cheese and ghee and so many sweets and you offer that to Kṛṣṇa, that cow will be liberated. So we can take it, no harm. If I see a person who will not keep chanting and remembering, I will still tell him to chant and remember. Our preaching is successful if one day he chanted only one time. That will make an impression on the heart.

So I tell everyone, “You should chant; if you can chant only one round, no harm. No harm if you are not initiated. You should go on, and this name will manage everything.” So if a cow is going to be killed and you are taking their milk and giving it to Ṭhākurajī and praying, “You should liberate this cow, and she should be a devotee,” oh, Kṛṣṇa will arrange everything. So, no harm.

Source(s): Purebhakti.com, Serve Love – Bhakta Bandhav (Bhakta Bandhav Anthology transcribed and edited by the Bhakta Bandhav Team)

Image(s) made possible by Pixabay.com, Krishnapath.org.in and/or Bhaktiart.net
Unless indicated differently, all verse translations and quotes are from the books by Śrīla Prabhupāda (Vedabase.com)