Lecture By Radhanath Swami Maharaja
 
Title: Bhakti is the only way
 
       What great people do, the common people will naturally follow. In this verse of Bhagavad Gita, we are reading we must follow in the foot steps of great liberated souls. Thus lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu accepted initiation and instruction from Sri Ishwarpuri who is the disciple of Sri Madhavendra puri, who is in the parampara of great line Madhava and Brahma. When Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu accepted initiation he did so to teach us the importance of accepting the parampara. Otherwise there are so many people giving their so many ideas. And common people follow. If one can perform a few mystical magic tricks, he worshiped as god. __ by the great kindness of devotees of Belgaun. Ratha Yatra is a timeless festival. In Sri Jagannath Puri Dham in Orissa. This festival from time in memorial attracting hundreds and thousands and sometimes million of peoples every year. It is the one day that Lord Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra, come out of their metastic temple in nilanchala and enter into the cars. The devotees pull them with ropes, chant, dance, and take Prasad throughout the procession to the Gundichha Mandir. The Jagannath Ratha Yatra is the expression of the Lord of the Brajavasi for Krishna. The Srimad Bhagavatam explains how Lord Krishna, when he was only about ten and half years old, he left Vrindavan to Mathura and Dwaraka. The residences of Vrindavan were in the great ecstasy the separation from Krishna. It is explained that Krishna never takes out from Vrindivan. He is literally bound by the love of hearts of the Brajavasies. And He is within their hearts embracing them with greatest affection. Due to the sweetness of their love is separation. However they long to see them with their eyes. So after many long years it was arranged when the solar eclipse that Krishna meat the Brajavasies in the Holy land of Kurukshetra. Krishna appeared with his 16108 queens in Dwaraka. In Dwaraka Krishna is a great King. He came with the crown and the _ of the king. There was beautifully ornamented elephants, horses, chariots, and large military _ that came along with lord Krishna. And there was Nanda Maharaja, Yasoda Mai, Gopas and Gopis. Very simple living in the forest of Vrindavana. Krishna met with them. The most he loved of all gopies is Srimati Radha Rani. Who is none other than the very pleasure potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. She is not different than Krishna himself. She is the all source of bhakti or love. So Sri Radha Rani and Gopies were praying to Krishna, please comeback to Vrindavana. Your are the same Krishna and we are the same gopies. But it is difficult _ consider – life should be. Everyone is thinking I am the body, I am the enjoyer, we all and therefore _____ we can understand the reality apart from illusion. We love to Krishna with actual the center of all other -. Krishna explains in Gita _____. I am the proprietor of everything that -, a body belongs to Krishna, a home belongs to Krishna, a family belongs to Krishna, a – belongs to Krishna, a planet belongs to Krishna, all the planets, suns, and universe belongs to Krishna. We are all – to on the stoned how to utilize all the phenomenon in this material nature for service of Krishna, for the enjoyment of Krishna. In Srimad Bhagavatam described if watered the root of the tree automatically every part of the tree is fulfill all of his desires. Similarly if Krishna is pleased we are harmony can come with our own life, within our family’s life, among our family -, within the world. There is no substitute of principle every other idea, which is illusory energy – in the – of happiness. Can bring about some temporary pleasure. But deep not by source of real pleasure. Therefore it is really diploids the pain. Krishna Consciousness is found to only remember in all of our affairs of life that we are the eternal servants of Krishna and offer our hearts to Krishna. In everything we do that can be use. And that everyone is searching for life. We go to our school because we are looking for some future form of happiness. We go – leaders because we learn happiness. We work so hard trying to earn some rupees because we want some happiness. Bhagavad Gita it is great ancient scripture is teaching us what is your happiness and how to achieve that to really – this message. Bhagavad Gita is not an _ radical document. It is a scripture that is to apply to the daily life. It is eternal true that Krishna is build in such a way that we can impact today by always remembering Krishna. In life and in death. This world everything is uncertain. Life with fail, the saint Govinda Dasa states Kamal dala Jala jivane talamala. What is the nature of our life and all the – ourselves to our life. It is like a drop of water on the leaf of lotus. One moment the drop of water on that lotus leaf , in next moment it slips in wave with our even in stress whatever existed and it can happen in seconds. In fact it really happens in seconds. Which – we may not know. But that second will come. Therefore Krishna explains in Gita (Yam yam__) that we remember at the time of death, that step we will see without fail. If we practice remembering Krishna in this life our house will become purified and – with spiritual joy. And at the time of death we will return to our regional transcendental status in the spiritual world, where everybody are sachidananda. Eternal full of knowledge and full of bliss. No more birth, old, disease, and death. Only transcendental spiritual rash in relationship with rasaraja the master of all loving relationship. We should always be preparing within our life every day so that we are making the properly basement to proceed forward progress towards Krishna. By remembering Krishna, by serving Krishna. By not being distracted by the rules of this material energy. Full of false promises. If – you will be happy. How many births will be cheated by maya to all of the false promises. And our mind and our senses become so much habituated to the objects of the misery in the full of material happiness. (--) Human life is meant for tapsya that in the age of Kali Yuga Sri Chatayana Mahaprabhu made this tapasya Kevala anandam. Simple joy to remember Krishna by chanting the holy names, by dancing, by having wonderful, beautiful festivals like rathayatra, by taking Krishna’s Prasad, by seeing beautiful Krihna conscious dramas, by studying the sublime philosophy, hearing Krishna’s divine past times, engaging in so many exciting projects, to give Krishna to others. This is beautiful life and joyful life. In the Joy of tapasya in this age of Kali. But at the same time we have to some how or other keep our intelligence strong to not diluted by the temptation of maya to drag us away from the service of the god. And that into our – self centered – of material attempts for happiness. The hole spiritual world that all over the transcendental ecstatic very eagerness is waiting for us. Srila Prabhupada in previous – is open the door well come. We want to remain in our little dark positive self centered aspiration birth after birth. We do not want give it up. Today is the appearance day of one of the greatest most celebrated person about our sampradaya. Srila Srivasa Thakur. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna himself. To appears in the age of Kali yuga in the world of his own devotees to teach us how to love himself by his example. Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is – in some great scriptures that various Upanishads, Mahabharata as well as Srimad Bhagabatam. Krishna-----. In this age of Kali Yuga those who have good intelligence will worship the supreme lord who appears in beautiful golden complexion in the world of his own devotee. In seventh canto of Bhagabatam describes that in Kali Yuga Lord appears as – avatara. Hidden incarnation, hidden in the sense that all other ages the yuga avatars claims I am God, worship me. But Srila Prabhupada explains in the age of Kali Yuga so many people say I am God, worship me. But they have none of the qualification of god. Therefore the people being diluted. And in Kali Yuga when people read Bhagavad Gita they say Krishna is saying surrendered onto me, who is this Krishna saying to surrendered to me. Why should I surrendered to him. Therefore Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who is Krishna himself extremely the love of the supreme opulence of humility. Trinadapi sunisena tarorapi sahisnuna. Even he know tmanifested the qualities of god himself if any one cause him god, he will block his beauties – and says Vishnu Vishnu protect me. I am the eternal servant of the lord. And how to serve the lord. By hearing the glories of the lord. By associating with devotees by chanting his holy names. Along with lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu he block his only eternal association. Sri Balaramji came as Nityananda Prabhu. Sri Radharani came as Gadhadhar Pandit. And Mahavishnu came as Adaitya Acharya and so many of the Gopis Gopas of the Braja and so many of the assistance of the Baikuntha avatars, they all appeared which is Chatanya Mahaprabhu. One of the greatest, most celebrated guru in the hole vedic history is Sri Narada Muni. Narada muni is the Guru of Prahalad, is the Guru of Dhurva, the guru of king -, the guru of the prachetas, the guru of vedavyasa the author of the vedic literature, the guru of mrugari a terrible hunter who became such a pure and gentle devotee. Narada Muni appears whenever the lord performs his wonderful past times to witness. In the age of Kali Narada muni descended incarnation as Srivas Thakur. And just Narada muni, Bhakati Vinoda Prays Narada muni----, constantly playing of his Vina and chanting the holy names of Radha Rani     
 
In his house Srivas Angan The place where his house is still present is very holy worshipable place of program agency in Mayapur dham. There throughout the night for one full year Lord Chaitanya and all of his associates were chant and dance all night long. Celebrating the glories of the lord. Srivas is the very personification of compassion that he was fixed on his complete faith in mercy of the lord and his holy name. Because in this age of Kali Yoga the Lord descends in his name own and any time any where any one sincerely chant his name as given by a proper pure soul spiritual master. Krishna descends to protect us to purify our heart and to have complete faith in the power, in the mercy of the holy name. Srivas Thakur demonstrated that said there is one wonderful story. It is a mysterious story but those who hear with the attention are given the benediction that they are soon attain ecstatic love for Krishna. So please listen. It is a story with many lesion to be learned. One night Lord Sri Chaitany mahaprabhu was enjoying a big wonderful kirtan in Srivas Thakur’s house. As every night he was danced with ecstatic love which is most confidential association along with him. There was complete transcendental to all the external appearance of the mundane world. Where ever the devotees sincerely chant and dance together in the sankirtana of the holy name. This spiritual world is sense in that place. It is not to be consider to material world. Especially when the Lord himself is dancing. So in one occasion he was dancing together in that same very house Srivasa Thakur’s son had a fever and suddenly died. The dancing is going on and singing of the holy names of lord Krishna. But the wife of Srivasa and other relatives of they naturally wept. Srivasa could understand there was a sound in his house. He came into that room and he saw that his own beloved son lying on dead. He actually happy, actually that very moment that son died went to the spiritual world and personally saw the beautiful form of Narayan. Srivas Thakur understood this. He told his relatives your are know the glories of Krishna, you know the power of Krishna’s mercy. So why did you crying. Even if one is – sinner, if one in the last moment of life hears the holy name of Krishna that sinful person will attain Krishna’s eternal board. Our son is died with the supreme personality of god head in his beautiful form of Gourang Mahaprabhu is chanting, dancing blissfully in our home. Even the great demigod like Brahma and Shiva worships Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and along to serve to his lotus feet. Our son left his body during the kirtan of Gourang Mahaprabhu at his dancing in our house therefore – he has a chit all perfection in life. He has returned to the spiritual world. So fortunate. What a benediction – all the blissful as our son has done. He has perfected his life. Why did you wipe. However if you must weep please silently weep within your heart. Because Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is enjoying sankirtan in our house. And if he hears your crying he will comeback to his external consciousness and the kirtan will be disturbed. If you disturb Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s chanting in this house then I personally on this very night drown myself in the river Ganges. When the relatives heard Srivas Thakur’s own conviction in the mercy of Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanya and the power of the holy name Krishna. They became very peace. Then Srivasa Thakur went back in to the Kirtan. Lord Chaitanya was dancing and every one was chanting Hare Krishna mahamantra, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram Ram, Hare Hare. Srivasa Thakur was dancing – how is this possible. His son just died and the kirtan is going on moment after moment after moment Srivasa is becoming ecstatically joyful chanting the holy names of Krishna. Hours and hours is going by gradually one by one devotee was founding out that Srivasa’s son died. Every one love Srivasa’s son, what to speak of Srivasa. He was such a soft hearted gentle loving father and vaishnavs. But Srivasa was in ecstasy. Towards the end of night the lord say in the early early morning Sri Chaitanya mahaprabhu stopped Kritana. He inquired I sensed that there is sorrow in this house. What is the cause of this sorrow. Srivasa Thakur looked at Lord Chaitanya smilingly within fortune deeming face he said my lord you dancing in my house, everything is auspicious. There is no possibility of any sorrow. Your smiling face is coming into my home to perform sankirtana. Another devotee explain to Lord Sri Chaitanya that Srivasa Thaku’s son died during the kirtana. Lord Chaitanaya said when did the time, he died two after the sunset that is seven and half hours ago. When Lord Chaitanya heard this he began to callout Govinda Govinda tears obviously started pouring from these beautiful lotus life eyes. He was be sight himself weeping and crying with ecstasy. He spoke these words how could I ever give up the association of such a devotee like Srivasa Thakur. As Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was weeping and crying he began to describe the glory of Srivasa. He loves me so much. He does not even experience grip in his own son died. Such love, how I ever give up his association. The devotees were trying to understand why he is speaking like this and why is he crying so furiously. No one understood. Thus Srila Vrindavan Dasa Thakur the author of Sri Chaitanya Bhagavad explains why. Because Lord Chaitanya mahaprabhu knew that soon in the future he would leave another leave to take sanysa. Lord Chitanya mahaprahut accepted the renounced order of life for one special reason. So that he could reach more and more and more people with this divine message of harinama sankirtana. He was enjoying life so blissfully with his associates in Navadipa with his loving mother Sachi Devi and most beautiful chaste and devotee wife Vishnupriy. That in order to get the respect and attention of the scholars, the pandits, the scientists of the age. In order to get their attention and respect, he takes sanyasa and preach the glories of Harinama sankirtana. And present the pure undefeatable philosophy of Srimad Bhagbattam and Gita. And when he would takes Sanyasa Srivasa and all the devotees would weep and cry on separation from him. And just power of that Lord Chaitanya loves his devotees so much, he was weeping and crying for the separation from them. The love of the lord and the devotees is the supreme understanding of scriptures. How the devotees is only supporting the love of the god and how god himself by his own free will is only support to his devotees. Then Lord Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu went into the room where the relatives seating around the dead coats of the son of Srivasa Thakur. To every man going amusement Sri Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu approach that dead coat which was laying the lifeless for seven and half hours and he spoke to it. My dear child why have left your father Srivasa Thakur’s home. To everyone’s great astonishment the child began to speak. My dear lord you are the supreme personality godhead you are controlling.
 
 
 
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram Ram, Hare Hare. So all these empires have the beginning enhance, but Krishna’s empire is eternal and supreme. Srila Prabhupada has established this wonderful culture throughout the world. An d today we have the good fortune here in Belgaun of our first Ratha Yatra. It is the very auspicious blessing for all of us. My humble request to all of you, residency of Belgaun to take this wonderful message of Lord Chaitanaya and the Krishna Consciousness movement very serious in your lives. We have a wonderful temple and many nice devotees, who are sincerely trying to offer this great blessings to all of you. We have many books in English, Hindi, and Marathi. Please accept the gift of these books and read them carefully. Associates with the devotees. Daily regularly chant the holy names the yuga dharma. Where are not the bodies we are the eternal souls. Due t o this bodily misconception we are suffering in so many ways. But by chanting of the holy names cleans the heart of all of these illusions. And awakens the true spiritual nature of our inner soul. You can be a husband or wife, you can be a businessman, architect, or engineer or government officer. You can have any occupation or in any ashram in perfect your life through this simple process of chanting, dancing, and feasting. So please make this valuable human life a success. Open your hearts and minds to understand Krishna’s mercy. And left the – of Krishna’s mercy transform your life. It is my great hope that this wonderful ratha ya tra ceremony may continue for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and all the previous Acharyas year after year. And I would like to personally offer my deepest gratitude to all of the devotees of Belgaun and all of the congregation who have helped to make this wonderful festival. It has taken tremendous amount very hard work. Which very little facilities. Because of their very sincere and honest desire. But Jagannath has made it possible. Jagannath is the Lord of the universe. Belgaun today has become a holy place of Jagannath. Whether the lord has performed his beautiful past time. And we have had the good fortune of participating in this festival. Thank you very much. Hare Krishna. This time I would like to invite every one to kindly participate and the youga dharma. We will teach
 
In Miraroad, Sri Sri Radhagopinath Mandir in Chowpatty. It is the message of Srila Prabhupada translated and encouraged we distribute so many books by the millions all over the world. It is this process of awakening that pure divine love of Krishna that such wonderful satsang that we are assembled to participate tonight are being held. Krishna Consciousness is the supreme pleasure. It is be open gift, it is the very perfection of life. We should not think anything is more important. The greatest expression of our love to our family, to our relatives, to our society, to our nation, to our world, is to some how or other exemplify the true teaching of Bhagavad Gita and help people to remember Krishna, and find internal peace. Krishna has descended his name. The combination of all transcendental knowledge is to realize Harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam. Kalo nasteiva nasteiva nasteiva gatir anyatha. In association the devotees the mood of the servant of the servant of the servant. To gather in our homes where wonderful satsanga’s like tonight and chant Krishna’s holy names. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishina Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram Ram, Hare Hare. At this time we would like to invite all of our very auspicious guest to chant with us a very few minutes. Lord Sri Chayatanya mahaprabhu taught that the chanting of the holy names. There no hard in -. Any one can chant. You can be a brahmana, kshetriya, vaisya, sudra or not even have anything do with vernasharma systems as far as birth. Your could be a man, woman, you can be educated, uneducated, rich or poor, brahmachari, grihasta, vanaprastha, sanyasa, everyone has full access to this spiritual world if he sincerely chant the holy name of Krishna. Cheto darpana marjanam bhavamaha davagni nirvapanam. The name of Krishna claims the near of our heart and allows our mind to reflect the true glory of our eternal blissful soul. And it’s loving devotion to Krishna. By chanting of the holy names is Krishna incarnated in sound vibration to liberated the world. We chant our japa everyday on mala to keep Krishna very very deeply remember in core of our hearts. We should chant our japa in very sincerely and we should chant everyday regulated according to our vow. Everyone please take up this process. It is so purifying. It bring such a stable foundation to our devotion to god. And we come together to chant congregation to create a purely spiritually unified social environment. That claims the atmosphere of the hole universe. Srila Vrindavana Dasa Thakur explains that when devotees are dancing and singing the holy names when they move their feet they are purifying the hole earth and when they lift their arms high into the sky they are sending the vibration of Krishna’s all purifying name to the entire atmosphere of the whole universe. Hare Krishna. So therefore Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught us to chant in this way. Srila Prabhupada said the perfect way of dancing in kirtan is as you see the picture of panchatatva. Srila Adayata accharya and Srivasa Thakur they are dancing with their palms folded like this. Offering their most humble obeisanceses to the holy names as the holy name is coming into our hearts, as you are hearing and chanting please with folded.
 
 
 
There is an eternal bond of affection between them. When Krishna left Vrindavana he told the Brajabasies in a message that he send back with Uddhava. Actually I never left vrindavana I cannot possible leave vrindavana. Your love has conquered me. I have apparently in a physical tage left for Mathura that actually my heart is with you. My heart can never ever be separated from you. And my real presence is my heart. The true personality of myself is lonely within your hearts and leaving with in the roads of Vrindavana. It is my expansion of myself that has left. In fact Srila Prabhuada describes how Krishna explained he only left Vrindavana because he wanted to increase the ecstasy of the unit of love between he nd the residency of Vrindavana. Because when he was gone the devotees would experience the remembrance of him. All the more intensely. And in this way they would increase their love and their service to the lord. And Krishna was right there within their hearts accepting that service.