Questions And Answers
Questioner:
Date: 2023-02-25
Jayapatākā Swami: You see in the month of Dāmodara, any bhakti we do, we get a 100-times the benefit.
So at least we would like to offer a lamp.
And that is a 100-times.
But if you can do other things no problem.
You distribute one book it is equal to 100 books.
If you distribute one cup of Pongal, it is equal to 100 cups!
One jalebi equal to 100!
Link: 20221014 Evening Address
Questioner: Lalitāṅgī Rādhā devī dāsī, Canada
Date: 2022-07-23
Jayapataka Swami: According to the codes of Manu, there are six persons
who get the karma.
So analyze these instructions of Manu and see if the devotee working at the billing counter is included in those six.
Alright!
Category: [Yet To Categories]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Gaurāṅga!
Chant! Hear! First thing is hear! Second thing is chant!
When you go to the Deities, everyone is praying, oh Kṛṣṇa, give me a good car, give me a good thing, this and that.
But if you pray to Kṛṣṇa, I am very insignificant I surrender to You.
Please engage me in Your service!
If you need something always connect it with Kṛṣṇa’s service.
So the man may be praying please give me a wife who is Kṛṣṇa conscious.
The woman is asking please give me a Kṛṣṇa conscious husband.
If you are going to ask anything material it should be connected to Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t know why your mind doesn’t want to think about Kṛṣṇa!
Kṛṣṇa is our shelter.
And we can apologize for feeling some anxiety, that I should not be feeling like this,
so we pray to Kṛṣṇa to give us strength,
so that we don’t succumb to these modes of ignorance and passion.
He is our best friend, right?
From seventh - dāsyam, sakhyam, ātma-nivedanam, eighth He is our friend!
You want to tell your friend, you are feeling some anxiety.
What are friends for? Right?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Everyday, they have newscasts.
And people in Africa, in Israel, in different people, in Ukraine, there is so much happening.
Would you like to be born there?
So, better to go back to Kṛṣṇa.
You don’t want to become slack in devotional service.
I am 54 years in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, I am still worried and keep trying to do something to pay back Śrīla Prabhupāda’s debt!
If you lose your taste, then plan how you will increase it.
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda said that if someone thought whether I should be a gṛhastha or a brahmacārī,
being a brahmacārī is a difficult proposition.
If they think that let me try being a brahmacārī for some time that is one thing.
But now when you are studying to think immediately after studies should I be a brahmacārī or a gṛhastha, how is that possible?
Śrīla Prabhupāda said that you need to be determined and firm to become a brahmacārī.
This is called bṛhad-vrata.
I see some devotees stay as a brahmacārī for five years and after that discuss with the guru what should I do.
When I joined the movement, I was only 19 years. The temple president’s wife in the temple I was in told me that if you want to go back to Godhead, you should become a gṛhastha.
Then I went to Śrīla Prabhupāda and asked him, “What should I do?” I did not think that at this age I want to be a gṛhastha.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “You be a brahmacārī for 25 years and after that discuss with your guru and he will decide.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me sannyāsa when I was 21 years old.
Now I have completed 50 years of sannyāsa.
Anyway, from 25 to 30 one should think,
if they think that which āśrama they will be stronger in. In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam there is the Gajendra-mokṣa episode
where Gajendra is the king of elephants.
He was fighting with the king of crocodiles in the water.
The fight went on for many days.
Because elephant is a land animal
and crocodile is a water animal
and is in the water,
the crocodile is having some more strength.
Gajendra understood that I am slowly getting weak.
In the purport Śrīla Prabhupāda said we should see in which situation will we be stronger to serve Kṛṣṇa.
Being a gṛhastha or a brahmacārī, we have to think.
But why should you do it right now?
You have to make up your mind that some days I will be a brahmacārī and then will think.
But if someone thinks that I will be stronger as a gṛhastha,
the purpose is that we should do service to Kṛṣṇa.
Then it is advisable to get married to a Kṛṣṇa conscious girl.
Many non-devotee girls will say, “I will eat veg.”
There was a case in Māyāpur.
The devotee after discussion with me, married a non-devotee.
They had a child
and then the girl started eating nonveg.
The devotee said, “You promised that you will not eat nonveg.”
The girl said, “You know what family I come from,
I was trying
but I cannot.
I will eat chicken.”
One thing is that I will not be a brahmacārī, I will be a gṛhastha. And then being a gṛhastha, you have to be in such a situation that you can be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
If you get married to a non-devotee, then there will be lot of inconvenience.
Anyway, stay a brahmacārī till the age of about 25 and then after that decide.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-18
Jayapatākā Swami: In the eighth canto in the story of Gajendra mokṣa
there is a pastime of Gajendra was fighting with a crocodile.
They were in a lake.
So after a long fight, Someone may be stronger in the renounced order.
Gajendra realized that he was losing.
Because he was a land animal,
and he was stronger in the land.
But the crocodile is a water animal,
he is in the water,
so he is more strong in the water.
So then Gajendra remembered some prayers from his previous life
and he prayed to the Lord.
Anyway, the Lord came and saved him.
So both the crocodile and him were there for different reasons.
One of them was Huhu,
the Gandharva king
and the other was Indradyumna,
the king who was cursed
to become the elephant king and the crocodile king.
Śrīla Prabhupāda in the purport he said that just like the crocodile was in his element, the water,
he was stronger.
So like that, we should be in a position where were are strongest.
Someone may be stronger as a gṛhastha,
with regulated sex life.
Someone may be stronger in the renounced order.
But accordingly, where they are stronger they should try to fight māyā,
they should try to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
It is not that one size fits all!
I could not say something like that in India,
they may not understand, but here I can say right, everybody knows.
So I thought I would give you some American slang!
So like that, we should be determined to fight.
We should be determined to practice our Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Maybe the situation may be different for different people.
Śrīla Prabhupāda was giving a lecture in London in 1973
on his Vyāsa-pūjā
and he said how his gurudeva had sent some sannyāsīs
to preach to London
but they failed.
One Lord asked a sannyāsī, “Can you make me a brāhmaṇa?”
He said, “Sure,
you give up illicit sex, gambling, intoxication and meat eating.”
“That is impossible,
that is my life,” he replied.
So Śrīla Prabhupāda said he sent three gṛhasthas couples,
they were successful.
So he was requesting all his gṛhastha followers to be paramahaṁsas.
And he said that Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, was a gṛhastha.
He had produced a son, his gurudeva, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.
So we need many such ācāryas to preach.
Produce children like that - ācāryas.
In India many gṛhasthas they come to me and say we have been married for x years we don’t have children,
give a blessing that I should have a child.
But actually, that is not a good blessing.
Just to have a child.
You want to have a Kṛṣṇa conscious long lived, healthy suputra,
maybe an ācārya!
Śrīla Prabhupāda was giving a lecture like that.
In India I am a lone fighter.
I am trying to establish how ladies could be Kṛṣṇa conscious and so on.
But there is a lot of back pedaling from the Indian leaders.
I am Indian.
Anyway, don’t be discouraged.
Be strong
and fight against māyā.
Help in distributing books, help the previous ācāryas and so on.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Mercy]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapatākā Swami: If you take my initiation, they are supposed to take vows not to eat meat, fish, egg, onion and garlic.
If someone accidentally takes that is another thing.
One time I heard that Śrīla Prabhupāda was a guest in some house.
They said they would prepare without onion and garlic,
but some devotee, said, Śrīla Prabhupāda, there is onions here.
But he did not say anything, he just kept the onion aside and ate it.
He wanted to be a good guest it seems.
But we should avoid certain things. In India they say, āmiṣa āhāra niṣedha.
Āmiṣa also included on and garlic, red masoor dal and other things.
Category: [Sādhanā / Regulative Principles]
Questioner: Harṣavardana Gaurāṅga dāsa
Date: 2022-08-05
Jayapatākā Swami: We want to take shelter of Nitāi-Gaura.
Also, Lord Kṛṣṇa.
And if we are harassed with memories of our previous mistakes,
we should pray for forgiveness,
and proceed with devotional service.
It is not worth giving attention to these sinful memories.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda always told us we should not try to see Kṛṣṇa but act in such a way that Kṛṣṇa will see us.
It was devastating to lose Śrīla Prabhupāda’s personal association.
But he gave me a lot of different services to perform to him.
So, that kept me busy in serving Śrīla Prabhupāda.
How many of you are disciples of Caitanya Candra Caraṇa dāsa? (Almost all)
How many of you have the Jayapatākā Swami App?
(a few) You can download it.
It is in various languages, and you can choose Russian.
So, there are various programs in the App like offering ārati, like seeing what I do, seeing Śrīla Prabhupāda lectures.
Then you can ask, to put out something about Caitanya Candra Caraṇa dāsa also.
Have you visited any of the holy places around Navadvīpa dhāma?
(Yes, the house of Śrīvāsa Aṅgana.) Śrīvāsa Aṅgana. (Yoga-pīṭha, House of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, Jagannātha Mandir, Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura samādhi, Viṣṇu-priyā temple, and also TOVP construction site)
Have you seen the TOVP site?
Is there are anyone who is an IT person, we are doing a Museum in the West Wing, we could use help for the Exhibits.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Now there are two levels of śikṣā-gurus One level is anyone who gives you some appropriate instruction.
Another one is someone you see on a similar level like the dīkṣā-guru and you accept what is said by the śikṣā-guru as something you have to follow.
My disciples to accept someone on the second level, need my permission.
In Bangladesh people were claiming to be – I am śikṣā-guru!
One lady came and said, “My husband hit me.
What should I do?”
That person said, “You should commit suicide.” I would never say that.
So, Bangladesh they decided, no more śikṣā-gurus, they would all be counsellors, unless the guru authorizes them.
There were people misusing the title śikṣā-guru.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Śikṣā-guru]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-12-07
If you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa,
you surrender to Kṛṣṇa,
Kṛṣṇa says mokṣya,
that He’ll protect you from all the sins.
sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ
‘Sarva-pāpebhyo’,
all pāpa He’ll protect you from.
There’s no other way to get free from your sin except for taking shelter of the Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Even if you do pious activity that doesn’t get rid of the sin.
Only by serving Kṛṣṇa you’d be get free from all the sin
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-05
Jayapatākā Swami: You see the dacoits when they first saw Lord Nityānanda,
They were facing different difficulties previously.
Now, actually I did not take my dinner yet.
I was seeing in Mumbai, everybody was crowding around Rādhā-Rāsabihārī and Sītā-Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa and Hanumān,
not so many people around Nitāi-Gaura.
Actually, it is by the mercy of Nitāi-Gaura that we get the mercy of Rādhā-Rāsabihārī or Rādhā-Kālacandajī.
That thing we should realize that Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityānanda, They are giving us this special mercy.
And Śrīla Prabhupāda in 1973 in London, was giving a lecture on his Vyāsa-pūjā,
and he said that he wanted all his gṛhastha followers to be parāmahaṁsas.
His gurudeva was the son of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura.
All the gṛhasthas, they should do the garbhādāna-saṁskāra, they should pray to the Deities and they should make ācāryas as their sons.
Śrīla Prabhupāda he said that his gṛhastha followers, did things that even his gurudeva sent sannyāsīs, they could not do it.
There was a British Lord, he asked a sannyāsī preacher, could you make me a brāhmaṇa?
Oh yes!
Just give up eating meat, eggs, intoxication, wine, illicit sex, gambling.
You can become a brāhmaṇa.
Impossible that Lord said.
Now we have so many youths, so many devotees who have taken up Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
so many gṛhasthas.
That should be the way to get the mercy of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda and become really saturated with kṛṣṇa-prema.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, you take one step toward Lord Kṛṣṇa and He takes ten steps towards us.
Why don’t you want Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda’s mercy?
They want to give you!
Haribol!
How many of you have my Jayapatākā Swami App?
How many don’t have it?
I am paying for it, it is yours for free!
Both on Android and Apple.
So how many of you have mobile phones?
Right now go on Google Play store and look up for the Jayapatākā Swami App.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-25
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, Navadvīpa we get the same benefit as we get in Vṛndāvana.
A thousand times.
But there is a difference.
In Vṛndāvana for every error you make,
you also get a thousand times the reaction.
If you commit some offence in Vṛndāvana
you get a thousand times the offence.
Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī decided that Vṛndāvana was a bit heavy
because he got multiple offences.
So he walked from Vṛndāvana to Navadvīpa
and here he got a siddha-deha,
that is why he is known as Siddha Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī.
Maybe he would not have got his perfection
so quickly in Vṛndāvana.
Anyway, some aspects are the same
and some aspects are different.
Now Vṛndāvana is known as mādhurya-dhāma
and Navadvīpa is known as audārya-dhāma.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma]
Questioner: Bhaktin Pūjā
Date: 2022-09-30
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, this material world is like a prison house.
And if you serve Kṛṣṇa, you get out of this prison.
If you serve guru and Kṛṣṇa, you will be free!
Do you think that the jail keeper will let you go so easy?!
She tests you first to see that you are really sincere.
And when you pass the test, she will offer you her obeisances.
Thank you, you can go back to Godhead!
Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Emotions / Stress/Anxiety], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: Keyā Rāṇī
Date: 2022-09-21
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī said in the Upadeśāmṛta
that one should live in a holy place,
so that could be in a dhāma or in a nearby temple.
So, that kind of desire is authorized.
Category: [Karma / Desires], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
An initiated neophyte has vowed to follow the regulative principles, chant daily 16 rounds and to help you and help Śrīla Prabhupāda in spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness all around the world. Say, such a neophyte has broken this vow in an attempt to meet the demands of his competitive world due to his past bad karma, how can such a person be attractive and inspiring to the common man plus come back to the spiritual life and resume to his guru’s pleasure?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: You see that is why taking first initiation
it is described as taking a new birth.
Naturally when you are taking birth as a baby,
a toddler,
you may fall down a few times.
Then gradually you learn to walk.
So at your first initiation
it is expected that
there may be a few mistakes.
And one should pick up and continue to practice,
in this way they can progress.
When one takes the second initiation,
they should be more considered like 9 or 12 years old.
If at that time they are sleeping in the lap of the mother
and passing stool or something,
then something is wrong!
A little baby it is expected.
But not in a 9 or 12-year-old boy!
Category: [Anarthās], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Sādhanā / Regulative Principles], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: The system is that we want new people, to send them with some old people to do some preaching.
The old people you send out to do some preaching for cultivation.
And then gradually we make someone an intern, then the trainee leader is made,
then a leader.
Like that.
So, the normal way is that each saṅga divides into two.
But now some of the saṅgas, they have a system where they divide into two or three or four.
And we want people to train up to do some cultivation
and thus they can see how they can preach.
Vaiśeṣika Prabhu, he has congregational devotees, once a month, distribute books.
He has them set up a table by some shop,
where they have permission from the shop
and once a month, they distribute books.
That is one way they can use for preaching.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
As a part of the preaching session few new devotees had questions about Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu being Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself. We had shown them the scriptural references from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Garuḍa Purāṇa, etc. But they were not fully convinced. Please could you enlighten us the different ways we can try to make them understand this?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: If the person accepts the Vedic literatures as evidence,
then they could be convinced,
after lots of Vedic evidence.
But say, one does not really accept the Vedas,
then just encourage them to chant.
There are lots of evidences in the Vedas and scriptures in the world
that tell us that we should chant the names of God.
When they feel the spiritual bliss of chanting the holy name,
or if they feel some peace
then they may be more convinced.
You see, in the first canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
it mentions that if someone
engages in devotional service,
then the causeless knowledge and detachment comes.
So somehow get the people to engage in some service.
Like maybe they are doing it as a social work,
like giving out prasāda to the hungry, to the homeless,
somehow or another they do some service
which they like to do.
Have them do something they like to do.
Then, by doing that,
they get causeless knowledge and detachment.
Maybe we know we can wake someone who is asleep,
but if they are awake pretending they are asleep, you cannot wake them up.
Because they are already awake.
So you may give the knowledge that the Vedas say this,
but if the person doesn’t want to hear,
then it may not be so useful.
I had one person in Assam,
he would meditate in his closet.
He was a believer that he was God.
And in the Bhagavad-gītā in the 14th chapter, last verse it says very clearly
that the Lord is the basis of the impersonal Brahman.
But he could not accept.
But then he liked to do service.
So we engaged him in service.
After a few years, he said you know I am beginning to understand devotional service.
So think of trying to convince someone,
if they have a short circuit in their brain,
they cannot understand,
then just engage them to do some service.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-21
Jayapatākā Swami: If one is preaching, why can one then one not remain fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness?
If we understand, just like this pandemic is going on.
That, the material nature gives us the promise that we will be happy.
But we always end up getting kicked!
Lord Caitanya taught that we should tolerate, be tolerant of the happiness,be tolerant of the suffering.
And to develop our natural affection for Kṛṣṇa.
So, by having good association, you will be better equipped in preaching in the college.
The second question?
Before I met the devotees,
I had this problem.
My mind was going here and there and everywhere.
Once I had the process of bhakti-yoga,
it was so nice
that I didn’t want to go anywhere else!
So I don’t really understand this question!
If you practice bhakti-yoga, if you read the books,
then naturally, you will be fixed!
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
At least we can regulate our material life
so that we have Kṛṣṇa in the center.
I am very happy that we have many gṛhasthas here.
Śrīla Bhakti Vinoda Ṭhākura, he was gṛhastha-guru.
So in his song, about Godrumadvīpa in Nāmahaṭṭa,
he says, Kṛṣṇera samsāra kara, chāri anācāra.
He said, make a Kṛṣṇa conscious family.
Give up the unauthorized activities.
So like eating these creatures and doing different kinds of prohibited things like drinking
or taking narcotics,
naturally that makes one mentally disturbed.
So, he was stating that make a Kṛṣṇa conscious family, and give up the unauthorized things.
One more question?
Tell me whether you would like more darśanas like this?
How often I should have it?
Thank you very much!
Hare Kṛṣṇa
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Education]
Questioner: Satyamedha Gaurāṅga dāsa
Date: 2022-12-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Many people think that Śrīla Prabhupāda was manifesting in his heart.
But he did not say that as Nakula Brahmacārī did.
But it seemed that by his participating in Ratha-yātrās and some other festivals
that people were very much inspired
and in one Ratha-yātrā after the Ratha-yātrā he went to the car and turned to the driver
and said, “Did you see how beautifully Nitāi-Gaura were dancing in the crowd?”
The driver, of course he did not see Nitāi-Gaura,
he said Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda!
Śrīla Prabhupāda kī jaya!
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Questioner: Harshita Sharma
Date: 2022-10-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya advised that we should do yukta-vairāgya.
Everything we do, we do as an offering to Kṛṣṇa.
So, ideally the wife can marry a devotee of Kṛṣṇa.
Just by assisting him,
she is also directly doing devotional service.
If she is not so fortunate to have a devotee,
she can also try to bring up her children in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
She can offer bhoga to the Deities
and take prasāda and give prasāda to the family.
There are different ways one can engage in devotional service.
I had the good fortune of visiting many gṛhastha families,
seeing how they have Deities,
how they are offering the bhoga,
offering āratī to the deities.
Some people have picture altars,
some have Deities.
So, we are seeing how the families are spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
how they are practicing.
This is the way that one can achieve success in this lifetime.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Married life], [Day-to-day Life / Parents], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Varṇāśrama / Gṛhastha], [Women]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: If you desire to enter into these pastimes, that is the qualification.
And it is called laulyam,
having intense desire to engage in the pastimes.
So just by hearing the pastimes it says one will surely get the shelter of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
So that is the special prabhāva, influence of hearing the pastimes of Lord Caitanya.
Alright?
As Śrīla Prabhupāda said, you are an eternal associate of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. So you are associating with Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu even now is what we are thinking. Can you share Guru Mahārāja, do you remember any līlās with Caitanya Mahāprabhu that you were present and were dealing with them and presently you are associating? Can you share with us Guru Mahārāja?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he did not say that to me.
He told me I was born in India before,
he said I was a devotee.
That is as much as he told me.
I saw a few things, it is on the letters from Śrīla Prabhupāda,
and he told me not to tell.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
As we grow in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and become devotees who are in senior positions, and at the phase of becoming mature devotees, we still tend to make vaiṣṇava-aparādhā while having that position and naturally when we have power and position that is what the people instead of having humility, because of their power and position, people, they tend to make or have the tendency to make vaiṣṇava-aparādhā. How do we correct that?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: You were not here last night. We talked that sometimes a father, a senior devotee, may have to correct a junior devotee.
It is not considered an offence.
The criticizing or laughing at Lord Brahmā that is something offensive.
If you have to correct a junior devotee, if you have to correct someone do that in private
so that their ego won’t be troubled.
And if we have to do it, then do as a sandwich,
do you know what it means sandwich?
You first of all praise them,
and then say what you want to say criticizing them,
then you praise them again.
That way, they don’t feel that the person doesn’t love me.
But we should not criticize, laugh at some senior devotee.
That may be there in ISKCON, but we should not do that.
As you explained Lord Caitanya enters the heart of his pure devotee and inspires him to preach. If someone is not a pure devotee, will he still be able to preach? Please enlighten dear Guru Mahārāja. If someone is not a pure devotee, will he still be able to preach? Please enlighten dear Guru Mahārāja.
Questioner: Harihara Caitanya dāsa
Date: 2022-12-02
Jayapatākā Swami: You see entering into the heart of a devotee
and being personally there as an āveśa
is different from preaching.
Definitely you can preach.
Lord Caitanya being personally present is a different thing altogether.
The śāstra says
that He appears in the heart of a pure devotee,
if He wants to.
It does not mean that in every devotee this has to happen,
but it happens if the Lord wants in some pure devotee’s heart.
You can preach anyway.
Category: [Anarthās], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Akhila Bandhu Gopāla dāsa
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: That is wishful thinking!
Do you ever find 100% of the people receptive?
There are always a few who are attached to their material things.
This is in our planet, what to speak of other planets?
I mean, in the lower planets they are very much demoniac.
But anyway, that is not a problem.
If you make everybody a devotee, very good! Kṛṣṇa will not complain.
But there will always be some who will not be interested.
You have the animals, the birds, the trees, the fish,
if you can make all of them Kṛṣṇa conscious, very good!
At least Lord Caitanya He had all the animals chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa.
So if we can at least get the human beings to be Kṛṣṇa conscious that would be a good thing.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Material World], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: By keeping on chanting,
gradually your chanting becomes offenseless.
And at first it starts as offensive chanting,
then clearing chanting,
then offenseless chanting.
The more we chant, we gradually overcome all the anarthas.
Link: 20221023 Evening Darśana
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Aparādha (Offenses) / Nāma-aparādha], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: It says that Lord Caitanya’s pastimes are uncommon.
If he had demonstrated some ordinary pastimes then it would not be uncommon
and then most people like you would say, oh, that is nothing special.
Lord Caitanya’s extreme mahā-bhāva cannot be imitated or understood.
So Kṛṣṇa took the heart of Rādhārāṇī.
Rādhārāṇī when She was feeling separation from Kṛṣṇa, She went into these extreme states.
There are ten symptoms mahā-bhāva given I think a few days ago.
Rādhārāṇī, Lord Caitanya, Mādhavendra Purī are the ones who manifested mahā-bhāva.
So, if Lord Caitanya wants to find out the ecstasies of Rādhārāṇī, He has to do that.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he wanted that his brahminical disciples
be more knowledgeable
and therefore he said that to get second initiation one should get Bhakti-śāstri.
And he said that sannyāsīs should have Bhakti-vaibhava.
And previously he explained to Haṁsadūta and his wife
that all my men and women disciples should pass the Bhakti-vedānta degree.
At that time Bhakti-vedānta had the Teachings of Lord Caitanya
and that they could accept disciples.
So of course, in India, they are still debating
whether ladies can be gurus.
But according to Śrīla Prabhupāda,
he said that if they are knowledgeable,
they could be guru.
So any way I would like to have all my disciples
to get the Bhakti-vedānta degree,
Bhakti-Sārvabhauma
and in this way
learn all the philosophy.
After that, then Śrīla Prabhupāda was saying that we could read Jīva Gosvāmī’s Ṣaṭ-sandarbhas,
those who are very qualified.
So I think that first devotees should study the books of Śrīla Prabhupāda
and then naturally they can after finishing that,
could read other books that Śrīla Prabhupāda recommended.
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Questioner: Balavān Śrīnivāsa dāsa
Date: 2022-08-24
Jayapatākā Swami: Hope you never reach that stage!
And that always try to avoid offences.
I don’t know what the limit of Lord Caitanya’s mercy is but
I don’t want to take it that far!
Especially Lord Caitanya. He did not want anyone to offend the Vaiṣṇavas.
Cāpāla Gopāla offended Śrīvāsa and He said you have to suffer.
But then Cāpāla Gopāla begged Śrīvāsa for forgiveness.
Lord Caitanya embraced Cāpāla Gopāla and saved him.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Aparādha (Offenses) / Nāma-aparādha], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Anarthās / Sinful activities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: If people get permission from their spiritual master, maybe they can take a bath in the Rādhā-kuṇḍa.
But one has to know the process.
You should be very respectful.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Purabi Das
Date: 2022-09-10
Jayapatākā Swami: We should not be attracted by temporary things.
Temporary things only last for short time, so we should not be distracted by them.
If we are attracted by some temporary things, we should think how to do that in the service of Kṛṣṇa.
In this way, we can naturally develop our love for Kṛṣṇa.
So, developing love for Kṛṣṇa is a gradual process.
And step by step we develop our love for Kṛṣṇa. Just like if we want to have a child, we pray to have a Kṛṣṇa conscious child.
We do everything in such a way that Kṛṣṇa will be pleased.
And naturally like we were reading how the king and his queen were praying to Kṛṣṇa and then they got a Kṛṣṇa conscious child, they actually got an avatāra, Ṛṣabhadeva as their child who was the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Māyā], [Anarthās / Sinful activities], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-03
Jayapatākā Swami: Prabhupāda gave me a service of building Māyāpur and then at that time day and night we had two shifts of construction we were working - 600 people working under us - three devotees.
So then I went up to Prabhupāda and said I just want to take out two hours a day for reading books, because I am not getting any chance to read, so I want to take out.
Prabhupāda got angry at me and said, "You think there is a difference between serving and building my project and reading my books?
You see any difference?" (laughter)
"No."
"Then? Then?"
"Hare Kṛṣṇa"
That’s it.
Of course, the point is that while somehow or other I still managed to squeeze out half hour here there something.
It takes some desire.
This idea that we have to stop our service to read… actually, if we really go through our schedule, cut down, or even… you know, cut down on all the little times that we were wasting our…whatever.
If we really go through the schedule we can squeeze out some time every day.
And if there is really so much service that uh, needs to be done, well, that is also a shelter.
That protects us.
We have to see, if that much emergency service we have to do.
There was a big emergency in Māyāpur.
Of course, Prabhupāda generally tells everyone we should read for an hour a day.
But if we attend two classes that is also reading.
If we are hearing a class that is also reading, it is not that one is not reading.
We are hearing the Bhāgavatam every day.
In addition to that we can get time for reading, we have to just really economize.
That way if we have a desire that we want to do our service so quickly and so perfectly so that we can get little time for reading,
not little more time for sleeping or little more time for gossip… as soon as there’s a little time, we all start to gossip, or we do something else.
We have more taste sometimes for prajalpa, for other things, but if we actually tried to squeeze out the time then when we have a little time we immediately sit down and read.
So that is very good, we don't want to have a lot of spare time.
How much can we read anyway?
We can only read as much as we serve.
Service creates in us an appetite for reading.
So that way if you are competing with your time to do as much service then even do it more efficiently by which you can fit in a little more time for reading, you see.
Then it will be difficult for māyā to catch you.
In the spiritual world there is sevya, sevā and sevaka.
There is the served, the service and the servitor.
The process, the person… Everything is the, the person served, the process of service and the servant these three items are completely spiritual therefore the spiritual world is called Absolute.
There is no tinge of material contamination there.
We just have to see if our… if we can keep our consciousness in the service then there is no problem.
If our consciousness is becoming agitated we need some special instructions, then we have to discuss with authorities.
As long as the consciousness is good, one doesn’t have to think that well, just by serving you are not going to get where you want to go, because actually this service is completely pure.
Rather, just like Pra… I don't chant more than 16 rounds.
First, I will chant 16 rounds then I will read.
Then after I complete what I consider enough reading then I will chant more than 16 rounds, you see.
My priority is, first finish my rounds then read.
Sometimes devotees chant 20 rounds, 30 rounds.
Not always, but sometimes they chant more rounds.
My next priority after rounds is reading.
Then after that then more rounds sometimes if I have more time.
So, in this way, somehow or another we have to adjust everything without actually reducing.
We should not reduce, we should think how to further increase.
If there is so much service that you have no time for reading and if… if… if you are so expert that you are also not giving any time for māyā in your day, well then you are still safe.
And of course, you are attending class, so some reading is there, that is also reading.
Not that Prabhupāda did not think this was reading.
Then you can further become expert or arrange to engage other devotees who may not be as fully engaged and squeeze out a little time for reading.
Our goal is not to reduce service, but somehow fit everything in, increasing, as far as possible.
And if that can’t be done with one's own service then you try to train some other people to take up more responsibility.
Make more devotees, train them up, is that alright?
Devotee: Yes.
Because youth are here, I would like to ask you this question. You are the pioneer of the ISKCON movement after Śrīla Prabhupāda. Śrīla Prabhupāda gave you Māyāpur and asked you to develop it and run the movement. What is your advice to the youth for the future of ISKCON? How do you want to see the youth taking on the responsibilities of ISKCON? Right now they are not fully connected – they are enjoying the kīrtana, they are enjoying the prasāda, they are enjoying the association, they are enjoying Kṛṣṇa’s friendship. But responsibility-wise how do you see the youth taking part in ISKCON?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: I joined when I was 19 years old.
At that time, I visited all the ISKCON temples in the world, all three!
San Francisco, New York and Montreal.
Now I cannot say the same thing.
But I thought I would please my parents because I was becoming a devotee and giving up all bad habits and things.
But when I called my father, he told me, you come back immediately or I will send you to the Army to die in Vietnam.
I asked Śrīla Prabhupāda, “What should I do?”
He said, “Well, better you join Kṛṣṇa’s army!”
Of course, they don’t have the draft now in America,
but I am still part of Kṛṣṇa’s army!
So I felt so indebted to Śrīla Prabhupāda
that he gave me so much
that I can never pay him back.
But I am trying to do that by carrying out all the instructions he gave me.
So like that, actually, the youth can achieve anything - sky is the limit, if they want.
Śrīla Prabhupāda was saying in 1973, he asked his gṛhastha followers to become paramahaṁsas.
We know that the sannyāsī, the high level is paramahaṁsa.
But he was saying that he wanted his gṛhasthas to be paramahaṁsas.
And he said we also need a lot of ācāryas.
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was a gṛhastha, he was the father of my (Śrīla Prabhupāda’s) guru,
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.
So he asked all the gṛhasthas to be ācāryas or gurus.
And that is why I am encouraging that everyone read Śrīla Prabhupāda books.
And get the different degrees – actually I met a young girl, she is 25 years old or something
in the place next to Bengaluru, Hosur.
She already had her Bhakti-vedānta degree
and she was going for Bhakti-Sārvabhauma!
For young people it is very easy,
they don’t have other things to do.
Śrīla Prabhupāda asked me to be a guru when I was like 28.
So I want to see lots of young gurus.
But they have to read Śrīla Prabhupāda books,
they have to know the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
You see here, a lot of our ladies are doctors, in India, 70% of the Justices are ladies.
Śrīla Prabhupāda was saying it is a matter of training.
If people are trained in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then they can spread it like anything.
Being a gṛhastha and at the same time we do temple service also. It happens sometime it becomes difficult to manage or balance the temple service and gṛhastha life at the same time. What should be more importance – spiritual life, temple service or in gṛhastha-āśrama, gṛhastha services? Sometimes we struggle for that. What is the right solution for that and how do we balance our spiritual life at the same time gṛhastha life also?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Interesting question.
You see, Kṛṣṇa conscious gṛhasthas, their gṛhastha life is also spiritual.
Just like Jagadānanda Paṇḍita he met with Sanātana Gosvāmī, and they were discussing about Lord Caitanya.
So, like this Kṛṣṇa conscious gṛhasthas, they could talk about Kṛṣṇa and make plans how to do some spiritual programs in their house.
Just like we see that Lord Caitanya being a sannyāsī, He never cooked.
But He would go to the gṛhasthas’ houses and take His meals.
That was a kind of festival.
How would you like to have Lord Caitanya come to your home?
So, like this, gṛhasthas should also follow Lord Caitanya’s instructions.
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa (Cc. Madhya 7.128).
Like Śrīla Prabhupāda said, he wanted all his gṛhastha followers to be paramahaṁsas.
Now, most of these devotees were gṛhasthas,
not in the present, but in the past, they were gṛhasthas.
So Lord Caitanya was instructing them to go back to their homes and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
So, like that, if you have some service you can do in the temple,
that is a great benefit.
But also, the activities they can do in their house which promote Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
like Śrīla Prabhupāda was explaining that when they saw Śrīla Prabhupāda, they get frightened, he is a sannyāsī.
So, normally gṛhasthas, like we had a guest last night.
Gṛhasthas are soft selling!
Sannyāsīs they tend to be a bit like hard selling!
So like this, we should try to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
People may say, oh! He has a wife, she has a husband, they are doing all the things in their house, they are happy, why don’t I be Kṛṣṇa conscious, I will be happy!
So gṛhastha is a very important aspect of our preaching.
You should not think that somehow it is lower.
It is a different style.
Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Varṇāśrama / Gṛhastha]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: So a haṁsa is able to separate a mixture of milk and water,
leave the water and drink the milk.
A paramahaṁsa means able to take out the spiritual and leave the material.
So, husband and wife, they should discuss with each other what they should do to please Kṛṣṇa.
Normally, the materialistic couple they discuss how they can enjoy life.
But a paramahaṁsa means they separate the spiritual from material and take to spiritual life.
It is possible if one chants Hare Kṛṣṇa and practices bhakti-yoga.
Category: [Sādhanā]
Questioner: Keya Rani
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: 2. Because the people of Kali-yuga are very fallen,
therefore sometimes it is difficult for them to chant.
But we should understand that by chanting,
we can achieve all perfection.
So, we should chant, and thus become fortunate.
And just take it that, if we find difficulty in chanting,
it is because of our being very fallen.
So, pray for the mercy of the Pañca-tattva,
our gurudeva,
guru-paramparā,
and thus we can achieve the mercy of the Lord,
and chant His holy name.
Haribol!
Category: [Material World / Kali yuga], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Maṅgalamayī Mālinī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: The point is that, if you are an initiated devotee,
then it is very beneficial for you, and not so much trouble for the devotee.
But sometimes people who are not devotees take the dust, and sometimes devotees distribute their guru’s prasāda remnants
to non-devotees.
That may cause great trouble for the devotee.
What is being said is true,
but it may cause some trouble for the devotee,
if the person is not a devotee himself.
So, that was the thing that Śrīla Prabhupāda said,
that we should not give it out to non-devotees,
or to uninitiated devotees.
Category: [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: You see it depends on one’s nature.
In the 8th canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,
there is fight between the king of the elephants and the king of the crocodiles.
So the fight was in the water.
At one point, the elephant felt that he was losing.
Because he is a land animal,
and he was in the water.
But the crocodile is a water animal.
So somehow or another he was in his elements, so he was stronger.
In the purport Śrīla Prabhupāda says that we should see what is our nature.
That in every situation, we want to fight against māyā.
So, if your nature is more vairāgya, then you can be a brahmacārī for a long time.
If your nature is more gṛhastha,
then you may be in that āśrama.
But then it is important to have a devotee wife.
So that both of you can fight against māyā as a team,
to serve Kṛṣṇa.
If the lady is simply māyā,
then that will not be very convenient.
It is very important to marry a Kṛṣṇa conscious lady,
if you want to have a gṛhastha-āśrama.
Of course, having a household means you have to work.
Unless you have a service at the temple, you have to spend some time earning money.
So it is little more of a balancing act.
Being a brahmacārī has certain advantages – you don’t have these responsibilities.
But again, you have to see what your nature is.
If your nature is such that you have to be a gṛhastha,
then you should try to find a devotee mate.
See how you can do your devotional service together.
Unfortunately, people when they look for a mate, they look for a nice face!
But actually, you have to deal with the mind.
So you should see that they are Kṛṣṇa conscious.
One boy, he married a non-devotee,
he was asked by his parents.
She was a non-veg,
but she promised I will be a vegetarian.
After they had a baby,
she started eating chicken.
Then he said, “You promised you will be a vegetarian!”
She said, “I promised,
I tried,
I was a vegetarian for a year.
You know what background I came from –
sorry, I have to eat
meat!”
So, better to have a devotee from the beginning.
So at least there is less maintenance.
Marriage is two people.
You have to have the other person on the same wavelength.
As brahmacārīs, when you are staying in the āśrama, there are some crazy people also.
So there are ups and downs in both sides.
Brahmacārīs, you don’t have responsibilities, so you can serve Kṛṣṇa 24 hours.
But gṛhasthas can also do a lot of service.
So if they make money, they can give some money to the temple.
Or they can do various preaching.
We want people to serve Kṛṣṇa,
no matter what they are.
Category: [Varṇāśrama], [Varṇāśrama / Brahmacārī], [Varṇāśrama / Gṛhastha], [Day-to-day Life / Married life], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-21
Jayapatākā Svāmī: Without being married.
Ah, there is no such stipulation that liberation is dependent upon getting married.
But it has been recommended very strongly that women should be married.
But as far as being… What if a girl dies when she is twelve, or something?
It’s not, it’s not lean on the soul that you have to get married to go back to Godhead.
It’s a question of what consciousness you’re in when you leave your body.
If you’re in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, you’ll go back to Godhead.
In a general sadhana practice of devotional service,
it’s conducive for women to be married and have a Kṛṣṇa conscious husband.
If the husband is not Kṛṣṇa conscious, then there is a problem.
But actually, the husband should be Kṛṣṇa conscious and the wife should be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
In this way, they give each other association.
I can elaborate.
But we’re on short of time right now.
But it’s not contingent on going back to Godhead, per se.
That is not contingent on any material thing.
It’s contingent on chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, serving the spiritual master, following his instructions.
Hare Krsna.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Married life], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Women]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-10
Absolutely yes.
Specially keep crying for Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-13
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t know if there is a system to take others’ faults.
You can donate some of your merits to others.
That is in the Padma Purāṇa
that one lady she was donating some of her merits to a bull
who was being mistreated and who died.
So the ātmā from the bull took birth as a brāhmaṇa boy
and he remembered that he was a bull from his previous life.
Normally people are very greedy to get more merit, and they don’t give it away.
So he was curious how she was giving away her merit.
So he went to see her,
and said, you don’t know me but I know you.
Remember the bull who would be beaten and you gave some merit to the bull?
So I was that bull and now I took birth as a brāhmaṇa boy
and she revealed that she was reading the Bhagavad-gītā regularly.
Therefore, she gave half of her merit to the bull
and the bull took birth as a brāhmaṇa boy
and he started to read the Bhagavad-gītā also
and he went back to Godhead!
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Mercy]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-02-22
Jayapatākā Swami: Reading Bhagavad-gītā first and then Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is also recommended.
But some people, they like to read many books at one time.
So, it is fine if someone reads Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Someone may read Bhagavad-gītā and Nectar of Devotion.
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Can someone who is endeavoring to follow his guru’s instructions sincerely and is making efforts to take his guru’s instructions and his desire as his life and soul, but hasn’t got the chance to take formal initiation, can such a person go back to Godhead and achieve the highest goal of kṛṣṇa-prema in this very life? Can he also achieve his guru’s service eternally?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Since the name of Kṛṣṇa is not different from Kṛṣṇa,
somehow by chanting the names of Kṛṣṇa,
one may also achieve the highest perfection.
But a sure way is if possible, is for you to take initiation from the authorized guru-paramparā,
and then in that way serve Kṛṣṇa.
You see Kṛṣṇa gives you the opportunity to take initiation.
If out of false ego you don’t do it,
then it is not really Kṛṣṇa’s fault.
So if He is giving us some help, we should take it.
During this lockdown period
I am also giving initiation on the internet by zoom.
And other gurus are also doing the same thing.
So if one is qualified, they could take initiation.
Don’t have to wait for the guru to physically come there.
Category: [Dīkṣā (Initiation)], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-28
Jayapatākā Swami: Yes. Māyā in the holy dhāma, she covers the dhāma with a thin karpanāya, with a thin coating.
And the non-devotees who live in the dhāma but have not accepted their relationship with Lord Caitanya, they are not living actually in the dhāma.
So why not in the temple?
If someone is in the temple but one’s mind is always outside the temple
or if one has not accepted in his heart the spiritual master and Caitanya Mahāprabhu, then actually that person will be covered by māyā.
But this is very rare.
But one therefore should not be proud; one has to be always humble.
Just because someone is living in the temple does not mean that one is Kṛṣṇa conscious.
One is Kṛṣṇa consciousness if one is living in the temple physically, mentally and spiritually.
So that is possible by being humble, by respecting other Vaiṣṇavas and not wanting respect for one’s self,
by being hay, humble like more than a straw in the street and being more tolerant than the tree, you see.
Someone gets their brāhmaṇa underwear stolen and he thinks, “Oh, all the Vaiṣṇavas are dogs!” Or something like that, you know. Said some offend.
Just because of… He may even have misplaced it, you know.
But then immediately he will criticize.
And even if someone took, all right, so what? Get another one, get a box, lock it up, something.
Someone is serving, may have a bad habit.
There is a story about one time, there was so many saints, you probably heard this, so many devotees in the temple.
And they’d wake up and every day they would find all their bedding mixed-up.
And then they said, “How is this?
And so, one time one devotee said, “I was actually a night house-breaker before I became a devotee, a robber.
So, this is my habit, in the night to steal something.
So, if I don’t steal something I can’t sleep.
So, I take all your things and move them from here to there very secretly without waking you up and this is able to, you see get rid of my habit.”
You see.
So sometimes someone may have even a bad habit,
but still we shouldn’t condemn if they are trying to serve Kṛṣṇa, you see.
So that means we have to be tolerant.
One has to be tolerant.
Of course, one should not try, that doesn’t give excuse, “I had a bad habit before, so let me do it in the temple.”
That of course is a temporary status which should be eradicated.
But there might be some bad habit, but that should be avoided and if someone sees, we should try to help that person.
Or they should just, if they are not in a position to help the person, then they at least should not themselves become agitated or disgusted with devotional service.
They should be disgusted with māyā, that māyā is so strong that if one by being in this material world, even coming to the temple, there might still be some trace.
Therefore, one has to be determined to get rid of the māyā, to become pure.
So, in living in the temple, one has to also bring in the mind, bring in the consciousness and put those in the temple, then one gets the full benefit.
One has to accept the relationship, “I am servant of guru and Gaurāṅga”.
With that relationship one lives in the temple, one lives in the dhāma, gets the full effect.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Obviously, this is a specific issue
and without knowing the details,
it is hard to say.
I don’t want to be quoted that, “Oh, gurudeva told me to go to the court!”
Since I don’t know the details.
Generally, we try to exhaust all the possibilities of mediation and arbitration and everything,
then only when there is no choice,
we think about going to the court.
Court is also very – like some of our devotees were sitting in the court they were getting bitten by the bed-bugs in the wooden benches,
sucking their blood.
So, some lawyer said you can put down the legal paper
and sit on that,
all the lawyers were reincarnated as bug!
So, they could suck blood,
but they respect the legal papers
and so they won’t bite you if you sit on the legal papers! Ha! Ha!
So going to court is also very time consuming and expensive option.
So, we have to take the proper guidance whether such an adventure will be worth the time and energy.
Better to worship Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Day-to-day Life], [Devotee Care]
Questioner: Kṛṣṇa Karuṇā-mūrti dāsa
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapataka Swami: Your hands should be clean!
If you are in some asuci, because your relative died or some other reason -
I never heard that we should not chant on our beads.
Maybe in such asuci times, we are not supposed to go to the temple.
But I never heard that we should not chant on our beads.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-12-02
Jayapatākā Swami: You see in Guruvayūr the head priest or Nambhūthirī is not told if his close relative has passed away.
So he is not affected.
The questions is: if you are affected, if you are lamenting, then it is not good to go before the Deities.
If you are not affected,
then the aśauca period is considered to be less.
I mean like for the brāhmaṇas something like 11 days and śudras 30 days or something.
Vaiṣṇavas are considered to be detached, considered to be on the brahmanical platform.
That you can see your consciousness, how you feel.
Category: [Material Sufferings / Death], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Saṁskāras / Antima-saṁskāras]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Seems so! Seems that they describe, if we take sesame on Sat-tila Ekādaśī, we get the mercy.
Normally we don’t take sesame, we use that in havan.
We think of it as a grain although it is not.
Sat-tila Ekādaśī, I read that you should tila, sesame in many ways.
So it would seem alright then,
since it is written in the scripture.
Link: 20221023 Evening Darśana
Category: [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vratās (Austerities)], [Vratās (Austerities) / Ekādaśī-vratā]
Questioner: Bhakta Gopī Kṛṣṇan, Trivandrum
Date: 2022-10-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Why do you say just? Just...
Kṛṣṇa and His holy names are not different.
So it is not a small thing
to chant the holy names.
And certainly, Kṛṣṇa can do anything.
So He can also take you back to His kingdom.
Therefore, we should chant His holy names and engage in His sevā.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-14
Jayapatākā Swami: For these details have to research
because as a sannyāsī I don’t have to perform śrāddha.
I don’t know all these rules regarding śrāddha.
Category: [Vratās (Austerities) / Ekādaśī-vratā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-23
Jayapatākā Swami: In our major temples in Vṛndāvana and Māyāpur, in Bombay
we don’t purchase any store-bought fruits uh these where store-bought sweets.
In the smaller temples sometime, they purchase.
Of course, purchasing is that has got some other implications.
Purchasing is sometime allowed.
but that would be considered to be not as perfect as if we could make the things ourselves,
because, they are not having any pure standard.
We don’t know what type of, actually technically speaking store-bought things which are made outside by non-devotees,
they are not… even in the West, we don’t also offer fruit juice.
We make the juice ourselves,
because whether that people are washing their hands after they are going in bathroom,
or something like that, or what they’re doing, you don’t know, what standard they have.
There are many rules, you see.
If you go to the bathroom, you have to take an entire shower.
The same cloth you shouldn’t use, if you are going to cook for the Deity.
If people are negligent of this, they will get worse than sinful reactions.
They will get offensive reactions from Kṛṣṇa.
Their devotion will be stuck up.
And for preaching sometime, you can pray to Kṛṣṇa that for preaching sometimes, we have to just do these things,
and there is no alternative.
But normally one should be very careful.
It’s an opportunity to get the blessing; it’s an opportunity at the same time if you are not careful to also get punished.
So, we should be very careful when we do these things to do it properly.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Food], [Prasāda and Bhoga], [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vigraha Āradhana (Deity Worship)]
Questioner: Cārurūpa Mādhava dāsa:
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Generally, we read the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam first and then the Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
But we can start reading Bhāgavatam and simultaneously read Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
But usually Caitanya-caritāmṛta philosophy is very high and one may not understand it.
I am trying to write a Kṛṣṇa type book
on Lord Caitanya’s pastimes
and keep the philosophy down;
so that then, one can go and read the Caitanya-caritāmṛta and get all the philosophy.
So it is good we know a little bit of Caitanya-caritāmṛta but
it is not that you leave aside Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam totally.
You should have a regular routine of reading the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
If you have time, then you can read a little bit of the Caitanya-caritāmṛta as well
or the Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book that I am compiling.
Questioner: Kairava Candrikā devī dāsī
Date: 2023-07-10
Jayapatākā Swami: That sometimes the activities of the Lord and His devotees
are beyond the scope of the scriptures.
And Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi, he was basing his conclusion on the scriptures.
So he was saying it was alright for the Lord, because He is beyond all rules and regulations.
But somehow, he was not appreciating the devotees.
He thought that they should follow the rules.
So this shows that sometimes,
devotees are also on a very elevated platform.
Questioner: Mādhavī Śyāmasundarī devī dāsī
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: All the services to the Deities in this temple or any temple of ISKCON will be very pleasing to me.
So you can ask the temple leaders what service you can do.
Lord Caitanya said, yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa.
Whoever you see, tell them the glories of Kṛṣṇa.
That will make me very happy.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Any devotional service it is recommended we should have utsāha –
we should be enthusiastic.
If you are taking the harināma, that is kīrtana, that is the second practice of devotional service.
Śravaṇam, kīrtanam, viṣṇoh śmaranam.
So in that way if you are going to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, have the association of Kṛṣṇa in the form of the holy name.
And then naturally when chanting we should be very devotional.
The mood – you should be enthusiastic, devotional, what more can I say?
There is a song by Narottama dāsa – he said golokera prema-dhana, harināma saṅkīrtana
So, in that mood that if you have the holy name which is the ecstasy of love of Kṛṣṇa from Goloka coming down.
golokera prema-dhana, harināma saṅkīrtana
Link: 20221023 Evening Darśana
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Candramohana Prabhu is from the Śrī Sampradāya and is following Chinna Jeeyar Swami, there they have different way of initiating. Would you like to comment on that? Bona fide ācārya and the different methods of initiation, what is your recommendation, what do you think about that? Is that also proper initiation and proper paramparā, and he will go back to Kṛṣṇa through that route?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapataka Swami: Śrī Sampradāya is one of the four sampradāyas mentioned in the Padma Purāṇa.
And so it is a bona fide sampradāya.
But I was trying to analyze what is their process of initiation,
and it seems like the actual initiation is given to the sannyāsīs and gṛhasthas who are very intimate with the association.
Actually, it is not clear to me that they give this branding of the body, with śankha and cakra,
how that is initiation?
Because normally initiation is, we receive some mantra, name change.
So they give everybody this śankha cakra,
I don’t know if that is really considered initiation?
I mean, Gopala Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī he was in Śrīrangam,
but he took the shelter of Lord Caitanya.
And he became one of the six Gosvāmīs.
So, he had would have normally received that śankha cakra, but he took shelter from Lord Caitanya
and got the mantra from him.
It is a bona fide sampradāya but they only go up to Vaikunṭha.
Like Andal Devi, she seemed to have a kind of a special rasa with Kṛṣṇa.
The Jiyar in Śrīrangam said you are all representatives of Andal Devi.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-25
Jayapatākā Swami: I saw a skit in Chennai which the youths were performing.
Two children were playing the part of Yamadūtas.
One girl was playing the part of Yamarāja, she painted a mustache.
The Yamadūtas are responsible to arrest sinful people and take them to hell and torture them.
They complained to Yamarāja!
These ISKCON devotees are preaching, and householders are taking kṛṣṇa-prasāda in their homes.
They chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
They worship Deities in their house.
They come to the temple and worship Deities in the temple.
They read Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam!
We cannot touch them!
If everyone becomes like this, we will be out of job!
If you want to keep Yamadūtas busy, don’t take kṛṣṇa-prasāda!
Don’t chant Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Don’t read Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Don’t come to the temple.
The Yamadūtas will be very happy!
But if you want to give the Yamadūtas a vacation, do all these things!
Haribol!
So who wants to give the Yamadūtas a vacation?
Category: [Prasāda and Bhoga]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-26
Jayapatākā Swami: In Pāṇihāti they were doing kīrtana for many, many days.
And thus they started to manifest super powers;
One devotee went to the top of a tree and started jumping from tree to tree like a balloon.
Another devotee uprooted a tree and started dancing with it.
A whole big tree, he danced.
One devotee took a 60 foot long bamboo, held it on one side and played it like a flute.
It is very hard though with so much weight.
Rāghava Paṇḍita said, this way I will not have any trees left!
Please move your kīrtana on!
I won’t be able to offer you any sabzis, any trees, if all are uprooted.
Lord Caitanya gradually headed from Pāṇihāti to Korda and different places and in this way throughout Bengal His saṅkīrtana went on day and night.
Could you please help us in genuinely inspiring others? I face challenge in getting my audience to follow what we try to teach in line with Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books. It requires a number of times’ repetition and if we say it again and again, they think, "Oh, I have heard this." But they don't follow. How to convince them?
Questioner: IYF Māyāpur
Date: 2022-08-03
So like that if people you say one way and they are not accepting,
then repeating it again and again it did not produce the result even when we said once.
Then you have to think what is a new way.
Like, recently I went to some program
for the children.
They said Puruṣottama month challenge.
They had different children who participated.
So in this way, sometimes by challenge, some debate, we use different tactics.
So just like some wives if the husbands were not Kṛṣṇa conscious,
would tell them, dear husband, please help me understand this verse?
Because the man may be very macho, puffed up!
So the lady using her female intelligence
she may understand the verse,
but she tells the husband, can you help me understand this?
He says, well, I am a man, so he looks at the book. So she tricks him to read the book.
So what tricks you use to get people to chant, to read,
that is something that you have to think a bit out of the box.
Questioner: Haridhvani devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: The highest form of prayer is to sing or chant the name of the Lord.
If we pray, it maybe not a very good prayer.
So that is why the saṅkīrtana or chanting of the holy name is recommended
If one chants the name of Narasiṁhadeva 21 times, they can get delivered from various sufferings.
“Śrī Narasiṁha! Jaya Narasiṁha! Jaya jaya jaya Narasiṁha!” 21 times.
Otherwise, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.
You can chant 54 times or 108 times.
So, the name of Kṛṣṇa is worth 3000 names of Viṣṇu.
And the name Rāma is worth 1000 names of Viṣṇu.
So, by this Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Rāma mantra,
you get so much spiritual benefit.
And the side benefits are the material suffering is mitigated.
But the real benefit is that one awakens one’s love of Godhead.
Please ask the people to chant one of the mantras,
and since there may be offence in our chanting, one can chant the Pañca-tattva mantra before chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityānanda śrī advaita gadādhara śrīvasādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛndā.
Questioner: Lokapālikā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita is Nārada muni in Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes,
and we can see that he has exceptional qualities of devotion,
and in the Pañca-tattva mantra we say śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda – Śrīvāsa and all other devotees of Lord Gaurāṅga.
So, Śrīvāsa is the chief devotee.
There were so many devotees of Lord Gaurāṅga,
of them, the chief is Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita,
but there are so many devotees
and some of them are mentioned in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta,
in the Ādi-līlā,
Thank you Lokapālikā devī dāsī.
Category: [Gauḍīya History], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Bhakta Yuvan, Russia
Date: 2023-01-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda said that we should not give too many rules and regulations.
We should be very friendly and engage people according to their likes.
So, if they like to do particular things, like they like computer, or they like agriculture, whatever they like, engage them in that.
Make it very interesting and treat them very nicely!
That is what Śrīla Prabhupāda said, that in some letters, how to preach to the intelligent people.
Category: [Sādhanā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-11
Jayapatākā Swami: (Guru Mahārāja told the repeater: Your voice did not project out, you have to go to the voice therapist!) There are four kinds of people in the Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa says that do not get His mercy.
So Kali, he is one of those.
His job is to introduce tamo-guṇa in the society.
So even he is impressed by what Lord Gaurāṅga is doing
but his job doesn’t change.
It is just that he is neutralized sometimes
by Lord Caitanya’s mercy.
Right now Kali is on the role
and specially here in India, what to speak of the rest of the world, people imitate the west and they are acting in a sinful way.
So, we want to spread the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa and the message of Gaurāṅga!
We want to neutralize Kali’s influence
and help people be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-26
Jayapatākā Swami: Since Caitanya came down, He descended as an avatāra, the way to reach Caitanya avatāra is through Lord Nityānanda.
So, in that sense, Lord Nityānanda is the original spiritual master.
If we want worship Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, we need the mercy of Lord Nityānanda.
The guru on this planet is described as the mercy avatāra of Lord Nityānanda.
So, he represents the mercy of Lord Nityānanda.
So, since the guru is very merciful to his disciples, Lord Nityānanda is the original guru, He is very merciful to everyone.
Haribol!
Despite all adversities, you have always continued to serve Śrīla Prabhupāda without any interruption, and we see sometimes devotees, they get upset on small things. And they leave their services. And that really compromises everybody’s service to Śrīla Prabhupāda. So how can we continue in your mood, that not to leave services when offended and work together? Any instructions, any guidance you can give us about that?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-21
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, as I said,
we owe everything to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
He could have stayed in Vṛndāvana.
He would have easily got liberation.
But he took a great headache,
he came to the USA,
came to Canada,
and he gave us Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So who thinks that they have paid their debt fully?
I don’t think so!
I have to do so much,
still the debts are not paid for.
As long as I have breath in the body,
as long as I have any abilities,
I will try to serve Śrīla Prabhupāda.
When I was in Canada
I asked Śrīla Prabhupāda,
whether I should join the USA army,
because my father said he would turn my name.
Then Śrīla Prabhupāda told me
better you join Kṛṣṇa’s army.
So I am still in Kṛṣṇa’s army,
and I haven’t taken retirement yet.
So as a serving officer in Kṛṣṇa’s army,
I have to continue! Ha!
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Cooperation]
Questioner: Shivam
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: That is why Śrīla Prabhupāda he would teach us to avoid the ten offences to the holy name.
The first offence is not to offend or blaspheme a devotee.
So it is worse to offend a devotee than being sinful.
So, you should avoid offending a devotee.
At the same time naturally, we want to try to come to the pure platform.
So, before you take initiation, you should be sure you can follow the principles.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, there are five kinds of liberation.
Sāyujya, merging, devotees don’t want that.
Then there is sālokya, sāmīpya, sārṣṭi and sārūpya.
Having similar form like the Lord,
living on the same planet,
having personal service of the Lord,
living close to the Lord.
Devotees accept the other four, if it includes service,
and they ask the Lord for His service.
Generally, we go to the spiritual world to serve the Lord.
But if He wants us to be with Him in the material world, it is alright if He have His service.
So that way, devotees ask for service.
And naturally if we are Kṛṣṇa conscious, then Kṛṣṇa takes us back.
Then we can serve Him eternally.
We don’t mind where we serve Him, here, there or anywhere.
However we serve the Lord, we are very happy.
We see, how Lord Caitanya, He came only 500 years ago.
We have more details.
And how the devotees were serving the Lord,
how He was reciprocating.
Then naturally one if one develops their Kṛṣṇa consciousness, they are very inspired
Are you inspired?
Alright!
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-25
His mother did deity worship in her house, Mother Saci, to Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.
His mother did worship in the house and offered prasāda.
In the big formal temples, generally male pujārīs are there,
but sometimes if they fall sick their wife may also come in, somehow they have to keep their worship going.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-25
Jayapatākā Swami: Well if they accept Him with respect at least they will be not guilty of the greatest offences,then they will be able to advance something.
From that the point is of course Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mood was always as a devotee.
Sometimes He fell into this kind of, entered into His Kṛṣṇa mood,
at that time in His own humor, He would have these unusual pastimes.
But that didn’t happen very often, it was very rare.
But just like they are singing out the thousand names of Viṣṇu, when He heard the name of Nṛsinghadeva,
He just got into the mood of Nṛsingha at that moment and He forgot His devotional mood.
Sometimes He was worshipped by Advaita Gosāñī.
When Advaita could see that He was in that mood, other times when Advaita tried to touch His feet, He ran, He said, “No no, you are the senior brāhmaṇa”.
So actually, I get absorbed.
There was a resolution that we should start this year reading from the Caitanya Caritāmṛta for some time every day.
Actually, I just wanted to start to hear.
So that thing as the great one point that Lord Caitanya, He never would allow Himself to be glorified like that.
But on two or three occasions, due to falling in some transcendental ecstasy in that particular mood,
the devotees could actually see that aspect of Lord Caitanya revealed.
Category: [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Rucika
Date: 2022-10-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, Śrīla Prabhupāda said both things.
But more often he said, we fall from the spiritual world,
and that is why our magazine is, Back to Godhead.
So, there is a whole book on this.
At different times, different things were said.
When the question was given to Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura,
if we came from the spiritual world,
why did we decide to come here?
He said, a person falls from the ship
and a lifeboat comes to save him.
Are you going to ask first, before I get into the boat, tell me how did I come here?
Sharks are spinning all around.
First you get on the lifeboat, then you will understand how you fell.
We don’t understand any way.
Category: [Emotions / Confusion], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapatākā Swami: There was a Śrīla Prabhupāda disciples, his name was Jitakrodha,
conqueror of anger.
He was a very angry guy!
Maybe some names like that.
Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me the name Jayapatākā
and he said you will be victorious!
So, sometimes the name has some meaning.
Category: [Dīkṣā (Initiation)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-29
You say that that is the work of a śūdra.
But for Kṛṣṇa, we clean the temple, that cleans our heart.
Devotee may also milk the cow, take care of the cows, or may go and do the marketing or something.
That is the vaiśya work.
Devotee may sometime defend the temple, or may organize, or manage as a kṣatriya.
Devotees also giving lecture and discussing, teaching others, its brahminical.
A devotee does all of the things, but everything he is doing as a devotional service; therefore it is transcendental.
Someone who is not transcendental, they do one thing, they do one work, and perfect that.
One who is transcendental, he can do other works if needed.
But whimsically, one need not do,
but according to the instructions.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-26
This is a very interesting question.
Now selling books is an economic issue that you are giving some money for the book.
If you use the money for your own sense gratification, but then selling the books,
well, some kind of reciprocation may be there. If you give out a book freely then,
the person takes the book and throws it, you are responsible.
If the person bought the book and then he throws it or whatever he does,
that is not your responsibility, that is his, he has bought the book.
So at the same time, like devotees if they are working under some system
like the management tells them, you deposit the money, you can take so much per cent
or if are working under a system authorized by the temple,
and then it is considered that they are working for Kṛṣṇa and then Kṛṣṇa takes the responsibility.
So if the saṅkīrtana devotees have some agreement with the temple,
so as such they should not be responsible. They are considered to be working directly under Kṛṣṇa.
Of course, if they just try to buy and sell,
because they are selling the books it is not so much an issue of karma, I mean as I mentioned earlier,
at the same time something may be there. Because they are doing on their own behalf.
But if they are doing on behalf of the temple
and the temple says you can draw your maintenance or take some percent
then it is considered working under Kṛṣṇa directly. So if they are working for themselves i.e. buying and selling,
then it is a issue that we have to look into.
Generally selling things is not bring karma; any way it shouldn’t be a problem.
If you are working for Kṛṣṇa, you are doing it as a devotional service, so it is not an issue at all.
If you are doing it for your own for making money it is not also an issue because
selling things usually does not attract karma; except the karma
if it is some meat or drug or [such thing], then obviously there is karma.
But for selling books there is no karma. So that is transcendental books,
rather they will get the good reaction. So I don’t see in either case as a karma
except if you give out books free and you don’t know [inaudible word] the people,
if they misuse the book, then you may have to accept some karma.
On the other hand, if they… Just like Prabhupāda was saying that
we shouldn’t give out japa mālās for free. We should… Some ladies, some people
in India, like to give out japa mālā. But in doing so, as a guru, we give to our disciples;
we are taking their karma anyway. So if someone gives out japa-mālā and they
commit some offense on that mālā, then you have to take the karma.
So we get some token little donation, something sell it for even one cent or
it doesn’t matter. Just in fact they took for some price and then
then we are not responsible for their karma. In the same way Prabhupāda said
if you give a tulasī seed there is no karma.
Whether they plant the seed and then.... But if you give a plant
and they mistreat the [tulasī] plant, then you are responsible.
So, I don’t know if you particularly ask about books except if the book is given free,
I heard that question. So, I don’t think you have to worry about karma
rather you are doing it as a service to Kṛṣṇa, this is Lord Caitanya’s order,
so you carrying out His order. Why would you be responsible for their karma?
It is Lord Caitanya’s order. In the same way we chant also Pañca-tattva mantra
before we chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. So, you are working on behalf of Lord Caitanya.
He said to distribute the teaching of Kṛṣṇa, so that is what you are doing?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-12-06
Jayapatākā Swami: In Kali-yuga normally you get reaction for activities performed.
In other yugas just by thinking about something, you get the reaction.
So Kali-yuga, normally by thinking you do not get a reaction.
If you take second initiation, then you may be more responsible for your mind.
If you think of something bad, then you beg for forgiveness and replace it with some Kṛṣṇa conscious thought.
Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Material World / Mind / Intelligence], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Pūjā
Date: 2022-09-22
Jayapatākā Swami: That is what Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī said
in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa.
He cited some Purāṇas
that say watching the ārati of Lord Kṛṣṇa,
we get the same result as a person who does the ārati.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapataka Swami: I answered this question yesterday.
So many are here on Zoom.
If we have initiation and follow the bona fide guru, then our road to Kṛṣṇa is sure.
If one meets a bona fide guru, but he does not take initiation out of false ego,
then that is an obstacle.
If one does not meet a guru and he reads Śrīla Prabhupāda books, follows,
then there is no problem.
Some people think I don’t need a guru
and if they meet a bona fide guru they don’t take shelter.
So, that could be an obstacle.
There are all kinds of circumstances.
Generally, one should have a bonafide spiritual master
and should take initiation.
In this way, should perform their devotional service following the instructions of their guru.
Haribol!
Questioner: Ānandamayī Gopīnātha dāsa
Date: 2022-09-22
Jayapatākā Swami: It costs money for higher education.
Basically, you want to equip your child to deal with this world.
But the most important thing,
the real duty of a parent,
is to promote the child’s affection for Kṛṣṇa.
At the same time, basic education and things,
parents should take care of.
Not just make a lot of money and give it to the child.
Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, he divided his wealth - 25%
for emergencies,
25% for his family,
for his children
and 50% for Kṛṣṇa’s bhaktas.
Haribol!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-26
Jayapatākā Swami: Hm. I know that Lord Caitanya only comes after Lord Kṛṣṇa. But I don’t know
for certain that He comes every time after Lord Kṛṣṇa comes.
Not certain about that. I heard that, on contrary, that Lord Caitanya’s
coming is more rare than Lord Kṛṣṇa’s coming, but
I haven’t seen it actually or directly heard it from Prabhupāda.
Except that I heard directly that He only comes after Lord Kṛṣṇa comes.
But you can see Lord Caitanya now, if He reveals Himself to the devotee. But then in, you know,
proclaimed way, everyone can see Him, He only comes after Lord Kṛṣṇa comes.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-27
If you are not a pure devotee, Mahārāja’s opinion is that you become gṛhastha by previous karma.
Some people may have sannyāsa karma.
But that doesn’t mean that they will be a devotee of Kṛṣṇa.
They maybe have a sannyāsī tendency.
But somebody fully surrenders to Kṛṣṇa, even though their karma may be to get married,
they can also be transcendental. They can remain as a sannyāsī.
Or someone may have a sannyāsa-yoga, they should be
sannyāsī but if they are ordered that you have to get married, they might also take that up.
They can do anything for Kṛṣṇa.
So, by karma there is some tendencies.
Certainly, that’s what the astrologers, they look so.
Like for instance someone mentioned Madhva, they understand that they looked at the chart,
who has got the sannyāsa-yoga, they pick those people to be sannyāsīs.
So already got that karmic tendency.
We don’t have that type of predisposition.
We don’t take the astrologer with chart to giving someone sannyāsa.
We see whether someone has that… is able to absorb themself in a renounced way
for some period of time.
So, the point is that devotional service can change your karma.
Devotional service can adjust things by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.
He is the Karma-dātā; He is the one who is giving the karma-phala.
So, He can change someone’s karma.
Sometime astrologer looks at the chart, how did you get there, how did you become a devotee?
According to your chart you should be a real bhogī.
One day a devotee said I don’t understand how I became a devotee.
My whole life I’m simply into sense gratification.
And Prabhupāda said, I made your good fortune for you.
So, by some blessing of a great devotee, one can also change their situation.
So, we have certain amount of freewill
and we can decide in which way we should perform devotional service
after studying so many factors.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-28
Jayapatākā Swami: With a little success, the spiritual master may praise us a little bit or something.
We think that, actually, “oh…”, we get a little bit, may experience suddenly a little bit spurt of ecstasy or something and think of, “Oh, we’ve already made it.”
Then we become somehow relaxed again and get in trouble.
So, until one actually gets pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that means realizes the eternal dhāma and Kṛṣṇa directly, which at, which time then one does not fall into ignorance, because one too mad in love for Kṛṣṇa.
To do so, then one has to be careful with his intelligence, with one’s intelligence, not to become proud, not to become careless, not to become hopeless.
Upadeśāmṛta gives nice instruction on this.
If the spiritual master is present, then of course one can ask the spiritual master, otherwise take shelter of older Godbrothers, senior Godbrothers to uh… that’s the meaning of association.
I know before I do any type of new service, I always like to discuss with senior Vaiṣṇavas and get their opinion also.
Just to be sure.
Since they are there, fortunately enough, they usually they give their approval, but they also sometimes add new dimensions.
With Kṛṣṇa is unlimited, one can see part of Kṛṣṇa and yet there are so many other parts yet to be seen.
So, someone else may see some other part.
In this way, Kṛṣṇa is unlimited.
No one can claim that he knows the whole truth.
Even if someone realizes Kṛṣṇa but still Kṛṣṇa is unlimited.
He may realize only one part of Kṛṣṇa.
Or he will see… that person will see certain qualities; which another will see even other qualities.
And in this way the devotees can continue discussing about Kṛṣṇa without any end,
because each devotee is having newer and newer realizations from different uh, you can say different angles.
Because Kṛṣṇa is unlimited.
In this regard, if you read the description of the Guṇḍicā-mārjanam, the purports of Bhaktisiddhānta,
which is dealing with, you know first of all, one picks up all the leaves and the twigs, Lord Caitanya picked them up and then cleaned them with His own cloth.
And they swept with brooms and washed with water and they came in and finally with the little nail… fingernails, or with twi… other twigs, something they would pick out the crack of the stones.
Although the dust was still in there.
So it’s not really that, subtle, subtle māyā has come.
But it is like, first you have to clean all the twigs and branches.
You go back and see, some dust on the floor.
Then you sweep it.
And then you see well even after you have swept, still there is like, you know, what can’t be swept, then you wash it, and even after you washing, then in the cracks…
In the purport, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that, like this the devotee cleans and so one has to keep clean, and when one gets down to the cracks,
that means that even that devotee at that point, the devotee has completely given up all desire for fruitive activity.
Yet that aroma, in other words, that, “So you alright, you have given up the desire, but the habit is there from so long to think fruitively, to act fruitively, to think of profit and loss that if one acts or even thinks that,
‘Well, let me do some type of business for Kṛṣṇa.’,
that the danger is there that because the habit already is like they are so strong, even though you are doing the same activity,
that, that is so dangerous, that then one can again become fruitively involved.”
So, one has to become careful and understand all these things and then if properly dovetail everything, then…
We see that so many devotees, “I want to do a business for Kṛṣṇa,”
and then what happens, they do the business, then they make some money, then they say, “Well, I can’t actually give to Kṛṣṇa money now, I have to reinvest it first of all,
and then you know build up a little capital and …” it goes on like that, then you know before you know it after three years,
he still hasn’t given any money to Kṛṣṇa, fallen down from regulative principles and then you know… It happens like that sometimes, so…
Of course if one desires to do business for Kṛṣṇa, of course a gṛhastha has to do business,
and if one does business and he actually gives the fruits to Kṛṣṇa,
knowing that uh, how dangerous this fruitive activity is, that uh, if one does that type of profitable work and doesn’t give the fruit to Kṛṣṇa,
the danger of becoming again attached to profit, the whole material fruitive mood again may pollute him.
So, you see in that the great devotees of Lord Caitanya, that they were very careful.
Most of them were very careful in doing their business to give, of course in those days they would give 50% of their income to Kṛṣṇa
or to worshiping the Ganges or to the Vaiṣṇavas or something.
To give a strict amount, taking that whatever comes by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.
Even today, in India, you find people come and they pray to Lord Jagannātha that, “If you make my business a success, I’ll give you half.”
And then they get a little success may they go and give half to Jagannātha.
And then they get more and more like this, they build it up Him as their partner.
There even a story how… there even a popular play, how someone prayed like that and then what happened is then he didn’t give the half.
So, then Kṛṣṇa came by and said, it is a movie.
What a kind of movie Kṛṣṇa came (laughter) and said,
“Where’s my half?” (laughter)
“I’ll give it to you but just, just very little, you know, a little later” and it went on like that.
Some concocted you know, but they have that idea that like to give half to Kṛṣṇa.
Even the regular karmīs.
So, in this play, he kept putting Kṛṣṇa off and finally in the end, he didn’t give, Kṛṣṇa just took everything away.
I didn’t see it.
I heard about it.
I thought it was pretty funny.
He prayed to the Deities and they didn’t explain, the Deity would keep coming, either in a dream or in person.
He didn’t pay up.
So, He took it all. (laughter)
Of course, Kṛṣṇa does not have to come and collect that person. Ordinary people don’t have that fortune.
You have seen in Jagannātha Purī, that big red flag sometimes on top of the temple?
Someone promises that if this happens, I will put a red flag on the temple.
Which is… which is not so easy as it looks, because to climb up on top of Jagannātha Purī temple and put a flag, it’s not like there is a lift.
There is no inside stairway, you have to climb up, yeah, there isn’t even any roof to hold you on.
They hire someone to do it, but people have, not come back. (break)
What happens is if we clean up once, and we think well, we have picked up all the things and came out, dumped it outside,
and then we come back and look a little close, and, “Oh” then you sweep.
Guṇḍicā-mārjana is a very good for devotees to read.
Very nice instruction is there.
Questioner: Harihara Kṛṣṇa Caitanya dāsa
Date: 2022-08-29
Why not?
Of course, all these things are very helpful in your spiritual life.
But we have to avoid also the association of non-devotees.
And that is why it would be good if there is some temple nearby
you can attend and to associate with devotees.
But if there are no devotees and you have Śrīla Prabhupāda books,
listen to my classes.
We see now by internet we have various Jayapatākā Swami Śiṣya Samūha [JSSS] programs,
you can attend them.
Actually, on the internet, we see YouTube I visit various temples every day.
So, now the internet we can associate with different devotees.
Via internet we can have good association, satsaṅga but we can also get into bad association.
So we should take the good and leave the bad.
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-09
Jayapatākā Swami: When we say, “Take prasāda, you get human birth”, some people got prasāda and got liberated.
So, in describing the glories of prasāda… The kṛṣṇa-prasāda, you cannot put a limit on it.
Some people by just chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa once, they got liberation like Ajāmila.
Simply by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, more sins, sinful reactions of karma are eradicated than one can commit.
At the same time someone may chant Hare Kṛṣṇa for a thousand… and then not actually go back to Kṛṣṇa.
How is that possible?
So, the thing is that one is not supposed to doubt that by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, this effect has come.
That means potentially it may come for anyone.
But then each person’s situation being different, that a person if he is very offensive, even they chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, take prasāda, and they offend devotees, because of those offenses, Kṛṣṇa, He may just withhold His mercy.
An offense being directly con.. An offense and sinful reaction are different – a person may be the most sinful, maybe a murderer, maybe a rapist, may be... but that is all on the material platform.
That is in relation to other people’s material bodies.
It is not in relation to God.
So, the reaction they have to get is also material.
They have to suffer materially for whatever suffering they are committing on their body and to other’s bodies.
But when an offence, means directly in relation to… with God or those who are directly in relation to Him, His pure devotees;
so therefore, what the... the most overpowering thing about everything is Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.
That mercy can destroy all the material reactions, and just give one a clean slate, bring one back to Godhead.
But if one is directly opposing God, even that He can forgive, but sometimes if you directly offend His devotees,
then Kṛṣṇa… that’s so disapproved by Him that then He may withhold His mercy to that person till he gets out of the habit of offending His devotees or whatever offense he is committing.
So, in that way, if a person is offense-less, then by taking prasāda, one may even be liberated, one may even achieve Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Depending on the offenses, lack of offenses and so many conditions, one is delivered.
One may be sincerely trying to find the truth or just ordinary material acts, an innocent person, not very inimical to God,
but just trying to enjoy his senses, trying to enjoy the senses and be happy was misled, wandering here and there trying to enjoy in different ways
and not succeeding, gets association with devotees, they give prasāda, they give spiritual advice, he starts to, the person starts to chant and then automatically they feel immediately advancement.
Another person may have, you see... they are very inimical to the devotees.
As a result, the effect may be reduced.
This offense is the most dangerous thing.
Next dangerous is of course bad habits and all that, after we have chanted.
Once one takes up seriously the chanting, one should try to avoid as far as possible unauthorized activities because they would delay one’s progress.
So, by taking prasāda, that ultimately what that person can be guaranteed a human birth.
But there may be an exception if he is exceptionally offensive to devotees.
In general, one would be guaranteed at least a human birth.
And one may even get a greater benefit by taking prasāda.
If he takes prasāda, the person is purified of all reactions.
Says an offense where he takes prasāda, he is purified and then again, the next minute again he takes more, he does more karmas, more work that he has to take the reaction for.
So, because of those reactions they have to take birth at least they get a human birth.
But if after taking prasāda they did not perform any more materialistic activities, then they could go back to Godhead.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Food], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Prasāda and Bhoga]
Questioner: Swapnil Tikale
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: No!
Advancement in spiritual life is not dependent on anything material.
If one is born in a rich family, the advantage is that they don’t have to struggle to maintain themselves,
but similar some situations which can be helpful,
but it is not essential,
to make advancement.
Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā that if someone serves Him and doesn’t finish,
they don’t lose,
they are either born in a family of rich merchant
or devotee,
or they take birth in heavenly planets.
So there is no loss by doing devotional service even if one doesn’t finish.
And one can advance in any situation.
Look at Prahlāda Mahārāja, he advanced even he was in the family of demons.
Haribol!
Category: [Material World], [Material World / Guṇas / Modes], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner:
Date: 2023-02-25
Jayapatākā Swami: We know our chanting, our devotional service is not very ideal. We would like to improve the quality.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said you should take maximum,
if you are a little experienced, you can do a little faster
maybe an hour and a half.
So
my thought would be,
then I try to chant when I do everything.
Link: 20221014 Evening Address
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-07-08
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Narasiṁhadeva, you see He wants to fulfill your devotional desire.
We are praying for devotional blessings.
Every prayer we make, it should be connected with Kṛṣṇa’s devotional service.
When we pray for our spiritual master’s health, then we say, if it so pleases, if You so desire, my Lord, please make my spiritual master well.
Category: [Mercy]
Questioner: Dāmodara Dhanañjaya dāsa
Date: 2023-07-07
Jayapatākā Swami: You see the Lord accompanies us in all our births
and therefore, when we enter, He enters.
When we leave, He leaves.
This is described in the Bhagavad-gītā.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: You see we are trying to remember Kṛṣṇa.
And by following the path of navavida-bhakti we are trying to engage in devotional service.
And therefore, we want to return to the spiritual world to serve Kṛṣṇa personally.
But the karmīs, they are trying to find a solution to their material problems so that they can have interrupted sense gratification.
In this way they take birth after birth after birth after birth.
But we actually have this human life we should take advantage and go back to Godhead.
Category: [Material Sufferings], [Material World], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: IYF Māyāpur
Date: 2022-08-03
Jayapatākā Swami: If you realize that you are weak
in some area,
then you want to pray to Kṛṣṇa and get some strength.
Pray to Lord Caitanya, pray to Lord Nityānanda, pray to Gurudeva.
It is like an athlete.
If you don’t win, what do you do?
Give up or try harder, train more.
You want to get that gold medal for your country.
Like that.
You want to offer something to Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: I am thinking that
I still want to perform the different instructions that Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me,
and I am praying to Śrīla Prabhupāda to give his mercy so that I could execute these orders.
One thing on the disappearance day,
is that the heritage of the spiritual master
is left for us to perform,
and we want to keep him alive
by executing his instructions.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-08
Jayapatākā Swami: No! The point is, say a devotee, tries to become Kṛṣṇa conscious and doesn’t make it; senses take him off; interested into material life again
but whatever time a person spent in doing Kṛṣṇa conscious activity, for that, they get heavenly planet or they get a very good birth in the future.
They don’t lose anything you see.
The sinful reaction doesn’t affect; the sinful life delays your going back to Godhead but doesn’t stop it because that your credit is in like a fixed account.
But what happens is when you do offenses, this is whole different thing.
Offenses are directly...just like you are working for someone, you build up a good credit history and then you steal from him,
then you get fired and that person never wants to see you again, right?
But say that you know, you work for a person, just somehow you go away, you quit, then whatever you do, but with him your relationship, you know, is the same.
This is a little gross kind of material example, it is not fully appropriate.
In a higher sense our relationship with Kṛṣṇa is independent of all the other activities.
But an offense against Him or His devotee directly, you see even He can forgive an offense against Him;
but when you offend His devotee who is just trying in helping people to come to Him that becomes intolerable for Him.
He has a policy that He doesn’t personally forgive anyone for that. If the devotees themselves forgive then He considers a pardon.
So, of all the offenses, the blaspheming of one’s spiritual master who is a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa and is considered to be the worst.
So, the Caitanya-caritāmṛta says that, it takes millions of births before one ever gets a chance to have a guru again.
Why Kṛṣṇa will bring you up to a guru if you are going to blaspheme?
If you are so envious, then you get put in an envious species of life.
So, that way, Śrīla Prabhupāda says that it is much better to fall down from Kṛṣṇa consciousness and just fall into sinful or materialistic activities than to become a blasphemer.
You shouldn’t ever resent the guru.
If you couldn’t make it, why resent the guru, it is not his fault,
you couldn’t make it.
You tried, you got as far as you could, or you have that much determination, you lost faith and you lost.
So, why resent the guru? Guru didn’t do any harm to you.
Guru was trying to help you.
You go to a doctor; you have an incurable disease, or you are hooked on to some kind of drug, the doctor tries to help you to break your habit,
but you can’t take the withdrawal pains, so you just go back in and then you continue taking heroin or something until you OD (overdose) and die.
Why blaspheme the doctor?
It is not his fault; you didn’t have the determination or the patience to get out.
He was going to help you through the whole thing, through your shakes and your problems and everything just to bring you up to a point where you could be a healthy person.
Like that kind of a thing.
Jayapatākā Swami: Oh yeah. Lord Caitanya said that,
yadi vaiṣṇava-aparādha uṭhe hātī mātā
That the offense of blaspheming a devotee is called mad elephant offense.
Because one’s spiritual progress is compared to a creeper, a plant.
So, when you blaspheme pure devotees, that mad elephant can go into a garden, uproot the whole plants, tear apart, you can just demolish the garden.
So, the comparison given that all the other things are like weeds; they don’t actually kill the original plant, they just compete with it.
They stunt its growth by taking away the energy, just stays at whatever level it is.
But it is very hard for the weeds all to completely smother out the original plant unless it just completely overcomes the thing.
But the offenses, those are considered like wild elephants which come in and trrrrp (tearing sound), rip out the thing, put it on the ground and stomp on it.
And then even for a while it may seem that the person is spiritually situated;
they pull out a plant, still the leaves stay green for a few days but then they gradually dry and fall off.
The relationship with the guru is never cut even you fall down; it’s not cut just by material activities;
but if you blaspheme the guru, then it is cut off, it’s like disowning.
Disciple disowns his guru by blaspheming.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-24
Jayapatākā Swami: Prabhupāda said, if a person follows the process of Kṛṣṇa conscious then they can.
If one wants to take birth again in the material world, no.
How free you are from things like offences, may dictate how high you can go in spiritual world.
Whether we get place in Vaikuntha? Whether we get a place in Goloka Vṛndāvana? How I am will able to go?
Or, I mean if a person, I had one person, approached me in India, he was a real strange character.
He said that, “I have been chanting 32 or 20 or 16 rounds for 26 years.
But never gave up eating fish.”
Neutral position that we were discussing today, he reciprocates with the person so perfectly,
that if someone would do something like that because of their offences to chanting, while chanting the holy name,
but they don’t actually make advancement, towards pure love for Kṛṣṇa.
They are getting some benefit from chanting,
but at the same time they are material heart, their material desires aren’t going due to being absorbed in sense gratification like that.
So I advised him that, you should chant the names of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu,
and by His mercy you may be able to overcome this desire of eating fish.
And sure enough after chanting Lord Caitanya’s names for some period of time, he got some spiritual intelligence, and he could stop eating fish.
Even though for 26 years he was on his weird practice, where although chanting he never tried to avoid breaking that,
you know, stopping breaking that regulative principle.
So if a person, I mean if he is determined, you know, alright, I am going to chant 16 rounds and I am going to follow the four principles,
but if they take things in an attitude that I’m determined not to give up my material attachments,
then that’s anachronism, you know.
From our side it should be not just externals, but it should be internal, that we are trying to follow the process.
We are trying from our part to give up our attachments.
If we have the proper attitude, we are trying to give up our attachments, we are trying to avoid, even if we arenot fully successful.
Prabhupāda said, “There is… That Kṛṣṇa is so merciful, that Lord Caitanya is so merciful,
even though we may not at the point of death have been a hundred percent successful.
We can still get delivered.”
[Aside: How long I should go on ?]
I was in Montreal, and Prabhupāda was giving a lecture, that time we had a vyasāsana for him was very high.
I mean, very, it was like, when we would stand up, we would be facing Prabhupāda eye to eye,
or he would still be even higher than that.
It was a very high vyasāsana, and you have to kind of crawl up, steps going up.
[Aside: It was more like a kind of a culpit.
Culpit or something?
Devotee: Pulpit]
Pulpit, Pulpit.
So he would be up there, he would have a seat there and would even have prasādathere.
On a feast they would bring him a big plate of prasāda, we will all be sitting down,
and he would take Prasad from there and sometimes he would give prasāda out from there.
So one day he was giving his lecture from up there naturally,
and on this point he was just preaching very hard, we have to be a 100% Kṛṣṇa conscious,
we have to try, we have to be 100% Kṛṣṇa conscious, we have to try for that,
we have to become, if we are 100% Kṛṣṇa conscious, then we can get pure love for Kṛṣṇa, then our lives will be completely successful.
He was hammering this point.
The devotees you know thinking, 100%! Their heads gradually started to hanging down and they became very thoughtful,
that 100% was like such an objective that never seem that this ever possible, even you know, to get real close to a 100%.
But Prabhupāda was very emphatic on this point.
The devotees were very thoughtful at that time.
Then Prabhupāda, he ended the class, there was just a heavy silence, there was no question,
he ended the class, said become cent percent Kṛṣṇa conscious.
There was just like a death.
I mean there was a silence so thick you could swim through it.
And Prabhupāda was just sitting there on this, that raised
vyasāsana and said that, even if you are 90% Kṛṣṇa conscious, Kṛṣṇa is so kind that you may still be delivered.
Then he started to get down, and he was about halfway down,
just as he was getting off that vyasāsana, he turned to the devotees, said, “Even 90% you can be delivered.”
He started walking off, then he turned and then his cādara fell off.
I remember that it was such a dramatic, almost like you know what you see in those movies;
Julies Caesar his chaddar just blew like that you know.
“Even 70%”, he took his cādara and threw it over his shoulders, raised his head and walked off…
(laughter)
Śrīla Prabhupāda Ki!
Devotees: Jaya!
Jayapataka Swami: But the purport is that try for the 100%.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Material Sufferings / Death], [Mercy], [Sādhanā]
Questioner: IYF Māyāpur
Date: 2022-08-03
Jayapatākā Swami: I was chanting 32 rounds a day.
I felt very proud.
I thought I was doing sādhana.
Śrīla Prabhupāda asked me, “What are you doing?”
I said, “I am chanting 32 rounds!”
I thought Śrīla Prabhupāda would be very happy.
He said, “If you stay here all day and chant rounds,
who will go out and preach?
Chant 16 rounds and go out and preach!”
So we have a dedicated time every day
for chanting.
2 hours a day.
22 hours we can spend in preaching, little time in sleeping and eating.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Why you are not able to keep the program? What is it that your mind gets attracted to and does not let you do your daily routine properly?
That is your enemy.
You have to hear from the senior devotees about which is the obstacle that stops you.With the weapon of knowledge, you have to cut that.
Doing this you will become strong.
Doing exercise, in one day suddenly you cannot lift 100 kilos!
Slowly 20, 30, 40, 60, and finally in the future you can life 100 kilos.
Maybe more also.
Now His Holiness Bhānu Swami can lift a lot of weight!
I cannot!
He does exercise every day.
You are trying, that is good.
You should not feel disappointed.
Just keep going.
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Few days ago in your class you explained about the different separation ecstasies of Lord Caitanya for Kṛṣṇa. Can we experience these eight transcendental symptoms of separation from Lord Gaurāṅga as He is the Supreme Lord, or only in love of directly from Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself, can these moods of symptoms be experienced? Please enlighten us.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-23
Jayapatākā Swami: One can also experience separation from Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityānanda, etc.
And even you can experience separation from devotees.
Separation is possible.
When Śrīla Prabhupāda would leave, some devotees would feel separation at Śrīla Prabhupāda’s departure
and others would be chanting and smiling.
Later when Śrīla Prabhupāda saw the video he pointed out that devotees who were laughing at the departure of Śrīla Prabhupāda,
they were not as advanced as those who were experiencing separation.
Category: [Emotions / Happiness], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: There are no hard and fast rules.
Once, someone was taking all the mahā-prasāda from all the guests.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, you said take from the devotees.
If you take from new people and you get sick, it is not auspicious.
Be a little selective!
Category: [Prasāda and Bhoga], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Associate with devotees who have conviction.
You see, since devotional service is a gradual process,
some people naturally would be at different stages.
So some devotees are at a very advanced stage.
A devotee of the Lord (Akrūra), when he saw the footprints of Kṛṣṇa he left his chariot and paid his obeisances to the footprints.
Like that, some devotees are very fixed up.
Try to associate with them.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Jayapatākā Swami: If you tried to do this to please Kṛṣṇa, then definitely you will get the good result.
Category: [Vratās (Austerities)]
Questioner: Harihara Kṛṣṇa Caitanya dāsa
Date: 2022-09-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, we can try to learn from this līlā,
and it is like say in some countries, if you steal, they cut off your hands.
And people are afraid to steal because they will lose their hand.
So, if we understand how serious it is
to be envious against the devotees,
then you will avoid that like anything.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Emotions / Envy], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Apūrva Mādhurya Rādhā devī dāsī
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t know if that is true.
If the parents are serious, usually the children are serious.
They did a study in the USA, and the found that parents who were serious, their children were also serious.
Then they found that if one parent was serious and one parent was lax, then 50/50.
When both parents were lax, sometimes the children became devotees.
What do you think? You are a parent, you have a kid and if the parents are serious, the children will not become devotees?
Of course, devotional service is voluntary.
I have many gṛhastha disciples and their children are usually Kṛṣṇa conscious.
But you cannot neglect your child.
Generally, we are godbrothers, we don’t know how to deal amongst godbrothers, especially when we don’t get personal, direct instructions from you. We get very less personal association or direct contact with you especially being in Vṛndāvana. Sometimes we don’t know how to connect with our godbrothers and godsisters and don’t know how to deal with them.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Jayapatākā Swami: How many here have mobile phones?
How many of you have the Jayapatākā Swami App?
How many don’t have?
There are various things – what I do every day.
There is also a “Ask Jayapatākā Swami”.
And Śrīla Prabhupāda had given me various instructions.
Those are written down, which one you want to volunteer?
And then there are connections to the social media, with the āratis, many things.
I was looking at my app, there are many things.
So we are looking for volunteers in the UK, they are saying for Amala Mañjarī devī dāsī to be the local care coordinator.
She doesn’t know yet.
But the local care coordinators – we can use one or two in Vṛndāvana.
So they can connect with me through various means.
How to deal with godbrothers or godsisters?
I mean, do you have any brothers?
How do you deal with them?
How do you deal with your godbrothers? Like your brothers?
(He is more close to his godbrothers than his own brothers)
Very nice!
Of course, Śrīla Prabhupāda said that our temples are like hospitals.
So many devotees are at different stages of being a patient.
Some are very advanced devotees like śikṣā-gurus.
So, just saying godbrothers, there are senior godbrothers and new godbrothers.
Treat them respectfully, nicely and humbly.
And I will be very happy.
Try to encourage them to engage in devotional service properly.
But then you have to hear them first
and some of them are a little strange.
Some of them are very critical.
I did not know that at first.
But most of them are very nice.
My disciples, men and women, are very nice.
But sometimes there are so much things.
Link: 20221024 Evening Darśana
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-26
Jayapatākā Swami: Caitanya-Maṅgala it says, that Nārada Muni went to Goloka Vṛndāvana to invite Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu to come.
There, Caitanyadeva said, ok, I will go.
But you go and tell Balarāma to come as well.
Balarāma came ten years before
and this way Balarāma came as Nityānanda.
Revatī and Vāruṇī came as Jāhnavā Devī and Vasudhā.
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Our books generally attract the people.
When I used to take the saṅkīrtana party out there was His Holiness Bhakti Cāru Swami and other devotees in the party.
We would distribute the books
and my job was to arrange the stay of the devotees overnight.
Then I had a system – I used to find out the richest and generous person in that area.
Then I would associate and go to them.
I would ask them where is the most pious person where we brahmacārīs can stay?
Where could we go?
Then they would say, no, no, you can stay with us.
The Hindus in gṛhastha-āśrama cannot spend much,
I used to take a list and would ask where the bazar was even though I knew where it was.
How will I be able to offer bhoga offering to the Lord?
They would grab the list from me and say, no, no, we will get it.
This way, every day we used to stay in different places
and we had Nitāi-Gaura Deities,
we used to cook for Them, the initiated devotees, they would cook and we would offer to the Lords.
We were guests and we used to give them the prasāda.
They would be very happy to have the prasāda.
They were vegetarians or not I don’t know but we used to cook, offer and give kṛṣṇa-prasāda.
We used to give the family including the women and others prasāda and they were very happy.
We used to go to the bazaar and bring the devotees back and give them prasāda.
This was our principle.
Category: [Sādhanā / Book distribution]
Questioner: Shurva Dey Babu
Date: 2023-12-11
Jayapatākā Swami: The Lord is not created.
īśvara paramaḥ kṛṣṇa sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ, anādir ādir govindaḥ sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam.
Things in the material world are created and destroyed,
but in the spiritual world or the Absolute Truth, there is no creation and no destruction,
they have been eternally existing,
and the Lord is the cause of all causes.
He is original
and He is without origin.
Ādi and anādi –
original and without any origin.
Category: [Anarthās / Bad association]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-11-28
Jayapatākā Swami: When we are envious against other Vaiṣṇavas,
they become intolerant when another Vaiṣṇava is praised,
and they think, “Oh, why I am not getting the praise?
I worked harder! I worked more!
I should be appreciated!
Why am I not appreciated?”
That girl is a oohhh
and you commit some Vaiṣṇava-aparādha!
So we have to be very, very careful.
We are trying to please guru, Gaurāṅga and Kṛṣṇa and we don’t care if others get more glory,
we simply want to please the Lord.
And sometimes people will see it and sometimes they won’t. But the Lord sees it.
So we are not working for popularity.
Like that some politicians they get their names published in newspapers or newscast
and therefore an insignificant person becomes famous.
We just want to please the Lord
and if we recognize that is nice and if not doesn’t matter.
We still go on with our service.
Questioner: Atula Kṛṣṇa dāsa
Date: 2023-04-13
Jayapatākā Swami: I used to travel 5 or 6 times around the world every year.
I have lifetime-gold-membership in United Airways.
British Airways I have Emerald membership, it is like Gold.
I don’t have to fly, I get every year automatically.
But this was initially Śrīla Prabhupāda said as a sannyāsī, I should travel.
But now I spend more time in Māyāpur.
Śrīla Prabhupāda told me also remain in Māyāpur and do your activities through your assistants.
So, at different times, he told me different things.
So, I think I did my travelling enough.
Now I spend more time in Māyāpur, India.
I only travel once or twice around the year every year!
But that way, I think I used to travel to all the countries, South Africa, Poland, Nigeria, Ghana, etc.
Bhakti Tīrtha Swami had asked me to go to West Africa sometimes.
I went two or three times.
So like that. During the pandemic I stayed all the time in Māyāpur.
That is the thing, I am trying to carry out Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions.
Questioner: Saṅgītamayī Gopī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: That is why we read in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya
when Lord Caitanya was in Vṛndāvana,
one gṛhastha approached Him
and he said, I am a very very fallen gṛhastha.
So like that he got the mercy from Lord Caitanya.
Now Śrīla Prabhupāda said as gṛhasthas we should try to keep our goal higher.
But as you said, maybe we are not able to achieve that right away.
But we try.
That is why the śāstra gives us different vratās, different systems that we can follow.
Like the Bhīṣma Pañcaka is optional.
So there are many things which are optional.
If you think you need more purification, you can do these optional vratās.
A brahmacārī may consider, these are not for me, I don’t have any problem.
But they can also preach to the gṛhasthas.
And if they do, no harm.
I asked Śrīla Prabhupāda what should we do in the Dāmodara month?
He said, this is especially for the new customers!
Like a store has a sale.
To encourage new customers,
but you are a regular customer.
All the months, all the days, whether sale or not sale, you are a regular customer.
So this is the answer Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-26
Jayapatākā Swami: I explained this in Bengali in the morning, you were there?
Lord Nityānanda, He was in Vṛndāvana and He realized that Lord Caitanya had started the saṅkīrtana movement.
So He took Sridāma and Abhirāma Ṭhākura and they went to Navadvīpa.
They stayed in the Nandanācārya temple.
Then, Lord Caitanya had sent his devotees out but nobody could find Lord Nityānanda.
Then Lord Caitanya said, were you looking for Lord Nityānanda?
They said, yes.
He said, no wonder you could not find Him.
You cannot find the Lord by looking for Him, He has to reveal Himself to you.
So if you want to realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He has to reveal Himself to you.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said that we should try to do such service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, Lord Caitanya, then they would want to meet us.
So anyway, Lord Caitanya told the devotees that I can find Him, you cannot find Him.
I can find Him.
So next morning they went out in kīrtana, Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare, Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare.
So Lord Nityānanda, He heard the kīrtana and His hairs stood on end and He stood up.
And then Lord Caitanya entered into the courtyard of Nandanācārya
and then He saw Lord Nityānanda! Nitāi!
And then Lord Nityānanda saw Gaurāṇga and said,
Gauuuuranga!
Nityānanda!
Gaurāṇga!
Nityānanda!
Gaurāṇga!
Nityānanda!
Gaurāṇga!
And then They came and embraced each other.
All the devotees were Haribol! Haribol!
Nitai-Gaura Haribol!
Haribol!
Hari Hari Hari Hari bol!
Nitāi! Nitāi! Nitāi!
Gaura! Gaura! Gaura!
Nitāi-Gaura!
Nitāi-Gaura!
Nitāi! Nitāi!
Gaura! Gaura!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-26
Jayapatākā Swami: This was Nityānanda’s mercy, which has no limits.
And Jagāi and Mādhāi said that Ajāmila was a sinner
but he chanted the names of Nārāyaṇa, calling out his son.
But we have no good quality, as much hair as we have on our head, we have committed that many sins, even more!
So much we have sinned, but we got liberated by Nitāi-Gaura! They are the most merciful!
THEY ARE THE MOST MERCIFUL!
NITĀI GAURĀṆGA! NITĀI GAURĀṆGA! NITAI GAURA! NITĀI GAURA! NITĀI GAURA! NITĀI GAURA!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-23
Jayapatākā Swami: Only Jagannātha Purī and the temples connected with Jagannātha Purī have this restriction.
Some devotees have gone and opened up the other temples.
Some temples like Guruvayoor you have to officially accept Hinduism.
You go to Calicut, you do a yajña and pay 35 rupees.
You get a certificate.
I did not do the yajña, but someone got me the certificate.
But I did not need it because I had already gone to Guruvayoor many times.
Like the Śiva in Vāranāsi, the Viśvanātha Deity,
he allows everyone.
But generally, devotees are allowed to go,
except Jagannātha Purī and Sākṣī Gopāla also.
Actually. In 1970 I had darśana of Sākṣī Gopāla.
Since then, they are more strict.
Śrīla Prabhupāda asked me to somehow get permission for devotees to enter.
But I have not been able to do so as yet.
We are trying.
And, we have given some gifts, some books,
and you see, the king of Purī, the hereditary king, he said to go to the Śaṅkarācārya,
as he is the final authority.
The brāhmaṇas don’t listen to him because the king is a kṣatriya.
But right now, the Śaṅkarācārya of Purī is not favorable to the devotees.
His junior is a bit more favorable.
The previous Śaṅkarācārya, I went to him in 1970s to try to get his permission.
And he said, oh yes, boil one kilo of ghee and drink it!
I will die I said.
Yes, but then you will be born again as a Hindu,
and then they will let you into enter the temple!
Anyway, we are working on it.
There are many places connected to Lord Caitanya in Jagannātha Purī.
In Tirupati, if the devotees of our temple arrange, then you can go.
But otherwise, if someone comes and wants to go in, then they must sign a declaration that they accept Bālājī as God.
For the devotees, that is no problem.
Category: [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-23
Jayapatākā Swami: Normally, a Vaiṣṇava is not supposed to leave remnants.
But a guru may leave some remnants for disciples.
But there is no hard and fast rule regarding mahā-prasāda.
Śrīla Prabhupāda gave a Gulab jamun to Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Goswami.
He kept it on his plate and he was looking at it.
He was very proud and was thinking that I have got Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Gulab jamun wow! Wow! Gulab jamun! Wow!
Someone reached over and ate it!
He said, you took my Gulab jamun!
And Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Goswami was very angry.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, he said, actually there are no rules when it comes to mahā-prasāda.
And even if you take from my plate, what can I do?
But please let me finish!
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Prasāda and Bhoga], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-10
Absolutely yes.
Specially keep crying for Kṛṣṇa.
So in one sentence nothing wrong.
And people surely benefit something by hearing them.
But usually for the initiated devotees prefer to hear singing by someone more spiritually developed.
These are especially songs sung by attracting the new people by music aspect but not spiritual aspect.
In public programs we use these more but for personal purification it is recommended to hear Prabhupāda and some other pure devotee chanting.
But its nothing wrong but that is the guideline.
Category: [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Here Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi understood his mistake when Lord Jagannātha and Lord Balarāma enacted Their punishment pastime. But I commit many offences, and sometimes I cannot even understand my offences. So in such circumstances how am I to ask for forgiveness from you and from Lord Kṛṣṇa so that you may completely forgive me?
Questioner: Bhāgyaśrī devī dāsī
Date: 2023-07-10
Jayapatākā Swami: We should pray to Kṛṣṇa that
I have committed many offences, knowingly or unknowingly,
please forgive me.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-23
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya usually would not discuss with Māyāvādīs.
But because the devotees requested Him then He felt obliged.
And one Maharashtrian brāhmaṇa had invited all the sannyāsīs so Lord Caitanya took the opportunity to attend.
But He was very humble, and He sat down where other sannyāsīs had washed their feet.
So the head sannyāsī, Prakaśānanda Sarasvatī, said that is a dirty place, why are You sitting there?
Mahāprabhu said I don’t feel qualified to sit with all you advanced sannyāsīs.
So then Prakaśānanda Sarasvatī, he took Lord Caitanya’s hand and made Him sit with him.
So Lord Caitanya was asked why doesn’t He study the Vedānta-sutra and so on.
He said well, My spiritual master said I am a fool
and I should simply chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
And He began talking to the Vārāṇasī Māyāvādī sannyāsīs.
So he was very humble.
And he also was radiating a lot of effulgence
and the Māyāvādī sannyāsīs like effulgence!
Category: [Yet To Categories]
Questioner: Pūjā
Date: 2023-07-10
Jayapatākā Swami: As Śrīla Prabhupāda said, that a devotee,
he develops friendship with other devotees,
and birds of a feather flock together.
Like that if the devotee is on your level, then you can be their friend.
Like that we many not find some devotee with whom we can be friends,
a devotee who will keep your talks confidential.
But if we do, then you can discuss with that person.
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Purnima
Date: 2022-10-22
Jayapatākā Swami: You see,
if one
worships Kṛṣṇa,
chants Hare Kṛṣṇa,
reads Bhāgavatam, Gītā
and other Kṛṣṇa conscious things,
you can make use of this
temporary relationship
*repetitition*
to
be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
To help others be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
and some people have certain desires
so you can regulate these desires
and
cross over all the obstacles.
Although
things are temporary,
they can last for this life.
If you have a Kṛṣṇa conscious husband
then you can practice your Kṛṣṇa consciousness
very peacefully.
So it is important
that a man finds a woman
and a woman finds a man who is krsna consciousness or atleast favorable.
at least favorable.
Maybe you can make him a devotee.
I know some women
who have overestimation of their ability
to make people devotees. (Laughing)
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Married life], [Material World], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra], [Women]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-15
Jayapatākā Swami: Of course, one way is to ask him! Ha! Ha!
Otherwise by observing him
and hearing his instructions,
you can know what he wants.
And every guru may be different because we are all persons, we may have differences.
But we are united in serving Kṛṣṇa
and serving Śrīla Prabhupāda.
So like that we want all the devotees to be united
in serving guru and Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-08
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, Śrīla Prabhupāda, when I was 19, told me practice brahmacarya till you are 25.
And then with your guru make your decision.
So between 25 to 30 you can decide which way to go.
One way of helping the mind, you say, okay, I will not go into the sense attraction till later.
Postpone it
and then you can practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness with your full concentration.
Also by staying busy in devotional service.
There is no time for the sense attractions.
Naturally, the living being is thinking, feeling, willing and doing.
So, we should be so fixed in Kṛṣṇa’s service
that we are always thinking about Kṛṣṇa.
We try that when we are 25 to 30.
And then we can decide which way we will be stronger.
As a gṛhastha or as a brahmacārī.
Questioner: Siddhāntamaṇi Prabhupāda dāsa
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: If one is initiated and breaks the principles,
they are guilty of one of the offences to the holy name
disrespecting the order of the spiritual master.
So there is no higher atonement than devotional service.
So in that case one should repent for their misdeed
and then again take up the practice of devotional service,
as sincerely as possible, and gradually they can regain their status.
But, of course they have ceased their progress for some time, but they can start again
and there is no other way recommended by the śāstras.
Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Bad association], [Anarthās / Māyā], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Emotions / Enthusiasm]
Questioner: Abhirāma Gopa dāsa
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: The third verse of the Śikṣāṣṭakam
is that, if we practice those principles, we can always chant the holy names.
Amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyā sadā hari
offer respect to others, don’t expect any respect for yourself.
Be more humble than a blade of grass, and more tolerant than a tree,
then you can always chant the holy name
kīrtanīyā sadā hari.
Questioner: Jisu Sen
Date: 2023-12-11
Jayapatākā Swami: That is the original sin,
why we are here in the material world.
For some reason we envied or were jealous of the Lord.
So that is the one thing we cannot dovetail.
We dovetail anger, you can dovetail greed, you can dovetail everything but not envy, mātsarya.
I can be greedy to get more mercy of Kṛṣṇa,
I can be angry of someone who offends Kṛṣṇa,
everything can be dovetailed,
but envy, no!
So we should give up envy.
But how do we do that?
You do that by Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
by being advanced in kṛṣṇa-bhakti,
you think that if I have any good quality it is due to the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa.
And if someone is doing better, we are inspired that oh, they have achieved success!
I will follow their example and get the mercy also.
Envy means, oh, that one is ahead, let me trip him up!
I will be ahead of him;
he will be in the dust! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Hai!
I will be the king of the mountains!
You see that keeps us here in the material world!
It is a hellish mentality.
So, we want people to do better, we want to associate with them, we want their mercy,
we want to follow their good example,
we don’t want to envy them
that oh, they got the mercy.
Let me throw mud on them.
You see in Vṛndāvana, Kṛṣṇa went out with Rādhārāṇī,
they left the rāsa dance.
So the other gopīs they thought, this gopī must have had special bhakti to take the Lord away,
and they were happy that at least one gopī had conquered Kṛṣṇa.
So, we want Kṛṣṇa to be happy.
And if we are envious, Kṛṣṇa will not be happy.
That is the worst thing we could do.
So, if one understands this, they can avoid envy
because it is counter-productive.
Thank you very much.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-08-16
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya says, ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam.
By chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa we clean our consciousness.
So by chanting you should chant and clean your consciousness.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: The whole purpose of bhakti-yoga is to develop our intense desire, laulyam to serve Kṛṣṇa.
So that is something that should be increasing as we go on.
And it is not a separate endeavor.
If we become attached to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, if we become attached to Lord Caitanya,
naturally we want to associate with Them.
We were reading in this līlā of Lord Caitanya and His leaving Navadvīpa,
how the devotees are lamenting in separation.
They are holding their heads, they are crying, they are rolling on the ground,
like wild people.
Someone finally tells them,
you are very fortunate
that you have a personal relationship with Kṛṣṇa Caitanya
and He cares about you.
So you should control yourselves
and follow His instructions.
So someone gave them such instructions.
So like that, we see how they developed so much deep attachment for Lord Caitanya.
We want also to develop that attachment.
Lord Caitanya taught that in this Age of Kali,
the way we can worship the Lord
is to feel His separation.
And that vipralmbha-bhāva
is not difficult
considering it is Kali-yuga! Ha!
We actually beg from the Lord
and we are separated from the Lord!
Questioner: Kṛṣṇasevinī Rādhā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-12-02
Jayapatākā Swami: The whole practice of bhakti-yoga is to develop our love for guru and Kṛṣṇa.
It is not a different process.
Same process delivers us
and we should perform devotional service
and naturally if you help the spiritual master
then Kṛṣṇa will be very pleased.
Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Try!
Why cannot you read the books?
Why cannot you preach?
One lady, she brought seven women to take shelter.
Anybody can preach.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: By offering all respects to others,
and you will thus avoid the first offence.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t know why you are asking me?
Anyway, read the Caitanya-caritāmṛta and see what please Gaura-Nitāi!
If you do that, certainly you will please Gaura-Nitāi!
And onetime Lord Caitanya after taking sannyāsa He came back to Bengal.
And He visited the house of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura.
He said, “You don’t go out, how do you maintain your family?”
Śrīvāsa clapped his hands three times and said, “I use this system.”
Lord Caitanya said, “What is that?”
“If one day we don’t have enough prasāda to eat, I clap my hands three times.
Then I will go to the Ganges and drown myself.”
Lord Caitanya said, “Even if Lakṣmī has to go begging door to door, you will never have shortage of prasāda in your house!”
Śrīvāsa had the faith that as a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa will provide.
But he constantly did devotional service.
We cannot imitate Śrīvāsa, he was a great devotee.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-08-16
Jayapatākā Swami: Before you read chant your praṇāmas
to guru and Śrīla Prabhupāda.
In that way read the book with full attention.
And then gradually by reading every day your taste will increase.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Kṛṣṇa and His name are not different.
And the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the literary incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
So if we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, if there is any anxiety or danger,
Kṛṣṇa helps us.
We have great devotees like Prahlāda Mahārāja, he always took shelter of the holy name and His teachings.
But the demon father Hiraṇyakaśipu asked is your God in this column?
He is everywhere, Prahlāda Mahārāja said.
Then Hiraṇyakaśipu kicked the column.
There was a sound ohh….
Hiraṇyakaśipu was looking where is that sound coming from.
Then Narasiṁhadeva came out from the column.
So, you put your faith in Kṛṣṇa, His holy name, the śāstras, He will never let you down.
Prahlāda Mahārāja was an innocent boy, but his father was a demon.
So Prahlāda was not trying to purposely trouble his father.
So if you read the history of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam then that will strengthen your faith.
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Questioner: Sukamala Nityānanda dāsa [Bangladesh]
Date: 2022-09-10
Jayapatākā Swami: I just said that
we should pray to Kṛṣṇa
that whatever we do, we do service in a Kṛṣṇa conscious way.
Firstly, you have to get married,
and then the two should pray that you have Kṛṣṇa conscious children.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-10
Jayapatākā Swami: That question has been asked to me many times.
And there are like 15 questions that you could ask yourself.
But basically, you pray to Kṛṣṇa, you pray to Śrīla Prabhupāda
to reveal, who you should take shelter of.
And whose preaching you feel more connected with Śrīla Prabhupāda and Kṛṣṇa.
Maybe he is your spiritual master.
Sometimes you feel connected to several people’s preaching,
then you can take more than one as your śikṣā-guru,
as the instructing spiritual master.
Since there is no limit to how many instructing spiritual masters we can have.
And then the one we feel most connected with, we take him as the dīkṣā-guru.
I have an application, the Jayapatākā Swami App.
Maybe I can try to answer the questions.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)]
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
If you fix a specific time to read books daily then your reading habit will grow
and if two persons can sit and read, that way your reading habit will increase.
There are some books which are in audio version which you can hear while cooking or doing some work.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: In this life you do the Navadvīpa parikramā, we go there every year.
Otherwise, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa till the last breath and then next birth be born in Lord Caitanya’s kīrtana party somewhere!
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-23
Jayapatākā Swami: A serious preacher, well a person can become a serious preacher in different ways.
When one is a serious devotee, one becomes a serious, one can be a serious preacher.
If a person is very serious about carrying out the order of guru, Vaiṣṇava, Kṛṣṇa, that naturally becomes also a serious,
whatever he does, including preaching.
If a preacher becomes very concerned about helping the people,
awaken from their animalistic consciousness and come into their actual spiritual heritage,
in that case they become very serious preachers,
by developing their compassion, by actually seeing philosophically how people both those who appear to be happy,
and those who appear to be suffering are all in a very precarious unfortunate condition,
and they need to be helped to become Kṛṣṇa conscious,
to become God conscious, to get out of this entire material entanglement.
In material life, happiness is the stepping stone to misery, and misery is the stepping stone to happiness.
sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ.
mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ -
Happiness and sadness is always changing just like the changing of the seasons,
spring to summer, summer to fall, fall to winter, winter to spring, spring to summer, like that.
So, if someone is happy, it doesn’t mean anything,
it just means that within no time he going to be sad, even if someone is suffering that doesn’t mean
that much because after some time things will change and he will become happy.
So, to simply try to help all the people who are materially unfortunate, become materially fortunate,
is alright in the material platform, but in the overall spiritual sense that falls short.
That… that for us we want to help everyone.
Of course, those who are suffering materially, obviously it’s hard for them to concentrate on spiritual life.
So many of the Kṛṣṇa conscious services like giving out prasāda, also do have the material side effect.
Like feeding their hunger.
But the purpose is not to stop there, but to actually give them spiritual happiness.
Even rich people, even so called successful people or happy people, their situation is also uh one that deserves some sympathy,
some compassion, some mercy that they could actually become spiritually situated, because their situation is very unstable.
Very soon they will also be put into material suffering if they are not already in it.
But devotee becomes very compassionate to the fallen soul, wants to see them become spiritually happy,
wants to see them in their suffering, this is one way of becoming a very serious preacher.
Or one in general takes up the mood of the spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa and wants to carry out their instruction but also be very serious.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-15
Jayapatākā Swami: The disciple, if they follow the guru correctly, then naturally he will be pleased.
If they are chanting their 16 rounds, following the regulative principles, if they are preaching,
so naturally the guru will be pleased.
If one has a doubt you can ask the guru.
But generally guru will be happy is following the orders of the guru.
But we should not commit any vaiṣṇava-aparādha,
that is very dangerous.
Questioner: Vijaya Rādhā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: While the guru is present,
you shouldn’t feel any doubt.
You can always ask the guru
if your idea is correct or not.
I asked Prabhupāda several times about different things like this
and somethings he said, they are sent by Kṛṣṇa,
somethings not.
To be sure, that is why we have a guru,
because we cannot connect directly with Kṛṣṇa in our conditioned state.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Emotions / Confusion], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Material World / Mind / Intelligence], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Hemāṅga Gauracandra dāsa
Date: 2022-07-23
Jayapatākā Swami: It is not that we have to develop a tendency to criticize,
we can also appreciate devotees.
Just like, the flies they go to the scabs and sores, injuries in the body.
But the bee goes for the honey.
So, we want to be like bees, not like flies.
We would like to see the good qualities of others and not the bad qualities.
Category: [Yet To Categories]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapataka Swami: Interesting.
Being a manager I always had, thoughts that would come in my mind.
That I have to do this I have to do that.
I would keep a small notebook in my pocket
and would just write down and that way would not be distracted by my thoughts.
I would chant looking at Śrīla Prabhupāda’s lotus feet
or at some Deities or some pictures
and would try to concentrate.
At the end of the chanting, I would look at my note book and see what I had to do.
So I don’t know if that is useful, but some different methods to keep the mind on chanting.
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Questioner: Rasapriya Gopikā devī dāsī, Māyāpur
Date: 2022-10-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Some people are more sentimental, and they get carried away by other people’s problems.
But actually, as Kṛṣṇa said in the Bhagavad-gītā,
we should not lament for the living or the dead.
So by reading the Bhagavad-gītā,
Kṛṣṇa advices how one can
give the teachings of Kṛṣṇa, but avoid being affected by the problems.
Thank you.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-23
Jayapatākā Swami: Mercy.
Of course, if someone gives you something for which they are not obliged to do that, that’s called mercy.
If you make a business deal with some merchant that, “I’ll work for you, and you pay me thousand rupees per month.”
and he pays you thousand rupees,
and that is the market rate for that job, then this is not a question of mercy, its fair market.
But
if he doesn’t need any employee, and neither he has anybody, he says, “Alright, you stay here and I will give you some money”,
then you can say, “Well he is being merciful.”
That means that it is some kindness.
That he is doing something for which he is not actually necessary to be done.
He is doing it because of some sentiment, or some kindness on his part to help another.
In Kṛṣṇa’s case you see He gives His mercy.
That means that He is not obliged to do so.
See, there’s nothing we can do, there’s nothing that we can do to actually get from Him some particular benediction whereby we are obliged to do that.
That’s why even sometimes if the Lord gives a devotee a material benediction they’ll say, “That’s not merciful.”
Some pure devotee might out of his deep love He may also even criticize that to give a devotee
who is serving to give him some material thing this is not mercy, because that material thing is not so valuable.
That if they can get pure bhakti, that is real mercy, like that.
But these are internal type of sentiments.
Basically, mercy means they are giving something more than what they need to give,
out of their own kindness, out of their own very broad heart they are giving.
Just like the Vāsudeva Datta, he prayed that,
“All living entities in the universe let them be delivered to Kṛṣṇa, let me take their karma.”
They know not that those living entities did anything for Vāsudeva Datta.
Why is he taking? “Let me take their karma.”
Everybody is hungry to get rid of karma.
He is saying, “Give me their karma.
Let them go back to Kṛṣṇa.”
Because that was his mercy.
That was his very kind mood that he thought that, “Somehow I tasted the nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s sevā, Kṛṣṇa’s service,
and these people they are all bahir-mukha.
They are just absorbed in material suffering and enjoyment, missing out their real happiness.
So, once I already experience even for a second the happiness of Kṛṣṇa, now my life is already you see fulfilled.
Why should I one person just be happy and everyone suffer?
Better let me suffer and them all go back to Kṛṣṇa.
Let me take their karma and let them go back.
Then I can just suffer.
For one person, if I suffer, what’s the harm, I am insignificant, if so many can be saved?”
This type of mentality, this sacrifice wanting to help others is the nature of a devotee.
There is no cause for that.
You see.
They will be called fools.
Many time, if a person becomes a devotee and starts to preach and distribute books to… to do devotional service
their family members will come and say, “What are you doing with your youth?
You could be enjoying.
You could be having good times.
You could be just enjoying in the world in so many ways.
What are you doing?
You are giving up all this fun, you see.
You could be going to cinemas, and you could be may be dancing, or you could be like this doing so many things.”
They try to, they think that, “really you are, you are missing the good time of your life.”
Like Govinda dāsa prayed,
bhajahū re mana, śrī-nanda-nandana
abhaya-caraṇāravinda re
ei dhana yauvana, putra parijana,
ithe ki āche paratīti re
ei dhana yauvana, putra parijana,
ithe ki āche paratīti re
kamala-dala-jala, jīvana ṭalamala
kamala-dala-jala, jīvana ṭalamala
(ei ache ei nai… jīvana ṭalamala)
bhajahū hari-pada nīti re.
bhajahū hari-pada nīti re.
That, what this ei dhana - this wealth, ei dhana yauvana - so called youth, putras - children, parijana- relatives?
ithe ki āche paratīti re - what is the eternal spiritual value of all these things?
kamala-dala-jala, jīvana ṭalamala - life is just flickering like a drop of water on a lotus leaf.
In one second everything is just topsy-turvy.
In one second, everything can be destroyed.
So better that we give our mind and our thoughts and our actions
and words in the service of Hari, service of Kṛṣṇa.
Bhajahū hari-pada nīti re - this should be our daily activity.
This, let us only take this as our goal, just to serve His lotus feet.
Then we are fearless.
Then we can have the perfection of life.
Otherwise what is the value of these things?
So devotee has got opposite opinion.
Kṛṣṇa also may give the devotee family, may give the devotee fame, may give the devotee material things.
But devotee takes this as inconsequential.
This Kṛṣṇa gives it, “Alright, He gives”, if He doesn’t give it, Kṛṣṇa, they are not worried about that.
That it may come, that’s according to our previous karmas we may get something or not.
You see.
But the devotee already figured it out that this thing is not essential.
It I get it, it’s also Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.
He’ll live with it and use that.
But real objective should be how somehow or other get the shelter of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.
Because once you get that shelter, then you never lose that.
The material things, they may come, they may go.
Sometimes one may get very good mate.
Then suddenly accident there, and one is made as a widow or widower.
Nobody can say.
So many difficulties, someone may get a very nice child.
But even at an early age sometimes children are dying.
Then they are feeling very bad.
Like King Citraketu got a son, then the son died untimely.
He was very frustrated.
So material happiness means material suffering.
We can’t avoid one, because always a limit is there, always end is there.
So the devotee they become detached.
If suffering or happiness comes, we’ll tolerate.
The real thing that I want is to get the shelter of Kṛṣṇa.
Because that is the real happiness and that never ends.
Material happiness and material suffering that we have to tolerate.
Even you have entered devotional service, that doesn’t mean you won’t get material happiness.
Rather Kṛṣṇa says, “There is no loss.
Whatever happiness you are going to get you are still going to get that.
Only you may be relieved from some suffering.”
So even the devotee they also afraid that, “I don’t want that happiness also.
You promis,e or also help whatever happiness I was going to get, whatever good karma I have I am going to get,
but even that good karma, if it stands in the way of my devotional service, I don’t care for it,
you see.
If it can be used in my devotional service, alright.
I don’t mind.
But if it is going to be a stumbling block, then I also don’t want even my good karma.”
So the materialist they can’t understand, they don’t see that the devotee actually doesn’t lose any happiness.
They get the full happiness.
But they also, they are not deriving satisfaction from that material happiness.
The devotee derives the satisfaction from the pure devotional service.
Questioner: Rasapriyā Gopīkā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, he was praying that,
he wants to fall at the lotus feet of Śrīvāsa
and beg him for that mercy.
So, we can follow the example of our previous ācāryas,
and we should surrender at the lotus feet, we should pray for the mercy of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura,
and our previous ācāryas,
for this special mercy.
Śrīla Prabhupāda
has given us this opportunity,
to engage in the devotional service of the Lord.
Actually, this is incomparable,
and people who give up their service,
it is very unfortunate.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Akhil Verma
Date: 2023-07-07
You can achieve it even in this life,
by getting the mercy of pure devotees,
or you can also take many lives.
Depends, what you want.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-29
parent takes care of the children who takes them, instructs them because he loves them.
So the proper attitude for someone with more spiritual knowledge is to love the others,
members of the human race, because everyone is, we are all living creatures, because we are all part of Kṛṣṇa,
and want to help them in the service of, so that they can engage in the service of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Should be loving attitude.
You are feeling one with Kṛṣṇa, naturally you feel also connected with all living entities.
You feel kindness towards them.
Because there are all Kṛṣṇa is in them and they are in Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Pray to Him or worship Him,
and the spiritual master is considered as His dear servitor,
so by following a Vaiṣṇava, spiritual master, who is surrendered to Nityānanda prabhu,
one can get His mercy!
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: If husband and wife, both are devotees then there are many opportunities.
If between the two if one of them is little behind, the other person should be affectionate to him or her and inspire them.
There is no use of using any bad words or being angry, it will simply increase the distance between them.
There are some strategies and techniques where they can get together and read books or chant together.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Married life], [Day-to-day Life / Relatives], [Sādhanā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Cooperation]
Questioner: Gopa Gopikā devī dāsī
Date: 2023-07-07
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, if we take inspiration from the example of Vāsudeva Datta,
and try to emulate that,
then naturally, gradually we can achieve similar consciousness.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-01-10
Jayapatākā Swami: You see how this ācārya, he only wants to take the shelter of Lord Caitanya.
He realizes that Lord Caitanya, He gives one blessings to see things from the eyes of Lord Caitanya.
That if we want to see things from a sāttvika mood, we need the mercy of Lord Caitanya.
You see in the earlier verses, it said how people they hope to reach Kṛṣṇa by sādhana-bhakti and so on.
But he said they can try, but I simply depend on the mercy of Lord Caitanya.
If we have that mood that we want the mercy of Lord Caitanya, then it is possible.
What do you think?
Gaurāṅga!
Nityānanda!
Haribol!
Last question.
If we understand how Lord Caitanya, He is the most merciful,
He doesn’t see if you are qualified or not,
He gives out freely love of Kṛṣṇa to everyone.
So therefore, we want to take shelter of Lord Gaurāṅga!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-17
Jayapatākā Swami: I think that we should not think that we will ever have the same love that Gadādhara Paṇḍita had for Lord Caitanya.
If we can have a drop of his love,
that would be something to aspire for.
And by following the footsteps of Śrīla Prabhupāda and other pure devotees,
it is possible to achieve the shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya.
It says by hearing these pastimes,
one will get the shelter of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s lotus feet
very soon.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Depends on what gives you faith.
I mean, some people have faith by reading the scripture,
since it tells us that the holy name is Absolute and non-different from Kṛṣṇa.
Some people have faith by realization.
If you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, you may become peaceful and ecstatic.
And that may increase your faith.
Some people commit offences to the holy name.
So they don’t get the full result of chanting.
And you should tell them to be very careful to follow the order of the spiritual master.
I think the third offence to the holy name is to disobey the order of the spiritual master.
We must have a spiritual master and follow his instructions.
There is no question but to accept the spiritual master.
So Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura had everyone in the temple chant 64 rounds.
Those who went for book distribution and preaching, they should chant 16 rounds.
So Śrīla Prabhupāda said that for the Western rounds it would be difficult to chant 64 rounds.
So he had them chant 16 and preach.
So by following Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions, one can advance.
Link: 20221023 Evening Darśana
Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Read his books,
try to carry out his instructions.
He wanted his gṛhastha followers to become paramahaṁsas,
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda]
Questioner: Yamuneśvarī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-22
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, if you chant and dance,
that in itself would be very inspiring.
Gaurāṇgī Gandharvikā, she sent me a video
of how they were chanting and dancing…
very nice!
And I think..
the way to inspire more people to chant
is to chant yourself.
Naturally by having a group, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa
and inspiring other people to join in.
I saw in New Orleans,
before the Mardi Gras,
Mardi Gras.
Christians
went.. and they had signs...
"TURN OR BURN!".
Such were the signs.
"Accept Jesus or burn in hell!".
I did not see anyone joining in.
But when we went with our kīrtana,
people were buying roses and throwing at our feet
Some people
joined with the kīrtana.
So they see, they like..
how we were performing, singing and dancing.
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Preach to them,
don’t let them preach to you!
Think how you can help them on the path to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Thank you for – you remember Prahlāda Mahārāja, he was in a school with all demon children,
but he preached to them
and he got them to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
They said we are kids, we want to play, we don’t want to chant.
He said, you spend half your life sleeping, playing,
Category: [Anarthās / Bad association], [Day-to-day Life], [Day-to-day Life / Education], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Māyāpureśvarī Lakṣmīpriyā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: First of all, we want to reach all the people,
and how all the people with learning difficulties
can access,
that is something which people will ascertain.
We have seen that
some children with Down’s syndrome,
they have become very Kṛṣṇa conscious.
And I cannot particularly speak for all those with learning difficulties.
But those who have some experience,
they can say.
Of course, there are many people
without any difficulties,
and how to help them
to take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
that is our priority in one sense.
But then, they also have special learning difficulties,
how they could be taken out
is a separate thing.
Mahā Varāha dāsa: There is one mātājī, Anuttama mātājī, in Chennai who preaches to the deaf people.
There are a group of devotees in Chennai and Mumbai who are preaching.
They use sign language and preach to these people who have such difficulties.
We will share her contact with you and you can communicate with her.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-05
Some people their weakness is desire for sex life.
So, that can be solved by staying in the āśrama where sex life is permitted.
But that may also be if you are satisfied and happy anyway
then they don’t have any appeal.
So the point is if you have weakness of heart, don’t be weak!
Be strong, build up your strength.
You see, people work out at the gym.
That is not the kind of strength we need.
If it is for Kṛṣṇa’s service, you can do it.
But we need Balarāma’s strength,
the strength of spiritual life.
That you get by good japa, attending morning program,
reading, spiritual things.
And one thing is not having weakness of heart, being strong.
When we are attracted by certain desires we may be situated in an āśrama appropriate for those desires.
Questioner: IYF Māyāpur
Date: 2022-08-03
Jayapatākā Swami: That is what we are doing.
At least they are your relatives, they listen to you.
And you could see what works.
Flattery
or heart to heart talk.
This time there is a pandemic in the world,
people are dying,
people are getting sick.
Maybe you have some relative who got sick.
So it is an opportunity to explain
that while we do our material work,
we have to do some sacrifice for Kṛṣṇa.
Because if we don’t
that is why all this pandemic is there.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: As far as I know, all the temples in Bengaluru are into preaching.
They seem to be expanding the preaching in various ways.
I don’t know particularly, maybe some temple need particular devotees to do particular service.
But frees other devotees to do a lot of preaching.
I don’t know if you talked to your local president.
Ask how you could at least some time be engage in preaching.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: We should rather try to see the good qualities in other devotees.
Like, there are two insects, there are the flies and the bees.
The flies are looking for infections or sores.
And the bees are looking for the honey.
Try to see the good qualities in devotees and you won’t have time to see any bad qualities.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-08-16
Jayapatākā Swami: That is the whole question?
So, we always consider our chanting as not pure.
And we try to improve it, making it more pure.
In this way, we will get the mercy of Kṛṣṇa.
We don’t like to be too proud, oh! my chanting is so pure.
We would rather like to present ourselves as very fallen, we need the mercy of Nitāi Gaura.
In this way, we can get mercy.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: One of the qualifications of the uttama-adhikārī
is that he cannot be understood.
It may not be completely possible for you to understand the mood of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
But in principle you can understand a little bit about his mood
by reading his books.
And those books are available in Spanish,
I see that you are in Bogota, Colombia.
You can read the books and feel and see how Śrīla Prabhupāda
is so much attached to Kṛṣṇa and Lord Gaurāṅga!
Then you can start to be very grateful for all the help he has given to you.
Then naturally, you can advance.
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: There are certain symptoms are mentioned in the ‘Nectar of Devotion’ and
‘Caitanya-caritāmṛta’.
If those symptoms match up.
If the other subsidiary symptoms are also there, the anubhāvas.
Then these are confirmations that it’s actually real ecstasy.
But in any case, one can always approach the guru
and explain what happened and get confirmed whether it’s a real ecstasy or not, if there is any doubt.
Caitanya Mahāprabhu did that, approached His guru and asked
whether His ecstasies, they were illusion or something.
And then His guru confirmed that no, these are the real ecstasies, you have love of Kṛṣṇa.
Ecstasy may come in a very advanced stage or may come for a moment as a
little preview of future things to happen.
That’s called like they are seeing the light in the sky before the sun rises, or ābhāsa.
So, there is different degrees of ecstasy.
Maybe someone gets a little glimpse of ecstasy but doesn’t stay, that’s the preliminary stage.
Then when one is more purified and takes more shelter of Kṛṣṇa,
then that ecstasy becomes steady.
It’s called sthāyi-bhāva - fixed ecstasy
and one is always feeling spiritual bliss in the service of Kṛṣṇa.
So we want… we may by Lord Caitanya’s mercy, He gives a little preview of ecstasy.
So many devotees say experience in the kīrtana.
In some festival, a little spiritual ecstasy.
It’s like an impetus.
You want to go on getting purified
and then one will be fixed in that ecstasy without any cessation.
Questioner: Anādi Akṣaya Kṛṣṇa dāsa
Date: 2022-08-05
Jayapatākā Swami: The gṛhasthas need to keep Kṛṣṇa in the center
and by offering their food to Kṛṣṇa,
by doing regular ārati to the deities,
reading certain amount of śāstra,
all these things help to keep one fixed up in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Husband and wife should help each other
to think of Kṛṣṇa.
And you may have Deities in the house
and do the various devotional services
to keep your self Kṛṣṇa conscious.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: He was very sincere.
Whatever he would give speech in the evening,
he was very straightforward, simple and honest.
So that was very convincing.
And he used to tell the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gītā
in a very simple way
and it seemed very appropriate.
When I was trying to practice bhakti-yoga,
there were no books at that time.
He said we could read the Teachings of Lord Caitanya by Professor O.B.L. Kapoor.
So I was reading that about Haridasa Ṭhākura
said that whenever he had some māyā thought chant loudly.
I was a new bhakta, I had so many māyā thoughts!
I chanted louder and louder and louder
and I was screaming Hare Kṛṣṇa! Hare Kṛṣṇa!
and all the devotees when to Śrīla Prabhupāda and complained -
this Bhakta Jay, he shouts Hare Kṛṣṇa and we cannot chant our japa.
Śrīla Prabhupāda called me,
asking me to explain
why all the devotees were stressed with me!
So I explained that I read Haridāsa Ṭhākura chanted louder when he had some māyā thought, I had so many māyā thought so I chant loud!
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “Hmmm, that is not so bad!”
So he told me that chant next to the temple in the public park,
Park Mount Royale,
the city of Montreal is named after this hill, Mount Royale, means Royal Hill.
Our temple was next to that park.
So I would walk up to the hill
and chant loudly
and the squirrels and birds would dance around
So in that way I was chanting.
At that time, we were having Māyāpur and Vṛndāvana festival.
And he would take devotees in between and we would visit different places.
How did Śrīla Prabhupāda instill a very strong sambandha-jñāna in you and his other disciples? We see a strong sense of identity which Śrīla Prabhupāda had with Kṛṣṇa. What was so different in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s preaching that is so rare to come across nowadays. How you all feel such a strong sense of belonging to Śrīla Prabhupāda and to Kṛṣṇa?
Questioner: Rādhe Śyāma Dāsa
Date: 2022-08-24
Jayapatākā Swami: As I said, I was looking what is the purpose of life
and a visiting professor from Harvard
had told, about the life of Lord Buddha.
And that inspired me, he told, about reincarnation and so many things.
Being in the West, we had no access to.
I don’t know how much Indian students have.
But it lit a spark in me, to find a guru, to find a teacher.
Of course, Śrīla Prabhupāda said that in my previous life I was a devotee.
Maybe there are some people who were devotees in their previous life, I don’t know,
and some people may be coming new.
So one has to be ready for different kinds of situations.
Now when I came to the temple nobody had any time for me.
They were all busy.
And then I was sent to Jayānanda Prabhu.
He was building a ratha cart.
He asked me if I knew how to hold a nail.
I held it.
Then he got it into the wood, and I took my hand away.
He said, very good!
Because that is the whole trick, how you hold the nail!
You should leave space so that you don’t get your thumb smashed.
And he said, “Do you know how to hit a nail?”
“Sure”
I said, because my uncle had a wood shop in his basement.
And then I hammered some nails,
and he said, “Okay!”, I passed the preliminary exam
and then he engaged me in service.
That service was something I liked to do, it was nice.
So, I think that is the trick for the youth. Whether it is prasāda distribution or something but engage them in something.
And with doing service, they hear from more senior devotees
and that way they get purified.
I was engaged in a lot of different services.
Questioner: IYF Māyāpur
Date: 2022-08-03
Jayapatākā Swami: By not making them do a lot of sacrifice.
Let them do what they like to do
for Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-10-14
Jayapatākā Swami: Story of Ramāyāṇa?
You know how when Marīci came and the golden you know, multicolor rainbow deer and then Ram went to on the request of Sītā to catch it.
And put Sītā under the protection of Lakṣmaṇa but then there was a whole heavy situation developed,
that Marīci made the voice of Ram come out.
So Sītā said you go and protect Ram.
He said Ram doesn’t need protection, nobody can get near him.
She was very concerned, so then Lakṣman made a circle.
He said, don’t leave this mystic protective circle, can’t enter in.
So Rāvaṇa came dressed as a sādhū, he tried to enter in.
She went in to get some food and he went in [Guru Mahārāja and devotees laughing] and “I can’t get through”.
So, then she said come on in because he was an enemy so couldn’t enter.
So, he said, no no I cannot go there, I am very tired you just come out here.
So, because he was dressed as a saint, as a sannyāsī or like some kind of a sādhū,
so, she was Sītā was always serving devotees.
So, in this way he cheated her.
And of course, the real Sītā-devī didn’t come out, but the plain Māyā-Sītā came out.
But this mystical circle,
you can use in many definitions but one of the things you can is like that she was protected but shouldn't leave it.
Like that this is a mystic circle --
you follow the orders of the guru and māyā cannot get you
but when we deviate, when we neglect instructions of the spiritual master,
when we offend a Vaiṣṇava, we do make offenses to the Holy name.
We have to do things which (doesn’t) take us out of that protective circle.
Otherwise, we're protected.
Māyā is waiting there, she's waiting at the doorstep.
But devotees, how they can be Kṛṣṇa conscious, it's not an ordinary thing.
To be Kṛṣṇa conscious you have to have the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa.
So only the devotee, it says the devotee can never fall down.
We've heard that so many times.
What does that mean?
Because Kṛṣṇa protects the devotee.
Then how do devotees fall down?
Because they stop acting like devotees for some time.
So, because of you know, virtually not acting as a devotee, then they fall down.
That's why says you have to cling to the lotus feet of Gaura-Nitāi.
We have to stay within that protective shelter.
Facing difficulty, what is the use?
One time one devotee was like in anxiety and Prabhupāda said “Why are you in anxiety?
Your guru is present on this planet, you can ask him questions, you can get your doubts taken”.
Having guru means that all your problems will be solved, if you have a bona fide guru.
(audio not clear) we can submit to our spiritual, what do you advise?
What is your instruction?
We carry that out.
So, we're protected.
But when we don't consult with the spiritual master, we don't consult with the Vaiṣṇavas, we don't follow the scripture, we go out of that protective circle, in whatever form she wants to take.
Māyā is there waiting.
That's why we say Kṛṣṇa is like the sun.
Where there's Kṛṣṇa, there's no māyā.
So, we have to always look to Kṛṣṇa.
You look away from Kṛṣṇa, you look away from the sun, what do you find behind you?
Your shadow.
Māyā is like the shadow, she's right behind you, you don't have to look for her.
You look away from Kṛṣṇa, she'll be there.
So, then what's the purport?
When should we look away from Kṛṣṇa?
So, we have to keep our focus to Kṛṣṇa, mukha...
kṛṣṇa bhuli’ sei jīva anādi-bahirmukha
ataeva māyā tāre deya saṁsāra-duḥkha
(Cc. Madhya 20.117)
That, you know that verse?
Kṛṣṇa, when we turn our face. Bahirmukha, bahirmukha literally means turn your face away or turn it to the outside.
And what it actually is this can be translated to by turning your face to sense gratification.
Devotional service is the attitude --
I do everything to the pleasure of Kṛṣṇa, reject what's unfavorable to Kṛṣṇa.
So, when we turn our face away from the service attitude, and instead we look to enjoy bhoga whimsically desire to have bhoga to have sense gratification.
Then what happens?
We get samsāra ādi duḥkha.
Then we suffer material suffering.
All the suffering, I'm suffering so much.
All this suffering is because we desire sense gratification.
If we just keep our face to Kṛṣṇa, if we just desire to serve Kṛṣṇa, there's no suffering.
Suffering begins when we desire.
The moment we desire to enjoy something, there's suffering.
Lamentation, hankering and enxiety, fear.
There's another verse like that.
[Not Clear - 01:08:09]
kṛṣṇa bhuliya jīva bhoga vāñchā kare
pāśate māyā tāre jāpaṭiyā dhare
pāśate māyā tāre jāpaṭiyā dhare
You turn your face away from Kṛṣṇa, very similar verse.
Very like parallel.
You turn your face away from Kṛṣṇa, desiring sense gratification, māyā nikaṭastha ache,
māyā comes right up to you.
japaṭīya dhare and just like your football tackles.
She's got you.
Māyā, you can also think in Australian Football system you know.
Lot of tackling is there, right?
You can just imagine they got a whole team all around just waiting one wrong move and they can jump forward.
As long as you're moving forward, eyes on Kṛṣṇa, they can't do a thing.
As soon as you look around for sense gratification, suddenly you're in the middle of the scrum.
For those who know rugby.
Māyā, she’s there but you say how we can be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
That's why it's said, be like a little child, simply depending on your parents, simply depending on Guru and Kṛṣṇa, simply you know I'm so weak, I don't have any ability to be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
I'm not a big paṇḍita, I'm not a big devotee, I'm just a very insignificant fallen soul.
I can only be Kṛṣṇa conscious by really following the mercy of Lord Caitanya, of His pure representative in disciplic succession.
And this way, I have to be very because that is the secret of success.
That's how you can become successful.
If you think I'm a big paṇḍita, I can do this, a little that.
I'm a great devotee, it doesn't matter.
I'm an old devotee.
It's alright, if I go little māyā I won't be affected, haha!
[Devotees: laughing]
Don't kid yourself.
Māyā is more strong than you are.
Inspite remaining always in the humble position.
Why great ācāryas have praying?
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu doyā koro more
tomā binā ke doyālu jagat-saḿsāre
patita-pāvana-hetu tava avatāra
mo sama patita prabhu nā pāibe āra
You won't find anyone more sinful than me.
pāpī -- Nobody more sinful than I am.
Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura, the purest devotee, he's saying I'm more sinful than all the conditioned souls.
Bhakta this one, or Bhaktin that one or whoever it may be.
But they're saying I'm the most sinful, more sinful than anybody.
This is this position he's taking, therefore you're the most merciful, you're the deliverer of all the fallen souls.
I'm the most fallen soul therefore I should get delivered first.
If we think that my humble attitude, that dependence on the mercy of guru and Gaurāṅga, then māyā may be ready to get you.
She's not getting the chance.
Tough luck.
You want to give her a chance she'll take it.
Don't give her a chance.
This is how devotees feel.
Be humble.
Know that I need their mercy all the time.
Why great ācāryas are praying like that?
They're not praying "I'm an old devotee, I'm an ācārya, I don't have to strictly follow, I don't have to. I can go over a bit".
You don't hear Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura say, you only hear some 7-year-old or 10- or 12-year devotee in ISKCON say, I'm an old devotee.
Where we are coming from, in this age of Kali.
Hardly anybody was a Vaiṣṇava.
Everybody was coming from Māyāvada or smārta or at the best.
Prabhupāda grabbed up the people.
You know, some people they're claiming to be born in Vaiṣṇava family.
We know that Prabhupāda grabbed them up from Māyāvada.
That doesn't matter.
Once you become in pure devotional service that's what counts.
It says that this, what a person was before he's in pure devotional service that's not proper logic.
It says that once my mother was naked -- logic.
She was once a little girl she was naked but she's not naked anymore.
Now she's a mother, she's a respectable lady.
So, what a person was before and what they are now, that doesn't have any immediate bearing.
Prabhupāda said that if you're born of devotee parents then that's a good sign.
The point is that right now we have to deal with the present, we should be fixed in our devotional service, we should keep that humble attitude.
Lord Caitanya, he gave a promise to Advaita, two things.
Then Advaita said, "One thing is anybody who thinks they're ready, spiritually advanced, who thinks he's a advanced devotee, don't give him your mercy.
Anyone who is very proud of their position of some birth, or some any kind of material position, you don't give them your mercy.
Those who are hopeless, who are spiritually, they are the most needy, they need your mercy more than anyone.
Those who are normally the hard cases, the tough nuts, the ones that will never have a hope, let them get your mercy, priority basis.
Karuṇāvatāra, for all those who would never get a chance in other yugas.
Questioner: Jagatbandu Pal
Date: 2022-10-04
Jayapatākā Swami: So we should do our study as a service to Kṛṣṇa.
By this education we will be able to reach out more effectively to many people.
Like Jīva Gosvāmī, he went to university first.
So that he could serve his gurudeva more effectively.
So if you see your education as part of service to Kṛṣṇa and guru,
then it should not be a hindrance,
for your spiritual advancement.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Education], [Emotions / Confusion], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Youth]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-18
Jayapatākā Swami: The first thing is to desire.
And you seem to have that desire.
Then you get the mercy from other devotees, from the spiritual master,
pray to the Deities
and do any kind of devotional service,
you can do it like chanting, hearing, serving.
There are nine different types of activities you can do,
do whatever you can do.
Category: [Sādhanā]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-30
Jayapatākā Swami: The senses are controlled by the material energy.
prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ
ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate
(
Bg
3.27)
Then one is actually being dragged by impulses of material nature only.
That means māyā.
So, when one is free from impulses of the material nature, that is mukta.
So how to get free?
There are two basic paths.
The one path is not recommended for Kali-yuga, but that was there in the past.
People would simply go in secluded place and meditate.
In this way, they would control their senses by prāṇāyama and by dhyāna.
The other system is to control the senses by active engagement, in activities which are not material.
Just as in Gītā it says, “One is offering yajña; the yajña itself is transcendental.
The yajña-patiḥ is transcendental, the offering is being offered is transcendental.
Everything becomes on the param-satya platform.”
So, when one is offering one’s senses, one’s body, one’s mind, one’s words as an offering to the lord, just like I am speaking, you are hearing; you are offering your senses and your mind.
I am offering– I am not speaking only for your benefit, I am speaking for my benefit.
By my speaking, my senses are being engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
Only by being engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service, can I remain in the transcendental platform.
And by my speaking only about Kṛṣṇa, only according to the authorized guru-paramparā siddhānta,
or conclusion of the scripture, whoever is listening, their consciousness is also uplifted to what extent they can understand or they are fully listening with concentration.
So, in this way, when our senses are fully engaged in activities, which have nothing to do with material activities, that is mukta.
Anything to do with Kṛṣṇa, with Viṣṇu is transcendental.
Therefore, by engaging our senses in Viṣṇu-related activities, “jīvan-mukta sa ucyate - then our life becomes liberated, because those actions produce no reaction.”
Whatever action we do in material life, that produces a karma reaction, which is binding us.
If I give in charity to an ordinary person, I get in a next life, same amount back.
If I give to a brāhmaṇa, who is half-educated, I get double.
If I give to a qualified brāhmaṇa, who knows how to do, ah, who is just an ordinary brāhmaṇa with no special qualification, I get ten times back;
then if he is qualified in performing sacrifices, then I get 100 times back.
If he is a Veda-jñā, that means he knows the Vedānta-jñā, he knows the conclusion of the Vedānta, then I get, you see, crores of times back.
And if he is a pure devotee, who is a completely transcendentally situated, I get unlimited.
So, as I am giving charity, that means I have to take even another birth to reap the result of the charity.
That’s why in Gītā, Kṛṣṇa says, “Whatever you give in charity, whatever you do in tapasya, whatever you do as an offering, everything you should do only on My behalf.”
Because whatever we do on Kṛṣṇa’s behalf, He accepts the karmas.
But what we do on our behalf, good or bad, we have to accept the karma.
Even the good karma means we have to take birth.
Birth means again death.
Whoever is born must die.
Whoever dies, must again be born.
This is the law of material world.
We are born to die, we die to be born.
And birth means old age, disease, and other types of problems.
So māyā means when we are acting in illusion that, “I am this body, I am this mind, I am a product of the material energy.”
And mukta means, “I am a nitya-jīva, I am a bhagavān-aṁśa, and I’m the part of the Lord, I have nothing to with this material energy and we act in that knowledge.”
Then we’re liberated, we are mukta.
So māyā means illusion - To act as we are not.
We are not this body.
We have to leave this body in no time, but we are working day and night, as if we are the body.
That’s māyā.
And when we act, “I am the possessor of the body, this body is a vehicle;
I’m the nitya-jīva, I am the spirit soul, pure spirit soul, then, that’s liberated.
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Now in every country there is a situation and procedure.
In the West there is no problem.
Women and men mix freely.
Women go for preaching and book distribution and there is no problem.
But in Bangladesh I cannot say much.
As per Bangladesh culture, I don’t know if unwed girls can go with men.
That the leaders of Bangladesh can say.
But mostly the ladies cannot mix with men and men cannot mix with women.
This way if women mix with women what is the inconvenience?
I don’t know if there it is convenient for women to go along with men in Bangladesh.
In the university there are hostels for women, there the women can go.
Ordinarily, the Hindus have a separate hostel.
And men cannot go to women’s hostel.
This way women can go and distribute books in the women’s hostel.
When I was in Montreal, I used to go the university hostel to distribute books.
Women are generally at home, they can in the evenings or when they are free they can distribute books.
In this time of pandemic, many people distribute books through the telephone or internet.
Here every day 100 or more Bhagavad-gītās, 10 or 12 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam sets, Caitanya-caritāmṛta 2 or 3 sets are distributed.
Today was the birthday of a devotee, therefore, from our virtual book table they donated 50 Bhagavad-gītās.
Because I cannot go to all, I have this virtual book table and the devotees donate here.
Some people send by courier and some just donate.
That way you can call your friends, relatives and distribute the books.
His Holiness Bhakti Vijaya Bhāgavata Swami knows very well in this regard.
Every day the boys in the saṅkīrtana team distribute books.
There are ten buses but they are not able to go but still they distribute books.
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: For that purpose, I am thinking of making a video.
You have to break the vrata on Caturdaśī.
That day you have to offer 33 mālpuas
and give it to a gṛhastha brāhmaṇa.
And that day you have to different services and donations.
Category: [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vratās (Austerities) / Kārtika-māsa-vratā], [Vratās (Austerities) / Puruṣottama-māsa-vratā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-25
Jayapatākā Swami: When I went to Jagannātha Purī,
I met one pāṇḍa there
who was expert in Caitanya philosophy.
He said that those who are devotees of Lord Caitanya,
they simultaneously can be part of caitanya-līlā and kṛṣṇa-līlā.
We asked how do we do that?
That is the specialty of caitanya-līlā.
That simultaneously
one can participate in gaura-līlā and Rādhā Kṛṣṇa-līlā,
at the same time.
Category: [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Puja
Date: 2022-10-14
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, in the material world, people, they are competing with others in a race,
thinking I will be the first.
But in service to Kṛṣṇa, it is not that we are competing with others.
Rather, Kṛṣṇa is more pleased if they help others.
We shouldn’t be thinking that by somehow by impeding others,
or somehow if someone else excels,
somehow that is detrimental to us - it is not the case.
Everyone has a personal relationship with Kṛṣṇa,
rather the envy of others is a great impediment
- you will never be the number one!
When I said to Śrīla Prabhupāda, I am the most fallen,
he said you are not the most anything!
So that should be our mood.
There will always be some devotee who is better than us,
but we should not envy that person.
Rather we should associate and try to improve our own service.
Link: 20200909 Although Being in a Predicament, the Barber Receives a Boon of Residence in Goloka (Part 2)
Category: [Anarthās], [Emotions / Envy], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Bhaktin Nivedita
Date: 2022-07-30
Jayapatākā Swami: By spiritual knowledge, we can avoid materialistic things.
kṛṣṇa—sūrya-sama māyā haya andhakāra
yāhāṅ kṛṣṇa, tāhāṅ nāhi māyāra adhikāra
(Cc Madhya 22.31)
(Cc Madhya 22.31)
Where there is Kṛṣṇa, He is like the sun, there is no darkness.
And material life is like darkness.
In order to eradicate the darkness, we need to bring in the light of Kṛṣṇa.
That will naturally solve the problem.
But for new devotees, it is hard for them to under what is spiritual, what is material.
And that is why they need more knowledge,
so that they can understand the difference.
It is not very difficult,
but it is a new way, we are not used to thinking.
Questioner: Ānandinī Sītā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-08-29
Although we have to associate with non-devotees we should not intimately associate with them.
And if we try to give them the holy name, try to give them Bhagavad-gītā, that will be very effective.
We don’t take their association; we give them our association.
Vidura did not go to Dhṛtarāṣṭra to get his satsaṅga.
He went to give his satsaṅga
We should when we meet non-devotees we should think how to bring the person closer to Kṛṣṇa.
Not to engage in prajalpa with them.
Thank you Ānandini Sītā for your question.
Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Bad association], [Anarthās / Māyā], [Material World], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Nandagopīpriyā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: There is no reason not to reveal your mind to guru.
If you have had some trouble with one of the principles, you could get some advice from your spiritual master.
But if you have recovered, then all the better to tell him that you had difficulty but now you have come back to the strict standard.
And sometimes one is started to difficulty with a principle, but it is not as serious as they think.
It is better to reveal to the spiritual master.
Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Aparādha (Offenses)]
Questioner: Keyā Rāṇī
Date: 2023-12-25
Jayapatākā Swami: You see if you taste the nectar at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet,
and that is received from Lord Caitanya,
so what can be better than that?
So we take Kṛṣṇa and we take a drop of the nectar from His lotus feet,
that is invaluable.
So, we are getting an opportunity to appreciate the wonderful gift of Lord Caitanya,
by tasting the nectar coming from His lotus feet.
Category: [Sādhanā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: If you want you can take it without water.
But I personally never saw Śrīla Prabhupāda observe the Ekādaśī with a complete fast.
But Ekādaśīs, you get more fruit, if you observe it
fully by no water,
stay up the whole night, and then break your fast next day with some milk,
and then some grains.
I asked my secretary to read me the glories of the Ekādaśī tomorrow.
But he didn’t answer.
He said, “He sent a message to another secretary, to tell him how to do it!”
So just to hear the glories of Ekādaśī, it usually tells you that the fruitive listening to the Ekādaśī is donating a thousand cows.
Every Ekādaśī is different.
One Ekādaśī I heard twice
from two different Purāṇas.
Each Purāṇa said
“Just hear [about] the Ekādaśī,
you get the karma of giving a thousand cows.
” So, I gave 2000 cows!
Without even observing the Ekādaśī!
But then I observed it also.
So, I asked, I wanted to hear the glories.
Category: [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vratās (Austerities)], [Vratās (Austerities) / Ekādaśī-vratā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Sometimes in the year, write to me a report of your preaching,
and write to me if you are facing problem.
But naturally if you preach, if you help me to fulfill my orders from Śrīla Prabhupāda, your connection will be closer.
This year after Gaura Pūrṇimā, we go on our yearly Safari.
This year we are going to Vṛndāvana dhāma.
We are going to establish the lotus footprints of Lord Caitanya in the various places that He visited.
And we seek help from devotees, from His Holiness Gopāla Kṛṣṇa Goswami.
And anyone else who would like to help and sponsor a place set of the lotus footprints or otherwise you want to help please talk to Śyāma Rasika dāsa.
And we are going… Of course Vṛndāvana anyone can go, otherwise to go on the Safari, you can talk to Marīci dāsa.
I put the lotus footprints of Lord Caitanya in Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Śyāma-kuṇḍa.
Also the lotus footprints in the place, where Lord Caitanya had taken initiation,
in Gayā and many places.
But this year, we desire to establish Lord Caitanya’s footprints in Vṛndāvana.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship]
Questioner: Rāmakānāi Mathureśa dāsa, Reading, UK
Date: 2022-10-05
Jayapatākā Swami: You just expect to have different obstacles.
If it was too easy, that wouldn’t be glorious.
So we expect there will be tests and challenges.
If we see that, we will be determined to go ahead.
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Emotions / Humility], [Material World / Mind / Intelligence], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: By hearing,
by associating,
we get a taste for hearing and associating.
And naturally, we want to associate with them.
So by taking part in bhakti-yoga, it is natural to develop these things.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Pray to Śrīla Prabhupāda, pray to your guru and do your sevā correctly.
Passion means lust. To do it to get some material benefit.
Ignorance means crazy, lazy.
Anger – I will show you that I am the best devotee! I will kill you by my bhakti! And some crazy thing!
So avoid passion and ignorance, and what is left is goodness.
So we do devotional service – hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate –
to please the senses of Kṛṣṇa, not for ourselves.
Questioner: Mathurā Lileśvarī devī dāsī, Gītā Nagarī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: It means… Frist of all constructive means that you are telling the person, how they can improve.
But just telling the person how they are wrong it is not constructive.
The rule of thumb is that we don’t tender any advice constructive, otherwise to the senior devotees.
Rather [to a] senior devotee, we ask a question.
But we always have a right to ask a question;
and you can get your point across, even though it is put as a question.
Say that somebody is a senior devotee, is not behaving the way what you think is correct,
and we say that, “Prabhu, I look to you as an example to follow
and you have always told us we should do like this.
But I saw that you are doing like that.
So there must be some reason why you are doing, so can you illuminate me?”
And if the person illuminates you or if they don’t that means you caught them doing something wrong.
And if they are broadminded, then they will apologize
and say that, that activity is not something to follow.
Prabhupāda once went to see Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Prabhupāda Ṭhākura’s brother,
and since he was the brother of his guru, he accepted him as a senior devotee,
and had the good fortune of being with him at that time.
He had previously discussed about developing the birthplace of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura.
But this time he refused.
So Prabhupāda asked a question,
“Isn’t it sinful,
if somebody cannot develop the birthplace of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura
and someone who can, is not given a chance?
Isn’t it sinful?”
So technically that is a question,
“Isn’t it sinful?”
But he got the idea across.
So technically even he may not have liked it,
it was not an offence
because he asked it as a question.
So that is the principle, we should ask as a question,
if someone who is senior to us.
If someone is under our care, then we can offer them constructive criticism
or someone is a peer, equal, depending on your relationship, you can offer a constructive criticism or you could ask a question.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Vedavit Kṛṣṇa dāsa [Laguna Beach, California, USA]:
Date: 2022-09-22
Jayapatākā Swami: You see someone may take shelter
of one of Kṛṣṇa’s expansions
and may think, “Oh, this is very nice!”
But the thing is that
we want to take shelter at the same time,
develop our relationship with Kṛṣṇa.
So he may give us some options
to take shelter of Lord Śiva or others
but as a result
we may take birth again and again.
Because these devas they cannot give mukti.
So Kṛṣṇa, He gives the ideal
protection
and also, He brings one back home back to Godhead.
If you read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
then you will have many different pastimes
and can see how the Lord protects His devotees.
He is known as Bhakta-vatsala,
how He protected Prahlāda Mahārāja,
how He protected different devotees.
So by reading the pastimes
one should naturally develop faith.
Questioner: Nandapriyā Premā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: The false ego is [inaudible word] identify our self as the body.
If someone tells us, “Oh, you are ugly!”
We are affected
that is false ego.
If someone tells, “Oh, you are beautiful!”
and we are affected—that is false ego.
So people can say different things,
but we don’t take it so serious.
Because we know that, it is temporary.
And we want to realize our real ego which is as a servitor of Kṛṣṇa.
So false ego is a very subtle thing that ties us to this material world.
So Kṛṣṇa, He gives certain instructions to Arjuna in Bhagavad-gītā;
so that he can overcome the false ego,
and by dovetailing our ego in the service of Kṛṣṇa,
that is a positive situation
for instance, Arjuna was a father,
he was a householder, he was a prince,
he was a general, in charge of the army.
So Kṛṣṇa did not tell him that you should give up everything and be a sannyāsī,
rather He said, you should carry out your duties as what you are;
but you should do so as an offering to Me.
So Lord Caitanya also said, “gṛhe thāko vane thāko sadā hari bole ḍāko”
Whether you are gṛhastha or a mendicant,
you should chant Hare Kṛṣṇa
loudly and stay fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Emotions / Pride], [Anarthās]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Just like Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said,
kṛṣṇera saṁsāra kara, chāri anācāra,
we want to put Kṛṣṇa in the center of our household life.
We want to just give up the prohibited activities.
Meat eating, intoxication and others.
And if one wakes up with that intention
then naturally, they will try to increase their services of the day.
We want to please guru and Kṛṣṇa.
That is the goal of our life.
The common people, the goal of their life is to have sense pleasure.
But sometimes our senses are pleased and sometimes they suffer.
Just like no one wants fever
but some people get.
Nobody wants the Corona virus,
but some get.
Vrajeśvara Gaura Dāsa, he read to me one quote that
Sarvajaya Mādhava from Dallas had sent,
something that in the Bible,
they said that stay in your house
for a little time
and let the Lord take His vengeance
and then after that it will all pass!
What a coincidence, how great is our God.
The Government arranged the closure on March 26, 2020, in the Bible verse Isaac 26.20 says “Go home My people and close the doors.
Hide a little until the wrath of the Lord has passed.”
They found this verse in the Bible.
Anyway we are trying to do inter-faith preaching.
Not only the Hindus but get the other faiths to preach.
In America they have mostly Christians.
Middle East mostly Muslims.
We respect all the religions
and we want them to just chant the name of God they believe in.
So if we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa in the morning
and every day we do our devotional service,
naturally, that becomes the focus of our life.
We want the husband and wife to work together and cooperate together.
I was so inspired to hear how different gṛhasthas are doing internet preaching!
One gṛhastha said that he was giving four classes a day
in this lockdown period in India
and he had 500 people attending.
One lady was saying how
she had a Japathon
and they were chanting japa,
one person chanted 2 lakhs 11 thousand rounds.
A little child chanted 16 rounds.
Sometimes Japathon, sometimes class,
sometimes Bhakti-vṛkṣa,
different ways they are preaching,
encouraging people to take up to chanting in this time of crisis.
Even in the Supreme Court of India,
they recommended to the Government,
people should do bhajana, kīrtana and namaz.
Questioner: Rāsaraṅginī Rādhikā devī dāsī
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, you can use Rādhārāṇī’s method
and how do you know that you love Kṛṣṇa enough
So Rādhārāṇī no matter how much She loves Kṛṣṇa,
She thinks I don’t love Kṛṣṇa enough.
So why should you think that I love Kṛṣṇa enough?
We should never feel that what we are doing, what we love is enough.
By trying to serve Kṛṣṇa better, trying to love Kṛṣṇa more,
that way you can always increase your bhakti.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)]
Questioner: Jānakī Śantirūpā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-09-22
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Children], [Day-to-day Life / Married life], [Day-to-day Life / Parents], [Day-to-day Life / Relatives], [Material World]
Questioner: Balavān Śrīnivāsa dāsa
Date: 2022-07-27
You see, asking for blessings for a spiritual goal is not a problem.
That is not something separate from Kṛṣṇa’s service.
If you ask for something material like good health, good husband, then we say to the Lord, if it so pleases You.
But actually, for spiritual blessing, that is alright.
Category: [Mercy]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: That is why we have a spiritual master.
He is the final authority.
And we take his opinion.
When there are different opinions, then we take the opinion of our spiritual master, the opinion of the śāstras.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: All the vices can be dovetailed in Kṛṣṇa’s service except envy.
So we can be angry when Kṛṣṇa is offended,
when the devotee is offended.
But if someone, in some disturbing situation,
hampering their sense gratification,
they should not get angry.
If they get angry it is a vice, a mistake and sinful.
Like that we could angry for the right reason,
otherwise we should be tolerant.
Questioner: Ritvik, ISKCON Baroda
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: If the guru is able to help you if you feel that Śrīla Prabhupāda is talking to you through the guru and you are able to cross over māyā,
then that is the right guru for you.
So you also get help from various śikṣā-gurus and Vaiṣṇavas.
I have fifteen questions you should ask yourself,
to help you understand if it is the right guru.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, in the walls here the words ‘Jaya Rādhe’.
So Navadvīpa was made by Rādhārāṇī.
And when Kṛṣṇa went there, He said, “Oh, you have created this beautiful dhāma for Me!
I will bring all the holy places here, so this should be non-different from Vṛndāvana.”
And Kṛṣṇa united with Rādhā and took the heart of Rādhā and Her color.
So He became Gaurāṅga.
With the heart of Rādhārāṇī and He was golden color like Rādhārāṇī.
So how do we know? Because Kṛṣṇa said it is non-different from Vṛndāvana.
Link: 20221024 Evening Darśana
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma]
Questioner: Keya Rāṇī
Date: 2022-09-16
Jayapatākā Swami: They are skipping over your question because it is not particularly from the verse.
Anyway we should do both together.
We should help ourselves
while we depend on Kṛṣṇa,
not that we just sit and say Kṛṣṇa will do everything.
We do the best we can and we depend on Kṛṣṇa.
There is a story where there is a flood.
And they came by the house and said that,
"Get in!
There is a flood."
He said, "No, No! I am depending on Kṛṣṇa."
Then the water rose
up to the roof.
And he was on the roof.
Boat came and said, "Get on!"
He said, "No on I am depending on God",
and the boat left.
And then helicopter come,
ere grab the rope!"
and he said "No. I am depending on God.",
and he got drowned.
Then he went back to Godhead.
He asked God, "Why did you not save me?"
He said "I sent you a car, a boat, a helicopter
you did not take anything.
So what do you expect?"
So naturally we have to take the mercy of Kṛṣṇa
that may come in any way.
Questioner: Keśava Kṛpā Sindhu dāsa
Date: 2022-09-27
Jayapatākā Swami: I know that His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda,
what he told me to do.
So trying to execute his instructions,
I have to make various decisions.
But I always keep in my mind, pleasing Śrīla Prabhupāda.
So, this has always served me well.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said that in one case,
I did what he would have done.
I don’t know
if everything I do is pleasing to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
But I am trying to do that.
And I know that that itself is pleasing to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
But we may make some mistakes on the way.
But then we can also correct. that.
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings]
Questioner:
Date: 2023-02-25
Jayapatākā Swami: When the sun appears darkness goes.
There is a saying in śāstra,
kṛṣṇa—sūrya-sama, māyā haya andhakāra
yāhāṅ kṛṣṇa, tāhāṅ nāhi māyāra adhikāra
(Cc. Madhya 22.31)
That is why we always recommend chanting.
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
Where did the bad thoughts go?
Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and be happy!
No negative thoughts!
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Link: 20221014 Evening Address
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Nice question!
Because we should do service to please guru and Kṛṣṇa.
Now certain things the guru has said, he would like to be done.
Just like I told Nāma-niṣṭhā
that I would like a temple to be constructed.
So doing that sevā, constructing a temple,
he knows that it is pleasing to the guru.
Right?
Nāma-niṣṭhā dāsa: Actually, I went to meet Guru Mahārāja and this was in Tirupati.
And he was being very kind to me.
He told me, “Construct a temple.”
So I said, “Please put your hand and order.”
That was the time he put his hand on my head and ordered,
“Make a beautiful temple with all the facilities.”
At that moment we were only three devotees and no money!
And I remember next detail he told me, on June 5th Pānihāṭi 2020 that what are you doing?
That was an online visit.
We hardly had any devotees and I said, “There was nothing to do because everything is closed.”
“Why don’t you do like Chennai, Guru Mahārāja”, said. “6,000 devotees attended their course online.”
So I thought Sumitra Kṛṣṇa dāsa did 6,000, Nāma-niṣṭhā will do 10,000!
And I tried, within four days, 10,000 people registered.
And we don’t even know where the money came from, we don’t even know, in fact all the devotees Guru Mahārāja initiated yesterday,
all came from online and it is unbelievable.
Jayapatākā Swami: Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Interesting question!
Since I have been in ISKCON, over 50 years,
when I came to Māyāpur there was a grass hut,
now there are 7,500 devotees.
What will happen in 50 more years?
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, we should have 50,000 devotees here!
When I joined ISKCON I had visited every temple in ISKCON –
all three!!
San Francisco, New York and Montreal.
But now I don’t think it is possible,
there are 600 or 800.
I don’t know if they count all the outposts and Nāmahaṭṭas.
In India, I know there are 5,000 Nāmahaṭṭas.
Because we have over 5000 Nāmahaṭṭas in Eastern India
and now we want to expand that to the rest of India.
We have Bhakti-vṛkṣa groups –
in Chennai I think they have more than 115.
Similarly, in Kolkata about 200.
In Delhi they have Nāmahaṭṭas for the cities.
They are called āśraya group,
to have an āśraya group you need to have a hall which would hold at least 100 people.
Anyway, they are not counting the Nāmahaṭṭas, Bhakti-vṛkṣas or the āśraya groups.
And in Russian speaking countries they have 535 Bhakti-vṛkṣa groups,
that was the last time that I heard.
Russians are very good for Bhakti-vṛkṣa groups.
I don’t know why but if you have two or three Russians, your Bhakti-vṛkṣa group will be very successful!
So, I don’t know, it is a purely speculative answer.
But Lord Caitanya, He wanted that in every town and village the holy name would be sung.
In the Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa, Lord Kṛṣṇa told the holy rivers that
after 5000 years in Kali-yuga,
there would be a 10,000-year golden age
and that people would generally be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
So, with all these predictions in the Purāṇas and by Lord Caitanya, so we are looking at a very positive period.
But I am too busy to speculate on the future,
being in the situation that I am confined to.
But, we hope that in the next 50 years, we fulfill all these predictions of Śrīla Prabhupāda and Lord Caitanya.
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura had predicted during the British Rāj
that the Westerners, they would go on Navadvīpa parikramā
and they will see their brothers from India
and they would be chanting “Jaya Śacīnandana!” together
and embrace each other,
not thinking about any caste, creed, nationality.
Can you imagine in the British Rāj
he was saying such a thing!
I personally saw it come true.
I saw we had a Bengali and Indian party
and an International party.
They came together
and they were chanting together, “Jaya Śacīnandana! Jaya Śacīnandana!
Gaurāṅga!”
So what happens in the next 50 years is in your hands!
What you are going to do to make happen!
I am already at the end of my life,
you are at the beginning,
so you have all the future.
You will see the next 50 years, I won’t see it.
Not in this body anyway.
So that is why we want you to take this up very seriously.
We have like 800 temples, thousands of Bhakti-vṛkṣas, thousands of Nāmahaṭṭas.
How did this happen?
It happened one after another after another.
So, Lord Caitanya said that:
bhārata-bhūmite haila manuṣya-janma yāra
janma sārthaka kari' kara para-upakāra
(Cc. Ādi 9.41)
janma sārthaka kari' kara para-upakāra
(Cc. Ādi 9.41)
Those who are born in India they have got a special facility
to perfect their lives
and to help others.
So, now we find that many of our Indian brothers and sisters have gone to the West for IT.
And we are trying to encourage them to distribute Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books,
to be active in their spiritual life.
We don’t know what Kṛṣṇa’s plan is
but we have some windows to the future.
But if you work hard then there is no reason why we cannot achieve those goals.
People are seeking for some spiritual purpose of life
and they are not getting it,
except in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So, Śrīla Prabhupāda went to the West,
he said that people in the West are dying, burning in the modes of passion, and ignorance
and he wanted to save them.
He made a 108-temples,
I think we should have a special status for these 108 temples.
Just like in Śrī-sampradāya
they have a 108-temples called Divya-deśas.
They say that if you can visit all the Divya-deśas, you can go back to Godhead.
Now if you can visit all the 108-temples that Śrīla Prabhupāda established,
that will be a wonderful thing.
The airline companies will like us!
Because you will have to go to Fiji, Australia, South America, Europe, America, Japan, all over.
Śrīla Prabhupāda established 108 temples, amazing!
He left in 1977 and since then now, we have like 600 or 800 temples
and thousands of Nāmahaṭṭas and Bhakti-vṛkṣas.
What will happen in the next 50 years?
Some of you can calculate.
I am busy in making it happen!
Category: [Gauḍīya History / ISKCON]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-10
How to develop favourable devotional attitude?
we should accept everything for devotional service and give up everything which is unfavourable.
If we really understand what is our self interest?
What is helping us?
And we understand serving Kṛṣṇa and serving his devotees are our own self interest and then we know what is the favourable for that we accept the favourable things and we avoid the unfavourable automatically we can.
Start to get lined up.
Now what is very important is to develop that is by associating with the devotees already have their attitude.
Not that every devotees is equally developed in his favourable attitude such those who are especially ball pointless those who are in bitter mood they may be advancing but in a slow track.
Those who are seeing good qualities in others enthusiastic cheerful and they don’t hold any grudges on anyone they are in mode of fast track.
So we look for devotees that we can relate with a better situation we are and associating with them and in this way we can progress by the good association and this leads to the next question which is sādhu-saṅga which is one of most if not the most important limbs of devotional principles is offensive be six certain devotee association to avoid others,
So we select the associating just associating of any devotees so we can read the questions super souls.
Lord Caitanya said that there are three kinds of devotees those who are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa but they are not following the principles we can help them otherwise we don’t associate with them very intimately but those who are initiated and following very strictly we can accept them in a very we can respect them and offer respect to them and associate with them.
And those who are very advanced who are fully fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness who are in the level of guru we can take shelter from them.
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said that we can seek out association with the likely minded devotees.
Of course hopefully the like minded should be a good mind but its all right we may be more intimate with some than the others.
Absolutely yes.
Specially keep crying for Kṛṣṇa.
So in one sentence nothing wrong.
And people surely benefit something by hearing them.
But usually for the initiated devotees prefer to hear singing by someone more spiritually developed.
These are especially songs sung by attracting the new people by music aspect but not spiritual aspect.
In public programs we use these more but for personal purification it is recommended to hear Prabhupāda and some other pure devotee chanting.
But its nothing wrong but that is the guideline.
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-29
Jayapatākā Swami: The accumulated karma reactions which are there have to be completely nullified before one can go back to Godhead.
So long as one has sinful reactions he has to suffer, so long as he has pious activities he has to enjoy.
Suffering and enjoying materially are both causes for staying in this material world.
So, when one surrenders to Kṛṣṇa, if one can completely surrender - thought, word and deed everything to Kṛṣṇa, then of course, Kṛṣṇa can immediately take up all the reactions.
But generally, when one surrenders to Kṛṣṇa, but the momentum the desires have yet to be purified.
So, Kṛṣṇa takes charge of that living entity and as he is performing his devotional service, as he is chanting,
the accumulating sins, sinful reactions from the unlimited births are being destroyed.
It is said that while one is chanting, clapping hands with his smiling at the Deity, that as he is clapping his hands, just as in the rice paddy field,
sometimes the sparrows are coming down and eating the rice; then we have to clap our hands to scare them away and you see thousands of birds, they fly out,
just like that if you are clapping and chanting, dancing and laughing or smiling in kīrtana, as you’re clapping, like this thousands and thousands of sinful reactions are flying away.
So, in this way, so many karma reactions are being at every moment we’re performing devotional service, they are being lifted;
but because we may be harboring so many attachments in spite of formally surrendering to Kṛṣṇa he has taken charge of our lives at the time of initiation and surrender.
But due to so many attachments and so many māyās, reactions are not the momentum is still there on those reactions.
So, Kṛṣṇa allows us to enjoy or suffer tokens.
Just like a person, he may be enjoying what appears to be a karma of being very wealthy or very powerful;
Kṛṣṇa may allow him to maintain that because He promises, “I preserve whatever you have and what you lack I give.”
In other words, if a person has something good on his side, Kṛṣṇa doesn’t say, “I have to smash it down.”
He maintains it; because when one is pure, he is all good.
Pious activities, is because it is intended for material sense gratification; it is not pure goodness.
It is materially contaminated goodness, but a devotee is all goodness, pure goodness.
So, Kṛṣṇa protects what good qualities are there and He gives what is lacking;
so there may be so many sinful reactions pending - we may have committed a murder, we may have done so many different things -
eating meat, taking intoxication, illicit sex in so many different births;
so, the reactions for that should come, you see, directly but instead Kṛṣṇa gives a token.
Prabhupāda once cut His finger and blood came.
He said that in a previous birth you see I may have chopped a man’s head off and for that now I am giving one drop of blood.
A token is given to remind us that how fallen we were, to remind us how we have to be humble and submissive to Kṛṣṇa;
because our tendency is become independent, to become very proud, intoxicated by our material situations
and so when Kṛṣṇa He gives dose out of little bit out of our karma to us in a reduced infinitesimal token manner to just put us in our place, to remind us and purify.
We get purified by suffering.
This is the actual fact.
People say that “No! people are hungry, they will never chant God’s name; you have to fill everyone’s belly then they will chant.”
But we find that where there people bellies are more full then they don’t like to chant so much.
You go in the village, there are poor people, they all very gladly chant.
But if you go onto a very, you see, wealthy society, they, “What do I need.
I already got my money, I have got everything I need; when I get old may be at that time I will chant God’s name; now I have to go on increasing my wealth.”
When there is great financial difficulty, everyone is praying to God and then when He gives them, “Alright!
You get wealth”; they become wealthy; then they forget.
Then they think “Oh, economic development is enough; I don’t need any more God”.
And then He takes everything away, and then again, they say they are in a position; that is what happens.
After the coming of Kali-yuga, all the… India was the richest place in the world.
America was discovered simply because Columbus was trying to find India to get the short route,
to get all the wealth, gold and the silks and the masālas; it was the wealthiest place in the world.
But, due to Kali-yuga, all the Hindu kings, they gradually became, you see, intoxicated and brahminical culture went down.
Gradually by birth, caste consciousness became established in a rampant exploitation.
As a result of this, then so many foreign conquestors came and gradually India fell to the foreigners and fell under Mughal rule, then under British rule.
You see.
Now there is a so-called independence, but you can say that it’s under a foreign political system, because the systems which are being used are not the original systems of Vedic culture; they are mental concoctions.
So, the difficulty is where?
That if someone becomes too proud then he is forced to, you see, have everything taken away by Kṛṣṇa as a special mercy.
Then he can think that, “Why I am suffering?
Oh! I must remember Kṛṣṇa.”
Otherwise, when one is in his hay day, he has no time for Kṛṣṇa.
That is the general thing.
The demigods, they forget about Kṛṣṇa often, you see.
And when they… not often but sometimes, when they forget then the asuras come and defeat them. Kṛṣṇa puts…
Then they go to Viṣṇu and pray, “Please help us.”
So, if Kṛṣṇa did not have asuras to fight with demigods, they would forget in their enjoyment.
So, in this material world there is always this conflict, and it has a sublime purpose to bring the people back to Kṛṣṇa.
But in spiritual sky where everyone is surrendered to Kṛṣṇa, there is no conflict, Vaikuṇṭha.
So, the more we depend on Kṛṣṇa, the more He takes charge of our lives and the more we try to make our own alternative arrangements, you see,
beyond maintaining—we have two things (we have to maintain our body and we have to be Kṛṣṇa conscious).
So, beyond maintaining our body, if we try to increase unnecessarily our material entanglement,
then, you see, to that extent Kṛṣṇa, He will not give His mercy or He will give His mercy by then giving one a good blast of misery to wake up that what am I doing?
This is a terrible position I am in! Kṛṣṇa, help me! Kṛṣṇa, help me! Someone may know what reaction will come.
What severity the reaction will take, that is, that regulator is held by Kṛṣṇa.
Devotee gets a token - finished! Non-devotee - full blast!
And the devotee is not accumulating new karma.
So as the karma is going on, as the reactions is being expended, it is finished.
And gradually the load is getting lighter and lighter, and one is getting closer and closer to Kṛṣṇa; more attracted to Kṛṣṇa; more spontaneously devoted to Kṛṣṇa.
While the non-devotee, every karmic reaction creates more reactions, he becomes more and more weighted down with unlimited accumulation until finally he falls down and goes back into the lowest species of life.
Category: [Karma]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-25
Jayapatākā Swami: How does he give special mercy?
So many ways.
Preaches to the devotees.
Explains to them devotional service.
Prays to Kṛṣṇa...
that the devotee.. may be accepted into devotional service.
If a devotee is accepted into devotional service,
that’s special mercy!
And special mercy goes on in so many different ways.
Here, the word… why it’s said, “Special mercy”,
can’t… if you want… I mean since… you know… split hairs about the whole thing.
That special mercy, what is the special mercy?
Means that even the person is not..
following rules and regulations and so many things, wasn’t, you know,
living in the āśrama for… and...
so many things.
He was just uh, he was a king of demons, but he was the grandson of Prahlāda,
so he even in spite of not being otherwise so qualified in terms of..
you know, just, sādhana-bhakti,
still, by some special mercy, that means by the well-wishes of Prahlāda Mahārāja,
just by his wish, just by his favorable...
desire, that alone was enough to lay the groundwork,
so Bali Mahārāja could develop this spontaneous love for Vāmanadeva.
It’s not that the mercy of the spiritual master has to be in a visible way.
That just by his favorable wishes, by his favorable desires,
a person can advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
But...
when a person starts to advance,
then one should naturally become more and more responsible,
to repay that special mercy.
One takes that whatever advancement one has achieved is due...
to the mercy of the spiritual master,
in response to one’s desire.
In.. most cases.
And then when there was no desire, then you know it was special mercy.
I had no desire to be a devotee.
Somehow, I came..
to...
deliver the milk,
and the devotees kept giving me cookies..
and.. I can see that by their special mercy, I became a devotee.
That… someone may actually come here, looking for Kṛṣṇa,
cause there’s some.. problem that person has, or he wants to know about something,
or is looking for God,
you see.
Comes here, starts to practice.
So, that you can say that’s ordinary mercy.
And if somebody comes and is just completely,
not the slightest desire at all for spiritual life,
you know, visibly there,
still the devotee goes out of his way to just engage that person,
giving some prasādam or some… whatever.
So, that’s a special mercy.
It’s not that the person really did anything to deserve it... or even desires it much.
So it's just a devotee, out of his own, “Let me help this person.”
Category: [Mercy]
Questioner: Rāma Kānāi Mathureśa dāsa
Date: 2022-10-04
Jayapatākā Swami: The thing that pleases Kṛṣṇa most is pure devotional service.
And the renunciation austerity
is not so important.
What is more important is pure bhakti.
So, that is why in the jñāna-yoga, to get the impersonal liberation,
one should be a sannyāsī.
But in bhakti-yoga, one could be a gṛhastha, one could be a sannyāsī, as long as they chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, follow the process of pure bhakti, they can achieve Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: (Spoken in Hindi – Translated here – Kali-yuga me nāma ke dvāra.
Kalau tad-dhari kīrtanāt.
Nāma ke dvāra bhagavān ko bahut jaldī prāpta ho sakte hain.
Hare Krsna.
Mūrti pūjā dvāpara-yuga me. (The Lord is easily attainable in the Kali-yuga by chanting of the Holy Names)
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Indescribable.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-21
Hṛdayānanda Dāsa Goswami: Yes, (laughing)
if he is actually bonafide.
If he is actually bonafide.
You understand?
If someone is not a bonafide spiritual master, someone is only pretending to be a spiritual master,
then how can the relationship be eternal?
So therefore, the disciple has to know the real symptoms.
Just like for example, in the case I was just mentioning, there were some symptoms which were very unusual, that were not the normal symptoms.
So, some of the people in in England they were not, of course the young devotees they didn't know,
but they were not very strict and serious and seeing that the same standard was kept.
Do you understand?
In other words, just like we are… we are always preaching, that is the duty of our disciple to see, to select a bonafide spiritual master.
So, the point is that anyone who joins this movement sincerely will get Kṛṣṇa and will get a bonafide spiritual master.
And the symptom that is getting one that is he will get Kṛṣṇa.
If you are getting a bonafide spiritual master, then you are getting the proper instruction.
Any guru in ISKCON who is presenting Prabhupāda as he is, or presenting the standard program, he is a bonafide guru.
Just like if I tell my disciples, "Read these books."
So, I am giving them the right knowledge, you understand?
Now, if someone is actually a bonafide spiritual master, then that relationship is eternal.
So it’s not that, it’s not that, because one particular person had some difficulty therefore I will become doubtful.
This is also a foolish idea.
Just like in the Gauḍīya Maṭha, all of them deviated except Prabhupāda.
I mean fifty of them or something like that, there were 100 or something, I don’t know how many... do you understand?
And every last one of them, every single one of them, deviated from Bhaktisiddhānta's order.
And out of the movement of hundreds and thousands of people, Prabhupāda was the only one who actually
carried it out exactly as Bhaktisiddhānta wanted, do you understand?
So, it’s not that when we heard about Gauḍīya Maṭha, we begin to doubt our spiritual master.
No, we become more proud of our spiritual master.
So, it’s just like my parents always used to tell me, "You should be glad that your parents don’t drink or smoke…
or… tell me that, some parents beat their children, some parents do this, some parents do that.”
So, in that way Kṛṣṇa has given these historical examples. Kṛṣṇa has given these examples,
so you should be happy if you have a guru who doesn’t drink or smoke. (Laughter)
Yes, actually, we accept that Śrīla Prabhupāda among his godbrothers…
not that all they fell down to sinful activities,
but they deviated from the preaching mission and Prabhupāda told us that, none of them actually really captured the purport completely.
So, it's in the līlāmṛta, all.
Prabhupāda's frustration trying to work with them.
So, does that make us doubt Śrīla Prabhupāda? No, it makes us glorify him more.
That if others have failed, that means it must be very difficult.
Because someone has not… could not do it, that means it must be a very difficult thing.
It must be... So, therefore, it made us more attached to our spiritual master.
So, Prabhupāda said, "If you see, if you try to see the guru without Kṛṣṇa then that’s bad.
If you try to see Kṛṣṇa without the guru, that is also bad.
If we see guru as the representative of Kṛṣṇa,
then we will never be deviated.”
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-29
This is more of a common-sense question.
It’s like Rūpa Gosvāmī’s atyāhāraḥ prayāsaś ca.
That we don’t want to overeat.
So, where is the standard of how much one should eat?
The scripture doesn’t say that one should eat 1.274 pounds per man, you know, or 27% of the body weight,
you know, for lunch and 15% for breakfast and it doesn’t give any… It says one shouldn’t eat more, one shouldn’t eat less.
And Śrīla Prabhupāda said that… The actual thing is that as much as one can work, he should eat.
If you eat a lot, then you should work more, you see.
If you eat as much as... If you work as much as you are eating, then there is, then there is no difficulty.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Depends what you are thinking!
Generally, I would chant in front of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mūrti.
And I would chant the mantra but I would also be seeing Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Everything connected with Kṛṣṇa is also Kṛṣṇa.
It is not really Kṛṣṇa, but it is not different from Kṛṣṇa.
When we clean the temple, the temple is connected with Kṛṣṇa, therefore we clean our heart.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, in any part of the temple Kṛṣṇa is there.
So guru is connected to Kṛṣṇa
and if you see guru while chanting you will be connected to Kṛṣṇa.
Link: 20221023 Evening Darśana
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-17
In this regard, Śrīla Prabhupāda was quoting Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
that the disciple should take the order of the spiritual master as their life and soul.
If you are not able
to follow the instruction of your spiritual master,
then you can ask him
what to do in that case.
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: Rahita Sivalingam
Date: 2023-01-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Cāṇakya Paṇḍita, he said that for the first five years, you should let the kids do whatever they want, more or less.
From 6 to 15 be very strict with the children.
And 16 up, be like a friend and try to convince them the right thing to do.
But as a friend.
That is what Cāṇakya Paṇḍita said.
But you can talk to the Youth-Minister in Māyāpur,
he may have more experience, you can talk to him, Manorāma dāsa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Just like we say we are not the body.
We also say we are not the mind.
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura said that we should beat the mind in the morning with shoes 108 times.
In the evening beat with a broomstick 108 times.
Who is the boss here, mind or you?
You are the eternal spirit soul and you are the real person.
Not the mind.
We have to tell the mind, who is the boss!
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Material World / Mind / Intelligence], [Sādhanā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-10-22
Jayapatākā Swami: Offense.. is a spiritual thing.
While preaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness why would you offend new people ?
We should not refer to anyone
depending on their gender, race.. or color,
anything material.
but encourage people to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and be happy.
Questioner: Medhāvinī Sakhi devī dāsī
Date: 2022-12-22
Jayapatākā Swami: So, every day if we read some śāstra,
that will help us to always remember Kṛṣṇa!
In the morning I listen to Śrīla Prabhupāda lectures,
in the evening I hear or read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
During the day I give classes.
But we are told that we should always remember Kṛṣṇa and never forget Him.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Material Sufferings / Death], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Hari Hara Kṛṣṇa Caitanya dāsa
Date: 2022-07-30
Jayapatākā Swami: An ISKCON guru is naturally pleased if you are satisfying the desires of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Śrīla Prabhupāda wants to satisfy his guru’s desires, his guru wants to satisfy his guru’s, like that
it goes up to Lord Brahmā, and he wants to satisfy Lord Kṛṣṇa.
So in that way, we try to please guru and Kṛṣṇa.
And that will be the success of our spiritual life.
But maybe the spiritual master gives some specific instruction, which are applicable for us.
Just like His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda,
he gave certain service to his devotees,
based on their abilities sand potentials.
So in this way the spiritual master may give you some particular service.
Or maybe a general service.
Generally, we try to serve our Temple President or our spiritual authorities.
But sometimes, we may receive some specific instruction from the spiritual master.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: When I was in Canada, I told my pūrvāśrama parents that I had joined Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
And my father said, I should come back immediately and be in the American Army and fight in Vietnam.
So I asked Śrīla Prabhupāda what should I do?
He told me, better you serve in Kṛṣṇa’s army.
So I have been in Kṛṣṇa’s army ever since.
And I am very happy to have visited Russia.
And I also went to Siberia, and I think I went to Omsk.
I also went to Vladivostok, to the Urals,
then to Yekaterinburg and various places.
But now I stay mostly in India, but I travel a little bit.
I think that devotees, they are above these designations of nations.
So, we try to help the devotees from both Russia and Ukraine.
They are all part of Kṛṣṇa’s family.
This war is very superficial.
We hope that people will take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Rather than trying to kill each other!
Haribol!
Category: [Devotee Care], [Material Sufferings], [Material World], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Girijā
Date: 2023-07-10
Jayapatākā Swami: Vaiṣṇava-aparādha is described as a mad elephant.
It can destroy our devotional creeper –
it is very dangerous
to have offensive mentality.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Emotions / Fault-finding]
Questioner: Rasapriya Gopikā devī dāsī, Māyāpur
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: This is on the stage of anartha-nivṛitti.
One of the anarthas is called thick and thin.
Sometimes the devotion is very thick,
sometimes very thin,
so thin and thick.
So by following the process and reaching the stage of niṣṭhā,
then one will be fixed and there won’t be this thick and thin enthusiasm.
Questioner: Ojasvinī Rādhikā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: We are advised to always remember Kṛṣṇa,
So, in this age, we can always remember Kṛṣṇa’s name and never forget Him.
And whatever we do, we should chant the holy name
and, in this way, you can always remember Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-10
Jayapatākā Swami: How to be always humble?
If we think that we are the doer then we tend to be puffed up.
If we think that by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa
I am able to understand something,
that means we are humble.
Questioner: Satyabhāmā Sādhvī devī dasī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Very glorious question.
We want to always remember guru and Kṛṣṇa.
So if we do everything as an offering to guru and Kṛṣṇa,
then we will be constantly thinking of Guru and Kṛṣṇa.
Like, if you buy a gift for your loved one,
now you may be thinking what does that person like?
And you pick up some gift,
so it maybe that you are thinking about the gift,
but you are thinking in the context what does this person like?
So therefore, you are always thinking about the person.
Even though technically you may not always thinking about him, but all your action is offered to him.
So therefore, your thought process is centered around the person you love.
So if you love Kṛṣṇa, if you love the guru,
it is very easy to think always about guru and Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-28
Jayapatākā Swami: If one unjustly criticizes the devotee has to get forgiveness from that devotee or touch that devotee’s lotus feet.
If he touches his feet, then that can forgive him of all the offence.
Apart from that by worshipping Caitanya Mahāprabhu and feeling repentful,
repentful or sorry for what he has done, one can also overcome offences.
There is no loss or diminution in devotional service.
The only way to avoid offences or to overcome offences is by the mercy of Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
If one falls down into other type of offences, the only hope is to serve Kṛṣṇa.
Again, restart the service.
But for offences, one should try to get forgiveness from those who he has offended;
otherwise, touch their feet, otherwise simply pray to Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Tulasī devī
and other such great devotees of the Lord for being forgiven from these offences.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)]
Questioner: Nikhil Raj, Bhopal
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: We have some very serious devotees in Māyāpur.
You can ask the residents of Māyāpur and they will confirm. One is Jananivāsa Prabhu.
Whenever he would come and talk Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
but if the discussion became a bit different,
he would leave.
You turn around he is gone.
As long as you are Kṛṣṇa conscious he will be there.
Loose talk and he is gone.
Also, some people they are able to change the topic.
If someone is talking loose talk,
they know how to change the topic.
And bring them around to serious talk.
Then if people are very addicted to loose talk they won’t like to stay around you.
Question: How to remain enthusiastic despite challenges we face in serving Kṛṣṇa?
—Bhakta dāsa, ISKCON Baroda
Jayapatākā Swami: You see there will always be some tests.
Māyā will test you, are you really sincere?
You want to serve Kṛṣṇa or you are just playing around.
So many devotees here.
I give class every day, more or less every day.
Wherever you are, Bhopal, Vadodara, you can watch the class,
either by Facebook or Zoom.
Question: How to overcome the enjoyment mentality?
Jayapatākā Swami: We maintain our enthusiasm
when we have a taste for spiritual life.
Like in different stages of devotional service like bhajana-kriyā, anartha-nivṛtti, niṣṭhā, ruci,
ruci means taste.
You have a taste, you want to do more and more service.
And one time, in Montreal, mother and father came to see the son. Put their arm around him talked to him nicely.
But when they got to the doorway, they grabbed him and told him to go home.
Then he held on the door
and they were pulling his feet and Śrīla Prabhupāda when he heard he said he is attached.
After ruci comes āsakti, attachment.
You have to be attached to resist your parents like that.
So anyway, by devotional service we gradually get taste, we get attached
and in this way we desire to render devotional service more and more.
♦ ♦ ♦
I was discussing with a devotee today.
He told me that for every sevā or preaching project we are engaged in we must have a vision for that.
Guru Mahārāja, my question is..
Question: if I am serving under the authority, can I have a vision for the project?
What if our authority has different ways or visions?
—Amṛteśa Gaura dāsa, Bhubaneswar
Jayapatākā Swami: You see it may be different it may be the same.
If you have a vision that you want to serve Kṛṣṇa,
you want to spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement,
maybe some individual differences.
But if your reason is Kṛṣṇa conscious then it doesn’t matter.
♦ ♦ ♦
So thank you for asking so many questions
Category: [Anarthās], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: IYF Māyāpur
Date: 2022-08-03
Jayapatākā Swami: See, we are not attached to winning or losing.
Rather, our system is that we offer respect to others
and we don’t expect any respect for ourselves.
So, like one of Lord Caitanya’s associates, he spoke to a Kazi, a Muslim magistrate.
He said, “You are very handsome, you are very powerful, rich, intelligent.”
Like that.
“I just want to ask you one thing?
Is it alright?”
He said, “Go ahead!”
He said, “Please forget all this
because when you die all this is gone.
Just chant Hare Kṛṣṇa!”
The Kazi said, “I will chant Hare Kṛṣṇa tomorrow.”
That associate said, “Haribol! Haribol!
You just said it!
Don’t stop now!
Haribol! Haribol!”
If you try, you can figure out what is the best way of doing it.
And that you are trying Kṛṣṇa will be very pleased that this devotee is trying.
So we want to say things that are favorable,
which will help the person to listen.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-08
Jayapatākā Swami: In the beginning the only way to be 100% sure is by asking the spiritual master.
One can check with other devotees, senior devotee, especially the spiritual master, then one can be fully sure.
Just like we would sometimes get an idea and we would ask Śrīla Prabhupāda and he would say that idea was inspired by the Supersoul.
Sometimes, someone would give an idea and he would say that idea is inspired by māyā.
(devotees laughing)
Of course, by hearing, by reading, we have to only get an idea, we have to learn to analyze it, that, just like we pray, guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete kariyā aikya, I mean… how does it go?
cittete kariyā aikya - “May the consciousness be made one with your instructions, with your orders.”
Whatever the word of the spiritual master is, our consciousness we want that to be filled with those words and to be one with, in harmony with those words.
So, we do something, we have an idea, we want to have it confirmed.
This is the system of paramparā – whatever a person does; does it only if it’s authorized;
directly you can see that, guru has said, Kṛṣṇa has said in the śāstra.
And the śāstras are so vast, the Vedas, that one does not have to leave anything for speculation even if one knows in his heart that this is Kṛṣṇa conscious.
Also one trace out the effort; immediately also, Kṛṣṇa gives the example, there is this example in the Vedas or this devotee, or this situation.
There are so many millions of examples that have been given on these even in the Bhāgavatam and the Bhagavad-gītā that most of all the situations have already been covered, if one has the eyes to see.
So, the spiritual master has the eyes to see, therefore we take his advice.
There also symptom that over endeavor is usually a symptom of a māyā idea.
Just like a person gets an idea to do something for Kṛṣṇa and it happens very easily or it happens, it seems to be just going on.
But when we have an idea when we do this for Kṛṣṇa, but the number of steps of the material activities one has to do before it finally gets around to being something which is directed at Kṛṣṇa are so many
and so rot with difficulties, that is a symptom of over endeavor, an over endeavor for an unproportionate result.
If one has to do something, an over endeavor, they may be attached to Kṛṣṇa and think, let me do this for Kṛṣṇa, I want to build a house for Kṛṣṇa, whatever, something, it is very hard to say any particular thing.
Maybe one wants to make an aeroplane.
The same thing might be Kṛṣṇa conscious in another situation, so it is not the particular thing, but in that particular situation, there were other easier ways of using time.
Kṛṣṇa preferred you do in a different way so that particular way, He keeps, māyā keeps giving so many obstacles so that one will take the other way.
But if one is so fixed on that particular idea due to some kind of preconceived idea that in spite of every obstacle, they go on trying, and so at every step they meet difficulty.
Lot of practical examples I can think of.
They always involve devotees; I don’t want to embarrass them.
There was one older devotee in our movement who was doing nice service but then he got an idea… someone turned him on… turned him… gave him some rubies
and they got into a whole thing that he started mining rubies, he bought a ruby mine and he started going there.
He just became overwhelmed by these rubies and jewels, like kind of a gold fever. He got a ruby fever, a gem fever.
Prabhupāda kept telling him that it is an over endeavor, it is unnecessary, just preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness, Kṛṣṇa will provide, this, that.
“No, no, I want to make money for Kṛṣṇa.”
and even Pra… you know, even his guru told him don’t do it, he said, “No, no.”
And so of course whatever money he did make didn’t go to Kṛṣṇa, he just re-invested it in his business again and again; what usually happens.
And then finally he just became farther and farther and removed from Kṛṣṇa and more and more in māyā.
Now he is, for the past many years he is completely out of touch.
You see him sometimes.
Still going to make it one day.
So, it’s like over endeavors, misdirected.
So, of course, ultimately the guru is the custodian of one’s spiritual progress, you have to take his advice and as one advances more and more, then, one can tell when one makes a wrong decision, Kṛṣṇa usually smashes it.
As you become more advanced in devotional service the slightest mistake will create an immediate result.
You see karma might take hundred births.
When you surrender to Kṛṣṇa you make a mistake you may get the reaction, “pshew!” five seconds or five minutes or five hours.
There was a devotee riding in a taxi cab in Calcutta, who started to criticize Śrīla Prabhupāda and different devotees for God knows what reason, must have gone mad or something.
And another devotee who was with him, immediately he stopped the car and got out and said, “I am not going to hear any offense of pure devotees.”
That person went on and within one hour, went to the railway station, missed the train, got into a fight with one of the coolies there, one of the porters, they call them coolies in India,
that is the official name, hey coolie! They don’t mind being called coolies.
So then, there was a whole riot and about a 150 of the coolies came out of their walls with bricks and sticks and they stripped the so-called devotee completely down naked
and only he had on was the brāhmaṇa thread and they beat the pulp out and he was running down the street naked and finally jumped into a moving bus.
You know, the whole bus emptied out, they couldn't believe it.
(His Holiness Jayapatākā Swāmī and devotees laughing)
And all this happened within one or two hours after he blasphemed the devotees.
He was in the hospital.
He’s a blooped devotee, wasn't… that criticizing others always.
After that he came by and bowed down hundreds of times in the temple and personally went to each devotee, begging for forgiveness.
So that way he was able to learn.
Sometimes we are repeatedly told to be cautious in a particular way or to avoid some kind of activity; we don’t listen, we don’t listen, we don’t listen and then finally Kṛṣṇa says, “Well, “Let what be happen!” and māyā takes over.
Kṛṣṇa lifts up, He doesn’t personally do it; He just lifts up some of the shelter, and lets māyā move in, otherwise the devotees are always under the yoga-māyā shelter.
But if we neglect Kṛṣṇa, if we neglect the guru, or we blaspheme, then that shelter is removed, and then we are at the mercy of māyā.
See, she’s already upset that we are trying to get out of her clutches, so she puts her full load on us, you know.
Questioner: Śacīnandana Gauracanda dāsa.
Date: 2022-09-22
Jayapatākā Swami: We can see, it is not a small thing.
Personally, I don’t we need such a determination.
But we should be determined to chant,
to follow the four regulative principles
and engage one’s self in devotional service,
and eventually achieve pure love for Kṛṣṇa.
Kṛṣṇa is so wonderful.
Why do you want to serve anyone else?
Kṛṣṇa or His devotees are the only persons we should worship.
You know, Rāvaṇa, Hiraṇyakaśipu, they gave all material desires to their followers.
But they had to reject God and serve them,
then you will get all that you want, materially.
But why do you want to serve a demon?
But the demons would like to serve the demons,
the devotees want to serve the devotees.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: You see that is why we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa!
That changes our consciousness.
And then we see how this material world is a temporary place of suffering.
Lord Kṛṣṇa said in the Bhagavad-gītā about this material world, it is – duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam.
So we should engage ourselves in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
Doesn’t matter where we are, material world or spiritual world, we do the same activities, engage in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
And I told the story about the Yamadūtas, we want to give them a vacation.
But if we want to give them service, they are ready to do it.
Also, Lord Caitanya revealed how by doing devotional service we get transcendental bliss.
Animals have āhāra, nidrā, bhaya, maithuna.
Human beings have the same plus devotional service.
So, the secret is to engage in devotional service.
Not to be an animal.
The modern world is just to make animal life more comfortable.
Why do the human beings have better, easier life than animals?
Because they have extra time to do devotional service.
Questioner: Saccidānanda Gauracandra dāsa
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Interesting question.
Our tendency is just to neglect our spiritual life.
But naturally we know that the human life
is very short
and that is with little opportunity.
And one moment that goes by,
we cannot get back
even for crores of rupees or millions of dollars or pounds.
So naturally, we would like to utilize
all the energy and resources
and be able to achieve success in this life.
If we think how much we are indebted to guru and Kṛṣṇa,
then naturally we would like to repay our debt.
So where is the time for laziness?
Being born in Nepal, this is a great opportunity
to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
You see on the news how they have different coup d’etat in Africa,
in Latin America
and other places.
So you are very fortunate to be in Nepal.
Why take a chance to be born in hellish places?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Jayapatākā Swami: It is like a multiple question.
You can be in Vṛndāvana by being in Vṛndāvana.
And how to please Śrīla Prabhupāda and me? I am very pleased if you are in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
If you are studying Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books,
Śrīla Prabhupāda called that tapasyā in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
If you are distributing the mercy out that is also very pleasing.
And if you are doing Kṛṣṇa conscious sevās, there are nine types of sevās,
then that is also pleasing.
How to deal with the vraja-vāsīs?
What is the problem?
How to deal with the vraja-vāsīs in regard to job, work, and association?
She is saying vraja-vāsīs, if she is saying in regard to work she has to work for someone.
You are staying in Vṛndāvana, then you have to live with vraja-vāsīs.
I guess I would just encourage them, they are vraja-vāsīs, they are very fortunate.
That they are in Kṛṣṇa’s land,
so they should be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
Otherwise, what is the use of being a vraja-vāsī.
Of course, when I installed the lotus feet this morning,
then afterwards a brāhmaṇa vraja-vāsī said I will help you to worship the Śyāma-kuṇḍa.
Then he took some water, sprinkled it,
tied a thread around my wrist.
And then he said, I am a poor brāhmaṇa, please give me some donation.
So I gave him some.
I saw in Māyāpur, sometimes during the season, the boys come up and say we are having a pūjā program in our pandal for Durgā-pūjā, please give us donation.
So I was thinking we are worshiping Kṛṣṇa every day
but Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “Alright, give them 10 rupees.”
So, they are taught they accept whatever they are given. So to make the long story short, just give them 10 rupees and Haribol!
So like that Śrīla Prabhupāda would sometimes give them something just to make them happy.
Link: 20221024 Evening Darśana
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya wrote the Śikṣāṣṭaka.
In the third verse of the Śikṣāṣṭaka He said to be humble like a blade of grass and tolerant like a tree.
To offer all respect to others and not to expect any respect for ourselves.
Basically, to be non-envious.
In other words, if you always follow the instructions of Lord Caitanya, you will become non-envious.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-08
Jayapatākā Swami: Question is how do we be stable and strong when the situation is difficult?
How could you study in college if there are exams?
There will be exams,
you cannot avoid it.
That’s how you get your degree.
If you want to be a devotee,
there will be tests.
It is not a cheap thing, it is a very valuable thing.
So naturally, there will be difficulties.
And don’t be disturbed by that.
It is part of the process.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Good question!
I know very little Hindi, but I will speak in English.There will be Translation.
So there are eight steps in bhakti-yoga.
First is śraddhā,
then sādhu-saṅga,
bhajana-kriyā,
anartha-nivṛtti,
niṣṭhā,
ruci,
āsakti,
bhāva
and then prema.
So, first one at the stage of bhajana-kriyā one takes initiation.
And then one under the guidance of guru and his assistants, they get rid of their anarthas.
That is called anartha-nivṛtti.
And then one is niṣṭhā or steady in devotional service.
This is a gradual process and if he takes initiation, he goes up to anartha-nivṛtti and then he can become niṣṭhā or fixed.
So I was in the RODC and then in the NRODC in the USA.
The Army and Navy.
Then I asked Śrīla Prabhupāda, “What should I do?”
He said, “Better you join Kṛṣṇa’s Army!”
And now I am in India, I am also an army man!
Questioner: Śaśimukhi Rādhā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura,
he like to walk
when he chanted. He was very active.
So he didn’t like sitting and chanting.
He would walk,
pace back and forth chanting.
So as far as leaving our body,
Kṛṣṇa helps us then.
We should practice chanting in all situations;
because the time of death is of course the most difficult time.
I went to a dentist, he said,
“The greatest suffering is kidney stones,
child birth,
dying
and dental [surgeries]!
Welcome to your dentist!!” [laughter]
So he said that dying is one of the most difficult times.
That is why we need to practice chanting now.
So that we can chant at the time when we leave our body.
But even if we cannot,
if we had remained good and chanted all through our life;
at the time of leaving our body, Kṛṣṇa will help us.
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Material Sufferings], [Material World / Mind / Intelligence], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-15
Jayapatākā Swami: Devotional service is a somewhat gradual process.
After taking initiation,
there is the stage of anartha-nivṛtti,
where the mind is somewhat fluctuating.
Gradually we rise above that,
to become fixed on the level of niṣṭhā.
From there we develop a taste.
Then when you are recognizing your mind is fluctuating,
again and again you have to bring it back to Kṛṣṇa.
In that way you can advance in your devotional service.
Just like, there is a prayer to the mind,
like, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, he wrote a book,
Vaiṣṇava Ke?,
I wrote some commentary on that.
Who is a Vaiṣṇava?
He is praying to his mind, what kind of a Vaiṣṇava are you?
It is a very heavy prayer
because he chastises his mind.
And Śrīnivāsa Ācārya wrote a book, Manaḥ Śikṣā,
Teaching the Mind.
So somehow we have to bring the mind under our control.
That is the position of bhakti-yoga.
We don’t let the mind wander,
we keep it engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, all the time.
Questioner: IYF Māyāpur
Date: 2022-08-03
Jayapatākā Swami: Arjuna asked a similar question
and Kṛṣṇa said that by the sword of knowledge
he should cut the knots of illusion.
So there are different ways to overcome –
one is knowledge.
We have to have knowledge.
Like in Gajendra Mokṣa līlā, the elephant king and the crocodile king were fighting with each other
and they were in the water.
So the elephant realized he was a land animal and the crocodile was a water animal and the crocodile was winning.
Then he prayed to Lord Viṣṇu,
he could remember in his previous life he was a human being,
he was saved by Viṣṇu.
But in the purport Śrīla Prabhupāda says that
we should see which place we are stronger to fight māyā.
Even though we may have knowledge and wisdom,
maybe our nature is such that we should be gṛhastha
but if we can control our lust by knowledge and by engaging in service,
keep the mind off from the object of lust,
then maybe that is sufficient.
Questioner: Sadānandinī Yogīnī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-13
Jayapatākā Swami: We should make our goal in life to serve Kṛṣṇa.
Sometimes the senses will give us pleasure, sometimes they will give suffering.
So, we should not be very dependent on the senses,
they are not reliable.
That way, by keeping our mind on Kṛṣṇa, we can advance.
Now, as long as we live in this material world,
we will have senses.
Sometimes the senses will experience pleasure, sometimes suffering.
So, we should not be very much illusioned by this.
This is not the real happiness we are searching for.
Certain amount of pleasure is needed,
to keep us balanced in this material world.
But our goal should be to have the spiritual pleasure, like Lord Caitanya is having.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: This ‘how to’ questions are very difficult.
So, what is the ‘how to’ question? Depend on Kṛṣṇa!
That is why Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a gradual process.
When one practices how you gradually depend on Kṛṣṇa, you then depend on Kṛṣṇa.
And how to avoid aparādha?
Don’t do any!
Anyway, you see all the good qualities in others.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura said prāṇa haite jāra, sei hetu pracāra.
So if your spiritual life is there, then you will be automatically cultivating your spiritual life.
Questioner: Akhilabandhu Gopāla dāsa
Date: 2022-08-05
Jayapataka Swami: I don’t really understand how favoritism can affect.
Apparently if someone gets some favoritism, still Kṛṣṇa will analyze us as per our situation,
and so, that way we don’t have to worry.
But Kṛṣṇa is seeing all you do in His service
and so if someone gets favoritism how that could be good or not good.
It could be good in the sense if someone gets some facility to do devotional service.
It could be bad in the sense that he gets facilities without much effort.
So, that way he is deprived of certain mercy
from Lord Nitāi-Gaura.
So I wouldn’t worry about it.
You just try to please Nitāi-Gaura, please the Deities
and naturally someone may give you facilities.
You can approach the leaders saying you want more service.
Usually, people who approach like that, they get more service.
Śrīla Prabhupāda gave the example that in a nest, the baby bird that chirps the loudest gets the worm.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-11-28
Jayapatākā Swami: Good question.
So it is important if they are senior devotees talk to them privately.
Speak to them how you tried to enthuse these new people but if the older devotees express their doubts to the younger devotees that creates a bad taste.
Explain to him how his negative comments are influencing the younger people badly.
If it is not comments, he only has a bad mood, then talk to me, I can help him, I don’t have a bad mood.
Category: [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Premeśvarī Śrī Rādhā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-09-21
Separation from guru and Kṛṣṇa is something that we encounter
and Kṛṣṇa.
So Lord Caitanya said that we can get a closer devotion
by feeling separation.
So if we feel separation that is to the body of the guru,
if we feel separation that is to the instructions of the guru
and just try to follow his instructions.
By following his instructions, we can advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Serving the guru personally is vapu-sevā
and serving his instructions is vāṇī-sevā.
So vāṇī-sevā is more important.
Category: [Emotions / Sorrow], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings]
Questioner: Ati Sundara Jagannātha dāsa
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: When it is some puja time, say Dīpāvalī or something,
you buy something for your sister, your mother, your loved ones.
So while you are buying that you are thinking what does this person like? What should I get?
Like that, the act of shopping
becomes an act of love.
And so in the same way when you want to do something for the spiritual master,
you think like that, what will be pleasing? What can be used?
And that way, it is an act of love for your spiritual master.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: —Sundara Nitāi dāsa, Ujjain.
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: Sundara Nitāi dāsa, If you read the books every day, your taste will increase.
And I was reading last night, Śrīla Prabhupāda said that those who are somehow in connection with the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement,
they should read all of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books –
Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Caitanya-caritāmṛta, and others.
Otherwise, one may fall down and leave Kṛṣṇa consciousness because of inadequate knowledge.
So you can pray to Kṛṣṇa that you can read the books without offence.
And by regularly reading, then you will gradually increase your taste.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-10
How do you develop faith in walking?
And how do you know that the ground will not fall in?
If you see other people walking
you take a step forward,
you see that you don’t fall into any ditch,
then your faith increases.
It is a practical thing.
We put the knowledge to practice
and then we see the effect.
So, you are studying so maybe it is a new thing for you.
As Śrīla Prabhupāda said, it is a gradual process.
And gradually you increase your faith,
increase your realization.
How fast one can advance
depends on how you put your mind to it.
I was thinking, I was looking for a guru,
and I was going here and there,
so then I thought
unless I try this Kṛṣṇa consciousness fully,
I won’t know for sure.
Let me try
and if it works, alright it is done or otherwise will go on and try something else.
As Rādhe Śyāma said I have been at it for 52 years.
I have never looked back, I have never regretted it.
Questioner: Everlyne Geraldo
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: It is not very difficult to develop favorable relationships with devotees.
?
In the third verse of the Śikṣāṣṭaka
it says offer respect to others and don’t expect respect for, yourself.
So if you follow this system then you will make many friends.
And people are always looking for someone to appreciate them.
So if you appreciate others,
then naturally they will appreciate you.
So, I am very happy to receive your question.
And I am speaking English so everybody else can hear the answer.
And because my translator can do better
if I speak in English.
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Cooperation], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Śaraṇāgati Gaura dāsa
Date: 2023-01-27
Jayapatākā Swami: You have a nice name, śaraṇāgati, means surrender.
Just apply your name!
Lord Caitanya said in the third verse of the Śikṣāṣṭakam which they chant here every morning –
tṛṇād api sunīcena taror api sahiṣṇunā amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ.
Be more humble than a blade of grass.
Śrīla Prabhupāda described – you step on grass, it bends over, it is humble.
When you walk away from the grass, the grass comes back up.
So, in that way, we should be humble and at the same time be resilient.
Go upright in due course of time.
Be more tolerant than a tree.
A tree stands there in a rain, in heat, in a wind and people cut branches from the tree and make toothbrushes.
One devotee, Śrīla Prabhupāda said, he wanted a neem tree.
There was a neem tree outside his window.
He hung out of the window to get a neem branch.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, don’t do that!
He said, don’t worry Prabhupāda, I did that many times!
Maybe, but don’t do in front of me, Śrīla Prabhupāda said.
Śrīla Prabhupāda was afraid for the devotee, maybe he will fall!
That way a tree is very tolerant, so we should be tolerant and we should offer respect to others
but not expect any appreciation or respect for ourselves.
In that way we can always chant the Holy Name.
So śaraṇāgati is the actual mood we should have surrender
and whether our authority treats us very nice with a smile, or he treats us harsh,
we are not doing it for the authority.
As such, we are doing it to please Kṛṣṇa.
And if the authority gives us a service we can do, we should appreciate it, thank you for giving me the service!
Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Rādhā Śrī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Rādhā Śrī! How to develop tolerance for everything? It is very hard to tolerate the absence of Kṛṣṇa
and the absence of Prabhupāda.
So that is called vipralambha-bhāva
or feeling separation.
That is something we don’t have to tolerate.
We can cry.
But all these false ego things I was talking about before,
we tolerate those,
because we know that they are not constructive.
So unless we can do something for Kṛṣṇa, we tolerate it and we don’t do it.
So as we develop more attachment for Kṛṣṇa, it is easier to tolerate material things.
So what we should do as a human being is learn more about Kṛṣṇa.
And to develop our affection and attraction for Kṛṣṇa.
And then it is very easy to tolerate all the other things.
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Vijaya Rādhā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Questioner: Vijaya Rādhā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: To associate with devotees
who have unflinching faith.
Otherwise the process of bhakti-yoga
is to gradually increase your faith,
then it becomes unflinching.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Be a friend of Kṛṣṇa!
Many are friends in Vṛndāvana, Arjuna was also a friend.
Uddhava was a friend.
So, one can be a friend by following the footsteps of the friend.
Are you ready?
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Bhaktin Ambika
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Naturally when you are serving guru and Kṛṣṇa,
then you will be connected to guru and Kṛṣṇa
and you can feel that.
So, we try if we can either serve the guru directly
or by following his instructions.
And that way we can feel connected.
Questioner: Antīmā devī dāsī.
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: You see we should have the vision of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura,
seeing the difference from material relationship,
and the spiritual reality.
If we have this knowledge,
naturally we can transcend the suffering and troubles of the material world.
But since we are conditioned, and we lament over things which should not be lamented for,
therefore, say one family member dies,
different varṇas have different times or periods, when we are not supposed to go to the temple.
I think brāhmaṇas have 11 days and śūdras 30 days.
So, the more one has spiritual knowledge,
they may be able to recover.
Now I heard that the head priest of the Guruvāyur temple,
if someone dies in his family,
they wouldn’t tell him.
Because if they told him,
he would have to stop worship for so many days.
So, while he is in the six months as head priest.
He would not hear about any misfortune in his family.
Fixing your mind on guru and Kṛṣṇa, is a matter of spiritual wisdom.
Category: [Emotions / Stress/Anxiety], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapatākā Swami: We could remember Lord Nityānanda,
He was hit in the head by Mādhāi
with a clay pot.
He was caused to bleed,
and He said, “Just because you caused Me to bleed, does that mean I will not give you love of Godhead?”
So, we take everything, ultimately, if someone is doing something to us, we are thinking,
we take it that it is our karma.
That the person is acting as an instrument for our karma.
We don’t take that person responsible.
That they don’t know what they are doing.
So in different ways we remember how the bull and cow were beaten by the personality of Kali
but they did not hold the personality of Kali responsible.
And Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, he was Ajātaśatru,
he did not look at anyone as his enemy.
He was a well-wisher to everyone.
So, even his enemies found that it was better
to be a friend, to follow him because he was a well-wisher to everyone.
Questioner: Sivaprasad (Sheltered)
Date: 2022-09-10
Jayapatākā Swami: Sambandha, abhideya and prayojana are the three things to be remembered.
If we are engaged in abhideya in devotional service, then naturally our relationship with guru and Kṛṣṇa is strong.
If we are not engaged in devotional service, then there is somewhat distance.
So the solution for that is to engage in devotional service.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: As I mentioned, bhakti-yoga is a science.
And it is step by step.
Śravaṇam, kīrtanam, We should hear and then have sādhu-saṅga.
Then bhajana-kriyā.
With bhajana-kriyā comes initiation.
The next stage is anartha-nivṛtti,
getting rid of the bad habits.
So that comes after initiation, that you start working on removing the bad habits.
Then we become fixed, and we have good habits in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and that is called niṣṭhā.
Then we have a taste,
then we get attached to that taste, āsakti.
Then we get bhāva, ecstatic devotional service.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Akshaj, Bhopal
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: Usually, bhajana-kriyā stage is the time we take initiation.
Then after that with the guidance of the guru, we get anartha-nivṛitti.
We may hear from the guru or we may have śikṣā-gurus
who help us to overcome these anarthas.
One book I translated Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura’s book, Vaiṣṇava Ke?
He prayed to his mind, what kind of Vaiṣṇava are you? By doing solitary bhajana you seek name and fame.
That book, it is a small book. You read that to find out how to control and train the mind.
Also, there is another bhajana by Śrīnivāsa Ācārya
and that helps one to control the mind.
Anarthas are in the mind.
Anartha-nivṛtti means mind is purified.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-22
Jayapatākā Swami: Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
I think the secret of getting up early is going to bed early.
Also, not eating too much at night,
eat light food.
If you eat heavy, then you sleep heavy.
So light food like poha or mūḍi
or something light.
And eat early.
I eat my dinner at 6 pm.
And then by the time I take rest it is digested.
So then I can get up for maṅgala-ārati every day.
Getting up at 3.30am is a bit early.
The brāhma-muhūrta starts one and a half hours before sunrise.
It is recommended that we should get up in the brāhma-muhūrta.
And that is a little later maybe. I don’t know what time the sun rises in Gujarat?
(approximately 6 am).
So 4.30am should be alright, take a bath.
Maṅgala-ārati starts at 4.30 am in Māyāpur.
What time does it start in Gujarat.
(4.30 am or something).
Anyway, the process is go to bed early and not eat too heavy.
And chant.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Food], [Day-to-day Life / Health], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Maṅgala-ārati], [Sādhanā / Time Management]
Questioner: Darsh
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: Māyā is stronger than we are
but Kṛṣṇa is stronger than māyā.
If we take shelter of Kṛṣṇa we can cross over māyā.
That is why we try to engage ourselves in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
So there is a competition.
Māyā tests us,
but if we are successful in following Kṛṣṇa,
then māyā will offer her praṇāmas to us.
But if we succumb to her tests,
then we will remain in the material world.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-05
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, I once had a high fever,
and my body was feeling all kinds of pain.
I am just answering spontaneously.
At that time Śrīla Prabhupāda was giving lectures in Vṛndāvana on the Nectar of Devotion,
I was listening to those.
I felt so much happiness,
but my body was on fire!
So I could see that my happiness had nothing to do with the pain,
it was something different.
And Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a science when you reach a stage where there is happiness
you don’t bother about some of the pain that comes.
Category: [Sādhanā], [Vratās (Austerities)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-10
Jayapatākā Swami: This question was asked by Arjuna to Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā.
And Kṛṣṇa said that we should take our sword of knowledge and cut the knot of ignorance.
If you read the teachings of Kṛṣṇa,
Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,
and if you regularly chant the holy name,
then naturally you can understand more
and your faith will increase.
But it is also important to have good association.
You associate with people who are Kṛṣṇa conscious
and avoid association with people who are very negative and critical.
One should know the philosophy,
one should know how to help people,
then you can meet with more people and help them.
But if you have a bad association in the beginning then it can be very disruptive.
Questioner: Yaśodā Kṛṣṇa.
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: If you associate with enthusiastic devotees
you will also be enthusiastic.
And knowing how wonderful is Kṛṣṇa,
and how when you take one step towards Kṛṣṇa, He takes ten steps towards you.
So how can you fail to be enthusiastic?
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Very critical,
but you have to think how I can make them devotees.
I met a devotee she was an actress.
She knew the Bhagavad-gītā cover to cover!
But she went to her husband and said, “You are very great, you are very intelligent, please help me!
I cannot understand this verse. Can you help me?”
He read it and that is how he got purified!
It says one daughter-in-law or one devotee in the family can liberate the whole family.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Relatives], [Emotions / Confusion], [Sādhanā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Cooperation]
Questioner: Haridhvani devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Attachment, fear, and anger, how to overcome? There is a verse of this in the Bhagavad-gītā
and some advice is given there.
But in a nutshell, we want to dovetail everything with Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Instead of being attached to the material world, we are more attached to Kṛṣṇa and His service.
An anger instead of being angry because our ego is pinched
or because someone is not giving us the sense gratification we want,
or because someone is criticizing us unnecessarily,
unconstructively,
then if we get angry that is material.
But if someone offends a devotee or Kṛṣṇa; if we get angry
that’s Kṛṣṇa conscious.
So anger, we try to use it for the right reason and anger for the wrong reason, we renounce.
And since Kṛṣṇa promises He will protect His devotees,
na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati [Bg 9.31]
My devotee will never be destroyed.
So why should we have any fear?
Fear is the part of the material world,
and fear means that we take it as a caution.
But we don’t actually fear absolutely because we can depend on the mercy and protection of Kṛṣṇa.
But if He tells us in our mind, that going to this place is dangerous now,
we take that also as a warning by Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Kāñcanā
Date: 2022-07-23
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, this material world is a place of fear
and suffering.
Duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam.
So we depend on Kṛṣṇa.
There is a saying in Bengali, kṛṣṇa rākhe māre ke, māre kṛṣṇa rākhe ke.
When Kṛṣṇa protects you, who can hurt you?
And when Kṛṣṇa hurts you, who can protect you?
So, like that we try to depend on Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Yet To Categories]
Questioner: Anantalīlā Gopāla dāsa
Date: 2022-10-04
We don’t want to be lazy or lethargic.
We don’t want to miss this chance.
If you do nice devotional service,
but you have material desires,
you may end up in the heavenly planets,
be there for a long time,
hundreds of thousands of years.
You will miss the Golden Age,
and then come back in the worst part of Kali-yuga or after.
So, no time to be lazy.
You have to finish your business while you have the chance.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: We maintain our enthusiasm
when we have a taste for spiritual life.
Like in different stages of devotional service like bhajana-kriyā, anartha-nivṛtti, niṣṭhā, ruci,
ruci means taste.
You have a taste, you want to do more and more service.
And one time, in Montreal, mother and father came to see the son. Put their arm around him talked to him nicely.
But when they got to the doorway, they grabbed him and told him to go home.
Then he held on the door
and they were pulling his feet and Śrīla Prabhupāda when he heard he said he is attached.
After ruci comes āsakti, attachment.
You have to be attached to resist your parents like that.
So anyway, by devotional service we gradually get taste, we get attached
and in this way we desire to render devotional service more and more.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-10
Jayapatākā Swami: The abhideya is devotional practice of devotional service.
And
so thinking of practicing devotional service is one thing.
But if you are thinking something against devotional service,
that is aparādhā.
To atone an aparādhā there is no higher atonement than devotional service.
Questioner: IYF Māyāpur
Date: 2022-08-03
Jayapatākā Swami: In the time, place and circumstance,
what is your goal?
In the marketplace, what do you want to do?
If you can get people to buy a book,
then they will read it for hours and hours.
Then they will have some understanding.
What will you speak in the market?
Some place you may want to distribute the books.
You have to see the circumstance, what is the best way of preaching.
Questioner: —Susevinī Guru Gaurāṅga devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Kṛṣṇa is in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul, or Paramātmā,
the Christians know as the Holy Ghost.
So, one is actually talking through the Paramātmā in the heart of the living entity and to the Spirit Soul.
So with the help of the Paramātmā we want to help the jīva to get out his illusion.
The word preaching has kind of a negative connotation.
The word in Sanskrit or Bengali is pracāra,
pracāra means to glorify the Lord and the process of His devotional service.
It means how to encourage someone to take up devotional service.
Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Prabhupāda Ṭhākura said that there is no scarcity in the material world,
only scarcity is devotional service.
Everywhere you see this scarcity.
People work so hard to win some athletic competition,
they work so hard to get some academic degree,
they work very hard to get a raise.
But actually even if a little effort they give to serve Kṛṣṇa,
they would actually be able to perfect their lives.
Who remembers the one athletic event five years ago?
And some people leave and some people break their bones and die,
but if we render some devotional service we never lose the result,
it stays with us life after life.
But all the things we achieve in this material world, the material things we achieve this life we leave behind us.
Say we earn millions of dollars;
we cannot take one paisa to the next birth or one cent.
But any devotional service you do,it stays to your credit.
If you have enough credit, you leave this material world
and go back to the spiritual world where you can serve the Lord constantly,
where there is no birth, death, old age or disease. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Jayapatākā Swami: You see the point when you take dīkṣā, is to accept your guru as the spiritual doctor,
and whatever he says, you are supposed to follow that.
If you have any doubt, then very respectfully you should present your doubt
and have your question answered.
We have stages like aspiring, shelter, when a person can test his faith, test the guru’s ability to answer the questions.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
When you are ready to take the guru, you should be able to follow his instructions.
Link: 20221024 Evening Darśana
Category: [Dīkṣā (Initiation)]
Questioner: Harshita Sharma
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: While balancing all these things,
there is not much time for māyā.
So that is very good,
and you need two hours or so at one point
every day to chant your 16 rounds.
With some experience you can do a little faster.
Then you have to read every day something,
of Śrīla Prabhupāda books.
The other activities,
the material activities
and cultivating the Bhakti-vṛkṣa members,
that will keep you out of māyā.
And so it is a very nice activity,
that you are taking so much responsibilities.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Workplace], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-15
In Bhagavad-Gītā I think Arjuna asked this question.
In the Bhāgavatam this question is asked
and the answer is given.
So generally, you see the anubhāvas are something that people cannot imitate.
The bhāvas, some people may cry,
that could be imitated.
But the anubhāvas, like losing something material
and being unaffected,
being always fixed in devotional service,
in spite of many difficulties.
All these are anubhāvas.
They cannot be easily imitated.
So there are 11 anubhāvas
and you can read about them.
So those who have these anubhāvas,
you can know them to be Vaiṣṇavas.
Questioner: Bhakta dāsa, ISKCON Baroda
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: You see there will always be some tests.
Māyā will test you, are you really sincere?
You want to serve Kṛṣṇa or you are just playing around.
So many devotees here.
I give class every day, more or less every day.
Wherever you are, Bhopal, Vadodara, you can watch the class,
either by Facebook or Zoom.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: The secret is to always stay busy in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
Mana, kāya, vākya –
we want our deeds, our words and our thoughts to be absorbed in Kṛṣṇa.
If we can engage our intelligence how to expand the preaching,
or how to improve our service,
that is the best way.
If we allow the mind to drift on to the objects of the senses,
then naturally we become distracted.
So somehow, it is important to have a service,
you like to do.
That you can be fully absorbed in.
Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me a lot of very absorbing services.
And so that kept me busy, out of māyā.
So the devotee who gives you service should see that you are fully engaged.
If you are not fully engaged,
tell them, because you need to be fully engaged to be free of māyā.
As they say, idle mind is a devil’s workshop.
If the mind is idle,
if we are not fully fixed in our service,
then the mind will start to think about māyā.
Bhakti-yoga means to be fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, bhakti-yoga is a powerful practice.
And if you just say stop something, what do you do? Your mind, your senses do not stop.
So we do yukta-vairāgya.
Everything we do, we do to please Kṛṣṇa.
So just like we have to eat. So instead of eating nonsense, we eat kṛṣṇa-prasāda.
We replace what we are doing materially bad habits with positive kṛṣṇa-sevā.
People may have the bad habit of illicit sex.
But those who want sex they have to be married.
And we bring up our children also in devotional service.
Questioner:
Date: 2023-02-25
Jayapatākā Swami: Think of positive thoughts!
Just like we see the Deities of Rādhā Govinda Aṣṭa Sakhi, Lord Gaurāṅga, we think of Them.
Link: 20221014 Evening Address
Questioner: Dīpā, London
Date: 2023-12-13
Jayapatākā Swami: My dear spiritual daughter Dīpā,
congratulations on your election as a counselor in the Municipality, in London.
If you know who you offended,
you can ask them to forgive you.
If you don’t know or if they don’t want to forgive you,
you can take the dust from their feet,
or you can take the dust from their shoes outside the temple,
or if you don’t know who you offended,
you can pray to the devotees to please forgive you,
and you can chant Hare Kṛṣṇa very seriously and with attention,
and avoid future offences as far as possible.
Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Kiśorī Yoginī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-05
Jayapatākā Swami: There is no higher atonement than Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So if one makes a mistake,
then the best remedial method is serving Kṛṣṇa.
So, if you make mistakes,
then you should be more diligent actually, at serving.
The point is that, one should not make sense gratification as the goal of our life.
When we have senses, there will be some sense of pleasure and some suffering.
So Kṛṣṇa explains that, you regulate the activities.
Just like you take prasādam,
just like we have married life,
try to produce Kṛṣṇa conscious children.
Different activities are regulated.
But the goal is not sense gratification,
the goal is to please Kṛṣṇa.
This world unfortunately is beginning, middle and end is all sense gratification.
They don’t understand anything about Kṛṣṇa in most cases.
Even if they are God conscious, they pray to God to give them some material gratification.
But we should rather want to serve the Lord.
Well, it is expected that you will make some mistakes.
That is why we should be more careful,
after making mistakes,
to practice more sincerely.
Just like a child learning how to walk.
Naturally they will fall down a few times,
but eventually they learn to walk, run, everything.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Thank you!
Questioner: Harihara Caitanya dāsa
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapataka Swami: It could be a very good habit,
if you use it on yourself.
You find all the good qualities of others, and all the bad qualities in yourself.
Don’t be like a fly, who sits on the sores.
So we follow the third instruction of Lord Caitanya in His Śikṣāṣṭakam.
We should give respect to others, and not expect any respect for ourselves.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Sometimes someone is expert at something.
Sometimes they are not expert.
But Lord Kṛṣṇa is expert at everything.
So, we try to do all the services for Kṛṣṇa
and some services will be well done,
and some could be better.
So, we ask Kṛṣṇa for mercy to do our services better.
And shortcomings are taken as areas that we need to concentrate more on.
Questioner: Rasapriya Gopikā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Well there are two parts to your question.
One, how do I know if my service is pleasing to guru?
If we are doing something which he has asked us to do,
then it is usually pleasing to him.
If we are doing something which is for our authorities requested us to do
and it doesn’t go in contradiction with anything that guru told us;
and that something that is completely against our nature,
then usually it is very pleasing.
If it is something that is against our nature;
but it is something that is urgently needed;
and sometimes by fulfilling that one gets some special mercy from the guru.
What was the second part?
If our services are not pleasing does it affect our taste in chanting?
If you do not carry out the order of your guru,
then that is the third offence to the holy name
and naturally that will be something that hampers our tastes.
Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Guru (Spiritual Master)]
Questioner: Sureśvara Nimāi dāsa
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, if you can do that, it is a sign of being very advanced.
Usually when we are suffering, it is hard to render devotional service enthusiastically.
But some devotees are able to do so;
and that depends on how grateful you are to the guru, or how you are attached to Gaurāṅga or Kṛṣṇa.
Also, how bad is the material suffering you are going through?
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Emotions / Humility], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-16
Jayapatākā Swami: Saṁbandha is understanding of our relationship that we are the servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Abhideya is engaging in that relationship.
And prayojana is achieving the perfection of life,
pure love of Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
How to understand that we are facing our own karma or it is Kṛṣṇa’s arrangement in our life. Is it true that when we start doing bhakti our karma diminishes and we act according to Kṛṣṇa’s will and arrangement. But for that we have to be a pure devotee even a sādhaka’s karma diminishes completely when they start bhakti. Then again why we face difficulties?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-12-02
Jayapatākā Swami: You see if you are 25% surrendered
then Kṛṣṇa protects you 25%,
if you are 50% then 50%.
If you are 100% then He will fully protect you.
Like Prahlāda Mahārāja
he was fully protected by the Lord.
But maybe we want some material sense gratification,
and we also want to do some service.
So finally, Kṛṣṇa will protect us some and māyā will control the other.
We should think that we are suffering much less than we should be
by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.
Questioner: Jayacaran
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, my experience was even before the first time!
His secretary gave me a set of beads.
So I went out in the park and I was chanting.
I chanted about 26 rounds, nonstop!
And I was feeling so much ecstasy,
I had never felt anything like this before.
At that time, I was in San Francisco
and Śrīla Prabhupāda was in Montreal.
I came back to the temple
and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s secretary was waiting for me.
He asked me do you have the beads?
I said, “Yes, of course.”
He said, “I was not supposed to give those to you,
those were Śrīla Prabhupāda’s beads!”
So I gave him back.
Other beads were not quite the same!
So, even before I met Śrīla Prabhupāda for the first time, I had an introduction.
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Mind by nature wanders.
We bring it back by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa.
You can change your tune, you can chant Pañca-tattva mantra
or if you can look at a picture of Kṛṣṇa or His avatāras,
this way also it helps to fix the mind.
I would chant three rounds and time myself,
how long it takes to chant three rounds.
Because I had many things to do during the day,
so whenever anything would come in my mind I used to write down in my notebook.
Then I don’t have to think about it anymore.
At the end of my japa I would open my notebook and see.
But during the japa I would fix my mind on chanting.
How we see in this pastime while Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu has all these mahā-bhāva ecstasies, when we talk about this or discuss with the devotees, sometimes they question that, how is it possible, it is unbelievable! We do have faith, but how to explain to them that it really happened? Or how to make them trust like whatever the words are here, they all are so true?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-25
Jayapatākā Swami: That is why Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja is saying that the common men, they not believe.
But Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī and others have seen that,
so Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja says, I accept it, I believe it!
I BELIEVE!
These are things that we just have to believe.
If people don’t believe it, maybe, there are other things that Lord Caitanya did,
which are believable,
and mentioned in the śāstra,
but that I witnessed and saw these uncommon transformations of Lord Caitanya, His body.
So the author accepts, if you want to accept or not that is your free will.
He gives his reason why he accepts.
We know one thing that Lord Caitanya was uncommon. Haribol!
Haribol!
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu kī jaya!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: She asked how can I see Kṛṣṇa?
And what can I do to advance in my Kṛṣṇa consciousness?
We should try that Kṛṣṇa can see us.
And in that way, Kṛṣṇa will be very happy to reveal Himself to you. You serve in such a way that Kṛṣṇa will want to see you and this way you will advance in your devotional service.
How you can advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, is try to do the things which are pleasing to guru and Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā]
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: They all know Kṛṣṇa, they know Rāma.
Then speak about Kṛṣṇa and Rāma.
Lord Caitanya said that all the time chant and worship Kṛṣṇa.
I met a person who said that he was chanting for the past 26 years the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra but do not get any happiness.
Then I asked him do you chant the name of Lord Caitanya?
He said no, I am from another sampradāya.
Then I gave him the Pañca-tattva mantra—
śrī kṛṣṇa caitanya prabhu nityānanda
śrī advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi gaura-bhakta-vṛnda
śrī advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi gaura-bhakta-vṛnda
wrote it down for him.
I told him chant this mantra first and then chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.
If you chant this way, you will get good result.
After three months I went there and saw him.
He saw me from far and came running to me.
He fell down flat and paid obeisances.
“What mantra did you give me!” he said. “I am so happy now! What mantra did you give me?”
If you live in Lucknow they don’t know anything but you have this knowledge,
then preach the names of Kṛṣṇa and Rāma to them.
And teach them the significance of Nitāi-Gaura.
Lord Gaurāṅga had come to Vṛndāvana, to Banaras.
And how so easily He distributed the holy names of Kṛṣṇa and Rāma.
Nitāi Gaurāṅga!
Category: [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Kṛṣṇa's Incarnations]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Of course, it is good to feel like that.
Rādhārāṇī feels She is not doing enough, as much as She could.
But we think that She is 100% best,
but She is thinking what more I should do?
That is the Kṛṣṇa conscious attitude.
Not that, oh! I am doing everything I can.
Then we won’t try to do more.
If we cannot think of how to increase, you could also always ask what more can I do?
Or if you have some idea, then you can suggest, can I do this, will this be pleasing?
We always should be eager to do something more for Kṛṣṇa.
Parents, your children ever come up and say, mom dad, can I do some service for you? Ha!
You think, what do they want from me! Ha!
But actually if they don’t want anything that would be super!
If you think what more you could do and you want permission, then suggest that.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Bhaktin Kavita
Date: 2022-07-30
Jayapatākā Swami: We don’t think, that if we do anything right, it is for our credit.
We think that is by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa
and therefore we are able to do something nice.
So that way we don’t get falsely proud.
If we make a mistake, we take the blame.
If we do something nice
we give credit to guru and Kṛṣṇa.
I am an assistant professor of psychology and a counseling psychologist. In this lockdown period I have been attending classes by Sukṛtī mātājī and Amarendra prabhu. And I have also started taking classes for a bunch of middle aged people older than me. Request you Guru Mahārāja to kindly bless me so that they also feel inspired to take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness and I can also do more preaching services and progress in my Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-20
Jayapatākā Swami: So you are an assistant professor, you have a Master’s degree or PhD.
The Supreme Court was saying that more people may die from the fear of the corona virus.
So psychologists are very important.
For counseling they said, they should do bhajana, kīrtana and namaz
and have counseling.
So you could help us also.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Ladies, they have to do a lot of housework.
They ask me similar questions.
But you see to be working plus have to do the housework.
So, the thing is that now we have the Bhagavad-gītā and different books that only association was face to face, now we can contact each other virtually.
You can have an iPod
and listen to the audio, Gītā and other audio śāstras.
So in this way while doing your work like washing and cooking,
you can hear the śāstra.
But also you can download the classes from the internet,
there is my Jayapatākā Swami App.
That gives access to the different JPS Archives and different programs
so you can hear the classes.
Many other things are there like SoundCloud.
You can also attend my daily classes which I give at 7pm.
And so there are different ways where you can hear classes, you can associate,
on Facebook,
YouTube.
You can download and you could also associate with different devotees,
virtually.
So there must be also classes of the IYF which you can attend.
So this way you can get some devotee association.
Actually, as I said,
I don’t have much personal contact with the devotees.
But all day long, I am meeting devotees.
And I don’t even feel that I am not meeting them.
I feel contact with them,
as I feel contact with you!
It used to be that only association was face to face, now we can contact each other
virtually.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: So Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, my Parama-guru and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s guru,
he would always walk and chant.
He was a very active person.
He could not just sit and chant.
So, some people sit, some people walk, we should just chant well any way and hear our chant as well.
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Indirectly the trees, the cows, they are providing fruits, milk,
but they are not actively doing service.
Kṛṣṇa goes and milks them.
In one sense, okay they are contributing something,
but they are not like Hanumān, who is flying over the ocean and fighting with the demons.
The service of Kṛṣṇa, they really serve Kṛṣṇa.
We are not saying that the animals, the trees, they are not doing anything useful, they are useful.
But it is not that they do a lot of service.
They do their thing.
Produce fruit, produce milk.
I mean, I am sure the deer would go up and lick Kṛṣṇa.
Śānta-rasa means that they appreciate Kṛṣṇa.
One way you can say it is service.
But those who are in dāsya-rasa, they really do a lot of service.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was watching some video of his departure,
and all the devotees, most of the devotees were feeling you know, very separated.
One devotee came in front of the camera and started chanting, clapping, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, he is not very advanced.
It is natural that you feel separation from the guru, naturally devotees felt separation when Śrīla Prabhupāda left.
Śrīla Prabhupāda appreciated
that that kind of intense feeling is a sign of spiritual advancement
and there are emotions that devotees feel.
And some circumstances are suitable for chanting, dancing in happiness.
But when the spiritual master is departing,
most of the devotees are feeling heavy hearted.
If some devotes smiling, laughing, Haribol!
Śrīla Prabhupāda he did not appreciate that.
So they were not really conscious what was happening.
Not conscious of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
In the same way, to see Kṛṣṇa, multiply that, and there is nothing you can explain,
that words will not do justice.
If we hear what Lord Caitanya was experiencing, to whatever extent that touches our heart,
that by this feeling, by this meditation on Lord Caitanya’s ecstasy at that time,
we get the shelter of Kṛṣṇa.
So, someone was saying that the greatest separation in the world is to be separated from a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-14
Jayapatākā Swami: Since this verse is about Dhruva Mahārāja
and he was the great grandson of Lord Brahmā.
The grandson of Svāyambhuva Manu.
So Manu was obviously a gṛhastha.
He was grandfather of Dhruva,
he also was the father of the mother of Kapila Muni.
And so it is said that he went back to Godhead.
But he was a gṛhastha
he had children, he had responsibilities,
but he did everything Kṛṣṇa consciously.
When he did his things, he did everything thinking of Kṛṣṇa.
So like that our gṛhasthas sometimes have deities in their house.
They may have Jagannātha Baladeva Subhadrā, Nitāi-Gaura,
so by doing their daily activities in a Kṛṣṇa conscious way they can balance.
We should always remember that our prime duty is to serve Kṛṣṇa.
But we may have other duties.
Those we do in a Kṛṣṇa conscious way
and that way we always stay under Kṛṣṇa’s shelter.
In the 10th topic of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it says āśraya.
We want to be under the shelter of Kṛṣṇa.
So we pray to the Deities as gṛhasthas, that we want to have a Kṛṣṇa conscious healthy, long lived suputra or putrī.
Only gṛhasthas can have children.
Brahmacārīs, vānaprasthas, sannyāsīs no children.
It says if your child becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious and goes back to Godhead, putra or putrī,
then if they go back to Godhead, 14 generations will go, also, minimum,
7 backward and 7 forward.
Kṛṣṇa is very grateful.
I have one family they said we don’t know if we will go or not but please train our son in Kṛṣṇa consciousness so he goes back.
If you think, oh I have a responsibility for my parents who are sick, old,
you think I will help them to remember Kṛṣṇa
or remember Rāma, that is the interest.
In this way our service, our responsibility, is Kṛṣṇa conscious.
Bhakti-yoga is very practical.
We want - everything will be naturally balanced because we do everything in a Kṛṣṇa conscious way.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Question: I am doing good sādhanā and have good service in ISKCON.
But I do not have that much real joy in Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
what can I do to feel the bliss in Kṛṣṇa consciousness?
Link: 20221024 Evening Darśana
Questioner: IYF Māyāpur
Date: 2022-08-03
We read something, we want to apply it,it stays with us.
You say at the time you forget.
What should I do?
I used to go out, I would preach and sometimes I would forget.
And I would tell people, ok I will see you tomorrow.
Then I would think there was an answer but what is the answer.
So I would talk to some senior devotee
and I would be ready to face them.
Next time I had the answer.
I am from Punjab in North India, there is a culture and tradition like there are events like doing Rāmāyaṇa-paṭha, invite devotees and host a Bhāgavatam, invite someone who translates Bhāgavatam and do it for seven days, do the Bhāgavata-saptāha. For Rāmāyaṇa it is the Rāmacarita-manasa, these kinds of events are very popular. Is it okay for me to promote such cultural events here as a Bhakti-vṛkṣa leader?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapatākā Swami: In India, we don’t do Bhāgavata-saptāha,
we call it Bhāgavata-kathā or something else.
Usually Bhāgavata-saptāha, some professional does it.
Actually, I mean Parīkṣit Mahārāja he heard Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam all twelve cantos day and night without eating or sleeping.
And so, we listen for an hour or two, usually they talk about rasa-līlā or something,
but we may take any part of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
If you do it in that way, it is alright.
Call it Bhāgavata-kathā or something.
That may last seven days.
So we have different devotees who are expert at speaking.
The Rāmacarita-manasa, some of the verses are somewhat impersonal.
The Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa is better.
And one devotee is translating the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Vidvāna Gaurāṅga dāsa.
So the original Rāmāyaṇa done by Vālmīki is authorized.
I am in association of devotees for the past eight years. Just like any other devotee I could admire all positive aspects of other devotees. While at one point of time there is a fall in the graph when only the negatives of other bhaktas are only visible. I think many other devotees feel the same way as well. Guru Mahārāja, how to overcome this mentality of fault finding. Is there any particular reason why such thoughts are appearing in my mind?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-08
Jayapatākā Swami: Someone asked this kind of a question to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
And Śrīla Prabhupāda said that the temples are hospitals –
spiritual hospitals.
When you go to the hospital you see sick people.
It is natural.
That is what hospitals are for.
Some are doctors, they treat the sick people
and there are nurses who help the patients.
They are not as qualified as the doctors, but they serve the patients.
So like that, devotees will have some defects
until they are perfect.
But we see the good qualities in others,
see all the good qualities, all the things that they are doing for Kṛṣṇa
and see the defects in ourselves.
So don’t be like a fly
which always goes to the cut wounds and stool.
See the good qualities.
We try to see where we can improve.
It is not a competition like in the material world.
Not by putting others down, we will go up.
They tell me in the corporate world someone is an operations manager, someone is a quality control manager,
someone is the marketing manager.
So one manager tries to screw up another manager
so that he can be promoted to general manager.
So this thing is there in the material world.
Not like that in the spiritual life.
Kṛṣṇa rather sees how you cooperate with others.
How you help others.
Not how you fault find in others.
One of the qualities of the devotees is nirmatsarāṇām,
freedom from envy and fault finding.
So, everything we can dovetail,
except that one thing,
that thing we have to renounce.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: So He went chanting and dancing in ecstasy to Vṛndāvana.
Meanwhile Lord Nityānanda He went to Navadvīpa
and He told Mother Śacī and all His associates to come with Him to Śāntipur.
He led all the devotees to Śāntipur.
Then Lord Caitanya, He was also approaching Śāntipur
and Advaita was crossing the river by boat.
Lord Caitanya was thinking what is Advaita doing in Vṛndāvana,
then He realized I am not in Vṛndāvana, I have been cheated by Nityānanda Prabhu!
Then He crossed the river with Advaita Ācārya
and met His mother
and He fell down at her feet and offered obeisances.
He said, I owe everything to you,
He humbled himself before his mother
and said, “What should I do?
I have taken sannyāsa.”
She said, “Make Your base in Jagannātha Purī.
Go sometimes to Vrndvana, but make Your base in Jagannātha Purī
because I will get some information, people come and go from Jagannātha Purī.
Vṛndāvana is very far
and I won’t get any information.”
Then Mother Śacī with Advaita Ācārya’s wife Sītā Ṭhākurāṇī,
they were cooking for Lord Caitanya.
And Avaita Gosāñī was serving
Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda.
Lord Caitanya was saying, “I am a sannyāsī, give Me a little bit.”
Lord Nityānanda said, “I am hungry, I haven’t eaten for three days!
You have to give Me prasāda!”
But Advaita gave Them very opulent prasāda.
Lord Nityānanda said, “You are a miser You are not giving enough.”
He threw some rice at Advaita Ācārya.
Then Advaita Ācārya was in ecstasy! “I am a brāhmaṇa, I have been spoilt by an Avadhūta.”
Like this they were having their pastime.
Then Lord Caitanya went to Jagannātha Purī.
The devotees followed Him but He told them you are gṛhasthas, go back to your families
and sometimes you can visit Me in Jagannātha Purī.
Someone asked me what is your favorite pastime?
So I heard that today devotees from New York brought mangoes for me.
So which side do you bite into a mango? All sides are sweet!
Every pastime of Lord Caitanya is very sweet.
But all the pastimes are my favorite.
Jayapatākā Swami: Lalitā sakhi is a left-handed gopī,
there are two sides, left and right.
Left side are argumentative, they chastise Kṛṣṇa,
the right side are very submissive.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: I once had a high fever.
My body was all painful.
But I was listening to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s lectures.
I felt so much happiness.
I realized I am not the body!
So you can take care of your body but always remember that ultimately you are not the body, you are the spirit soul.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Health]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Five rounds is over 3 million a year!
Gradually as you get older, add some rounds!
Haribol!
Gaurāṅga!
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
I am not able to feel genuine connection with Caitanya Mahāprabhu. My question is how can one develop genuine connection with Mahāprabhu? How can develop a natural inclination to hear about the pastimes of Lord Gaurahari and take pleasure in hearing and reading about Him? Mahārāja, I humbly beg for your blessings so that I can build loving devotional relationship with Lord Mahāprabhu?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-11-28
Jayapatākā Swami: You see Lord Caitanya’s pastimes are the most esoteric.
So just like we have the Bhakti-śāstrī,
Bhakti-vaibhava,
Bhakti-vedānta –
these are all Gītā and Bhāgavata.
Then we have the Vaiṣṇava-Sārvabhauma
which is Lord Caitanya.
Actually, Lord Caitanya’s pastimes are the most esoteric.
But we can also appreciate the first pastimes of Lord Caitanya.
So He starts out chanting and assuming different roles
and then at the end of the Caitanya-caritāmṛta He is experiencing ecstasy.
It takes time to understand Lord Caitanya.
It is very difficult,
and one should understand Kṛṣṇa, Rādhā and then they can understand Lord Caitanya.
Category: [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: At first you might not have a taste for reading Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books.
But you should still read.
I must have read the books maybe five or ten times.
At first, it was not so much taste, but I knew it was medicine, I had to read it.
Now, I read every day.
And it is very blissful!
So, I got my Bhakti-vaibhava degree, by studying.
And now on the 12th canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam to get my Bhakti-vedānta degree!
How many of you have the Bhakti-śāstrī?
So, Bhakti-śāstrī is mainly Bhagavad-gītā.
And everybody should read that and get the degree.
Bhakti-vaibhava is six cantos of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
And Bhakti-vedānta is the last six cantos.
Bhakti-Sārvabhauma is Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
Read, read, read. Read and put it to practice,
it sticks with you.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-08
Jayapatākā Swami: You see this material world is a temporary world, aśāśvatam.
And it is a place of suffering.
You can look up the Al Jazeera or TRT World or any other news stations,
you see all the difficulties.
Some countries there is flood,
some countries hurricanes, cyclone,
some country war,
some pandemic,
rising cases.
There is no old age, disease, birth or death in the spiritual world.
There everyone is related to Kṛṣṇa in a loving relationship.
Naturally, one feels loving ecstasy all the time.
So you have your choice. In this material world there is suffering, there is some lust,
temporarily you will satisfy your lust
and you think that is the goal of life.
But that is not what we are actually looking for.
What we are looking for is the spiritual world.
Free life,
free choice.
Spiritual bliss.
There you serve the Lord out of love.
Here you work for some office
because you make them money
and when you are not making money,
they lay you off,
they fire you!
It is a business relation, there is no love.
So it depends what you want.
If you are attracted by love and freedom of all kinds of suffering,
then that is the spiritual world.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Questioner: Yaśodānandana Mādhava dāsa
Date: 2022-07-23
Jayapatākā Swami: You try to cultivate your children
so that they practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness
and that is a good service for you.
And you should also help to cultivate and outreach to other people.
sometimes other people are more receptive than your own children.
I went down today, and I saw a lady that I met yesterday,
and she had already started chanting.
When I came back, I met a couple, the husband had been in hospital and discharged.
So he chants every day 15 to 20 minutes
and the wife chants five minutes every day.
So there is plenty of opportunity to preach if you are looking for that chance.
Category: [Yet To Categories]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: You see there are different levels of liberation.
There are five types of liberation.
One type is called sāyujya,
that means merging in the effulgence of the Lord.
Devotees never take that.
There are four other liberations
which devotees may accept if that includes serving the Lord.
That is sālokya, sāmīpya, sārūpya, sārṣṭi.
So, having a similar eternal form,
be in the same planet,
having the opulences of the Lord
and be in the personal association of the Lord.
In the spiritual world there is no birth, death, old age and disease.
Once you go there then you don’t come back!
And those who go in the impersonal brahma-jyoti, they may come back.
They don’t know how to serve Kṛṣṇa!
So when they become active again and come down, they think that action is part of the material world.
But in the spiritual world they also have action but there the action is for the pleasure of Kṛṣṇa.
So in Vaikuṇṭha He is as Nārāyaṇa and in Goloka He is Kṛṣṇa.
Ayodhyā He is as Rāmacandra.
So like that according to your taste, according to your devotion, you go to a particular part of the spiritual world.
Because you have already experienced that this world is a place of suffering.
Once you go back to the spiritual world you don’t want to come back here again.
Once you are out of jail, you don’t want to go back to the jail!
Category: [Vratās (Austerities)]
I am the greatest fool I could not grow spiritually without you holding my hand. I see so much of similarity between you and the Himalaya mountains - the people are trekking they are humbled. Seeing you, you are exactly like that anyone comes under your shelter, they become humble. They find solace and feel the bliss. My question is you mentioned about the gopīs and Rādhārāṇī talking to the trees. Is there any spiritual significance to that?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Of course, Kṛṣṇa knows the language of the trees.
I think, the point is that the gopīs are so mad after not seeing Kṛṣṇa
that even they are asking the trees.
So this shows separation of Kṛṣṇa they can have such a strong desire.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-20
Jayapatākā Swami: You have to chant more the names of Lord Caitanya more.
Nitāi-Gaura!
These names will melt the hard hearts.
The animals in Jhārikhaṇḍa also started chanting with Lord Caitanya.
Pāṣāṇa vidare!
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda
śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda
śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda
You chant this and then chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.
Questioner: Purabi Das
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Of course, if we take water used by non-devotees,
then that may compromise our Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
At the same time, if people and devotees take water from us, which we offer to Kṛṣṇa, they get blessings.
So maybe in this situation, you take two bottles.
One for the staff
and one for yourself.
And we would like to give non-devotees kṛṣṇa-prasāda.
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra], [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Day-to-day Life / Workplace]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-02
Jayapataka Swami: I don’t have any love!
But the more you hear about Lord Caitanya, you have to be very stonehearted if you do not have any love for Him!
Maybe after more than fifty years in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, my stone heart has softened a bit, by Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mercy!
Category: [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-28
Jayapatākā Swami: No, the point is that, when you are preaching, and depending on Kṛṣṇa, then at that time, you are becoming an instrument in Kṛṣṇa’s hand, so, then you are feeling transcendental happiness.
You are cheating yourself that you are not able to always be instrument.
That’s why preaching is very purifying. Therefore, everyone is recommended to do maximum preaching.
The more that we can feel as an instrument that we can be as an instrument in Kṛṣṇa’s hand, by fully surrendering to Him, that is the perfection.
See even if a moment, you are feeling transcendental happiness, how is that cheating, if you tell someone about that?
Or if you at that moment, you are also inspiring that person.
It is only due to the lack of advancement you are not able to maintain that,
but very soon you will reach as soon as all the type of unwanted desires are cleansed from the heart, then you reach the fixed stage where that happiness, that enthusiasm is unwavering.
That is called niṣṭha.
And then beyond that one would get, has… Although sometimes we get a taste, that devotional service is very nice, then we lose the taste for a little while, then again we get it.
That means we are still in the clearing plane.
We are still clearing out so many offenses.
It may take long years of clearing, that depends on how much we are able to put ourselves in the fire.
But every time we are getting that little taste, that’s also clearing out so much more.
It describes, when the devotee some time is jumping and dancing and clapping (clapping sound) the hands and smiling before Jagannātha, the deity,
that by clapping the hands and smiling, that is like the birds go and eat in the rice field, you clap the hands, they fly off, then all the sins are just flying off, just like birds from the heart.
So, like that so many services gradually, they are reducing the load.
But when our load is completely reduced, then we reach this higher and higher platforms, and then one doesn’t, one simply goes from better to more to better.
Doesn’t go from mediocre to better, It’s always an ecstatic platform.
And even sometimes it become more intense and more intense.
You see, just like when you are riding a 10 speed bicycle, you know bicycle?
You are at 10 speeds.
(Italy has, Italy has the break first.)
And then you go as far as you can go right, then you go to the second, then it seems little harder at first, right, then you drive and ish, you up and third, you are pedaling like this.
So, one reaches a certain level of advancement and then suddenly, he gets a little wind or little boost, he goes up,
you see, then happens is, again shifting gear, and then he thinks, oh!
Then as one goes to other services, he is thinking that, this is little hard, then from there again one pushes up and in this way, one always going higher and higher.
What you think is difficult now, was impossible for you a year ago, and one year from now would you think is difficult, now you won’t think that you could even do it.
And in this way, one is going on.
You see.
Prabhupāda working day and night, at such an advanced age, preaching because he is on the transcendental platform.
So, what we should do, we should pull ourselves by that drive, the eagerness, to always taste that pleasure of doing some sincere service for Kṛṣṇa.
If you see someone enthuse in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness, why you are feeling happy, Kṛṣṇa is happy.
Especially in preaching even the, one overcomes so many offenses.
That’s why one gets the special feeling then, ordinary service is not do so much.
Especially in preaching even the, one overcomes so many offenses.
That’s why one gets the special feeling then, ordinary service is not do so much.
Questioner: Jayarāseśvarī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: That is why we only tell the palatable truth.
We don’t tell things that we know which would disturb the people.
Category: [Emotions / Confusion], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Śrīdhara
Date: 2022-10-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Just that when we do office work,
we dedicate the work to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Certain percentage of the income, we may give to Kṛṣṇa.
So even though we may not always be able to think about Kṛṣṇa while we are working,
since the activity is offered to Kṛṣṇa, that will suffice.
I had a question on my mind for a long time now and specially in the time of the pandemic. So when I hear at the crucial times of some devotee’s health situations it sometimes looks as if he or she may make some decisions that seems more in the direction of leaving their bodies rather than live. How to understand or see this in a Kṛṣṇa conscious way?
Questioner: Abhayacaraṇa Nimāi dāsa
Date: 2022-07-23
Jayapatākā Swami: Since there are many factors –
age, health,
and various situations,
one may try to survive
and may think that it is hopeless,
and they want to remember Kṛṣṇa at the end of their life.
Generally, we should try to survive
and depend on Kṛṣṇa.
If our situation gets worse,
then we try to remember Kṛṣṇa at the last moment of our life.
But generally, we try to survive.
Category: [Yet To Categories]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-10
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, the point we should only say what we have understood or heard.
We don’t speculate.
For instance, if someone asks a question,
we don’t know the answer,
we speculate and say something.
That is the not the way.
Better to say, I will find out the answer.
You can ask Rādhe Śyāma or read the book.
Then you will know the answer, you will go and say, I am ready now! I am ready! I AM READY! Let them come and ask any question!
I was distributing books and people would ask me questions.
Sometimes I did not know the answers.
So I told them, wait, I will tell you tomorrow.
I would ask Śrīla Prabhupāda or some senior devotee
and then I would go back and say I am ready.
You said, you are being guided by Rādhe Śyāma so that is very good!
The point is that it is not that you should not preach.But you should not speculate.
You should say what you have heard.
Questioner: Nirguṇa Dāsa
Date: 2022-08-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, the incense is pretty obvious, offering scent.
Lamp - you are greeting.
This ārati means greeting.
This is the way you greet a person; you offer lights to him, very aesthetically pleasing, lighting up the person, it is a form of greeting.
Similarly, the conch shell, there is some significance, I don’t know.
I have heard something, I can’t remember all of them, just off hand.
The water in the conch shell, these are different auspicious, auspicious offerings which are very pleasing to Kṛṣṇa,
but there are so many different significances you know.
Some of them are just purely practical like the incense, or the Cāmara, or fanning an incense or even the cloth, you are wiping the Lord,
something to wipe Him, wipe His face, offer water, then after that you offer the… you are offering water you know, then you offering the wipe.
But it has you know this type practical significance, and it also has so many esoteric meanings.
Offering flowers, these are different offerings.
You can offer five items, sixteen items, sixty-four items, different items are being offered with devotion.
So that’s a form of greeting the Lord and by witnessing these things also it’s very purifying.
Even today in India, say like when I come to some places, then a lot of time there is a kīrtana party meets me
and then the people there take a… they take a tray with a ārati lights on it, then they offer like this.
They offer the lamp, and on it they have piles of rice sometimes and then different offerings.
And these are Vedic uh, traditions for receiving someone, you see.
But it’s very uh, auspicious and it’s very beautiful, at the same time.
So, like this uh we… I sent a newsletter.
I am writing a book on uh, the revised Arcana-paddhati in a book on… handbook for these different types of spiritual practices.
So I said that, “Anyone has any question, if they write, I will research you know, and include that in the book.”
It’s there, it’s there in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, I read it what the water and the conch shell,
it’s I think water of the seven seas are there and all the holy rivers, different thing.
Each has some significance but uh, normally we don’t think about those, you know, every day we are meditating on mantras and chanting doing our service.
But if you want to know this, then we can consider not keeping the book two volumes,
whatever… it’s just people ask the questions, if enough people want to know a particular thing
and if it’s simple enough to explain it then we can put that in a book itself,
so that it can be there for people on the future.
But the basic attitude when you are offering should be, you know, more… rather thinking about what the individual thing is,
the actual idea is that you are greeting the Lord, you are receiving Him,
and so in that type of, this is just giving an opportunity to receive right?
Just like when you meet… when you see people meet at the airport, right?
We were landed in the Nashville, it was Christmas Eve.
So many people are coming in and they are laughing and hugging each other and, “Oh!” They were so happy to see their relatives and everyone, you know.
Then some people it was just like you know, a handshake, and other people, they were just you know laughing
and hugging and everything, then after that it was all, you know, after a few seconds it died down.
Some people, they went on and on, and it was going on in the hallways, they were going to get their baggage.
But usually, by the time everyone got down to the baggage collection there was already kind of work you know… petered out.
But you know for five minutes, some… two seconds and you know, ten minutes,
you know they kept a lot of you know, enthusiasm, then gradually you know, that type of…
So here, you know, we can keep that enthusiasm for 45 minutes with the Lord doing ārati.
This is… So many things that Kṛṣṇa has given us the procedure, where we can go on expressing our joy to be able to greet the Lord, and to receive Him,
and meditate on His transcendental form, that lotus feet is a vehicle for our receiving for meditation, for serving.
So, that’s the principle trying, we meditate chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, and receiving the Lord.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Every job has got some defect.
Even a brāhmaṇa, a Purohit he has to do some sacrifice for materialists.
So the advocate, naturally they have to represent sometime people who are guilty.
But the advocate still has to defend him.
So everything we do has some defect.
In the present society everybody has a right to defense.
If the advocate is very expert he may save a person.
But that person may be actually guilty!
But by the advocate being expert, they may be saved.
So, the thing is that one could try to be selective
but that may not be possible.
The other thing is that what we earn, we give a certain percentage to Kṛṣṇa,
in that way, you are doing your job for the pleasure of Kṛṣṇa.
And you are not responsible ultimately for the person who you are defending.
The thing is that each person, if you do your service
as an offering to Kṛṣṇa
and you try to be expert.
So you said that you also write articles in the newspapers.
So we hope that you get education in the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
And be able to represent Sanātana Dharma in a proper way.
Because you are an advocate in the High Court
naturally you have a certain respect in the society.
So use that for Kṛṣṇa.
In that way, you can balance your material and spiritual life.
I am very happy to meet you.
You said you are the niece of Ajīta Gopinātha das.
Questioner: Harihara Kṛṣṇa Caitanya dāsa
Date: 2023-07-07
Jayapatākā Swami: In the material world there are always provoking situations.
Therefore, it is said we should take shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa,
or taking the shelter of the spiritual master who is Kṛṣṇa’s representative.
If we practice this, then naturally we can become firm.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-02-15
Jayapatākā Swami: This is due to the time factor.
And bhakti, vairāgya, jñāna, they are eternal tattvas.
But jñāna, vairāgya they became old in Kali-yuga.
But by Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, they became rejuvenated.
If you think that because of distributing books you will remain in this material world forever?
Anyway, we have a limited time to live.
And by your distributing books, after this life we hope you will not have to take birth again!
We should avoid offences.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Many people ask this question.
This is one thing that every disciple, every devotee has to choose.
After some time, I will stop initiating.
But at the present time I am still taking.
But who you will choose, is truly up to you.
Who you think Kṛṣṇa is speaking thru to you.
And many gurus, they can be your śikṣā-gurus.
You have to choose one as your dīkṣā-guru.
So, dīkṣā-guru has the responsibility to take care of your karma.
And you can pray to Śrīla Prabhupāda, you can pray to the Deities,
to reveal to you who your guru is.
I have heard pastime of Śārabha, a form of Śiva fighting with Lord Narasiṁhadeva and other versions mentioned in various tāmasika and rājasika Purāṇas, I feel very painful, it disturbed me a lot. I felt I should not have read or heard. What should be the proper understanding of this pastime? Why such different versions? How a devotee of Lord Narasiṁhadeva understand these versions?
Questioner: Murāri Mādhava dāsa
Date: 2023-07-08
Jayapatākā Swami: Different Narasiṁhadevas have come in different kalpas.
But we should hear commentaries of Vaiṣṇavas.
We don’t know if non-vaiṣṇavas will give proper explanation.
So actually there should be no conflict if it is properly explained.
I don’t particularly know the Purāṇa, pastime, you are referring to.
We know in the Bhāgavata Purāṇa, there is a demon of Bāṇāsura who had the blessings of Lord Śiva.
And the ultimate weapon of Lord Śiva met the ultimate weapon of Lord Nārāyaṇa.
And Śiva’s weapon was defeated.
And Sudarśana cakra cut off the thousands of Bāṇāsura and left four arms.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-24
Jayapatākā Swami: There are ten offences in chanting the holy names.
The first offence is to blaspheme the pure devotee of the holy name.
Aparādha is worse than sin.
Sin is something material.
You stole, or lied, these are sins.
But if you do something against a pure devotee, that is aparādha.
A pure devotee is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
By offending a pure devotee, this is a great obstacle on your path of devotional service.
Questioner: Hemāṇga Haladhara dāsa
Date: 2022-09-10
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda said chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
And you can occasionally pray to Lord Prahlāda Narasiṁha,
but as a regular practice chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Kinjal Lohia
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Follow the third verse of the Śikṣāṣṭaka -
offer respect to all others
and don’t expect any respect for yourself.
Seems like you are not offering respect to other Vaiṣṇavas.
And this is something that we should do.
And when we neglect that, naturally we have to suffer.
So we should appreciate what other Vaiṣṇavas are doing.
And that is the secret of success.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-23
Jayapatākā Swami: You see Śrīla Prabhupāda had said most things, he had said the jīva is coming from the spiritual world. He also said that the jīva is the thathaṣṭha-sakthi.
That some jīvas come from the effulgence of the Lord.
So both things are there.
I think that there is a book by Hṛdayānanda Mahārāja where he explains this.
But it is not in black and white, as there are different situation for different jīvas.
Category: [Yet To Categories]
I heard that Bhīṣma-Pañcaka is that Bhīṣmadeva had vrata before his departure, but I don’t know how authentic it is because we have Gītā-jayantī in December where Bhagavad-gītā was spoken. So if Bhagavad-gītā was spoken on the first day of the war, then it falls in December, how can Bhīṣma-Pañcaka fall in Kārtika, which is earlier to December? That is my question.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, I have never read that these were particularly the last days of Bhīṣmadeva.
Why these particular five days are stated as Bhīṣma-Pañcaka, I don’t particularly know.
Some people say that Bhīṣmadeva was fasting for five days or something.
I did not see that written anywhere.
And maybe these five days at the end of the Dāmodara month are observed so that we get extra benefit.
There is mention of these five days in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa.
And also in the Padma Purāṇa.
I am curious to see if any reason is given, why these five days.
Because your logic is good. I heard that logic before.
The Ekādaśī in the month of December is the Gītā-jayantī.
We know that the Kurukṣetra war was for 18 days.
And we heard that the sun had changed to the Uttarāyaṇa.
That would be the saṅkrānti day on 15th of January.
Anyway, I don’t know, maybe a speculation.
I did not read that.
Category: [Vratās (Austerities)]
Questioner: Phaneśvarī Lakṣmī devī dāsī, San Diego
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: You can take from any pure devotee.
Because if you take that of a guest or someone and you get sick that is not very auspicious.
But even if we get sick taking from some pure devotee that is glorified.
So, the prasāda or mahā-prasāda can be taken from someone, even if he is not your dīkṣā-guru.
Thank you Phaneśvarī Lakṣmī devī dāsī.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Prasāda and Bhoga]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-05
Jayapatākā Swami: May be good fortune, I don’t know.
One of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s servants gave me a set of beads to chant on.
I was practicing yoga before that.
So I sat in the ardha-padmāsana and started meditating and chanting
and I chanted six hours nonstop.
I was chanting 32 rounds or something.
And I was feeling so much ecstasy,
I never felt that in the yoga practice.
So I was convinced that Kṛṣṇa consciousness works.
The secretary was waiting for me to come back.
He asked, “Do you still have those beads?”
I said, “Yes!” “Those are Śrīla Prabhupāda’s beads” he said!
But he said he was not supposed to give that to anyone, but I did not know it at that time.
So he took the beads back from me.
Next day was not quite the same!
But I had a glimpse!
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Questioner: Soundarya Rādhikā devī dāsī, New Rājāpur Dhāma, Bengaluru
Date: 2022-10-04
Jayapatākā Swami: You seem to have realized that when you don’t follow
the advice of the senior devotees,
you get attacked by māyā.
So that should convince you
that to avoid being attacked by māyā,
follow the more advanced devotees’ advice.
Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Māyā], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Śikṣā-guru], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: I was a brahmacārī since the age of 19
and then when I was 21
Śrīla Prabhupāda asked me if I wanted to take sannyāsa.
Since he was offering me, I thought
it was a great opportunity.
So I accept the chance.
Maybe I was innocent at the time,
but somehow or another by Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mercy I have been able to maintain my vows
and increase the preaching in various ways.
So I very glad that Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me this blessing.
I live in New York now and one thing about New York is lots of people, lots of events, lots of noise, lots of money, and I am 25 years old and one of the things I am thinking about is understanding how to balance living in the materialist world and having accomplishments, and meeting people and networking, but also living a peaceful, spiritual fulfilling life. How do I, at 25 who is ambitious and want to serve my community, but also not be attached to so many things, how do I find that balance?
Questioner: Dr Pandit
Date: 2023-11-09
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya, He told many people that they should keep their heart on Kṛṣṇa,
but they should do their material activities in a very responsible way.
He gave the example that say, a married woman has another lover than her husband.
And so, she does not want to be discovered and does her activities very carefully.
Household activities are very good.
But her mind is always thinking about her lover.
So Lord Caitanya advises keep your mind on Kṛṣṇa,
but do your material activities outwardly in a very responsible way.
That is how He advised to balance the things.
Like, we found that when we first joined Kṛṣṇa consciousness in 1968,
we were chanting on the street,
and we would see people walking by and they would react in different ways.
And we were somehow, we were in a different atmosphere.
And we could see all the mental trips and things that people were going through.
And so, being in New York, you see lots of people, but you can understand what is the real purpose of life?
And while you are in this world, in this life,
you have to do things to make your family work.
But ultimately you want to go back to the spiritual world,
and so that way you keep your mind on Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Of course, since I had a stroke in 2008,
my eyesight is a little poor.
So I can read when the fonts are very big.
But now I found that either I can have people read to me or I have audio books.
So, if you are better equipped to hear class, you can hear the Bhagavad-gītā with the purports.
Draviḍa Prabhu and other devotees in California,
they have produced audio Bhagavad-gītā.
There may be audio gītās in different websites, I don’t know.
But usually if you read gītā and use what you read, you can remember it.
Like you read it something and that day you think I can use it – when you talk to someone you say, oh, I read this verse in the Bhagavad-gītā today.
Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre (Bg. 2.20).
Link: 20221024 Evening Darśana
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
I read in the book once that everything you do in the day from eating breakfast to reading a book or driving, everything you do is your spiritual life, and it is only a matter of how consciously you do these ordinary things, so my question is how can we do ordinary things more spiritually consciously?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapatākā Swami: By doing the activities for the pleasure of Kṛṣṇa.
By doing the activities to please guru and Kṛṣṇa.
So even the things which we do every day, like we offer our food to Kṛṣṇa,
we take kṛṣṇa-prasāda
and chant japa,
read books.
If you are studying in college or school, then you do with that idea that I will use what I learn in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
If you are working and earning money and then you think you will use a certain percentage for Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
And even the part you need for maintaining yourself, also you are offering your food, you are using your house for Kṛṣṇa’s service.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: If you read, it should stay in your mind.
So, I don’t know why it doesn’t stay in your mind.
You can read a little bit
and say that
if something that doesn’t stay in your mind, you can tell them that you will read and tell them later.
So then you can read again,
refresh your mind
and use it.
If you don’t use it, you lose it.
If you use it, then naturally you can keep it.
Do you take cow’s milk?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-24
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, Śrīla Prabhupāda, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda is our Founder-Ācārya
and he had a special mellow with Nitāi Gaura.
So, if your spiritual master find preaching brings you closer to Śrīla Prabhupāda,
then you if feel that Śrīla Prabhupāda is speaking through this spiritual master,
or if you are somehow are able to feel closer to Kṛṣṇa through this spiritual master,
or if you are feeling a faith by following a particular spiritual master,
I have a list that is of 15 names, you can see whether any person can be your spiritual master.
If you want, I can bring that tomorrow.
You want?
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Even if you lose interest in between, you should not stop and still continue.
And that way your enthusiasm will return.
This is called anartha. There will be anartha-nivṛtti, then ruci which is taste, then āsakti – attachment and then slowly more and more attached to the holy name.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: It depends for what reason you are not able to attend. You are up late, preaching, you are sick or just lazy?
If you are just doing out of laziness, it is not proper.
Questioner: Liz Valero
Date: 2022-10-05
Jayapatākā Swami: You have to listen to and read the books.
Understand the teachings, at least the basic books.
If you read the books, the questions are fairly simple. For instance, what is the difference between the body and soul.
You can have the questions in advance, no secret.
So if you want the questions, we can send you.
So any way don’t feel anxiety.
We want you to pass your test.
And if you don’t pass it first time,
you can ask for the answers.
Next time you pass.
I think they are not so difficult.
Why do you believe that Kṛṣṇa is God?
Questions like that, they are very simple.
More complicated for second initiation.
They have to pass Bhakti-śāstri.
For first initiation, they are very simple.
Okay? No anxiety! Be calm!
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Education], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-08
Jayapatākā Swami: How many rounds do you chant?
Devotee: Earlier I used to chant 16 rounds.
Jayapatākā Swami: Okay.
He said that he used to chant 16 regularly
and now he sometimes misses.
You see, you keep track of how many you are short
and later on you make it up.
This way you can keep your standard.
Haridāsa Ṭhākura, we say that he chanted 3 lakhs a day.
Actually, he had a monthly quota.
Some days he would chant more and some days he would chant less.
But average was 3 lakhs a day.
We just chant 1/12th of that which is 16 rounds a day.
Still there may be times when we have difficulties.
You keep track and make it up.
In that way, maybe on Ekādaśī or some holy day,
you chant 64 rounds or 32 rounds,
make up your balance.
Don’t be depressed. Ha! Ha!
Okay?
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
I wanted to understand some of the tactics to engage the people in devotional service. We just received the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam sets during the pandemic time. But our temple is closed down and we cannot invite people to visit the temple. So what are some other ways we can help them to connect to Kṛṣṇa?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: You see since people are restricted from coming to the temple,
we have been finding that using the internet is a very good way!
At present time, there is a three-day Nāmahaṭṭa sammelan
and I heard that yesterday morning 18,000 links were accessed in the morning
and in the evening it was 25,000.
Each link may have many people.
Similarly, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, they had the Bhagavad-gītā Made Easy class –
18 days, 18 chapters.
9,000 people joined up.
I told this to Mangaluru
and they also started a program.
They did not have money to buy the Zoom account.
They got from Microsoft Meeting
25 free programs,
each one has about 275 capacities.
Like that they had 10 to 11 thousand people each time.
And they have done it three times.
By using Zoom, internet,
it is possible to reach out to many people.
People seem to be more eager for spiritual life now than ever before!
There are experts, you can ask the SPT GBCs some ideas about this.
We have Śabda Hari dāsa in Chennai, he is an expert on social media
and he gives classes
over the internet,
how to use this social media platform for preaching.
I think that Houston could definitely do a lot of preaching.
I don’t know if you are on Māyāpur TV or not.
But in that way you will be accessible all over the world.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-23
Jayapatākā Swami: How does it help? Well, the, that’s just like a special mercy given.
The whatever connection is there between the subtle body and the soul and the previous body,
remains of the previous body that it was in, when it was put into the Ganges so that any, its freed from so many karmas.
It’s just a special facility given.
Just like the son offers worship to the deceased father by offering prasāda of Viṣṇu.
In case the father or mother are in some hellish condition due to their mistakes,
but because the child is offering them viṣṇu-prasāda, say they are stuck somewhere as a ghost,
they get kṛṣṇa-prasāda, then that elevates them out of that hellish condition.
So putting their ashes in the Ganges also has an effect like that.
Person may not have been able to die in the holy dhāma, but then somehow it’s like that.
After the fact, that type of effect is brought in.
That the person, individual person concerned himself can’t do.
That means that the off spring or some well-wisher has to do that.
So that gives an opportunity for a loved one to try to do something to spiritually help a deceased person after they are already gone from that body.
It’s too late for that person to do anything.
They are already on to the next position.
Yes?
Category: [Saṁskāras / Antima-saṁskāras]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: If you are able to read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, assimilate the knowledge,
and preach,
I will be very happy!
I was reading the section of marriage of Kardama Muni and Devahūti and was feeling sexually agitated by reading the description of their union to procreate children. I was thinking that by reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam I am supposed to rise above the sex desire, but here it is happening otherwise. Why is it so and how can I get rid of this problem?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Most people even if they take sannyāsa, they don’t do the karma-sannyāsa.
We stay in āśrama, we live in the association of devotees.
Not like in previous ages when sannyāsīs went to the forest.
But must people, they are recommended to get married.
Then gradually get free from materialistic desires.
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, he said one should get married to one who is more spiritually advanced.
So, Kardama Muni, he told his wife to stay in the gṛhastha-āśrama and he gave her a child,
and then he would take sannyāsa.
Devahūti, she was the daughter of Manu.
And they experienced material pleasure;
but, then she told her husband, you promised me a son.
And then he gave her a son.
That son was the incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu.
He is still being worshiped in Gaṅgā-sāgara.
And Devahūti, her husband took sannyāsa, but she received the instructions from her son.
So that is the subject of the third canto.
The Śāṅkhya-yoga by Kapila Muni.
Questioner: Dr Pandit
Date: 2023-11-09
Jayapatākā Swami: Of course, I joined in 1968.
And at that time, I thought my parents would be very happy.
I called up my mother, she tried to convince me to be a Christian priest,
but she came to see me.
I called my purvāśrama father
and he was very angry.
He said you come back immediately,
I am going to send you to the Army,
you will die in Vietnam!
I asked Śrīla Prabhupāda what should I do?
He said, better you join Kṛṣṇa’s army! Ha! Ha!
So I did that and I have been in his army ever since.
In 2008, I had a stroke.
And His Holiness Bhakti Cāru Mahārāja and others told me that I should stay.
I wanted to see the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium and many services given by Śrīla Prabhupāda.
And I wanted to do those.
Kṛṣṇa somehow, the doctors they said that I will die. 99%.
And if I 1% lived, I would be a vegetable.
But somehow by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy, I am still able to talk,
I am able to think,
I cannot walk too much, Ha!
I am able to appreciate these wonderful instructions of Lord Caitanya.
I am combining all the books on Lord Caitanya to bring them into one in English,
so that people can understand about Lord Caitanya.
I don’t know how long Kṛṣṇa will keep me here,
I am doing a therapy now. I have taken the second last therapy for my skin cancer.
Wednesday is supposed to be the last.
But they said that, after that I will gradually start to get better.
So I was asked in the Dallas Sādhu-saṅga
by His Holiness Śacīnandana Mahārāja, he said how are you? I Ha!
I said, well, how do you mean, materially or spiritually?
Materially I had a stroke,
I am wheelchair bound,
I had a liver and kidney transplant,
skin cancer,
I mean materially, I am a wreck!
But spiritually I am very happy! Ha! Ha!
Some people say that actions speaks louder than words!
But most people, they have no problem, I have to sit, although, in the airplane I am like the first one in and the last one out.
Anyway, this material world is not a very nice place.
But when you are young, you don’t think that way.
But we see how Lord Caitanya, He was so appreciative of devotees of Vraja dhāma,
how they were Kṛṣṇa conscious.
That happiness is incomparable!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: It is just causeless mercy!
We see that Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, he offered prayers to Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda.
So, that is the devotional process called vandanam.
Offering prayers, obeisances.
So, by desiring, praying for, by Their mercy, it can be achieved.
Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
I was wondering that in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta we find that there is lot of stress on separation between men and women and there is lot of criticism of any kind of intermixing between men and women? How much of what we hear in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam regarding separation between men and women today is applicable at the present moment?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: If one is in one of the renounced orders then it is imperative that one show a good example.
That is why in this Age of Kali sannyāsa is generally prohibited,
and we see that Lord Caitanya is very positive to the gṛhasthas.
Like, it is said that gṛhe thāko vane thāko, sadā hari bole ḍāko -
wherever you are, in the home or in the renounced order everyone should chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
So in fact, Śrīla Prabhupāda was saying that all the members of the Pañca-tattva were one time gṛhasthas.
So the gṛhastha-āśrama is more applicable for today’s situation.
If someone is in the renounced order, then they have to follow these rules.
In the Gajendra-mokṣa, 8th canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,
Śrīla Prabhupāda said that in the fight between the elephant and the crocodile,
the elephant was the land animal, but he was in the water.
And that the crocodile was a water animal and he was in his element.
So Śrīla Prabhupāda was saying that we have to have strong senses and mind, to fight against Māyā.
We have declared war on material illusion.
Therefore, the situation at the present time that people they are mainly gṛhasthas
and, I told this before, Śrīla Prabhupāda was saying that he wants all his gṛhastha followers to be paramahaṁsas,
and he said that Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was a gṛhastha guru
and he had a son who was an ācārya.
So he said that he hoped that all his gṛhasthas would have ācāryas as children.
I am encouraging people to read Śrīla Prabhupāda books. Lord Caitanya said kibā vipra, kibā nyāsī, śūdra kene naya yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei ‘guru’ haya (Cc. Madhya 8.128).
So we want everybody should know the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Questioner: Milan, ISKCON Youth Forum, Baroda
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: You see Lord Caitanya, He taught that you can achieve perfection whether you are a vairāgī or a householder.
So, if you are a householder you should try to keep Kṛṣṇa in the center.
I saw one drama from the Chennai youths.
One girl and one boy were playing Yamadūtas and one lady, girl was playing Yamarāja.
She painted her mustache as Yamarāja.
The Yamadūtas they were complaining. Yamarāja! What do we do? These Kṛṣṇa conscious devotees have deities in the houses, they chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, they read Bhagavad-gītā, what do we do?
We cannot take them to hell!
Maybe need a way to find another chākrī, another job!
So it was very interesting to see the Yamadūtas complaining.
Actually, one family in Kolkata, the mother, children, were all initiated.
Everyone but the father.
He was dead against.
But then he was diagnosed with cancer.
He was in bed ,
and he saw two hairy people with leather ropes, walk through the wall.
He said, “No, no, no, no! No, no!”
Somehow they left.
He called his wife, “I want the neck bead.
I want the Bhagavad-gītā, I want the japa-mālā.”
What we were trying so long, the Yamadūtas in few minutes they changed him.
So he became very Kṛṣṇa conscious after that.
Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Māyā], [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Karma / Desires], [Material World], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: Dīpadātri Gaurāṅgī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-08-04
So, anyway, we would like to see everybody
chant Hare Kṛṣṇa
and engage in devotional service.
Lord Nityānanda is the original guru.
So the spiritual master
is naturally in connection with Lord Nityānanda.
So it is not so difficult to get guru-kṛpā
and if one tries to get guru-kṛpā,
by preaching, by giving Kṛṣṇa
to the conditioned souls,
Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā 18th chapter
that those who preach
this message of Mine,
they are the dearest to Me.
So naturally,
we get the kṛpā.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Mercy]
Questioner: Seva Pālaka Nitāi dasa
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: In New York someone asked such a question and
Śrīla Prabhupāda once said that
if one is thinking
should I be a brahmacārī or should I take gṛhastha-āśrama,
then in that case, he should take gṛhastha-āśrama.
But being a brahmacārī, he takes a firm commitment
and if one is feeling what should I do, this or that,
then they don’t have enough determination
to be a brahmacārī.
Category: [Varṇāśrama], [Varṇāśrama / Changing Āśrama], [Day-to-day Life / Married life], [Emotions / Confusion], [Emotions / Sorrow]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-10
Jayapatākā Swami: It depends, what the thinking is.
We saw in many households the wife is worshiping Deities, cooking bhoga and offering to the Deities.
So like that the wife is showing a good example of serving Kṛṣṇa
and if that inspires you and helps you to increase your service,
then that remembering is good.
But if you are simply thinking how you are going to enjoy her,
then even though she is a devotee that will be less important.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-14
Jayapatākā Swami: Some people, they have some inclination to someone.
If one cannot understand, they can take them as their śikṣā-guru
and amongst the śikṣā-gurus they can decide who will be their dīkṣā-guru.
Otherwise, I have 15 questions and one can ask themselves and thus choose who is their dīkṣā-guru.
So if you have the Jayapatākā Swami App I can send those questions out.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-16
Jayapatākā Swami: He should seek pardon from gurudeva
and there is no other way to be in kṛṣṇa-bhakti other than by this way.
He should take the instructions from his gurudeva and do devotional service again.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-09
Jayapatākā Swami: You see here someone eats non veg.
Non veg is sinful.
You are killing animals, causing them suffering and you are eating their flesh.
Some are doing selfless service to society, they are helping other people, they may be doing some, of course selfless service to society.
But we have to see what the Vedas say.
Whether that service is puṇya or pāpa.
Like someone may do selfless service and make a new abattoir, means a new slaughter house for society.
He thinks I am doing selfless service.
But according to the Vedas, he is also doing pāpa, he is doing sinful activity.
Someone may be doing selfless service of distributing free tea or whisky to all the people, I am not considering those kinds of selfless service.
I am saying like he is feeding the poor, he is making hospital, such service where the people are getting material benefit in a sāttvika sense, that is called puṅya.
So according to Vedas we get two accounts in the material world.
We get a puṅya account and a pāpa account.
And we are putting deposit in both.
Because someone does puṇya, it does not cross out the pāpa.
Some people think that ok, I will do many pious activities and I will do little sin and the pious will cross out the sin.
It doesn’t work that way.
Both you get.
That is why even if you find someone very rich, have a big car, big house, lot of money, but the wife got breast cancer.
But the son ran away with someone and married out of caste and the whole family is suffering.
So many things happen.
Income tax is raiding.
I am feeding the poor, I am giving so much to charity, why I am not –
because both the accounts are there – pāpa and puṇya. If you do pāpa you have to suffer, you do puṇya you have to enjoy. Material activities, you know they are not free, you have to take all the reactions. Usually the puṇya you get first and the pāpa you get later. But there is some mixing going on. Now the other thing is that he is greatly devoted to the Lord. Now that devotion to the Lord, the Lord is beyond the material world. He is saying mām ca avyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate, sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhuyāya kalpate. (Bg 14.26) That those who do my bhakti-yoga, their activities are beyond the three guṇas. So if someone does bhakti that can clear out the path. But it is dangerous to tell this to people. Because if you tell to people who are not devoted, they will say, very good, I will pray in the temple, then I will do more pāpa. And then Kṛṣṇa takes that as an offence, you are trying to cheat Me. So He doesn’t save them. That is why we don’t tell people about this glory of the Lord that if you worship the Lord it takes away your sin very much. Of course we have to tell but we try to tell them. They should not think I can do more sin, that they shouldn’t do. What people should do is come and pray and chant the name of Kṛṣṇa and try to avoid sin. They may do some sin but they should try to reduce it, try to avoid it. They should not think that by doing my Kṛṣṇa conscious activity, I can do more sin. Whatever sin I am doing, I have to suffer. But let me chant, let me worship, some day I can get free from this. Then it is ok. So if they are devoted to the Lord, they should try to do what the Lord wants. What is the meaning of I am devoted to the Lord, the Lord is saying don’t do these things. I am devoted to the Lord, what does that mean? Lord, I want to please You. If I am Your servant, I want to do what You want me to do. Like if you have a servant in the house, you tell the servant, clean the floor. He says no, I won’t clean the floor, I want to clean the wall. But I want you to clean the floor first. You can clean the wall later. He says, no, I want to clean the wall and then the floor. How would that servant keep the job? If you have a servant and you tell him, cook me breakfast. And he says no, I want to cook you lunch. I want you to cook me vegetarian and he says no I want to cook you non veg! Then you wont keep such a servant, servant, who is this servant! So if we are already devoted to the Lord, we should do what the Lord wants us to do. And the Lord is telling us don’t do these things. Don’t take intoxication, don’t eat non veg, don’t do gambling and don’t do illicit sex. Don’t go to prostitutes. Don’t leave your good wife or husband, and do extra marital sex. So when we are devoted to the Lord we should do what the Lord wants. We are devoted to the Lord, we come and pray and then we go. That is called hāthī-snāna. Like the elephant is having a bath and coming out and throwing the dirt. So we should not worry what others are doing. Someone says he is vegetarian but he is cheating.
If you do pāpa you have to suffer, you do puṅya you have to enjoy.
Material activities, you know they are not free, you have to take all the reactions.
Usually the puṇya you get first and the pāpa you get later.
But there is some mixing going on.
Now the other thing is that he is greatly devoted to the Lord.
So therefore I can be nonveg and I won’t cheat.
Not much, little bit.
We should avoid everything like that.
Don’t settle for that.
Don’t judge.
It is just like if you want to judge gold, you want to judge it with pure gold.
You don’t judge it with some mixed gold, my gold is better than that gold.
What is that?
That is 10 carat mine is 4 carat.
You judge gold by 24 carat.
This is not a good decision that I am better than that so it is okay.
That person is going to hell no. 5 and you are going no. 4.
So what is the difference?
?
We want to go back to Kṛṣṇa.
So therefore what is the standard paramahaṁsa?
We see what gurudeva, what the pure devotee is doing.
We try to lead our life and follow the Mahājanas.
Mahājana yena gatā sa panthā.
We follow the great souls or Mahājanas, like Prahlāda, Nārada, Śiva, Brahma.
All the devas, Svāyambhuva Manu, all the great souls, we follow in their footsteps.
Not that we are following some ordinary person and we are saying oh that person, he is not so great.
I am not so bad.
This is all mental concoction.
He is not so great, I am not so bad.
So I can live with my sin.
Yamarāja doesn’t pick all these things.
What your neighbor was doing.
What you did he has all the account here.
You did this, this is your karma.
Now you enjoy, now you suffer.
If you see the animatronic works you can see the Yamadūtas and the Viṣṇudutas.
You can decide who you want to be the customer for.
Category: [Anarthās / Sinful activities], [Day-to-day Life / Food], [Emotions / Hypocrisy], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: It is said that if you hear with faith if you hear and not be agitated,
then you can cure the lust in your heart.
If you speculate lusty things when you hear, then you are not hearing with faith.
Category: [Anarthās], [Emotions / Lust], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Regulative Principles]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-29
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, this same question was said.
Vāsudeva Datta, one great devotee of Lord Caitanya, he prayed, “I want to deliver all the fallen souls,
let them all go back to Kṛṣṇa and I take all their karma;
I will personally take all of their karma, and I will suffer here forever until all the karma is worked out.
Let them go back to Kṛṣṇa, I alone will suffer.”
And Lord Caitanya, He saw the great compassion of His devotee was crying, embraced him and said that,
“You don’t have to worry, they are already delivered by your desire.”
But as soon as one batch is delivered, there is unlimited jīvātmās that are still now in a dormant stage, in the brahma-jyoti, in different position.
And as soon as one batch of jīvas delivered from the universe, again new jīvātmās come down, so you don’t have to worry; there is always a fresh supply.
Category: [Material World]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-12-06
Jayapatākā Swami: We hope that you are not poisoned.
You should hear from a pure devotee and read Śrīla Prabhupāda books and take the mistaken thoughts from your mind.
Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Bad association], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-25
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He spreads the Harināma.
And He gives His mercy very freely.
So when He doesn’t come, it is not easy.
While He just appeared 500 years ago,
we should take the advantage and get His mercy.
Haribol!
Category: [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-12-22
Jayapatākā Swami: Especially meeting with a married woman in a private place,
that was prohibited by Lord Caitanya.
Sometimes I will be in a room, and there would be a man and woman and the man walks out!
Then I would ask the lady to go out or tell the man not leave or I would go out myself.
Sometimes a vairāgī says they just want to experiment.
You see, checking or experimenting should be done before you become a vairāgī!
If you are a gṛhastha, do all the experimenting with your wife.
If you take the vairāgī path, then at least you should follow the vows of renunciant life, at least for a sannyāsī.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-30
Jayapatākā Swami: It is a situation that I wouldn’t envy.
Actually, one should avoid giving advice to senior Vaiṣṇavas as far as possible.
But of course, sometimes if a situation comes up, generally we consider that we are not really in a position to offer someone advice unless we are at an equal or greater level of service.
You see.
At least, I couldn’t off hand just imagine, what type of situation might come up, where the person was in an inferior position of service and wanted to offer advice.
But without going into all these ramifications, if somehow or other one finds one’s self in the position of giving some kind of instruction to a senior Vaiṣṇava,
then one would have to offer that in the most humble way, and you know, very apologetic that there is like some doubt,
you see something which is agitating your mind or which is making you feel that possibly it is not correct.
And so just to alleviate the doubt as a senior Vaiṣṇava you are requesting that he would please explain,
whether his activities actually bona fide Kṛṣṇa consciousness, because you are looking up to him for example,
and it’s creating a doubt in your mind, because from what you have been taught, it doesn’t seem to be correct.
In this way in some indirect polite way if one could ask like that, then it is very hard for a senior Vaiṣṇava to really feel offended.
But if you just come and say, “Well listen, you appear to be in māyā, you are doing this…” Of course, your life will get smashed.
But if you ask in that way, of course then, maintaining your relationship, that you are seeing him as a senior Vaiṣṇava
but you are not seeing his activities to be exemplary of that, and it’s creating… then naturally he will more than likely to be, to feel… if he is in fact wrongly situated,
then he will feel somewhat responsible to show a good example and will see that you are not saying out of some kind of enviousness,
but that you are actually more concerned for your own spiritual life and for his spiritual life as well.
It is a type of a sticky situation.
Lord Caitanya would maintain this type of formal relationship with different Vaiṣṇavas.
Sometimes… of course He was ultimately the Supreme Lord, so sometimes He would do other things too.
But generally, He would try to maintain that type of activity.
In that way sometimes, you would find like with Dāmodara Paṇḍita, He would say, “Well, Dāmodara is My senior, I can’t say anything with Him.”
and this and that.
Of course, sometimes indirectly it was like a criticism because although he was a senior Vaiṣṇava, of course Lord Caitanya was the guru of everyone.
So that requires a lot of intelligence to be able to present something in a palatable way, when the subject matter is unpalatable for someone.
No one wants to hear, how they are in māyā.
Of course, the spiritual master, he directly just tells the disciple in many different ways, how they are need to be corrected.
But when you are dealing with equals or with even superiors, sometimes a junior devotee is put as responsible for senior devotees,
but actually the person is more, more responsible maybe.
So, it requires a lot of Vaiṣṇava vision to actually be able to see that.
The Gauḍīya mission in many ways, they lost that type of perspective.
So, what happened was like the disciple of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, Bhakti-Pradīpa Tīrtha, he is different than Bhakti-Vilāsa Tirtha.
He was Bhakti-Pradīpa Tīrtha disciple of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura.
But he could accept, he could understand that actually my grand disciple Bhaktisiddhānta, my nephew Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura is actually completely empowered, pure devotee.
And so, he accepted Bhaktisiddhānta either as a sannyāsa-guru or as a śikṣa-guru, I forget exactly.
But he respected him like a spiritual master.
Even though there may be some formal thing, but he was actually a junior.
But because he had exhibited so many exalted Vaiṣṇava qualities, he wanted his spiritual association on that level.
This may happen in the future.
Of course, now, nothing like that is exactly happened where disciples of the present-day guru have really shown that much advancement yet.
But say in subsequent generations one great ācārya may appear as someone’s disciple.
And then Prabhupāda said like that the cream will rise to the top.
And if they actually become so dynamic in preaching then even if someone may be senior by years or by relationship
but if someone shows such a great quality of devotional service,
that may come that there will be a test whether they can recognize that person by quality or just by other external aspects.
So, Bhakti-Pradīpa Tīrtha, he accepted Bhaktisiddhānta in that way but after Bhaktisiddhānta Prabhupāda left,
actually the most qualified person was Bhakti-Pradīpa Tīrtha.
But then some of the disciples of Bhaktisiddhānta were saying that, “He is not technically our god brother.”
Even though he was much more senior and much more learned, they tried to do a little politics.
So, Bhakti-Pradīpa Tīrtha saw that, “Well, if it’s like that…you know.”
He just went off and did his own devotional service and did not want to get involved in politic politics.
So, this happens in Vaiṣṇava, the whole material world is Kali-yuga and we have to be careful that we avoid this type of mistake.
Prabhupāda would explain these things to us, so we would not do that thing.
Of course, by having a GBC body, this one way we get protected, because we work under committee and not under individual.
Because there is always a tendency to resent one person, there may be some personality differences,
but to work under this committee, this was started by Bhaktivinoda in his Nāmahaṭṭa.
He had a ten-man pañcāyat and then Bhaktisiddhānta said to do it.
They started but they did not really carry it forward.
So Prabhupāda was always commenting that, “They never followed Bhaktisiddhānta’s order.
He never said to have one ācārya, he always said to have a Governing Body Commission.
You manage everything by Governing Body Commission.” you see.
One person may even be misled or one person may have difficulty, the unity of the movement has to be preserved by working under the system of Governing Body Commission.
So that way in the Governing Body Commission you have different type of devotees,
but they are all there because somehow or other they have done some personal service for Śrīla Prabhupāda,
they know Prabhupāda’s desires, or they have excelled in some preaching field.
So, in this way they have a understanding of responsibility for the society.
Even there may be other, very advanced in or equally advanced devotees outside, still in principle that they are, know what Prabhupāda wanted.
We follow under this basic system that the previous ācāryas wanted rather than a single ācārya system, which is more vulnerable.
This helps us to take that humble attitude in a society wide basis.
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Mādhurī Mamatāmayī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: It can be an offence.
If it is presented in such a way that we respectfully say that this particular thing should not be followed,
the devotee is otherwise is very good, but this particular habit is something that we do not follow.
It is presented in a very constructive way
like Prabhupāda in the 12th chapter of Ādi-līlā Cc. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta) has given the details of the Gauḍīya Maṭhas
break up,
and failure to maintain the instructions of the founder.
So Prabhupāda gave those details to warn us, that we should not do the same thing.
So some of the Gauḍīya Maṭha leaders asked us to take out the 12th chapter.
But we said that we don’t have the right to take out Prabhupāda’s writings.
So depending on how you do it,
if it is to warn someone,
not to follow this example;
then it maybe alright.
You see Prabhupāda was talking about his godbrothers.
If one is a junior devotee is talking about someone who is very advanced or more senior;
it maybe, what you call mariyāda-laṅgana, the transgression of seniority.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-02-22
Jayapatākā Swami: Any of the books are good.
But if one wants to read the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam then I think there is a way of reading it, even if one does not buy it.
If you have a library near your home, then I can donate a set to that library.
Send me the library name.
Otherwise, talk to the Nāmahaṭṭa and we can see who we can arrange.
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: There was a sage when he was a little boy he was playing with an insect
and he took a grass and poked the insect, and the insect was very fearful.
So then, later on he was arrested by the king’s men
because in his āśrama they said that a thief had taken shelter.
So the police in those days they had instant justice.
So he was actually sentenced to death.
They tied him up on a stick and there were soldiers with spears.
They were holding their spears up, and then the king sent a message, don’t kill the sage.
He sent a message.
The sage he was so powerful, he asked Yamarāja, why did I have to go through this great tribulation?
Yamarāja said when you were a little child you caused fear on an insect.
He said I did not know anything, I was a kid!
This is a foolish punishment.
I curse you to become a śūdra.
So from this day on the parents have to take the karma of children until the age of 5.
So the parents should be careful, not to let the kids play with insects and stuff.
So, this is just to show that even if you don’t know something is sinful, you may still have to take the karma.
Just like, when we walk on the sidewalk you may crush ants and different insects,
that is why it says we should do some form of sacrifice.
When you are driving a car, naturally you are going to kill a lot of bugs.
So in the Kali-yuga, the sacrifice is chanting the holy name.
We chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, we circumambulate Tulasī Devī, we do all these things.
Category: [Karma]
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Will they not chant?
Will they not have kṛṣṇa-prasāda?
Jayapatākā Swami: If they do book distribution all the time then what is the difficulty?
We have to always do some service or the other.
If they distribute books all the time, that is good.
Those who are in Māyāpur they cannot distribute books all the time.
They come and contribute in the ārati, they dance.
This way they do different services.
But if they do book distribution there all the time, what is the difficulty? It is even good.
But we have to always be doing one service or the other.
One cooks, if there is no cooking then we have a problem.
Like soldiers, one cooks, and one goes out. Similarly, our devotees also, someone cooks, and someone does some other service.
One will distribute prasāda.
If they say that we will not do any other service.
Those who distribute books can also do any other service.
But the time allocated for book distribution, they should do that.
But they can also distribute prasāda, and they should have prasāda. During ārati they should participate and do everything.
One service or the other we have to do.
As many books are distributed, it is good.
But all the time we should do one service.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-30
Jayapatākā Swami: I said, there are two paths.
There are two paths.
That even if one goes in the forest, unless his senses are properly trained, even there he can fall down.
But this process is such, so powerful, that this other process I mentioned, one cannot practice.
The process of aṣṭāṅga-yoga in the family, in the house, while the refrigerator is chugging,
and air-bus is going overhead, and the lorry is going outside beeping the horn,
and the rickshaw-wala is fighting for two paisa more, and he is trying to mediate in his front porch, never can he get samādhi by that form of meditation.
He has to go off in a quiet place, where you’ll find a quiet place today?
Even over the Himalayas Aeroflot is going, you see.
So, we are chanting.
Outside the lorry could be going, air-bus can be going, but when the hundred and fifty people were all singing Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, that mantra is cinmaya śabda, śabda-brahma.
That vibration itself is shielding everyone into the transcendental atmosphere.
Then automatically, as we are concentrating on that vibration, that śabda-brahma, then we are actually in the Brahman consciousness.
And the more we can focus ourselves in the chanting, the more the dust is taken off of the cetanā, consciousness, and pure vision comes.
In the past, in Satya-yuga, there was dhyāna.
kṛte yad dhyāyato viṣṇuṁ - In Satya-yuga, the dharma was, yuga-dharma was dhyāna.
Because Satya-yuga means peaceful.
tretāyāṁ yajato makhaiḥ - In Tretā-yuga, there was the home yajña, agnihotras.
dvāpare paricaryāyāṁ -In Dvāpara-yuga, the process was temple worship, paricaryā.
That means arcanam.
Kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt - In this Kali-yuga, the system is Hari kīrtanam.
In each yuga, there is one yuga-dharma.
In this age, the process is Hari-kīrtana of the nine-fold bhakti, śravaṇa, kīrtanam, the first two mentioned.
We are not saying other process is not bona fide, bilkul ṭhīk - definitely bona fide.
But, for Satya-yuga, Tretā-yuga, Dvāpara-yuga; not for Kali-yuga.
Kali is too difficult, but in Kali-yuga, if you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, in a short time you will find perfection,
just as you would find in Satya-yuga by dhyānam, you get in Kali-yuga by nāma-saṅkīrtanam.
Just like if you go in the drug store and you say that, “My dear druggist, give me one good medicine.”
The druggist will say, “What type of medicine you want?”
“I want a good medicine.” You see.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Never mind what’s wrong with me.
You give me a good medicine.”
He’ll say, “You are a nut.
All my medicine is good.
One is for the head, one is for the foot, one is for the skin, one is for the belly.
What’s wrong with you, my friend?”
“You don’t bother with what’s wrong with me.
You give me a good medicine.
That’s enough.”
He’ll say, “Get out! I can’t give you anything like that! Because all my medicine is good.”
So, in the dharma, all the dharma is good.
But what is our disease?
That is what happening today.
Different dharmas are saying, the other dharma is bad.
That’s not correct.
How can dharma be bad?
Dharma must, by definition, be good.
The only thing is what dharma in this day and age, in this circumstance, will be the most effective for us.
So, we are not saying any dharma is bad.
We are not saying dhyāna is bad, we are not saying worship of this or that one is bad.
Each has got its own value, but in this particular day and age, we have got, just like now we have got such a strong disease.
We need a special booster shot.
Even Vālmīki, he was dasyu.
Dasyu means Dasyu Ratnākara.
He was given Rāma nāma– “marā marā marā” he was chanting, which came out, Rāma Rāma Rāma, by Nārada.
And by chanting Rāma-nāma, although he was such a violent man, he was purified.
So, this is not a new process.
Mṛgārī the hunter.
He was like half-killing animals, he was given only the name.
This name is the most powerful purifier.
From yugas, it is there; not only this yuga, but in other yugas, other processes were also effective, so people were more inclined to do that.
But in Kali-yuga the other processes, they won’t even give you the result.
No guarantee of any effect.
So how can you tell if the medicine works?
If there’s epidemic, and you give the medicine in epidemic, if the people get a cured, then you say that medicine is good.
So, where is the worst materialistic epidemic?
Then in Western world, the full epidemic.
Everyone is diseased by materialism.
How many souls are being delivered?
That proves the medicine works.
Everyone who is taking the Harināma medicine, they are getting cured, that’s why this is known in the Vedas as mahouṣadhi, the great auṣadhi for the Kali-yuga disease.
Category: [Material World / Kali yuga]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Interesting question.
That is why we want you to read Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
I heard that one lady was principal of a college, she took the Bhakti-śāstri degree.
Anyway, if you repeat what you heard in the class,
you distribute books, by reading your books you can understand.
Even new devotees, they distribute books.
So this is how one can preach even if they are not particularly knowledgeable.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapatākā Swami: Since you are in Texas,
they have vegetables and fruits here.
Why are you thinking of hypothetical situations?
But just to answer your question,
there was a drought
and a sādhu, a great devotee, he was trying to get out of a desert.
But he had no water, no food.
He was crawling around
and he thought he might die.
Then he came across a dead dog,
so then he ate the dead dog.
Then he got out of the desert and then followed all the principles.
So Kṛṣṇa sent him some food,
and he did not kill the dog, the dog had already died,
but he ate it.
So like that, if you have no food, the only thing is you come across a dead animal, you eat it.
That would lead you to survive.
That is considered an emergency,
and emergency knows no rules.
It is not that there were so many dates and nice food and things, but he goes ahead and eats a dead dog.
It was, eat the dog or die.
So Kṛṣṇa sent a dead dog, he ate it
and survived,
and then he followed his principles after.
But it is very unlikely that you would meet such a situation.
I saw in some place people are eating cactus.
There is no food and they take out the spikes off and some cactus have spikes, and they saw it tasted good and they ate it.
So we are allowed to try to survive.
If there is no food, we die, we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Food]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-07-07
Jayapatākā Swami: Nothing can disturb your Kṛṣṇa consciousness
if you don’t let it.
And we may get free from all our sinful actions.
But then if we again commit more,
then that is a new situation.
So not only should we get freed from the previous ones,
but we should also avoid making new sinful reactions.
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Please talk to BBT.
There are some e books of BBT but I don’t know if they are in English only or Bengali.
Transcend, there is a site where e books are available.
But how the e books can be sold, you should speak to BBT. I will also speak to me.
Good question.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Technology]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-08
Jayapatākā Swami: How can it have exactly the same effect?
We might be chanting Kṛṣṇa’s names but we are not chanting the mahā-mantra.
You chant any name of Kṛṣṇa, that will have effect but especially powerful is the mahā-mantra: 16 words, 32 syllables.
So, when you leave out a few syllables and names then you are chanting indifferent mantra.
You are chanting 14 words, 30 syllable or 28 syllable mantra or something else.
So, that will reduce some of the effectiveness,
but of course because Kṛṣṇa’s name is Kṛṣṇa, it is very hard to put all that into equations what percent it will be reduced to and so and so forth.
But one should try to say the mantra as it is given; if one is inattentive while chanting, it can’t help, but affect.
Jayapatākā Swami: You listen to the spiritual masters, how they say it, that is the way you should try to say it.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-10
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, I was looking for a spiritual master and I went to San Francisco.
I went to the bookstore
and saw all the spiritual books were from India.
I was an American at that time
and said, are there no spiritual books from America?
The bookstore owner, he laughed!
America! Spiritual! Ha! Ha!
Then I asked and he said I have one book.
That was on Astral projections.
I saw that the writer was living in San Francisco.
I went to see him.
But then he called me in his room,
and he told me
I cannot really guide you because I have been grounded for two years!
I have not been to astro project for two years.
So I saw yogīs, astro projectors, Buddhists,
then I thought will go to India and find a guru there.
But then I saw the advertisement for the Hare Kṛṣṇa temple.
I went to the temple,
I read a book
called Easy Journey to Other Planets.
I like the book, I was a science student.
And it was talking about antimatter and everything.
Then I was asked to go to the back of the temple
where Jayānanda Prabhu was building a ratha for the yātrā.
So he engaged me in the building of the ratha.
One day I was given a set of beads by Śrīla Prabhupāda’s secretary.
So I went to the park
since I knew how to practice yoga,
I sat in padmāsana and chanted for six hours straight!
32 rounds.
First day!
Then I thought, “Wow!”
I was feeling such trembling in my body, my hairs were standing on end, tears were flowing down my eyes.
I never had a meditation like this.
So much ecstasy!
I went back to the temple
and that secretary who had given me the beads,
he said, “Do you have those beads?”
I said, “Yes.”
He said, “Those are Śrīla Prabhupāda’s beads!
I am not supposed to give them to anyone!” Ha! Ha!
After that chanting was not quite the same!
Anyway, I could get a glimpse.
Then I went to see Śrīla Prabhupāda in Montreal, Canada.
And he was very kind to me.
He asked me what I was thinking to do.
I said, I thought I would go to India.
He said, “I will send you,
but first I will train you up.”
So I was under his direct training.
And I could speak a lot but
it was a wonderful experience to be with him.
That is the first few days!
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, there is karma, vikarma and akarma.
This is mentioned in the Bhagavad-gītā.
Karma is good works which can elevate you,
give you good birth, money, good looks education,
but it doesn’t lead you back to Godhead.
Maybe you can take birth in the heavenly planets
and have a long life.
But once your karma runs out, then you come down.
If you do vikarma or sinful karma, then you get absence of these things.
No good looks, no good education, no good family, no wealth,
and various problems – legal problems, health problems.
Usually, people do some karma and some vikarma.
So they get some happiness and some distress
on the material platform.
The secret, you asked a very good question, how do we stop karma?
But even if do karma we have to take another birth to reap the results.
Karma means good results and vikarma means bad results,
but all material.
So we want to do akarma.
We want to do if you do service to Kṛṣṇa, then no result is produced.
No karma.
Of course, Kṛṣṇa may give one some material benefits.
But the real thing is that Kṛṣṇa takes one back to Him.
At the end of this life, we go back to Kṛṣṇa.
And if you read the glories of different Ekādaśīs fasts,
sometimes Kṛṣṇa gives some material benefits,
but in the end it says, devotees go back to Godhead.
So doing spiritual activities, activities offered to Kṛṣṇa, that is the best in the world.
It takes one back to Kṛṣṇa, to the spiritual world.
So while living in this world, we have least problems and go back to Kṛṣṇa.
But if we are very attached to material happiness, sometimes Kṛṣṇa gives some mercy,
so we see the relative difference.
Actually, He wants devotes to be happy in material life.
But if they are attached and think, oh! I like to stay here,it is a good place!
That is not good. Ha!
Because if you stay here, naturally we get disease, old age and death,
and then rebirth
and start over.
So we do akarma.
We do devotional service.
And by that we directly get Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.
Category: [Karma]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: My purvāśrama mother wanted to cook for me
but I would not allow that.
She would guide someone with her recipe,
and they would cook.
I don’t know how you do it? I could do that with my purvāśrama mother.
So, if they are children, you can tell them you cook for me all the time, I would like to cook for you.
Oh, very nice!
But if they are not vegetarian then you could just be honest and say you eat only prasāda, you follow the rules.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-14
Jayapatākā Swami: Actually, the three months – Māgha, Dāmodara and Vaiśākha.
So in some śāstras it says that Dāmodara is the dear.
Some śāstra say Vaiśākha is the best.
Some say Māgha is the best.
So we know all three are good.
So śāstra say that Dāmodara is the most dear to Kṛṣṇa.
But maybe Māgha has other specialties.
Category: [Vratās (Austerities)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-05
Jayapatākā Swami: We take initiation that puts us to the bhajana-kriyā stage.
And the next stage is to get rid of the anarthas,
anartha-nivṛtti.
And you are asking how to get through this stage.
You see, it is very easy!
You learn from your mistakes
and if you keep failing,
you will be tested again and again and again
until you learn
to not succumb to the anarthas.
And if you learn quick,
it is very fast.
Then you can become fixed up.
But if don’t learn
and you keep making the same mistakes again and again,
the it is like in college, if you fail, you have to go and start again,
until you pass the particular course
you have to repeat it.
Anartha-nivṛtti is like that.
So we learn
the hard way
and we get pinched every time we succumb to the anarthas.
But if you learn you don’t get pinched again.
Is it alright?
I am just telling you the truth.
Questioner: Viśvambhara Rāma dāsa
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: At that time Lord Caitanya interacted with different devotees.
Some were followers of Islam,
some were Buddhists,
I don’t know if He interacted with any Christians,
but we believe that there is only one God
and that He is worshiped in different cultures, with different names.
We are trying to get people all over the world to chant the name of God and this will satisfy the Lord
and this way the pandemic of COVID-19 could be reduced.
Of course, as devotees, we don’t ask Kṛṣṇa for anything material.
So, we state if it so pleases you,
but followers of Islam, Christianity they may pray for the disease to be transcended.
And we know that in the case of Dhruva Mahārāja, he wanted something material from Kṛṣṇa.
But in the end, he realized that Kṛṣṇa was much more dearer than other things he wanted.
So, somehow or other we want people to chant the holy names
and Śrīla Prabhupāda was saying that he transited Tehran in Iran.
So there he was talking to some Mullahs, Ayatollahs
and he realized that the phrase allah-ho
also meant O Absolute Truth.
So like that he told the people in Tehran that if they liked and preferred to chant the name of Allah, they could do that.
But somehow or other we should chant the name of God.
So this was his non-sectarian viewpoint.
Questioner: Gopati Kṛṣṇa dāsa
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: Interesting.
In other words, you are saying we have false ego.
We think we don’t have any faults.
But the associates of Lord Caitanya,
always think, it must be because of some faults they did.
So, we should follow in their example.
Don’t blame others,
see yourself first.
What mistake you made,
“Not me! It was he!”
The associates of Lord Caitanya are teaching by their good example,
because of their good qualities,
Lord Caitanya’s heart melted.
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Emotions / Hypocrisy], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Gopati Kṛṣṇa Dāsa and Acala Hari dāsa
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: Nārāyaṇī was a great devotee.
If you are not feeling ecstasy, that is your misfortune.
It is not the fault of the remnants,
it’s your lack of adhikāra,
to get the mercy of Lord Caitanya.
You should be lamenting, why you don’t feel ecstasy,
even when you take the prasāda remnants of the Deities.
Jayapatākā Swami: The more we practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
advancement increases.
So, by taking the prasāda of Kṛṣṇa, of Gaurāṅga,
our love for Kṛṣṇa can increase.
Just like getting rid of the anarthās,
and becoming fixed or niṣṭhā,
then we advance step by step,
until we have loving ecstasy for Kṛṣṇa,
then taking prasāda can be an impetus for love of Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Prasāda and Bhoga], [Sādhanā], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: You see when I was a new devotee,
I visited every temple in ISKCON.
San Francisco, New York and Montreal!
Three!
And there were no other devotees in these temples, nearby.
But right now, we have about 800 temples, more or less.
And there is this one temple I know, mostly there are no other devotees.
In India, we have one place we have a few temples
but in other countries you don’t see.
Of course, in some places, there is the Gauḍīya Maṭha and other devotees.
It is alright.
They are making devotees around the world is good.
But it is very rare, most they are ISKCON devotees.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-05
There’s different,
if you chant mantra in certain places you get more benefit.
If you chant by the sacred rivers and if you chant the,
I’m not,
exactly not sure about the river and the land.
You chant by the side of the sacred river you get so many times more benefit.
And if you chant in a holy place,
the pilgrimage you get so many times.
So once like,
a thousand and others like,
hundred thousand,
what figure which is which.
And you chant in front of the tulasī then you get,
like a million times.
So if you chant in the Ganges you get many times more.
And if you chant in front of the deities,
installed deities you say your Gayatri you get unlimited times of benefit.
Everyone should say the Gayatri mantra.
So that’s why the sages say in the Ganges.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: I was told by someone that when I met Śrīla Prabhupāda, I should offer prayer.
I should humble myself,
I should praise Śrīla Prabhupāda,
and I should ask some benediction.
So I would do this every day.
After a while, since this was a regular sequence,
Śrīla Prabhupāda he would reply sometimes saying surprising things.
I once said, Śrīla Prabhupāda, I am most fallen.
He said, yes! Ha!
Things like that.
I said, Śrīla Prabhupāda, you are very merciful!
I am in need of your mercy!
I am very fallen!
I want to serve you, life after life!
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, why do you want me to come back?
You said, life after life, so I have to be here to accept your service!
I thought I was saying the right thing.
So then I said, I want to serve you even life after life.
If you keep me in the material world, then I want to serve you.
Like that.
Anyway, offer prayer I was taught to offer some praise, humble yourself and ask for some benediction.
But you can see what great Vaiṣṇavas have done and you can follow that example.
Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, he offered his prayers,
you can see how he offered.
Category: [Sādhanā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-18
Jayapatākā Swami: You see the spiritual maser is supposed to be very dear to Lord Nityānanda.
And he gives Lord Nityānanda’s mercy.
By Lord Nityānanda Prabhu’s mercy
we get the mercy of Rādhārāṇī.
And Rādhārāṇī is very hard to approach.
But Nitāi-Gaura, They are more easy to approach.
The spiritual master is easier.
Now śrī śrīla and śrīmān.
Śrī, is the goddess of fortune,
we put śrī in front of someone’s name it means someone is very auspicious.
Śrīman is usually used for someone junior,
who is very - sometimes Śrīla Prabhupāda would address with śrīman in the name.
I don’t know the actual dictionary meaning, I am not a Sanskrit scholar.
Just, I have seen it used,
and śrīla is apparently used for someone who is like a guru or a very elevated devotee.
Sometimes the guru is called an ācārya like Śrīla Prabhupāda, He is śrī-śrīmad,
His Divine Grace.
You can ask a Sansrkit scholar, and they can give more of the meaning.
But actually, that is how I see it has been used.
Hare Kṛṣṇa! Thank you very much!
He is saying I should say something about the Dallas congregation and temple.
I think the congregation is very nice!
We saw the devotees at the Ratha-yātrā yesterday, I was very impressed
by their enthusiasm!
Something I did not understand, what DIY mean?
Someone told me oh, it is Do It Yourself!
Anyway, very nice to see the devotees.
I know Bengali if someone wants to speak in Bengali,
I know a little Hindi and I can speak in Hindi with you.
I have been living in India since 1970
and I joined in 1968.
I saw every temple in ISKCON in 1968,
all three!
San Francisco, New York, and Montreal.
After that there are so many temples.
So now it is not possible to see all the temple.
Of course, I have seen quite a few.
I have been given a lifetime Gold by United Star Alliance
and American and from British Airways, lifetime Emerald.
So I visited all the temples around.
But I was thinking I have not seen all of them.There are about 800 or a thousand now,
it not so easy.
But I thought we should call all the temples which were started by by Śrīla Prabhupāda, he did 108, we should call them as śrīpāṭs.
Like Dallas, should be śrīpāṭ Dallas.
These Deities were worshiped by Śrīla Prabhupāda.
They are very special.
This temple was established by Śrīla Prabhupāda.
There may be about a thousand now and in the future, there may be tens of thousands of temples
but there were 108 established by Śrīla Prabhupāda
and this is one of them.
We would like all the devotees to stay as part of Kṛṣṇa consciousness
and take advantage of the mercy of Rādhā-Kālacāndajī and Nitāi-Gaura and Jagannātha Baladeva Subhadrā.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-15
Jayapatākā Swami: If you want to go back to Kṛṣṇa,
if you want to please Kṛṣṇa,
if you want to have the spiritual bliss,
then material suffering should just be an incentive that this material world is not a good place.
Just like now we have the pandemic. The material world is a very dangerous place.
The Bhāgavatam says, padam padam yat vipadām.
One should use it well and understand that this material world is not a place for us to stay.
Bhagavad-gītā says that four kinds of people think about Kṛṣṇa –
those who are in need,
those who are miserable,
those who are inquisitive
and those who are in knowledge.
So these four types of people think of Kṛṣṇa.
If you are facing difficulty, then you should think of Kṛṣṇa.
There are four kinds of people who do not think about Kṛṣṇa –
narādhama,
asura,
this type.
Pious people think of Kṛṣṇa when they are in distress.
Now I will visit your houses as much as possible.
We want to thank everyone for your offerings and receiving me.
Please send your realizations to Madhavakānta or to Vrajeśvara Gaura Dāsa.
Hope you are all preaching using internet.
The scope is unlimited,
people are more receptive.
Because the hospital and doctors can only do so much.
So we are all on the mercy of the Supreme Lord.
In Śaraṇāgati-bhajana, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura spoke about the six aspects of surrendering and also mentioned that Kṛṣṇa hears the prayers of those who practice them. But sometimes I feel that I am not able to practice them properly, especially kārpaṇya or humility. In this situation what should I do so that Kṛṣṇa may hear my prayers?
Questioner: Sudevī Jayaśrī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-09-21
Jayapatākā Swami: We like to think that if we are doing good it is by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa.
We don’t take any credit for ourselves.
In that way, we stay humble.
If we think we are the doer, then that is also arrogance.
And so we are depending on guru and Kṛṣṇa all the time.
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11th canto chapter 5 devotees appear in various places in the Age of Kali that those people will be very clear hearted who drinks the water of Kāverī, Tāmaraparaṇī and Padmavatī. Most of the things it says that the devotees in Tāmaraparaṇī are very pure hearted. So just want to understand that if we say the mantra gange ca yamune ca godāvarī sarasvatī…we chant. But we see that in South India they say Kāverī, Tāmaraparaṇī, Godāvarī, Mahānadī. So I want to understand what is the significance of these devotees?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: You have already read the verses from the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
You are saying you don’t understand?
These are holy rivers.
And naturally people born by the holy river
they get special benefit.
We went on our safari
there and in Tāmaraparaṇī
the water has copper in it.
So these places are very sacred.
So, we see that in South India,
sannyāsīs and brāhmaṇas still maintain certain rituals.
Next to the Godāvarī in Rajahmundry, there was a couple and he was claiming to be Kalki avatāra.
Kalki is coming at the end of Kali-yuga.
We are about 5,000 years into Kali-yuga.
Some devotee went and asked him, “Aren’t you a little early?”
He said, “I may not be the Kalki avatāra but I am an avatāra and I am God! I AM GOD!”
Śrīla Prabhupāda in Boston in 1969 when he arrived,
he got many garlands
and he said that they worship the spiritual master like God.
But he doesn’t think he is God.
If he thinks he is God,
he is not G-O-D,
he is D-O-G, dog.
So Śrīla Prabhupāda he was very clear that he was a devotee.
When I had my stroke I was in the Bhakti Vedanta hospital.
So they had a crew who does devotee care.
One person used to give me daily report of what happens.
He said that there were was one man who have many magazines,
spiritual magazines.
Brahma-kumārī, so many different religious organizations.
So the devotee asked him are you interested in spiritual things.
He said, “I am interested but every organization says
your father is God.
I am confused.
Who is really God?”
“Our founder says he is not God,
he is a devotee of God.”
“Wow!” And then he gave the Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
and he said that, “I never knew that there is a founder who said he is a devotee!
So like that in India you have true people and people who are speculators.”
And so when I went Śrīla Prabhupāda went to the Bhagavad-gītā World Assembly
and there was a person who had mauna-vratā because they were killing cows.
And he had his followers to chant chapters of Bhagavad-gītā
and Śrīla Prabhupāda had his disciples to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
And then one Māyāvādī sannyāsī
he wanted to compete
so he said that chant, “Sat-cit-ānanda Kṛṣṇa!
Sat-cit-ānanda Kṛṣṇa!”
Śrīla Prabhupāda was so angry.
But he said just chant and devotees started chanting.
So everybody became very happy.
You see the Māyāvādī sannyāsī he was speculating some mantra.
In India we have many good people and some Māyāvādī, speculators.
So that is why we want people to read Bhagavad-gītā As It Is and follow it.
Category: [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Since we understand that everyone is a part of Kṛṣṇa,
then if we love Kṛṣṇa
naturally all the parts of Kṛṣṇa you love.
Say, you love your father,
you love his fingers, everything.
You don’t want him to lose his finger.
Similarly, all the living entities are part of Kṛṣṇa
but those who are not devotees, they are like diseased parts.
They don’t really work just like my right hand
since my stroke by right hand is not paralyzed but paresis.
It doesn’t really do what I want to do.
Shakes around!
So, like that, the conditioned souls of non-devotees are like diseased limbs.
But they are also suffering.
The Vaisṇavas are para-duḥkha-duḥkhī.
We feel sad to see others suffering.
We know that they could be happy if they become Kṛṣṇa conscious.
Naturally, Prahlāda Mahārāja was very compassionate, he was thinking about all the others.
He was not asking for himself.
Actually, Kṛṣṇa gives His devotees everything he needs.
But the devotee cares that the fallen souls should also be delivered.
So, now we are on the eve of Nṛsiṁha Caturdaśī,
that is tomorrow.
Because Prahlāda Mahārāja was always remembering Kṛṣṇa,
therefore he was always protected by Kṛṣṇa.
Haridāsa Ṭhākura was praying,
that I am not able to remember Kṛṣṇa always,
so please have mercy on me that I can always remember You.
The devotee wants to have the mercy of the Lord.
And also feels, like actually, Haridāsa Ṭhākura said he cannot remember Kṛṣṇa,
but no one believes that!
He chants 300,000 rounds a day!
What we chant in one year, he chants in one month!
So, he would be beaten in 22 market places
and he was praying for the executioners
who were beating him
that they may be forgiven.
They don’t know what they do.
So Kṛṣṇa Caitanya said that he came down with His Sudarśana Cakra
to kill them,
but then Haridāsa Ṭhākura was praying for them!
So He could not kill them.
What did He do?
He took all the hits on His own back
to protect His devotee!
So the more we know about how Lord Caitanya is how merciful the great devotees are,
we would also like to follow their footsteps.
Haridāsa Ṭhākura, he prayed if I can ask for one blessing,
Lord Caitanya said anything, anything you can ask.
ANYTHING!
What would you do if you could ask the Lord ANYTHING?
And what was the thing that Haridāsa Ṭhākura asked?
I want the remnants of Vaiṣṇavas! Ha! Ha!
Could you believe this! He asked for the remnants of the Vaiṣṇavas! Ha! Ha!
Because Kṛṣṇa said, the dust of the devotees’ feet,
the water that washes the devotees’ feet
and the remnants of their prasāda
are very powerful to give love of Kṛṣṇa.
So Haridāsa Ṭhākura asked for the remnants of the Vaiṣṇavas.
How great is Haridāsa Ṭhākura!
That the Lord embraced him!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-10-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Since He is the Absolute Truth,
so everything is in Him.
But He is bigger than anything else.
So it is not that anyone can contain Kṛṣṇa totally.
He is bigger than everything.
He is the cause of all causes.
And He is without any cause Himself.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Material World], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Questioner: Mathuralīleśvarī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-09-21
Jayapatākā Swami: Kṛṣṇa, He always remains neutral.
But He reciprocates with devotees as they approach Him.
When someone approaches Him with devotion, He reciprocates with devotion.
If someone approaches Him neglectfully then He reciprocates like that.
Category: [Emotions / Confusion], [Emotions / Happiness], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-23
Jayapatākā Swami: Rukmiṇī told Kṛṣṇa, "You know what is going in Brahmaloka,
You know what is going on in Kailasa,
you know what is going on in the ananta-koṭi-brahmāṇḍa, unlimited millions of universes,
but there is one thing You don’t know,
I know, Rādhārāṇī knows,
You don’t know."
No one ever said that to Him,
there was something He did not know.
Incredible!
So He asked what is that.
And Rukmiṇī said, You don’t know what the devotees feel for You, and how much we feel for You.
Then Kṛṣṇa thought I will come as My devotee, I will come as My devotee. I will come as My devotee.
He said that three times.
That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Such things that Lord Caitanya exhibited.
In India once in Māyāpur, I had very high fever in 1972 or ‘73
I was feeling pain in my body.
I was listening to Śrīla Prabhupāda lecture in Vṛndāvana on the Nectar of Devotion,
and I was feeling happiness.
So physically I was feeling pain
but my consciousness was very happy.
That may be an example
of how Lord Caitanya was feeling lamentation and jubilation.
Of course I was very happy to hear Śrīla Prabhupāda lecture.
So the consciousness, the living force was very happy.
But I realized that my consciousness was not the same as my body.
But most people do not have any consciousness of Krsna.
I don’t know, I don’t think does anyone know?
All of Lord Caitanya’s pastimes, the author is saying I cannot write properly.
I think there is no example in the material world where someone is experiencing lamentation and jubilation at the same time.
Actually to be satisfied even in lamentation.
You are lamenting, let me give you an ice cream, or something.
Category: [Emotions / Happiness], [Emotions / Sorrow], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Supriyā Jāhnavā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-09-22
Jayapatākā Swami: It shows that Lord Caitanya is more merciful than Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Although He is Kṛṣṇa, but He has Rādhārāṇī’s heart,
so He is more merciful.
One who is not initiated,
He also said, He does not accept their offence.
So, if you are initiated,
it is a two-edged sword.
If you follow strictly, you get the Lord’s mercy,
if you don’t follow,
then He may take offence.
Category: [Dīkṣā (Initiation)], [Emotions / Confusion], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Mercy], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: You see being in the spiritual world they feel very attached to Kṛṣṇa
and Kṛṣṇa is unlimited!
When He would take lunch with His friends, every friend was thinking, Kṛṣṇa is looking at me.
When He was dancing with the gopīs,
He expanded Himself into as many gopīs, that each gopī has one Kṛṣṇa.
And Kṛṣṇa had 16,108 queens.
He multiplied Himself into 16,108 Kṛṣṇas and one Kṛṣṇa went into each queen’s palace.
Why should you feel jealous?
Kṛṣṇa is unlimited.
He means to satisfy each devotee.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: So, in the spiritual world there are all kinds of relationships.
But Kṛṣṇa is in the center.
And some may be cowherd boys,
gopas, some are parents,
some are gopīs and rāṇīs,
friends of Yaśodā,
and like Vasudeva, he had many wives.
So, Devakī was the mother of Kṛṣṇa,
and the other wives of Vasudeva were stepmothers of Kṛṣṇa.
Just like, King Daśaratha had three wives.
Kauśalyā, was the mother of Rāma
and the other wives were stepmothers.
So we have all kinds of relationships in the spiritual world.
Śrīla Prabhupāda was saying that in Vaikuṇṭha we also have the husband wife,
they may kiss each other,
but they are serving Kṛṣṇa
and they are in their Nārāyaṇa form.
But there is no birth, death, old age or disease in the spiritual world.
Questioner: Saṅkīrtana Manohara dāsa, Dacca, Bangladesh.
Date: 2022-10-04
Jayapatākā Swami: The point is that if you do the maṅgala-ārati at 4.30,
we should do the tulasī-pūjā when the Deities are closed.
So, you have the choice to do tulasī-pūjā before maṅgala-ārati, or after.
So I think it is difficult enough for devotees to attend maṅgala-ārati at 4.30 am!
That is why they do it later in the morning.
But in the afternoon, when the deity is being offered bhoga,
they do the tulasī-āratī,
because after the sandhyā-ārati,
the deities are not closed.
But we have to offer worship to tulasī, when the deities are closed.
Or you can do tulasī-pūjā at 8.30 at night,
when the deities are closed.
Then it is too late,
if you have to get up for maṅgala-ārati.
Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vigraha Āradhana (Deity Worship) / Temple Deity Worship]
In the past classes you had said that one should not make sense gratification as the ultimate goal of life. While following this particular principle, sometimes when we face fluctuation and are swayed away by māyā, and because of our unlimited desires, we get engaged in any kind of sense gratification. How should we avoid and control ourselves not being swayed away by māyā and get determined in the service of guru and Kṛṣṇa? Please enlighten me
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: While we have senses in the material world,
so naturally the senses need a certain amount of satisfaction.
That depends on each individual.
But that should not be the ultimate goal.
In the material world
we see that people, they make as their goal that their senses should be happy.
But the senses are a source of happiness and a source of suffering.
So, although there may be some happiness
and some suffering,
we should tolerate that,
but we should make our ultimate goal to serve Kṛṣṇa.
So, certain very simple things we should avoid.
Like eating meat, fish, onion, garlic,
like gambling,
like taking intoxication
and having out of marriage illicit sex.
If you are a married person
it is natural there will be some material pleasure.
But there will also be some suffering.
Just like to conceive a child there is some happiness
but to have a child is also pain –
labor pain.
So, that should not be our ultimate goal.
You may have certain desires,
but the ultimate desire should be to serve and love Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-05-08
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, Lord Caitanya explained that there is a fifth artha –
dharma, artha, kāma, mokṣa, prema. Religiosity, economic development, sense gratification, liberation and love of Godhead.
So this way, we try to do devotional service and do our work, then whatever happens will happen.
We don’t want to take another birth in conditioned life.
If we take birth, it is for serving Kṛṣṇa.
Otherwise, there is no reason to be born in this material world.
But whatever situation we are in, we have to work accordingly.
If we are gṛhasthas, naturally we have to do some work to maintain our family.
Here in Māyāpur, some people are establishing businesses to employ gṛhasthas.
Brahmacārīs and some gṛhasthas both perform service in the temple.
Category: [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t understand. Kṛṣṇa’s body is not different from Kṛṣṇa.
Our body is different from our self.
But Kṛṣṇa is not like that.
He is transcendental.
His body, His self are the same.
So the Māyāvādīs they think that Kṛṣṇa’s body and Kṛṣṇa is different.
But that is offensive.
Kṛṣṇa doesn’t change.
He can create, maintain and destroy
but He remains the same.
Category: [Anarthās / Māyāvāda / Impersonalism]
In the sādhaka state at least philosophically we understand that the gift Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is giving is very precious viz. mādhurya-bhakti. But when we hear about the affairs between Lord Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs, we cannot relish that, rather we tend to be disturbed by lusty thoughts. In such condition if we still desire to obtain mādhurya-bhakti, is our desire valid? And how can we come to the platform where we can relish those pastimes?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-11-28
Jayapatākā Swami: So, if we get agitated by hearing the esoteric pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa or Lord Caitanya,
then one should not read,
you are not ready yet.
But eventually you will be ready
and then you can appreciate Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes.
Initially you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and taste the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra
and that way you can taste Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes.
In the third canto when Brahmājī becomes very pleased with Kardama Muni’s service, Śrīla Prabhupāda writes in the purport that the disciple should get the instructions from the master and execute it word by word. I understand that in terms of sādhana chanting, reading, following regulative principles, that needs to be done. So how much devotees should have their own initiative in Kṛṣṇa consciousness because we may or may not have the association of the spiritual master?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-08-16
Jayapatākā Swami: How many people here have the Jayapatākā Swami App?
How many read it regularly?
I put up daily things on the Jayapatākā Swami App.
And that way you can have your association with me as closely as you associate with your mobile phone.
I see people talking on their mobile phones often.
They can see the App rather.
I don’t know.
Also, someone told me that I should ask Śrīla Prabhupāda a question.
I should glorify Śrīla Prabhupāda,
humble myself
and ask a question and blessings.
So I was doing that every day.
And then it became like a ritual.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you are all merciful,
Śrīla Prabhupāda, I am very fallen.
I want to serve you eternally,
life after life.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, he said one day, why do you want to make me come back?
I thought I was saying the right thing.
Then I said, I want to serve you even life after life.
If I don’t make it back to Godhead then I want to serve you here.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-12-09
How did I become?!
How did I become?
Well,
material desires are always there,
they are coming in the mind.
I don’t allow any time to address those.
I keep busy.
Who can say that they have no desire comes?
Desires may come in the mind.
So we go back to Kṛṣṇa and we have the material body desire may come,
but that desire we dovetail it in Kṛṣṇa’s service so we reject it.
Even Prabhupāda one time someone said,
"I have no lust,
Srila Prabhupāda,
I have no material desire." So,
Prabhupāda said,
"really!
what’s wrong with you!
(devotees laugh) I have material lust but I have no time to address that.
I have no time for that.
I am too busy in Kṛṣṇa’s service." You see,
the point is that it's already,
nobody can say that in the material world,
even if they were desireless,
they shouldn’t say that.
Because that would give,
even if someone was a nitya-siddha,
they have no desire,
which is very unlikely to find such souls in this world.
But even if that were the case,
they should,
supposed to take the role as a conditioned soul to teach by example others.
Even if one has some desire comes in the mind,
the desire is either dovetailed,
seen if that can be used for any Kṛṣṇa conscious purpose.
If it is totally material,
then it’s rejected with appropriate disgust,
according to the nature of that particular thought.
We stay so occupied in Kṛṣṇa’s service that there is no chance for Māyā to come in.
That is the secret.
Category: [Emotions / Lust], [Emotions / Greed], [Anarthās], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā], [Material World / Kali yuga]
Questioner: Gaurāṅga Priyā devī dāsī
Date: 2023-12-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya knows what this world is like.
If you attempt to offer your heart to Lord Gaurāṅga,
He will accept it.
Category: [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
In this pastime we see Indra committed an offence against Lord Kṛṣṇa. And then he realized that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. But later in Kṛṣṇa līlā, he gain starts fighting with Lord Kṛṣṇa when he was provoked by his wife. I want to know why this type of situation happened and how do we overcome this? And in case of Dakṣa Prajāpatī we see he offended Lord Śiva, then he offended Nārada Muni. How do we not do such things and avoid such things?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-02
Jayapatākā Swami: We understand from this that if we get married, it is very important to have a Kṛṣṇa conscious wife!
If the wife is not Kṛṣṇa conscious then she may have you fight with Kṛṣṇa!
This reminds me Śrīla Prabhupāda, in a lecture he was giving in London,
observing his Vyāsa-pūjā.
He said he wanted all his gṛhastha followers to be paramahaṁsas.
And he said how Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was a gṛhastha had many children.
One was Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda.
And Śrīla Prabhupāda said we need many personalities like this.
So the gṛhasthas should have such pure devotee children.
Although Lord Indra in the caitanya-līlā pastime, he joined in the kīrtana.
By then he seemed to have learned his lesson!
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-05
Jayapatākā Swami: This was 500 years ago, it was still Kali-yuga.
Kali-yuga is going on for 5000 years.
And this happened 500 years ago.
And I am asking every temple to keep a book where they tell the type of miracles that the Deities performed.
Actually, I don’t know if I told here but in San Diego, the Deity Subhadrā was burnt out.
And then they investigated, and they found that the pūjārī was breaking the principles.
And Rukmiṇī Dvārakādīśa have many, many miracles.
It is quite possible to have such relationship.
In Māyāpur we have the ancient Jagannātha Baladeva Subhadrā Deities.
One blind man he could not go to Jagannātha Purī,
nobody wanted to take a blind man walking to Purī.
But then these Deities, They manifested
and so although the Deities were on a termite hill,
what do the termites eat? Wood.
What is Lord Jagannātha made of? Wood.
But they did not eat Jagannātha.
And there are many, many miracles of these Deities.
I personally, like there were 25 owners of the land.
So I got everybody to sign except two members.
I told the pūjārī once we take over the Deities’ worship, we cannot stop.
When the two people sign, then we would start.
He did not tell me, he had already started.
And then he stopped,
being afraid that it would displease me.
I had said, once we start we cannot stop.
We opened up the door of the temple where the Deities were.
The Deities were gone.
They were walking over the field,
They said, “We are starving, We will go and take prasāda with Rādhā Mādhava
and take the bhoga there.”
Then I found out that the service was started and stopped.
After some time, one pūjārī, he was riding on a bicycle back to the Rādhā Mādhava temple,
on the road there was a man lying down.
He just drove-by and the man jumped up and scared him. Ah!
You scared me!
Then, he was lying on the ground, he thought what mistake did I do to Lord Jagannātha?
He went back,
he found out, instead of sugar in the caraṇāmṛta, he had put salt!
You cannot mess around with Lord Jagannātha in Rājāpur!
Category: [Vigraha Āradhana (Deity Worship)]
Questioner: Śānta Gopī Mātājī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya comes after Kṛṣṇa, sometimes.
And Kṛṣṇa comes once in a day of Brahmā,
in the 27th Dvāpara-yuga,
and sometimes Lord Caitanya comes after Him in the next Kali-yuga.
So the four yugas are 4 million 320 thousand years
and Satya-yuga, Tretā-yuga, Dvāpara-yuga, Kali-yuga are 4, 3, 2, 1 [in that ratio].
So Kali-yuga is one tenth of the other yugas.
So that that is why Kali-yuga is 432,000 years
and we have already been through 5,000 years
and now we have 427,000 years left.
What is the yuga-dharma of the next yuga,
that will be revealed in the various śāstras.
But even if it is Harināma,
some other avatāra of the Lord will initiate this.
In Satya-yuga there was meditation, Tretā-yuga there was yajña and in Dvāpara-yuga there is temple worship.
So that is still 4 million years to the next Kali-yuga.
So you can tell me what is the next yuga-dharma.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Material World / Kali yuga], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Lalitāṅgī Rādhā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-09-27
Jayapatākā Swami: I was chanting 32 rounds a day.
I thought this would be pleasing to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
But he told me that I should chant 16 rounds
and go and preach.
If I don’t preach, stay in the temple all day chanting,
who will preach?
So Śrīla Prabhupāda put more importance on preaching.
If you can fast and still preach,
then it is alright.
But at least you have to observe no grains Ekādaśī,
and then preach as much as you can.
If you can do or if you are inspired to do on some Ekādaśī,
that is nice.
But that shouldn’t be a reason that next day, the whole day you are sleeping or something.
That would be counterproductive.
Since you want to please the Lord,
that should be our focus.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-25
Jayapatākā Swami: You see Lord Caitanya, He would give out mercy which was otherwise very hard to come by.
Actually for the Lord to kill some demon or lift up the earth considering that He has unlimited strength, it is not such a wonderful thing.
But giving conditioned souls pure love of Kṛṣṇa, that is really something wonderful!
Category: [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-26
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, those who want the kingdom of God without God are better than impersonalists,
because, you see, the impersonalists, they don’t even want the kingdom of God without God.
The people who want the kingdom of God without God are the materialists.
They want the material world, and they want to enjoy it, but they don’t want God, you see.
Even the demigods, I mean, they respect Kṛṣṇa, you see.
But this like two sides of the coin; in one hand you have the materialists who want to
have the material world and enjoy it without God. They want to usurp in a way.
They want to be able to enjoy as the controller.
So those are coming, some as demigods who are still favorable to God,
and some are demons who are completely offensive to God.
But the Māyāvādīs, the impersonalists, they are completely offensive.
And in a way, they want to themselves by...they think that they are God, you see.
To say even without God indicates more of the demigods, because they...
By saying without God, we are indicating that there is God.
But the impersonalists, they don’t actually accept that there is any Supreme God; they’re saying that
everything is impersonal. That being impersonal, therefore, the concept of a Supreme
Person doesn’t come in at all. That every individual soul is a supreme as any other soul.
And that any form is illusion, so including the form of God.
So therefore, they are great offenders, Lord Caitanya said māyāvādī kṛṣṇe aparādhī (Cc Madhya 17.129).
They are offenders of Kṛṣṇa.
The demons that Kṛṣṇa kills, they get that. Some get even more than that.
But at least they get merging. So being killed by Kṛṣṇa, if you get to merge
and get impersonal realization, then what is so great about that,
you see. Even the demons get it. That means that these impersonalists are on the same level as demons.
So therefore, Lord Caitanya, He warned us, “Don’t listen to them.”
Because if you understand their viewpoint,
then that can destroy your actual appreciation of Kṛṣṇa because they are offensive.
And if we hear offenses against Kṛṣṇa, then that takes away our devotional assets.
So therefore, we should always avoid hearing the offenses of Kṛṣṇa, and their preaching is offensive.
Their way of preaching is to offend Kṛṣṇa.
Sahajiyāism is more dangerous than impersonalism for devotees.
It’s harder to recognize the difference between sahajiyāism and real devotion.
Impersonalism is pretty cut and dry, I mean, they just, you know, they don’t believe it. All
quality and personality is very cut and dry, the line is very sharp.
But in sahajiyāism where they seem to have a quality of a devotee,
but actually, there are some subtle offenses to real devotees;
they think that they are already an associate of God even though they haven’t achieved that position.
And thus, they are speaking as an associate or as an authority,
when actually, they are, because they are offenders of real devotees
and they are not presenting the thing as it is. Therefore, they miss the whole,
they are not able to actually go back to Godhead from that platform,
and they are guilty of other type of offenses; do rasābhasa and vaiṣṇava-aparādhas.
It’s actually what it is. Sahajiyāism is that you try to enjoy Kṛṣṇa.
Bhakti means that you surrender to Kṛṣṇa, and He enjoys you; He enjoys your service.
You offer the service, and that service
is enjoyed by Kṛṣṇa, and you feel the transcendental bliss from within.
But sahajiyā means that, that person wants to enjoy Kṛṣṇa’s.
He wants to enjoy the ecstasy with Kṛṣṇa. He wants to… So, because it is not a service mood,
it’s an enjoyment.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-11-30
Jayapatākā Swami:
It is not if you are paying attention to the lecture,
if you are able to multitask.
Questioner: Vraja Kīrtana dāsa
Date: 2022-10-14
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva.
And someone came and talked to him.
He looked away; he was listening to the devotee.
And the guru said, “You no need to hear?”
So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them.
So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Link: 20200909 Although Being in a Predicament, the Barber Receives a Boon of Residence in Goloka (Part 2)
Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: Gaurāṅgī Gopī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Why not?
A devotee never dies, he appears and disappears.
The word jayantī is reserved for Kṛṣṇa’s appearance,
because His appearance is very special.
But everyone else appears and disappears.
Of course, for the great saintly devotees, we celebrate their appearance and disappearance.
So rather than saying happy birthday, you can say happy appearance day! Haribol!!
Category: [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-10
How to develop favourable devotional attitude?
we should accept everything for devotional service and give up everything which is unfavourable.
If we really understand what is our self interest?
What is helping us?
And we understand serving Kṛṣṇa and serving his devotees are our own self interest and then we know what is the favourable for that we accept the favourable things and we avoid the unfavourable automatically we can.
Start to get lined up.
Now what is very important is to develop that is by associating with the devotees already have their attitude.
Not that every devotees is equally developed in his favourable attitude such those who are especially ball pointless those who are in bitter mood they may be advancing but in a slow track.
Those who are seeing good qualities in others enthusiastic cheerful and they don’t hold any grudges on anyone they are in mode of fast track.
So we look for devotees that we can relate with a better situation we are and associating with them and in this way we can progress by the good association and this leads to the next question which is sādhu-saṅga which is one of most if not the most important limbs of devotional principles is offensive be six certain devotee association to avoid others,
So we select the associating just associating of any devotees so we can read the questions super souls.
Lord Caitanya said that there are three kinds of devotees those who are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa but they are not following the principles we can help them otherwise we don’t associate with them very intimately but those who are initiated and following very strictly we can accept them in a very we can respect them and offer respect to them and associate with them.
And those who are very advanced who are fully fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness who are in the level of guru we can take shelter from them.
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said that we can seek out association with the likely minded devotees.
Of course hopefully the like minded should be a good mind but its all right we may be more intimate with some than the others.
Absolutely yes.
Specially keep crying for Kṛṣṇa.
So in one sentence nothing wrong.
And people surely benefit something by hearing them.
But usually for the initiated devotees prefer to hear singing by someone more spiritually developed.
These are especially songs sung by attracting the new people by music aspect but not spiritual aspect.
In public programs we use these more but for personal purification it is recommended to hear Prabhupāda and some other pure devotee chanting.
But its nothing wrong but that is the guideline.
In Kali-yuga for different this is very funny the four varṇāśramas.
So four āśramas we don’t.
I understand its meaning.
Question is addressing the āśramas.
It’s a mistake to go through the varṇas.
So the āśramas it depends also so some people just go through marriage the only āśrama they have to go through.
For spiritual life someone joins the movement he is a gṛhastha we don’t say he has to go to brahmacārī.
But later on the gṛhasthas are good to taken vānaprastha husband and wife together.
It is not essential that people must take sannyāsa.
If they are initiated wife and husband prepare themselves for this also.
This all voluntarily.
One doesn’t have to go through different āśramas but its something that one has to consult with one’s own guru.
What is best for each individual?
To which āśrama that one should go through?
Some brahmacārīs go straight to sannyāsa and some brahmacārīs to gṛhastha and vānaprastha.
So this all different scenarios.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-11-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Lack of understanding.
Uttarā, why she was enthusiastic to protect her child?
She knew that this was her responsibility.
She saw the connection between her and the child.
The child was given to her by the husband.
It was her ward, she had responsible.
Because a devotee is not focused on the responsibility given by the spiritual master, is somehow absorbed in some kind of selfish materialistic consciousness or just due to ignorance, has become put in the type of a selfish consciousness.
Selfish means not the real self-interest, but the interest of simply the body and mind due to some misplaced sentiments.
It won't actually seize the connection.
The spiritual master has given us these fallen souls to deliver.
He’s given them.
They’re our ward; otherwise we could simply go with the spiritual master or if the spiritual master is not present, we could commit suicide and leave our body.
Why live in this world without our spiritual master?
Or why be somewhere without him?
We can just go wherever he is, you see.
We have another responsibility and we should see that these fallen souls are dependent upon us.
If we have that compassion, if we see that connection, then how can we help with being enthusiastic to go out, and preach up to our full capacity?
We don't see that connection.
If you want liberation, if you want mystic power, if you want sense gratification to go to heavenly planets, then why work so hard?
We just chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, do some service, somehow or another, if we can simply stick it out, till we leave this body, then we are guaranteed to get either heavenly planets or to get Vaikuṇṭha, get some liberation.
Somehow or another we can stick it out, we will get back to Godhead.
So instead of actually taking up the responsibility given by the spiritual master, we are just so, more or less waiting for some liberation from the present miserable condition.
Therefore, that resolute determination, that pure devotion is not coming.
That’s why liberation has been said to be an obstacle in the path of devotional service.
This desire for liberation, if we simply desire to serve Kṛṣṇa, to serve our spiritual master, then how the determination to distribute His mercy cannot come?
It must come.
Its only when our desires are not focused properly, when we are becoming distracted by bhukti-mukti-spṛhā and therefore we become, disturbed in our mind.
Kṛṣṇa-bhakta-niṣkāma, ataeva 'sānta - because a devotee doesn’t have, the Kṛṣṇa devotee doesn’t have any ulterior lust, he is simply trying to give out the mercy, taking the responsibility that was given by Caitanya Mahāprabhu through the guru-paramparā, therefore, he is peaceful.
But the others, those desiring muktibhukti-siddhi-kāmī - liberation, sense gratification or mystic power– they are all unhappy, they all disturbed in their mind.
And a disturbed person, it’s very difficult for him to preach.
For a short time, one can do it.
So, the solution is to purify our consciousness, to become situated in the mood of pure devotion.
That will attract Kṛṣṇa, that will bring us to the goal.
Could you follow?
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa,
Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma
Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma
Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
Nitāi Gaura Guru Gaurāṅgadeva kī
Questioner: Mādhava Kṛṣṇa dāsa
Date: 2022-10-24
Jayapatākā Swami: An initiated devotee should wear minimum two rounds
and maximum five
That's what I've heard.
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-02
Jayapatākā Swami: The point is that, that will, whole thing will depend on how much amount time the person has, theoretically.
Just like when I came here six months ago, then the Hong Kong Dollar was very strong,
but then after the Prime Minister of England went to Beijing [I don’t know Beijing or Beiking whatever they]
and they told so many things like, “Well, if they are all… that the Chinese government said so many things that we may, we may just throw you out, this or that.”
They were exerting some force, for whatever reason.
Now the Hong Kong Dollar uppsh…(gasps).
Like everybody wants to take the money somewhere else, where it is safe.
They are afraid, “What if they do throw us out, then?
We have to have our money somewhere where it, it won’t, it will be safe.”
Because they are thinking that maybe they won’t have so long after all.
Before that they are thinking, it is going get extend, there is no problem.
So, they won’t worry.
But then they became afraid that, “Well, if we don’t have that much time after all, then we better make some arrangement.”
So, it is like that.
People are thinking, “I am young now, so now I should take care of my material things, when I get old, I will take care of the spiritual matters.”
Well, there are two problems there.
The one problem is that, we do not know how long we are going to live.
Of course, in the normal course of events, we will live to old age.
But that is not that everyone lives to old age.
I do not know the percentage of people who die untimely.
But say at least 25% may die.
Actually, I do not know the exact percent, but a good percentage, not an insignificant number, but a good, significant number die at an age which is young.
So that danger is always there, that if we get suddenly evicted from this body then we will have no alter… then we’ll have no hope.
So that would also make us that we should make some preparation even now.
Just like saving money in the bank.
Therefore, showing to put money now in other accounts overseas, just in case, you see.
That is not for sure.
Hong Kong may be able to make some deal later on and stay here, for some time.
But it is for sure that we have to leave the body That’s for sure! There is no definite… I mean, that is definite, sooner or later.
So that’s the one problem we do not know when.
The other problem is that, even say we live till old age, but to do spiritual practices also is not something that can be just done abruptly.
Naturally, we’ve been practiced… it’s not all the sudden.
If someone can do it immediately, that is also a great, good fortune.
It means some great spiritual asset or blessings have been bestowed on that person.
Prahlāda Mahārāja gave the example that his children friends told him also the same thing, “We don’t want to chant, we don’t want to do this yoga, because we want to play now, we are kids.
When we grow old we will do it.”
He told them, “You play like this for the next ten years as children, then after that you will be busy with your school work and other type of play.
Then you are going to be getting into family life, you are going to have children, you will be working hard to make money to maintain your families, to raise your children, in this way you will be all busy with the family life.
Then in your old age, you will be weak and sick, and you won’t have any energy to travel, or to do anything.
And half your life you are spending sleeping anyway.
So where is the time?
Therefore ‘athāto brahma jijñāsā’ you should inquire now, or uh… uh… uh, ‘kaumāra ācaret prājño’ you should start inquiring and preparing yourself even in the kaumāra, even in the childhood.”
Actually, if a person is already 18 or 20 or 25 years old, that means already 18 years was wasted.
That means one quarter of the life is wasted, because we don’t generally live over 80, maximum is 100.
That means 1/4th of the life or more has already been wasted.
How many? Now you want to waste again how many another quarter?
If you waste another quarter, then you will become so engrossed in family affairs that you won’t be able to stop.
That’s why a person has to start practicing yoga either partially or fully from immediate moment.
Take whatever time is already been wasted, you have to make up for that.
If a person starts up at 75 years, that means he has to make up for 75 years of wasted time.
How is that possible? At that time, you are weaker.
At least if you start at 25, that means 25 years were wasted.
So then, At least you have strength enough to try double speed, to make up for lost time.
So generally, we find that you get people either young or old.
Middle age is very hard because they are already so involved in so many material entanglements.
They don’t find any time.
When they are young, they are just in college, or they are out of high school, or they haven’t yet got married, or got deep into the whole family situation, there is a good chance for them to start the good habits of yoga.
Otherwise, at the end of life we get a few, but usually by the end of life they develop so many bad habits even if they want to practice yoga, they don’t… it is too hard for them to learn at an old age.
It’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
So, for these two reasons, one is that we don’t know when we are going to die.
Second is that if we keep delaying it, it becomes harder and harder, and we waste more and more time.
For these 2 reasons we should immediately start the practice of yoga, if at all we want to become free from these material problems and achieve spiritual perfection.
Questioner: Kaivalya Sundarī devī dāsī
Date: 2023-12-11
Jayapatākā Swami: They are all Absolute,
at least the first four.
They can have unlimited personal relationship
but whether one is qualified,
we want to be the servant of the servant of the Lord,
not to be directly in the service of the Lord.
So, by being the servant of the servant. of the servant of the Lord,
we get to serve the Lord!
Questioner: Fernando Dias
Generally in order to be assured of getting back to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa one needs to take initiation. However,the holy name and objects connected with Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa are so powerful that they can also deliver conditioned souls as a special mercy. One should now avoid taking initiation if the oppurtunity arises due to these other special cases. However, if one somehow fails to get initiated in spite of ones desires and leaves the body thinking of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa or being connected with the Lord's Holy name, dhāma, devotees, Ganges, etc. then one may also be delivered.
I hope this finds you blissful and healthy in Krishna consciousness.
Your well wisher,
Jayapatākā Swami
(25-Apr-98 - Text PAMHO:1276910)
Category: [Dīkṣā (Initiation)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-30
Jayapatākā Swami: What Prabhupāda said is that, if a person follows the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness
then he may not have to take birth again in the material world.
Now
how free we are from things like offenses may dictate how I will go up in the spiritual world,
whether we get a place in Vaikuṇṭha, or whether we get a place in Goloka Vṛndāvana, how I am able to go.
Or
I mean, if a person, I had one person who approached me in India, he had a very strange character.
He said, “I have been chanting 32, 20 or 16 rounds for 26 years,
but he never gave up eating fish.” In His neutral position we were discussing today, He simply reciprocates with the person so perfectly.
There is someone who would do something like that because of their offenses while chanting the Holy name,
that they don’t actually make advancement towards pure love for Kṛṣṇa. They are getting some benefit from chanting,
but at the same time, their material desires are not going,
due to being absorbed in sense gratification like that. So I advised him that,
“you should chant the names of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu,
and by His mercy you may be able to overcome this desire of eating fish.”
And sure enough, after chanting Lord Caitanya’s name for some period of time,
he got some spiritual intelligence. He stopped eating fish.
Even though 26 years he was on his weird practice,
where he although chanting he never tried to avoid breaking that, you know, stopping breaking of regulative principle.
So if a person I mean if he is determined, you know although he would have chanted the 16 rounds
and followed the regulative principles, but if they take things in an attitude that I’m determined not to give up my material attachments,
then that is an anachronism. From our side it should be not just externals,
but it should be internal, we are trying to follow the process.
We are trying from our part to give up our attachments.
If we have the proper attitude , we are trying to give up our attachments, we are trying to avoid,
even if we are not fully successful, Prabhupāda said that there is,
that Kṛṣṇa is so merciful, Lord Caitanya is so merciful, even though we may not,
at the point of death, have done it a hundred percent successful,
we can still get delivered.
In fact, I was, (aside - How long should I go on?) I was in Montreal,
and Prabhupāda is giving a lecture. That time we had a Vyasāsana for him, it was very high.
I mean very- it was like when we would stand up we would just be facing Prabhupāda eye to eye,
or he will still be even a little higher than that.
It was a very high Vyasāsana.
You had to kind of crawl up, it had steps going up and it was more or less kind of a pulpit.
So he would be up there, he would sit and he would even take prasāda there.
In a feast, they would bring a big plate of prasāda and we would all be sitting down,
and he would take Prasāda from there, and sometimes he would give prasāda out from there.
So one day he was giving his lecture from up there
actually and at this point he was just preaching very hard,
we have to be a hundred percent Kṛṣṇa conscious.
We have to try; we have to be a hundred percent Kṛṣṇa conscious. We have to try for that.
We have to become. If we are hundred percent Kṛṣṇa conscious, then we can get pure love for Kṛṣṇa,
then our life will be completely successful. He was just hammering this point.
Now the devotees were thinking, a hundred percent, you know, their heads gradually started hanging down,
they became very thoughtful.
The hundred percent was like such an objective that it never seemed that is ever possible;
even you know to get very close to a hundred percent.
But Prabhupāda was very emphatic on this point.
The devotees were very thoughtful at that time. Then Prabhupāda, he ended the class.
There was just a heavy silence. No questions. That is it.
He ended the class and said, “Become cent percent Kṛṣṇa conscious.”
It was just like a death place; I mean, just like… He saw silence that he could swim through it.
Now Prabhupāda was sitting there on his raised Vyāsāsana
and said, “Even if you are ninety percent Kṛṣṇa conscious, Kṛṣṇa is so kind,
that you may still be delivered.” Then he started to get down and when he was about half way down,
just as he was getting off the Vyāsāsana he turned to the devotees and said, ”Even ninety percent, you can be delivered.”
He started walking out, then he turned and his chaddar fell off, I remember it was such a dramatic,
almost like you see in those movies Julius Caeser like that, his chaddar flew like that and said, “Even seventy percent.”
He took his chaddar and threw it over his shoulder and raised his head and walked away.
(Devotees laughing)
Śrīla Prabhupāda Ki
Devotees: Jaya!
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)], [Sādhanā / Regulative Principles], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Material Sufferings / Death], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Karma / Desires]
Questioner: Jayarāseśvarī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: It is on the border.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Material World], [Material World / Demigods]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Even if they chant offensively, it is better than not chanting at all.
I was in South India and once, you get these real intellectual type people there.
And he came up to me and said that, “Every religion says that theirs is the only way, you must have faith.
Isn’t there one religion that you don’t need faith? (Laughter).
Will it work even without faith, even you don’t believe?”
I said, “Yes, we have it.
This chanting of the Holy names.
ku Ratnākara, who became Vālmīkī, he had no faith.
He was asked to chant the name of Rāma.
He said I can’t chant any name of anything holy, he couldn’t even say God, nothing like that.
He was told to then chant murder-murder-murder in Sanskrit, mara-mara-mara.
If only that much faith, somehow or another chant, do what the guru ordered, that much minimal faith is required, then do it.
But he had no faith in the holy name as such.
He could not even say it, what to speak of have faith in it.
He was chanting marā-marā-marā-marā-marā.
By chanting marā-marā-marā-marā, because Rāma-Rāma-Rāma-Rāma was being spoken from his lips and as a result he became Vālmīki.
He realized Rāmacandra.
He had the eyes that could see the entire Rāmāyaṇa, 10,000 years before Rāma appeared on this earth.
He was so pure.”
“Ajāmila, he just chanted his son’s name Nārāyaṇa, NĀRĀYAṆA, when he was dying.
Then, just because of that he was saved.
He wasn’t chanting with some great faith, with accident, practically speaking.
If someone chant even just mechanically, without faith, somehow or another they chant, it will gradually have effect.
Obviously, if someone chants with faith, with devotion, with concentration then how much quicker we are at it.
It took Vālmīki a long time of chanting marā-marā-marā to get the same effect.
But nonetheless, there will be some effect.”
Why even Haridāsa Ṭhākura, when Lord Caitanya said that,
“How will all these mlecchas and yavanas will be delivered,
these fishermen, and all these various type of students who always arguing, and never want to get down to the actual reality,
just want to be on a mental platform and so man?
So then, what did Haridāsa Ṭhākura say, “By Your mercy, by this chanting, a nāmābhāsa,
the reflection of the name, it is like when the sun rises, there is a little light before that is called the ābhāsa,
it is just the dim reflection of the, dim reflection of the name, just by that they will be purified.
And like for instance, the Muhammadans when they say harām, they don’t mean hey Rāma,
they mean oh you offensive person, but somehow, they are saying harām.
When the Americans are seeing Ramāyaṇa or something Rāma, so many Rāmas they have in America, Tamil Rāma,
somehow or another, they are already getting the blessings, knowingly or unknowingly.
So, if they actually would chant:
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare,
even without much faith, even just as an experiment, just as out of hopelessness or something, out of just why not, tried everything else,
well…
So many people, actually lots of people said to me,
but… Then, by chanting, by gradually see a change in themselves and they try to see that there is something a higher reality,
become a little purified.
Then when they read, when they come in the association of devotees, naturally, they can appreciate more.
Of course, if someone is very offensive to the devotees, very offensive, then it is more difficult.
One place I have Prabhupāda told that, “Just have them chant Sri Kṛṣṇa Caitanya,
because they are so simple that it will be more effective than chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Even if they are offensive, better they chant, than not chant.
Of course, we have to show the standard of offenseless chanting and preach against committing offenses.
Because if they are committing offenses, they won’t get pure love of God,
they may get liberation, or they may remain as human being, but they won’t get the ultimate goal.
So, want to bring them to the highest benefit, we have to show ourselves,
by our personal example, what is offensive chanting and try to bring people up to that platform.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses) / Nāma-aparādha], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-27
Jayapatākā Swami: You see the Ganges came into the universe by Lord Vāmanadeva.
But first she was in the higher planets.
Bhagī Mahārāja by tapasya, meditation, he brought her to the earth.
But the Ganges said that there is no riverbed, how will I just flow?
Bhagī Mahārāja he accepted that he will create a river bed so that mother Gaṅgā can come.
That is why one of her names is Bhagīratī.
Because Bhagī Mahārāja’s chariot had cut a river bed.
The Ganges has many names Bhagīratī is one name, Gaṅgā is another.
Category: [Holy Rivers / Gaṅgā]
Questioner: Vraja Kṛṣṇa dāsa, Māyāpur
Date: 2022-10-04
Jayapatākā Swami: It is hard to say,
how is the situation in other Kali-yugas.
Previous Kali-yuga was about 4 million years ago.
So, it is hard to say
and we know in this Kali-yuga,
we chant the holy names
and we go back to Godhead.
Please don’t delay.
The next opportunity,
if it is in Kali-yuga,
it is four million years from now.
Lord Caitanya doesn’t come after every avatāra of Kṛṣṇa.
And Kṛṣṇa only comes once in the day of Brahmā.
And a day of Brahmā is a thousand catur-yugas.
And he has an equally long night.
Then he rests.
So, better to take advantage of this opportunity.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Material World / Kali yuga], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Rasasindhu Śacīsuta dāsa:
Date: 2022-08-05
Jayapataka Swami: As far as benefit of taking initiation directly or virtually,
if you feel initiated you feel connected to the guru, that is what counts.
Śrīla Prabhupāda had initiated many devotees by letter.
And now sometimes due to the pandemic we have initiations virtually.
So, if the spiritual master is accepting you, you are accepting him, then what is the difference?
Link: 20220221 Īśvara Purī Instructs His Disciple Nimāi Paṇḍita to Chant and Preach Kṛṣṇa-Nāma, Part 1
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Technology], [Dīkṣā (Initiation)], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Māyāvāda is like general.
Vivarta-vāda, is the way that Śaṅkarācārya explains it,
and part of the Māyāvāda.
Lord Caitanya showed how that was defective.
Category: [Anarthās / Māyāvāda / Impersonalism]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-16
Jayapatākā Swami: You should read all of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books
but having read, you may read other books one time.
But Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam you should read every day.
Bhagavad-gītā is necessary for preaching,
the Bhāgavatam takes you to sambanda, abhideya and prayojana.
Questioner: Śānta Gopī Mātājī
Date: 2022-10-17
Although the Supersoul is in our heart,
we may not be knowing that;
and we are just doing things as if we are the doer.
We don’t understand that the Lord is actually doing things for us.
So having the Lord fixed in our hearts means that we will be constantly thinking of Kṛṣṇa.
We should be doing everything as a service to Kṛṣṇa.
So it is a whole change of our subtle body,
in the sense that now we feel connection with Kṛṣṇa always.
That means He is fixed in our heart.
Questioner: Bhaktin Vaiṣṇavī
Date: 2022-08-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Hard to say as the śāstra says one may achieve success just by aspiring.
So, by taking dīkṣā,
one is more guaranteed
but if one is fully
thinking of Kṛṣṇa
at the time of leaving this body,
then he may go back to Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Dīkṣā (Initiation)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Material Sufferings / Death]
Questioner: Vijaya Gaura Kṛṣṇa dāsa.
Date: 2022-10-12
Jayapatākā Swami: Interesting question.
So, we know that people offer piṇḍa at the Gayā temple.
And we have heard, how people can offer the effect of Ekādaśī.
We can offer the fruit to someone else.
So it would seem that one could offer the fruit of the donation of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
I don’t have on hand the direct verse saying that.
But a son who helps the father from the hellish condition is called the putra.
Pu is a hell.
And tra means in short, to deliver.
Putra means one who delivers the parent from hell.
Putrī is the female of the same.
So, it certainly cannot hurt a person, to give such a donation.
We hope that they would go to Goloka.
Certainly, he would be blessed in many ways.
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-02
Jayapatākā Swami: The guru takes responsibility for their karma.
And depending upon how the disciple surrenders then that karma is either taken away directly by Kṛṣṇa withdrawing it,
or by giving the disciple some tokens, to help the disciple to come to the proper frame of mind, which will allow all the karma to be removed.
The total responsibility is taken away by the spiritual master, and therefore the karma is not given to the disciple at face value.
But some momentum from the previous uh… from the previous activities is there, some desires are there.
And also, even after taking initiation sometimes devotees, they are also performing sinful activities against their oath, so for various reasons the person is put into difficulty.
One time, Srila Prabhupāda cut his finger, and one drop of blood came out.
He said that, “I should have had my head cut off, but instead Kṛṣṇa has just given me this token, just to remind me and I was released from such a big sinful reaction.”
So, once we surrender to the spiritual master then we’re under the care of Kṛṣṇa; once we take initiation.
But then we have to also practically practice devotional service and then more and more for relieve from all these reactions.
Just after initiation, we come into what is called the clearing stage where all these reactions are cleared away.
It is not that just immediately everything is gone, unless we can immediately completely fix our mind, every thought word and deed completely, without any material attachment,
we can completely absorb ourselves in the service of guru, then we are completely free.
But just after initiation, it is not that people suddenly forget their parents and forget their everything material.
They may get a different, may become more detached, they may become, still there may be some slight attachments there.
So how to get free from those?
Whatever attachments we have those are linked with reactions.
As detached as we become that is as free as we become from the reactions.
These two things are told today.
The 3 modes are there and their reactions, these are linked.
As we have attachments within the 3 modes of nature those attachments are linked with reactions.
As we get rid of the reactions of fruitive activities, we get rid of these attachments also.
Just like a person is very attached to getting a $1,000,000.
Once they get $1,000,000 they are not so attached any more, then either they want $2,000,000 or they want something else.
Just like in Hong Kong, in Japan, people they get very attached to material things.
They want to get a brand-new tape recorder.
They get the tape recorder.
After a while they get tired of the it, they just throw.
A perfectly good tape recorder, they throw it away in the garbage.
Just fed up, that’s the mood they are in.
They just throw it away.
You can find good tape recorders lying in the garbage, you see.
When you get the thing, that means that now your desire is fulfilled.
That is one way of getting your material fruitive action is you get what you want.
That’s one, that’s called the reaction for pious activities.
That also makes you detached, in some cases.
You get tired of it, you want something else.
And another way of getting rid of attachment is by suffering.
When that thing you want causes some pain you become detached.
So, both these reactions, pain as well as pleasure the devotee becomes detached to.
Because now, both of them simply cause material attachment.
They want spiritual ecstasy, spiritual bliss.
So, already the plug has been pulled out, you are not creating any more karmas, you’ve been freed.
And Kṛṣṇa promises that, “According to how you surrender that is how you will be rewarded.”
So, already you are free from any direct reaction of karma.
If any karma is given it means that you still have some attachments, and this is to help you become more and more advanced.
And you are only getting a small token of what you deserve.
Category: [Material Sufferings], [Karma], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Dīkṣā (Initiation)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-08-16
Jayapatākā Swami: Oṁ tat sat!
I met a devotee, he said I am reading, there is no need to chant.
People make all kinds of excuses.
So one can say, we can only chant, no need to read.
So I will read and no need to chant.
But we should read, we should chant.
Now Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was giving his purports, which are a way to associate with Śrīla Prabhupāda.
So, I had a lot of personal association with Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Even then, to read what Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote is also very important.
Because he gave his own purports to the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ślokas.
The purports included the tikas, of different purvācāryas
and also Śrīla Prabhupāda’s own realizations.
That is why it is important to read to have the association of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
And we should chant, by chanting, it purifies the heart.
By reading, when the heart is purified by chanting, then the topics go into the heart.
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: To take shelter is not that difficult.
That is basically a time of testing.
Then gradually you read the said books,
follow the regulative principles.
This is practice time.
I don’t get any reaction.
It is time for you to see if you can do it.
After six months or more, whenever you feel ready, you can take initiation.
But you should finish the things in the checklist.
You may not wake up early, but somethings you have to do.
You need to get some spiritual knowledge.
Maybe some like the Bhagavad-gītā they have in the audio form.
When you are cooking for your husband, you can hear the Bhagavad-gītā audio.
That way you can also finish reading by hearing.
Read the Bhagavad-gītā two or three times,
what is the problem?
The first canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, I don’t if there is an audio or not.
I read every night when I go to sleep half hour.
And although I have read the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam many, many times,
every time I hear, I get some new ideas.
Sometimes you can hear or you can read the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
But don’t be afraid,
you don’t take vows till initiation.
So, taking shelter is just a preparation.
You can see whether you are ready or not.
When you feel ready then you can take initiation.
Category: [Material Sufferings], [Material World]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Mādhāi built a Mādhāi ghāṭa.
And then the Navadvīpa-vāsīs, Māyāpur-vāsīs used Mādhāi ghāṭa.
And that forgave him of the offences he committed on the residents of Navadvīpa.
That means by helping people in their spiritual life, we get forgiven for our offences.
That is why we chant the name of the Lord!
Gaurāṅga!
Link: 20200218 Śravaṇa Utsava
Just by hearing these pastimes we can actually develop our love for Kṛṣṇa. My question is you mention almost mechanically Lord Caitanya was doing his daily routine, taking darśana of Lord Jagannātha every day. Could you elaborate what this means because sometimes we do things and we feel it is mechanical and we feel that is that okay?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-18
Jayapatākā Swami: You see the difference is that you may be spaced out,
He is so absorbed in Kṛṣṇa that He does His ordinary routine
but His mind is completely on Kṛṣṇa.
And that when He sees Lord Jagannātha, He sees Śyāmasundara,
I mean, we are doing our activities and that is our service.
But Lord Caitanya’s service is His deep concentration on Kṛṣṇa.
So He is doing the routine activities, He is not actually concentrating on those, He is doing them automatically.
It says also a pure devotee, it is not unusual that Kṛṣṇa takes charge of their bodily activities.
And they are totally concentrating on Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Just like the dacoits had many troubles like falling in the ditch, and getting bitten by insects, I also have many troubles. So many troubles come but the only feeling I have is to seek out some protection. There is no feeling of love or no feeling of that kind of shelter that you said we should seek out for? What to do?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-05
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, this material world, there is a verse in the Purāṇas, it says padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ (ŚB. 10.14.58),
there is danger at every step.
In the Bhagavad-gītā, Lord Kṛṣṇa describes the material world as duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam (Bg. 8.15).
But we are so foolish that we want somehow very nice arrangement in the material world.
So we take birth after birth after birth after birth after birth after birth after birth.
Chewing the chewed.
And if we can only realize how much happiness there is by directly engaging in the service of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
But we are so foolish, it says that Lord Caitanya came to deliver the foolish, the mūrkhas.
We think somehow, we can make some arrangement, and the material world will be a very nice place.
But it is not possible.
If we can engage ourselves in the service of Kṛṣṇa,
then we can taste the real happiness
that we are actually hankering for.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Material Sufferings], [Mercy]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-18
Jayapatākā Swami: There is a poem by Śrīla Narottama dasa Ṭhākura,
where he sings śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu dayā kara more – You have come down to deliver the fallen, Patita-pāvana, there is no one more fallen than me. Please have Your mercy on me!
Then he prays to Lord Nityānanda, hā hā prabhu nityānanda, premānanda sukhī: You are always filled with spiritual bliss of love of Kṛṣṇa,
please have mercy on me I very sad, duḥkhī.
You have Nitāi-Gaura here! You pray to them,
that I need mercy,
I am fallen,
I need your mercy more than anyone!
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Mercy]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-27
Jayapatākā Swami: You see when Keśava Kāśmīrī met Nimāi Paṇḍita, that was still many years before He started the saṅkīrtana-āndolana.
Many years He was acting as Nimāi Paṇḍita,
when He went to Gayā and He was initiated by Īśvara Purī, then He started to manifest love of Kṛṣṇa.
And in Kānāi-Nāṭaśālā He had a darśana of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa embraced Him.
And when He returned to Navadvīpa, He was changed!He was Gaura Hari!
Link: 20200218 Śravaṇa Utsava
Questioner: Karuṇāpati Keśava dāsa
Date: 2022-09-22
Category: [Anarthās], [Emotions / Hypocrisy], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a very blissful process. But some resentment owing to some bad interactions we had with devotees occupy so much of the mind that absorption and focus in Kṛṣṇa consciousness because difficult, and again and again same thoughts come when we see those devotees. How to overcome all this and absorb in service to our guru?
Questioner: Hemāṅga Haladhara dāsa
Date: 2022-08-05
Jayapatākā Swami: This is the International Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness.
Not that you should be focused on bad experiences.
That would distract your Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Some bad behavior we may be committed that we would not like to do such bad behavior with others,
but other than that
we really don’t want to be focused on bad experiences,
other than thinking how to avoid such activities.
We see that Lord Nityānanda, He was merciful.
Even though He was hit on the head with a wine bottle,
He did not feel any anger or jealousy to that person.
He wanted to give mercy to that person.
So like that, everybody in the material world,
has some defect
and we try to avoid committing mistakes
having defects
in our spiritual life.
Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Emotions / Envy], [Emotions / Sorrow], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Cooperation]
Questioner: Sumitra Gauracandra Dāsa
Date: 2022-09-06
Jayapatākā Swami: The TOVP, the Temple of Vedic Planetarium is trying to destroy the false
understanding or wrong understanding about the universe and things like this
and therefore they are trying to establish the proper science as per the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Vedas.
Now if you wish you could get in touch with the Bhaktivedanta Institute or you can also contact the TOVP
and be engaged in this service as they are doing the same activity.
Category: [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Other philosophies / Western Science / Western Philosophy], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Kṛṣṇa has shown His universal form to Arjuna who is an eternal associate though a jīva, and Caitanya Mahāprabhu is Kṛṣṇa who has shown His universal form to Nityānanda Prabhu and Advaita Prabhu who were also Lords. Is it ok to compare these two universal forms? If yes, then how come Arjuna got fear, whereas They, the Lords lost their external consciousness and went into ecstasy?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Advaita had asked Lord Caitanya to show Him the same form that He showed to Arjuna.
So therefore, we think that He showed the same form,
and He saw Arjuna seeing Kṛṣṇa show Him the universal form.
So Arjuna as a friend of Kṛṣṇa, he was sometimes would put his foot on Kṛṣṇa or sit together.
So, when he saw Kṛṣṇa’s greatness he got afraid and thought he had committed some offence.
But when the two Prabhus saw Lord Caitanya or Kṛṣṇa’s universal form,
they felt ecstasy.
So different strokes for different folks!
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Kṛṣṇa is neither friend nor enemy, but we know in many places Kṛṣṇa says I am friend to all and in kṛṣṇa-līlā He acts as a friend to many. Recently, also the plastic surgeon, you told Kṛṣṇa is not a friend nor is He an enemy. And next sentence you said Kṛṣṇa is everybody’s friend. How should we understand this?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: You see in that verse, bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśvaram suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati. (Bg. 5.29)
That suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ – Kṛṣṇa is the friend of all living entities.
So Pūtanā, she wanted to kill Kṛṣṇa
but Kṛṣṇa reciprocated her and killed her.
But because she gave Kṛṣṇa her breast because she thought that if I have a child, I want like this.
Too bad I have to kill Him.
So Kṛṣṇa reciprocated with her and she wanted to kill Him He killed her.
Because she desired that if I had a child, I want one like this. She gave her breast milk to Kṛṣṇa, so Kṛṣṇa gave her the position as one of His mothers in the spiritual world.
So, He does not hold any grudges.
At the same time, He reciprocates with how a person approaches Him.
And today we were reading how Kṛṣṇa saved Gajendra the elephant and killed the crocodile.
But the crocodile, he actually got free from a curse.
He was previously Huhu,
the king of the Gandharvas
and he was enjoying in a lake with many female Gandharvas.
Somehow in his dark humor or whatever, he pulled the leg of a devaṛṣi who happened to be in the same lake
and the ṛṣi got angry and cursed him to be a crocodile.
Then he begged please forgive me.
The ṛṣi said okay, when Kṛṣṇa saves Gajendra, He will also free you from the curse.
That way, Kṛṣṇa, anything He does, is actually is a blessing.
Haribol!
Questioner: Phāneśvarī Lakṣmī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-11-28
Jayapatākā Swami: Write to me what you think your problem is.
Kuntī Devī, whenever the Pāṇḍavas and Kuntī Devī had problems,
Kṛṣṇa came and saved them.
So whenever they had problems Kṛṣṇa came so she said she wanted to have problems all the time
so that Kṛṣṇa will come all the time.
If you are sincere, then Kṛṣṇa will come to us.
When you have problems then you can remember how Kuntī Devī was saved by Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Material World / Mind / Intelligence], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Is that in the verse today?
Questions should be especially on the verses today.
If anyone has any doubt or question on the verses today, otherwise it will just open up to anything.
You have a question on the verse? I chastised you! Ha! Ha!
So I answered your question.
Ha! Ha! How do you feel? Ha! Ha!
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Mercy]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Wonderful!
No birth, no disease, no old age, no death!
And the body, the form of you is just suitable for your eternal rasa with Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Some have sakhya-rasa, some vātsalya-rasa,
some have mādhurya-rasa.
You may be a man now but you may have another form in the spiritual world.
A woman may be a friend of Kṛṣṇa.
We know we take birth after birth in the material world, and if you think your husband when you leave the body, then you take the next birth as a man, if you think of your wife, then you take birth as a woman.
If you think of Kṛṣṇa, you will go back to the spiritual world.
So we are training devotees, they should think of Kṛṣṇa.
Spouses should also train their loved ones to think of Kṛṣṇa.
How do we look in the spiritual world?
So that depends on your rasa.
Either, you will be a mother, father, friend, servitor, gopī or queen, depends on your rasa.
If you go to Vaikuṇṭha where there is Nārāyaṇa,
then we get a similar form like Nārāyaṇa.
But He has some special symbols,
like the Śrīvatsa mark,
like the Kaustuba-maṇi.
We don’t have that mark.
In the Bṛhad-Bhāgavatāmṛta, Gopa Kumāra was in Vaikuṇṭha. Everyone was looking like Nārāyaṇa
and they were saying, here is Nārāyaṇa, here is Nārāyaṇa.
But they were not Nārāyaṇa, they knew who was the original Nārāyaṇa.
Only Nārāyaṇa has this Śrīvatsa mark.
Whether you are in Vaikuṇṭha or Goloka, depends on your relation. You have a form but that is dormant.
When you are liberated you manifest your original form.
So Gopa Kumāra, he was a cowherd friend of Kṛṣṇa,
but first went to Vaikuṇṭha,
he wanted to embrace Nārāyaṇa.
Oh he is God! Nārāyaṇa! You cannot do that.
Awe and reverence!
But with Kṛṣṇa, you can embrace and wrestle.
So you can read the book.
Very interesting.
Finally, he got to Goloka Vṛndāvana and he got his original position
as a cowherd boyfriend.
So what is your form?
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-02
Jayapataka Swami: He only came for a minute!
Not even a minute!
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Material World / Demigods], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-16
Jayapatākā Swami: He is Kṛṣṇa,
He is playing as a devotee.
Sometimes Murāri Gupta was chanting the Viṣṇu-sahasranāma.
When he came up to the name of Narasiṁhadeva,
Lord Caitanya became in the mood of Narasiṁhadeva
and He ran out on the streets –
“Where are the demons? Where are the demons?”
In the mood of Narasiṁhadeva.
And people ran, wow!
And then Lord Caitanya felt bad.
I scared all these people!
But Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura said, “You liberated all the people!
Just by seeing You all of them were liberated.”
Also, in the Viṣṇu-sahasranāma, he chanted the name of Varāhadeva.
Then Lord Caitanya assumed the form of Varāha, four hooves.
So in the purport it says, if someone says he is God, then tell them to show their hooves!
So, it is not easy to manifest hooves,
unless you are the Supreme Person.
Yes, sometimes Lord Caitanya manifested these different things.
These are very secret, very confidential, only few people saw.
One time, He showed to Advaita Gosāñi, for 21-hours they did the ārati and He displayed Himself.
Apart from that, generally He kept Himself hidden as much as possible.
Anyway, He is Kṛṣṇa!
Like in Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya’s house in Jagannātha Purī,
He showed His six-handed form
as Lord Caitanya, Lord Kṛṣṇa, and Lord Rāma.
Some devotees, Rāmānanda Rāya and others, He revealed His divine form.
But these are all recorded in the history books.
But in general, He would not say anything.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: If we do leadership to enjoy material facilities,
we get that material happiness as our result.
But if we do it to please Kṛṣṇa then we will get Kṛṣṇa.
This temple has a very nice Temple President, Brajahari dāsa Prabhu.
He is trying to do everything, as far as I can see, to please Kṛṣṇa.
Lord Caitanya advises that we should not do things for lābha, pūjā or prathiṣṭha.
If we do for those things, that is a weed in our devotional service.
We should try to do everything to please Kṛṣṇa.
So, just because we are in a leadership position, that doesn’t mean we are doing for a material desire.
That is why we have to be very careful why we do things.
You see, I have a weakness.
We heard that there was some sadhu in previous time, he heard two English people arguing.
The sādhu was bathing in the river and he heard two English people arguing.
He did not know English.
But he came to court, and he said I remember what they said.
And he repeated like a tape recorder what they said.
Such was the memory in previous times!
I don’t remember names,
unless I use that name ten twenty times.
So, I know some peoples’ names because I use their names again and again.
But I thought that in these 15 minutes my disciples who are here can come up and tell me their names!
And I can give them a blessing!
Many devotees have a desire to join ISKCON full time and dedicate their lives for Śrīla Prabhupāda. However, because of the situations in the world or in the family or personal life, they are sometimes on the borderline wondering whether I should or I should not. So what is your message to them Mahārāja so that they can freely develop that faith and courage that if I simply serve Kṛṣṇa and Śrīla Prabhupāda, nothing else is to be taken care, everything Kṛṣṇa will help. Can you give them that courage and help? Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-05
Jayapatākā Swami: As the co-minister for congregational preaching,
naturally I would like to see
not only the temple devotees but other devotees who are in congregations,
that they are all working to help the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
And of course, when I joined there was really only – either you are a temple devotee or you are …!
I don’t think it is like that now.
You be a temple devotee or a married devotee or whatever,
you can still help, you can still be a very significant force.
I mean, the person who is repeating me,
his name is Acintya Caitanya dāsa,
he is a gṛhastha.
His wife is very active in preaching.
He has two sons.
One of them is already very fixed up in book distribution.
In 1973 in the lecture that Śrīla Prabhupāda gave at his Vyāsa-pūjā in London,
he said that his guru, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura who was the son of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura,
and he wanted all the gṛhastha devotees that you should have ācāryas as your children.
You should all become paramahaṁsas.
So, rather than thinking this devotee can become a full-timer, others too bad!
Use everybody,
naturally I was a full-timer and the advantage that I have is can give all my time to Kṛṣṇa.
But, there is a lecture by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura
where he says that a man should accept a wife who is more spiritual advanced
and a woman should accept a husband who is more spiritual advanced.
That is not what people look at today.
They see if she is a beautiful woman,
what education she has
and other things.
But spiritual advancement, we don’t think about that.
But that is the thing that Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura said.
In the 8th canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,
there is the fight between Gajendra and the crocodile.
Because Gajendra was a land animal,
when he was in the water,
the crocodile was winning
and gradually the elephant was getting weaker.
So in the purport, Śrīla Prabhupāda said
that Kṛṣṇa consciousness means
we are declaring war against material nature
and to fight in the war,
one needs to be very strong,
sensually strong.
It is not the same for everyone.
Someone may be better as a vairāgī,
someone may be stronger as a gṛhastha.
The real thing is that we should be fighting to establish Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So, maybe people are sitting on the fence,
they should see what is their nature?
So they should think whatever it is, if their nature is to be married, or their nature is to be a vairāgī,
they should fully engage in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
If they are married, their partner should be equally enthusiastic to preach,
otherwise what is the use?
That is an interesting thing.
Of course, if you want your parents and everyone to agree,
it may happen.
But in my case it did not happen
and I said yesterday in my talk that my father said he would turn me over to the American Army,
and let me die in Vietnam.
India was not for this war.
And so I asked Śrīla Prabhupāda, “What I should do?”
He said, “Better you join Kṛṣṇa’s army”
and that is what I did.
I am still a member of Kṛṣṇa’s army!
So here, I have seen many families, where the father and mother are initiated, the children are initiated.
But, still I guess they are a minority.
But in India some are like that.
But generally, it is like one airliner crashed in the Northern Pacific.
One who passed, the parents said, “Oh, we spent so much money on our son trying to go to America for education,
now who will take care of us in our old age?”
That was their concern!
You see, it is like a business,
they paid for the education of their child,
and they want the child to give them money.
So some parents are like that.
Some parents are very affectionate,
I don’t say everyone is like that.
I mean, of course, some people would feel very bad.
But ultimately, we have to make our own choice.
This is like, mother and father of Lord Caitanya, Jagannātha Miśra and Śacī Mātā,
the older brother of Lord Caitanya,
He took sannyāsa.
They were feeling, “Oh!” rejected.
“Our son, He left the family and would not get married and all that.”
Because of your son taking sannyāsa, unlimited members of your family got liberated.
Of course, they were all liberated souls.
And they realized that what he did was for their benefit.
But then they were worried that their other son would also take sannyāsa.
So He promised,
“I have no such intention!”
Anyway, I hope that everybody in this room, no matter what, are going to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness fully.
How old are you?
73 years (Ṣaḍbhuja Prabhu)
So what do you want to share with all these young leaders?
He helped build this Temple of the Vedic Planetarium!
Ṣaḍbhuja Prabhu: Looking around me here seeing all these wonderful, young devotees, fresh looking actually,
reminds me when I was young, but not anymore!
All I can say to them is that you just practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness to the best of your ability.
Some of you will be temple devotees, some of you will be gṛhasthas on the outskirts,
but still under one umbrella of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So whichever works for you in the beginning accept it.
In the future, you probably will all be in the temples,
but for now just don’t let go of Kṛṣṇa consciousness at all.
Stick to this wonderful program that you are having
and continue preaching and spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness just like Mahārāja said.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Jayapatākā Swami: Ṣaḍbhuja Prabhu, he is a gṛhastha,
but has dedicated his life for Kṛṣṇa consciousness
and you can see
what a beautiful building this is.
He has done many services.
And if you have seen the samādhi temple
he has designed some of the artwork of the samādhi temple.
He was the builder of the samādhi.
So, the question is not if you join full-time or you get married.
Even if you are married, you should not give up Kṛṣṇa consciousness
and the advantage of course of being a brahmacārī or whatever,
is that you don’t have any other thing
to think about.
But as I said,
it depends on what each person’s nature is, it may be different.
We should be committed to serving,
no matter what.
Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Gauḍīya History / ISKCON], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Varṇāśrama / Brahmacārī]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, in Vṛndāvana, you get a 1000 times benefit for any service.
But any offence you do, any materialistic or sinful activity, you also get a 1000 times the bad effect.
So Vṛndāvana is very heavy because we are not pure souls, we may commit some mistake,
so Vṛndāvana is very heavy and to live in Rādhā-kuṇḍa, in a holy place, one has to be very pure.
So it is recommended we go for a few days and then we come back.
But here in Māyāpur, Navadvip, we get the same benefit as Vṛndāvana,
you get a 1000 times credit for any devotional service.
In this month of Dāmodara, we get a 100, that means a 100,000.
A 100 times 1000.
So therefore many ācāryas, they decided to stay in Navadvīpa,
because they get the same benefit as Vṛndāvana, without the negative side.
Here also in this holy place, we have Rādhā-kuṇḍa.
In Ritudvīpa, also here in Caitanya Maṭha.
Tomorrow many people go and bathe in the Rādhā-kuṇḍa.
It is very important for the devotees to bathe in but you have to do it not with an ordinary bath.
Just like ablution.
You go in and out, with all respect.
So some devotees, they think that oh, it is Rādhā-kuṇḍa, jumping off the sides and it is not like a swimming pool.
You have to be very respectful.
It is the holiest of holy places.
So Śrīla Prabhupāda said, it is for the devotees to bathe in but you do so with the utmost respect.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-25
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-24
Jayapatākā Swami: You should win, not lose!
Anyway, that is why Kṛṣṇa consciousness, Śrīla Prabhupāda said is a gradual process.
When you are a little baby, you will fall down a few times
but as you grow up you should not fall down.
A three-year-old child will fall
but if you are a 12-year-old child you should not fall.
As you advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness you get stronger.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-01-10
Jayapatākā Swami: We read in one of the verses ahead where it said if we are attacked by Māyā,
if our desire for sense gratification is growing,
then we should just take shelter of Lord Caitanya. Gaurāṅga!
By His mercy the desire for sense gratification will go away.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Kṛṣṇa wears black on Amāvasyā day.
Generally black is in the mode of ignorance,
and therefore we don’t usually wear it,
but there may be some exceptions.
I don’t think on Pūrṇimā day Kṛṣṇa wears black!
On Amāvasyā like yesterday, He wore black.
Otherwise, they don’t wear black.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-08-16
Jayapatākā Swami: Breathe on them!
In Google there is a whole article on onion and garlic,
how detrimental it is.
How by taking it one can get all kinds of bad qualities
That is Google.
But also, in the Purāṇas it says that onion and garlic came from the dead carcass of the cow.
By taking onion and garlic one gets the karma of killing cows.
I don’t know which your parents will be more influenced by, the Purāṇas or Google?
Science or theology?
But either way, onion and garlic are very bad.
Questioner: Murāri Hari dāsa
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: You see everybody wants to enjoy,
they want to be happy.
But actually, the real happiness is from the spiritual kingdom.
In the material world everything is temporary.
So it is not possible to get permanent happiness,
and to get some happiness we have to get a lot of suffering also.
Like, old age, disease,
studying,
spend so much time to study,
if you are working,
and other people in your workplace may be envious
and they want to screw you,
so they can look good, so then can be the General Manager.
So we find that Quality Control, Operations, Marketing, they are actually trying to create problem for others.
So real happiness that you get is from Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Then you chant and dance.
Sometimes Lord Caitanya said one feels so much bliss
that they cry, laugh.
So like this they feel very happy.
Everyone wants to feel happy.
But māyā eludes us, she kicks us that we be, will be happy in material life.
That if we have lot of sense gratification, we will happy.
But actually, that doesn’t give real happiness.
So one should use this human birth, to be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
So, if you think you are the body, then this deep-rooted desire to enjoy the body will come.
But if you realize that you are not the body, then you will try to enjoy by giving pleasure to Kṛṣṇa.
And by giving Kṛṣṇa pleasure we feel happier.
Category: [Karma / Desires], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Material World], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Are you Go-dāsa or Mohana-dāsa.
You listen to your mind?
Tell your mind, shut up! chant!
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Questioner: Misha Kasmagar, Russia
Date: 2022-10-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Why they don’t want you to be vegetarian?
Maybe if you can prove to them that the proteins and the vitamins that you need
from different vegetarian items.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Children], [Day-to-day Life / Food], [Day-to-day Life / Parents], [Emotions / Stress/Anxiety], [Sādhanā / Regulative Principles]
My question is from yesterday's class. You mentioned that the gopis and creepers of Vrndavana are always in the fire of separation, they always feel that separation from Krsna. Although, they are always associating with Krsna because they are always remembering Him, still they feel that separation. But we are in reality, in actuality, we are the ones who are separated from Krsna, but we never realize that separation. So how do we realize this at every moment that we are separated from Krsna?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-23
Jayapatākā Swami: The they thing is that Lord Caitanya is teaching us how we can love Krsna in separation,
and if we develop the desire, I asked how we want to develop love of Krsna,
everybody raised their hand.
But if you desire very intensely, we want it strongly,
we could achieve that.
But we have to do everything.
And gradually we will awaken that spontaneous love.
In the beginning of the Nectar of Devotion, the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu,
it explains how we start devotional service following certain rules.
And gradually practicing devotional service becomes like a spontaneous, like a ritual thing.
From there one actually starts to develop a taste and becomes very attached
and becomes every ecstatic,
and then they start to manifest ecstatic symptoms
and then that becomes pure and they start to achieve Kṛṣṇa-prema.
So, these are the steps, it is a gradual process.
Eight steps to the bhāva
and prema and then eight steps of prema.
We may not get all the way to the top of prema, but anywhere in prema, even bhāva is very nice.
Category: [Emotions], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-04-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Someone asked me yesterday what do I do, how do I control my anger when my servants do not do what I want?
I could not remember a time when I lost my temper like that!
So, but there must have been a time long ago!
But I said that we commit so many offences to Kṛṣṇa, knowingly or unknowingly,
we want Kṛṣṇa to forgive us.
So, like that if we don’t forgive others, then how can we expect Kṛṣṇa to forgive us?
Your question, what is the root reason for your question?
If one hates another person that is an offence.
If such kind of hatred or violence is not there, then why should it be considered an offence?
This way, if we see the good qualities in others, if we praise them, then how will be commit offence?
If we are intolerant of the different qualities of people, then there is possibility of offences.
If you see an offence to Vaiṣṇavas or guru then you need to get angry.
Just like Kṛṣṇa, if you offend Him, He usually forgives you.
But if you offend His devotee, He is very angry.
Questioner: Tattvavit Nimāi das
Date: 2022-10-12
Jayapatākā Swami: A devotee can stay very calm in an undisturbed situation.
Kaṁsa was very calm and serene, driving the chariot of his sister on her wedding.
Then this voice came from the sky, your sister’s eight son will kill you.
Immediately he became disturbed, he grabbed his sister by the hair and wanted to kill her.
So, we should not be like Kaṁsa.
There will be some disturbing situations.
These are tests.
If we are like Kaṁsa, we will get disturbed.
If we are devotees, we control ourselves, like Vasudeva.
He tried to convince Kaṁsa, that it is not good to kill your sister on her wedding day.
It is said, you should take decisions when you have a cool head.
So that was a very disturbing situation, his wife is being killed!
But he tried to pacify Kaṁsa.
So like that we should try to control ourselves, if we are agitated.
Everything is calm, no trouble to be calm.
The test is when things get disturbed.
At that time if we can control our emotions and think very deeply,
and do things that are most pleasing to guru and Kṛṣṇa.
And pass the test.
Haribol!
Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Emotions / Anger], [Emotions / Envy], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Jayapatākā Swami: What would you preach if you don’t read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books.
You know, we don’t say that by reading, you do not do any preaching.
But if you don’t read, what do you preach?
Would you speculate something?
It is important to read at least in the beginning.
Śrīla Prabhupāda told me that to get first initiation, I had to read the Bhagavad-gītā ten times.
Then I had these lines marked, one, two, three, four, strike. One, two, three, four, strike.
I read ten times and got my first initiation.
But by reading Bhagavad-gītā ten times I had so much knowledge of the Gītā that I was giving accredited courses in the university.
Although I was a college drop out!
And in the McGill University I gave a course but there was no credit.
So then, Śrīla Prabhupāda gave us a test, I got Bhakti-śāstrī.
Recently I want to encourage my disciples, my followers, devotees in general
to read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books.
Then the Māyāpur Institute offered me the honorary degrees,
because I had read the books so many times.
But I thought if I get honorary degree,
then that would not encourage the devotees to read.
I said, no, I will take the test.
And now I have finished the 5th canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. I got one more canto to go to get my Bhakti-vaibhava.
After that I will go for the Bhakti-vedānta.
Then I am very glad that I am doing that.
It is nice that if you are reading Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and are getting tested then you read it more carefully.
But it doesn’t mean I don’t preach.
In fact preaching is going on.
Link: 20221024 Evening Darśana
One of the challenges we face while going to the college youth is getting the suitable time between the preacher and the student. The preachers are ready to give instruction but the students seem to have less time. And getting them to the center is also becoming challenging. So how do we make our association impactful given the shortage of time?
Questioner: Rādhe Śyāma Dāsa
Date: 2022-08-24
Jayapatākā Swami: Caitanya Avatārī dāsa in Bengaluru is working on this.
Instead of having discovery and reading of some verse,
he is putting the verse in the video format,
like a 3-minute short video,
snippet.
Then he shows that
and have people go directly to the understanding.
What are the two or three most important points?
And then have people discuss,
go around the room,
and how you apply this knowledge in daily life.
Like six different ways it could be applied.
So, in this way, you don’t need to read eight pages, one page is enough.
We have more knowledge than they can absorb.
So, this aspect of discussion could be completed in 45 minutes’ time.
Maybe less, I don’t know,
I did not try but also like in the beginning some kind of icebreaker may be good.
Something less philosophical, some variety of ice breakers.
What do you like to eat or something, there is a whole book on icebreakers.
So that will let them loosen up in the classroom
So a ten-minute icebreaker, five minutes chanting
and half hour discussion.
A full Bhakti-vṛkṣa takes about two hours.
But they have also like they call mañjarīs
which takes like an hour.
If you can see how much time they can tolerate.
Whether we should have a mañjarī or a Bhakti-vṛkṣa.
One of the devotees I know who is your disciple has fallen down. Parents of that devotee are constantly lamenting and in great grief their child has almost stopped practicing devotional service and left home and started living alone and started doing bad saṅga. My question is that if any devotee falls down from devotional service, should we lament for the devotee? Is it okay for the parents to lament excessively?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Naturally a parent should want to make a son or daughter Kṛṣṇa conscious.
And when the son or daughter is well-situated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
naturally the parent is relieved.
And if a child is in māyā,
then naturally the parent should be preoccupied.
Not to the extent that they give up their own practice of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
But encourage the son to come back or be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
One of the key questions I have is about forgiveness. Maharāja spoke about how Rukmī’s hair was cut and Balarāma almost chastised Kṛṣṇa that this is not how you cut people’s hair. That brings us to the point of forgiveness - how can we build on this quality because it is so important right now to have this mood of forgiveness, because it actually impacts our service.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-21
Jayapatākā Swami: It is interesting
that two days ago was the Putradā Ekādaśī.
So some people want children,
they observe Putradā Ekādaśī.
But in the glories of this Ekādaśī,
it is said that for the
renounced people or people who don’t want children,
they observe this Ekādaśī
to get the child of forgiveness,
because forgiveness is a quality that Vaiṣṇavas need.
We were reading today how,
some foolish student
was criticizing Lord Caitanya
when He was in the mood of a gopī,
a Vraja-vāsī, He was chanting the name, Gopī, gopī!
The foolish student came and told Lord Caitanya, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, why are You chanting gopī, gopī?
They did not understand that Lord Caitanya, at that moment, He was in a different mood.
He was in the mood of Rādhārāṇī,
or some gopī-bhāva.
And they did not understand that.
And they were thinking ill against Him.
They wanted to attack Him, or to take some retribution.
So then Lord Caitanya was thinking,
I came to deliver the most fallen,
but if these people they offend Me,
they don’t pay their obeisances to Me,
they will be deprived of the mercy!
So like that He was thinking how can I get these people to offer their respect to Me, and thus take up bhakti-yoga.
So He had the mood of forgiveness.
So it is very important, that we also adopt this mood.
And somehow, that thing we should practice regularly.
We don’t take the offences of anyone,
as something directly to them.
So we take it that,
we have some karma which is because of something,
we caused suffering for someone else.
And therefore, we are getting the reaction.
Somehow we take it indirectly,
and do not take that persona as responsible, and we forgive them.
And then we go on.
Just like Lord Jesus,
He was crucified, He was innocent,
but He prayed,
please forgive them, they know not what they do.
Similarly, Haridāsa Ṭhākura,
he was beaten in 22 marketplaces.
Normally one would die after 2 or 3,
but he was surviving even after 22 marketplaces.
Because he prayed to Kṛṣṇa,
please forgive these executioners,
they don’t know what they do.
The executioners were very frustrated.
He asked them, why are you so unhappy?
They said, because you are alive.
Because you are alive, the king will punish us.
So he said, if I die, will you be happy?
They said, Oh! So happy! So happy! Please die!
So then he lay down and went into nirvikalpa-samādhi.
Then they thought he was dead.
Then they told the king, ok, he is dead.
So how these great souls,
they have forgiveness.
Like Lord Jesus was saying,
one who is sinless throw the first stone.
So naturally, we all have committed various offences.
So rather than wishing ill on anyone,
we rather forgive them.
That is the special qualify of a Vaiṣṇava,
that quality Balarāma, Kṛṣṇa, They had.
Category: [Mercy], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Śyāmavallabhā Gopī devī dāsī
Date: 2023-01-27
Jayapatākā Swami: If they are right, you know that you are able to do.
If someone is asking you to do something you think that, is not correct or which is beyond your scope, then you can say, I am sorry, but be very polite.
Humility doesn’t mean you do everything that everybody tells you!
Parīkṣit Mahārāja was able to fully concentrate on each and every word of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam being his last seven days and so able to remember Kṛṣṇa at the time of death. But being in gṛhastha-āśrama even after reading every day, still we have material thoughts like what will happen to our family and close ones if we leave this world. Please suggest Guru Mahārāja how we can act in this situation?
Questioner: Ānandinī Sītā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-12-22
Jayapatākā Swami: Parīkṣit Mahārāja, he was a gṛhastha.
He had children, he had a kingdom.
But when he heard that he was going to die in seven days, he gave up everything.
So, actually what can you do anyway for your children, for your pet dog cat?
Some people in the last minute, they are thinking, oh my dog, who will take care of my dog? Who will give him food?
Then they may birth as a dog in his next life.
When we leave we leave everything to Kṛṣṇa.
And at the last minute what can we do in any case?
All these things should be given in your will.
When you leave your body you only think about the Lord.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda would go to some peoples’ house if they became a life member,
and he would tell them what standards to cook for him like no onion garlic,
but those things we always got sick very often.
But Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was an ideal guest.
One time they told Śrīla Prabhupāda here they have put onions,
but he took the onions out and did not eat the onions,
but did not say anything.
He did not want to offend the people.
So how you do the things, you have to use some discretion.
I know that some businessmen, they have to take their clients out to wine and dine, at least dine.
So here they just eat the salad,
but the guests may eat all kinds of nonsense.
That is the downside of marketing.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: If you get a service, take it as a blessing.
Try to do it as best you can.
If you don’t think you are doing it very well, then ask the person that gave you this service for some advice.
Questioner: Giridhārī Gopīnātha dāsa
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Gamblers ask, any tip, what horse to bet on?
But here you see Śrīla Prabhupāda said that it should take us not more than about two hours to chant 16 rounds.
So being a manager for many years in ISKCON,
different ideas would trouble my mind of things I had to do.
Today I have to see the DM.
Today I have to buy this, buy that. So many thoughts come in the mind.
So what I do is I have a little notebook
and I would write down the thought
because otherwise the thought would keep coming back, coming back.
I would write the thought to buy something, to do something.
Then I would put the book in my pocket
and would continue chanting.
Sometimes I would see my watch to make sure that I was not taking too much time for chanting.
And I would be concentrating on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mūrti.
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Questioner: Rukmiṇī devī dāsī
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: So, first we should know what Vaiṣṇava-aparādha is.
That is why at the time of initiation, we tell the ten offences.
Then, the second thing is that we avoid committing them!
You see, someone may say, oh! I did not know it was an offence!
So first thing you should know these are the offences.
Just like the first offence is to offend a devotee of the Lord.
So you should avoid doing that.
And if you do, then you should get forgiven.
Like Mother Śacī, she committed an offence against Lord Advaita.
So then Lord Caitanya and many associates, they went to see Advaita Ācārya.
He asked what brings everybody here?
Then Lord Caitanya said, “Mother Śacī committed an offence against you, therefore she has come to get your forgiveness.”
And Advaita Ācārya said, “Mother Śacī, Mother Śacī?!!
How can she offend Me?!
She is such a wonderful devotee!
She carried Lord Caitanya in her womb!”
And He started to glorify Mother Śacī for all her devotional service.
And then He was so ecstatic glorifying Mother Śacī,
that He fainted!
Then Lord Caitanya said, “He is not going to forgive you.
So what you can do is take the dust from His lotus feet.
By taking His dust, you will get forgiven.
But if you ask Him to forgive you, He will not do it.”
So then, she took the dust from Advaita Ācārya’s lotus feet
and then everybody chanted Haribol!
The girls, the ladies, did ulu-dhvanī.
Ladies only do that.
I cannot do that!
So like this, then Lord Caitanya, He forgave His mother for her Vaiṣṇava-aparādha.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-15
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, all the devotees of the Lord
are very dear to Kṛṣṇa
and even the wife she is very dear to Kṛṣṇa.
So if someone maltreats the wife
or feels envious against another devotee,
Kṛṣṇa will get pain by that.
So we don’t want to give Kṛṣṇa pain, we want to give Him pleasure.
So we should avoid envying anyone.
So you can say that is the only vice that cannot be dovetailed in Kṛṣṇa conscious.
We can dovetail greed,
we can be greedy to make more devotees for Kṛṣṇa! Ha!
We can be angry,
angry against those who offend guru and Kṛṣṇa.
Every vice can be somehow dovetailed, except envy.
So envy is such an evil and detrimental thing.
We should see the good qualities of others,
like Caitanya Mahāprabhu says in the third verse of His Śikṣāṣṭakaṁ,
amānīna mānadena,
offer all respect to others,
don’t expect any respect for yourself.
Questioner: Tāriṇī Rādhikā devī dāsī, UK.
Date: 2022-10-04
Jayapatākā Swami: You can also learn the process
from the Māyāpur Academy on Deity Worship.
And also from the minister of Deity worship.
Śrīla Prabhupāda personally taught Jananivāsa Prabhu
how to worship the śālagrāma-śilā.
The śālagrāma should be worshiped every day.
At least bathe with water and put tulasī leaf on it.
But if you want you can also bathe with milk or pañca-gavya or pañcāmṛta.
And draw a smiling face on the śālagrāma-śilā with a tilaka.
More details you can get from the Deity Worship ministry.
Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vigraha Āradhana (Deity Worship) / Home Deity Worship]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Many pastimes.
One pastime, he was going around the rooftop
and he stopped by the door there
and he told me that
when a spiritual master leaves
sometimes the disciples sell off his properties and live off the proceeds.
And so if you can increase it very good, but at least maintain what I gave you.
One time we were walking on the roof here
and there was a migration of ants from one side to the other.
And we could tell the queen ants were bigger in size.
The male ants carried the seeds,
and the female ants were just going along.
We were looking down at them.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said that as just as we were look the ants and thinking that they were insignificant,
the devas in the higher planets were looking at us
and thinking how we are very insignificant.
We only live a few of their days.
Those are two pastimes.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: So you want to give synopsis of the question.
Basically she is saying that how do we tell people the greatness, in the month of Dāmodara from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books.
So through the different Vedic literatures, the greatness of the month of Dāmodara is mentioned.
But that is in the Padma Purāṇa and other Purāṇas.
Slightly mentioned in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,
but the most important thing is to engage in devotional service and then during these special months and special days we get multiple benefits.
So to encourage people to engage in devotional service.
We mentioned how Jagāi and Mādhāi, by receiving the mercy of Nitāi-Gaura, they were able to achieve perfection in their lives.
So have them take up the service of Nitāi-Gaura.
Have them chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Have them discussing in the holy month of Dāmodara.
Engage them in offering a lamp to Kṛṣṇa, chanting His holy names and doing some services to the devotees of the Lord and the Lord.
In this way, one may get a tastes.
Don’t be attached to the result.
If the persons accepts or maybe the person does not accept.
We don’t have the potency yet, then bring the person to someone who is more advanced
and by their association, that person might get changed.
In the market of the holy name described by Bhakti Vinoda Ṭhākura,
he said how some people sell the goods and some people act as brokers.
They bring the people to the sellers of the goods.
If you have the goods to sell, if you have the personal capacity to give Kṛṣṇa, then you give.
If you don’t have the capacity, you give Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books or bring them to someone who is more advanced
and then that person can hopefully be able to influence the person.
But don’t be discouraged.
Do as far as you can and sometimes may overtly show some disregard but later they change.
But this question said, he or she really believes in what she says and therefore the person remembers.
So the person may outwardly show disdain but inwardly he may be affected,
that how this devotee, how Priyanka is so sincere, I don’t believe in anything.
I was in one TV show in Montreal, Canada,
and they paid me at that time 45 dollars,
I had to play the part of a devotee. And ha! Ha!
It was not difficult for me.
My parents in the show they were trying to tell this kind of personal court.
I was wondering if I got some tips from my father, how I would use it in the service of Kṛṣṇa.
Which I discussed.
Alright, my father said, this acting father,
if I give a gift I want my son use it, not give it to the organization to use it for Kṛṣṇa.
That was the whole thing.
Then the judge, the personal judge was supposed to give his order.
So naturally there was scope for advertisement.
So during the stop the actor said, he really believes in what he is saying!
I don’t believe in anything.
That was his off the record comment.
So the judge he found that I was right, ha! Ha!
But it is a fact that most people don’t believe anything.
That was an eye opener for me.
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra], [Vratās (Austerities)], [Vratās (Austerities) / Kārtika-māsa-vratā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Practice makes perfect!
So we practice them,
and get better and better.
I mean, Lord Caitanya said we should wear that verse around our neck,
and try to follow it every day.
So, as you practice you get more expert at it.
If you see someone who is doing that, you think they are doing that, then you ask them how they are doing it.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-30
Answer: Don’t put a beehive under the window of your guru.
(laugh)
The common sense is the easiest thing,
but it is the hardest thing to come cross.
Most people don’t have common sense
and they do things very impractically.
So, you can ask your guru or śikṣā-guru or senior devotees,
What could be the best thing that you can do? Under the circumstances,
and accordingly you can act.
So utility is the principle means something may not be very useful.
And we just do them and we don’t get the desired result.
So utility is the principle we should see,
what will bring that out, proper results.
Link: 20150301 Evening Darśana
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-25
You
try do that and by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
always praying to the spiritual master, previous ācāryas, Kṛṣṇa,
to be able to do that, that is the principal desire in one’s life,
well by their mercy the impossible can be possible.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Lalitā sakhi is a left-handed gopī,
there are two sides, left and right.
Left side are argumentative, they chastise Kṛṣṇa,
the right side are very submissive.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapatākā Swami: Of course, the extent to which Lord Caitanya was experiencing these eight ecstatic symptoms
is not normal.
I mean it is very special.
But, to some extent, you can experience some of these ecstasies.
Experiencing all at the same time is highly unusual,
but Lord Caitanya was doing that.
Maybe Rādhārāṇī does that.
But some of these, definitely eventually you can realize.
Usually one realizes some ecstasies, then another kind, then another kind, like that.
You know, like laughing uncontrollably,
crying, your voice choked up,
it is possible that someone realizes these.
We have seen like Śrīla Prabhupāda, on several occasions he would get some ecstasy.
And since people imitate that,
that it is our custom - we try to hide it.
But sometimes, Śrīla Prabhupāda could not hide it.
And he became very ecstatic.
But it is possible to realize some of these ecstasies.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya is Lord Kṛṣṇa.
So naturally, I was asked by one paṇḍita in Purī,
we hear that devotees of Lord Caitanya have devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
So where are you situated? Lord Caitanya or Lord Kṛṣṇa?
Jayapatākā Swami: You see devotees of Lord Caitanya simultaneously are in Śvetadvīpa and Goloka.
So that is a special facility of being a devotee of Lord Caitanya.
Like Jagadānanda Paṇḍita, he was simultaneously Jagadānanda Paṇḍita and also Satyabhāmā in Dvārakā.
Sanātana Gosvāmī is a mañjarī and at the same time he is Sanātana Gosvāmī.
Rādhā Kṛṣṇa and the aṣṭa-sakhis,
Rūpa Gosvāmī is the 9th sakhi.
So, he is simultaneously in caitanya-līlā and kṛṣṇa-līlā.
Gadādhara Prabhu is Rādhārāṇī.
So in caitanya-līlā he is Gadādhara and in kṛṣṇa-līlā he is Rādhārāṇī.
So there is no loss in being devoted to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu,
and we understand that Lord Caitanya is Kṛṣṇa in the mood of being His devotee.
Actually, we cannot be God.
But if we are a devotee of the Lord, Vaiṣṇava or Vaiṣṇavī, that is actually a wonderful position.
So that is being demonstrated by Lord Caitanya and His followers.
Questioner: Bhaktin Śrīdevī
Date: 2022-08-05
Jayapatākā Swami: By reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Bhagavad-gītā,
one should naturally obtain spiritual qualities.
And so by reading naturally one gets association with different spiritual personalities,
so we try to obtain these qualities.
And eventually we can achieve many things.
The other qualities that one should have like patience, tolerance,
usually that automatically comes through reading.
Category: [Dīkṣā (Initiation)], [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Regarding the dust of the lotus feet of the pure devotee, often we are encouraged to touch the feet of the pure devotee, especially our Gurudeva’s, but then we see that when Guru Mahārāja goes to public places it is not encouraged to let other people touch the lotus feet of Guru Mahārāja, so could you give a bit of an insight into why this distinction is there? Or should we also should be careful?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: When someone touches your feet, they give their karma to you.
And we see that - Śrīla Prabhupāda, actually once the home minister of Bengal, who is in charge of the Police and things,
he went and put his head on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s lotus feet,
Brahmānanda wanted to punch him!
Śrīla Prabhupāda stopped him, said it is their culture.
Would have been a big mess to punch the Home Minister!
There are different circumstances.
And we see that some people, they want to touch the feet of the guru.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, when they would touch the feet, he would touch them on the head,
like giving them back the karma ha!
but also they were taking the blessing.
Sometimes the way devotees they prohibit people may be too much.
You have to see the situation.
I saw that in South India and different places, the ladies would pour the water and the husband would touch the lotus feet,
that ladies should not touch a sannyāsīs,
but they are allowed to pour the water.
That was the system that was apparently practiced when Lord Caitanya visited South India.
That the wife would pour the water and the husband would massage it.
So it is very late now.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings]
Questioner: Vasanta Ranjani mātājī
Date: 2022-07-30
Jayapatākā Swami: We organize joint programs on the appearance and disappearance days of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Prabhupāda Ṭhākura and Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura.
I think those programs can be attended.
And we are gradually trying to extend our unity in diversity,
so we would like to finally achieve this kind of hearing from each other.
But I think everyone wants to be very cautious,
because if there are some different instructions given,
that can deviate us.
At the same time, we would be much stronger, if we had a united front.
So we are taking it step by step.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: That verse is not just meant in front of the guru,
it is for everyone.
We want to be humble and tolerant
and appreciate others,
but not expect any appreciation for ourselves.
This way you can chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra always.
If you want to chant always, then you should follow this principle.
Someone gave me a book once by Dale Carnegie called How to Win Friends and Influence People,
and in that book, he simply mentioned that you offer our respect to everyone and don’t expect any respect yourself.
So, I was kind of surprised that this famous person he is giving, the essence of Lord Caitanya’s third verse of the Śikṣāṣṭaka.
Try it, tell everyone you meet how wonderful they are.
Oh! they are thinking you are a great person!
Don’t expect anyone to reciprocate.
If they do that is ok, but don’t expect it.
Questioner: Kaivalya Sundarī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Well there is no loss for the parents.
But as Śrīla Bhaktisiddānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura said,
if every child could be a devotee,
he would be a gṛhastha and have a hundred children.
There is no guarantee,
you can try your best
and hopefully they will become devotees.
I advise you to pray to the deities to have a Kṛṣṇa conscious child, Kṛṣṇa conscious, healthy, long lived, suputra.
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura had one child who was His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Prabhupāda Ṭhākura.
He had another child who was a lifelong brahmacārī –
Lalitā Prasāda Ṭhākura.
I think all of his children were devotees,
I don’t know about the other ones.
Jayapatākā Swami: It is said that if you have one child who is a Vaiṣṇava,
the mother is glorious,
the family is delivered.
If you have hundred children and none of them are devotees,
then they are considered like piglets.
But that doesn’t particularly reflect on the parents.
He didn’t say the parents are pigs.
He said, the children are like piglets.
Anyway, it is a heavy statement,
no doubt.
Questioner: Rasapriya Gopikā Devī Dāsī
Date: 2022-10-24
Maybe shes not hearing? Well I can't say.
She is thinking of her problems, not listening.
Category: [Emotions / Confusion], [Emotions / Stress/Anxiety], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Ānandavihārī Kṛṣṇa dāsa
Date: 2022-12-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda said that one doesn’t have to have second initiation.
But no harm in having it.
Then you can do some confidential service to guru and the Deities.
But you go back to Godhead even after the first initiation.
Category: [Dīkṣā (Initiation)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-27
So, the point is that there are two devotees, the bhajanānandīs and the goṣṭhyānandīs.
So, the bhajanānandīs want to see their own personal liberation.
The goṣṭhyānandīs want to take many devotees with them
back home back to Godhead.
So, our disciplic succession is goṣṭhyānandī.
We practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness, at the same time we try to expand the number of devotees.
So, our business is practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness and we also try to outreach.
Questioner: Keśava-kṛpā Sindhu dāsa
Date: 2022-09-22
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-08
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted his disciples to go back to Godhead.
But we want to go back only if there is service we want to go back.
We don’t want to just be there, we want to be there to serve.
So naturally if your desire is to serve, then you will be taken wherever is a place where your service will be.
I asked Śrīla Prabhupāda I wanted to serve him life after life.
Then he replied to me,
why do want to make me come back?
I thought I said the right thing.
I said, I would like to serve you even life after life!
So you can pray like that.
That we want to serve even staying in this material world
but we want to serve.
So in that way if that is the Lord’s desire He will take you back to the spiritual world.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he asked his astrology, but he said to take it with a grain of salt.
That we don’t put so much faith in astrology, we put our faith in the words of Kṛṣṇa.
You heard the words of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
So astrology may tell us the way the current of the guṇas is flowing.
But also, the guṇas in the material world are under the control of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
So we depend on chanting names of Kṛṣṇa and Lord Viṣṇu.
Category: [Other philosophies]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-08-16
Jayapatākā Swami: Why not?
You tell them to observe festivals,
tell them to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness every day,
do both.
Haribol!
Category: [Festivals]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-02-22
Jayapatākā Swami: Tapan Miśra, the minister of education has recently published a book about how to read.
So he describes that if we make a habit of reading then it is very good.
And in the beginning, you may read for less time,
but by doing it regularly every day you can gradual increase the capacity.
This is our opportunity to associate with Śrīla Prabhupāda!
Thank you very much!
All glories to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam!
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Questioner:
Date: 2021-07-19
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Surrender to Kṛṣṇa is not a function of karma.
If it were a function of karma, then why Kṛṣṇa would offer to Arjuna the choice - either you fight or you don’t fight; but I say fight;
that means that there is a choice; living entity has minute independence.
If they were just simply “Everything done by destiny”, then there is no question of pāpa and puṇya; there is no question of sin and pious activity.
Where is the question of sin?
Why there will we be suffering if everything is done by destiny?
How we are able to succeed or fail, how we are able to suffer or enjoy in our activity, that is regulated by our previous activity.
You see, people are competing; why one is able to succeed?
That ability to succeed, so-called success that means increases enjoyment that is due to how much he has performed pious activities in the past.
If someone is born a king, born in a wealthy family; śrī, sūta, janma, aiśvarya - śrī, sūta, janma and aiśvarya -
beauty, learning, good birth, and wealth - these things are the products of pious activities and lack of these things is the product of sinful activity.
So even material life human being has got the responsibility to choose what to do, what not to do.
According to what he does, that creates, you see, new situations.
But basically, because this material world is so powerful that due to association, we are conditioned to choose in a certain way;
but somehow or another by association with a sādhu, by association with a devotee or by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy if we get the opportunity to choose to serve Kṛṣṇa or not to serve Kṛṣṇa,
you see, that choice has to be made; it is not a matter of destiny.
That the choice to be given to us, that may be the destiny, but we have to... what choice we will make, that has up to our own individual.
Some people are not at all destined to meet with such a good fortune.
But particularly because a devotee goes out of his way to give him good fortune, even when a person has no good fortune he benefits;
somehow or another, whether we are fortunate or whether we are unfortunate, if we get the shelter of Kṛṣṇa, that is our real fortune.
In this material world, one does not have to try for happiness, or just like we don’t have to try for misery, it is coming automatically.
But the śāstra saying if you want to get spiritual emancipation, if you want to get Kṛṣṇa consciousness you must try for it.
athāto brahmā jijñāsā -
One must inquire into the truth because that does not come by destiny; that has to come only by individual effort.
It is like we are wrapped up in this big wheel of karma; we have to try to get out of it.
The only attempt is try to get to Kṛṣṇa, you see, otherwise we are in the wheel.
Kṛṣṇa is outside of the wheel.
Therefore, the results of destiny are within, you see, this karma-cakra.
Unless one gets the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, he cannot get out of it.
If a person is given that opportunity, he does not take the choice, does not take this opportunity,
it is simply understood he is most bewildered, he has lost his intelligence, and no one knows what is their destiny.
If a person is destined to be given the choice to go to Kṛṣṇa, and he gets that choice and he refuses and gives the excuse,
“No when Kṛṣṇa grabs me by my ear, I will come.
If I am forced to, then I will do.”
That means he does not want Kṛṣṇa; he was given the choice, he is rejected.
Therefore, he is forced to suffer.
It is not that Kṛṣṇa is going to drag one, you see; there has to be a little desire.
One has the choice to accept or reject.
If we accept Kṛṣṇa, we get His shelter, if we reject Kṛṣṇa, we get the shelter of His illusory energy, Mahāmāyā
and we are wrapped up in that destiny of that unlimited wheel of karma.
So, we can choose our master.
We can have Kṛṣṇa who is eternal, youthful beauty, who is the compassionate, kind Lord, to personally take charge of our life,
or we can have His agent Māyā, the prison-keeper take care of us; we can choose our master.
Category: [Karma]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Very good!
Lord Caitanya said that
we should be very humble to all.
To think oneself very sinful, fallen is a humble state of mind.
But in the humble state of mind, one should not lose their enthusiasm.
They should remain enthusiastic, not to remain in the fallen state.
We should not think that I am sinful and therefore I should not practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Because we are sinful that is why we should practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
That way we can solve our problems.
Questioner: Gita Bhagat
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: You say, I do not know still if I have some trouble or need something?
Should I pray to the Lord for the same?
I don’t understand the question.
You first say, I don’t know if I need anything,
should I pray to Kṛṣṇa for that?
If you don’t know, how do you pray?
and Lakṣmī said, anyway even if you knew, since Kṛṣṇa is the Supersoul, He knows everything, about what we want, what we need.
So, we don’t have to bother Him, telling Him we need this and that.
He can naturally fulfill what we need,
but if you don’t know what you need,
how can you ask anyway?
But even if you knew or think you know, Kṛṣṇa knows better than you, what you need.
There is an example where one may say, I want ten thousand rupees.
He gets it and ‘it’s not enough’. Then he says, “I want a lakh of rupees”.
Sure enough.
But he cannot buy a car.
“I want a crore of rupees”.
So, he goes again and again to Kṛṣṇa.
He sees that this person needs 3 crores,
if I give him 3 crores now,
he will get detoured.
So first of all, “I will purify him and build him up.
Then give him the three crores!”
So that is the difference between Kṛṣṇa and other devas.
Devas might give whatever we ask.
But that may not be enough.
Then we go again and again to bother.
But Kṛṣṇa knows what we need,
we don’t have to ask for anything.
We rather try to please Him,
and he will give us what we need,
better not to want anything material.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-14
Jayapatākā Swami: If your forefathers are sannyāsīs, then you don’t.
Or if they are fully realized.
Otherwise, putra or putrī can save their forefathers from hellish condition.
Of course, if you go to back to Godhead, then you deliver your forefathers and descendants.
But what is the problem for doing the piṇḍī or the śrāddha?
If you do it properly that means you are worshiping Kṛṣṇa.
But you should not offer nonveg or doing anything like worship the devas.
You should do the kṛṣṇa-prasāda offering to your forefathers,
offer the proper piṇḍī.
One devotee of Lord Caitanya, Govinda Ghoṣa, he was told by Lord Caitanya to take gṛhastha-āśrama.
So he got a wife
and he got a son,
but somehow they both died.
Then, he was very disturbed.
The Deity asked, “Why are you disturbed?”
“You told me to become a gṛhastha,” he said, “I had a wife and a son and both died.
So I was not qualified to become a sannyāsī.
But then my wife, my son, all died, who will offer me śrāddha?”
Kṛṣṇa said, “I am your son.”
He said, “You are not that kind of son!”
Then the Deity said, “Alright call the village leaders.”
And he called the village leaders
and the Deity spoke,
“On My devotee, Govinda Ghoṣa’s disappearance day, I want to perform śrāddha ceremony every year.”
I went there and saw the Deity come and perform the śrāddha ceremony for His devotee.
If it is good enough for Kṛṣṇa, why not for us?
Anyway, we do Kṛṣṇa-pūjā.
Category: [Karma]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Kṛṣṇa says to Arjuna, that who says they are My devotees are not My real devotees.
The ones who say that they are devotees of My devotees, they are My real devotees.
When you are a devotee of a devotee, then you can say that,
and Kṛṣṇa will recognize you as His devotee.
Category: [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Caturā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Any opportunity we can give out prasāda,
that is good.
And normally people observe birthdays for other reasons.
If you can invite people over and give them prasāda,
that is something auspicious.
You have to think how to take advent of birthdays and different celebrations.
Questioner: Prema Prakāśa Haridāsa (Dr. Parekh)
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: You know Śrīla Prabhupāda taught many things.
So he was asking what is the most important thing to learn from the spiritual master.
So everybody had a different idea.
But Śrīla Prabhupāda’s idea was that you should learn pure bhakti, how to serve Kṛṣṇa.
This attitude of service is the most important thing.
Just like Śrīla Prabhupāda went to the West to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness all over the world.
He said what is the secret.
He said the secret was everything he did was to follow his spiritual master.
Like his spiritual master told him to publish books.
His spiritual master told him to establish a GBC.
So everything he did, he tried to carry out the instruction of his spiritual master.
That was his secret of success.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Why not?
Śrīla Prabhupāda said the mercy of Lord Caitanya has no limit!
We cannot put a limit on it.
So it is possible to get the mercy of Lord Caitanya like Jagāi Mādhāi got.
But somehow they got it even though they didn’t ask for it.
But if you ask for it and if you want it, why won’t the Lord give you?
So, the next generation, I often feel that the kind of affection and loyalty and dedication like a sold-out-servant as all of you are, I feel that is greatly lacking in the next generation, Mahārāja. So, we feel in our generation many people, they get initiated officially and after that they do not feel such a great commitment to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission and in expanding the movement the way. I am sure that your expanding the movement has happened because you are strongly rooted in Śrīla Prabhupāda. So how can the grand disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda have such feelings for him and a sense of belonging with him and thereby a sense of love and dedication for his mission?
Questioner: Rādhe Śyāma Dāsa
Date: 2023-12-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda kī jaya!
You see Śrīla Prabhupāda, he gave us the science of bhakti-yoga.
So everyone should read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, attend the Śrīla Prabhupāda daily guru-pūjā.
I mean, what does it take for people to be committed to Śrīla Prabhupāda?
When I first came to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we did not have many books.
So Śrīla Prabhupāda said we could read Professor Sanyal’s Teachings of Lord Caitanya
and there was a section on Haridāsa Ṭhākura.
He said that whenever he would think of anything else, he would chant louder.
So I was a new bhakta
and I had so many thoughts.
So I would end up chanting louder and louder!
All the devotees, they went to Śrīla Prabhupāda and said, “This Bhakta Jay, he shouts so loudly while chanting
and we cannot concentrate!”
Śrīla Prabhupāda called me
and he asked me, “Why you chant so loud?”
I told him,
he said, “Hmmm, that is not bad,
but you are disturbing all the other devotees.
So I give you permission to chant in the park.”
That was the pre joggers’ period, now we have many joggers.
I saw birds, and squirrels.
They all heard the holy name when I was shouting!
Anyway, by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy devotional service is so nice
that we start experiencing some bliss
and I don’t think that is a big secret.
Anyone who does Kṛṣṇa consciousness sincerely,
they can also experience bliss!
I have seen some new people
coming and they are very blissful and very happy.
We should be you know, grateful
that Śrīla Prabhupāda gave us such a nice process
that works.
It is not a theory or just a faith, it works!
If you do it then you will not regret
it and then you feel grateful
that Śrīla Prabhupāda gave us such a wonderful thing.
If he hadn’t come, he hadn’t preached, where would we be today!
I wrote a song yadi prabhupāda nā haita, tabe kī haita.
If there was no Śrīla Prabhupāda, what would there be today?
It is something terrifying,
to think back,
what I was
and what I am today,
what bliss I am experiencing by following Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions.
I think everybody should realize
that what they have
is all due to ultimately Śrīla Prabhupāda starting this movement.
Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-08
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Children], [Day-to-day Life / Parents], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Emotions / Sloth], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Some devotees are taking the association of devotees and start to do chanting and enjoying the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. But when their relatives or parents say something negative about ISKCON immediately they leave without informing. It is painful for me how I missed the soul to serve. How to understand the situation? How to overcome and guide them? Please guide me.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Part of preaching is to help the people
to tolerate the different obstacles.
They may encounter obstacles from their relatives,
or internet,
somehow, I don’t know,
some ṛtvik sites they say I murdered a devotee!
I don’t know who that is! I don’t even kill a fly, what to talk about killing a devotee!
So, who knows what people say, what they see?
So we have to be ready to answer any questions that come up
or prepare the people to endure any kind of obstacles.
There was one devotee who was kidnapped by the deprogrammers.
Exactly a few days before she was kidnapped
I called her and encouraged her.
Just generally.
When she was kidnapped, they tore the Bhagavad-gītā up, they jumped up on the Bhagavad-gītā and did all kinds of offensive things.
But she remembered that I was kind to her
and she went through some difficult times
and she escaped from that place
and came back to the devotees.
So, we don’t know at least if we do our part,
be positive, give them good association
and if someone turns away,
the fact that we are there to help, that we ask them what happened, you used to come?
Like that try to find out what are the things they heard.
Like that we try to help them.
Not easy to make a devotee.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, it takes buckets of blood!
Kṛṣṇe matir astu blessings!
Questioner: Kackuly Rāṇī
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: You just stick to the Vedas.
Show them what the Bhagavad-gītā says
and then if the bābā has said something different,
we cannot deal with that.
We say we follow the Vedas.
So then, that way some people they want to follow some false avatāras.
In Rajahmundry there was a person and he claimed to be an avatāra of Kalki.
Then they showed how in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Kalki avatāra comes at the end of Kali.
And Kali has only just started.
There are 4,27,000 years to go.
Isn’t it not a little off time?
He said I may not be Kalki, but I am an avatāra!
So there are many people like this they are bogus.
And gradually you have to just stick to the Vedas.
We are basically followers of the Vedas.
If someone preaches something against the Vedas,
what can we do?
We can show them that what they are saying is against the Vedas.
Therefore, the sincere people will follow us.
There was one guru in Bengal, he was a sahajiyā.
He said that the devotee, he or she I forgot, was coming to the Nāmahaṭṭa.
And they learnt that Vaiṣṇavas take kṛṣṇa-prasāda.
So she gave the vegetarian food to the kula-guru.
He said, “What is this? What is this?
I am your guru.
I should be given opulent food.
These vegetables are cheap.
Fish, meat are expensive.
Give me the dāmi food! I don’t want this cheap food.”
Then she realized that this guru was bogus.
So, that way we have to stick to the Vedas and gradually we convince people.
Some people may choose a bābā because they want to eat fish or meat or something.
What can we do?
Then we try to present how eating prasāda is better
and by eating meat we get the bad karma.
And become a cat or
dog
or tiger.
Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Apasampradāya], [Anarthās / Bad association], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Emotions / Hypocrisy]
Questioner: Keyā Rāṇī
Date: 2022-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: We understand that the Lord put him into some illusion so that the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam could be spoken.
But the sage, he did not consider it as a serious offence.
Certainly, it does not a warrant cursing the emperor to death.
If in the present society, if somebody does this, how that person should be punished?
You know, certainly not death sentence!
Maybe some punishment
for disrespect.
But the emperor was feeling he was being disrespected.
And we take that as Kṛṣṇa’s arrangement.
Like when Arjuna expressed his reluctance to fight,
then we consider that he was put in some illusion by Kṛṣṇa, so that Kṛṣṇa could speak the Bhagavad-gītā.
Normally, Parīkṣit Mahārāja would never do this kind of mistake.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Questioner: Shuvra Dev Babu
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: The Lord doesn’t personally take a part, except if His devotee is being threatened.
But we all owe everything to the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
and this is the reality.
We cannot live without sunlight;
you don’t provide it.
Kṛṣṇa provides it.
Similarly, He sees to the maintenance of everyone.
Eko bahūnāṁ yo vidadhāti kāmān - one person maintains everyone else.
So, the atheists are very envious, they think the Lord is preoccupied
in admiration of Himself.
But He is the source of everything.
And if someone commits blasphemy or offences to Him,
He doesn’t personally take a role in that.
He has agents, that give people their pious, their impious results.
And so, if one is envious of the Lord, they get punished.
He doesn’t want that; He would rather have the people be uplifted.
But to teach them, people are punished according to their activities.
So, since they steal from others, cheat others,
then they get the reaction for their bad karmas.
If they give charity, if they help others,
they get good karma.
If they engage in devotional service,
they get delivered from this material world.
If they engage in persecuting devotees,
and if they are envious of the Lord,
then they stay in this material world
life after life.
That is what they want, they don’t want to be where the Lord is.
I don’t know why you accuse the Lord of being a narcissist?
Category: [Anarthās / Māyā], [Emotions / Confusion], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Material World / Mind / Intelligence], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Sometimes Yaśodā was boiling milk on the stove
and then Kṛṣṇa was crying.
So it was very intense – what should she do? See the milk or go to see Kṛṣṇa.
So the actual devotional service always has these kinds of special situations,
and how you serve Kṛṣṇa in these moments, Kṛṣṇa is watching you.
It is very easy to serve Kṛṣṇa when everything is ideal,
but when one is being pulled by different māyās and different things then it is more complicated.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Education]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: If we think I am very qualified to do devotional service,
if we are very proud,
that is not according to the instructions of Lord Caitanya.
You should be humble, very tolerant,
offer respect to others
and don’t expect respect for one’s self.
I don’t understand if you say, I feel I am not qualified,
so therefore I lose my enthusiasm.
We see great devotees like Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura,
they pray to Lord Gaurāṅga that Your avatāra is to deliver the most fallen.
There is no one more fallen than me.
If you are feeling yourself very unqualified,
very fallen,
then there is more chance you will get the mercy of Lord Caitanya,
since He is the deliverer of the most fallen.
But you should not lose your enthusiasm
since Lord Caitanya has come to deliver the most fallen.
Therefore, you have a good qualification.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-20
Jayapatākā Swami: I had said during the class
if we study as a service to the Lord,
then there will be service and study as well.
This way, to have taste for service you have to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra more.
If you do that way, the mind will work well.
Any studies you do you can offer as a service to the Lord.
And it will also help in understanding the economics as well.
You can study and do service in the temple as well.
Some will become engineer, or doctor, they can help the devotees.
In Bangladesh there are about 100-temples and you can help in building new temples, guest houses, youth hostels.
That is why we need engineers. Right?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: First of all, if you find that you have offended a devotee or offended the spiritual master, then you should bow down or something and beg for forgiveness.
And in the future, you have to be careful to pray for forgiveness, and avoid this habit.
Questioner: Sumukhi Hariṇī devī dāsī
Date: 2023-07-10
Jayapatākā Swami: It is not that they offer starched wool.
They are offering a cotton cloth,
which is starched,
at the Oḍana-ṣaṣṭhī they just offer the cotton chadars, cotton cloths.
When it is colder, then they use woolen.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Just like we have the Bhakti-śāstrī, Bhakti-vaibhava, Bhakti-vedānta,
Bhakti-Sārvabhauma,
so first book is Bhagavad-gītā, Īśopaniṣad, Nectar of Instruction, first part of Nectar of Devotion.
And of course, with that some of the small books.
Then there are the first six cantos of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
And then the second six cantos of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Then the Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Every parent is different.
I thought that my parents would be very happy when I came to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
But my mother and father were not happy.
My father he said, “You should completely give up Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Otherwise, I will send you to Vietnam to die there.”
But I thought my father will be happy.
But he was very ugra!
My mother, she came up and talked to me.
My mother came to India two times.
Anyways I asked Śrīla Prabhupāda, “My father, he wants to send me to Vietnam to serve the American army.
What should I do?”
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “Better you join Kṛṣṇa’s Army!”
So I am a member of Kṛṣṇa’s army ever since.
After eight years my father changed.
He said, “A son is a son, father is a father!”
On his deathbed he was talking to the priest, and he was talking about me.
So, it is not very difficult, I think the Indian parents are very affectionate towards their children.
So, there are different things that you can do.
Once my mother appreciated what I was doing.
She went and talked to other mothers and fathers.
It was not so bad your son is a part of the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement.
So the parents do not like to hear from the children.
But you should have some people of the same age talking to them.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Parents]
Questioner: IYF Māyāpur
Date: 2022-08-03
Jayapatākā Swami: This is the advantage maybe of being a brahmacārī.
That you don’t have to do intense work.
But any way, in the office environment,
as you move up the ladder,
sometimes you get less time, sometimes you get more time.
I have some disciples, they said that they got a job as a director in a company,
they could delegate different jobs
and do all their required work in a few hours
and have more time for preaching and other services.
It is hard to understand
what the particular job is.
It is kind of a disadvantage of working in a place –
I heard that sometimes the IT professionals, they make them work more than 8 hours, like 12 hours.
And so sometimes it is a different situation.
And some people they make them work
but they don’t actually have to do much.
So they have set up some program on their computer
that shows that they are working,
but they are actually chanting their japa
and the computer automatically types.
So I don’t know, when I first came to ISKCON in 1968 we did not have many books,
we had to take different jobs.
Although I was from a very rich family,
since I was looking for some temporary jobs just to pay for Śrīla Prabhupāda’s rent,
I had to work in many menial jobs.
Some plastic factory,
paint factory,
all kinds of jobs.
Finally, I got a printing job.
So when I was at work I would chant Hare Kṛṣṇa
but I can understand that there is a problem working.
So try to do the best you can.
Sometimes it is very difficult for us to understand these pastimes especially of Lord Caitanya. It is very esoteric and sometime we feel not very able to understand and sometimes we feel we should not be listening to them as our minds are polluted. How should we listen and what mood should we listen to them even though we don’t understand them?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-18
Jayapatākā Swami: I mean, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja is saying that he cannot understand them.
How can they be understood?
But by hearing how Lord Caitanya was feeling such ecstasy,
we may experience a drop.
It is not that we can experience all that what Lord Caitanya is experiencing.
But we can understand that it is something really, really elevated.
And He is so much absorbed in Kṛṣṇa,
He is following the mood of Rādhārāṇī.
But that is not possible for us, but to a little extent we can appreciate.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-08
Jayapatākā Swami: For… for a devotee, the more that you understand that Kṛṣṇa is directly accepting your service through the spiritual master, and the main thing that He is accepting is how enthusiastically you do it.
Because ultimately, He doesn’t need the service.
What He’s relishing is your...your desire to serve Him, your devotion, your enthusiasm.
Just like that time when Kṛṣṇa appeared in the kitchen, and then they so enthusiastically handed Him the banana peel, instead of the ba… they handed Him the banana peel, and He ate the banana peel.
So, then they saw, “I gave Kṛṣṇa the banana peel, and I kept the banana.
He is eating the peel!”
Then He said, “Well for Me, the peel and the apple are the same.
I was relishing your enthusiasm to serve Me.” (laughing)
Actually, Kṛṣṇa doesn’t need anything.
He is already ātmārāmāḥ ca munayaḥ.
He is already complete - oṁ pūrṇam adaḥ pūrṇam idaṁ.
But the fact that after so many millions of years of forgetting Him, the conditioned soul is coming forward to serve Him, that enthusiasm and that desire is what Kṛṣṇa appreciates most.
So therefore, even if (uhh), the service may not be that… sometimes one needs a slight change of service, sometimes the service is alright.
These are things that can only be discussed by the authorities with the individual devotee as to whether there is adequate service to keep the person fully engaged.
That’s a separate situation.
That has to be dealt with individually.
But even in such a situation, still, one should be very enthusiastic,
and still after being very enthusiastic if the person is bored, or just unengaged, true that it’s not enough service, or not enough to keep the mind in… involved, then that’s something that has to be dealt with individually between the spiritual master,
or the representative… his representative, the temple authority.
Still, the person should be doing the service fully enthusiastically, otherwise, how can you tell whether you’re working up to the capacity or not?
Just like if you’re driving in the car and the pedals… the gas pedals got down and then the car is killing, you see…you know and then you come to some conclusion, “Well, something is wrong with the car.”
But then sometimes when the engine is cold, or when you overload it, just have to put on more gas.
You’re going up a hill, then you keep going up the hill, then when you’re going up the hill, it kills, then you say, “What’s wrong?”
You go and look at your car and everything, but because you weren’t putting the gas on.
Right?
So, when you’re going up the hill, you’ve got to put the gas on.
Maybe sometimes you downshift, put on the gas, and you go up. Right?
If you don’t put on more gas when you’re going uphill.
So, that’s why sometimes Kṛṣṇa makes a person go uphill a little bit, just like you’re forced to put on the gas.
Sink to swim.
Ordinarily you know, if you’re always putting on the gas,then it doesn’t make any difference.
Those type of tests are no longer really needed, either.
So, a devotee is not actually tested that much, and even if he is, it doesn’t make any difference.
He just passes, just to show other devotees as an example.
Do you see what’s for Kṛṣ… for Prahlāda to swim in the boiling oil, because he such a great devotee.
You know.
Similarly, for us, we get very infinitesimal situations comparatively, Kṛṣṇa helps us to cross over them.
Enthusiasm is something that is just (uhh)… just somehow or another, like a person riding, running in a race.
How do you become enthusiastic?
Someone either through instruction, through criticism, through joking, through something, a person just gets fired up and goes out and does it.
Ultimately, enthusiasm is not something, you can pray of course to Nitāi-Gaura,
Nityānanda to help you become more enthusiastic, but enthusiasm comes from one’s desire.
If you desire something, you’re enthusiastic.
If you want to please Kṛṣṇa, you become enthusiastic.
It’s just a question of focusing.
Focusing your… focusing your desires, focusing your intentions, tīvreṇa bhakti-yogena, just like the sunlight, focusing on Kṛṣṇa.
If it’s not focused, energy gets splayed, you lose enthusiasm.
Sometimes we are born in a family who are surrendered to many gurus or Mahārājas, right! Like we are born in families where they have kula-gurus and we have been raised and brought up praying to many devatas like Durgā Mā, Gaṇesajī, Kṛṣṇa, etc. We also feel that God is one, ultimately one energy. But I feel that God is above all this, right? How do we surrender, what is the best way to surrender?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-05
Jayapatākā Swami: You see that in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it states vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ: Lord Śiva, Maheśa, is the greatest of all the Vaiṣṇavas. and similarly, we have Kārttikeya, we have Gaṇeśa, they are great Vaiṣṇavas. Durgā is known as Bhagavatī, Vaiṣṇavī. We should know that Kṛṣṇa, He is the ultimate Personality of Godhead.
But Kṛṣṇa has unlimited forms,
ananta-rūpam.
So, every form is equal.
That doesn’t mean that we are equal.
We are very small.
Lord Brahmā, Lord Maheśa are greater.
But they are still depending on Kṛṣṇa
and Kṛṣṇa they are all equal, simultaneously one and different for Kṛṣṇa.
The father of Vyāsadeva, Parāsara Muni analyzed,
he found that 50 of the qualities are in Lord Brahmā,
Five more with Lord Śiva, he had 55.
Lord Viṣṇu, Nārāyaṇa had five more than Lord Śiva. He had 60.
And then Kṛṣṇa, He had four more even than Lord Nārāyaṇa. He had 64.
Kṛṣṇa and Nārāyaṇa are both considered viṣṇu-tattva
and they are all the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Other devas, either Maheśa or Brahmā, they are not as great.
So the kula-gurus sometimes they say everybody is the same, that means they are impersonalists.
Because it says, if one thinks Lord Śiva or Lord Brahmā are the same they are pāṣaṇḍīs.
So we find Hiraṇyakaśipu, in this day of Brahmā līlā, he worship Lord Brahmā receive powers.
He asked Brahmā first to give him immortality.
Brahmā said, “I am not immortal,
how can I give something which I don’t have?”
So then he said, “I should not be killed in day or night, in the house or out of the house, and all those conditions.
Not man, or animal, or a demon or deva.”
Narasiṁhadeva came, half man and half lion!
Hiraṇyakaśipu was confused, “Is He a man or an animal?”
So Lord Śiva, in some yugas, in some days of Brahmā when Hiraṇyakaśipu comes he gets the blessing from Lord Śiva.
Śiva, he has his weapon, śiva-jvara,
it produces the maximum heat!
But Lord Kṛṣṇa has the nārāyaṇa-jvara,
it produced unlimited cold.
Hardly you can survive in a cold day, you need a jacket and other things.
Any śiva-jvara produced heat and nārāyaṇa-jvara came and sucked up all the heat and created unlimited cold,
and then śiva-jvara surrendered.
So Śiva is greater than jīvas,
we are jīvas.
He is very great.
But still he is not as great as Viṣṇu or Kṛṣṇa.
So we worship Śiva, Durgā, Gaṇeśa, Kārttikeya, all the Vaiṣṇavas as Vaiṣṇavas.
And if in your house you worship Viṣṇu and Kṛṣṇa first offer bhoga to Them and then Their prasāda to the devas.
In South India like in Mahābalipuram,
that is one of the Divya-deśams,
they worship the Nārāyaṇa form first
and then they take the prasāda and offer to Śiva
and Durgā and others.
If the kula-guru gives you transcendental knowledge, it is very nice.
But if he is not able to give transcendental knowledge, he is just like a vyavahāri-guru, he acts like a guru but he cannot give transcendental knowledge,
then the śāstra says it is alright if we take a sad-guru,
someone who gives transcendental knowledge.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Keya Rāṇī
Date: 2023-07-10
Jayapatākā Swami: So there are three options:
Like Satī devī, you can immediately burn yourself up
and if that is not possible,
then you can protest and defeat that person.
If that is not possible,
then leave the place.
Questioner: Bhāgyaśrī
Date: 2023-07-10
That we can always respectfully ask the devotee
why they are doing something like that.
If we know that they are new devotees, they don’t know what they are doing,
but if we have to correct them, they may feel embarrassed or something.
So it depends on the situation,
whether it is a senior devotee,
equal or new devotee.
So accordingly, if it is a senior devotee, we will ask first,
if he is equal devotee,
maybe in a more friendly way,
depending on the status
and our relationship,
we should act accordingly.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Emotions / Fault-finding]
Questioner: Mitravindā Mamatāmayī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: If it is really connected with Kṛṣṇa
then it is not prajalpa.
But if it has nothing to do with Kṛṣṇa or service,
then it is prajalpa.
Questioner: Gauracandra Bhagavān dāsa
Date: 2022-08-24
That reminds me of an example,
there was a flood, and police came by and said to a person, “We came to evacuate you from the flood.”
“I am depending on Kṛṣṇa” he said.
Then more water came.
A boat came to take him, and he again said, “I am depending on Kṛṣṇa!”
And then the water rose higher, and he went on the roof.
Then a helicopter came and said, “Come on, come with me!”
But he said, ‘No, I am depending on Kṛṣṇa.”
Then the flood rose higher, and he died.
He went to Vaikuṇṭha
and he asked Kṛṣṇa “why didn’t You save me?”
“I sent the police, I sent the boat, I sent the helicopter,
you didn’t take anything!”
So, you see depending on Kṛṣṇa, we take whatever help He sends.
How Kṛṣṇa works, He works in unique ways!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-23
Jayapatākā Swami: You see in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya’s associates,
that sometimes Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī would try to touch each other’s lotus feet.
And they would have a face off and have some competition trying to touch each other’s lotus feet.
So, being great devotees they would not let the other touch their feet.
But the other was trying to get the foot dust,
so this seems to be a transcendental competition.
Now, it hasn’t been accepted as an Olympic sport yet -
maybe in the future,
when the whole world becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious!!
And Śrīla Prabhupāda, said that there are no hard and fast rules for mahā-prasāda.
He said if you wanted, you can even steal from my plant while I am eating,
but please let me finish prasāda!
So if someone wants to take mahā-prasāda,
appeal to them in the mood of Śrīla Prabhupāda, to have mercy on you, so you could finish your meal!
Let them allow you to finish your meal!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: There are many reasons why we may not be able to help someone.
Just like a father, he doesn’t like to hear instructions from his daughter.
For various circumstances
the relationship may be such that we cannot really instruct a person who is senior to you
or who thinks he or she is senior.
So, in such a situation,
you have to help the person using some tactic.
Either by asking question,
like I look to you, you are a very advanced person, you are very senior.
But I have a question.
I see that sometime, you go behind the bathroom and smoke a cigarette.
Is it something I should do as well?
So you can ask – of course this is a ridiculous example - but you can ask.
Maybe you cannot help the person
then you think who can
and arrange that that person does what he or she can to help the person.
Questioner: IYF Māyāpur
Date: 2022-08-03
Jayapatākā Swami: We know that kāla, deśa, patra,
time place and circumstance.
The person also.
Why that person is stopping chanting?
You may talk to him.
Find out what his hesitation is.
And encourage him and you will know his reason.
Most people are just lazy in spiritual life.
And if you find the person chanting a little bit, then you could be appreciative.
People say, I asked how many round they are chanting,
they are very shy, they say only 4 rounds!
4 rounds! Wow! 2.5 million names of Kṛṣṇa in a year!
So like that, I try to encourage people and they chant even one round and I try to encourage them and they feel oh wow! He is so happy, and they say I will try to chant 8 rounds.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-23
Jayapatākā Swami: Say some variety!
Maybe you can tell some pastimes, and the pastimes may be different.
I am not sure exactly what you are talking about because if you see that a person is getting bored then you can say something to them, ask question, somehow make it interesting.
Category: [Yet To Categories]
Questioner: Phaneśvarī Lakṣmī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: You have not mentioned if you are married and your husband is supportive or not...
If of course, nowadays there is an email, Whatsapp, phone call.
And you can talk to your friends.
In this way somehow have an audio association, or even video with Zoom or Skype
or Whatsapp.
I don’t really understand when someone says, they lack of association.
I heard someone say that, “Some of my friends spend so much time on Facebook.”
I asked, “How long?”
They said,“Eight hours!”
“How long you spend?” “Only three hours!” [Laughter]
So they have three hours to spend in Facebook,
but they say that they don’t have time for association.
And who they associate with on Facebook?
So we are on Facebook and this question and answer is being broadcasted on Facebook.
So any technology can be used in a positive way or negative way.
Sometimes people are giving false news;
sometimes getting positive association.
When I woke up this morning, I remembered how
Lord Caitanya was so merciful!
There is a Locana dāsa’s song:
dekho ore bhāi, tri-bhuvane nāi,
emona doyāla dātā
paśu pākhī jhure, pāṣāṇa vidare, śuni'jāṅra guṇa-gāthā -
that my dear brothers, look at there is no one in the three worlds
as merciful as Nitāi Gaura.
Lord Caitanya made the animals chant, dance and cry.
He melted the stones,
see His fantastic qualities.
So I was just remembering how merciful is Lord Caitanya
and then Locana dāsa says:
saṁsāre majiyā,
rohili poriyā,
se pade nahilo āśa
se pade nahilo āśa
I am suffering and enjoying in the material ocean of birth and death.
I have fallen there hopelessly.
I have no hope for getting the shelter of the all merciful Nitāi Gauracandra.
I am suffering and enjoying according to my karma.
So, this is sung by Locana dāsa.
So Lord Caitanya is so merciful,
so merciful,
we would have no hope.
But Prabhupāda bought Nitāi Gaura to us;
and They are giving Their mercy out.
And we are thinking, “Oh! How can I get the mercy, this and that; they want to give it… so bad.
He wants to give, He didn’t think, this person is qualified, this one is unqualified—He gives freely to everybody.
Jagāi Mādhāi were evil people.
They committed so many offenses.
Yamarāja, he asked, “How many sins they were cleared from?”
And his clerk said that, “If we put it all through writing it will fill up warehouse after warehouse after warehouse.
We have a team of architects working and design a special hell for them.
Nitāi Gaura freed them all.
Wiped the slate clean!”
Anyone criticized them later on,
He said, it is offensive to bring up a person’s past life.
He is a devotee; we don’t care what he was before.
Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda, They want to give their mercy to you.
Please take it.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Relatives], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: One time, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura said that he would indulge a 100-times in sex life if he knew that every time, he was guaranteed to have a Kṛṣṇa conscious child.
So therefore, every times your child will become a devotee, that is not guaranteed.
That is why we try
from the beginning we want a Kṛṣṇa conscious potential child.
So we pray to the Deities, we get the blessing of guru.
We do the garbhadāna-saṁskāra.
Then we also have to bring up the child with love and affection.
It is not an accident that they become a devotee.
They may get some special association of a pure devotee.
The parents naturally feel that they are very successful if the child becomes a devotee.
There is no śāstra that says if a child is not a devotee, that somehow affects the parents.
But the first five years of the child life, if they commit some sinful activities, then the parents have to take responsibility.
This was a curse given by a ṛṣi to Yamarāja so this thing was done in the universe.
Because when he was a little child, he poked an insect with a grass.
Questioner: Bhagavān Dāmodara Kṛṣṇa dāsa
Date: 2022-09-08
Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Bad association], [Day-to-day Life / Children], [Day-to-day Life / Parents], [Emotions / Confusion]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-30
Answer: Lord Caitanya, He wrote in His śikṣāṣṭakam in the third verse.
It says, we should offer others respect
and not expect any respect for ourselves.
In this way we can always chant the holy names.
So you said, we are expecting people will deal with us properly.
Will give us proper respect.
And when we won’t get that, we feel false pride.
But Lord Caitanya advised that we should not expect these things.
We would like our devotees, to be like this always, to deal with respect and appreciation.
But if they don’t do that,
that should not be the reason that we don’t do service.
Rather we should do service, even though we don’t get treated the way we like to be treated.
If you take that humble state of mind,
then it is very easy to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa all the time.
Link: 20150301 Evening Darśana
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Interesting question.
We don’t want to be a kṛpaṇa – a miser.
You are saying how you understand the guru is doing so much for you!
But you don’t feel grateful!
Is that the way to feel?
If someone saves you from a car accident, should you feel grateful?
If someone is saving you from repeated birth and death, should you feel grateful?
If you don’t feel grateful, definitely you should be crying.
If you are not crying, Śrīla Prabhupāda said, you should cry that you are not crying!
And if you are not crying that you are not crying, then you should crying, that you are not crying for crying!
It goes on like that!
Category: [Anarthās], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Mercy]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-24
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya forgave Choṭa Haridāsa
but He did that later.
In the meantime, Choṭa Haridāsa left his body at Prayāga.
Lord Caitanya at that time officially, He did not know and asked where is Choṭa Haridāsa.
Lord Caitanya knew that being a sannyāsī knew that he would have wrong dealings with women.
As Choṭa Haridāsa’s mentality was wrong Lord Caitanya was displeased with him
and therefore He said, He will not see him again.
Later, He wanted to see Choṭa Haridāsa.
So we understand that He forgave him but it was much later.
Actually, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura he wrote, how one should choose a spouse.
Spouse means wife for husband and husband for wife.
So He said one should choose a spouse who is more advanced spiritually.
Who is very beautiful, that is not the question.
Who is strong armed is not the question?
Who is spiritually advanced that is what matters.
Just like I was saying today that a husband and wife should discuss how they should please Lord Caitanya, Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Akshas Sukhla
Date: 2022-12-02
Jayapatākā Swami: By reading Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,
by getting the degrees,
that would be very pleasing to Śrīla Prabhupāda
and be very fixed up in your Kṛṣṇa consciousness philosophy.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Śrīla Gurumahārāja! We understand that this is a mercy movement, and we also talk about that people are unqualified and they progress with the help of mercy. At the same time, we have certain standards for initiation and there are other standards. So sometimes devotees say that if a devotee is not able to meet the standards, no problem, by the mercy of the spiritual master, he will come to the standard. So sometimes, he should be allowed for initiation. So, how do we strike the balance between meeting the standards at the same time of course, mercy is required.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-08-16
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya was telling Lord Nityānanda
in Jagannātha Purī
that We have come down to this material world
and We had promised We would deliver four kinds of people
who are normally not delivered.
He said the mūrkhas,
the nīcas,
the patītas
and the duḥkhitas.
So the foolish who think they are the body,
people who are born in low birth,
Kali-yuga everyone is considered like a śūdra
or even lower.
And then patīta, the fallen,
like one English gentleman requested a sannyāsī that, “I want to be a brāhmaṇa”.
“Yes, we can make you a brāhmaṇa”, the sannyāsī said.
“What do I have to do?”,the gentleman asked.
The sannyāsī said, “Just give up eating meat, fish and egg,
taking intoxication,
gambling
and illicit sex.
Do these four things and you can become a brāhmaṇa.”
“It is impossible,” the gentleman said.
“That is my life!”
So, people in the West they are by nature, patīta.
The Indians they want to follow the Westerners,
so they are also becoming patīta.
As a result, they naturally feel sad.
Duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam (Bg. 8.15) – Kṛṣṇa described this material world as a place of suffering.
But it is temporary.
Suffering is temporary, enjoyment is temporary,
everything is temporary.
That is why people in this world are very sad.
Trying to be happy but that produces sadness.
These four kinds of people Lord Caitanya said He came down to deliver.
We find that even like Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura he was a kṣatriya, he was a crown prince, he abdicated his throne
and he took up pure devotional service.
He said, “I am very fallen, I am very patīta,
please have Your mercy on me.”
Actually, he was not fallen,
but he presented himself like that to get the mercy of Lord Caitanya.
So, we humbly present ourselves as fallen, anyway we are fallen but anyway,
we find that Lord Caitanya’s devotees, they presented themselves in a very humble way.
So if you have someone who is fallen, he can pray to Nitāi Gaura for Their mercy.
Proof that they have this mercy, is to give up these four things.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-21
Jayapatākā Swami: Some of the instructions are work-in-progress.
I am trying to fulfill them.
I don’t say that I fulfilled all of them.
Maybe some of them,
to some extent.
But Śrīla Prabhupāda took so much sacrifice, took so much trouble
to bring Kṛṣṇa consciousness to the West.
So we owe Śrīla Prabhupāda, unlimitedly.
So whatever he asked me to do,
or instructed me to do,
I am trying to do that.
I don’t say that I have done it,
but I am trying to do it.
Seven days before his departure,
he established the Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust,
and he made me the lifetime chairman.
That meant that my lifetime service
was to see the fulfillment of this Trust objective.
So it is basically to develop Navadvip dhāma,
develop Gaura-maṇḍala-bhūmi,
and also to unite the Saraswat disciplic family.
So we have established the Sārasvata Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava Association,
and many Gauḍīya members are members of this organization.
Some people, they keep separate.
But we are trying to work on it.
And Śrīla Prabhupāda, in the BSCT,
he had established two of his god brothers
and 5 ISKCON devotes.
So now the god brother are no longer there,
so we are having the disciples of those god brothers.
So like that there are many different services.
We would like to see the completion of the TOVP.
I have a minor role, maybe.
Ambarīśa Prabhu is doing the major thing.
I am overseeing the Western wing,
which is the planetarium and exhibitions.
So we are trying to do what Śrīla Prabhupāda desired. [paragraph
It is very interesting to be serving Śrīla Prabhupāda.
I hope that the generations that follow will continue this service.
Bhakti Cāru Swami, he wanted that his followers would
also serve Śrīla Prabhupāda.
In fact, he saw the whole ISKCON family as one.
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda said to publish the Caitanya-caritāmṛta in two months.
Then Rāmeśvara Prabhu said, that is impossible.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said impossible is a word in the fool’s dictionary.
They had a marathon and published all the volumes of the Caitanya-caritāmṛta in two months.
Some devotees went to Śrīla Prabhupāda and said I distributed so many books – say ten thousand!
Śrīla Prabhupāda would say, very good!
Now double it next year!
So, if you want to do a little more you can double it.
We should try to do as best we can do.
A little better!
So, we were distributing for Bhādra Pūrṇimā previously 6,000 sets.
In 2020 we did 25,000 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam sets.
in 2021 we did 35,000.
So Vaiśeṣika Prabhu said that by 2026 we should distribute 100,000 sets.
That means every year increasing by 23%.
This year we should distribute at least 43,000 sets of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Every year we should increase minimum 23%.
So if you can give me how many sets of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītās you can distribute. Each person.
You may not know Bengali but just by being friendly you can capture their heart!
Ladies can embrace the other ladies!
Wow! They will never forget! I was embraced by a Russian lady!
Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā], [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Emotions / Enthusiasm]
Śrīla Prabhupāda mentioned in his books we are not the body we are the soul. You also mentioned today in the class. But how can I feel that I am not the body, I am the soul? Always I see man, woman, black, white, American, Indian, so I don’t feel I am the soul, I feel I am the body. Kindly enlighten.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, Śrīla Prabhupāda arrived in Melbourne Australia.
The newspaper journalists met him at the airport,
they told him, “You are from India, a poor country.
You have come to Australia, we are a rich country.
What have you come to take from us?”
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “I haven’t come to take anything from you.
I have come to save you for a cats and dogs life.
So, you mean, we are cats and dogs?
What is the difference?
Cat eats anything on the street,
you eat in some hotel restaurant.
You eat with a spoon, fork, and knife.
A cat or dog sleeps anywhere.
You may sleep on a bed.
A cat, dog can have sex anywhere.
You may have sex in your house.
Cat and dog defend themselves with their fangs, with their paws.
You may use machine guns, missiles.”
Yesterday I saw the news, there was a crazy who shot 8 people in the mall at Dallas,
and he was shot by the police
and 9 people died,
What for?
Anyway, Śrīla Prabhupāda said
is a human being just a sophisticated animal?
The human being is meant to realize Kṛṣṇa.
And realize that we are not the body.
You may drive your car, you can take care of the car.
You are the body,
you can take care of it.
But there is a much higher happiness.
You feed petrol or diesel to your car,
now there are electric cars, you plug them in.
Somehow, you cannot plug it into your body to drink gasoline.
You have to eat food that is appropriate.
Just like that, if you realize that you are a spiritual soul then we can have a higher happiness.
Actually, the happiness we get from the body is not very lasting.
It is a superficial thing.
Actually, Śrīla Prabhupāda was saying to his disciples in London in 1973
he said, I want all my gṛhastha followers to become paramahaṁsas.
To realize the difference between the living force and the body.
The swan, they will separate the milk and water mixture and drink the milk. And leave the water.
Like that if we realize that we are not the body, and take out the essential thing, the spiritual thing.
As I said, my guru, he was the son of an ācārya.
So, he said I want all my gṛhastha followers should also have ācāryas as their children.
So today we had an ācārya making ceremony,
we are going to have many ācāryas.
We have to realize that we are more than the body,
we are the spirit soul.
Bodily experience is there
but we realize there is something beyond this.
So maybe, why did Śrīla Prabhupāda repeat so often, we are not the body, we are not the body, we are not the body,
because in spite of that we are still thinking I am the body!
Our body has senses.
The senses need a certain amount of gratification.
The senses never satisfy you.
They just tell you we need some gratification.
I need some food, I need this, I need that.
Just like the song of the rock and roll group who sing – I can’t get no satisfaction -
there is no satisfaction.
Satisfaction comes from a spiritual experience.
Just try to think about it you, can realize
that you are not the body.
I realized, just like in 1972 or ‘73,
I had very high fever,
I was suffering so much pain.
Then I listened to Śrīla Prabhupāda lectures from the Nectar of Devotion from Vṛndāvana.
I felt so much happiness.
Bodily I was suffering,
but I felt happiness.
I realized I am not the body!
It is not very difficult.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Śrīla Prabhupāda said in one of his letters to his disciples, Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is for training men to be independently thoughtful and competent in all types of departments of knowledge and action. But at the same time the culture and teachings encourages, and expects its practioners to surrender and to be obedient to senior devotees, guru and Gaurāṅga. How can I be independently thoughtful and be obedient at the same time, especially when dealing with senior devotees?
Questioner: Ekleśvarī Mādhavī devī dāsī
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: It seems that you are facing some contradiction.
That you want to be submissive,
at the same time independently thoughtful.
So, independently thoughtful, we decide what we are going to do.
Not that we just do something blindly, but
if we decide that we are following some more experienced devotee,
that should be helpful.
So you can do well by following an experienced devotee,
at the same time be independently thoughtful.
Doesn’t mean you just blindly follow any devotee,
but you pick up some particular activity, because it is something that sits nicely with you
and it is in the śāstra.
Questioner: Satyamedha Gaurāṅga dāsa
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Satyamedha Gaurāṅga dāsa!
Haribol!
Śrīla Prabhupāda was saying that if we had a strong desire
then Kṛṣṇa consciousness would manifest suddenly.
Just like a baby is crying,
if the baby is like half-crying,
the mother may ignore
but if the baby really cries,
aaaaahhhh, the mother will run, what happened?
If we desire to be Kṛṣṇa conscious very intensely,
then Kṛṣṇa will help you to become Kṛṣṇa conscious in a minute.
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: I heard from Dāmodara Mahārāja, one of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Godbrothers,
one-time Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, he was walking in the evening,
and suddenly he started gazing at the moon
and everyone was looking at him and he was looking at the moon.
After a long time,
he said the people on the moon have become materialistic,
they have become bahir-mukha,
they need preaching.
So next trip to the moon, send some preachers!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura he said
prāṇa āche jāra sei hetu pracāra.
If someone has spiritual life, he can preach.
The mistake we make in accepting the impersonalism
actually kills our spiritual life.
And therefore, we are not able to preach.
But if we understand the actual substance of Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
and then we can easily preach.
That is why we want people to study Bhagavad-gītā As It Is,
study the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
and study the Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
So how Lord Caitanya convinced these Māyāvādī sannyāsīs
is very important,
for us to understand.
We pray to Śrīla Prabhupāda the
way that he explains the philosophy to the voidists and the impersonalists.
So similarly, we should understand
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings
and we are able to understand the impersonalist idea.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Jayapatākā Swami: As I said, any offence is multiplied a thousand times in Vṛndāvana.
In Māyāpur Śrīla Prabhupāda said it is especially good for gṛhasthas.
The material world is designed in such a way that even if you don’t want to, you are obliged to commit some offences, some sins.
So that is why we recommend that people stay a short time in Vṛndāvana and then go out.
In the short time they can be very careful.
But if they stay here permanently,
then they may commit some sinful activities.
That is just the fact.
Link: 20221024 Evening Darśana
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: There is the third verse in Lord Caitanya’s Śīkṣāṣṭakam,
one can apply that verse.
And there it says we have to be humble, tolerant and offer all praise to others
and don’t expect praise for yourself.
If you do this, then naturally you will be free of envy.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-07-07
Jayapatākā Swami: First we should read all the translations and purports of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
They are what inspires me.
And what I know, is simply by the mercy of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: To the guru you should pay respectful obeisances and to other godbrothers and godsisters pay humble obeisances. So, Kṛṣṇa consciousness is quite simple. But you have to practice it very sincerely. That way, a slight deviation may be very significant. That is why he says that it is like a knife edge.
Questioner: Śāśvatī Sudhārāṇī devī dāsī
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: I remember that Śrīla Prabhupāda liked kacaurīs.
And that is why sometimes he would have kacaurīs.
I am not one who cooked for Śrīla Prabhupāda,
so I don’t know all the things he liked.
One time I saw he had dysentery
and his sister prepared hot purīs with salt.
So she sprinkled salt on the purī and the purī was hot.
I didn’t think that it would cure dysentery, but somehow it cured him!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: I hope they are serving Śrīla Prabhupāda enthusiastically
and I hope that the grand disciples will also serve guru and Gaurāṅga enthusiastically.
And that depends on their sincerity.
If they are sincere they will do that.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-04-13
Jayapatākā Swami: You see Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura he was a gṛhastha.
And his son was Śrīla Prabhupāda’s spiritual master, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.
So, Śrīla Prabhupāda was saying that like this the gṛhasthas they could have a child like Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura and we need many such souls to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
But if we cannot have children, I would understand and that by outreach would enthuse many people to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
We need devotees to use their brain to think how they can spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Thank you for the wonderful class - the fire sacrifice we just say they are saṁskāra, chanting of the holy names, that Kṛṣṇa is also known as the most renounced and is most satisfied. Does it mean that all the methods of self realization prescribed in the other yugas were meant for jīvas only? That the fire sacrifice in the Tretā-yuga was just a process of austerity and meditation?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-18
Jayapatākā Swami: In Satya-yuga they were doing meditation,
in Tretā-yuga they were doing fire sacrifice.
Actually, by the fire sacrifice they could actually have the Personality of Godhead appear,
and there are some descriptions of that.
That was truly amazing,
by fire sacrifice they could take an old cow and make it young,
they could do all amazing thing.
Now in the Kali-yuga that is forbidden because brāhmaṇas are not so qualified.
Questioner: Rasapriya Gopikā devī dāsī, Māyāpur.
Date: 2022-10-05
Jayapatākā Swami: The devas, the demigods are sakāma devotees.
They have some material desires.
Because they are afraid that
Dhruva would take over their posts,
therefore they gave him different obstacles –
in one way they were testing him.
So if you don’t want a position in the heavenly planets,
you have to declare that to them.
Give them kṛṣṇa-prasādam.
They should not cause you trouble.
Because Dhruva was performing austerities for position,
they were afraid that he would take their position.
Category: [Anarthās], [Emotions / Confusion], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Material World / Demigods]
Questioner: Golokapriya Gaurāṅgī Devī Dāsī
Date: 2023-12-25
Jayapatākā Swami: You can ask some pūjārīs.
We know that in some Deities, they offer and in some they don’t.
But the reason why, maybe the pūjārīs know the secret.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī]
Questioner: Subāhu Śacī Sūta dāsa
Date: 2022-08-29
Jayapatākā Swami: The type of tests that Haridāsa Ṭhākura had to go through, we usually don’t have to face such tests.
He was beaten in 22-marketplaces.
There was a prostitute tried to make him fall down.
I heard that Durgā devī even she came to test him.
We don’t have to face such gigantic tests.
If we pray to Kṛṣṇa to help us, Kṛṣṇa usually helps us.
We get very minor tests and even those we fail.
But we can get over these tests if we have the sincere desire.
If we depend on Kṛṣṇa, then we will overcome all the tests.
Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Bad association], [Anarthās / Māyā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Prakash
Date: 2022-08-05
Jayapatākā Swami: We know from Bhagavad-gītā
that there is a subtle body
and a gross body.
The subtle body is mind, intelligence and false ego.
So the DNA is external.
That may make our bodies similar to our parents’ bodies.
But
we are not the body.
And so, we develop our consciousness
separate from the body.
And that way,
you can develop your spiritual life.
So your life is transcendental
and by remembering Kṛṣṇa,
you achieve your spiritual identity.
That is not dependent on DNA.
Category: [Material Sufferings / Death]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-04
Jayapatākā Swami: You see the associates of Lord Caitanya, when He came to this material world,
all had some previous relationship with Kṛṣṇa -
at least the prominent ones.
So, like Murāri Gupta, he was Hanumān
and Śrīvāsa is Nārada Muni.
Haridāsa Ṭhākura was Lord Brahmā.
That means, previously they were having different pastimes with the Lord,
and when He came as Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, they also came and took up different roles.
So, when the Lord comes, He enjoys His pastimes
and the devotees come and enjoy with Him.
By serving Him, they also get great happiness.
Everybody is happy.
You want to be happy? Haribol!
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-24
Jayapatākā Swami: This is a story told but I don’t know if it is in any śāstra.
Generally, the queens of Dvāraka are devotees.
But there is parakīya and svakīya-rasa. The svakīya-rasa has wives they don’t want to put their feet dust on their husband.
But the gopīs, they are ready to go to hell for Kṛṣṇa’s headache.
I don’t know if this is a true story or not.
But we do know that the gopīs’ love for Kṛṣṇa is higher than that of the queens of Dvāraka.
And so, that is what we want to show by this example.
The way you explained just now, it is very difficult to understand Lord Śiva. Similarly, in the Śīkṣāṣṭakam Lord Caitanya has put all the knowledge in the Śīkṣāṣṭakam, eight verses, so like the verse tṛṇād api sunīcena - it seems so impractical to practice. Being more tolerant than a tree, just thinking about it, you nail, and tree and the tree does not respond. My humble request is that if you so desire, could you during your stay here and in the caitanya-līlā classes, could you explain to us how we could live those eight verses? How we can practice them? And how can we make it practical?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: You see someone gave me a book How to make Friends, by Dale Carnegie.
He was actually saying the third verse of the Śīkṣāṣṭakam.
No matter what anyone says to you, just praise everybody and make friends.
When a material person like that, was able to understand
how we should tolerate offences and just appreciate others,
then how profound are Lord Caitanya’s instructions!
I have seen, someone comes and says you are a rascal, a rogue! And then you just say, thank you very much!
I understand that you are very - just praise the person.
So then what can they say?
So, whether you believe it or you are just doing it because you are told it works, try it!
But like one time in the GBC meeting, someone told us this - tell someone something good, then some criticism, then something good.
So they said I will do it, tell the person next to you. So you have to think something good of the person next to you.
Oh, the way you give class it inspires us!
Sometimes you drink water and you touch the lips to the glass then it becomes muci,
but anyway you are very special person.
So what can they say?
You managed to criticize them at the same time you praised them.
That way, you be like bees look for the honey.
Not like flies looking for the sores and infections.
But a guru or a manager, sometimes he has to find fault.
And if your husband or someone, you just tell people negative, they become distressed.
But you say something like you are very dedicated, you are wonderful,
but sometimes you get worried that people may take advantage of you.
Anyway, I am sure you will take the steps to see that.
Learn how to say things in a positive way.
It is not impractical.
It is very practical.
If you say you are nonsense, you rascal, then people they think he hates me.
If you tell something nice, he then they think, oh, he like me.
Then you may give some advice,
they don’t feel like you don’t like them or something.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: See the Padma Purāṇa mentions four bona fide Vaiṣṇava lines.
And the Śrī-sampradāya is one of the four bona fide.
Brahma-sampradāya is also one.
Śrī-sampradāya they go to Vaikuṇṭha.
And in Gauḍīya-sampradāya you can either go to Vaikuṇṭha or you can go to Kṛṣṇa-loka.
The youth are seen to be indulging in various undesirable activities and thus are not capable of appreciating the Kṛṣṇa conscious philosophy. However, when using bridge-level preaching tactics (such as anger/stress management etc.), there is a feeling that the teachings of paramparā may be compromised. How then do we strike the balance ?
Questioner: IYF
Date: 2022-08-24
Jayapatākā Swami: I mean somehow, there was a presentation how to be happy.
That was very interesting because
I was not happy.
I had sense gratification
but it wasn’t satisfying.
So somehow if we want to tell those people that
by practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness
they can become happy.
The bridging programs can somehow bring them to Kṛṣṇa consciousness
then that would be ideal.
If anger management can include some aspect of Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
some practices that they could do.
Some ways they can control their anger
by dovetailing it.
So bridge is to take us over the bridge to the other side of the river.
That means, take us to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So at the end of the bridge there should be something Kṛṣṇa conscious.
Although the attraction is okay, anger management for instance,
we learn that we can practice, we can control anger through bhakti-yoga.
So the bridge program actually does that, it bridges us to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
At least to some extent.
Like you are saying people have many lusty desires and bad habits,
I saw today on the Tv
that in some states 3 or 5 states in the USA,
they do a referendum and made marijuana smoking for recreation legal.
It was previously legal for medicinal use.
But now it is legal for recreation in some states.
So, all kinds of bad habits people have –
not only drinking, smoking,
illicit sex.
Actually, we know that none of these things give one satisfaction.
But we cannot directly attack these things.
Rather, we try to present the positive thing of chanting, meditation,
and then when they are more ready,
when they ask appropriate questions,
we may reveal that bad habits should be controlled.
That is a gradual process.
That is what Śrīla Prabhupāda said that it takes buckets of blood,
not easy to make a devotee.
Do you think only people now are addicted to bad habits?
Ha! I think before I was 12-I had already broken all the regulative principles!!
Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Sinful activities], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Youth]
The youth of today are looking for recreational activities such as meditation, yoga and so on and if we try to provide them with those, they entertain themselves with the same and leave, never to come back. Also one of the pressing problems of the youth is that they come with a lot of lusty propensities and thus face a lot of challenges in dealing with the opposite sex.
Questioner: Rādhe Śyāma Dāsa
Date: 2022-08-24
Jayapatākā Swami: As far as light activities, the thing is that chanting, singing is very light.
Actually, that is much more effective and much more purifying than these breathing exercises.
Art of Living all that, they promote this breathing exercise.
But if we get the people to chant and sign,
dance,
that can loosen them up.
That way, they actually get more purified
and because people are seeing themselves as the body,
they think that the body, the senses have to be satisfied.
Therefore, lusty desires are very prominent.
And so how to engage their energy
in such a way that their energy would be better utilized.
That is why we see that many people they may not be interested in being brahmacārīs.
And like in the West, somehow the ladies they are actively preaching
and therefore many men are attracted.
And if the men are preaching, the ladies are attracted.
Now, I heard that in the Indian universities it is quite open.
Maybe more than the West.
So it could be a big challenge.
Questioner: Sukamala Nityānanda dāsa
Date: 2022-08-24
We should try to achieve all the 12 qualities.
And if we have difficulty in anyone, we can contact our senior godbrother or godsister or guru.
Taking initiation is like taking a new birth.
After birth there are other things by practicing you can develop.
It is not that just from birth you will have all the qualities you have to practice and acquire them.
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra], [Dīkṣā (Initiation)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-29
Jayapatākā Swami: What should you tell the devotee whose family is giving problem?
Tell them Haribol!
I mean, I don’t know why this family is giving problems to the devotee.
And he asked a question,
how to keep them motivated.
So does that mean that because of the problems offered by the family,
they are not motivated?
I mean, in this material world, we have ups and downs,
and there are ādhyātmika, ādhibhautika, ādhidaivika kleśas.
So we should get some miseries.
So we don’t think that material life is very nice.
Material life is not nice.
There are crazy people who like to cause trouble.
So, some people you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa,
some people you explain things
and some people you ignore things
because what is useful for each person may vary.
One thing is just because of other people
we don’t give up chanting and serving.
If there is some way you can instill enthusiasm in these people,
then do that.
If not, be like Haridāsa Ṭhākura, he was always chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa.
But some children, they somehow made Haridāsa Ṭhākura feel insulted.
They would mock and say Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa! Hare!
And then Haridāsa Ṭhākura would chant more,
covering his ears, oh no, Hare Kṛṣṇa! Hare Kṛṣṇa!
So they thought, oh! making fun of him hurts
so they would chant more and more.
So in this way, Haridāsa Ṭhākura was internally very happy
because they were chanting more Hare Kṛṣṇa.
But that was by looking it seems he was suffering.
So what works for each person,
if making a funny face
makes them chant more,
then alright!
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Relatives]
There are different incarnations with different purposes. Can we worship all the incarnations just like in the material world, they world Lakṣmī devī to get opulence, to get riches. Sarasvatī to get material knowledge, like that are there any incarnations we can worship to destroy our anarthas, like kāma, krodha, lobha etc.?
Questioner: Iśvara Viśvambhara Dāsa
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapataka Swami: You see we should not worship Lakṣmī for getting material riches.
If we worship Kṛṣṇa, then He has millions of Lakṣmīs with Him.
And Sarasvatī we should worship to get divine knowledge, knowledge of Kṛṣṇa.
Keśava Kāśmīrī was a Digvijayī-paṇḍita.
He had victory all over the world.
He was victorious over all the scholars.
But he got so much mercy from Nimāi Paṇḍita.
He got defeated by Nimāi Paṇḍita.
He prayed to Sarasvatī that, “I was defeated by a young kid! How did you allow that?”
Sarasvatī said, “He is my husband.
I cannot help you therefore.”
Then he went to Lord Caitanya and surrendered.
And then he became a pure Vaiṣṇava.
He became an ācārya in the Nimbārka sampradāya.
Your question, by what avatāra worship will our anarthas be destroyed?
If we surrender to Lord Caitanya, then we can get rid of all the anarthas.
If we need Lord Caitanya’s mercy, we first need to get the mercy of Lord Nityānanda.
Nitāi Gaura! Nityānanda Prabhu is Ādi-guru. Original guru.
Category: [Anarthās], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Kṛṣṇa's Incarnations], [Material World], [Material World / Demigods], [Emotions]
Questioner: Harihara Kṛṣṇa Caitanya dāsa
Date: 2022-09-08
Category: [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vigraha Āradhana (Deity Worship)]
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: If they are genuinely interested in reading books and they are poor,
He said, “I have my wife, children, cow, my sister who is physically challenged. Can I bring them?”
The book distributor said, “I will check with the temple authorities and let you know.”
He said, “But I have read the book, I am determined now, I want to do something and follow the book.
What should I do?”
The book distributor said, “Then you become a life member.”
He asked, “How much do I have to pay?” The book distributor said, “It would be some few thousand rupees.”
The man said, “I am poor, I don’t get much salary.
I can maybe pay in instalments.
I want to do something! What should I do?”
“Then you buy some more books.”
Because of this I established the Nāmahaṭṭa.
That way people can stay at home and do devotional service.
If everyone comes to the temple, that is not practical.
This way, distributing books means being the representative of guru and Gaurāṅga.
Giving everyone the opportunity to serve the Lord.
Category: [Sādhanā / Book distribution]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya told Lord Nityānanda that We have descended to deliver four kinds of people
who normally don’t get delivered –
one of those was those who are suffering.
You can preach to them how Lord Caitanya has come to take them all back to Godhead.
To give them ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa, which will end their suffering.
Category: [Material Sufferings], [Mercy]
Questioner: Pūjā
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapataka Swami: Regarding Jainism,
there is mentioned a bit in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
The first Tīrthāṅkara is Ṛṣabhadeva.
And He is an avatāra of Kṛṣṇa.
But the modern Jains have become atheists.
And they follow like Buddhism.
If you encourage them to read the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, what was the original teaching of Ṛṣabhadeva,
they can be benefitted.
They all accept that Ṛṣabhadeva was the first Tīrthāṇkara.
But they don’t know much about Him.
He was a theistic.
He was Himself Bhagavān!
He was the father of Bhārata.
This country is named as Bhārata-varṣa.
And He was the son of Ṛṣabhadeva.
So they should study about Ṛṣabhadeva.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: That is why it is important to chant and read every day.
When you see someone you think, how can I help this person on the path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness?
You think of someone else you remember that Kṛṣṇa is in their heart.
If you think of something else that is not right, you remember that Kṛṣṇa is in their heart,
so you apologize that you have done something wrong,
you thought something improper.
I have done something wrong.
You think always Kṛṣṇa is in your heart, He is always watching whatever you do, whatever you think.
Anyway, you have to deal with your office and other things
and there are people talking to.
But if you can think, you can remember Kṛṣṇa all the time when they are talking to you.
How if you are working, you make money and how with that money you can do some service to Kṛṣṇa.
You worship the Deities at home,
give prasāda to the family,
give some help to the temple.
There are different ways we can remember Kṛṣṇa.
So maybe there be a fleeting thought when you have to think of practical things,
but within that also your motive is always to serve Kṛṣṇa.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was saying in 1973 on the occasion of his Vyāsa-pūjā, he was in London.
He said he wanted all his gṛhastha followers to be paramahaṁsas.
He (Abhayacaraṇa Nimāi dāsa, Guru Mahārāja’s repeater) always asks me how is that possible?
The paramahaṁsa is always thinking of Kṛṣṇa.
Others may be thinking I work, I made money, maybe I can go someplace like Tahiti for vacation or something.
We are thinking we want to please Kṛṣṇa.
I want to please guru and Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Lakṣmī Jayakumārī
Date: 2023-07-07
Jayapatākā Swami: So Kṛṣṇa can do that,
nothing is impossible for Him.
But if we take the mercy of Vāsudeva Datta,
then we can get liberated to Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
in this lifetime.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-25
Jayapatākā Swami: When Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Goswami asked Prabhupāda that,
“What about those disciples of yours who have taken first initiation,
but you have not yet given them second.
And,
if they take initiation from one of your disciples then what will be their position?”
Then Prabhupāda said,
“They are my disciples.
They are my disciples then.”
So it is just like,
when Ṛṣabhadeva left,
He told all the hundred sons that, “You look at Bharata just like me.
You follow him as your head.”
You see.
So, if someone takes second initiation, that means,
they have to just see that their initiating,
this second initiator,
just like the such a senior brother that directly Prabhupāda is working through that person.
Still their direct relationship is there with Prabhupāda.
Just like, say a person is born, and just then the mother and father died.
And he is brought up by their son.
Then what is his situation?
Still it is not that he is the father.
But still the relationship is not just the same as brother,
twin brother or something, it’s not going to be the same, different type of relationship.
Hare Kṛṣṇa.
That means that Prabhupāda is considering they are his sons.
But definitely there is some responsibility there for the second initiating gurus, so that should be some deep respect.
Category: [Dīkṣā (Initiation)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: There are four parts of Goloka Vṛndāvana,
Vraja dhāma,
Mathurā,
Dvārakā
and Śvetadvīpa.
Lord Caitanya is in Śvetadvīpa.
And Lord Kṛṣṇa is in the other three dhāmas
In the Bṛhad-bhāgavātamṛta it says the Lord Jagannātha is in Dvārakā but He is very close to Vṛndāvana dhāma.
How many have read Bṛhad-bhāgavātamṛta?
So the other question was, is it important for us to study?
Śrīla Prabhupāda said that if we don’t study, then we may get doubts that may be answered in the books we don’t study, and we may fall down.
I am very grateful to Anukula Keśava dāsa for organizing the Bhakti-śāstri, Bhakti-vaibhava course in the temple.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, Gaura Kiśora dāsa Bābājī was not very literate.
But he memorized the Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
And he followed his spiritual master.
In South Indian there was a brāhmaṇa, all the ladies, the educated people were spitting on him and making fun of him.
Lord Caitanya asked him why all these people are harassing you?
Why are you crying?
He said, I am not very educated.
My guru told me to read Bhagavad-gītā every day.
And then I am not able to pronounce the Sanskrit very correctly that is why these children, these people are making fun of me.
But when I see the picture of Kṛṣṇa driving the chariot of Arjuna, I cannot but help cry!
How Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, yet He drives the chariot for His friend!
Lord Caitanya embraced him and said you are the real paṇḍita of the Bhagavad-gītā! Haribol!
Category: [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
To become a devotee means to have gone through all purification process such as knowledge of all the Vedas and such. But have to becoming a devotee means still one has a same suffering and problems as non-devotee. Even after taking of devotional service one still has the propensity to be envious and causing anxiety to others. There is nothing wrong in the process of devotional life why does devotees come under māyā’s attack?m
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-10
How to develop favourable devotional attitude?
we should accept everything for devotional service and give up everything which is unfavourable.
If we really understand what is our self interest?
What is helping us?
And we understand serving Kṛṣṇa and serving his devotees are our own self interest and then we know what is the favourable for that we accept the favourable things and we avoid the unfavourable automatically we can.
Start to get lined up.
Now what is very important is to develop that is by associating with the devotees already have their attitude.
Not that every devotees is equally developed in his favourable attitude such those who are especially ball pointless those who are in bitter mood they may be advancing but in a slow track.
Those who are seeing good qualities in others enthusiastic cheerful and they don’t hold any grudges on anyone they are in mode of fast track.
So we look for devotees that we can relate with a better situation we are and associating with them and in this way we can progress by the good association and this leads to the next question which is sādhu-saṅga which is one of most if not the most important limbs of devotional principles is offensive be six certain devotee association to avoid others,
So we select the associating just associating of any devotees so we can read the questions super souls.
Lord Caitanya said that there are three kinds of devotees those who are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa but they are not following the principles we can help them otherwise we don’t associate with them very intimately but those who are initiated and following very strictly we can accept them in a very we can respect them and offer respect to them and associate with them.
And those who are very advanced who are fully fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness who are in the level of guru we can take shelter from them.
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said that we can seek out association with the likely minded devotees.
Of course hopefully the like minded should be a good mind but its all right we may be more intimate with some than the others.
Question:
But have to becoming a devotee means still one has a same suffering and problems as non-devotee.
Even after taking of devotional service one still has the propensity to be envious and causing anxiety to others.
There is nothing wrong in the process of devotional life why does devotees come under māyā’s attack?
Answer:
There are so many process of purification.
You come to bhakti means this is the supreme process there is no other process after this.
And there is no need of doing any lower processes but still we have to learn how to do bhakti-yoga to do properly.
As we do bhakti-yoga we will find many dirt will come in our hearts.
It’s a cleaning process,
if we clean the house dust comes out.
We have to be very careful to move the dirt.
We have to be learned to be tolerant.
We have to learn to be humble.
These are part of the devotional process.
Now side by side by chanting and performing the activities we have to also do cleaning.
We have to be always analyzing and seeing wherever we have defects and systematically try to move that.
Then in this material world time is immemorial.
Millions of millions of birth even after few days,
months,
weeks or years of devotional service its not likely some of the contaminations are still there in our hearts.
But if we absorb ourselves fully in devotional service and we take the shelter of the spiritual master properly then we can burn out these accumulated contaminations very quickly.
So the reason why the process of devotional service is to get different attacks the contamination is there as I mentioned in the class we are getting devotional service very easy from Lord Caitanya we are making mmediately they are close on us.
They will take away the curve.
We have to make a proper we have to be patient we are not fully qualified for devotional service we are getting it on a special concession like the government sometimes give the poor people the low cost housing.
They don’t get afford to get a house but they can buy it by low credit just to get the people out of the slums.
So Lord Caitanya want us to get out from this horrible material world.
He is giving us a special credit plan.
Because we are not fully qualified we have to work it becoming qualified.
You are coming to this process very quickly.
But if we stick to it within a short period of time we can get rid out of this bad qualities and we become properly situated.
So we need the patience and determination and the conviction.
We need the associate properly with devotees.
We need to avoid the different kind of negative activities and we have to be very open hearted and straight forward.
These are the six things that Rūpa Gosvāmi recommends us and help us
to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So in one sentence nothing wrong.
And people surely benefit something by hearing them.
But usually for the initiated devotees prefer to hear singing by someone more spiritually developed.
These are especially songs sung by attracting the new people by music aspect but not spiritual aspect.
In public programs we use these more but for personal purification it is recommended to hear Prabhupāda and some other pure devotee chanting.
But its nothing wrong but that is the guideline.
In Kali-yuga for different this is very funny the four varṇāśramas.
So four āśramas we don’t.
I understand its meaning.
Question is addressing the āśramas.
It’s a mistake to go through the varṇas.
So the āśramas it depends also so some people just go through marriage the only āśrama they have to go through.
For spiritual life someone joins the movement he is a gṛhastha we don’t say he has to go to brahmacārī.
But later on the gṛhasthas are good to taken vānaprastha husband and wife together.
It is not essential that people must take sannyāsa.
If they are initiated wife and husband prepare themselves for this also.
This all voluntarily.
One doesn’t have to go through different āśramas but its something that one has to consult with one’s own guru.
What is best for each individual?
To which āśrama that one should go through?
Some brahmacārīs go straight to sannyāsa and some brahmacārīs to gṛhastha and vānaprastha.
So this all different scenarios.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-25
Jayapatākā Swami: The spiritual master has to accept your karma
and Lord Caitanya’s mercy is such that past karma can be mitigated.
And how He wants to do that is up to Him.
But after you have taken initiation, if you are again breaking the principles or do illicit activities,
then you are responsible for that.
Guru is also responsible.
So one should cease to do any sinful activities after taking initiation.
And if one suffers, we take it that Kṛṣṇa is directly giving mercy,
so that we can directly experience how the material world is a place of suffering.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: We generally fast on the days of viṣṇu-tattva.
But we also fast on Rādhāṣṭamī.
And, I don’t know why we don’t fast on Gadādhara and Śrīvāsa’s appearance days.
They are very merciful!
Because someone asked why is it that Lord Kṛṣṇa makes us fast till midnight and Rādhārāṇī only till midday.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said that Rādhārāṇī is more merciful.
Maybe in the appearance day of Gadādhara, He is super merciful.
I don’t know if they cooked anything special today?
Kalāsudhā devī dāsī: You had some Gujarati prasāda for lunch today.
Jayapatākā Swami: Gadādhara, was He Gujarati?
Gadādhara he would cook sometimes imli chutney,
tamarind chutney.
It was so good that Lord Caitanya said whenever He cooks that I will be there.
We don’t know what preparations Gadādhara Prabhu liked to cook.
I only know of one, the tamarind chutney.
Lord Caitanya He liked śākas.
So we had His Holiness Śivarāma Swami over for lunch, also Nirañjana Swami and Devāmṛta Swami.
They (my cooks) cooked 30 varieties of śākas!
I don’t know if they have that many śākas here in Dallas.
But in Bengal, there are lots of śākas.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-18
Jayapatākā Swami: I mean, at the time of initiation, we usually have someone give a class on the ten offences to the holy name
That is very important.
The other offences he does not consider so much and He usually forgives someone.
There was this Cāpāla Gopāla he had put lot of things, blood and things outside the house of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura.
So, he got leprosy.
And at that time he was staying outside the city of Navadvīpa.
Lord Caitanya with His kīrtana party happened to go there.
He fell at Lord Caitanya’s feet and said, “Please have mercy on me!”
He said, “No you cannot have any mercy.
I will not give any mercy, you have offended My devotee.”
So the devotees went to Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura and said, “You have to forgive this Cāpāla Gopāla.
Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura said, “How can I be offended?I am lower than the stool!
I am lowest of the low.”
They said, “Listen Śrīvāsa, you want someone to suffer because of you?”
“No, no, no, no!
No one should suffer because of me.”
“Whether you think you are a devotee or not, you have to forgive Cāpāla Gopāla.
Otherwise, his destiny is very bad.”
“Alright, then I will do that.”
So then Śrīvāsa went
and then Cāpāla Gopāla pleaded, “Please forgive me for my offences.”
Then Śrīvāsa said, “Yes, I forgive you.”
As soon as he said, Lord Caitanya appeared out of nowhere
and He embraced Cāpāla Gopāla. Haribol! Haribol!
So we have to be careful
of offending devotees.
But Lord Caitanya is very merciful. If we get forgiven by the devotee, He will forgive you.
He told Mother Śacī that since she had offended Advaita Gosāñī she will not get love of Godhead.
Devotees, were like, “Mother Śacī, she is Your mother, how she cannot love of Kṛṣṇa?”
Lord Caitanya said, “When My brother took sannyāsa she said, maybe because of Advaita Ācārya’s preaching.
So, in this way she had offended Him.”
So He took Mother Śacī over to Advaita Ācārya and Advaita Ācārya asked, “What are all these devotees here about?”
“Śacīmātā has offended You and You have to forgive her.”
“She cannot offend Me, she is a very good devotee!” He started glorifying Śacīmātā
and He became so ecstatic glorifying Śacīmātā
that He fainted.
Lord Caitanya told Śacīmātā, “He is never going to forgive you.
He did not think that you can offend Him.
You take the dust from His lotus feet
and that way you will be forgiven.”
So Śacīmātā took the dust
from Advaita Ācārya’s lotus feet
and put it on her head
and she was forgiven!
And after that she got love of Godhead!
Any other question.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Mercy]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Just like, I request my disciples to read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and get their degrees such as Bhakti-śāstrī,
Bhakti-vaibhava, Bhakti-vedānta.
So, there is one devotee in her 20s, she already has her Bhakti-vedānta degree.
We haven’t given much attention to that.
We find that there are many doctors, politicians, lawyers of the female gender.
It would be nice to have devotees who actually know the scriptures and can properly explain it.
People like to hear from Mātājīs and children.
Normally, they don’t speak philosophical things.
But if they do, people like it!
That is one thing that can be done.
I mean, I have been invited to go to Tucson, Arizona and Phoenix also.
Both those temples have females as Temple Presidents.
So in some countries of the world, not every country, there are no limitations like that.
In the 9th canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, there is the Apsarā, Urvaśī, she criticizes a bit how ladies are not reliable.
But in the purport Śrīla Prabhupāda said this is for the materialistic ladies.
Anyone who is Kṛṣṇa conscious, man or woman, they are all equal.
So, I mean, I don’t see such a limitation.
We saw that in the Dallas Ratha-yātrā, ladies were doing many services.
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Why is it so?
We cannot force anyone to do it.
Ladies generally know ways to tactfully handle this.
You can say, please help me,
I have to do ārati.
Take the Bhagavad-gītā and show him and say that you do not understand the śloka and ask the husband to help.
Even though you can.
But the husband has a false ego that he is a male and to fan his ego, the wife can request him to explain.
Then he will read and even reading is a kind of service.
That way he will say something.
This way, the wife can in different ways get the husband to do it.
This we cannot do but the women have the knack.
Questioner: Anuttama Rādhā, Germany
Date: 2022-07-23
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, Kṛṣṇa is known as Para Brahman.
He is superior Brahman.
So Brahman may be impersonal but the superior Brahman is personal.
So we try to understand Kṛṣṇa as a transcendental person.
Category: [Yet To Categories]
We are doing Bhakti-vṛkṣa and there are some standards for new devotees who come. Is there any hard and fast rules because some Bhakti-vṛkṣas are giving opportunity for new devotees also and they later become devotees. So is there any hard and fast rule or we can just sense it and feel it, ok this devotee we can give chance to cook even they are not chanting 4 rounds or 8 or 16 rounds yet.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: You see if they cook under your supervision, it is alright.
You are seeing what they do is proper.
But if they are cooking in their house we don’t know if they are eating it and whether they have a cat or dog in their house.
So if you have new people and they are not cooking under your supervision then we ask them to bring uncooked stuff like salad, fruits.
But otherwise have them cook under your supervision and Śrīla Prabhupāda said that is alright.
You see that they are following all the rules.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-25
Jayapatākā Swami: You see in nava-vidha-bhakti the first two are śravaṇam and kīrtanam – hearing and chanting.
You can chant the holy names you and listen.
The other sevā is pāda-sevanam.
If you can give some of the fruits of your work to serve the Lord.
This way, you remember the Lord – smaraṇam.
When you worship the Deities, that is arcanam.
When you pay obeisances, that is vandanam.
So, Ambarīṣa Mahārāja, he did all the nine practices of devotion that is ātma-nivedanam.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Workplace], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: To do this, one should use his common sense.
Like he went to the Pāṇḍavas and he did not want to make them unhappy and tell them that Lord Kṛṣṇa had already departed.
But with Dhṛtarāṣṭra it was another situation. Therefore, he comes and speaks harshly to Dhṛtarāṣṭra so that he is encouraged to take up devotional service.
So, preaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness takes a lot of common sense.
In different situations we have to act differently.
I guess, this may be frustrating but there is no easy formula I can tell you.
That is why, we hear the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam where we find that Vidura according to different situations, he behaves differently.
Category: [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-10
How to develop favourable devotional attitude?
we should accept everything for devotional service and give up everything which is unfavourable.
If we really understand what is our self interest?
What is helping us?
And we understand serving Kṛṣṇa and serving his devotees are our own self interest and then we know what is the favourable for that we accept the favourable things and we avoid the unfavourable automatically we can.
Start to get lined up.
Now what is very important is to develop that is by associating with the devotees already have their attitude.
Not that every devotees is equally developed in his favourable attitude such those who are especially ball pointless those who are in bitter mood they may be advancing but in a slow track.
Those who are seeing good qualities in others enthusiastic cheerful and they don’t hold any grudges on anyone they are in mode of fast track.
So we look for devotees that we can relate with a better situation we are and associating with them and in this way we can progress by the good association and this leads to the next question which is sādhu-saṅga which is one of most if not the most important limbs of devotional principles is offensive be six certain devotee association to avoid others,
So we select the associating just associating of any devotees so we can read the questions super souls.
Lord Caitanya said that there are three kinds of devotees those who are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa but they are not following the principles we can help them otherwise we don’t associate with them very intimately but those who are initiated and following very strictly we can accept them in a very we can respect them and offer respect to them and associate with them.
And those who are very advanced who are fully fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness who are in the level of guru we can take shelter from them.
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said that we can seek out association with the likely minded devotees.
Of course hopefully the like minded should be a good mind but its all right we may be more intimate with some than the others.
Lord Kṛṣṇa He has said that He is the higher of all living entities and so he is the higher of the devas and he is the one who fixes people’s faith on different devas.
When a person fully takes shelter of Kṛṣṇa then they need to see Kṛṣṇa in everything including the devas.
If they can see devas then there is no problem but the Kṛṣṇa the devas they got confused about how that two relate with each other then its obstacle.
So that’s why the devotees should understand that the devas are all great devotees of God.
His expansion in the Vedas what we call it as sahasra śīrṣāḥ puruṣaḥ What that mantra called?
In the puruṣa śūkta how all the devas are different parts of the body of the lord in the Viśvarūpa also mentions that so that devas are the arms representing so we understand that the devas are the devotees of the lord and we offer them respect as devotees then that is no problem.
If we go to the devas and asks If we go to the devas and asks the devas a blessing to be a better devotee of Kṛṣṇa then there is no problem.
But if we go to the devas and asks the same thing that the devas asking from Kṛṣṇa then Kṛṣṇa asks who do you really take shelter me or him?
If you want to take from him then all right no need to take from me.
But the devas they can give us the ticket back to Kṛṣṇa they can help us in many ways.
I was just reading this morning in Bhāgavatam when Kṛṣṇa had disappeared from Dvāraka when he was looking for the Śyāmantaka jewel all the residents of Dvāraka went to durgā and they prayed to durga please bring Kṛṣṇa back to us we want Kṛṣṇa back.
So out of love for Kṛṣṇa they prayed to the divine mother to bring Kṛṣṇa back.
So in someways that devotees of Kṛṣṇa ven prayed like that the gopīs prayed to Kātyāyinī to Pārvatī her name is Katyāyinī to get Kṛṣṇa as her husband so such things are all right for devotees.
Everytime I go to deva temple I always pray to deva for blessing to be Kṛṣṇa consciousness and to spread the saṅkīrtana movement of Lord Caitanya because I know that because this is what they all want.
If we read in the Purāṇas
the devas are fighting with the demons you know how much they want us to spread us this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
That’s really what they want?
When a person dies the soul leaves the body three or ones if we pick this one we can lack again.
Question:
But have to becoming a devotee means still one has a same suffering and problems as non-devotee.
Even after taking of devotional service one still has the propensity to be envious and causing anxiety to others.
There is nothing wrong in the process of devotional life why does devotees come under māyā’s attack?
Answer:
There are so many process of purification.
You come to bhakti means this is the supreme process there is no other process after this.
And there is no need of doing any lower processes but still we have to learn how to do bhakti-yoga to do properly.
As we do bhakti-yoga we will find many dirt will come in our hearts.
It’s a cleaning process,
if we clean the house dust comes out.
We have to be very careful to move the dirt.
We have to be learned to be tolerant.
We have to learn to be humble.
These are part of the devotional process.
Now side by side by chanting and performing the activities we have to also do cleaning.
We have to be always analyzing and seeing wherever we have defects and systematically try to move that.
Then in this material world time is immemorial.
Millions of millions of birth even after few days,
months,
weeks or years of devotional service its not likely some of the contaminations are still there in our hearts.
But if we absorb ourselves fully in devotional service and we take the shelter of the spiritual master properly then we can burn out these accumulated contaminations very quickly.
So the reason why the process of devotional service is to get different attacks the contamination is there as I mentioned in the class we are getting devotional service very easy from Lord Caitanya we are making mmediately they are close on us.
They will take away the curve.
We have to make a proper we have to be patient we are not fully qualified for devotional service we are getting it on a special concession like the government sometimes give the poor people the low cost housing.
They don’t get afford to get a house but they can buy it by low credit just to get the people out of the slums.
So Lord Caitanya want us to get out from this horrible material world.
He is giving us a special credit plan.
Because we are not fully qualified we have to work it becoming qualified.
You are coming to this process very quickly.
But if we stick to it within a short period of time we can get rid out of this bad qualities and we become properly situated.
So we need the patience and determination and the conviction.
We need the associate properly with devotees.
We need to avoid the different kind of negative activities and we have to be very open hearted and straight forward.
These are the six things that Rūpa Gosvāmi recommends us and help us
to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So in one sentence nothing wrong.
And people surely benefit something by hearing them.
But usually for the initiated devotees prefer to hear singing by someone more spiritually developed.
These are especially songs sung by attracting the new people by music aspect but not spiritual aspect.
In public programs we use these more but for personal purification it is recommended to hear Prabhupāda and some other pure devotee chanting.
But its nothing wrong but that is the guideline.
In Kali-yuga for different this is very funny the four varṇāśramas.
So four āśramas we don’t.
I understand its meaning.
Question is addressing the āśramas.
It’s a mistake to go through the varṇas.
So the āśramas it depends also so some people just go through marriage the only āśrama they have to go through.
For spiritual life someone joins the movement he is a gṛhastha we don’t say he has to go to brahmacārī.
But later on the gṛhasthas are good to taken vānaprastha husband and wife together.
It is not essential that people must take sannyāsa.
If they are initiated wife and husband prepare themselves for this also.
This all voluntarily.
One doesn’t have to go through different āśramas but its something that one has to consult with one’s own guru.
What is best for each individual?
To which āśrama that one should go through?
Some brahmacārīs go straight to sannyāsa and some brahmacārīs to gṛhastha and vānaprastha.
So this all different scenarios.
Questioner: Śrīnivāsa dāsa and Ratnāvalī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: That is why we are trying to create this Kṛṣṇa conscious environment in Māyāpur.
And in different parts of the world, they are doing different things to give devotees, young children, a Kṛṣṇa conscious environment.
The CDM (Congregational Development Ministry) they have specially a program for children.
If you would like to be part of this initiative, please contact the CDM.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Parents], [Day-to-day Life / Children], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-05
Jayapatākā Swami: The writer.
One who wrote it down!
One of the associates of Lord Nityānanda, He analyzed the different pastimes.
Kavi Karṇapura we went to his temple he has Jagannātha Baladeva Subhadrā in a village called Maheśa.
Just by hearing the names of the associates we can every easily get love of Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Questioner: Kackuly Rāṇī
Date: 2022-09-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Thank you Kackuly Rāṇī for your nice question.
In the Puruṣottama month
Kṛṣṇa has accepted this month as nondifferent from Himself.
♫
So, they are regular attendees of this class,
Keya Rāṇī, Kackuly Rāṇī.
So on the CDM website
we are going to publish all the things that you can do in Puruṣottama month.
In the Dāmodara month,
you get hundred times benefit.
But in the Puruṣottama month, it is a 1000 times.
So basically, we do all the things
that we can do in the Dāmodara month,
and some more also.
It is not a good month for weddings or any kind of śubha-karma.
But it is very good for transcendental devotional service.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Just like I am serving my spiritual master,
I hope you can learn from my example
and serve me.
Link: 20221024 Evening Darśana
We fast till midnight on Janmāṣṭamī and Gaura Pūrṇimā and we take anukalpa-prasāda to break the fast and other viṣṇu-tattva days we fast till midday and take regular prasāda to break the fast. But today on the auspicious appearance day of Narasiṁha Caturdaśī we are fasting till dusk and breaking the fast with anukalpa-prasāda. Why is this so?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapatākā Swami: You see Narasiṁhadeva appeared at sunset.
So therefore, we fast till sunset.
Here we have daylight saving time.
But in Māyāpur sunset is around 6pm.
But here it is 8.11pm.
I don’t know what they do.
But technically, you could observe and break your fast at sunset
and take grains,
but because in Māyāpur we have Narasiṁhadeva Deity,
so we feel we would rather do anukalpa.
But that is optional.
On all the viṣṇu-tattva days it is optional
but on Kṛṣṇa Janmāṣṭamī, Gaura Pūrṇimā, because we are kṛṣṇa-bhaktas, it is required to eat anukalpa.
Those temples that have Lord Sītā-Rāma Lakṣmaṇa also Hanumān, on Rāma-navamī there they generally take anukalpa as far as I know.
Anyway, in Māyāpur we have this tradition that we like to do anukalpa on Narasiṁha Caturdaśī.
Actually, if you are fasting till 6 pm, if you eat grains, maybe you will get indigestion!
Anyway, devotees in Māyāpur, generally, they would like to take Ekādaśī prasāda.
Once Hari Śauri was asking me, and I told him it was optional.
Here probably they take grains.
Category: [Vratās (Austerities)]
We have a lot of similarities, when it comes to both our religions. Especially the garment, the orange, like we wear the white which symbolizes purity, and we are all one considered under God, and doesn’t matter what culture, what color skin you have that is not considered, materialist and all that. We are simple. I noticed that this is almost the same as well. I thought that it was eye opening for me. The reason I am here because I love to understand everybody else’s way of life, their purpose of existence, because in the end we are all like the same. It is all love and we are all humans you know. This is what I want to bring, I want to bring, bring love between everybody. So being here, gaining this experience is everything to me, it was a very eye opening humbling feeling. I do actually have a question that just popped in my mind - do you guys believe in hell or from what I understand, you were saying there is a spiritual world that you guys were?
Questioner: Dukanai
Date: 2023-10-23
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, here it is said there are 14 planetary levels
and so we are on the 7th.
Above us there are six other levels.
We are in the Bhu, then there is Bhuva and Svaha.
Svaha is heaven,
so you can go and have lots of happiness, material.
But material happiness is more or less the same.
But all happiness, little suffering.
Beyond that there are another 4 levels.
Beyond that is the spiritual world.
Where there is no birth, no death, no old age, no disease,
and everybody is in their love of God.
In the material world those who are very pious, religious, but they want their material happiness,
they go up to svarga, heaven.
When their good karma runs out, they come back down.
And then there are seven lower planets,
and they are less God conscious.
Below that there are all hells.
That if you are sinful, then you may be in some hell for sometime, burn off your sins and take birth again.
We are trying to get the people out of this material world.
And the way is if you do sacrifice.
The sacrifice for this day and age is chanting the holy names.
We believe there is one God
you call him Allah, Jehovah or Kṛṣṇa,
but there is one person
He has unlimited names.
In Malaysia, the Christians translated the Bible in Malaysian language.
There instead of saying God, they said Allah,
but the Moslems they objected and said Allah is only for Moslems!
That is the word they use for God.
Then in the parliament they said we should be like the Hindus, they say God has thousands and millions of names, unlimited.
So we don’t ask anyone to give up who are Moslems or Jews or Christians, whatever,
that is like high school, basic school, this is like PhD.
We are just focused, transfer people to the spiritual world and awaken their love for Godhead.
But it is there in the fifth canto there is a whole chapter on the hells,
in the structure of the universe.
So if you have extramarital sex
then a particular hell for that.
If people just kill animals, or enjoy killing them,
there is a hell for that.
If someone cheats someone else, just like there are 26 different hells.
But sometimes some people are so sinful that they have architects to design special hells for them.
What a job!
Any way!
So, there is an interesting pastime that person who judges, he is especially empowered by the Supreme Lord,
and his name is Yamarāja.
Category: [Material World]
We have been following Kṛṣṇa consciousness for so many years. Generally, devotees we see that in the process we have ups and downs. So when we take the case of Bharata Mahārāja, he was so sincere, he was so renounced, and he did his Kṛṣṇa consciousness so carefully, but there we hear that in the bhāva stage he was attracted and had to take another birth because of the offence that he did in a previous birth which he did not even know about. How to come out of it and what is the remedy when we do not know what offences we have committed?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-08-16
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, even Bharata Mahārāja who fell down took birth as a deer.
But Kṛṣṇa was merciful on him, and he could remember his previous lives.
The next birth he birth as a brāhmaṇa,
Jaḍa Bharata
and he was taken by some dacoits to be offered to Bhadra-Kālī as a balidāna, sacrifice.
But Bhadra-Kālī, she was so angry because he was a pure devotee.
She killed all the dacoits
and saved Jaḍa Bharata.
So we should just do our devotional service and even if we have done some unknown offence,
Kṛṣṇa will protect us if we do devotional service.
Now, this planet is known as Bhārata-varṣa.
And still India is called as Bhārata.
It is named after the king Bharata.
We have heard through Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, how Kṛṣṇa appears, how He has curly hair, manda manda muskaan (gentle smile), how He walks, but I have always been curious how His voice sounds like? How He speaks? I have never come across how Kṛṣṇa, how His voice feels like? Can you give me an idea Guru Mahārāja, how that is?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-11-09
Jayapatākā Swami: It says only the most fortunate can hear. Ha! Ha!
Jayapatākā Swami: In other words, we should be so fortunate that we can hear Kṛṣṇa’s voice, His song, His flute, His ornaments.
Think how fortunate the vraja-vāsīs were! They could hear Kṛṣṇa talking and singing,
His ankle bells,
His flute playing!
If even for a minute, we think wow! I would like to hear that,
that one desire then can lead us back to the spiritual world.
Unfortunately, people are thinking other things.
And we take birth after birth after birth
in this material world,
thinking that this other thing will make me happy.
Then that doesn’t make me happy, then we think of something else.
I heard that for some kind of quantity, I don’t know how much, they will freeze your body,
then when the scientists find how to bring the dead back to life,
they will do it.
It is all like Post-dated checks.
Actually, the Vedas tell us life comes from life.
That as long as the life is in the body, the body is beautiful to look at,
because of the living force,
the ātmā.
It is not some material thing you can adjust.
All these rich people, the scientists, they don’t know the basic ABCs of spiritual life.
The body is a machine,
we need doctors to correct the machine,
but the doctors cannot put life back into a dead body.
They are saying give me your money we will freeze your body and when the doctors figure out, we will unfreeze you!
So this is a bluff!
Śrīla Prabhupāda was in one village in India. And he was giving a simple example.
He said say, somebody’s grandfather dies.
His wife is crying, my husband has left.
His sons and daughters are crying my father has left.
The grand-daughter or grandchildren they are crying, my grandfather has gone
and in the village everyone according to their relationship,
they are lamenting he has gone! He has gone!
Śrīla Prabhupāda asked them, who has gone?
Same body is same hair is there, same hands,
so, who has gone?
Everyone is lamenting that he is gone,
but who has gone?
It is actually the ātmā, the soul has gone.
And that if the soul is there the body is alive,
the soul is not there, the body is dead.
So, that is the unfortunate thing.
People don’t know these basic things of spiritual life.
My purvāśrama mother, she visited India
and she came to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
She gave him roses every day.
I was surprise that, Śrīla Prabhupāda was speaking to her about the living force!
In such a simple language,
the living force,
I never heard Śrīla Prabhupāda say that usually we hear ātmā,
he was saying the living force, you are the living force in the body.
When you leave the body, the living force leaves the body, then it is dead.
I heard that Disney or somebody, they have their body frozen,
then their heirs started fighting who is going to inherit from him?
Maybe he will come back to life!
So a big fight and someone pulled the cord!
He was rotting and then alright!
So then they could take his money!
We have kṛṣṇa-prema, nāma-prema and gaura-prema. All these three are in a very transcendental platform. But gaura-prema is so juicy, nectarean and overwhelming. So will we get the same feeling with the other two premas also and what is that we need to do that we are not able to distinguish between the three and get to the highest, gaura-prema?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: This is the first time I heard the difference between gaura-prema and kṛṣṇa-prema!
Lord Caitanya, He is Kṛṣṇa.
If you love Lord Caitanya, then naturally you love Lord Kṛṣṇa.
But Lord Caitanya, He gives love very freely.
As far as I understood, He gave out kṛṣṇa-prema.
If you love Lord Caitanya, then you love Lord Kṛṣṇa.
And Kṛṣṇa and His name are non-different.
If you love His name, then you love Kṛṣṇa.
Link: 20221023 Evening Darśana
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: We are trying to have some joint programs
on the appearance disappearance days of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.
And that time everybody speaks for ten minutes.
And we have various speakers.
That way we are cooperating.
But we don’t really associate, one on one, individually,
because it may expose us to some criticism.
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Gauḍīya maṭḥa], [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
We have so many varieties of devotional service, like chanting, reading Śrīla Prabhupāda, Deity worship and visiting holy dhāmas. Sometimes we see that when we are more attracted to one method the other methods are getting less importance and we are not able to do them. So whether more reading or more of chanting, or more of Deity worship or more of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books reading, which one is more important?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-08-16
Jayapatākā Swami: In every yuga, there is a particular, which is most important.
In Kali-yuga, śravaṇam kīrtanam is most important.
Reading books is one form of śravaṇam.
There are nine practices of devotional service
and by practicing any one then also it is possible to be delivered.
But in Kali-yuga it is especially recommended that we chant and hear.
But we should chant, hear remember,
pay obeisances, offer prayers
and do the arcanam,
and do pāda-sevanam, do some service,
considering oneself as the servant of the Lord,
considering the Lord as one’s friend
and offering everything to the Lord,
ātma-nivedenam.
These are the nine practices of devotional service.
Category: [Emotions / Confusion], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra], [Vigraha Āradhana (Deity Worship)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-24
Jayapatākā Swami: Arjuna is in sakhya-rasa
and Viśākhā in mādhurya-rasa.
Sometimes Rāmānanda Rāya would be a friend of Lord Caitanya.
Sometimes he would behave with Lord Caitanya in mādhurya-rasa.
When Lord Caitanya was in mādhurya-rasa, Rāmānanda Rāya would quote different ślokas.
So, in this way, devotees of Lord Caitanya would sometimes manifest sakhya-rasa and sometimes mādhurya-rasa.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
We know that Caitanya Mahāprabhu came to give this love of Godhead mainly when we chant the holy names and when we spread the holy names. So, we see around us many leaders, those who are engaged in missionary activities, and they are assisting in spreading the holy name, but when it comes to taking deeply shelter of the holy name, we do not get much inspiration from them because of their being so much engaged in their service. They may be serving so extensively but when it comes to personal sādhana, it may not be so inspiring for us. How do we understand this? Just because they are engaged in the mission will Lord Caitanya give them love of Godhead or they have to work hard to attain śuddha-nāma?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-08-16
Jayapatākā Swami: We do not worry about others.
Kṛṣṇa will judge.
And we try to engage ourselves completely in devotional service.
Just like, I was attending two meetings,
GBC meeting
and then the MOVP meeting,
Museum of the Vedic Planetarium.
During that time, I was chanting on the pedal.
I was hearing and chanting
and at the end of four hours, I chanted 1,924 mantras.
My right hand is not paralyzed but paresis,
don’t have any feeling.
Anyway, while exercise I chant
Somehow or other I always chant.
In this way, I see that one can chant at all times.
Questioner: Śyāma Muralī dāsa
Date: 2023-07-10
Jayapatākā Swami: Even if we take the position of being a parent of Kṛṣṇa,
but still doing it as a service.
So Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi,
he is acting as a devotee,
he is not acting as a parent.
Although he may have been a parent
in the previous līlā,
he is not a parent in this līlā.
So the Lord is chastising him
as a special mercy.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
We know your mood is to bless everybody unconditionally, even a difficult person who is troubling you. We serve see devotees and when we see devotees troubling other devotees or being rude, are we doing vaiṣṇava-aparādhā to that other devotee? At the same time, we have to make sure he is not troubling others. So how do we handle these delicate situations?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: I mean, one thing is that you don’t talk to the person in front of other people.
Then it gets their ego offended.
Take them aside and talk to them.
But I mean, ladies, they are, you know, sometimes it is better to have the husbands talk to them.
But we like to, there is a saying in India, where you train your daughter-in-law by chastising your daughter.
Jayapatākā Swami: You have to tell them that I am just using you as an example.
Because I love you and you love me.
But daughter-in-law is a different relationship.
Anyway, one thing is that
you have to develop these people skills,
it is not something, just there is saying one time a horse, he swallowed a watermelon or something.
The doctor hit the horse on the neck,
to break up the melon,
and then one student said, “I know how to cure a thousand horses.”
He hit every horse on the neck
and then they died!
The doctor, teacher told him, “You are a fool, this horse had swallowed a melon which was in his neck,
not every swollen neck is a melon!” .
Each person is an individual,
If I did the same thing and hit them on the neck it won’t work.
But you have to be sensitive to their feelings,
and sometimes like we are told to use the sandwich system.
So, glorify and give the message.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-28
Jayapatākā Swami: Association with devotees is very rare.
So, whenever it’s available, one should take advantage.
That one can only pray to Kṛṣṇa and Lord Caitanya for more association.
Even if people try to chase after association, there we see that sometimes they end up committing offences.
So, the association of devotees is something which is given by the Lord. It is a rare opportunity.
So, one should take advantage of whatever association one gets and should be always anxious and pray to the Lord for the service and association of His devotees.
And by serving the spiritual master, by remembering the words of the pure devotees, that will give one association with them.
And that is a higher principle - association through union and association through separation.
One should practice both of these programs.
Sometimes someone in separation is more intimately united than someone… Someone who is in real separation is most intimately united.
Sometimes people even when they are physically present with a pure devotee, they fall asleep or they think of something else, their mind wanders off.
So, in this way instead of being mentally present, they are not present.
While the other person may be physically absent, but he is mentally and spiritually present.
So, when one has the physical presence of a pure devotee, then he should be very careful to be conscious, to be aware,
to take advantage so that when in the physical absence, one can also have the mind, they are fixed in separation.
Understood?
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: We offer it to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, but just show it to the guru-paramparā.
After showing the guru-paramparā, we offer to Rādhā Kṛṣṇa or Gaura-Nitāi.
Then offering to guru-paramparā as a prasāda is not an offence.
If tulasī is offered to Kṛṣṇa, then we can eat that tulasī, that is kṛṣṇa-prasāda.
Category: [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
We read from Caitanya-caritāmṛta where Kavirāja Gosvāmī mentions that once in a day of Lord Brahmā Lord Kṛṣṇa appears and after that in Dvāpara-yuga Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appears. So in other Dvāpara-yugas and Kali-yuga, especially Kali-yuga does Lord Caitanya descend? Or some other incarnation appears because it is mentioned in the scriptures that the Lord comes in every yuga?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-25
Jayapatākā Swami: (Does Lord Caitanya come in every Kali-yuga?) No!
I went to Tirumala and they say that Bālājī, He is the Kali-yuga incarnation
for the last Kali-yuga.
So Lord Caitanya only comes after Lord Kṛṣṇa
and He doesn’t come every time.
We should be very grateful that He just came.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Rasapriyā Gopīkā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: We don’t think we are worthy of the Lord’s mercy,
that’s why it’s causeless mercy.
We don’t see ourselves as the cause.
Rather we have no such qualities,
and the Lord, if He gives us His mercy,
that is His blessing.
One disciple at the Kumbha-melā asked Śrīla Prabhupāda,
you said that one gets devotional service,
if they have done all these spiritual practices.
But in my life when I look back, I don’t see any such qualifications,
how did I get devotional service?
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “I made your good fortune for you”.
We see so many amazing orators in ISKCON, doing preaching service. Everyone wants mercy. And Lord Caitanya can give us mercy easily if we preach. So I also want the mercy but I see that my voice is not empowered. So could you please tell that how can we preach so that it penetrates the hearts of people?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Acintya Caitanya dāsa here was telling me
how when he visited Kethuri-grāma
and heard how Lord Caitanya left love for Godhead in the Padmā river for Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura,
and Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura bathed in the Padmā, he came out changed.
But then he said Lord Caitanya had left His ecstasy in the Padmā river.
But Śrīla Prabhupāda said that his books are his personal ecstasies,
so if you read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books,
we can get love for Kṛṣṇa.
And naturally if you read Śrīla Prabhupāda books and then you just be sincere to repeat what you have heard in your own words -
I pray for the mercy of guru, Lord Caitanya and Lord Kṛṣṇa before giving every class
and by Their mercy I give what I give.
But these two things - reading Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and praying for Their mercy,
that is what I know.
Don’t be self-conscious.
Think of Kṛṣṇa,
and try to say Kṛṣṇa’s message.
Kṛṣṇa ordered everybody yāre dekha tāre kaha kṛṣṇa upadeśa - that is the secret.
One time in this Kārtika month, we had a function in the town hall in South America, Ecuador, in Cuenca.
There one civil contractor, he was a labor contractor (from Delhi?), he was not very educated.
But he spoke, he was so sincere.
Everybody was moved! Everybody there they were Christians, and they came and offered candles to Yaśoda and Kṛṣṇa.
Haribol!
If you are sincere, that is what changes peoples’ hearts!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-14
Jayapatākā Swami: We use all the… we do temple worship, we do yajñas, but we do it with the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Just like the marriage ceremony we do fire yajña, initiation we do with fire yajña.
But we also chant Hare Kṛṣṇa in those ceremonies.
Category: [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-30
Jayapatākā Swami: Rāma has every right to worship Śiva.
Just like Kṛṣṇa, He is driving the chariot for Arjuna, therefore he is known as Pārtha-sārathi.
Because Śiva is vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ – he is the greatest devotee of Lord Rāma.
He is chanting Rāma’s name, always on his rudrākṣa, he is always chanting Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare,
because he is the expansion of Mahā-saṅkarṣaṇa, who is only the expansion of Rāma.
So Rāma has every reason to worship His devotee.
Because the Lord is always known as bhakata-vatsala.
He always like to put His devotee in the superior place.
Kṛṣṇa is only taking the inferior position with Yaśodā, but how about all the times?
Even in that particular līlā, Śiva came out and said, “There’s no need for You to worship me, You Yourself a Lord.”
And even Śiva himself, just like he did tapasyā to be admitted as a gopī in Kṛṣṇa’s rāsa-līlā.
And he was made as the gatekeeper, Gopeśvara for Kṛṣṇa’s rāsa-līlā.
And like that, there are so many pastimes in the Purāṇas.
So actually, Lord Brahmā in his Brahma-saṁhitā said, “There is no difference between Viṣṇu and Śiva;
Viṣṇu is like milk, and Lord Śiva is like yogurt, like dūdh, dadhi.
So, from milk only, dadhi is made.
And dadhi and milk are all milk– there is no other substance.
There is no other second material there; only that the yogurt cannot be rechanged back to milk.
There’s a slight difference in the quality, but… or you can say in the taste or the flavor, but the substance is more or less the same; same thing, milk product.”
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Kṛṣṇa's Incarnations]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-16
Jayapatākā Swami: See, if you read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,
it tells you how the material world is a kind of a jungle
and the pleasure here is temporary.
So we should side by side render devotional service.
I was thinking how in this age of Kali it is recommended that most people should get married
and how will they be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
We see that people normally are very much attached to their material desires.
But we realize that these material desires, these material things are all temporary,
and if they render devotional service, it is not temporary.
So devotees need to render devotional service and material life won’t be so much important for us.
Since it is illusory or temporary,
we want to do all our activities in such a way that Kṛṣṇa is pleased.
I was thinking how when one has children, we try to bring up the children to be devotees,
and all our activities we try to do in a Kṛṣṇa conscious way.
Say we like to eat,
we offer the bhoga to Kṛṣṇa
and we take the prasāda.
That is a different thing than just eating for our enjoyment.
And we have Deities in our house,
we do worship of the Deities,
we read the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam regularly
and then we understand what the difference is between temporary happiness and real happiness.
We want devotees to actually achieve this happiness.
Maybe temporarily the temporary happiness is considered important
but gradually one develops higher taste.
Just like Lord Caitanya, He would chant and dance,
sometimes in great ecstasy He would cry,
His hairs stood on ends
various symptoms of love of Kṛṣṇa would manifest.
So we want all the devotees to experience that love of Kṛṣṇa,
it may take some time
but then naturally the material desires diminish.
Category: [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Material Sufferings], [Karma / Desires], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Emotions / Enthusiasm]
Questioner: Bhagyasri
Date: 2022-11-28
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura has recommended
that when one wakes up in the morning
you should beat their mind with shoes 100 times.
And before we go to bed beat your mind 108 times with a broom stick.
In this way, you are not the mind, your mind should cooperate with you.
You have to tell the mind who is the boss.
Instead of the mind bossing you around, you tell the mind what to do.
If you don’t want to think about that pray to Kṛṣṇa He will help
and pray that you want to think about Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Material World / Mind / Intelligence], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Nandakumāra Kṛṣṇa dāsa, USA
Date: 2023-07-10
Jayapatākā Swami: In a very respectful way, you can always ask the devotee
how, what they are doing can be accepted.
And if they have a good answer,
then that is alright.
If they say, it is my mistake,
then they stand corrected.
But we should not jump
to conclude that they are wrong.
First we ask them,
why they are doing that
and see what they say.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-23
Jayapatākā Swami: I mentioned there are five kinds of relationships.
Two and a half are very formal and respectful
and two and a half are very intimate and loving.
You cannot think of yourself as the father or mother of the Supreme Lord.
Just like a rich person, he would like to be loved as a person, not for his richness.
I mean it must be very difficult for someone like Elon Musk,
who are just behaving with him because he is rich.
But in the spiritual world Kṛṣṇa uses yoga-māyā to make devotees forget that He is the Supreme Lord.
Like He went to Mathurā and He liberated the demon Kaṁsa
and then Devakī and Vasudeva His parents, they were awestruck, because he was such a powerful demon and he was neutralized by Kṛṣṇa.
And when the Lord kills someone, they automatically get liberation.
Vasudeva and Devakī were offering their praṇāmas and very respectful.
But Kṛṣṇa did not want that.
He wanted them to act like His parents.
But to do that, they just saw Him kill the demon who had been suppressing them for so long!
So obviously, He is very powerful,
and they remembered how He appeared as the Supreme Lord.
Then he sprinkled some līlā-dust over them!
And then, “Oh, my dear son!”
That is what He wanted.
The Supreme Lord can do things like that.
But He can make people forget who He is,
just love Him as a son or as a friend. Like that.
In Vṛndāvana, people love Kṛṣṇa,
they don’t think of Him as God.
Even like Nanda Mahārāja, he was arrested by, in English we call it Neptune, by the servant of Varuṇa,
and then they saw that Varuṇa the angel of God of the water,
he was respecting Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.
They said, just see, how Varuṇa, how Neptune, how he appreciates my son.
Oh, He is such a nice son.
He never thinks that why is this angel in-charge of the oceans,
why is he bowing down and offering respect to Kṛṣṇa.
He just sees this in his relationship as father.
So, Kṛṣṇa likes some places where people just love Him
not because of His position
not for some material reason.
They love Him for what He is, His qualities.
To develop to this stage, it is nice to know that there is such a stage.
But naturally to reach that stage is no joke!
I mean, it is a very big thing!
And first we bow down, we pray,
we do different things, we chant the holy names.
We have to get purified.
Unless we serve the Lord, very faithfully,
at some point He can bless us,
He can accept us and we can realize our original position,
be friends with Kṛṣṇa or parent or lover.
Those things are revealed in due course.
Not just chuk! We jump up to that position.
For some people it may take many, many births.
Born, die,
normally people, they try to have happiness just in the material world.
They think that oh, if I was rich, I would be happy.
Next birth they may be rich,
then they think oh! I would be happy if I was a great football player,
next birth they are great at football.
Some people, I heard Śrīla Prabhupāda say that Ravi Shankar, he was a musician for sevens births.
In his seventh birth he became world famous, guru of the Beatles and all that.
Generally, we take birth after birth after birth, depending on our material desires.
But if we actually, develop our desire to serve Kṛṣṇa, to serve the Lord,
then we go back to the Kingdom of God,
we are released from this prison house of material life.
But to do that, first we go through vidhi-mārga, then as we develop our love of Godhead it turns into spontaneous love.
First the rules and regulation, do that and then it becomes like second nature.
Then we actually develop our spontaneous love for the Lord
in different levels.
Eight levels.
We go to love and then there are eight levels of love.
So it is a science.
And we also – have faith, we listen,
then we have some association with then enlightened souls,
called sādhu-saṅga.
Then we start to practice ourselves
called bhajana-kriyā,
then we start to get rid of the unwanted habits and things,
called anartha-nivṛtti,
we become very fixed in spiritual practices,
that is called niṣṭhā,
then we develop a taste for serving the Lord,
called rucī,
then we become attached to that spiritual tastes called āsakti,
then we develop ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa, called bhāva,
then we have pure love for Kṛṣṇa, that is called prema.
But prema has eight levels.
What are we talking about here is the mahā-bhāva,
the highest level.
Practically Lord Caitanya is mad after Lord Kṛṣṇa.
We have a long way to go!
So it is nice to hear that such a level exists.
We understood that there is expansion of Advaita Ācārya further into Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu and Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. So we see that always the Lord is accompanied by His associates. So when the Lord is in our heart does He come with His associates and dhāma? Also, how is the Lord Paramātmā in the heart?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-04
Jayapatākā Swami: You see Viṣṇu and Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu,
He has His own planet
and there He has many associates, Lakṣmīs etc.
But as His expansion He is in the heart of every living entity,
and He is simultaneously in the heart and in His planet.
So it doesn’t say that the associates are with Him in the heart,
but simultaneously in His transcendental abode, He has many associates.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-11-28
Jayapatākā Swami: In the 18th chapter of Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa says, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ.
So, there He says He will destroy all the sinful reactions.
If you have offended any devotees,
then you should see how you can beg forgiveness and touch their lotus feet.
Or do something which will help others to be Kṛṣṇa conscious and get forgiven for the offences.
Like Mādhāi he apologized to Nitāi
that, “I hit You!”
But Nityānanda said, “No, I took it like a mother kicked the baby.”
Then Mādhāi said, “I have offended many other Vaiṣṇavas of the dhāma,
how can I get forgiven for that?”
So, then Nityānanda Prabhu advised him to build a bathing ghāṭa
so that he will facilitate people to go and take bath in the Ganges,
and thereby he would get forgiven for his offences.
So one of the ghāṭas in Navadvīpa is Mādhāi-ghāṭa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-31
Jayapatākā Swami: So that is devotional service in sattva-guṇa.
They are going to temple, they are doing some devotional service, may be their standard…
There is nine type of devotional service is subdivided, then again subdivided, then again 81 divisions in each guṇa,
and in the three guṇas.
So, that simply the solution is to preach pure devotional service.
Sometimes because Lord Caitanya’s movement,
He is able to purify even the most fallen people,
that those people who are very much in the mode of goodness, they think, “Well,
this movement of Lord Caitanya is only for the mlecchas, for the fallen people,
for the different type of out castes or whatever,
but for us we follow strictly the conservative varṇāśrama program,
Hinduism, this and that, whatever.”
But the point is that Lord Caitanya’s ocean of nectar is ever expanding
and as an ocean overcomes its boundaries
by the preaching of the devotees,
and we have to be able to show the good example and to present to them
that this is not meant simply for a particular class of people, but it is meant for all classes,
whether their background is sattva-guṇa or whether it is tamo-guṇa or whatever it may be,
it is for everyone.
This is the universal process of this Kali-yuga.
And those who are intelligent, they will accept,
and those who are not intelligent even they don’t accept.
You see, those who are intelligent they accept, and they swim in that ocean of nectar when it floods,
and the others they may not be able to swim but they are swept away anyway, and they are forced to float on the top of it,
because there is no more dry land to stand on,
everywhere there is simply the nectar of Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s movement.
In this way by organizing big festivals, by organizing preaching in various way everywhere,
those people, they will not be able to avoid to chant.
So, Lord Caitanya, He said, “Be humble,
beg the people, beg them, go door to door, beg them to take up the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa,
the worship of Kṛṣṇa, the study of Kṛṣṇa’s sacred teachings, Gītā and Bhāgavata.”
He said, “Beg the people.”
Personally, Lord Nityānanda and Haridāsa Ṭhākura, They went door to door begging.
This preaching movement is pure nectar, going and simply begging from the people.
A person is very proud and if you go and you beg from him one thing,
you please chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, how can he refuse
that, “No, I won’t chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.”
Is there anyone? How can he refuse if he is proud of being religious,
if we present it in the right way?
But that ability, that is only possible if we get the mercy of our, you see,
the spiritual masters, of Kṛṣṇa, Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Nityānanda,
then if we somehow or another we get Their blessing, we go on trying,
surely some day we will be able to get so many people.
In South India, we were asking the people to take up the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa,
and they are very, they’re strict, but even the high brāhmaṇa class as well as even some Muslims
and other people, they all came forward to pledge that, “They will chant everyday 108 times Hare Kṛṣṇa,
because this is the yuga-dharma.
And they are going to follow the principles of Caitanya Mahāprabhu as far as possible.”
And in one meeting, in Madras alone, 3000 people were signed up.
I went to Delhi.
Lokanātha Swami said, “I don’t think you can do it in Delhi, it is very difficult.”
So, we printed up in one day 100 sheets and then in the middle of the Rāmānandī meeting,
I made an appeal at the end that, “This is the yuga-dharma,
which of you will chant 108 times a day to carry on the torchlight of knowledge of Caitanya Mahāprabhu
for purification in this Kali-yuga?”
And out of the assembly of about 1500 people,
500 people stood up, “We will daily chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, we will follow the order of Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”
They came up to sign the form.
That Rāmānandī guru, he flipped out, or he completely became wild, took the microphone from me,
said it will cause a disturbance, this that, and gave it to some this Rāmāyaṇa singer
who started immediately singing Tulasī dāsa Rāmāyaṇa, “Rāma-nāma”.
In spite of that people jumped over the stage and signed up and said, “Give me a form. We want to…”
Even one of the Rāmānandī sādhus, he came and said, “I’ll also chant.”
Devotees: Haribol!
Jayapatākā Swami: The point is that this process if we beg the people to chant,
so many people will come forward.
Then all we have to do is, see that after we, they agree to chant, that we
keep some contact and see that they go on chanting.
Anyway, whatever it means, if somehow or another through book distribution, through our appeals…
Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, he wrote to his disciples.
We found some old letters which are collected, and he wrote a letter to a disciple,
how they can preserve the Māyāpur preaching.
He said that first thing is to establish printing press,
then to distribute, print and distribute books.
And the third thing he said is, go on preaching in Nāmahaṭṭa.
Nāmahaṭṭa means that to get every person to practice, not simply that only full-time devotees practice,
every single person has to be encouraged to practice in their own house, in their own community, you see.
That Prabhupāda said also in the third canto of the Bhāgavatam that, “There is no reason
why every family in every society, in every country of the world
cannot chant Hare Kṛṣṇa in their house every day.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda… This is what Śrīla Prabhupāda kept repeating to us the varṇāśrama preaching.
Varṇāśrama preaching.
We always said, just the devotees said, “No the public, the public, the public.”
Varṇāśrama preaching that is the modern, that is the way Prabhupāda described
it as not different from what Bhaktivinoda said, Nāmahaṭṭa.
It means getting the people to practice.
What is varṇāśrama? Accepting Kṛṣṇa.
If you don’t accept Kṛṣṇa there is no question of varṇāśrama.
So, it is the same program.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-23
Jayapatākā Swami: Hard to say.
If they are not speaking Māyāvāda philosophy,
they are glorifying the pure devotees,
then it is to their credit.
Because these people talk eventually Māyāvādī philosophy.
But if they end up glorifying Kṛṣṇa and His devotees, they get some benefit.
They are glorifying devotees because they see some devotees but other times, they speak Māyāvāda.
Speaking the glories of Kṛṣṇa is to their benefit.
Category: [Yet To Categories]
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: In Māyāpur we sing the Yugalāṣṭakam.
Jīva Gosvāmī had sung this song and that song is sung here.
If you want to sing the Caurāṣṭakam, I don’t forbid that.
Someone questioned that did any ācārya recommend to sing this Caurāṣṭakam?
I told our paṇḍita to check on this.
And he said that in puṣṭi-mārga they sing this song.
We should especially sing the songs of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa.
But puṣṭi-mārga they don’t sing the songs of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, they sing this song.
This song is not bad, we can do that, but this is not in praise of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, it is only in praise of Kṛṣṇa.
Name of Rādhā comes only once.
Kṛṣṇa stole the heart of Rādhā it says.
In this month you can sing any song on Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
I saw that the song by Jīva Gosvāmī is very easy.
Everyone can sing it.
If we sing any Rādhā Kṛṣṇa song, the worshipable Deities in Puruṣottama month are Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
In Dāmodara month, Dāmodara Yaśodā are the worshipable Deities.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said to sing saccidānanda rūpam.
But no ācāryas have not specifically said to say any prayer.
But they said that worship of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa should be done.
That way we agreed to sing the Yugalāṣṭakam.
Questioner: Sudevī Jayaśrī devī dāsī
Date: 2023-07-10
Jayapatākā Swami: I think this was the first question.
Anyway, should be someone on a similar level,
someone who will not take what you say and spread around.
You can talk to that person in confidence.
And someone that you respect their
realization, their Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
someone who is not a fault finder.
Who is someone, trying to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
But, as the first person said, it may not be always possible to find such a devotee,
and to have such a friend is very auspicious.
Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura in one of his songs
he said, rāmacandra-saṅga māge narottama-dāsa:
because having a friend, in his case, like Rāmacandra dāsa,
that is very auspicious.
We need such association that will help us in our spiritual progress.
Like, Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi, he would discuss with Svarūpa Dāmodara, and Svarūpa Dāmodara was saying I don’t see any faults in what is going on.
So a true Vaiṣṇava friend will tell the truth.
Not just be a yes man!
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Mariya, Perm
Date: 2022-10-17
So, if we please Kṛṣṇa, we can eventually feel blissful,
but if we are not able to understand,
then if we please the spiritual master,
and we should understand that we pleased Kṛṣṇa.
Kṛṣṇa accepts our service,
if we offer it with devotion and love.
If one is very proud, then Kṛṣṇa is not obliged to accept that service,
that way we know that if I offer to my guru and he accepts,
then he will offer to his guru, and he will accept,
and in this way it goes back to Kṛṣṇa.
So, the guru-paramparā system is such,
that we know that our service is being accepted by Kṛṣṇa,
if it is accepted by the spiritual master
Questioner: Ratikeli Rādhikā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Teach them by your example
and encourage them that anything they do in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Just like Śrīla Prabhupāda, his father gave him Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa small Deities to practice pūjā.
And also gave him a Jagannātha, Baladeva, Subhadrā ratha.
So he was happy to have this Kṛṣṇa conscious play.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Children], [Day-to-day Life / Parents], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: That we have them promise to avoid breaking the four principles at the time of initiation.
They should avoid not chanting 16 rounds.
They should avoid the ten offences to the Holy Name.
Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-23
So dīkṣā means…
Once they surrender to Kṛṣṇa and say, “Kṛṣṇa my life is Yours.
I want to serve You eternally.”
The way that one does that is through Kṛṣṇa’s pure devotee.
One has to surrender to a devotee of Kṛṣṇa as a spiritual master,
and accept initiation, and serve that spiritual master following his instruction as being the absolute representative of Kṛṣṇa.
So, initiation we give normally after a devotee is in the temple for six months.
A devotee can cook, means he can prepare the thing like cutting vegetables, rolling the chapāti, or making the batter and things like that.
But actually, fire work the putting the thing on the fire, and the final action that should be done by people who are initiated,
when you are offering it to the Deities.
Because this is the [pañca-tantrika] pañcarātrika ruling is there that the someone who is initiated they are able to serve Kṛṣṇa.
They are… there Kṛṣṇa says, “I accept someone who is initiated on My same spiritual level.”
We can’t approach Kṛṣṇa.
We are born human being.
Human being means that’s a material position.
Kṛṣṇa is not human.
He is on transcendental platform.
When we accept dīkṣā that means we accept a new birth, dvijatva.
Second birth means that mother is śāstra, and father is guru.
You see.
Then Kṛṣṇa accepts us that now you are on a spiritual platform.
That time we accept that we are not the body, we are the soul.
Body is only our vehicle, and we are serving in this way.
So all these thing are many implications for dīkṣā.
Dīkṣā also means to become a śiṣya.
Śiṣya means to follow the discipline of the guru.
Category: [Dīkṣā (Initiation)], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship]
Questioner: Jayā Gopālī devī dāsī, Russia
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: A devotee means a servant of the Supreme Lord.
I don’t think there is any difference.
You see, in this material world,
people want to be a member of the Legislative Assembly,
or Councilor of some municipality,
or to be a Member of Parliament,
be a minister
or be a Prime Minister
or be a President.
But actually, to be a devotee of the Lord is the most wonderful position.
All these temporary things in the material world,
being a king, being a president,
at the end of life they will still be punished by Yamarāja, in the precincts of Hell.
So, the real thing is to be a dāsa, to be a servant of the Lord,
and we should all aspire for that transcendental position.
Lord Brahmā, who is the first living entity of this universe,
he likes to be addressed as a servitor of the Supreme Lord,
Lord Śiva, He likes to be addressed as a servitor of the Lord,
Durgā is known as Vaiṣṇavī,
she likes to be considered as a maidservant of the Lord.
The most exalted living entities in this universe,
aspire to be a servant of the Lord,
a devotee of the Lord,
so that should be our aspiration,
and other things in the material world, in themselves, they are not very useful.
Unless we can use them in the service of Kṛṣṇa.
Yudhistira, he was the emperor of the world,
but the position he really aspired was, to always be a servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
So, he ruled his empire as a service to Kṛṣṇa,
all of us, whatever our position is,
should try to serve the Lord,
with whatever ability or power that we have.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-29
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, whatever one does for Kṛṣṇa, for that he is never the loser; he always gains.
If one gets money by sinful means, you see, then if he offers to Kṛṣṇa he can get forgiven for that but Kṛṣṇa doesn’t want that the person should go on committing sinful activities.
That’s why, people who are committing the sinful activities, they generally speaking, don’t give to Kṛṣṇa.; they may give to some demigod.
They know that if they give to Kṛṣṇa, then Kṛṣṇa say, “Oh! this living entity wants to get my shelter,”
then Kṛṣṇa puts him in such a position, He takes away the opportunity to commit such sinful activity
and gives opportunity to more fully devote in Kṛṣṇa’s service; so they avoid Kṛṣṇa.
These… generally speaking the people doing heavily sinful activity and they approach some demigod, where they think that, “Well, I will give and I’ll get back some more opportunity to enjoy sinful life,
without any... In other words, someone who is sinning very heavily, usually unless he gets put in some very difficult position he won’t like to get out.
So, but if one somehow or another gives to Kṛṣṇa, then he is freed from that sin, no doubt.
Kṛṣṇa takes the reaction.
But Kṛṣṇa does not want that one should earn money by unfair means and give to Him.
So, then Kṛṣṇa will try to give some good instruction to that person.
But if one is actually, you see, getting money by any means and giving to Kṛṣṇa, then he is like a tax collector; you see.
Because everything is belonging to Kṛṣṇa, actually everyone should be giving to Kṛṣṇa.
Other sinful people they are not giving to Kṛṣṇa.
So, if one is actually taking, giving to Kṛṣṇa, where is the question of sinful activity?
The problem is that if someone who is engaging in illicit activity and then said,
“I am going to give to Kṛṣṇa” generally due to such a tamasic association, they never get… they get contaminated and cannot give to Kṛṣṇa.
Therefore, it is recommended that the Vaiṣṇava should not perform activity which is, you see, against the regulative principles.
But in this material world every work is sinful, every work has got some bad part to it.
If you do business, you must tell lie and cheat; there is no way out of it.
That’s why if a man is doing business, he must be giving to Kṛṣṇa; if he doesn’t, definitely he will be defeated by this material energy,
because you have to tell lies to do business.
If you tell a person who is buying something, this thing is not very good.
You bought it someone who told you is very good.
You bought it and say, “Oh, is not good.”
But you tell everyone this is not good but you should buy any way, no one would buy; You have to say this is first class,
it may have a rip in it, may have a defect; it’s a very good thing you must say if you want to make your money back.
You’ll make no profit.
So business means, to some extent, you see, there has to be little bit of misrepresentation;
you can say at least not complete representation of all the defects; otherwise how you can make money? You see.
So, what is the question of degree?
A person is putting a poison in the oil, giving mobile oil, killing people and then giving the money to Kṛṣṇa,
he may, you see, get some relief, but he may also, you see, have to suffer for the reactions and then he will get the results of giving to Kṛṣṇa.
How Kṛṣṇa would do? Unless one fully surrenders, he does not get full shelter.
Once when one is fully surrendered, he cannot do that, he cannot poison people with mobile oil, because that is against the regulative principles.
So, until one is fully surrendered, he will get both the puṇya and the pāpa; he won’t get the spiritual shelter.
So that means you have to suffer for his misdeed, and he will have to… you see… to get the enjoyment for his good deeds.
Category: [Anarthās / Sinful activities]
Questioner: Golokapriya Gaurāṅgī devī dāsī
Date: 2023-07-07
Jayapatākā Swami: Since the guru is a pure devotee, always thinking of his guru and Kṛṣṇa,
therefore by thinking of the spiritual master,
one can also achieve Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Material Sufferings / Death], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Kackulī Rāṇī
Date: 2022-09-21
Jayapatākā Swami: It depends on how bad he is
and if he is slightly offensive or fully offensive.
We don’t want liberation by the impersonal method,
and that is something we reject.
I don’t know what type of liberation that person gets.
So the guru is giving instructions to help us
so that we can achieve the spiritual perfection
and we should appreciate what the spiritual master tells us.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-25
Jayapatākā Swami: But it’s Just… Of course, like one time one mataji in Māyāpur..
was telling Prabhupāda, "I don’t want to do any more service, I want to just chant.
I want to Just chant.”
Prabhupāda said, “Just chant?”
Chanting is not just chanting.
This chanting is the topmost of all our activities.
Haridāsa Ṭhākura, He was, He was perfect simply by chanting,
you see.
But you can just chant, you can simply chant, you can stay here,
and you sleep two to four hours a day,
and you chant the rest of the whole time, and you eat once a day.
That’s why I made Māyāpur, Vṛndāvana for anyone who wants to you know "Just chant."
If someone wants to simply chant, let them come to the holy dhāma.
Not that you chant in New York city or somewhere.
You chant in the holy dhāma and you don't eat,
only once a day and you reduce your sleep and you chant the whole time.”
And then Prabhupāda laughed and said, "You cannot do it.
You will chant for two hours and,
you chant for one hour and you go to sleep”.
Therefore, I have given you so much service.
You see.
Don't think… Chanting is the most difficult thing.
It is the most difficult thing to chant with full consciousness, with full attention,
with full enthusiasm and not to become distracted.
It is the most difficult... you see.
So...
that’s why Prabhupāda said, “Work now, samādhi later.”
That by doing this preaching, by doing this service, by becoming purified,
we get the qualification, then we can chant more, then we can read more,
then we can concentrate more.
It doesn't work the other way.
Of course, we are always chanting too, but to chant more than 16 rounds a day,
is in the beginning stages it’s not that productive as to engage fully 24 hours a day in constant devotional service,
especially in preaching activity.
Not only because now there's an emergency situation, just like when the house is on fire,
that now preaching is the most, is the most essential,
It's especially required that even if a person was capable or is capable of chanting,
even then…
One time we were chanting in Calcutta temple.
I remember that we were all chanting 32 rounds,
and Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Goswami came and told Prabhupāda that,
“Acyutananda Maharaj, Jayapatākā, this one, that one, they are all chanting 32 rounds.”
And we were, they brought us in.
“So, you, and Jay doing that?”
“Yes” (laughter)
He said.. that,
“If you sit and chant 32 rounds, then who is going to go out and preach?
This is my order, you chant 16 rounds and immediately go out and preach,
otherwise who is going to do the preaching?”
Even if we can do the chanting, Prabhupāda wasn’t very impressed.
You see.
Of course, not that...
this is the specifics – particular advice at that moment.
You see, there might be other advices for other people in other situations.
But he wanted us to go out and establish Kṛṣṇa consciousness in India.
And if we are sitting the whole day and chanting japa then what's going to happen?
So, in that sense Prabhupāda, even if a person was capable of chanting,
still Prabhupāda wanted us priority to preach.
And actually, by preaching, what chanting one does do,
one can actually appreciate more intensely.
So, this preaching is something very wonderful.
It is an actual science.
It’s a whole science of preaching.. that this is a special benediction,
a special opportunity for us to make very rapid advancement.
And.. especially in Kali-yuga there are unlimited opportunities to preach.
In Satya-yuga.. you know you won’t get that fired up for preaching,
because here now the māyā is so obvious that preaching is....
and the mercy of Lord Caitanya is so great,
that the contrasts are so intense or so... vivid!
You see that here is the greatest mercy,
and at the same time here is practically greatest sinful activities going on.
And a person, if they someone or other can just be brought to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa,
to engage in reading Prabhupāda’s books and doing some devotional service,
can gradually come up to that platform.
It's a very great opportunity.
And then we can actually relish chanting.
By.. our organizing systems others so many others can chant,
then we are reaping the benefit also.
Just like a commission from everyone chanting.
So that way it’s...
like a pyramid letter or, something like that,
chain letters?
Just like that you're getting so many transcendental... results
for every person that engages in devotional service.
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-11
Jayapatākā Swami: Well we don’t worry about that.
That is not our department.
Our department is helping others.
Even Lord Nityānanda helped Jagāi and Mādhāi
although they were the most envious people.
They attacked Nityānanda Prabhu physically
and caused Him to bleed,
by breaking a wine bottle on His head!
He said, “Just because you are causing Me to bleed,
does that mean I will not give you love of Godhead?!”
See he is causing Him to bleed and He is talking of love!!
He is not an ordinary person, bow down, BOW DOWN! BOW DOWN!
Jagāi told Mādhāi to bow down.
Lord Caitanya He promised that He would not lift any weapon of violence
but He was so angry,
He promised to always protect His devotees
and that promise took precedence.
So He called, “Cakra! Cakra!”
He called Sudarśana-cakra, the invincible weapon
but by that time Jagāi and Mādhāi bowed down
and Lord Nityānanda, He pleaded please have mercy on them.
So, if people tell us to stop chanting,
you just listen and say that it is the order of our guru,
that we have to chant.
So, come and join us!
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
(Guru Mahārāja sang in kīrtana).
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
(Guru Mahārāja sang in kīrtana).
Category: [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: IYF Māyāpur
Date: 2022-08-03
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, devotees always depend on Kṛṣṇa.
When we face some challenge,
we have to learn how to depend on Kṛṣṇa.
He is in our heart
and He knows what we are facing.
So if we say, Kṛṣṇa, what should I do in this case?
He can give us intelligence,
how to face the problem.
And He mentioned that in the Bhagavad-gītā.
For His devotees, He gives the intelligence by which to serve Him.
Questioner: IYF Māyāpur
Date: 2022-08-03
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t get what the difficulty is in writing to me?
Is it a difficulty you have or there is a difficulty in writing and getting a reply?
Sometimes I get more letters than I can reply.
But I reply a certain percentage.
And we try to answer in the Jayapatākā Swami App.
It has various features.
Of course, one of the features is that you can see the various social media sites I have.
Every night I give class,
that is on zoom and Facebook Live.
That is in Bengali, Hindi, English
and other languages.
I don’t know if anyone here knows Chinese but!
So you can ask your local leader, local preacher if he can tell you the answer.
Otherwise, I don’t have a problem if you write to me.
If you ask a silly question, it is alright.
I don’t reject anyone,
and I try to answer.
And if there is already, I have given to this question before,
then that may be, I think, we have frequently asked questions in the App.
You can see that
and if your question has been answered already,
then you don’t need to write to me.
But if it has not been answered then you can write.
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Anonymous
The 9th verse for the Gurvāṣṭaka prayers is:
śrīmad-guror aṣṭakam etad uccair
brahme muhūrte paṭhati prayatnāt
yas tena vrndāvana-nātha-sākśāt
sevaiva labhyā januṣo ‘nta eva
“At the time of death, direct service to Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of Vṛndāvana, is obtained by that person who, with great care and attention, loudly recites this beautiful prayer to the spiritual master in the brāhma-muhūrta.” So everyone can see the importance of attending maṅgala-ārati and chanting the Gurvāṣṭaka prayers. Śrīla Prabhupāda kī jaya!
[Source: Spiritual Truths from Cyberspace]
Category: [Sādhanā / Maṅgala-ārati]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-12-09
Of course more important.
It’s an individual situation.
Individual.
Prabhupāda explains in the 8th Canto Bhāgavatam that we have to work from wherever our position of strength is.
The example that’s said,
the elephant was fighting against the crocodile.
But the crocodile and elephant were in the water.
So the elephant was becoming weaker,
and the crocodile was becoming stronger.
So the elephant was getting to not able to fight.
So he start to pray to Kṛṣṇa to help.
So in this verse Prabhupāda explains that the devotees should be physically,
mentally,
and spiritually strong.
And it gets to be a bit of an energy drain.
In other words,
for them,
the mind is being distracted that a lot by different thoughts.
So it’s a constant thing that a person has to work at.
Of course,
everyone can do it,
but it seems to be like an energy drain,
or possibly one will be more peaceful and productive in a family situation.
So basically it depends upon each individual.
Generally our program is that people should first of all practise the brahmacārī life as far as possible,
and become strong,
and after some time,
then the Spiritual master and the senior Vaiṣṇavas,
they can help to advice one,
whether they should enter into the gṛhastha-āśrama,
whether they should try to remain in the brahmacārī ashram for some more time,
or in some cases,
whether,
rarely,
someone should take sannyāsa.
Category: [Varṇāśrama / Brahmacārī], [Varṇāśrama], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Day-to-day Life / Children], [Varṇāśrama / Gṛhastha]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-22
Jayapatākā Swami: What is real compassion?
You know, the mercy given out
which actually regenerates the relationship with Kṛṣṇa,
that is really the highest compassion.
Because we read how different Purāṇas,
someone does some particular sacrifice
(isn’t tomorrow Ekādaśī?)
Pāpamocani Ekādaśī.
So by observing Ekādaśī, by doing some penance,
one may get freed of all the sinful reactions.
So, if someone they worship some devas,
they go to svarga
but for a devotee
svarga is like a ghoḍa-dīm – horse’s egg.
Horse doesn’t produce egg!!
So a kind of an ākāśa-puṣpa,
a flower in the sky
that one is in the heavenly planet for some years
and then one comes down.
So that is not kind of permanent benediction.
So the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
tells us about the permanent relationship with Kṛṣṇa.
And that allows us to have an eternal life.
And what pleases me the most?
I am most pleased
when devotees develop pure love for Kṛṣṇa.
Haribol!
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Mercy]
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: The desire to serve the Lord.
Mercy on the conditioned souls.
When you distribute books to someone, pray to the Lord that He bestows His mercy on them.
This way the Lord if He bestows His mercy on that person, they may take the books.
One devotee in New Orleans airport, was trying to distribute books the whole day but no one took any.
Then he prayed to the Lord requesting that someone come and take some book.
At that time a plane landed, and many passengers alighted and left.
He went up to one such passenger and showed him a book and asked him to take it.
He said that today was my worst day! Worst day!
I will not see anything.
The devotee said, sir, when one has the worst day, I have come to help such a person.
Why was it the worst day for you?
He said, “Why did I study, why did I go to university?
Why did I get married?
Why did I take up a job?
Everything for pleasing my mother.
And today my mother died! My worst day!”
The devotee said, “Sir, your mother did not die.
Here is the Bhagavad-gītā, it says that the soul is eternal, and body dies.
Soul does not die.
Your mother is still there.”
The man said, “She is?
Can I take this book?”
“Sure”, the devotee said.
He said, “I only have 20 dollars, is that okay?”
The devotee said, “That is okay, give whatever you have.”
This way, if we pray to the Lord, what can not happen?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Dāmodarāṣṭakam – namāmīśvaraṁ sac-cid-ānanda-rūpaṁ.
Link: 20221024 Evening Darśana
Category: [Vratās (Austerities)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Maybe some did.
But the ones mentioned in today’s class, they didn’t.
They were laughing and were happy
that the Lord has left,
they don’t have to see Him anymore.
We know that even Kaṁsa was an atheist.
But he was always thinking about Kṛṣṇa,
Kṛṣṇa will come to kill me.
One day his two wives
came one dressed in white garment and one in black garment.
Then Kaṁsa said, “Oh no! Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, They are coming to kill me!”
His minister said, “No, no, they are your wives!”
“Oh!” So if are an atheist and always thinking about Kṛṣṇa,
then that is useful.
But if you are just occasionally thinking negatively about Kṛṣṇa
then you are a candidate for going to Pātalaloka.
A free ticket, one way!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-10
How to develop favourable devotional attitude?
we should accept everything for devotional service and give up everything which is unfavourable.
If we really understand what is our self interest?
What is helping us?
And we understand serving Kṛṣṇa and serving his devotees are our own self interest and then we know what is the favourable for that we accept the favourable things and we avoid the unfavourable automatically we can.
Start to get lined up.
Now what is very important is to develop that is by associating with the devotees already have their attitude.
Not that every devotees is equally developed in his favourable attitude such those who are especially ball pointless those who are in bitter mood they may be advancing but in a slow track.
Those who are seeing good qualities in others enthusiastic cheerful and they don’t hold any grudges on anyone they are in mode of fast track.
So we look for devotees that we can relate with a better situation we are and associating with them and in this way we can progress by the good association and this leads to the next question which is sādhu-saṅga which is one of most if not the most important limbs of devotional principles is offensive be six certain devotee association to avoid others,
So we select the associating just associating of any devotees so we can read the questions super souls.
Lord Caitanya said that there are three kinds of devotees those who are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa but they are not following the principles we can help them otherwise we don’t associate with them very intimately but those who are initiated and following very strictly we can accept them in a very we can respect them and offer respect to them and associate with them.
And those who are very advanced who are fully fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness who are in the level of guru we can take shelter from them.
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said that we can seek out association with the likely minded devotees.
Of course hopefully the like minded should be a good mind but its all right we may be more intimate with some than the others.
Lord Kṛṣṇa He has said that He is the higher of all living entities and so he is the higher of the devas and he is the one who fixes people’s faith on different devas.
When a person fully takes shelter of Kṛṣṇa then they need to see Kṛṣṇa in everything including the devas.
If they can see devas then there is no problem but the Kṛṣṇa the devas they got confused about how that two relate with each other then its obstacle.
So that’s why the devotees should understand that the devas are all great devotees of God.
His expansion in the Vedas what we call it as sahasra śīrṣāḥ puruṣaḥ What that mantra called?
In the puruṣa śūkta how all the devas are different parts of the body of the lord in the Viśvarūpa also mentions that so that devas are the arms representing so we understand that the devas are the devotees of the lord and we offer them respect as devotees then that is no problem.
If we go to the devas and asks If we go to the devas and asks the devas a blessing to be a better devotee of Kṛṣṇa then there is no problem.
But if we go to the devas and asks the same thing that the devas asking from Kṛṣṇa then Kṛṣṇa asks who do you really take shelter me or him?
If you want to take from him then all right no need to take from me.
But the devas they can give us the ticket back to Kṛṣṇa they can help us in many ways.
I was just reading this morning in Bhāgavatam when Kṛṣṇa had disappeared from Dvāraka when he was looking for the Śyāmantaka jewel all the residents of Dvāraka went to durgā and they prayed to durga please bring Kṛṣṇa back to us we want Kṛṣṇa back.
So out of love for Kṛṣṇa they prayed to the divine mother to bring Kṛṣṇa back.
So in someways that devotees of Kṛṣṇa ven prayed like that the gopīs prayed to Kātyāyinī to Pārvatī her name is Katyāyinī to get Kṛṣṇa as her husband so such things are all right for devotees.
Everytime I go to deva temple I always pray to deva for blessing to be Kṛṣṇa consciousness and to spread the saṅkīrtana movement of Lord Caitanya because I know that because this is what they all want.
If we read in the Purāṇas
the devas are fighting with the demons you know how much they want us to spread us this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
That’s really what they want?
When a person dies the soul leaves the body three or ones if we pick this one we can lack again.
what is the best method?
Bhakti-yoga.
Kṛṣṇa said bhaktyā mām abhijānāti – except for my devotee no one else can know me.
If you want to come to me you want to come by surrendering unto me.
Question:
But have to becoming a devotee means still one has a same suffering and problems as non-devotee.
Even after taking of devotional service one still has the propensity to be envious and causing anxiety to others.
There is nothing wrong in the process of devotional life why does devotees come under māyā’s attack?
Answer:
There are so many process of purification.
You come to bhakti means this is the supreme process there is no other process after this.
And there is no need of doing any lower processes but still we have to learn how to do bhakti-yoga to do properly.
As we do bhakti-yoga we will find many dirt will come in our hearts.
It’s a cleaning process,
if we clean the house dust comes out.
We have to be very careful to move the dirt.
We have to be learned to be tolerant.
We have to learn to be humble.
These are part of the devotional process.
Now side by side by chanting and performing the activities we have to also do cleaning.
We have to be always analyzing and seeing wherever we have defects and systematically try to move that.
Then in this material world time is immemorial.
Millions of millions of birth even after few days,
months,
weeks or years of devotional service its not likely some of the contaminations are still there in our hearts.
But if we absorb ourselves fully in devotional service and we take the shelter of the spiritual master properly then we can burn out these accumulated contaminations very quickly.
So the reason why the process of devotional service is to get different attacks the contamination is there as I mentioned in the class we are getting devotional service very easy from Lord Caitanya we are making mmediately they are close on us.
They will take away the curve.
We have to make a proper we have to be patient we are not fully qualified for devotional service we are getting it on a special concession like the government sometimes give the poor people the low cost housing.
They don’t get afford to get a house but they can buy it by low credit just to get the people out of the slums.
So Lord Caitanya want us to get out from this horrible material world.
He is giving us a special credit plan.
Because we are not fully qualified we have to work it becoming qualified.
You are coming to this process very quickly.
But if we stick to it within a short period of time we can get rid out of this bad qualities and we become properly situated.
So we need the patience and determination and the conviction.
We need the associate properly with devotees.
We need to avoid the different kind of negative activities and we have to be very open hearted and straight forward.
These are the six things that Rūpa Gosvāmi recommends us and help us
to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So in one sentence nothing wrong.
And people surely benefit something by hearing them.
But usually for the initiated devotees prefer to hear singing by someone more spiritually developed.
These are especially songs sung by attracting the new people by music aspect but not spiritual aspect.
In public programs we use these more but for personal purification it is recommended to hear Prabhupāda and some other pure devotee chanting.
But its nothing wrong but that is the guideline.
In Kali-yuga for different this is very funny the four varṇāśramas.
So four āśramas we don’t.
I understand its meaning.
Question is addressing the āśramas.
It’s a mistake to go through the varṇas.
So the āśramas it depends also so some people just go through marriage the only āśrama they have to go through.
For spiritual life someone joins the movement he is a gṛhastha we don’t say he has to go to brahmacārī.
But later on the gṛhasthas are good to taken vānaprastha husband and wife together.
It is not essential that people must take sannyāsa.
If they are initiated wife and husband prepare themselves for this also.
This all voluntarily.
One doesn’t have to go through different āśramas but its something that one has to consult with one’s own guru.
What is best for each individual?
To which āśrama that one should go through?
Some brahmacārīs go straight to sannyāsa and some brahmacārīs to gṛhastha and vānaprastha.
So this all different scenarios.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-10
How to develop favourable devotional attitude?
we should accept everything for devotional service and give up everything which is unfavourable.
If we really understand what is our self interest?
What is helping us?
And we understand serving Kṛṣṇa and serving his devotees are our own self interest and then we know what is the favourable for that we accept the favourable things and we avoid the unfavourable automatically we can.
Start to get lined up.
Now what is very important is to develop that is by associating with the devotees already have their attitude.
Not that every devotees is equally developed in his favourable attitude such those who are especially ball pointless those who are in bitter mood they may be advancing but in a slow track.
Those who are seeing good qualities in others enthusiastic cheerful and they don’t hold any grudges on anyone they are in mode of fast track.
So we look for devotees that we can relate with a better situation we are and associating with them and in this way we can progress by the good association and this leads to the next question which is sādhu-saṅga which is one of most if not the most important limbs of devotional principles is offensive be six certain devotee association to avoid others,
So we select the associating just associating of any devotees so we can read the questions super souls.
Lord Caitanya said that there are three kinds of devotees those who are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa but they are not following the principles we can help them otherwise we don’t associate with them very intimately but those who are initiated and following very strictly we can accept them in a very we can respect them and offer respect to them and associate with them.
And those who are very advanced who are fully fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness who are in the level of guru we can take shelter from them.
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said that we can seek out association with the likely minded devotees.
Of course hopefully the like minded should be a good mind but its all right we may be more intimate with some than the others.
Lord Kṛṣṇa He has said that He is the higher of all living entities and so he is the higher of the devas and he is the one who fixes people’s faith on different devas.
When a person fully takes shelter of Kṛṣṇa then they need to see Kṛṣṇa in everything including the devas.
If they can see devas then there is no problem but the Kṛṣṇa the devas they got confused about how that two relate with each other then its obstacle.
So that’s why the devotees should understand that the devas are all great devotees of God.
His expansion in the Vedas what we call it as sahasra śīrṣāḥ puruṣaḥ What that mantra called?
In the puruṣa śūkta how all the devas are different parts of the body of the lord in the Viśvarūpa also mentions that so that devas are the arms representing so we understand that the devas are the devotees of the lord and we offer them respect as devotees then that is no problem.
If we go to the devas and asks If we go to the devas and asks the devas a blessing to be a better devotee of Kṛṣṇa then there is no problem.
But if we go to the devas and asks the same thing that the devas asking from Kṛṣṇa then Kṛṣṇa asks who do you really take shelter me or him?
If you want to take from him then all right no need to take from me.
But the devas they can give us the ticket back to Kṛṣṇa they can help us in many ways.
I was just reading this morning in Bhāgavatam when Kṛṣṇa had disappeared from Dvāraka when he was looking for the Śyāmantaka jewel all the residents of Dvāraka went to durgā and they prayed to durga please bring Kṛṣṇa back to us we want Kṛṣṇa back.
So out of love for Kṛṣṇa they prayed to the divine mother to bring Kṛṣṇa back.
So in someways that devotees of Kṛṣṇa ven prayed like that the gopīs prayed to Kātyāyinī to Pārvatī her name is Katyāyinī to get Kṛṣṇa as her husband so such things are all right for devotees.
Everytime I go to deva temple I always pray to deva for blessing to be Kṛṣṇa consciousness and to spread the saṅkīrtana movement of Lord Caitanya because I know that because this is what they all want.
If we read in the Purāṇas
the devas are fighting with the demons you know how much they want us to spread us this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
That’s really what they want?
When a person dies the soul leaves the body three or ones if we pick this one we can lack again.
what is the best method?
Bhakti-yoga.
Kṛṣṇa said bhaktyā mām abhijānāti – except for my devotee no one else can know me.
If you want to come to me you want to come by surrendering unto me.
Every time is good 24 hours a day but the best time to start your meditation is called brahma-muhūrta which is an hour and a half before sunrise.
But if we can’t do that time do any time we can do.
That’s the best time according to sastras.
So we should do all the time.
Question:
But have to becoming a devotee means still one has a same suffering and problems as non-devotee.
Even after taking of devotional service one still has the propensity to be envious and causing anxiety to others.
There is nothing wrong in the process of devotional life why does devotees come under māyā’s attack?
Answer:
There are so many process of purification.
You come to bhakti means this is the supreme process there is no other process after this.
And there is no need of doing any lower processes but still we have to learn how to do bhakti-yoga to do properly.
As we do bhakti-yoga we will find many dirt will come in our hearts.
It’s a cleaning process,
if we clean the house dust comes out.
We have to be very careful to move the dirt.
We have to be learned to be tolerant.
We have to learn to be humble.
These are part of the devotional process.
Now side by side by chanting and performing the activities we have to also do cleaning.
We have to be always analyzing and seeing wherever we have defects and systematically try to move that.
Then in this material world time is immemorial.
Millions of millions of birth even after few days,
months,
weeks or years of devotional service its not likely some of the contaminations are still there in our hearts.
But if we absorb ourselves fully in devotional service and we take the shelter of the spiritual master properly then we can burn out these accumulated contaminations very quickly.
So the reason why the process of devotional service is to get different attacks the contamination is there as I mentioned in the class we are getting devotional service very easy from Lord Caitanya we are making mmediately they are close on us.
They will take away the curve.
We have to make a proper we have to be patient we are not fully qualified for devotional service we are getting it on a special concession like the government sometimes give the poor people the low cost housing.
They don’t get afford to get a house but they can buy it by low credit just to get the people out of the slums.
So Lord Caitanya want us to get out from this horrible material world.
He is giving us a special credit plan.
Because we are not fully qualified we have to work it becoming qualified.
You are coming to this process very quickly.
But if we stick to it within a short period of time we can get rid out of this bad qualities and we become properly situated.
So we need the patience and determination and the conviction.
We need the associate properly with devotees.
We need to avoid the different kind of negative activities and we have to be very open hearted and straight forward.
These are the six things that Rūpa Gosvāmi recommends us and help us
to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So in one sentence nothing wrong.
And people surely benefit something by hearing them.
But usually for the initiated devotees prefer to hear singing by someone more spiritually developed.
These are especially songs sung by attracting the new people by music aspect but not spiritual aspect.
In public programs we use these more but for personal purification it is recommended to hear Prabhupāda and some other pure devotee chanting.
But its nothing wrong but that is the guideline.
In Kali-yuga for different this is very funny the four varṇāśramas.
So four āśramas we don’t.
I understand its meaning.
Question is addressing the āśramas.
It’s a mistake to go through the varṇas.
So the āśramas it depends also so some people just go through marriage the only āśrama they have to go through.
For spiritual life someone joins the movement he is a gṛhastha we don’t say he has to go to brahmacārī.
But later on the gṛhasthas are good to taken vānaprastha husband and wife together.
It is not essential that people must take sannyāsa.
If they are initiated wife and husband prepare themselves for this also.
This all voluntarily.
One doesn’t have to go through different āśramas but its something that one has to consult with one’s own guru.
What is best for each individual?
To which āśrama that one should go through?
Some brahmacārīs go straight to sannyāsa and some brahmacārīs to gṛhastha and vānaprastha.
So this all different scenarios.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: By reading his books
and carrying out his instructions.
He wants you to free yourself from the clutches of māyā
and go back home back to Godhead.
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: You see we don’t tell the glories of the holy name to a faithless person.
If you say, oh, you chant the holy name it will destroy all your sins.
He is a faithless person he does not believe in sin.
You just tell them chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and be happy,
not going through all the glories of the holy name.
Just tell them chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and be happy!
Eat this prasāda, bhel-purī!
It was very nice Gujarati prasāda today.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-29
Jayapatākā Swami: When they understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then they can actually understand what is the real crisis; that is birth, death, old age and disease.
And these crises, they don’t have a clue for.
Because they are thinking crisis is how to enjoy more and more.
Therefore, there is energy shortage because there is misuse of energy.
There is misuse of practically everything that Kṛṣṇa is giving.
Therefore, there is crisis.
Because as we are exploit Mother Nature, then she starts to stop giving.
But as we utilize everything in the Lord’s service, then nature begins to give more and more abundantly.
When Mahārāja Pṛthu came, then he provided the whole world very sumptuously with all the necessities.
People are not understanding that ultimately wealth is coming from the food grains and the food grains are coming from rain.
And rain is coming from yajña, sacrifice.
And nobody is doing any sacrifice to speak of.
Therefore, so many difficulties are coming.
If people just become a little Kṛṣṇa conscious, just a little bit, little pious, then you can see so many crises go away.
But so long as the people are becoming more and more selfish, more and more engrossed in material desire,
then they become more and more implicated, and crisis goes on increasing.
The more people eat meat, the more they are forced to fight wars.
Because they have to pay for the pāpa of killing so many innocent animals, you see.
Jayapatākā Swami: Because there is a difference – is that one person who doesn’t know anything, if he goes on, you see, doing mistakes...
Say that someone is committing crime but he doesn’t know that it is a crime;
he is just a bhoga, doesn’t know he is doing it because he doesn’t know any better -so he will get one sentence.
But if somebody knows better and he goes and does it anyway, you see... if one knowingly drinks poison that is worse, than if unknowingly one is drinking.
So, in the western countries they don’t know any better.
They don’t know what is life.
If you ask them “What is life? I don’t know.”
He doesn’t know what life is.
Eat, drink and be merry. Get a buck.
They don’t know what's life.
Some religious person says yes, to die and go to heaven.
What is heaven? I don’t know.
Who lives there? God.
What does He look like? I don’t know.
You see, they are very shallow understanding and so they can’t blame them too much.
Until they get the opportunity to make it a choice.
Then if they refuse it, then it is their misfortune.
But in India, everybody knows, “What is punar janma? What is rebirth?”
Everybody knows, who is Bhagavān.
Basically, this is taught.
In spite of that they are neglecting.
They are being misled by so many leaders who are discouraging them.
Instead of build up your economy and maintain your dharma standard, they are saying, dharma… this is sectarian state.
We can help no dharma, no tax exemption, no help, nothing.
Instead, only the minorities, they are getting help.
So therefore, because the people know yet they are being led into adharma, therefore, they are forced to suffer more.
In the śāstra, it says that of all the dvīpas of all the continents, one continent is puṇya-bhūmi.
Puṇya-bhūmi Bhārata.
That is the place for doing puṇya.
But if people do pāpa in the puṇya-bhūmi, then it is worse.
In other places, it is meant for saṅgha-bhoga, you can enjoy, you see.
So, this is the difficulty.
Because they know better, but they are committing offences to sādhus.
And so many bogus sādhus are also there.
So called sādhus who are not really sādhus that people can’t say who is the real sādhu, and who is the so called sādhu.
And they get misled.
Therefore, situation is critical.
Also, there has been 1200 years of foreign rule.
Of course, within the 25 years of independence, it's not improved because the standard ideology is western.
That is the difficulty.
So, the Indian people, they won’t be happier just with technology.
And the western people, they are not happy with just technology.
Day by day, they are getting more and more degraded.
Now the priest in the church, these homosexuals are becoming priests and making marriage between two men, two women.
What is that? That's civilization?
This thing unheard of in Vedic culture, practically speaking.
So that is the difficulty.
Category: [Material Sufferings]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: I was there when Śrīla Prabhupāda said this.
He was in Montreal, 1968.
And all the devotees were thinking, “Oh, 100%, that is very high!”
But as he was coming down, 90%, 80%.
Then, he was walking away,
taking his cadāra behind him.
He said even 70%. [paragraph]
In my class His Holiness Girirāja Swami, he said he knew the secret!
That one devotee said to Śrīla Prabhupāda, even if I don’t achieve 70%, what is my hope then?
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “Stay with me, I have the key to the backdoor!”
Questioner: Jayarāseśvarī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapataka Swami: Anyone who chants one time, Hare Kṛṣṇa, is a Vaiṣṇava.
But a pure Vaiṣṇava is, that you are not doing karma-miśra-bhakti, devotion mixed with fruitive activities.
I am not saying aśuddha, I am saying karma-miśra or jñāna-miśra-bhakti.
How can a Vaiṣṇava be aśuddha?
But we want pure devotion.
That gives love of Kṛṣṇa.
And karma-miśra-bhakti may give, like heavenly planets or some fruitive benefits.
Jñāna-mixed-bhakti may give like, impersonal liberation.
We want pure bhakti.
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Pūja mātājī
Date: 2022-07-30
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, material separation is due to identifying with the body.
Say we have a body, it came from a mother or father.
But from the same father and mother came brothers and sisters.
Like that, if we feel separation due to some bodily relationship,
that is something material.
Because in every birth we have different mother and father, different brother and sister,
sometimes we would be born in a lady’s body, sometime in a man’s body,
and we also may be born in some other species.
Indra was once offensive to his guru.
The guru cursed him be a pig,
and then he was in this planet as a pig.
He had many wives, many piglets, and he was lying in his mud.
The guru came to take him back,
but he did not want to go.
He was feeling separation from the piggy wives and piglets.
Then the guru gave him the memory of who he was.
He was thinking, ah! how I am in this horrible place?
So that is material separation.
And spiritual separation is where we are connected with the Lord,
it is a spiritual heart to heart, spirit to spirit relationship.
And naturally we feel a kind of separation to guru or Vaiṣṇavas,
that is something transcendental,
and they are not based on the body.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Material Sufferings / Death]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Well,
the four Kumāras had already realized the Brahman.
The Māyāvādīs may… may have not realized the Brahman, but they’re speculating on what Brahman is, what māyā is.
They want to become brahmavādis.
But in doing so, they make so many misconceptions.
The four Kumāras, they had no preconceived conceptions.
Even like Buddha, he never said, “Well, there is no God.”
He said, “Why you bring up this thing?
I know what I know and,
so that’s enough.
You don’t need to ask about more.”
Just avoided the whole subject.
The four Kumāras, they’re not offensive.
You see, Māyāvādīs,
they not only want to realize brahman, but they’re actually against Kṛṣṇa.
The four Kumāras are not against Kṛṣṇa.
They were just not at all… it wasn’t something that they were really concerned with.
They didn’t understand Kṛṣṇa.
Then there wasn’t something that was …
how do you say…
a preoccupation with them.
They weren’t at all preoccupied.
They were preoccupied with Brahman.
Just like, there are many people in the material world who are preoccupied with, material life.
They’re not against Kṛṣṇa.
They’re just preoccupied with material life.
Category: [Anarthās / Māyāvāda / Impersonalism], [Other philosophies], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-30
Jayapatākā Swami: (Four million…) 432,000 years.
We are 5000 years going now.
Another 427,000 years to go.
Then Satya-yuga.
Listen, after 10,000 years from now, Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s movement will already have reached the peak and will start to decline again by the powers of māyā.
So, you should not think about 400,000 thousand years.
You should finish up within this next 10,000 years, all your re-birth and go back to Kṛṣṇa,
because after that, you see Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He is delivering very quickly.
With Caitanya Mahāprabhu, there are five associates Nityānanda, Advaita… Advaita is Mahā-Viṣṇu and Sadāśiva combined in one.
Even Śiva is there in the līlā with Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Category: [Material World / Kali yuga]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: Varnāśrama has certain duties.
But in Kṛṣṇa consciousness every devotee, every girl for instance, also has to understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness and preach it to others.
Last night a lady asked me, “What to do if our husband is not Kṛṣṇa conscious?”
Then I said, “Become a Bollywood actor.”
That means, you go up to your husband, and tell him, do you know what this means – Bhagavad-gītā, show him a śloka and say, you are a man, you are intelligent, can you tell me what it means?
Like this trick your husband to read the Bhagavad-gītā!
Category: [Women]
Questioner: Vinoda Kṛṣṇa and Nandapriya Padmā
Date: 2022-09-16
Jayapatākā Swami: Obviously you can only reveal your mind to very close devotees.
And so we would hope that you don’t have any offensive thoughts.
But in the case of Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi,
his doubt,
we are going to hear what the result of that is.
So if you have doubt on the Lord or His devotee,
it may be dangerous.
He would say that
to Svarūpa Dāmodara
and then Svarūpa Dāmodara would correct him.
So if you are in a position, if someone reveals their mind to you,
and they have some doubt,
then you have to answer their doubt.’
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)], [Material World / Mind / Intelligence], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Anarthās]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Combination of separation when we miss the devotee,
and because they went back to Godhead, so
some feeling of bliss.
Questioner: Indulekhā Karuṇa devī dāsī
Date: 2022-08-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Everyone is taking up Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
everyone is an individual
and what thing impresses one person,
may not impress another.
So you have to hear a bit what the person likes.
The thing is that in the material world
people naturally turn to things they like,
but if they understand that these things often may lead them astray,
then they may be less inclined to do that.
And so in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is kevala ānanda kāṇḍa, it is a very blissful process.
So if can somehow engage people in chanting, hearing, dancing, serving,
then they will get a taste.
And you know, I met one person,
he was an impersonalist.
But then Śrīla Prabhupāda said that there is no use to talk philosophy
because in their brain some short circuit is there.
But if they like to do sevā, engage them in sevā.
By doing sevā
they get purified
and their whole idea changes.
After several years, that person told me
that, now I understand
about devotional service,
because he was practically doing it.
Otherwise, philosophically he was off.
He got purified by serving Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Interesting!
We should be very cautious about māyā.
Māyā tries to take us away.
She is very strict.
One devotee when he joined ISKCON, his father offered him a million dollars
to leave Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
He did not leave!
I mean, how many here would be tempted by eight crores?
So, sometimes māyā gives one some incentives,
sometimes māyā gives one suffering,
and so we have to be very cautious.
So we should always keep ourselves surrendered at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.
What we should be conscious about is to do everything for the service of Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Sādhanā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-05
Naivedya-mantra,
you
to guru,
to Gaurāṅga and to Kṛṣṇa.
And some
mantra
is there for offering
naivedya.
You see,
if you want to offer the prasāda in your house then we can teach you this mantra also because in India we are not having the same radio station
(laughing)
.
So we’ll give you the
mantra.
Category: [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-05
There’s different,
if you chant mantra in certain places you get more benefit.
If you chant by the sacred rivers and if you chant the,
I’m not,
exactly not sure about the river and the land.
You chant by the side of the sacred river you get so many times more benefit.
And if you chant in a holy place,
the pilgrimage you get so many times.
So once like,
a thousand and others like,
hundred thousand,
what figure which is which.
And you chant in front of the tulasī then you get,
like a million times.
So if you chant in the Ganges you get many times more.
And if you chant in front of the deities,
installed deities you say your Gayatri you get unlimited times of benefit.
Everyone should say the Gayatri mantra.
So that’s why the sages say in the Ganges.
The devotees appreciate the varṇāśrama system.
They feel that the varṇāśrama system was perfect,
for it was main.
While in the age of Kali it started to degenerate.
So what we have left over varṇāśrama system now is just like kind of a perverted reflection,
was imperfect representation.
But they appreciate the other caste system.
And in fact they like to create society,
say communities based on a,
as I mentioned the kind of streamlined,
spiritualized varṇāśrama system.
Where it would be in one sense casteless,
but everyone would be a Vaiṣṇava,
not for practical purposes.
People would be acting according to their different natures and types of work.
And Prabhupāda stress that the,
this divisions are there anyway in the modern society,
they’re all,
there these occupations exist.
There’s intellectuals,
there’s teachers,
priests,
the problem is that they don’t take the responsibility.
But in varṇāśrama system the brāhmaṇas or the teachers and priests,
they had to be vegetarians,
they had to worship God,
they had to lead the holy life.
If they didn’t they,
they couldn’t act those positions.
So now you have them,
like in America problem that is school teachers,
sometime they’re found to molest the children.
Even recently the priests in Canada they’re found that they were molesting the children.
So that,
they don’t follow the,
they’re not following the rules.
So according to varṇāśrama if someone does that they’re banned,
they’re,
they’re banned from being a brāhmaṇa.
Then they’re,
they’re called as criminals.
So due to lack of this,
just the profession is there,
but the,
the spiritual training is lacking.
So we like to see a type of spiritualized varṇāśrama program in the worlds
(laughing)
.
Is there still varṇāśrama in Indonesia?
That’s,
That’s what Prabhupāda said was,
it’s not possible to reinstate the original thing now in Kali-yuga.
So but somehow the basic principles could be .
It needs to be fully spiritualized so that one caste doesn’t think that they’re better than the other caste.
Because that creates itself the hatred and the imbalance.
But that,
we’ll see that this is all part of the same body,
so we all have to work together.
They’re trying in Canada to make a varṇāśrama,
in many countries they’re trying to make varṇāśrama community,
so they’re inspired.
And Prabhupada said in order to varṇāśrama is based upon agricultural production,
we have to also cow protection.
Unless that one thing missing in modern society,
they’re slaughtering the cow,
but in varṇāśrama the cow is to be protected by the vaiśyas and everyone drinks the milk of the cow.
Cause milk is needed to give higher intelligence to understand spiritual subject matters.
It said fish make people clever,
but spiritually dull.
Materialy clever,
spiritually dull.
But eating milk gives spiritual intelligence,
creates a finer tissue to understand the higher philosophical knowledge.
So milk is a type of miracle food.
But we need to protect the cow.
Here they protect mother cow
(laughing)
.
It’s the most protected cow I’ve ever seen
(laughing)
,
mosquito net
(laughing)
Very nicely protected
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-07-08
Jayapatākā Swami: We pray that the Lord, if it pleases you, help this devotee to regain his health,
and that devotee, the person can do devotional service.
Category: [Mercy]
Questioner: Lalitāṅgī Rādhā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-04
Jayapatākā Swami: That is why we offer daily guru-pūjā
and on the Vyāsa-pūjā we offer the puṣpāñjali three times.
That way we pray that we may be forgiven for any knowing or unknowing offences.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
Questioner: Guṇagrāhi Gaurāṅga dāsa
Date: 2023-01-27
Jayapatākā Swami: We may commit mistakes, but we should beg for forgiveness,
and we should continue to do our devotional service, being more and more careful.
If we realize we did a mistake, we can ask for forgiveness.
I saw that even in one of the prayers to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the devotee says,
I have committed innumerable offences, please forgive me and engage me in Your service.
I surrender to Your lotus feet!
So, there are offences we commit knowingly or unknowingly,
but we should be humble, try to correct any mistakes we make and continue to render devotional service.
Haribol!
Questioner:
Date: 2021-07-19
Jayapatākā Swami: It is not by any material qualification,
neither BA, MA or Ph.D, not by any kind of money, not by any good karma,
it doesn’t hurt to try to serve Lord Nityānanda serve Lord Caitanya and His mercy is causeless!
That whatever you are doing will not be sufficient to be worthy of getting His blessings.
But He gives His blessings freely without considering the good and bad qualities.
If you want His blessings, you are more likely to get it.
But He even gives His mercy to those who didn’t want His blessings.
Like Jagāi and Mādhāi.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, first of all there are five types of relationships.
Śānta, dāsya, sakhya, vātsalya and madhurya.
The awe and reverence mood we call śānta.
The service mood we call dāsya.
Friendship mode is called sākhya
and the parental mood is called vātsalya.
The conjugal mode is called mādhurya.
So one has any one of these relationships with the Lord.
If one has dāsya,
it includes śānta.
If one has sākhya it includes dāsya and śānta.
If one has vātsalya or parental, it includes the previous three.
If one has mādhurya, it includes all the five.
So we can have any of the relationships.
Normally, those who are especially attracted to Lord Caitanya’s pastimes achieve conjugal.
And those who are attracted to Lord Nityānanda’s pastime, they achieve the parental or something.
So like that depending on your attachment, you have the particular mood.
Some people worship Gaura-Gadāi.
Some people worship Nitāi-Gaura.
Nitāi-Gaura are more for preaching.
And Gaura-Gadāi are for relationship.
Category: [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Harṣavardana Gaurāṅga dāsa
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: We think how we are able to do some service by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa.
And thus we stay humble.
Questioner: Akṣara Govinda dāsa
Date: 2023-12-25
Jayapatākā Swami: We should not do it the wrong way!
We would like to offer Lord Caitanya our obeisances at His lotus feet.
So, if we are doing in a humble frame of mind
and we surrender at the lotus feet of Lord Gaurāṅga,
then it should be alright.
There was a situation where a brahmacārī was travelling with Lord Caitanya.
And Lord Caitanya asked him for some harītakī (myrobalan).
So then he went to the village, got some harītakī
and gave it to Lord Caitanya.
The next day Lord Caitanya asked for some harītakī again.
This time the proud brahmacārī, he took it out from his pocket.
Lord Caitanya said, “Yesterday it took you so much time,
how come today you are able to give it so quickly?”
He said, “I kept some.”
Lord Caitanya said, “Oh!
that means you are having a mentality of a gṛhastha because
the gṛhastha saves for a rainy day.
But in the renounced order they take whatever Kṛṣṇa gives.
You have to get married.”
So he was told to get married because he tried to save some harītakī.
So Lord Caitanya was very strict
and one side He is very soft.
In Agradvīpa upstream a little bit,
he became a gṛhastha,
his wife died,
his son died.
So he said, “You asked me to be a gṛhastha when I was not qualified.
Who will now do my śrāddha when I die?”
The Lord said, “I am your son.”
He said, “You are not that kind of son.”
“No, I will do it,” the Lord said.
So He called the village leaders as a witness He told them that on his death anniversary,
take Me to His sāmadhi and I will offer the piṇḍī.
So even to this day, I went there with the Safari,
they called me in the room.
The Deity came in offered the piṇḍī,
it was an amazing thing.
So this pastime was done by the Gopīnātha Deity for His devotee.
Category: [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Mathurālīleśvarī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-09-22
Jayapatākā Swami: Of course, Dhruva Mahārāja was the grandson of Svāyambhuva,
the great grandson of Lord Brahmā.
He was a kṣatriya
and he wanted to achieve a post higher than his grandfather.
But then he was fully concentrating on the Kṛṣṇa japa.
So, by that means he was not being swayed.
But practicing these austerities in the age of Kali is not necessary.
By the mercy of Lord Caitanya, by the mercy of Śrīla Prabhupāda,
we can achieve pure devotion to Kṛṣṇa.
With some basic austerities we perform -
we eat kṛṣṇa-prasāda,
we chant our japa,
we avoid breaking the regulative principles.
Like this we stay occupied in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
So, if you do very harsh austerities,
there are dangers that your heart will become hard.
Some devotees, their heart becomes like gold and hard.
Some devotees’ hearts are like butter
and that melts.
So, we admire the great austerities of Dhruva,
but fortunately
we don’t necessarily have to perform
some austerities, our austerities are relatively simple.
Category: [Material World / Mind / Intelligence], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vratās (Austerities)]
Questioner: Sucitra Revatī devī dāsīT
Date: 2023-07-07
Jayapatākā Swami: That means approaching in great humility.
So holding a blade of grass in your teeth
means you are taking a very humble position.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-18
Jayapatākā Swami: I like all of them.
There is this one pastime of Lord Nityānanda and the dacoits.
That is quite amazing!
It is like when you read some pastime it is so different.
It is so unique.
At that moment I like that pastime.
But I don’t know if there is any pastime that is my favorite.
What was unique was Nimāi Paṇḍita, He did not manifest His love of Kṛṣṇa first in Navadvīpa.
He manifested it in Gayā, in Bihar,
after He got initiated from Īśvara Purī.
He started chanting and dancing in ecstasy,
crying like anything.
And that was the beginning of His ecstasy.
Before that, it was interesting, but when He came back from there He was a changed person.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-30
Answer: We are in competition,
after I try,
if it is successful or not I will tell.
And if you are in Māyāpur, you will find out.
But, His Holiness Gopal Kṛṣṇa Goswami Maharaj,
he said that 2,750 devotees were on the marathon month in Delhi.
So, one thing is to get as many devotees as possible during the marathon
and distribute Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books.
Link: 20150301 Evening Darśana
Category: [Sādhanā / Book distribution]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: If you ask what is my most favorite this and that
how can I say?
Tell us one of your favorite,
I can do that,
say that whatever comes to mind.
Someone told me when you see the spiritual master
you should humble yourself,
praise him ask for blessings.
Whenever I went, I used to do that.
One day I said, Śrīla Prabhupāda, you are very merciful,
I offered praise and then I said I am a fool and I humbled myself.
Before I could say something else,
he spoke out, yes! Ha!
Questioner: Kackuly Rani
Date: 2022-10-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda has said that
taking cow milk develops the finer intelligence
will be able to understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
At the same time, we like to protect the cows.
And so, where possible we try to eat milk from protected cows.
The vegans, they say since the cows are mistreated,
better not to take any milk.
But Śrīla Prabhupāda knew that this difficulty was there.
He thought it was important to offer the milk to Kṛṣṇa,
and then we can take it.
So, we only take milk as prasāda.
Questioner: Akshay, Vadodara
Date: 2022-10-15
I feel very grateful for all that Śrīla Prabhupāda did for me
and so to repay him I try to preach.
And in 2008 I had a stroke.
And the right side of my body is not paralyzed fully but paresis, partially paralyzed.
And the left side of my face.
But the teachings of Lord Caitanya are very blissful.
It says that normal people if they eat grains and milk, you get strong,
but for devotees even if you have one drop of nectar
then you feel so much energy.
Lord Caitanya gives this nectar.
We hope that your visit to Māyāpur was very nice.
This is known as audārya-dhāma,
the merciful dhāma.
Vṛndāvana is mādhurya-dhāma, very sweet.
Jagannātha Purī and Dvārakā are aiśvarya-dhāmas,
very opulent.
This is the place to have mercy
and Caitanya Mahāprabhu is Kṛṣṇa but He is in the mood of devotee, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.
So that is why it is the special mercy we get
and we want to serve Lord Caitanya and Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-24
Jayapatākā Swami: The devotee, when a devotee render pure devotional service,
that’s attractive to the Lord. The conditioned soul, acting in the material world,
independently is that nothing really very attractive about that to the Lord.
In accordance with their desire to serve the Lord, in accordance with their desire to approach the Lord,
it becomes more attractive. It is more glorious when someone wants to do some religious principle.
It is even better if they want to become liberated from the material world.
But he when he realizes the super soul but, the best is when someone is engaging in pure devotional service.
That’s really attractive for the Lord. Just like we have a small child but
when the baby is relating with you, depending on you, there is some attraction there.
Even though one sense insignificant but in another sense and especially
when the baby is trying to say their father’s name, they recognize and say you know,
“da, da” or something, that’s a special.
So, it is a happiness for the mother and father you know, it’s like a little high point there.
So, when the conditioned soul remembers Kṛṣṇa and wants to serve Kṛṣṇa,
that pure devotional service is attractive even to Kṛṣṇa.
Not only attractive, but it can purchase Kṛṣṇa.
Kṛṣṇa promises to reciprocate although we are insignificant, but if we give our whole self to Kṛṣṇa,
Kṛṣṇa would give His whole self to us. Talk about a business deal. (laughter)
There’s no great king or great person even if some political follower
gives his wife you know for the leader, this leader is not gonna reciprocate
and give everything just for the one little person.
Because he has this one person, he has to see over so many.
But Kṛṣṇa being unlimited, He can individually expand and individually relate to each devotee.
He is not limited like that. So, He can reciprocate, although we are insignificant
but He can, He is so unlimited that He can relate with each insignificant part of Him.
He is not limited.
But like one president, he has got millions or 250 million people,
how can he personally relate with each individual.
It is beyond his capacity. He can only have a cabinet of 20 people and
talk with a few congress committee chairmen.
He can hardly relate to all the representatives in the house of congress.
What to speak of you know in a personal way. It would take his whole time.
He has only 24 hours in a day.
But Kṛṣṇa is unlimited. He is not limited by time also.
In the spiritual world, there is no limitation of time.
So, Kṛṣṇa can expand Himself unlimitedly. He can be having unlimited simultaneous pastimes
going on. So, because of Kṛṣṇa’s grace, although we are so insignificant,
that doesn’t limit Kṛṣṇa because He is so unlimitedly great.
He can relate and He becomes attracted when we approach Him in pure devotional service.
Not only that, They have to purchase. The way to attract even when we do a little devotional service.
He is attracted. Is that clear?
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-15
Jayapatākā Swami: What pleases me the most? Pleasing Śrīla Prabhupāda! Ha! Ha!
He asked me to distribute books,
expand the congregation,
to expand Kṛṣṇa consciousness pracāra unlimitedly,
to develop Māyāpur Dhām,
to unite the Saraswat family,
to develop Navadvīpa-dhāma,
to develop Gaura Maṇḍala Bhūmī,
and many other things.
So you can do any of these things,
which one will you do?
Questioner: Hari-Hara Caitanya dāsa
Date: 2022-08-24
Basically, you have to read some Śrīla Prabhupāda books.
You have to be regular in chanting and attending programs.
If there is anything you did not complete before the first initiation checklist, that should be completed before second initiation.
And also, other things, you can talk to the JPS Office.
Questioner: ISKCON Kurnool
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t think there is any limit.
All the qualities of a pure devotee we can see in Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t know.
Attend the JSSS programs!
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda]
What should be our mood and prayer to Lord Narasiṁhadeva today? Also, the purport says that it is very easy to please Lord Nārayaṇa, but I find it very difficult and struggle to keep my sādhanā and sevā going on steadily every day. How to understand this if guru and Kṛṣṇa are pleased with me or not, and where am I going wrong?
Questioner: Harshita Sharma
Date: 2023-07-08
Jayapatākā Swami: Certainly, by your trying to be Kṛṣṇa conscious you are pleasing the Lord.
If you keep on trying, then gradually, as they say, practice makes perfect.
So we hope that gradually you will be able to achieve the perfect stage.
But just the fact that you are trying, that means a lot.
So definitely you will be protected from the greatest danger.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Naturally, we should serve the spiritual master as the representative of his guru, the guru-paramparā and Kṛṣṇa.
So, in this way Kṛṣṇa is watching
and how we satisfy our spiritual master
that Kṛṣṇa sees.
He blesses accordingly.
Now how to develop proper attitude.
It happens naturally as we progress in our spiritual life.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-07-08
Jayapatākā Swami: Whatever, we should always pray to the Lord for devotional service.
Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote letters, he always ended the letter, hope this meets you in good health.
So, in good health it will help to serve the Lord.
But these mundane people want good health, so that they can enjoy life.
They want good health to have indriya-tṛpti. Sense gratification.
But devotees they want good health to serve the Lord.
So, we should pray like that.
But we should always engage ourselves in Kṛṣṇa’s sevā.
Category: [Mercy]
Questioner: Śrījīva Gosvāmī dāsa
Date: 2022-10-04
Jayapatākā Swami: If they are taking minimal amount,
what they need for maintaining their family,
so if the temple thinks it is worthwhile,
then one should do that.
And that would be considered as selfless service.
Of course, if one is taking a huge amount and saving a lot,
then he may consider if it is selfless.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Workplace], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Varṇāśrama / Gṛhastha]
Questioner: Ānandinī Śacīmātā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, you can either jump into the Ganges,
or you can touch that person’s feet back.
We found that Lord Nityānanda and
Lord Caitanya, were dancing in such a way, They tried to touch each other’s feet.
They were so expert at dancing
that They avoided.
So, sometimes the associates of Lord Caitanya would do this type of
transcendental competition,
to touch each other’s feet.
If someone touches your feet, you touch their feet.
Category: [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Keya Rani
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: 1. We should observe it after that.
And plead to Kṛṣṇa for forgiveness.
Questioner: Sucarita Jāhnavā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-04
Jayapatākā Swami: If we circumambulate Kṛṣṇa,
naturally, He will be in our lives.
So it is very important that we do everything with the idea of pleasing Kṛṣṇa, serving Kṛṣṇa.
If we cook, we offer that to the deities,
therefore it is Kṛṣṇa prasāda we are taking.
Everything we do, we do in yukta-vairāgya,
and we offer the results to Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: You see it may be different it may be the same.
If you have a vision that you want to serve Kṛṣṇa,
you want to spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement,
maybe some individual differences.
But if your reason is Kṛṣṇa conscious then it doesn’t matter.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Workplace], [Emotions / Confusion], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Nitāi Līleśvara dāsa
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: I hear different emails every day
and I have certain corresponding secretaries.
Like Rādhāramaṇa Sevaka dāsa and others.
So you write to me and don’t get a reply in a week,
then you could write a WhatsApp message to my corresponding secretary
that why you are not getting a reply.
And usually, you will get a reply.
But at least you will be told why you are not getting a reply.
And right now, we also have the Jayapatākā Swami Disciples’ e-Care
and you can write to them also.
So I am trying to make myself available
and I don’t know who is the śikṣā-guru you have faith in.
You can ask or suggest a śikṣā-guru
and get some authorization.
Otherwise, try to contact me as I mentioned.
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Śikṣā-guru], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Emotions / Confusion]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Take initiation!
We don’t believe that we deliver ourselves.
We believe that our guru and Kṛṣṇa delivers us!
And we simply try to carry out Their instructions.
If you think you are not able to deliver yourself, that is natural, we should not think we can deliver ourselves.
You are saying it is right to say – I can deliver myself, I don’t need anyone! Is that right?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Well he gave me many advices.
But the main thing was that I should always engage in serving Kṛṣṇa.
And try to help others to be Kṛṣṇa conscious.
He told me to expand the Nāmahaṭṭa and congregational preaching.
He told me to distribute, I have to distribute at least ten thousand big books, every month and 100 thousand small books, every month.
We were discussing this morning possibility of selling packets of books at discounted price.
He told me to travel and preach.
So I used to travel five or six times around the world in a year.
Now I am not able to do that, you see I am physically challenged.
I only travel around the world twice a year. I need help!
I need the senior devotees to help travel and preach.
Anyway, there are many other questions.
You can see the Jayapatākā Swami App, which you can download on Android or Apple Play where they have listed all the instructions that Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me.
I pay all the expenses, you don’t have to pay anything!
* * * *
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: They were like spiritual uncles, they wanted to see Lord Caitanya dancing.
It is said that He was somewhat ashamed,
you could say self-conscious.
Lajjita, it means like shy.
They were His seniors, and they were saying they wanted to see His dancing.
So He was a little shy because of this.
Questioner: Kṛṣṇa Karuṇāmṛta dāsa
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: Crying!
Questioner: Rukmiṇī Rāmana dāsa
Date: 2023-12-11
Jayapatākā Swami: Someone asked Prabhupāda once what to do when people cover their ears when they walked by the kīrtana,
Prabhupāda said, “Pull their hands away for hearing!!” Ha!
Of course, that may be not legal,
but the point is that we want people to hear.
Unless there is some law about chanting,
we shouldn’t have to listen to anybody.
We go on chanting!
If there is some law that is not permitted or something,
you need to get the permit.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, Śrīla Prabhupāda called me to LA,
at that time I was in Toronto,
and he told me that he would send me to India
as soon as Acyutānanda had his own place.
I went and opened up the Chicago temple,
along with Bhagavān dāsa.
Then I was called up and Śrīla Prabhupāda told me to go to India.
I flew to London
and then I went to India.
I arrived in Calcutta,
but Acyutānanda did not have his own place.
So for some time, we were staying in the Gauḍīya Maṭha.
And then we found our own place.
Śrīla Prabhupāda flew in from Japan
and he went to that place in South Calcutta.
After a while Śrīla Prabhupāda said he had given sannyāsa to nine devotees in LA.
He asked Acyutānanda and myself, if we wanted to take sannyāsa.
At that time, I thought it was a very glorious thing!
I still think
but I see it is very difficult to be a sannyāsī in the West.
I was fortunate that I was in India!
Where it was not so difficult.
Anyway on Rādhāṣṭamī day Śrīla Prabhupāda gave Acyutānanda and myself sannyāsa.
He said Acyutānanda was the 10th sannyāsī and I was the 11th.
Now I think I am the oldest sannyāsī still alive.
Basically, that is what happened.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Of course, I heard about Śrīla Prabhupāda first.
And I heard great things!
Then I went to Montreal to see Śrīla Prabhupāda.
At that time, I could see auras around people.
When I saw Śrīla Prabhupāda his aura filled up the whole room, yellow!
So what was the first thing I thought when I saw Śrīla Prabhupāda – WOW!
And he said, “Who is that?” Pointing to me.
I was shaved up and there were not so many devotees there.
Garga Muni who was there from San Francisco, he said, he is a bhakta.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “Bring him for lunch tomorrow!”
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-25
Jayapatākā Swami: If a person...
renders devotional service without...
hearing and chanting,
that is basically what karma-yoga is.
Doing some service, of course karma-yoga,
maybe that one is working and giving the fruits of the labor.
So if it is doing something which is specifically ordered by the guru,
then of course it comes more under bhakti.
The problem without chanting and hearing,
is that the consciousness does not become purified.
The power.. of purification in this Kali-yuga,
is in the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Just like in every age, there is a yuga-dharma.
So, in general, devotional service is...
is to be performed.
But in this age, just like in the other age meditation was the system, then sacrifice,
and temple worship.
So, this age the system to purify the consciousness is hearing and chanting, saṅkīrtana.
If a person just renders devotional service without hearing and chanting,
then the danger is that the person is..
getting spiritual credit,
but the desire to engage in material activity may not be counteractive.
That desire, that seed is there in our heart to engage in materialistic activity
and to counteract that we need the mercy of Nityānanda.
We need to fill our hearts with spiritual happiness,
you see.
So, rendering devotional service is sensitive,
we are still a bit too covered up to be able to fully relish..
the real.. benefit of...
of the service that he is doing at that time.
And so, the danger is that the person can become misled again into material activities.
It's like...
when you are on some battleship which is.. firing but does not have its radar,
doesn’t have the defenses.. you know, it's only.. it’s doing something,
but it does not have any defense.
The chanting is both defense as well as offense both,
but it actually protects us and gives us the opportunity, that ability to relish.
It gives us the spiritual realization for just the service alone.
In this particular age, it's difficult for one to actually...
be able to.. experience the transcendental...
happiness and transcendental realization just by their service.
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Pulling out the weeds?
Well, just like for instance uh, the first weed is described as niṣiddhācāra - unauthorized behavior.
Say that a person uh, is habituated to uh, eating meat,
but chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, friend of Kṛṣṇa coming, but you know still he eats meat.
So, then the person gradually stops eating meat, that is pulling the weed out, say, in the beginning stage.
But then say something that might even attack an older person that’s in devotional service - kuṭīnāṭī or lābha, pratiṣṭhā, pūjā.
Kuṭīnāṭī means diplomatic behavior.
Just like say a neophyte devotee, not very strong, he is trying to practice devotional service, he is practicing.
But somehow, he got mislead… miss… you know, like waylaid.
Went out, did something wrong, maybe went out, got drunk or something, you know.
Just fall.
Say, met some old friends.
They said, “Come on!” Next thing you know, had a beer can in his hand, whatever; and so, got in trouble.
So, then I met a devotee like that.
That is not a devotee, initiated, but just like a bhakta type person.
And then he had something like that happen.
Then he got picked up for drunken driving.
Very… He was come by and he was apologizing.
He was going to really try to be Kṛṣṇa conscious again.
So, the thing was that if a person… say that a person does something like that,
and some senior person is there to help him, some spiritually advanced person, and then if tries to like lie about it, hide the truth,
so or… that’s one form of kuṭīnāṭī, being devious you know.
Well, if the person was just straight forward, “Yeah, I had this problem, can you help me?”
Then he gets some good advice, and that gives him some more inspiration, some more strength to just stay on the path, you see.
So that lack of being straightforward of you know, confiding in uh, people who are actually there to help you spiritually, that’s one form of kuṭīnāṭī.
There are many others.
Like different have diplomatic behavior.
So if one, one gives up that behavior
and then takes the uh, you know, straight forward path, takes the consequences whatever it may be, you see,
there is no consequences like that in devotional service, no one is going to uh,
put anyone unnecessarily on the spot, rather one is compassionate, trying to help someone if they are having difficulties.
So, that’s how you pull the weed.
It’s just that, when you, you have to isolate, you have to recognize,
“This is the defect, this is a mistake, this is a wrong thing.”
And then you… then you work at uh, not doing it anymore.
That’s how you pull it.
That’s the meaning of pulling it.
Just like you know, some people they show you, “Look at my garden.
Look at my lawn.
It’s so beautiful; everything is green, right?” Before… If I look at the lawn, I’ll think it’s great.
But then if some you know, horticulturist comes, he says, “Well that’s crabgrass, that’s too… this is you know, this is uh, hog… hog… hog grass,
and this is not you know you supposed to have all you know Kentucky blue or something.
You got all this other garbage grass in there.”
You see.
For an ordinary, layman, it’s all grass, you know, who cares?
But you know, if you really get into it, it’s all some kind of grass that are ultimately weeds that don’t help the…
They are going to take over the whole thing and make it very scrubby looking.
But it looks the same, it looks similar, you see.
So, all you do, you pull it out, take it out.
So, you have to isolate it first, what is the weed and what is the real plant?
Weed means it looks like a real plant.
It is not… It is a plant also.
It looks similar.
It is not you know necessarily a lot different, it might be a lot different or might even be similar, it’s a plant anyway.
So, some of the things are just a slight difference, some of them are really different.
Just like an oak tree and a piece of grass, same type of living entity: plant, you see, vegetation.
But it’s not that completely different, may be in the beginning stages it looks similar,
when it’s just like a 3 inches ha… high, but in the end, you know, it becomes completely different.
So how you pull it out in terms of practicality, just you guys stopping doing that particularly,
or at least trying to stop.
First you isolate what it is, then you work at pulling it out.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-09
Jayapatākā Swami: Sometimes they come as first body as Brahmā.
Human is the first birth that you get a chance to go back.
Brahma at the end of the universe, can go right back.
Unless he becomes materialistic, then from Brahmā they can work their way down to a bug or one can be as human.
That will depend.
It’s not a… No one can say, it is not any, you will find some different evidences in the Vedas.
Coming as a Brahmā or coming as a human, that is not... that may vary from case to case.
We found that Jaya, Vijaya, they came as demons.
Each person, why they are here, why, no one can say exactly.
Everyone is an individual eternally.
And the only way we will know the exact reason how we got into this material world is when we ultimately again we get our liberation.
This is like a dreaming state.
Right now, we are locked into the dream and the whole endeavor is to get out of the dream, to wake up.
So, once we… It’s just like someone is in a kind of coma.
And in the coma, he is dreaming so many things.
And then in that dream, he is going from one dream and then he jumps out and goes to another dream, until finally he can remember someone comes up and says, “Harry! Harry!” [laughter]
And then he comes out of the dream, “Where am I? Right?
Where was I?”
It’s like once you come out of this material world and you come back to your original Kṛṣṇa consciousness, it will be like, I did all those things! I was an animal, and a man, I forgot, I forgot completely about Kṛṣṇa and about my eternal spiritual nature.
And just like a dream.
You never want to go to sleep again, you don’t ever want to come in the material world again.
The thing is one has to want to wake up.
So that’s why the spiritual master is so kind.
Even a person is sleeping, doesn’t want to wake up, they are calling, jīva jāgo, “Wake up, Wake up!
You are not this body.
You are eternal spirit soul.”
And the soul has heard so many things in its life.
You are an American, you are a Bohemian, you are a hippie, you are a conservative, you are republican, you are a democrat, this that.
And never even, doesn’t even come near to waking up the soul.
It is just different! It’s just trying to change the structure of your dream.
But when that pure devotee says, “No, you are an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, you are not this body”, then immediately the soul starts, it is the first time anything that was said is actually directed at the soul.
It starts to move, it starts to wake up.
Then the soul starts to direct the intelligence, what is that? What is he saying?
It’s shocking that the first time one hears that he is a devotee, it may even come as an intense shock.
The first time the devotee is saying, is going right to the soul.
They don’t even speak to the body and the mind; it is going right to the soul.
Because the soul can exert its influence and can control over the mind and the body.
But it has to be awakened, it is has to actually come from the soul, to act in its original, constitutional position.
So how we fell in this material world exactly?
What we were before? When we wake up, when we realize our original position, then we can remember all these things.
So, it is not always a stereotype.
We may come first time as a Brahmā and work our way down and may come in so many ways.
What we were before we came, what was our relationship with Kṛṣṇa, what was our position, how we fell down, what desire we had? - these are different in every case.
When a person leaves his body untimely in an accident, or murder or suicide, what should we do for the benefit of that soul? If we perform the funeral rites in the Vaiṣṇava way with tulasī stick, chanting, Vṛndāvana dust, Gaṅgā-jala, etc. will the soul receive the same benefit and go to the spiritual world? We had one of our congregation members who left his body recently like this.
Questioner: Lakṣmī Rādhā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-07-23
Jayapatākā Swami: We try to send the soul in a most auspicious way.
Could be that with all these things a soul can go back to Godhead.
There may be many factors we don’t know.
But in this way we are doing what we can for the benefit of the soul.
And so if you put Ganges water and other auspicious things it will definitely benefit.
We heard how a bird caught a snake and was eating it when it was dead.
The tail of the snake touched the Ganges water
and therefore the snake got delivered.
So normally the snake is envious, it bites without cause.
So, we do what we can for the departed soul.
Category: [Yet To Categories]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-21
Jayapatākā Swami: Advaita Gosāñi was the first to figure it out.
After some time of this, joined the saṅkīrtana movement.
First Advaita then Śrīvāsa, then after that everyone.
Apart from some rare instances with different people, different devotees realized.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Bhaktin Sujatha Kartikeyan
Date: 2022-08-05
Jayapatākā Swami: It is hard for us to understand when we can go to Godhead.
And that time is revealed by Kṛṣṇa.
And we cannot go earlier, so we try to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Then naturally we think about Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Because we don’t know how long we have to live
so we should be ready any time to go back to Kṛṣṇa.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-09-17
That is our connection with our spiritual master,
to serve him
and carry out his instructions,
the vāṇī-sevā.
It is definitely very difficult
but there is nothing else we can do.
We have to keep our connection with the spiritual master,
by carrying out his instructions, his vāṇī,
and this way we will be connected with our spiritual master.
Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Guru (Spiritual Master)]
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Why were you able to read more earlier and not now?
Please try that you do not commit any Vaiṣṇava-aparādhā amongst each other and forgive each other.
You can chant the Pañca-tattva mantra and Nitāi-Gaura names and thus make advancement in spiritual life.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Sādhanā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-20
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t know who your guru is but for my disciples, if they have to, they can use the counting machine.
Since I had a stroke in 2008, my right side doesn’t fully cooperate.
So I have to chant by my left hand.
And Rādhānātha Swami gave me some chanting machine.
Now I do more than 16 rounds.
But I have to like do exercises in the morning and when I exercise, I also chant and keep track of that.
When I walk in the pool, I chant, each step is half a mantra.
So I promised Śrīla Prabhupāda I would chant 16 rounds of 108 mantras each.
That is 1,728.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Workplace], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Why should you feel bad?
Jayapatākā Swami: If we go to print books we cannot do that for free right?
There is a price for the paper, price for printing.
Compared to many other books, the price of our books is much less.
If you go to other book stalls, the price of the books are Rs. 300, 400 or 500.
Our Bhagavad-gītā is Rs.150 or so, in Bangladesh probably Rs. 100 or 200.
We see that we do not take much profit.
Now, if you can get it printed for free, then we can also distribute them for free. You can say that.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-27
Whether there is any time to do books
during your study,
that you have to analyze
and like, housewives when they are cooking, they can listen to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s class, or his books audio version.
I don’t know specifically what your schedule is that you can give any time in the day for reading.
Sometimes there is so much service to do for your studies,
when there is no time for māyā,
that is good.
Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra], [Sādhanā / Time Management]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-10
How to develop favourable devotional attitude?
we should accept everything for devotional service and give up everything which is unfavourable.
If we really understand what is our self interest?
What is helping us?
And we understand serving Kṛṣṇa and serving his devotees are our own self interest and then we know what is the favourable for that we accept the favourable things and we avoid the unfavourable automatically we can.
Start to get lined up.
Now what is very important is to develop that is by associating with the devotees already have their attitude.
Not that every devotees is equally developed in his favourable attitude such those who are especially ball pointless those who are in bitter mood they may be advancing but in a slow track.
Those who are seeing good qualities in others enthusiastic cheerful and they don’t hold any grudges on anyone they are in mode of fast track.
So we look for devotees that we can relate with a better situation we are and associating with them and in this way we can progress by the good association and this leads to the next question which is sādhu-saṅga which is one of most if not the most important limbs of devotional principles is offensive be six certain devotee association to avoid others,
So we select the associating just associating of any devotees so we can read the questions super souls.
Lord Caitanya said that there are three kinds of devotees those who are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa but they are not following the principles we can help them otherwise we don’t associate with them very intimately but those who are initiated and following very strictly we can accept them in a very we can respect them and offer respect to them and associate with them.
And those who are very advanced who are fully fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness who are in the level of guru we can take shelter from them.
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said that we can seek out association with the likely minded devotees.
Of course hopefully the like minded should be a good mind but its all right we may be more intimate with some than the others.
Lord Kṛṣṇa He has said that He is the higher of all living entities and so he is the higher of the devas and he is the one who fixes people’s faith on different devas.
When a person fully takes shelter of Kṛṣṇa then they need to see Kṛṣṇa in everything including the devas.
If they can see devas then there is no problem but the Kṛṣṇa the devas they got confused about how that two relate with each other then its obstacle.
So that’s why the devotees should understand that the devas are all great devotees of God.
His expansion in the Vedas what we call it as sahasra śīrṣāḥ puruṣaḥ What that mantra called?
In the puruṣa śūkta how all the devas are different parts of the body of the lord in the Viśvarūpa also mentions that so that devas are the arms representing so we understand that the devas are the devotees of the lord and we offer them respect as devotees then that is no problem.
If we go to the devas and asks If we go to the devas and asks the devas a blessing to be a better devotee of Kṛṣṇa then there is no problem.
But if we go to the devas and asks the same thing that the devas asking from Kṛṣṇa then Kṛṣṇa asks who do you really take shelter me or him?
If you want to take from him then all right no need to take from me.
But the devas they can give us the ticket back to Kṛṣṇa they can help us in many ways.
I was just reading this morning in Bhāgavatam when Kṛṣṇa had disappeared from Dvāraka when he was looking for the Śyāmantaka jewel all the residents of Dvāraka went to durgā and they prayed to durga please bring Kṛṣṇa back to us we want Kṛṣṇa back.
So out of love for Kṛṣṇa they prayed to the divine mother to bring Kṛṣṇa back.
So in someways that devotees of Kṛṣṇa ven prayed like that the gopīs prayed to Kātyāyinī to Pārvatī her name is Katyāyinī to get Kṛṣṇa as her husband so such things are all right for devotees.
Everytime I go to deva temple I always pray to deva for blessing to be Kṛṣṇa consciousness and to spread the saṅkīrtana movement of Lord Caitanya because I know that because this is what they all want.
If we read in the Purāṇas
the devas are fighting with the demons you know how much they want us to spread us this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
That’s really what they want?
When a person dies the soul leaves the body three or ones if we pick this one we can lack again.
what is the best method?
Bhakti-yoga.
Kṛṣṇa said bhaktyā mām abhijānāti – except for my devotee no one else can know me.
If you want to come to me you want to come by surrendering unto me.
Every time is good 24 hours a day but the best time to start your meditation is called brahma-muhūrta which is an hour and a half before sunrise.
But if we can’t do that time do any time we can do.
That’s the best time according to sastras.
So we should do all the time.
Well,
very good good very good
if you are simply thinking about Kṛṣṇa in a possible way and you feel tears coming that means you are getting some mercy from Lord Caitanya.
Of course some times people think of other things and cry so I’m hoping that you are thinking about Kṛṣṇa and crying so that’s good.
If you are feeling attachment for Kṛṣṇa this is a very good sign things like this are more for individual talking to the guru because how can I say by somebody is crying but it could be that it is devotional crying.
If one does experience special symptoms in spiritual life that is a good reason to interviewed with guru and conclude up with the advanced devotee and then they can see whether everything is going all right and how to advice you?
It’s not something to talk about in public.
Question:
But have to becoming a devotee means still one has a same suffering and problems as non-devotee.
Even after taking of devotional service one still has the propensity to be envious and causing anxiety to others.
There is nothing wrong in the process of devotional life why does devotees come under māyā’s attack?
Answer:
There are so many process of purification.
You come to bhakti means this is the supreme process there is no other process after this.
And there is no need of doing any lower processes but still we have to learn how to do bhakti-yoga to do properly.
As we do bhakti-yoga we will find many dirt will come in our hearts.
It’s a cleaning process,
if we clean the house dust comes out.
We have to be very careful to move the dirt.
We have to be learned to be tolerant.
We have to learn to be humble.
These are part of the devotional process.
Now side by side by chanting and performing the activities we have to also do cleaning.
We have to be always analyzing and seeing wherever we have defects and systematically try to move that.
Then in this material world time is immemorial.
Millions of millions of birth even after few days,
months,
weeks or years of devotional service its not likely some of the contaminations are still there in our hearts.
But if we absorb ourselves fully in devotional service and we take the shelter of the spiritual master properly then we can burn out these accumulated contaminations very quickly.
So the reason why the process of devotional service is to get different attacks the contamination is there as I mentioned in the class we are getting devotional service very easy from Lord Caitanya we are making mmediately they are close on us.
They will take away the curve.
We have to make a proper we have to be patient we are not fully qualified for devotional service we are getting it on a special concession like the government sometimes give the poor people the low cost housing.
They don’t get afford to get a house but they can buy it by low credit just to get the people out of the slums.
So Lord Caitanya want us to get out from this horrible material world.
He is giving us a special credit plan.
Because we are not fully qualified we have to work it becoming qualified.
You are coming to this process very quickly.
But if we stick to it within a short period of time we can get rid out of this bad qualities and we become properly situated.
So we need the patience and determination and the conviction.
We need the associate properly with devotees.
We need to avoid the different kind of negative activities and we have to be very open hearted and straight forward.
These are the six things that Rūpa Gosvāmi recommends us and help us
to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So in one sentence nothing wrong.
And people surely benefit something by hearing them.
But usually for the initiated devotees prefer to hear singing by someone more spiritually developed.
These are especially songs sung by attracting the new people by music aspect but not spiritual aspect.
In public programs we use these more but for personal purification it is recommended to hear Prabhupāda and some other pure devotee chanting.
But its nothing wrong but that is the guideline.
In Kali-yuga for different this is very funny the four varṇāśramas.
So four āśramas we don’t.
I understand its meaning.
Question is addressing the āśramas.
It’s a mistake to go through the varṇas.
So the āśramas it depends also so some people just go through marriage the only āśrama they have to go through.
For spiritual life someone joins the movement he is a gṛhastha we don’t say he has to go to brahmacārī.
But later on the gṛhasthas are good to taken vānaprastha husband and wife together.
It is not essential that people must take sannyāsa.
If they are initiated wife and husband prepare themselves for this also.
This all voluntarily.
One doesn’t have to go through different āśramas but its something that one has to consult with one’s own guru.
What is best for each individual?
To which āśrama that one should go through?
Some brahmacārīs go straight to sannyāsa and some brahmacārīs to gṛhastha and vānaprastha.
So this all different scenarios.
Questioner: Mālinī Sundarī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Advaita Ācārya is considered a topmost devotee.
And what He is doing is an example for all to follow.
Everyone who is on the level of a topmost devotee, will also be begging from the Lord for service.
In the material world, one wants to control to enjoy
the material nature;
but in spiritual life, one wants to be enjoyed by the Lord.
One wants to please the Lord.
And one wants to serve the Lord.
So the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra means. “Oh Lord! Oh energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your service.”
So as we engage in the Lord’s service, in devotees service, our taste for Kṛṣṇa consciousness increases.
So the Lord is enjoying His pastimes.
He is always happy
and the devotees who are participating with His pastimes,
they are also happy.
Who wants to be happy?
[Haribol!]
The real happiness is to please Kṛṣṇa.
We are part of Kṛṣṇa.
When He is pleased, we are all automatically pleased.
When He is happy, we are also happy.
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
Questioner: Rādhikā Premabhakti devī dāsī
Date: 2022-09-02
So, we take it as Kṛṣṇa’s mercy because He doesn’t let anything happen without His permission.
Nothing!
For devotees, they see that their karma is settled at a reduced rate.
Actually, this material world is always problematic.
This material world is duḥkhālaya.
This is already stated by Kṛṣṇa in Bhagavad-gītā.
If you think that this material world is problematic,
that should be an inspiration for you to go back to the spiritual world.
Why do you want to stay in the material world, life after life?
Why don’t you see that this material world is problematic?
And you should try to be Kṛṣṇa conscious?
You have such a nice name.
Rādhikā Premabhakti!
I want that prema-bhakti of Rādhikā!
So we see that this material world is a horrible place, but we try to make best use of a bad bargain.
That is why it is very important that husband and wife, both are devotees.
And they try to become very dear to Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Day-to-day Life], [Karma], [Material Sufferings], [Mercy], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Sumitra Kṛṣṇa dāsa
Date: 2022-08-05
Jayapataka Swami: Interesting question.
We know that Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was a gṛhastha.
He mentioned that in Allahabad he had a house, and it had a special room for visiting preachers.
So, he facilitated many Gauḍīya Maṭha preachers.
And he said that he wanted to marry a particular, good-looking girl.
But his father told him to marry another lady
who, in his estimation, was not as beautiful.
In one sense he said, that by the mercy of my father it was easier for me to take sannyāsa.
Anyway, he was a gṛhastha and had many children, he had responsibilities.
Then, he took vānaprastha
and finally took sannyāsa.
So, in that way, he was able to go to the west and preach.
Everybody is different
and today we have many devotees who are gṛhasthas but they are doing full devotional service.
But maybe at that time, one had to be a sannyāsī to be able to travel freely around the world.
Secondly, Śrīla Prabhupāda never forgot the instruction he received in 1922,
and he then went to the West, he came to America in 1965.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-12-22
Jayapatākā Swami: Rādhārāṇī always thinks how I can surrender more unto Kṛṣṇa.
If we think that we are ready to face death, that is not right, then we may get lazy.
But if we have eagerness to understand devotional service all the time
then that will always be beneficial for us.
When the associates of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, they see Caitanya Mahāprabhu in this aṣṭa-sāttvika-bhāva, it might be also difficult for them to see Caitanya Mahāprabhu in this state, what gave them the courage? To personally be there and see Caitanya Mahāprabhu in that ecstasy, understand the mood of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, it might be so difficult for them as well. So what gave them the courage to bring Caitanya Mahāprabhu back and what was their ecstasy to see Caitanya Mahāprabhu when He was awake in His original state and chanting the mahā-mantra?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapatākā Swami: I mean, because they loved Lord Caitanya.
Seeing Him like bleeding from the pores, we normally perspire, but He was not normally perspiring, there was blood coming from His pores.
So His aṣṭa-sāttvika-bhāva was extreme.
So when people saw Him appearing in this very extreme situation,
they cried,
and they chanted.
What else to do?
And among them Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī or someone he was taking the lead.
And knew that chanting was the only thing that would return Lord Caitanya to a little bit conscious state.
So, these devotees were so fortunate
that they could participate in these pastimes of the Lord.
And hopefully we would develop a desire to participate in the Lord’s pastimes.
Who would like to participate?
May Kṛṣṇa fulfill your desires!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: If the guru gives instruction
to accept disciples,
then one has to follow the instructions of the guru.
In the Remuna for instance, there is a Deity of Rasikānanda
and his guru is Śyāmānanda.
So he was a guru in the presence of his guru.
Because he got instruction from Śyāmānanda Paṇḍita to accept disciples.
I have in Russia, Caitanya Candra Caraṇa dāsa
and I asked him to be a guru.
He has thousands of disciples,
and he is preaching in Russia.
Similarly, I am asking other disciples who are qualified,
and unless one is asked by the guru
it is true that they should not accept disciples.
But if the guru asks,
if he orders then that has to be carried out by the disciple.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, if we mentally reside in the temple or holy dhāma,
this way on internet I go different places, but I certainly attend the Māyāpur maṅgala-ārati regularly.
This way, through YouTube, Facebook, through Māyāpur TV you can get darśana of various temples.
we can get that way, mentally you are visiting the holy dhāma.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Akhila Bandhu Gopāla Dāsa [Indore]
Date: 2022-09-06
Jayapatākā Swami: So your question is being answered by Vidura.
He did not get upset, he saw that, he took it as an opportunity to increase his Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
You should not become morose, maybe by this you get rid of bad karma.
And in the material world there is this kind of false criticism.
That is why we want to transfer you to the spiritual world.
You are coming from Madhya Pradesh.
Nice to hear how people are hearing the class from Madhya Pradesh.
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Emotions / Stress/Anxiety], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Sādhanā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda said we should hear the mantra.
And if we chant thinking of Kṛṣṇa’s mantra that is also alright.
If while chanting you remember the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, that is alright.
But you don’t have to try to remember the pastimes, you try to listen while chanting.
While listening, if the pastimes come to your mind, it is alright.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-15
Jayapatākā Swami: Sometimes when we are chanting we forget Kṛṣṇa.
But by chanting our mind can come back to thinking about Kṛṣṇa.
So we should keep chanting.
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-25
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, there is two types of service to guru –
vapu-sevā
and vāṇī-sevā.
When I am personally present and you are doing some personal service,
that is called vapu-sevā.
But otherwise, vāṇī-sevā to serve the spiritual master by following his instructions.
So if you make devotees, if you study Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books,
engage in some form of devotional service,
I get very happy by that.
And it is not necessary that you have to be where I am.
You can carry out my instructions anywhere.
Jayapatākā Swami: You know, Śrīla Prabhupāda said that it took him twenty years for him.
How many lifetimes it will take for us, I don’t know!
But we try to do service for Lord Kṛṣṇa,
for Śrīla Prabhupāda, for guru
and this way, eventually the devotional ecstasy, devotional service increase.
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-15
Jayapatākā Swami: You should try to not let go the bead.
Normally, we start where we stop chanting on the beads.
?
You can chant when you are thinking about Kṛṣṇa as well.
That is why you can take the beads out of your bag and chant holding the beads with two hands.
And when we keep chanting, we are thinking of Kṛṣṇa.
It is natural to think of Kṛṣṇa when we are chanting.
But we have to keep chanting.
I hope that all my disciples will not have this problem that when they think of Kṛṣṇa while chanting, they stop chanting.
They have to chant 16 rounds.
They have to chant 16 rounds.
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: It depends, who that devotee is.
If the devotee is a godbrother of the spiritual master, or peer of the spiritual master,
of if he is the guru of the spiritual master,
then one should offer him respect.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Every person is different.
And if they are open or they are challenging,
I asked Trivikrama Mahārāja, what to do, in the Free Speech Alley in the Baton Rouge, he said, challenge them. Louisiana State University.
He told me, just ask them a question they cannot answer.
They say you believe in karma, this that and the other, you say well people are born crippled, why?
They say that is a mystery.
So I asked them another question and it just blew them away.
But I met a nice man he was favorable, recently here in Dallas
and so I said how Jesus said we should love God.
That is the first commandment.
You know little bit about different religions, so you can tell that.
And how bhakti-yoga means the science of how to love God.
Like Śrīla Prabhupāda met some ayatollahs in Tehran
and he was very happy. They discovered that saying Allah hu Akbar
means paraṁ satyaṁ dhīmahi.
I met one devotee, people they said you are a Hindu,
they wanted to argue.
I said I am a devotee of God.
Then he came around and said there is one God,
all religions worship the same God.
We believe there is only one God and all religions worship the one God.
But they call Him by different names
it depends how people approach you, and if they are open or not.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Why should you feel bad?
It is not that everyone will take a book from you.
If they say they have this book, they say we have the Bhagavad-gītā.
Then we should ask them do you have Bhagavad-gītā As It Is? If they have, how did they like it?
Then you can ask them what is there in chapter 12 verse 32?
We know that in chapter 12 there are only 20 verses.
Do you really have the Bhagavad-gītā and do you read it?
It depends on how much time the person has, you can then have a discussion.
You can ask them how did you find reading this book?
What are the books you have? If there are many people, then you can say good and go to other people.
We want to serve the Lord.
If someone says, I have the books, then good.
Maybe they bought it from someone else.
But do they really have Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books or what books? You can inquire.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-20
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda said that the path of devotional service happens gradually.
First, you have to say something easy for them.
Chant the name of Kṛṣṇa once and you will be happy.
If someone is interested in doing service to Kṛṣṇa, give them that.
From 17th September to 23rd September the ‘World Holy Name Week’ is being celebrated.
That is why they want many people to get together and chant the holy name.
Those who have smart phone,
make a video in which one time you say that I am from Bangladesh and I am chanting for world peace and happiness and chant:
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
And send this.
If you chant these names, you will get love for Kṛṣṇa.
There is no need to give much details.
Just say you will be fortunate, just chant the holy name.
We will send the video to America.
Fortunatepeople.com
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: You see Śrīla Prabhupāda was saying that we are Kṛṣṇa-bhaktas.
So, on all the viṣṇu-tattvas days – Kṛṣṇa Janmāṣṭamī, Gaura Pūrṇimā, we fully fast, we do anukalpa, take Ekādaśī.
But other forms of Viṣṇu, it is optional.
So, every form of Lord Kṛṣṇa has got a particular mood.
We generally, someone wants to pray for the health of guru or some loved one,
we pray to Lord Narasiṁhadeva.
When one wants special mercy to become Kṛṣṇa conscious we pray to Pañca-tattva,
and if we want to have appreciation for the sweetness of Lord Kṛṣṇa then we pray to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa
or Rādhā Kālacāndajī!
So depending on what you want,
you may go to that form of the Lord.
Creation is done by Brahmā, maintenance is done by Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu,
destruction is done by Mahādeva.
But they are all expansions in one way or other of Mahā-Viṣṇu, and then ultimately of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.
From Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma come the catur-vyūha, Nārāyaṇa, then the second catur-vyūha,
then comes Mahā-Viṣṇu.
In every universe there is a Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu,
and in every heart, every atom there is Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.
So if you pray to Kṛṣṇa, you pray to everybody.
Some people pray to a particular form, they like some form. Some are Rāma-bhaktas, some are Varāha-bhaktas.
But the original form is Kṛṣṇa
and first expansion is Balarāma.
So Lord Caitanya is Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa
and Lord Nityānanda is Balarāma.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā]
Questioner: Jayavant
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: When I saw Śrīla Prabhupāda,
I was overwhelmed.
Sometimes, he would call me in the night,
sometimes he would call me in the day time.
Sometimes he would talk to my pūrvāśrama mother.
And he would be telling her we are the living force in the body.
And she would give him a rose bouquet
and then he would thank her and praise her
and acknowledge the roses.
Everything about Śrīla Prabhupāda was exceedingly wonderful!
Sometimes, someone told me that he would bow down to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
And he told me when I bow down, I should praise Śrīla Prabhupāda,
I should humble myself
and then ask a question.
And whenever I would ask a question,
Śrīla Prabhupāda I am a fool.
He would look at me and say, “Yes!”
We couldn’t get away saying anything to Śrīla Prabhupāda, he would immediately answer.
Whenever I hear some class or reading regularly, I do feel Kṛṣṇa conscious at that point but the consciousness is so flickering that whenever we are interacting with someone or in personal relationships we go in that mood so how do we have the determined consciousness to shift from egocentric to Kṛṣṇa centric?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-01-21
Jayapatākā Swami: The pastimes of Lord Caitanya are so nectarean.
Kṛṣṇa Himself came as a devotee.
And He established the saṅkīrtana movement,
and He was experimenting,
what it is like to be a devotee.
And as Rukmiṇī said to Kṛṣṇa in Dvārakā,
You know everything,
You know what Brahmā is doing in Satya-loka,
You know what Śiva is doing in Kailāsa,
but there is one thing You don’t know!!
Rādhārāṇī knows!
I know!!
You don’t know!
He said, What do you mean? There is something that I don’t know?!
Yes!
She said. What is that?
You don’t know how much Your devotees love you!
and in what way we love you?
So that inspired Kṛṣṇa,
ok I will become a devotee,
and I will find out.
So this is such an amazing pastime,
that Lord Gaurāṅga came as a devotee.
I cannot, it is in my mind, it is so wonderful,
I cannot forget it!
I see that in every aspect of Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
we can have some connection with Lord Caitanya.
Haribol!
Nitāi Gaurāṅga!
Questioner: Vrajasevinī Vṛndā devī dāsī
Date: 2023-03-13
Jayapatākā Swami: I did not,
but I had no choice.
I did not want Śrīla Prabhupāda to leave.
But Kṛṣṇa takes us, and nothing we can do.
But I did lots of service, and thanks to Ahlādinī Rādhā and others to help us do all the services.
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Attachment.
All off of… Sometimes the stress is external.
Sometimes obstacles are put up by demons.
So that creates a kind of distressful situation,
but if a person by learning to surrender to Kṛṣṇa in those times, by being tolerant, you see...
We have to learn tolerance.
Something that we have forgotten.
Something that can be, tolerance level can be built up, you see.
Just like in the airplane, I was flying over… and... Singapore Airline, there was one person who was very nasty to the steward.
But the steward completely kept his cool and just returned by saying, “Yes, sir,
I will…" The person was completely obnoxious, completely off the wall or something.
But the person just became very cool in reciprocation and just very suavely, you know, replied the person.
I was in Eastern Airways and some person who had drunk a few drinks just said a little something.
An American guy said, “You are not getting any drinks!
You want to stay on the plane?
No drinks! Otherwise, you get off!”
This is the way he dealt, you know.
A person immediately... He could have held it nicer.
“Listen buddy, you had too many.
Take it easy,” you know.
But no, the guy was so much on the air that steward, that as soon as he said, immediately, you know, he got all riled up.
So, you know, it’s a question of training.
Therefore, Singapore Airline gets a number one rating in the world, and Eastern is not within the rating, within America.
They don’t make even the top ten anyway.
But Singapore and Swiss are considered to be the best service in the world in terms of airline just because the stewards there are trained.
So, we can also be trained in tolerance, you see.
Generally, in America, we are trained not to be very tolerant for any kind of austerity.
Rather they go out to no end of creating new inventions - how you can avoid any kind of austerity, you see.
While living in India, one has to always take austerity because there is just no facility for aust… for anything but austerity.
There is no modern facilities like that but... on one level.
Here I find it very austere in the West for other reasons.
Different type of austerities.
Anyway, it is all relative.
But the main thing is we build up our tolerance to accept these different kinds of difficulties that may come up.
And rather than relate with them or start to become body-conscious and mental-conscious unnecessarily -
to become agitated by them, we overcome them by fixing our mind on Kṛṣṇa.
Just like it says in the Nectar of Devotion, “Say that you stub your foot,
at that moment instead of saying ouch or something or whatever some other thing, then you say Kṛṣṇa.
So that you don’t have to take another… just by that alone, you can get liberation.”
So the point is that when you are in distress, then where do you turn to?
You turn to your mind.
You turn to some other shelter.
Where do you take shelter?
When the pressure is on, where do you go for shelter, you know?
I know devotees who chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, but when the going gets rough, when they get agitated, when they have difficulty, you know,
they go out and take a drug on the side.
They bloop, kind of half-bloop, and now they are very weak.
If there is any difficulty, they can’t learn.
They don’t take shelter of Kṛṣṇa.
Instead they go on take drugs.
Therefore, you know, they take a marijuana or something.
Of course, those are people not generally in our temples.
But I know there is people like that.
That as soon as going gets rough, they surrender to māyā, you see.
Instead of chanting more intensely, hearing more carefully, reading the śāstras, absorbing… taking shelter.
My mind is being agitated by something, either my own body or some external cause,
and so at that moment, to actually depend on, take shelter of Kṛṣṇa that is the best training for us.
If we learn to depend on Kṛṣṇa in difficulty, then at time of death,
when it comes the final exam, when that death is facing us, we are not going to turn to something else,
“Oh! I am in big trouble now, give me this, give me no.”
No. Just surrender to Kṛṣṇa, then we go back to Kṛṣṇa.
Death is a very painful thing, painful situation.
So how are we going to face that if we are already completely habituated to facing so many difficulties
and always depending on Kṛṣṇa, if it is a reflex.
Any difficulty comes we learn to depend on Kṛṣṇa.
Then naturally, in death we will depend on Kṛṣṇa.
In every situation, we will depend upon Kṛṣṇa.
Therefore, the devotee is always protected.
But if we learn to depend on any other material thing, then we have to again come back till we learn not to rely on any designation or anything else other than Kṛṣṇa.
He is our only crutch, He is our guide, guru and Kṛṣṇa.
Remember the words of the guru.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-08-26
Jayapatākā Swami: Let me take it another stage, you see. Because that’s very easy to answer because,
you see, in the spiritual sky, in the Goloka Vṛndāvana, Lord Caitanya has His own
section of Goloka Vṛndāvana where He along with His associates, it’s described that
associates of Lord Caitanya generally having, of course, separates mothers and other,
they are generally having male forms. While the associates of Lord Kṛṣṇa,
of course, except for the friends, but I mean to say that generally they
are having the female forms like gopīs and that. There a lot of gopīs.
So, simultaneously, in the spiritual world, those who are the devotees of Lord Caitanya,
they’re having their form with Lord Caitanya,
and those who are the devotees of Kṛṣṇa, they are having their forms with Kṛṣṇa.
Those who are having both relationships
like there may be someone exclusively with Lord Caitanya, although this is very rare;
mostly they will have relationships with both, because that was Lord Caitanya’s mood.
So, they’ll have their form simultaneously with Kṛṣṇa and with Lord Caitanya.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Since Caitanya-caritāmṛta has the purports of Śrīla Prabhupāda, it would be better to read its purports first.
Although in my compilation, I have going chronologically about the life of Lord Caitanya.
So, the Caitanya-bhāgavata comes first
because that is dealing with His early life.
And then there are other books
and then the Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
But this is at the end of the book and here we have some of the pastimes of Lord Nityānanda and His associates.
This book, I am not putting in the Bengali, I am just telling the translation and purport.
Like the Kṛṣṇa Book.
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: When we chant Nitāi-Gaura first,
we get the fruit of that when we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-08-16
Jayapatākā Swami: As the temple president my mind would go on all the work that I had to do.
I had to meet the DM (District Magistrate), I had to do this, I had to do that.
I used to carry a small book,
whenever a thought came up, I would write it down and put it back
and then concentrated,
otherwise, my mind would again and again think about this thing.
Instead, I wrote down in the book and continued chanting.
Some kind of way you can think of to write it down or something.
I would chant before Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mūrti
meditating on his lotus feet.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Yes!
Next question! Ha! Ha!
You will gradually develop this by doing devotional service.
Or you could get special mercy.
Sādhana-siddhi or kṛpa-siddhi.
I don’t know, when I read these pastimes,
and hear about the devotees crying, rolling on the ground,
I feel also like crying!
So maybe this is something that has increased over the years.
So I think you should keep trying and eventually it will be very easy for you
to be feel, to be affected by the emotions of the devotees.
Questioner: Rakshita Varadarajan
Date: 2022-10-04
Jayapatākā Swami: One can be in whichever āśrama they want to.
Whichever they feel more comfortable.
If they feel that gṛhastha-āśrama is more appropriate for you,
that allows certain license for sex life.
Kṛṣṇa has made machines –
male and female form.
So they can reproduce each other.
So the scientists they are not able to make a machine
that could reproduce itself.
Ha! We shouldn’t think that Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes
with the queens or the gopīs, are material.
He is transcendental.
And in Vṛndāvana,
His pastimes are understood by the liberated souls.
One has to read all the previous nine cantos,
then you can understand how the position of Kṛṣṇa is transcendental.
Once when I was a new devotee,
I asked a question about Rādhārāṇī.
Śrīla Prabhupāda chastised me.
Who are you to ask about Rādhārāṇī?
Since I was a new devotee,
I didn’t understand much, so I accepted that.
Category: [Emotions / Confusion], [Emotions / Lust], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Youth]
While preaching to some tough nuts, we need to go in karmī dress, then it becomes difficult to be always thinking of Kṛṣṇa and little challenging. How can we follow Prahlāda Mahārāja in such situations as Prahlāda Mahārāja was so bold and steady, while preaching, even in such hostile conditions. How can we also be bold and steady while preaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness?
Questioner: Nitāi Candra Nimāi dāsaPr
Date: 2023-07-08
Jayapatākā Swami: You see Prahlāda had to go to the school of the demons.
So, he was smart!
He did not speak in front of the demoniac teachers.
When they gave time for the kids to have recreation,
then he would preach to the children.
So he would be waiting for the chance when the teachers would go out, and then he would preach to the students.
Like that we can take good example from Prahlāda to use whatever possible, to preach.
Questioner: Amāni Gauracandra dāsa
Date: 2022-10-14
Jayapatākā Swami: The more one has faith, the more they can obtain devotional service.
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said
that the coins, money, to purchase the holy name, is faith.
So, how to increase someone’s faith?
The so-called obstacles of family, friends, they can’t actually stop one from having faith.
But if one’s faith is weak,
then they would create disturbance.
So, you should try to help people obtain more faith
in Kṛṣṇa and Lord Caitanya, to glorify the Lord,
how He i
s so merciful
and then try to increase their faith. Haribol!
While reading the Caitanya-bhāgavata, Antya-khaṇḍa verse 6.105 there is the explanation of the demigods drinking milk from Mother Devakī got transcendental knowledge. What took so long for Mother Devakī to get the transcendental knowledge? The sons got transcendental knowledge. But Mother Devakī even after having Lord Kṛṣṇa, still had attachment for the six dead sons?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: You know, she had not asked before.
But when she heard that the dead son of Sāndīpani Muni was brought back to life by Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma,
then that reminded her that her six sons were killed by Kaṁsa.
And then she asked Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, that can you give me the six sons back?
And because her breast milk was kṛṣṇa-prasāda,
we can see the value of kṛṣṇa-prasāda.
And so when they had the kṛṣṇa-prasāda, they got back remembrance of their spiritual position.
And so they were told by the Supreme Lord that they should offer their prostrate obeisances to Lord Brahmā and beg for his forgiveness.
Now, they were so exalted, they were the grandsons of Lord Brahmā.
We cannot see Lord Brahmā, we are insignificant.
These are very great souls,
but because they laughed, they criticized Lord Brahmā, they had to suffer so much.
So if they had to suffer so much, what to speak of us!
We are not so significant
so we will have to suffer a lot.
So we have to be very careful, to always respect Vaiṣṇavas and Vaiṣṇavīs.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2022-10-05
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t know about such predictions.
If you have those you can send the copy to me.
I read the book where Swami Nārāyaṇa said he was a devotee.
But later on, his followers made him an avatāra.
So Śrīla Prabhupāda requested that his status as a jīva never be changed.
Because many spiritual movements after the founder leaves,
they declare their founder as God.
So, I don’t see any reason why, Swami Nārāyaṇa claims to be God.
If you read his book, he doesn’t claim it.
It is only claimed by his followers.
That is as much as I know.
I went to their center in Ahmedabad and other places.
Some of their Swami came to see me.
When they heard that I have been a Swami for like 50 years,
they paid their daṇḍavats!
You know generally, they are favorable.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Queen Satyabhāmā.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-11
Jayapatākā Swami: Those who say the pastimes of the Lord Caitanya and participated in it favorably,
they are considered as not only pure devotees, but eternal associates of the Lord.
Like Murāri Gupta.
He is actually the incarnation of Hanumān.
So all the great devotees, Hanumān, Prahlāda and so many came.
Nārada Muni, Rādhārāṇī,
Satyabhāmā,
Viśākhā,
Lalitā,
so many came
from the spiritual world,
to accompany the Lord.
These are not only pure devotees; they are eternal spiritual associates of the Lord.
Some of them maybe from a distance, were pure devotees,
but we consider them as associates of the Lord,
and you can also become an associate of the Lord in the next birth,
in His pastimes.!!
Of course, in this life you can also get His mercy!
Gaurāṅga!
Nityānanda!
Gaurāṅga!
Nityānandaa!
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa! Guru Mahārāja, said this three times in answer to the devotee’s Hare Kṛṣṇa!)
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Śivānanda Sena, he appreciated the kick by Lord Nityānanda.
The spiritual master sometimes chastises a devotee who can take it.
And one time Śrīla Prabhupāda came into the temple in New York,
and everyone bowed down to Śrīla Prabhupāda showing their feet to the Deities.
So, Śrīla Prabhupāda used his stick and hit Brahmānanda Prabhu.
And said, don’t show your feet to the Deity.
At first, Brahmānanda, he was upset
because everybody had put their feet to the Deities, why was he singled out?
So then, like in Bengal there is a saying,
mother teaches her daughter-in-law by chastising her daughter.
Like that, Śivānanda Sena, he took it as a blessing, for he made Lord Nityānanda wait for prasāda.
Lord Nityānanda, He was very humorous.
He would do things very special!
He told Raghunātha dāsa in Pānihāṭi, I am going to give you daṇḍa –
I will give you punishment.
So the punishment was to give a feast of dadhi, ciḍā and fruits.
Actually, for Raghunātha dāsa it was not a big thing.
He was a millionaire.
Those days ciḍā and mangoes were very cheap.
So, why was this a punishment?
So Lord Nityānanda that is how He decided.
So Lord Nityānanda’s nature was to be a bit funny.
But He was very tolerant, very merciful.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-23
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, we got the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-prasāda-mantra through the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu
and the Pañca-tattva.
So, we want to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra by invoking the mercy of the Pañca-tattva.
Because in this chanting of the Pañca-tattva mantra, there is no offence considered.
And therefore, we chant Pañca-tattva first.
In Africa there is some tribe instead of drinking the milk, they cut a vein of the cow and drink the blood.
Anyway, Śrīla Prabhupāda said that from now chanting the name of the Pañca-tattva it would be more effective
because it would not be a great offence.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-04-27
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, of course chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa we are not saying it is not enough.
But every avatāra has got a particular mood.
And Narasiṁhadeva, His mood is to help people from danger, from sickness.
We started chanting Narasiṁha mantra when Śrīla Prabhupāda was sick.
That is Narasiṁhadeva’s specialty.
Category: [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-24
Everyone has a time.
Everyone has an expiry date, like medicine has an expiry date.
I had gone to see my purvāśrama brother in Minnesota.
And there I got to see my brother.
But I had a closer relationship with my devotee disciples.
Anyway, one of my disciples had brought some medicine for my purvāśrama brother. He ate some prasāda and there was some discussion. He went back home.
We remain in this body as long as we are destined to be there.
Generally, we think that if we do this we will be happy.
And as a result after this body we get another body.
Some think that if I am rich, I will be happy.
Some think that if I am a woman, I will be happy.
Some people think if I am a man, I will be happy.
Some think that if I am a pig I will be happy.
This way, again and again, we repeatedly take birth.
And we take on different bodies due to those desires.
But if we think that we will be happy by serving Kṛṣṇa,
then our rebirth comes to an end.
And we shall return to the abode of the Lord, Vaikuṇṭha dhāma.
No death and birth, we have eternal life.
Haribol!
Questioner: Suvra Dev Babu
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: In the material world our spiritual body is dormant,
and the soul is just a small cid particle,
one ten thousandth of the tip of the hair.
But in the spiritual world,
our soul expands into a spiritual body,
which is not different from ourselves,
and that is sat-cit-ānanda.
So, we don’t actually have to take a new body,
we regain our original form.
But since the normal situation
in the material world,
is that when we leave the body,
we take a new body,
that is the general principle.
When we go back to the spiritual world,
we manifest our original body,
our original form,
which is sat-cit-ānanda.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: It is recommended that in Kali-yuga that we should chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.
It doesn’t say that no other name cannot take you back to Godhead.
But we are recommended to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra
and that is the safest thing to do.
But other names could also deliver someone.
Lord Caitanya said to Haridāsa Ṭhākura that He came to deliver all the people –
Lord Caitanya said how would the Islam be delivered?
Haridāsa Ṭhākura said, that if they are attacked by a pig,
they say when the pig hits them,
hā rāma, hā rāma,
which in their languages means offence.
But actually they are saying hā rāma
even though they are thinking of something else they get delivered
because hā rāma means in Sanskrit, “O my dear Lord Rāma!”
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-25
J
ayapatākā Swami: Well, it’s not said about Lord Caitanya, but ordinarily Kṛṣṇa doesn’t give special mercy,
so much, you don’t find.
It’s very rare.
How many, you can count.
Kubjā got special mercy.
Bali Mahārāja got special mercy.
The gopīs got special mercy.
Some of the queens in Dvārakā, they got special mercy.
But...
out of so many millions of living entities.. getting that special mercy is rare.
Generally, special mercy is given directly by the Lord, or by His representative,
so they also very rare.
Out of millions and millions of people, you’ll find only one is a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa.
So if they are the only ones giving out special mercy, then isn’t that quite rare?
In any case, special mercy is very valuable.
It is priceless commodity.
So one should always be hankering, Prabhupāda advised us,
for the special mercy of guru and Gaurāṅga.
Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Mercy]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-25
Jayapatākā Swami: There are many proofs.
Of course, the most famous that we quote is from the Bhāgavatam:
kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ
sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam
yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair
yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ
[ŚB
[ŚB
11.5.32
]
So, Prabhupāda has given us several proofs.
And actually Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura did a little research on this,
so did Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura,
and they've have come up with about, 50 ślokas from the different purāṇas, upaniṣads,
from the Mahābhārata
describing that in the Kali-yuga the Lord comes as yellow color,
the avatāra in Kali-yuga is known as Mahāprabhu,
saying that,
the Lord comes, distributes the harināma in the Kali-yuga.
He comes as a sannyāsī, comes as a channa-avatāra,
there are so many slokas, I did not memorize all of them.
Mahāprabhu, ei yuga...
So, there are many, many proofs in the.. Vedas
that all indicate that Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself
is the fulfillment of the prediction that Kṛṣṇa would come as a sannyāsī,
as a hidden avatāra, as a person giving out the saṅkīrtana movement.
There is no one else who has done that, there is no one else who fulfilled those qualifications.
And Lord Caitanya when He was here, He actually did everything that was predicted,
and He did things which were extraordinary.
Even Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, he accepted that Lord Caitanya was Kṛṣṇa Himself.
So, the people of the West, they don’t know because the movement just came there,
what was it, seventeen years ago.
And why they don’t know in India, it is because
the followers of Lord Caitanya,
several hundred years ago predicted that the movement would become dormant.
And that is exactly what happened.
Just a very...
slim...
line of acāryas that were carrying out the doctrines.
Therefore, Bhaktisiddhānta Ṭhākura, he was preaching all over India,
even his followers they did not work together, everything broke up.
Now there is so many Gauḍīya Maṭhas and instead of Caitanya Mahāprabhu being understood,
people understanding this Rāma and this Kṛṣṇa and so many others.
So,
similarly to convince the people..
Its not possible to convince the people that the avatāra of the saṅkīrtana movement
is bonafide unless the people who are convincing, actually themselves,
are in the mood of saṅkīrtana.
Saṅkīrtana means many doing kīrtana together.
Japa is one.
Kīrtana is a few.
Saṅkīrtana means everyone together.
That means that they are all singing the same tune,
they are all singing the same mantra.
They are clapping and playing their instruments in time.
The saṅkīrtana means together.
So when,
this movement as long as it remains together,
as long as everyone keeps a cooperative saṅkīrtana mood,
then people will be convinced
and wherever you see in history that that mood of working cooperatively together
was compromised,
then
they lose their potency for convincing people about Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Actually, everybody is very easily convinced;
it is just that they do not know anything.
Because we're very few, we've only reached a few.
So, if you go on telling people, if you're convinced,
and you tell people, in this same cooperative spirit,
they will also be convinced.
There is no doubt about it. Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Category: [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-04
Jayapatākā Swami: Because we want the Lord to forgive us for the offences we are doing.
So therefore we want to forgive others
do to others as you would have done to you.
Category: [Mercy]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-10
How to develop favourable devotional attitude?
we should accept everything for devotional service and give up everything which is unfavourable.
If we really understand what is our self interest?
What is helping us?
And we understand serving Kṛṣṇa and serving his devotees are our own self interest and then we know what is the favourable for that we accept the favourable things and we avoid the unfavourable automatically we can.
Start to get lined up.
Now what is very important is to develop that is by associating with the devotees already have their attitude.
Not that every devotees is equally developed in his favourable attitude such those who are especially ball pointless those who are in bitter mood they may be advancing but in a slow track.
Those who are seeing good qualities in others enthusiastic cheerful and they don’t hold any grudges on anyone they are in mode of fast track.
So we look for devotees that we can relate with a better situation we are and associating with them and in this way we can progress by the good association and this leads to the next question which is sādhu-saṅga which is one of most if not the most important limbs of devotional principles is offensive be six certain devotee association to avoid others,
So we select the associating just associating of any devotees so we can read the questions super souls.
Lord Caitanya said that there are three kinds of devotees those who are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa but they are not following the principles we can help them otherwise we don’t associate with them very intimately but those who are initiated and following very strictly we can accept them in a very we can respect them and offer respect to them and associate with them.
And those who are very advanced who are fully fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness who are in the level of guru we can take shelter from them.
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said that we can seek out association with the likely minded devotees.
Of course hopefully the like minded should be a good mind but its all right we may be more intimate with some than the others.
Everyone was born in this world so that we can start to go closer and closer to Kṛṣṇa especially being born as a human being.
We have given the chance this human form of life to go back to Kṛṣṇa.
If we miss out it’s a big loss.
Human life among the eighty four lakh species of life eight million four hundred thousand species
the species which has given the chance to go back to godhead.
What is the meaning of life?
Well Kṛṣṇa has given us the freedom to try to work out the material desires and at the same time he has given the opportunity to go back to him.
So all the other species of life they are working out their karmas and at last they come to the human form of life and then they go back to Kṛṣṇa.
We made it.
Haribol!
We are human beings but we don’t engage in Kṛṣṇa service we may blew it and loose out.
So therefore what is the advice?
The advice is what Kṛṣṇa said in Bhagavad-gītā think of him,
“man-manā bhava mad-bhakto” become his devotees mad-yājī mām namaskuru – bow down to him and worship him,
always think of him,
be his devotee,
bow down to him,
worship him,
engage in his devotional service,
take shelter of his representative the spiritual master who guide you how to serve Kṛṣṇa and in this way in this life time you can reach Kṛṣṇa.
So initially we chant the holy names of Kṛṣṇa because it is the easiest way to worship him and to remember him.
By chanting,
Very nice questions.
For person who is new in Kṛṣṇa consciousness how does he know for sure that scriptures were not adulterated and the one was translated by Prabhupāda because one might have the tendency to think that the Prabhupāda is another ordinary human being looking for fame and name.
Well its a good objective question and people should ask such questions to clear away their doubts normally you ask this someone could they really study Prabhupāda's character.
you see you have a nature someone have the tendency to think that the Prabhupāda is another ordinary human being looking for fame and name.
Well its a good objective question and people should ask such questions to clear away their doubts normally you ask this someone could they really study Prabhupāda's character.
you see you have a nature someone is after name and fame.
There are so many spiritual movements who was named after the Guru.
This bābā and this swami movement and so on and so far.
I dont want to mention any name since i respect all of them but we are not seeing this Prabhupāda for his part im not saying others did it for the reason but i'm saying Prabhupāda he didn't use even his name if he was after name and fame he would have his own name he didn't input his name.
He called it as "International Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness" Hare Kṛṣṇa movement.
All around the world everyone knows hare Kṛṣṇa but many people don't know who is the founder of hare Kṛṣṇa is?
They don't know the founder His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda.
Not only he was serve place nor after name and fame but he was coming in this sucession of devotional masters and he gave up a very comfortable situation in a holy place in India.
To bring this message to the west and many people said to follow up to change your principle but he never changes his principle.
He said i don't want that kind of followers.
Let me have less followers but i want followers who are serious about knowing the science of Kṛṣṇa.
He never compromise his principle and what he said is exactly following in the you see whatever Prabhupāda said is if you want to go and see you can see what the previous gurus have said.
If there is any contradiction and which great scholars even in India none of them of all the people so many people have written appreciation with Prabhupāda words nobody ever accused him of changing the view of Kṛṣṇa.
Everyone is saying that he is giving out clearly what is the message of Gita and Bhāgavata are presenting?
Then another point this also Prabhupāda put here the sanskrit and the word to word you can see you can ask any Sanskrit scholar is it correct translation may be many translations were nobody said it is equal.
This translation this regional Sanskrit everything is there so any objective persons they can understand what is the message given in the śāstra?
Then according to that realization standard down from previous guru sequence isn’t it?
He is a bona fide representative of his disciplic succession he has the credentials.
Someone can go doubting but the other proved those who followed him the medicine is working.
When you go to a doctor how do you know that the doctor is good?
The patient get cured so he is good.
Everyone who took the medicine that Prabhupāda gave they are getting cured.
Swamiji stick to the poses scientifically how does one know about the existence of the soul?
Because the existence of the soul is mentioned in the Vedas.
Scientists can always go back to the lab and prove that his conclusions were based on his experiments.
How does one go back to the Vedas and questions the Vedas because one should have faith in the Vedas.
For scientists Vedas are just books which can be proven wrong without experiments.
Similarly how does one prove the existence of Kṛṣṇa?
According to them he is just a fairy tale.
Of course this is a big question.
He gave in all lectures listen where we have some intellectuals here Śrīla Prabhupāda gave a class.
One form of gathering knowledge which the scientists are using what is called empirical.
It is called deductive and inductive.
It is called deductive.
Just like here we have 100 to 80 people 200 people everybody here we have one head,
two arms and two legs so based on the sampling of the people here it is said all people have one head,
two arms and two legs.
But sometime there might be someone born with born with one arm or three arm or two heads then the whole theory would go out.
The deduction means it's based on here experiments like I got a medicine today and the medicine said we don’t know how this works?
But based on clinical tests they works and based on so far so many thousand people tested it doesn’t done anybody any harm except some people get allergic and some people get diseased something they got the itching medicine so they don’t know you know may be that 1% so allergic to this medicine and die.
But based on the tests only 10 people got sick and 20 people got allergy and ten thousand nothing happens so this is okay its all right so this is deductive knowledge.
By deductive knowledge you can never know anything for sure.
This cycle has a theory,
okay swans in Germany are white.
There are thousands of swans are there and so someone comes with the theory all swans are white then someone go to Australia there they have a unique black swan.
So the whole theory that the swans are white have gone out.
One black swan shows up so these are just very crude examples.
So you can come up with the idea like this what is life?
Just like every year the full theory is like what is the process of creation?
What is matter?
And
eventually a scientist talks the physical law could explain everything I don’t know this seem like a scientific personal he didn’t put his name.
But nowadays our science has got a lot of changes and we had a meeting in 1986 called “the synthesis of science and religion” Nobel prize laureate he has admitted we would never have been sitting with religionists,
the swamis,
the gurus and the people 20 years ago but now because of the quantum mechanic research in physics we find that sub atomic particles are quantum mechanics does not act according to normal physical law.
Therefore we want to know from these great wise people whether they have any information that can help us.
That one Nobel laureate right on the Vedas on the books of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and he said that there is valuable scientific information to be gotten from these books.
So the other form of knowledge is called inductive were we are getting from Kṛṣṇa.
Kṛṣṇa knows what He is?
He knows how he created the universe?
He knows what the ātmās are?
And he is handed down this knowledge.
By deductive means it is impossible to know what existed before creation?
Or before this existence or everything that exists.
How can you know that?
There will be no evidence.
In the Vedas Kṛṣṇa said only I existed.
This material world did not exists,
Śiva did not exists,
Brahmā did not exists only I exists its in the Ṛg Veda.
So what to know what to exists before existence?
And the material world we can only know from Kṛṣṇa.
You can study the Vedas from this that point of view.
Then this got called He is giving the explanation what is existence?
And see if it works.
You will find I’m a science student I was a science student now I’m a Vedic student.
And I found that the Vedas are incredibly scientific.
And many many very intelligent people PhD's are taken up Kṛṣṇa consciousness based upon the scientific nature of this Vedas.
So there are a lot of practical reasons why this soul exists?
And why we can’t understand its existence?
(aside):
But I’ve to go on other questions.
Lord Kṛṣṇa He has said that He is the higher of all living entities and so he is the higher of the devas and he is the one who fixes people’s faith on different devas.
When a person fully takes shelter of Kṛṣṇa then they need to see Kṛṣṇa in everything including the devas.
If they can see devas then there is no problem but the Kṛṣṇa the devas they got confused about how that two relate with each other then its obstacle.
So that’s why the devotees should understand that the devas are all great devotees of God.
His expansion in the Vedas what we call it as sahasra śīrṣāḥ puruṣaḥ What that mantra called?
In the puruṣa śūkta how all the devas are different parts of the body of the lord in the Viśvarūpa also mentions that so that devas are the arms representing so we understand that the devas are the devotees of the lord and we offer them respect as devotees then that is no problem.
If we go to the devas and asks If we go to the devas and asks the devas a blessing to be a better devotee of Kṛṣṇa then there is no problem.
But if we go to the devas and asks the same thing that the devas asking from Kṛṣṇa then Kṛṣṇa asks who do you really take shelter me or him?
If you want to take from him then all right no need to take from me.
But the devas they can give us the ticket back to Kṛṣṇa they can help us in many ways.
I was just reading this morning in Bhāgavatam when Kṛṣṇa had disappeared from Dvāraka when he was looking for the Śyāmantaka jewel all the residents of Dvāraka went to durgā and they prayed to durga please bring Kṛṣṇa back to us we want Kṛṣṇa back.
So out of love for Kṛṣṇa they prayed to the divine mother to bring Kṛṣṇa back.
So in someways that devotees of Kṛṣṇa ven prayed like that the gopīs prayed to Kātyāyinī to Pārvatī her name is Katyāyinī to get Kṛṣṇa as her husband so such things are all right for devotees.
Everytime I go to deva temple I always pray to deva for blessing to be Kṛṣṇa consciousness and to spread the saṅkīrtana movement of Lord Caitanya because I know that because this is what they all want.
If we read in the Purāṇas
the devas are fighting with the demons you know how much they want us to spread us this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
That’s really what they want?
When a person dies the soul leaves the body three or ones if we pick this one we can lack again.
what is the best method?
Bhakti-yoga.
Kṛṣṇa said bhaktyā mām abhijānāti – except for my devotee no one else can know me.
If you want to come to me you want to come by surrendering unto me.
Every time is good 24 hours a day but the best time to start your meditation is called brahma-muhūrta which is an hour and a half before sunrise.
But if we can’t do that time do any time we can do.
That’s the best time according to sastras.
So we should do all the time.
Well,
very good good very good
if you are simply thinking about Kṛṣṇa in a possible way and you feel tears coming that means you are getting some mercy from Lord Caitanya.
Of course some times people think of other things and cry so I’m hoping that you are thinking about Kṛṣṇa and crying so that’s good.
If you are feeling attachment for Kṛṣṇa this is a very good sign things like this are more for individual talking to the guru because how can I say by somebody is crying but it could be that it is devotional crying.
If one does experience special symptoms in spiritual life that is a good reason to interviewed with guru and conclude up with the advanced devotee and then they can see whether everything is going all right and how to advice you?
It’s not something to talk about in public.
Question:
But have to becoming a devotee means still one has a same suffering and problems as non-devotee.
Even after taking of devotional service one still has the propensity to be envious and causing anxiety to others.
There is nothing wrong in the process of devotional life why does devotees come under māyā’s attack?
Answer:
There are so many process of purification.
You come to bhakti means this is the supreme process there is no other process after this.
And there is no need of doing any lower processes but still we have to learn how to do bhakti-yoga to do properly.
As we do bhakti-yoga we will find many dirt will come in our hearts.
It’s a cleaning process,
if we clean the house dust comes out.
We have to be very careful to move the dirt.
We have to be learned to be tolerant.
We have to learn to be humble.
These are part of the devotional process.
Now side by side by chanting and performing the activities we have to also do cleaning.
We have to be always analyzing and seeing wherever we have defects and systematically try to move that.
Then in this material world time is immemorial.
Millions of millions of birth even after few days,
months,
weeks or years of devotional service its not likely some of the contaminations are still there in our hearts.
But if we absorb ourselves fully in devotional service and we take the shelter of the spiritual master properly then we can burn out these accumulated contaminations very quickly.
So the reason why the process of devotional service is to get different attacks the contamination is there as I mentioned in the class we are getting devotional service very easy from Lord Caitanya we are making mmediately they are close on us.
They will take away the curve.
We have to make a proper we have to be patient we are not fully qualified for devotional service we are getting it on a special concession like the government sometimes give the poor people the low cost housing.
They don’t get afford to get a house but they can buy it by low credit just to get the people out of the slums.
So Lord Caitanya want us to get out from this horrible material world.
He is giving us a special credit plan.
Because we are not fully qualified we have to work it becoming qualified.
You are coming to this process very quickly.
But if we stick to it within a short period of time we can get rid out of this bad qualities and we become properly situated.
So we need the patience and determination and the conviction.
We need the associate properly with devotees.
We need to avoid the different kind of negative activities and we have to be very open hearted and straight forward.
These are the six things that Rūpa Gosvāmi recommends us and help us
to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So in one sentence nothing wrong.
And people surely benefit something by hearing them.
But usually for the initiated devotees prefer to hear singing by someone more spiritually developed.
These are especially songs sung by attracting the new people by music aspect but not spiritual aspect.
In public programs we use these more but for personal purification it is recommended to hear Prabhupāda and some other pure devotee chanting.
But its nothing wrong but that is the guideline.
In Kali-yuga for different this is very funny the four varṇāśramas.
So four āśramas we don’t.
I understand its meaning.
Question is addressing the āśramas.
It’s a mistake to go through the varṇas.
So the āśramas it depends also so some people just go through marriage the only āśrama they have to go through.
For spiritual life someone joins the movement he is a gṛhastha we don’t say he has to go to brahmacārī.
But later on the gṛhasthas are good to taken vānaprastha husband and wife together.
It is not essential that people must take sannyāsa.
If they are initiated wife and husband prepare themselves for this also.
This all voluntarily.
One doesn’t have to go through different āśramas but its something that one has to consult with one’s own guru.
What is best for each individual?
To which āśrama that one should go through?
Some brahmacārīs go straight to sannyāsa and some brahmacārīs to gṛhastha and vānaprastha.
So this all different scenarios.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: I think as explained in those verses, in those days, people they took each other at face value.
Since he was chanting Rāma nāma and he appeared to be submissive,
naturally people thought he was a Vaiṣṇava.
But Lord Caitanya being the Supersoul, He could understand that he actually wants to merge, he wants sāyujya-mukti.
And the others may not have understood, but Lord Caitanya understood.
Therefore, he was called almost a Vaiṣṇava.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-06-05
Because He’s coming as a devotee.
If it was known that He’s the Lord then how He could act as a devotee,
it would have disturbed His pastimes.
The Lord comes as a devotee.
So devotee,
devotee cannot think that he is the Lord.
You can have the people yelling that He is the Lord.
Just like if the president of the country decides he’s gonna make a secret visit and mingle amongst the people to see what the mood is,
but if it comes out in the headlines of the paper.
President coming 4pm in see,
in the skies to see the people.
Could be thousands of people will assemble and he’ll have no protection.
Also in this age of Kali,
there’s no scheduled avatāra,
who comes as a proclaimed avatāra.
The avatāra,
Lord Caitanya is predicted that He is a channa-avatāra,
He’s a secret,
He’s the covered avatāra.
Although He’s the Lord Himself He comes and covering Himself in the disguise as a devotee.
After He left then you can reveal His identity.
And after the president how did he came and why he didn’t say?
He came,
he was there
(laughing)
.
Oh,
very interesting,
everyone learnt this.
But if you say before then it spoils.
That’s how although many Vedas predicted He was coming,
but Kṛṣṇa covered by the yoga-māyā.
So the sages couldn’t understand clearly.
There’s different,
if you chant mantra in certain places you get more benefit.
If you chant by the sacred rivers and if you chant the,
I’m not,
exactly not sure about the river and the land.
You chant by the side of the sacred river you get so many times more benefit.
And if you chant in a holy place,
the pilgrimage you get so many times.
So once like,
a thousand and others like,
hundred thousand,
what figure which is which.
And you chant in front of the tulasī then you get,
like a million times.
So if you chant in the Ganges you get many times more.
And if you chant in front of the deities,
installed deities you say your Gayatri you get unlimited times of benefit.
Everyone should say the Gayatri mantra.
So that’s why the sages say in the Ganges.
The devotees appreciate the varṇāśrama system.
They feel that the varṇāśrama system was perfect,
for it was main.
While in the age of Kali it started to degenerate.
So what we have left over varṇāśrama system now is just like kind of a perverted reflection,
was imperfect representation.
But they appreciate the other caste system.
And in fact they like to create society,
say communities based on a,
as I mentioned the kind of streamlined,
spiritualized varṇāśrama system.
Where it would be in one sense casteless,
but everyone would be a Vaiṣṇava,
not for practical purposes.
People would be acting according to their different natures and types of work.
And Prabhupāda stress that the,
this divisions are there anyway in the modern society,
they’re all,
there these occupations exist.
There’s intellectuals,
there’s teachers,
priests,
the problem is that they don’t take the responsibility.
But in varṇāśrama system the brāhmaṇas or the teachers and priests,
they had to be vegetarians,
they had to worship God,
they had to lead the holy life.
If they didn’t they,
they couldn’t act those positions.
So now you have them,
like in America problem that is school teachers,
sometime they’re found to molest the children.
Even recently the priests in Canada they’re found that they were molesting the children.
So that,
they don’t follow the,
they’re not following the rules.
So according to varṇāśrama if someone does that they’re banned,
they’re,
they’re banned from being a brāhmaṇa.
Then they’re,
they’re called as criminals.
So due to lack of this,
just the profession is there,
but the,
the spiritual training is lacking.
So we like to see a type of spiritualized varṇāśrama program in the worlds
(laughing)
.
Is there still varṇāśrama in Indonesia?
That’s,
That’s what Prabhupāda said was,
it’s not possible to reinstate the original thing now in Kali-yuga.
So but somehow the basic principles could be .
It needs to be fully spiritualized so that one caste doesn’t think that they’re better than the other caste.
Because that creates itself the hatred and the imbalance.
But that,
we’ll see that this is all part of the same body,
so we all have to work together.
They’re trying in Canada to make a varṇāśrama,
in many countries they’re trying to make varṇāśrama community,
so they’re inspired.
And Prabhupada said in order to varṇāśrama is based upon agricultural production,
we have to also cow protection.
Unless that one thing missing in modern society,
they’re slaughtering the cow,
but in varṇāśrama the cow is to be protected by the vaiśyas and everyone drinks the milk of the cow.
Cause milk is needed to give higher intelligence to understand spiritual subject matters.
It said fish make people clever,
but spiritually dull.
Materialy clever,
spiritually dull.
But eating milk gives spiritual intelligence,
creates a finer tissue to understand the higher philosophical knowledge.
So milk is a type of miracle food.
But we need to protect the cow.
Here they protect mother cow
(laughing)
.
It’s the most protected cow I’ve ever seen
(laughing)
,
mosquito net
(laughing)
Very nicely protected
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Interesting question.
We tend to offer a very short and limited ārati
with incense, lamp and flower.
I don’t know whether there is any particular instruction against,
we generally offer this very simplified ārati to Tulasī.
In Vṛndā-kuṇḍa the Deity of Vrnda Devī, Tulasī,
I wonder whether they offer more elaborate pūjā there.
Does anyone know?
In Vṛndā-kuṇḍa for Vṛndā Devī they offer cāmara and all that.
So, it is just for that the tulasī plant they offer a very minimal pūjā.
Just like for Lord Narasiṁhadeva we don’t offer all the articles.
Category: [Vigraha Āradhana (Deity Worship)]
Questioner: Akhila Bandhu Gopāla dāsa
Date: 2022-08-27
Jayapatākā Swami: So, there is only one God.
Different religions may think that they worship different Gods.
But from a Kṛṣṇa conscious point of view we understand that there is only one God.
The Mohammadans worship as Allah, and the Christians worship as God.
So, the real thing is whether you have developed love for the Supreme Person.
If you are just praying to the Supreme Lord, to give you bread, to give you good wife, good husband, something like that, then that means you are only attached to material things, not to Him.
We want that people should develop their love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
So, what Lord Jesus said was the Kingdom of God we say Vaikuṇṭha, it is the same thing.
The question is that to what extent they actually develop love of Godhead, then we have no objection.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Other philosophies / Christianity], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Acintya Nitāi dāsa
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, Śrīla Prabhupāda would scold the devotees in Calcutta,
for placing a dark blue velvet curtain,
which attracted many mosquitos,
and then devotees would kill the mosquitos.
Śrīla Prabhupāda would say, you are attracting them and then killing them.
So, you should put some other curtain,
which would not attract so many mosquitos.
So, if a mosquito is biting us, we may kill it in self-defense,
but we should avoid just killing mosquitos.
Śrīla Prabhupāda would have the dhuna or the frankincense burn in his room and the windows open, and the mosquitos would fly out.
Haridāsa Ṭhākura said that if we loudly chant, then insects and plants would reap the benefit, by hearing the holy name.
There was someone, they took in regression to his previous life,
and he said in his previous life he was a butterfly.
He went into some place, where there was a statue and there was a fruit in front of the statue.
He landed on the fruit
to eat the fruit,
and someone came out and killed him.
In the next life he was a human being,
a devotee,
so in this case, it seemed that he was eating the fruit offering offered to a Deity of Kṛṣṇa,
we don’t know Kṛṣṇa’s Deity or someone else.
Questioner: Annu Prasad
Date: 2022-10-15
In Kali-yuga, one doesn’t get a reaction
for mentally creating some offence.
You have to do that practically.
Since the mind is not very easily controlled in the Kali-yuga,
it may think many weird things.
So Gadādhara Prabhu,
He was thinking that Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhī
was a materialistic,
later He realized that he was a pure devotee.
So therefore, He accepted him as His guru,
because the guru always forgives his disciples’ offences.
So, if someone offends a guru mentally,
and later surrenders and becomes the guru’s disciple,
that is authorized in the process, example set by Gadādhara Prabhu.
Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Material World / Kali yuga], [Material World / Mind / Intelligence]
Yesterday we saw while you were reading the Caitanya-caritāmṛta you were experiencing extreme such separation even while reading, from Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Lord Kṛṣṇa. We could tell from just what was going on. In addition to that you were experiencing extreme physical pain and today in the medical meeting you mentioned that you are missing Gaura, Kṛṣṇa and that you are also missing Śrīla Prabhupāda. How are you able to handle such seeming diametric feelings, all at once?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-25
Jayapatākā Swami: Just like when the lady climbed on Lord Caitanya’s shoulder holding the Garuḍa-stambha,
then Lord Caitanya said that Lord Jagannātha has not blessed Me with such eagerness.
So, He was praying that this lady would give Him blessing
so He would have so much eagerness to see the Lord.
I don’t have so much intense separation,
that I am surviving
is due to my lack of intense love for Kṛṣṇa.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
I will try to take lunch early and come for my evening class earlier
so that everybody can take rest early!
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: In any way, you can get the knowledge, that is alright.
Hearing the audio books is one way.
These are the process of śravaṇam and kīrtanam.
So reading that is a form of śravaṇam,
if you are hearing, that is śravaṇam.
For me every night I hear one chapter of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-10
Jayapatākā Swami: You see having a material body includes having disease and old age.
And I asked Śrīla Prabhupāda once, should we desire to live for a long time?
He said why do you want to live old age
because old age means lot of trouble.
I have many disciples.
So I have to take their karma.
So, although the doctors said that I had zero chance of survival,
I am still here!
And unfortunately, not every disciple follows all the rules that they vow to follow.
So, I have the opportunity to serve my spiritual master,
I am very happy with that.
And since the stroke and since the other diseases,
I also have a liver and a kidney transplant,
I got cancer
although that was cured.
So I am still in the war.
I asked Śrīla Prabhupāda, “What I should do.
My father wanted to turn me down to the Vietnam war draft.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “Better than serving the American army, serve in Kṛṣṇa’s Army!”
And I came to India, he told me to be an Indian citizen.
So I have been an Indian citizen since 1978.
So that is going on.
So we all have to die,
eventually that happens to everybody.
I want to take as many people as possible back to the spiritual world!
Haribol!
I need your help!
Questioner: Vijaya Rādhā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-11-30
Jayapatākā Swami:
It says one should not look at Deities too closely.
It is not possible to make a Deity as beautify as Lord Kṛṣṇa,
because He has all beauty.
But the Deity is made in the image of Kṛṣṇa.
So even the Gosvāmīs said that this Deity has Kṛṣṇa’s legs,
and this Deity has Kṛṣṇa’s waist and this Deity has Kṛṣṇa’s face.
You don’t see any Deity with all the parts same.
So sometimes there are pictures where Lord Caitanya looks fairly effeminate,
more feminine.
And some picture shows Lord Caitanya more masculine.
So I remember one drawing of Lord Caitanya which appeared more masculine,
Prabhupāda said that picture is more like Lord Caitanya.
So that is why there are some differences in different Deities.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-20
Jayapatākā Swami: This is Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mercy that I am living in Māyāpur dhāma.
And I had a lot of service to Kṛṣṇa.
I engrossed myself totally in that service.
I had no time to think of Māyā.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, I am giving you the spiritual world, now develop it.
That is why I had a lot of service.
If we have service, then that helps.
Most of the people will become gṛhasthas.
You have to be in one place
then with family, children, you have to give them association.
But Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me sannyāsa at a young age. He told me that being a sannyāsī I have to travel.
I was in Māyāpur and then I toured the world.
Some years I travelled around the world 5 or 6 times in one year.
This way the British Airways and United Airways gave me Life Gold card.
So I can go by plane.
But this is for Kṛṣṇa’s service.
As I had so much service, there was no time for Māyā for me.
Those who work and stay in a place, they should get married to a devotee girl.
Those who stay as a brahmacārī in the temple and do there then they can stay that way.
It depends on their service.
And their nature.
Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me so much service that I have no time for anything else.
How will I accomplish these services that is my worry.
Śrīla Prabhupāda had told me that I should distribute 10,000 Mahā-big books and 100,000 small books every month.
Now I have to see how many books were distributed in all my zones.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said that the Sārasvata family should be united.
And develop the Navadvīpa dhāma parikramā, he said.
And develop the Gaura-maṇḍala Bhūmi he said.
Lots of service.Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me so much service that I don’t have time for anything else.
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Varṇāśrama / Sannyāsī]
You have dedicated your life to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and Śrīla Prabhupāda. 74 years. From 19 to 74 now, you have dedicated your tan, mana, dhana.
For us we are gṛhasthas, you are our role model and if we want to take even 0.01 per cent of you, as a gṛhastha, you have dedicated your life. What we are doing only is a fraction of maybe what you have dedicated to Śrīla Prabhupāda. You have lot of wealth but we have dedicated a little wealth, you have a lot of time but we have dedicated very little time, but you have given 100% maybe more than 100%. Rūpa Gosvāmī said for gṛhasthas we should give 50% to Kṛṣṇa, 25% for family, how we can dedicate like you? What percentage we should dedicate? You have given 100% 1000% Guru Mahārāja, but percentage wise, how much like funds, energy, our talent, etc. Please bless us and guide us how you want all of us to surrender?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Of course, these questions are answered in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books.
That as a sannyāsī, I have to give 100% if I give 99% I am fallen. As a gṛhastha 50%, you are doing great!
But sometimes as we were discussing, even if the gṛhasthas, they give 5% or 10% that would be so much.
Anyway, the point is actually I have seen like some gṛhasthas, we were hearing this from the Hospital Manager this morning,
she wants to serve the GBC.
Be a coordinator for all the ministries
and all the standing committees.
So she is saying in the hospital we have like 34 or 35 specialties.
So I want to see each ministry, see what their purpose is and try to help them to do that.
She has two kids, one 8 and one 11,
she has a job.
Naturally she has a husband,
but she wants to serve.
And she is a disciple of His Holiness Kadamba Kānana Swami Mahārāja, who recently passed away.
And he was instructing her how ISKCON should be managed.
With the husband’s support she thinks she can do it.
It is very impressive. you don’t have to be a sannyāsī in fact a sannyāsī may not have the proper qualifications.
So she has the vision how to serve ISKCON.
Also, she is chanting her 16 rounds and following the principles.
So that is the kind of people we need.
People who are very dedicated who want to serve ISKCON.
We heard that Kālacāndajī restaurant is the best in Dallas, something like that.
Sanātana Kṛṣṇa said not just in Dallas, in the whole world.
So, there are different – His Grace Nityānanda Prabhu’s wife she had a team and helped in cooking,
she says she doesn’t cook anymore but she does the original menu for it.
Like that, don’t hesitate, I am not a sannyāsī, I am not anything, whatever you can do, do it!
Haribol!
In Detroit they have cow cuddling program.
So many people come to cuddle the cows, and they don’t know what to do.
But there is special, particular way if they touch the cow, they are happy.
The people sign up they say they will never eat cow again.
So you can serve Kṛṣṇa, not stereotype, different ways.
Some people may give money in dollars, some may cook nice preparations.
Some may cuddle cows, or some may do home ārati.
Everyone should have this service attitude.
If Kṛṣṇa is pleased, guru and Kṛṣṇa are pleased, that is our purpose in life. Haribol!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-05
Jayapatākā Swami: That is why I am saying that Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings
and I am hoping - the GBC said we have expanded our movement exponentially.
But the number of gurus has not expanded very much.
We had 100 when they made this decision, and now maybe we have 180 or so.
But we need many, many more.
And we can see that many of the associates were gṛhasthas, some were brahmacārīs and some were gṛhasthas.
We are hoping that as you all get older, many of you will be qualified to be spiritual masters.
Anyway, dīkṣā-guru or śikṣā-guru, you should try to make people Kṛṣṇa conscious.
If you know the philosophy naturally you can explain it.
Today went to see a plastic surgeon.
He is a kind of a Christian missionary.
I told him that Śrīla Prabhupāda said all the religions we do are like the primary school, secondary school, and Kṛṣṇa consciousness tells us how to actually love Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Lord Jesus said that we should love God.
But how to love Him?
That is the process of bhakti-yoga.
So, we should become expert to explain this philosophy to anyone.
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm]
You have mentioned just now about the glories of Navadvīpa-dhāma and residence in Navadvīpa-dhāma is beneficial and profitable. We are in Bangladesh constantly facing opposition and we are in such an unfavorable situation trying to carry out preaching but practically we are on war front with certain groups. How can we remain in Navadvīpa-dhāma consciousness and get the benefits of Navadvīpa-dhāma while we are in our preaching fields under these circumstances?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-04-10
Jayapatākā Swami: Interesting question.
Of course, we should understand that if we face a lot of inconvenience or unfavorable situations for the sake of Kṛṣṇa, for the service of Kṛṣṇa, then we should know that Kṛṣṇa is very grateful to us.
We can serve in Navadvīpa-dhāma in separation.
Just like, whether you get more credit if you stay in Navadvīpa-dhāma or if you go out on saṅkīrtana preaching.
When we preach and spread the glories of Māyāpur-dhāma, then our Founder-Ācārya, our previous ācāryas, they are very pleased.
So the śāstra says about Navadvīpa-dhāma, about Vṛndāvana dhāma, how much benefit we get.
But when one goes out to preach, the amount of benefit that one gets, that is incalculable.
I was going out from Māyāpur and distributing books.
Śrīla Prabhupāda did not tell me, oh, you stay in Māyāpur, you will get more credit.
He told me to distribute 10,000 big books and 100,000 small books in a month.
So then when I was sick, he told me, maybe you are working too hard, remain in Māyāpur and work through your assistants.
So, in this verse, it mentions sevā-bhāva.
And we want to do that service which is most pleasing to our Founder-Ācārya.
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Sādhanā / Preaching]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-05
Jayapatākā Swami: You see the custom in India is that the elder brother, the wife, should not be present where the elder brother is present.
And since Balarāma is the elder brother of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa and His consort should not be along with Balarāma.
Kṛṣṇa could be with Balarāma but not with the consort.
The consort should not be.
That is why in the same temple, in the Ṭoṭā Gopīnātha you have Rādhā and Ṭoṭā Gopīnātha.
We have also Revatī and Balarāma but in a different altar.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-20
Jayapatākā Swami: What do I not like?
In the path of devotion, being a brahmacārī in the temple and preaching, youth preaching, Nāmahaṭṭa, Bhakti-vṛkṣa, all I like!
When there were no brahmacārīs in the temple there were no programs.
So that all the people do service to Kṛṣṇa, Lord Nityānanda and Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura had established the Nāmahaṭṭa and I reestablished that.
In the villages it is possible to have Nāmahaṭṭa but in the cities it is a bit inconvenient.
That is why I created the Bhakti-vṛkṣa.
Not that I am attached to something because I started it. I was a BBT trustee, Śrīla Prabhupāda had ordered me to distribute books.
I like all services.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said that we need educated devotees in the future.
They will be leaders on the path of devotion.
And Śrīla Prabhupāda said that we need educated devotees.
That way, educated youth is very useful.
We need ordinary people and educated people as well.
I do a variety of service.
That way I want to follow the special instructions of Lord Caitanya.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-05-08
Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda was quoting Cāṇākya Paṇḍita,
up to five years of age, given them freedom, give them whatever they want.
Of course, within what is allowed.
Normally, whatever the child does till 5, the parents get the karma.
Then from 6 to 15, be strict.
But somehow in all this time, you get them also to be attached to Kṛṣṇa.
When they become 16 then treat them as a friend.
You preach to them, talk to them, help them to understand.
So we need to have different programs for different ages of children
for Kṛṣṇa conscious activities.
So the parents have to tell the youths about the facts of life.
Like this, there are different situations but in all the situation, the parents will have a good influence if they have develop a nice relationship with their children.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Of course, we have to desire to be there.
We also have to do favorable devotional service.
The two things together, I mean it is Kṛṣṇa’s causeless mercy
that there is nothing we can do that will deserve that.
But if we desire and engage in devotional service then Kṛṣṇa, if He pleases will give His mercy.
Sometimes Śrīla Prabhupāda said that Rādhārāṇī would say to Kṛṣṇa, this is a very nice devotee.
If Rādhārāṇī indicates that Kṛṣṇa should give His mercy,
then He will do it.
So that is why we say it is causeless mercy.
There is nothing we can do that actually we would deserve it.
We try and if Kṛṣṇa gives us the causeless mercy, we can have it.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-23
Jayapatākā Swami: In the fourth chap of the Bhagavad-gītā,
if we understand the Lord’s appearance and His activities are transcendental,
you can go back to Godhead.
You have one of those five which is your relationship -
the trees, the cows, other things they are śānta.
Hanumān, and other active servitors of Kṛṣṇa, or Nārāyaṇa, they are in the dāsya.
Like Yudhiṣṭhira, he was respectful to Kṛṣṇa but he was like a friend.
That is like friendly with respect.
Śrīdāma, Subala, Sudāma, they were all cowherd boyfriends,
they were intimate friends of Kṛṣṇa.
So what your relationship, you may be a man now but you have a relation as a mother or wife.
You may be a woman but you are a servant or friend of Kṛṣṇa.
Actually, the ātmā, the spirit soul, the living force is who we really are.
If you think of your wife when you die you become a woman in your next life,
if the wife thinks of her husband, she becomes a man.
What you think at the time of death that will lead to the next birth.
What body you have now does not indicate what your spiritual relationship is with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
So you don’t have to go through the five. Just if you develop your service to Kṛṣṇa, your understanding of the Supreme Person,
then you go to the spiritual world.
If you just appreciate the Lord in an impersonal way, you may land up in an impersonal realization.
As I said, most people they don’t think of God so much, if they do, they pray that He may them what they want materially.
Out of millions of those ordinary people, one, he wants to know his actual spiritual, who he is.
One of the millions is a jñānī,
who is trying to actually understand.
Out of millions of those one is a mukta.
He or she is actually liberated.
And then out of millions of muktas, one may be a devotee.
Where they are awakening their relationship with Kṛṣṇa.
That all of you are present, is a very special thing.
Lord Caitanya, He is giving out this love of Godhead very freely,
without considering who is qualified, who is unqualified.
So He is considered the most merciful incarnation of the Lord.
Otherwise, it would be very difficult.
But He made it very easy at this time!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Last night, someone asked this question in the temple.
And were you there?
There are different ways we can answer this.
You see Rādhārāṇī created Navadvīpa dhāma
and She played on the flute.
Lord Kṛṣṇa thought who was playing on the flute so beautifully!
Who, who is that? Who is that?
He came and He saw it was Rādhārāṇī,
and She had made a beautiful holy dhāma of nine islands.
And then Lord Kṛṣṇa combined with Rādhārāṇī,
took Rādhārāṇī’s heart
and He took Her complexion.
And thus He became the united form of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa of Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu!
And He is the form of Kṛṣṇa who is most merciful!
We asked Śrīla Prabhupāda, Kṛṣṇa makes us fast till midnight, but on Rādhāṣṭamī we fast only till midday.
Why is that?
Śrīla Prabhupāda said, Rādhārāṇī is very merciful.
So it is very hard to get Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.
Normally He gives love of Kṛṣṇa to those who fully surrender to Him.
But Lord Caitanya He would give out mercy without considering who is qualified, who is not qualified.
If ask it, you get it.
Even some people they did not want it but they got it! Ha!
So if one understands that Kṛṣṇa’s most merciful form is Lord Caitanya, then actually they naturally they want to have love for Lord Caitanya.
In Mumbai, they have Nitāi-Gaura, they have Śrī Rādhā-Rāsabihārī, Lalitā Viśākhā, and they have Sītā-Rāma Lakṣmaṇa and Hanumān,
as worshipable Deities.
Of course, as dioramas, they have Tukārāma, Viṭṭala and many others,
Narasiṁhadeva, but the worshipable Deities are those three altars.
Many people crowd around Rādhā-Rāsabihārī and Sītā-Rāma.
But not so many around Nitāi-Gaura.
I was explaining in the class that by the mercy of Nitāi-Gaura we get the mercy of Rādhā-Rāsabihārī and Sītā-Rāma.
So we should all be praying to Lord Caitanya to get the mercy of all other Deities.
If you don’t, it is very hard to get Their mercy.
But if you do, it is very easy to get Their mercy.
So I was telling earlier today, how Lord Caitanya came down especially in the Golden Age which is supposed to start 5000 years after the beginning of Kali-yuga,
this is mentioned in the Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa.
The Golden Age lasts for ten thousand years.
I was reading also recently, at the end of 9th canto and the beginning of the 10th canto how Lord Kṛṣṇa He would have the demoniac forces got puffed up and fight with each other and kill each other.
So it seems that for no reason all over the world war is going on.
So, all these things are diminishing the demoniac forces
and then naturally Lord Caitanya is giving out His mercy freely.
So we should naturally, if you are appreciating what Lord Caitanya does, then how can you not help but love him.
Haribol Gaurāṅga! Gaurāṅga! Gaurāṅga! Gaurāṅga!
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-04
Jayapatākā Swami: So, in the Bhagavad-gītā there is a verse
that everything is done by the material nature,
but the living entity thinks that he is the doer.
kartāham iti manyate.
So if we see that we simply desire and the Lord provides us,
that he is the doer - that material energy is the doer,
we are simply desiring.
So He remembers what we desired
and He provides us the opportunities.
So if someone thinks he is the doer,
then he can’t really understand the Supreme Lord
who is actually doing everything for us.
Questioner: Neha
Date: 2022-12-06
Jayapatākā Swami: Normally we visit the holy dhāma just for a few days.
That time we are very careful not to commit any offence.
And if we stay longer for some parikramā or something,
then we try to hear from the devotees.
Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: There is a cultural reason
that the wife of the younger brother doesn’t like to appear before the elder brother.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-04-10
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, the successful gṛhasthas may be able to guide the others.
I am a sannyāsī, I don’t claim to know how to bring up children!
But I know that it is an important service.
It should be done in such a way that the children are enthused.
I just talked to one wife, where is your husband?
She said, he is with my son in Vṛndāvana.
My son he likes hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam class or something, he likes to hear śāstra so much that he extending his visit for one week.
So, obviously we should encourage the children to want to do devotional service.
Now what is the secret? I don’t think there is any monopoly
but there is no guarantee that every child will be a pure devotee.
But if you do the garbhādāna-saṁskāra, do all the saṁsakāras, we give nice association, set good examples, then there is hope.
Advaita Gosāñi had six sons
and three sons were pure devotees.
Three sons were not pure devotees.
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, had many children.
One was an ācārya,
one was a naiṣṭhika-brahmacārī.
I don’t know everyone, what happened to the others.
Anyway, Now I have to end the class and you should all go and take your breakfast.
But if you try that your child be Kṛṣṇa consciousness then Kṛṣṇa will be appreciative.
I saw in New Tālavana,
small children, about 6 years old or younger,
they were chanting their one round japa.
There was a plate of sandeśa.
When their japa finished they would all get the sandeśa.
Now some of the children were looking at the sandeśa and chanting! Ha!
Anyway, somehow or other they were enthusiastically chanting!
So we should think of some ways to enthuse them.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya told Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa not to marry.
In the purport he was explaining how generally gṛhasthas were usually involved in their family affairs
in sense gratification,
so they don’t make much advancement or very slow.
But actually, if the husband wife, if they actually worship together to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
how to make the children, facilitate the children to be Kṛṣṇa conscious,
how to - just like we have some gṛhasthas they head Bhakti-vṛkṣa groups.
Some gṛhasthas they manage the temple,
some gṛhasthas are working in maintaining the temple.
The point is that if we concentrate on Kṛṣṇa, and we try to work as gṛhasthas to please Kṛṣṇa,
it is not normal. Normally the gṛhasthas, they do not think much about Kṛṣṇa.
That is why a Vaiṣṇava gṛhastha is much different from an ordinary gṛhastha.
They are trying to do things for Kṛṣṇa, they cook for Kṛṣṇa, they offer to Kṛṣṇa, they chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Just like, I saw in Chennai, some of the children, were doing a drama.
Two were Yamadūtas and one was playing Yamarāja.
A girl was playing Yamarāja and she had a mustache on.
So the Yamadūtas were complaining that these devotee, the gṛhasthas, they are worshiping the Deities in their homes.
They are offering their food to Kṛṣṇa,
they are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa,
they are read Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,
they are preaching.
We cannot arrest them, we cannot take them to hell!
If everyone does like this, what will we do?
So I thought that was a very nice drama.
So I asked the gṛhastha, who would like to have mercy on the Yamadūtas?
Give them some work to do!
No one raised their hands!
So I said, who would like to give them a vacation?
So anyway, paramahaṁsa, is not very difficult, it just means that together, to keep Kṛṣṇa in the center.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapataka Swami: In due course of time, this thing is revealed to you.
And sometimes, Śrīla Prabhupāda would tell different disciples what rasa they were experiencing.
These things are revealed at some point.
If you are attracted by the pastimes of Lord Caitanya that is one thing, or Lord Nityananda that is another thing.
Like that different symptoms for different rasas.
But first of all we need to develop our Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Service is common to all.
And as you go up, the different rasas, like conjugal has all the other rasas included.
Friendship includes dāsya and śānta.
And paternal includes all the others except mādhurya.
So like that. First of all, we need to develop our service attitude to Kṛṣṇa.
Last night someone was saying how we can ask Kṛṣṇa for service, not asking for some material benediction.
I was explaining how we don’t want to do business with Kṛṣṇa,
that I serve You, and You give me something back material.
We are serving and we want to continue serving.
Like HH Kadamba Kānana Swami before he passed away, I saw him virtually
and he said in my lifetime I have been doing service to Kṛṣṇa,
and when I leave the body, I will just have another service.
A devotee always wants to engage in service.
Like that, they build up different rasas
but service is common to all.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Woof! Woof!
The dog is very loyal.
There was one dog in Japan, he followed his owner to the subway station every day.
He would wait for the owner to come back and then would follow him home.
One day the owner died at work.
And the dog waited at the station for days on days.
So the dog is very faithful.
You said that if you do these things one naturally will be free from envy. How is it possible to inculcate so much love for guru and Gaurāṅga that we don’t even feel the need to feel offended, we are completely focused, or to feel envy? It is all powered by the love, as you show us every day for Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Lord Kṛṣṇa or Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Yes!
Śrīla Prabhupāda he was showing this aspect.
And although he was hoping to get some help
to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness in the West,
he did not receive any from his godbrothers.
So he humbly tried to proceed
and in this way Kṛṣṇa helped him.
If we think that we can do it, we are the doer then we will face a lot of problems.
But if we depend on the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa then we could do amazing things.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-10
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, if we take one step to Kṛṣṇa,
He takes ten steps to us.
He is more eager to get us out of this material world.
Then we are to go.
Actually, if you have loving parents, that is also a blessing of Kṛṣṇa.
But being in this material world is due to our misuse of our free will.
Now you have human birth and are born in India.
If you really care about your parents,
if you go back to Godhead,
then eleven generations back and forward
they get a free ticket.
You care about your parents?
You really love them?
Then be a devotee.
That is the way to help them.
Otherwise, what is the use if they have to take birth again and again and again!
Now you are a human being, born in India.
There is no guarantee what your next birth is.
So we are trying to help you
and to help your parents
and help everyone.
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-02-15
Jayapatākā Swami: Why not?
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
You said that when Kṛṣṇa was playing the flute the husbands and the fathers closed the doors of their houses so that the girls could not go out. But we hear that when Kṛṣṇa plays the flute, only the person for whom the flute is for, can hear. So how could the husbands and fathers hear Kṛṣṇa play the flute and the intention of the gopīs to go out in the middle of the night? How do we understand this?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Where is this written?
Kṛṣṇa was playing the flute and everyone heard Kṛṣṇa playing the flute.
And the gopīs, some of them ran to meet Kṛṣṇa.
Some were locked in their rooms.
I never heard that others did not hear.
But then they heard, oh Kṛṣṇa is playing the flute, He is always playing His flute.
Maybe He played in such a way that the gopīs were very attracted.
Others, they heard it but they were not attracted.
Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-06
Jayapataka Swami: Who taught you this?
Is it given in any śāstra?
To consider Kṛṣṇa like our father, probably would be in śānta-rasa.
Because we are just appreciating Kṛṣṇa .
But actually to serve Kṛṣṇa, that is dāsya-rasa.
So, there we see Kṛṣṇa as our Master.
In sakhya-rasa we see Kṛṣṇa as our friend
and in paternal rasa we see Kṛṣṇa as our child.
In mādhurya-rasa we see Kṛṣṇa as our lover or husband.
So to consider Kṛṣṇa like father, is like śānta-rasa.
There is a song where it says Kṛṣṇa is everything to us.
In that way it is alright.
But that song was Kṛṣṇa-mātā, Kṛṣṇa-pitā Kṛṣṇa-dhana-prāṇa,
He is our life and soul.
So He is everything.
Any other question?
Category: [Vigraha Āradhana (Deity Worship)]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-04-10
Jayapatākā Swami: You see in Māyāpur in Dāmodara you get 100, in Ekādaśī you get another hundred and near the Ganges you get a thousand or a lac times, so in this way its mentioned. But Kolkata is part of Gaura-maṇḍala Bhūmi.
I think that Śrīla Prabhupāda, he said something.
He said he couldn’t stay in Kolkata, but those who stay in his birthplace they will get special mercy.
So, I don’t remember how many times but Śrīla Prabhupāda said something.
I will look it up.
You talked about the four regulative principles. During initiation we vow to follow these regulative principles. My question is after initiation if a disciple breaks any one of these regulative principles, what is the method of atonement and please tell the way out so that one does not make the same mistake again.
Questioner: Saṅkīrtana Priya Nitāi dāsa
Date: 2022-12-06
Jayapatākā Swami: We should beg for forgiveness from guru and Kṛṣṇa.
Then we should perform devotional service directly.
There is no higher atonement than bhakti-yoga.
Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Sādhanā / Regulative Principles], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-03-15
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, that is why when we gather together for programs,
we bow down to all the Vaiṣṇavas.
We say vāñchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ.
We try to forgive everyone for any knowing or unknowing offences.
Because if we don’t know about it, we don’t know! Ha!
So we may have inadvertently offended someone.
So we want to be forgiven for that.
Śrīla Prabhupāda said that generally if we ask questions, that is not an offence.
Like if we ask an advanced Vaiṣṇava some question,
even if it is a personal question.
Prabhu, actually you are a very senior devotee and I have been following you.
But I see that sometimes you just do this,
so I was wondering if I should follow that or not? Ha!
So in that way you are asking a question,
it is not offensive.
But if you say, PRABHU!
YOU ARE AN OFFENDER, YOU ARE SMOKING BEHIND THE CAR!
Maybe it is not true,
or maybe it is true but not something we should present in that way.
So, we try to ask questions rather than accuse anyone.
Unless you are in a very senior position
and you are advising some disciple who is junior.
I was made a temple president two weeks after my initiation.
So everyone in the temple, many were more senior than me! Ha!
So if told them, PRABHU, GO TO THE STORE!
They would look at me and say, who are you to tell me?
So I would go to people and say,
Prabhu, how would you like to go the store?
The deities need apples or something! Ha!
So if they said no,
I would keep asking them! Ha!
But I wouldn’t tell them,
I would ask them.
So somehow that became the thing that I learnt since I was a young president.
And it is hard for me to stop that even now!!
I am very happy to see that your house is very clean,
I feel very devotional in your house!
You were mentioning yesterday in class about demarcation of Gaura-maṇḍala Bhūmi. And you mentioned the different directions it reaches in West Bengal, Odisha and some parts of Bangladesh. But we also know there were many close associates of Lord Caitanya who have taken birth in other parts of India like South India and Maharashtra, also Lord Caitanya had gone and had pastimes in South India, Maharashtra, Vṛndāvana and other places. How do we consider Gaura-maṇḍala Bhūmi demarcation and what is part of Gaura-maṇḍala Bhūmi?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: You see Lord Caitanya went to many places.
He went to Bangladesh, He went all over South India,
He went to Maharashtra, Gujarat.
So He also went to Uttara Pradesh, Vṛndāvana.
Vṛndāvana is Vraja
and Jagannātha Purī is Śrī Kṣetra.
Gaura-maṇḍala Bhūmi is 168 km from Māyāpur.
So that means up to Remuṇā in the south.
To the South-east we have Puṇḍarika dhāma.
And North-east is Advaita Ācārya birthplace.
And North-west is beyond Kānāi-Naṭaśālā to the hills. Forgot the name of the hills.
So that particular area is known as Gaura-maṇḍala Bhūmi.
And in Odisha it is known as Śrī Kṣetra.
And in Vṛndāvana it is known as Vraja dhāma.
So maybe the associates of Lord Caitanya were from some other place,
the holy place around Kāverī river and Śrīraṅgam,
that may not be Gaura-maṇḍala Bhūmi
but that is a holy place.
Like that India has lots of holy rivers, holy places
and they are not necessarily Gaura-maṇḍala Bhūmi.
Category: [Sādhanā / Technicalities]
You were saying how all these great devotees of the Lord are helping Lord Nityānanda and Lord Caitanya in preaching. So do you have any general answer to devotees who ask you like, Guru Mahārāja, I don’t know, you have not given me any instruction, please tell me an instruction. Is there a general answer that you would give to devotees, if they don’t have any specific service given?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-05
Jayapatākā Swami: You see, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda he gave me many instructions. I mean, at least 30 things to do, at least. And maybe more. And what I have done in my Jayapatākā Swami App, I have listed all of those. And of course, some of those things are instructions that Śrīla Prabhupāda gave to everybody, and some things he gave specifically to me, or to a few others. I asked any disciples, śikṣā disciples, well-wishers if they can you help me to fulfill these instructions. And you may help in one or help in five or many more.
So I gave all these instructions that Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me and requested the people to help me.
So, I give them a free will to choose from any of those instructions.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Dīkṣā-guru], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
Questioner: Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahārāja
Date: 2023-03-02
Jayapatākā Swami: We understand from this that if we get married, it is very important to have a Kṛṣṇa conscious wife!
If the wife is not Kṛṣṇa conscious then she may have you fight with Kṛṣṇa!
This reminds me Śrīla Prabhupāda, in a lecture he was giving in London,
observing his Vyāsa-pūjā.
He said he wanted all his gṛhastha followers to be paramahaṁsas.
And he said how Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was a gṛhastha had many children.
One was Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda.
And Śrīla Prabhupāda said we need many personalities like this.
So the gṛhasthas should have such pure devotee children.
Although Lord Indra in the caitanya-līlā pastime, he joined in the kīrtana.
By then he seemed to have learned his lesson!
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-07-29
Jayapatāka Swami: Living entities in this material world are fallen spirit souls who have forgotten the Lord’s lotus feet.
So, He is giving them a chance in this material world to:
Number one: get back to Him and
Number two: to satisfy their material desires.
So, some living entities doesn’t want to serve Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa allows them to act.
In fact, in Bhagavad-gītā, He says that for someone who acts in a demonic mood, that Kṛṣṇa says,
“I satisfy him and he for countless births, he again and again and again, takes birth in the families and the wombs of the demons.”
So Kṛṣṇa, He tells everyone they should surrender to Him.
Just like a father tells his grown son that, “You should still stay with us, and don’t go off alone.”
But, if the son wants to go out, and go to the brothels, the father, what can he do?
He can’t tie him down.
So, Kṛṣṇa’s treating the jīvas as adults.
He’s giving them a chance:
“You can do what you like, but you should do this.”
So, some are good sons, and some are bad sons; some are devotees and some are demons.
So, naturally if a… if a bad son start to inflect pain on the good son then the Lord has to step in, the father has to save.
But apart from that, if the bad son is doing nonsense, somewhere He is watching, “When you’ll come back?”
but He is not interfering, until it creates too much of a disturbance, and then He makes an arrangement so that everything can be properly arranged,
so that people can all be good sons, they can all be engaged in devotional service.
So in this way, it is considered that Kṛṣṇa’s liberalism to allow His jīvas, His part and parcel living entity to become misdirected is less merciful than the pure devotee,
who goes even to those misdirected souls and requests them, “Why you have forgotten Kṛṣṇa?
You don’t see how you are suffering?
You come back to Kṛṣṇa and be happy.”
So Kṛṣṇa, He doesn’t have to come here to actually defeat the demons.
What He does is He allows two demons to become very powerful, and then the demons in their power, they fight against each other,
and then they destroy each other, and then devotees, they don’t have any more trouble with the demons.
Generally speaking, the demons, they are very envious.
Especially they became envious of each other.
They’re also envious of the devotees, but the devotees are not so presumptuous.
They’re non-assuming, so they see the non-devotees are also very proud, so they’re very conspicuous.
So, the demons, they fight against each other.
That is also Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.
In previous age, Kṛṣṇa would come down to kill the demons, and this age, He came down as Caitanya Mahāprabhu, as Harināma,
and to kill the demonic mentality of the demon.
In this way, He kills the demon, not by taking their life, but by taking their demonic mentality, and killing that, and turning them into devotees.
So, Kṛṣṇa is giving very easy way out to the demons, but how much can He do alone?
He needs His devotees.
He is actually given the opportunity for His devotees to go out and give Kṛṣṇa.
And this will change the demonic mentality of the fallen souls.
Category: [Material World / Demons]
Questioner: Śacīputra Avatāra dāsa, Bangladesh
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: It depends, what your work is.
So, his question was we should always chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, how can we do that work?
He is from Bangladesh.
So, it would depend, what your work is.
If you are working in like some factory or something,
you can sing while you work.
If you are working in an office,
naturally you have to do your office work.
Before you do your office work you can chant oṁ tat sat!
What I am about to do is a service,
you are saying this to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Of course, from your salary you can offer bhoga, donate something to the temple
and you are also going to survive,
you and your family.
So in the beginning, you can say oṁ tat sat!
If you chant mentally even if you are not able to chant,
anyway you are doing your work, which is part of your neutral work.
Category: [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)]
Questioner: Vijaya Rādhā devī dāsī
Date: 2021-07-29
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
Questioner: Bhakta Bryan (Columbia)
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: The aṣṭāṅga-yoga process recommends severe austerities.
Like, in the middle of winter sitting in the cold river and meditating.
In the hottest day of summer,
light fire on four sides,
mid-day
and meditate.
But we don’t recommend such things.
Our austerity is like in the month of Dāmodara we offer lamp to Dāmodara,
we don’t take urad-dāl,
we observe Ekādaśīs.
So not very great austerities.
I look forward to Ekādaśī because Ekādaśī is my favorite day.
I can take more vegetables
and Pan-de-yuca (Cassava cheese bread)
I think Bhakta Brayan knows.
So we only take prasāda.
You offer your bhoga to Kṛṣṇa and take the remnants.
A great austerity!
A supreme austerity!
You have to offer your arepas to Kṛṣṇa!
Then you eat it!
Alright!
Category: [Vratās (Austerities)]
Questioner: Bhakta Bryan (Columbia).
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, the heart if it does too much austerity, then it will become very hard.
Sometimes the heart is like frame and steel.
It is very hard. Doesn’t want to melt.
So, by rendering pure devotional service to Kṛṣṇa,
naturally the heart becomes soft.
In this way, we can achieve Kṛṣṇa consciousness in its fullest extent.
Category: [Vratās (Austerities)]
Questioner: Cidānanda Nimāi dāsa (Bengaluru)
Date: 2022-01-07
Jayapatākā Swami: So we know that in the Bhīṣma-Pañcaka, there are three fasts recommended.
That one can do the pañca-gavya,
or second, fruits and roots or,
third is the haviśyanna.
Which included fruits and roots
and some milk products and some grains.
But I was reading that tomorrow is the Parama Ekādaśī.
And that starting from the evening we should chant and dance the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra in ecstasy,
and if possible, stay awake the whole night, chanting.
But at least we all could chant in the evening.
And as far as the five day fast after Ekādaśī,
it says fast up to your capacity.
Maybe you can give up something during the five days.
Don’t do something which would impede your service completely.
I was asked about how to break the fast of the Puruṣottama month.
I read in the śāstra that
we should break the fast on the 14th day,
so I will post the details.
Category: [Vratās (Austerities) / Puruṣottama-māsa-vratā]
Questioner: Svarṇa Gopīkā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: One day I went to the dentist’s office. The dentist said the greatest pain is dying, giving childbirth,
the stone in the kidney
and dental office.
So welcome to your dentist’s office.
But apparently the devotees can leave this world very happily,
because for them they are going home back to Godhead.
We heard that His Holiness Bhakti Cāru Swami
left with a smile on his face.
Haribol!
Category: [Material Sufferings / Death]
Questioner: Paramapuruṣa Mādhava dāsa
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Paramapuruṣa Mādhava dāsa, what can I say?
How to read Śrīla Prabhupāda books regularly without failure?
You say you are skipping frequently from reading.
So we would like you to get the different degrees –
Bhakti-śāstrī, Bhakti-vaibhava,
Bhakti-vedānta, Bhakti-Sārvabhauma.
So naturally to get those degrees you have to read those books.
So making a system to regularly read,
that needs to be done.
And initially maybe you don’t have a taste.
But after sometime, you develop a taste
and then you will be thinking how to get more time to read.
So much nectar!
In the first canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
we are reading how Yudhiṣṭhira was the emperor of the world.
When he heard that Kṛṣṇa had left the world,
had gone back home back to Godhead,
all the Vṛṣnis also went back,
then immediately he enthroned his grandson Parīkṣit
and then he went giving up his crown, belt
and then he prepared himself to go back home back to Godhead.
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Reading books for two hours minimum daily. Can you kindly clarify Guru Mahārāja. As a brahmacārī, two hours daily is possible, but as a working devotee can I also read two hours Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and preaching whatever time permits? Or just focus on preaching service with maybe 45 minutes of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books since many times we need absorption?
Questioner: Hemāṅga Haladhara dāsa
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t know where you are based?
[A-side: from Bengaluru Guru Mahārāja.]
Bengaluru is famous for intense traffic jams.
So one could listen to Śrīla Prabhupāda books on the earphone.
Or if one is driving in the car use the loudspeaker system.
So that also counts for the reading time.
So when a lady is cooking she can play Śrīla Prabhupāda’s recorded lectures
or Bhagavad-gītā in audio.
So, see how much time you have, apart from your work,
and how much time can you spend reading and how much time in preaching.
If you don’t repeat what you read,
you may forget it.
So preaching is also part of reading.
It helps you to absorb the teachings.
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Questioner: Rūpaśrī Vasudhā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: In the Kṛṣṇa Book, the chapter on the Dāmodara-līlā is there,
that can be read.
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra]
Questioner: Madhusmita Indulekhā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Interesting question.
I always think how much mercy I received from Śrīla Prabhupāda,
and if I hadn’t received his mercy, where would I be today?
So Madhusmita Indulekhā devī dāsī,
I don’t know if you received any mercy from your spiritual master.
But whether you think your situation today is better than what it would have been if you had not been Kṛṣṇa conscious and met
your spiritual master.
What situation you would be then?
I had a nightmare
two nights ago.
Suddenly, I thought I was the body.
It was so horrible!
So horrible!
To be deprived from the association of devotees.
To be deprived from the association of Kṛṣṇa!
I never, never, never, want to be in such a situation!
One of the most worst dreams I have ever had.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship]
Questioner: Kṛṣṇa Karuṇāmūrti dāsa
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Is he chanting the Pañca-tattva mantra?
Usually if one chants the Pañca-tattva mantra
and they starts to change.
But just chanting the holy name, and committing the ten offences to the holy name,
naturally we don’t make much advancement.
So avoid breaking the ten offences.
The worst offence is to blaspheme other offences.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses) / Nāma-aparādha]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Anyway, it is a kind of controversy
whether the so called, 11th offence we should fix in the 10th.
Anyway, the way to avoid that is concentrating on your chanting.
And focusing on the hearing and chanting, seeing the Deities.
Category: [Aparādha (Offenses) / Nāma-aparādha]
Questioner: Lakṣmī Rādhā devī dāsī
Date: 2022-01-09
Jayapatākā Swami: You have to make one a pure devotee.
If you have two children, make one a pure devotee.
Category: [Varṇāśrama / Gṛhastha]
Questioner: Anand and Janani, Bengaluru
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: The gold is a pure metal.
And we use that to decorate our Deities.
But in Kali-yuga maybe people steal gold.
So we have to be careful to use pure gold in Deity worship.
Sometimes the ladies wear gold ornaments on some special functions.
This is allowed
for the gṛhasthas.
The ladies should not wear her gold ornaments when her husband is away,
but she may wear in the presence of her husband,
it is very attractive.
So now we have paper money.
Previously paper money was equal to a certain amount of gold.
That is why we call it Pound Sterling
because it is based on how much silver you can get.
But now there are pounds, euros, rupees
and the paper is not equivalent to any specific amount of gold.
There is a kind of false economy is part of Kali-yuga.
But not that, ladies cannot wear gold ornaments.
It is just that it is a little dangerous,
so usually they wear during special social functions.
Category: [Varṇāśrama / Gṛhastha]
Questioner: Mathurā Līleśvarī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Since in Gītā Nāgari they have very special Deities of Rādhā Dāmodara,
which were personally worshiped by Śrīla Prabhupāda.
So as the community Deities, we try to worship those Deities with the highest standard,
very elaborately.
And in your house if you have Gaura Nitāi Deities,
it will be alright to worship Them with basic standards.
If you are worshiping the temple Deity or the community Deity then it has to be done
very elaborately.
Category: [Vigraha Āradhana (Deity Worship) / Home Deity Worship]
Questioner: Avatārī Gaurāṅga dāsa
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: The Pāñcarātrika Dīpikā is for the second initiated devotees
and other devotees who are just worshiping the practice Deities,
they can do the basic worship of
ārati and offering bhoga.
We chant the prayers to our spiritual master and Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Lord Caitanya
and Lord Kṛṣṇa
and then... so we offer our food before the Lord.
Category: [Vigraha Āradhana (Deity Worship) / Home Deity Worship]
I get more joy when chanting after maṅgala-ārati in the morning. But if any other service comes at that moment, which one should be given more importance – chanting or service? While doing that service again what if we think that japa will not be good today. So there is no interest in the service again. What will I do then?
Questioner: Tulasī Līlāmayī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: This is a relative question.
I don’t know what the service is.
If there is some emergency service,
something that has to be done,
then you have to do it.
So we cannot, being a gṛhastha, it may not be possible every morning to do our rounds.
If your child is crying,
I will do my japa now!
So I don’t know what the service is.
So we have to learn to chant all the time.
Certainly, in the morning, chanting is ideal as it is the brāhma-muhurta hour.
Sometimes we cannot do our chanting during brāhma-muhurta –
but it is not always.
I don’t think there will be much service in the morning.
But sometimes there might be.
So in that case you have to learn – actually 16 rounds takes maximum 2 hours.
So somehow during the day, make up your rounds,
you have 24 hours.
Category: [Sādhanā / Maṅgala-ārati]
Questioner: Śacīputra Avatāra dāsa
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Our guru-paramparā is Bhāgavata-paramparā.
That means whichever connection is stronger they do it.
Whichever relationship is stronger it is given.
In most cases it is dīkṣā
but in some cases it may be śikṣā.
Actually, all the cases are usually dīkṣā
but our sampradāya is given by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda.
And he saw that the dīkṣā-guru of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was giving preference to the brāhmaṇas.
The born brāhmaṇas. So Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura thought the guru was a jāthi-gosāñi.
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura had been educated by Siddha Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī
and gave much importance to this connection.
This way this is a Bhāgavata-paramparā.
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura took initiation from Gaura Kiśora dāsa Bābājī.
By that way,
we are also dīkṣā-paramparā.
But we give importance to the Bhāgavata-paramparā.
That way since Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura took his initiation from Gaura Kiśora dāsa Bābājī,
that way the other Vaiṣṇavas they accept Gaura Kiśora dāsa Bābājī.
So in that way we also have the dīkṣā-paramparā.
But the paramparā which is in our books
is the Bhāgavata-paramparā.
Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru-paramparā]
Questioner: Keśava Gaura dāsa
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: I only see the good qualities in other.
I don’t see whether they have this hatred to others,
but if they do
even, we should forget that.
Anyway, someone may be performing śravaṇam and kīrtanam with offenses,
and the result will be very limited.
So, we should be try to perform offenseless chanting.
That is why at the time of taking initiation, we discuss the ten offences.
But periodically, we should remind ourselves to remember to avoid these offences.
Category: [Anarthās]
Questioner: Līlāmayī Gaurāṅgī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t know if you need the integration of other devotees,
but you can also include in your preaching activities
some announcement for Food for Life,
or Kṛṣṇa conscious activities,
then they will be more happy to participate.
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Cooperation]
When I am at my workplace I feel hungry due to lack of time in the morning. I cannot prepare, so I go and buy some snack from the nearby grocery. Dear spiritual father, is it right what I am doing? Those foods like chips and things are made by machines and packed by machines. I don’t think it to be offensive and have it. I offer them mentally and put dry tulasī leaves and consume it. Could this be accepted by the Lord? Is it right? What I have been doing? Please enlighten me Śrīla Gurudeva!
Questioner: Kackuly Rāṇī
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Fruits, salted ingredients, milk products, and nuts, dried fruits,
can be offered.
They are offerable to the Lord,
put fresh tulasī and offer them.
Things that are made by machines or people
if their ingredients are vegetarian,
then we can say Śrī Viṣṇu three times
but that is in kind of an emergency.
But it is not offerable.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Food]
There are many discussions whether or not we should children to school opposed to gurukula. Home schooling or devotee run schools? In a place where there is no devotee run school or gurukula, is it okay to send our children to karmī-run school, while helping them to learn Kṛṣṇa consciousness at home?
Questioner: Mathurā Līleśvarī devī dāsī, Gītā Nagarī, USA
Date: 2022-01-09
Jayapatākā Swami: You have to see the school I guess.
See what the situation is.
One of my South American disciples,
her daughter went to school,
and accidentally they switched her lunch box
to the non veg box.
She went to the school and complained.
How this the Kārtika or Dāmodara month.
So the school said, oh, you can prepare a lamp offering with all the students?
So then they brought candles
and all the students offered lamps to
Yaśodā Dāmodara.
So you can see what kind of school it is.
Whether it is a parochial school.
Hard do to say. I don’t know why you ask a sannyāsī these things.
You should ask gṛhasthas!
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Education]
Questioner: Śrīmān Balarāma Kṛṣṇa dāsa and Śrīrūpa Mādhavī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Vapu-samādhi is a part of the body kept in samādhi.
And puṣpa-samādhi is the flowers that were on the body, put in the samādhi.
Vastra-samādhi would be the cloth He wore.
So, I don’t know if we can call it a vapu-samādhi but is certainly auspicious.
And there is no difference in one sense between the Lord’s body and the clothes He wore.
Category: [Gauḍīya History]
Questioner: Kushal, Kṛṣṇa-kathā deśa (10 years old)
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t see the correlation between a good king and the Paramātmā.
Everybody has Paramātmā in their hearts.
But we are doing sinful acts
against the advice of the Paramātmā.
That is why we are suffering.
Our suffering may be due to something that we have done in the past hundred births.
We don’t remember
but Supersoul does.
So He will allow us to suffer if we deserve it.
And we offer the Lord a lamp in Kārtika so like that then
it says we can be freed from mountains of bad karma.
So people who are doing good karma, people who are doing bad karma, they have Paramātmā in their hearts.
But those who do the good karma, they get good results.
Those who do bad karma, they get bad results.
Category: [Karma]
Questioner: Kṛṣṇa and Samyak, UK
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Naturally we can have spiritual desires,
spiritual activities.
That is what devotional service is,
it is a spiritual endeavor.
If we desire to have the association of pure devotees, we desire to have mercy of Kṛṣṇa, Lord Caitanya,
Have Their mercy
those are all spiritual desires.
Questioner: Līlāmayī Gaurāṅgī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: What is the best way to honor the spiritual name? Hmmm.
Interesting question!
I think that using it is one way to honor it.
Like, understanding what it means,
Līlāmayī
Gaurāṅgī.
Līlāmāyī means
fully absorbed in the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa,
Līlāmayī.
So in this world the service to Kṛṣṇa is also His pastime.
Anyway, Līlāmayī Gaurāṅgī,
Gaurāṅgī is the name of Rādhārāṇī.
She is golden in color.
Today is the day of the appearance of Rādhā-kuṇḍa.
So you are Līlāmayī Gaurāṅgī devī dāsī –
Rādhārāṇī who is absorbed in Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes,
devī
you are Her dāsī,
you are Her servitor.
Haribol!
Category: [Dīkṣā (Initiation)]
I am born in a brāhmaṇa family and has undergone the thread ceremony in the presence of Lord Bālājī and the brāhmaṇa thread was offered to me by our family priest in our native place. Guru Mahārāja, my question is that whether I am qualified to chant Gāyatrī mantra on the basis of the thread ceremony or wait until I get my second initiation in ISKCON? Please guide me in this matter.
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: The sacred thread ceremony is called upanayanam.
Those who are not born in dvija family,
we give them upanayanam,
plus the Pāñcarātrika mantras.
So you can chant your smṛti Gāyatrī
which is you received with your upanayanam
and at the time of second initiation,
you will receive your Pāñcarātrika mantras.
You will get seven mantras.
One is the Vedic, which is the upanayanam
and six Pāñcarātrikas.
So many of my disciples those who are from India, they already had their upanayanam.
So they can continue to chant the smṛti Gāyatrī.
And when they receive the second initiation,
that is when they receive the Pāñcarātrika mantras.
Since in Western countries, or the non-dvijas, they call it brahmanical initiation.
Actually, it is brahmanical plus Pāñcarātrika.
You already have the brāhmaṇa thread,
when you take second initiation, you will receive the Pāñcarātrika mantras.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Saṁskāras / Upanayanam]
Questioner: Saṅgītamayī Gopī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: I don’t know why she is losing taste
in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
And we should see what the cause is
and try to answer that problem.
If she chants Pañca-tattva mantra more often,
that may help her to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and get more taste.
If she doesn’t feel connected with me, then she could download the Jayapatākā Swami App,
and read the regular message postings.
Category: [Devotee Care]
Questioner: Saṅgītamayī Gopī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Rendering unalloyed service to Kṛṣṇa is a very rare thing.
We heard that out of millions of people, one people looks for spiritual life.
Out of thousands of those who seek spiritual life,
one finds it.
Of those thousands of those who find it,
it is rare to find one that becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious.
So, we should encourage everyone to serve Kṛṣṇa.
And we should be good example of pure unalloyed love.
We should be serving the Lord without any ulterior motive.
That way, naturally we will feel very blissful.
That would inspire others to also take it up
selflessly.
So thank you very much for your enthusiasm.
We see that just as the water from the rivers go to the ocean,
we can see your devotion is heading towards Kṛṣṇa.
Normally the heart is thinking of all material things.
So if you are thinking about serving Kṛṣṇa and bringing people closer to Kṛṣṇa,
then naturally you will get special mercy. Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Devotee Care]
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1st Canto 6th chapter little boy before, Nārada was so detached by the devotees’ mercy, and he did not cry when his mother died. But myself I am so attached to my family, especially my mother, she is my home schoolteacher, all my family is helping me for devotional service. Is it okay to have attachment with parents?
Questioner: Ujjvala Nitāi dāsa, USA.
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Since your mother, your family are helping you for your devotional services,
they are kind of vartma-pradarśaka or śikṣā-gurus.
And naturally one should feel grateful for their spiritual support and guidance.
It would be ok to have attachment for them,
as a spiritual expression.
Category: [Day-to-day Life / Parents]
Questioner: Divyāṅgī Lalitā devī dāsī, Omaha, USA
Date: 2022-01-09
Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya, He showed,
He offered His obeisances,
He circumambulated,
and with great respect He honored the prasāda.
What more can I say?
Category: [Prasāda and Bhoga]
Questioner: Kusum Bhatt, UK.
Date: 2022-01-05
Jayapatākā Swami: Kusum, please accept my blessings.
Onion and garlic are not offerable to any Deities,
what to speak of Viṣṇu Deity, even Drugā, Śiva, Gaṇeśa, Kartikeya,
they don’t accept onion and garlic.
Also, recently I saw in the internet there was some article, how onion and garlic are bad
according to the material scientists.
You could say in this Dāmodara month or any month for that matter that you only take kṛṣṇa-prasāda
and that you cannot offer onion and garlic to Kṛṣṇa.
So they could make special offering to Kṛṣṇa without onion and garlic
and you can take that.
I don’t know what it takes to convince your parents.
Onion and garlic are not suitable to be eaten,
cannot really offer it to Kṛṣṇa.
Someone was saying that maybe garlic under some doctor’s recommendation, it can be taken.
Even then we cannot offer it to Kṛṣṇa.
Just as a medicine
we say Śrī Viṣṇu three times
and take it.
Unless you have high blood pressure or something,
doctors say that we should take garlic.
And I don’t see any other reason to take it.
I hope you can solve this problem.
Category: [Prasāda and Bhoga / Onion and Garlic]
Questioner: Satyarāja Govinda dāsa, USA
Date: 2022-01-09
Jayapatākā Swami: I was just thinking that in Māyāpur we should have a sāka festival
so we can show all the different sākas.
I don’t know what sākas are available in the USA.
But here in Māyāpur they have a variety of sākas.
Helañca-sāka grows in a lotus pond,
on the top.
Wherever you have lotus pond in America, you can grow Helañca-sāka there.
Also, Russia!
Category: [Festivals / Sāka-Festival]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-01-09
Jayapatākā Swami: You can grow the sāka.
Get the seeds.
I don’t know if spinach is technically a sāka.
We could may be prepare it like a sāka.
Normally, I don’t know whether bādha-gobi -
cabbage is considered a sāka.
Curry leaves is a type of spice
and coriander leaves.
So these are like leaves
from different vegetables and things.
So maybe some of the things are there in Tamil Nāḍu,
and they have poṭala and pumpkin leaves.
So we might ask the devotees to make a comprehensive list
of different sākas
and see for the Tamil devotees which ones are available in Tamil Nāḍu.
Category: [Festivals / Sāka-Festival]
Questioner: Anonymous
Date: 2022-01-09
Jayapatākā Swami: He had six sons.
Three were devotees,
and three were smārtas.
Category: [Śrī Caitanya-līlā]
Questioner: Marina, Krasnodar, Russia
Date: 2022-01-09
Jayapatākā Swami: Sannyāsa is not for ladies.
Ladies are supposed to be protected
by their father, husband or elder son.
If a lady goes like a sannyāsī alone,
she may get abused.
So she must be always protected.
Category: [Women / Protection]
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