20220624 Bhaktivedanta Academy Convocation

The following is a talk given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on June 24th,2022 in Coimbatore, India. The talk was given at the Bhakti Vedanta Academy Convocation.

mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
paramānandaṁ mādhavaṁ śrī caitanya iśvaram

Hariḥ oṁ tat sat!

Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare

So, I am compiling Caitanya-līlā, from Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Caitanya-bhāgavata, Caitanya-maṅgala, Murāri Gupta Kaḍacā, various other books that contain something about Caitanya-līlā. In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta purports by Śrīla Prabhupāda, mentions that people associated or connected to the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should read Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Caitanya-caritāmṛta, etc.his books. Otherwise in time they will forget why they are doing devotional service and they may fall down. So I am very happy that the ISKCON Coimbatore has established a Bhaktivedanta Academy. There (are) verses, letters that Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote where he felt that anyone to get second initiation should have the Bhakti-śāstrī degree. That is the standard in many countries of the world. And he also wrote that those who take sannyāsa they should have Bhakti-vaibhava degree. In 1969, he wrote two letters to Haṁsadūta and Himāvatī and Kīrtanānanda. Haṁsudūta’s wife was Himāvatī. So he told in his letter that all his disciples to have the Bhakti-vedānta degree should have read the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and at that time Teachings of Lord Caitanya. They could initiate disciples. Later in the 70s Śrīla Prabhupāda said that to have a Bhakti-sārvabhauma degree should have read the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the Caitanya-caritāmṛta. And then there are many letters Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote to the GBCs that they should encourage all the devotees to take the courses and read the books. This is one thing that we haven’t really done. I am very satisfied that His Holiness Bhaktivinoda Swami and other teachers have established a program in ISKCON Coimbatore. You see, I was listening to a class this morning of Śrīla Prabhupāda. And he was saying how people are very encouraged that we have tall skyscraper buildings, he gave some of the details of the technologies’ advancement. But he said if we don’t know the actual purpose of human life, what will we achieve? Why human beings have comfortable situation in comparison to dogs, cats and hogs? So the people will have time to study Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, etc. And they should know the real purpose of human life. The real purpose is to research about God, to know Bhagavān. Otherwise, animals eat, sleep, mate and defend. If human beings are also ding that, if they are having skyscraper buildings for sleeping, then that means they are leading a sophisticated animal life. Here we see all human beings because you are interested in understanding your eternal relationship with Bhagavān. This is the real purpose of human life. Today in the 125th anniversary year of Śrīla Prabhupāda, we are having 125 Bhakti-śāstrī graduates. How many are humans? Maybe 125! Being born in India is a very special thing. Bhārata-bhūmite haila manuṣya-janma yāra janma sārthaka kari' kara para-upakāra (Cc. Ādi 9.41) - being born in India, perfect your life and help others. Here in South India all the ācāryas appeared. All the great ācāryas. In India here the avatāras have appeared. Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, Paraśurāma reclaiming the land called Kerala, Lord Caitanya who appeared to teach the people. Kṛṣṇa came He told the Bhagavad-gītā, but many people do not follow. They don’t even read the Bhagavad-gītā. In some schools, they have to learn one or two verses of the Bhagavad-gītā. Here in Bhakti-śāstrī, they study Bhagavad-gītā very systematically. The Īśopaniṣad, Upadeśāmṛta, Nectar of Devotion, Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, these all are studied. So, human beings should use their intelligence to understand this. So by this people become actually satisfied. At present they were saying in one of the newscasts, there is world all around the world. The way we can have peace people accept that God as the Supreme Person, He actually owns everything. So Bhagavad-gītā Kṛṣṇa says, suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ. I am the friend of everybody! Haribol! That is how we can actually have peace in the world. If you know your relationship with Kṛṣṇa, you know everything.

I am very appreciative that ISKCON Coimbatore has established this study course. I will give the diplomas now so that people who have come from distant places can get it. How many of you will take the course in the future? Take the course? Nandri! Thank you! Although they offered me a Bhakti-vedānta degree, honorary, I said no, I am taking the test! So I am very happy to see all the devotees here.