19810626 Evening Address

(Disclaimer: The following is a machine-generated transcript and may contain errors or inaccuracies. It will be reviewed and verified against the original audio soon.)

The following is an Evening Address given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on June 26, 1981 – in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Vedas are the ancient books which are the basis of this movement. Put one on her. And the Vedas were so many literatures that it is very difficult to find out what is the essence. So all the essence has been given in one book called the Śrīmada Bhāgavatam, and the preliminary study of that is called the Bhagavad Gītā. So, 500 years ago, Śrī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu, he appeared and he further simplified everything. He saw that in this day and age, people are very unfortunate. In spite of so many material advances, they have no peace of mind. He could see into the future, so he could foresee all of these difficulties. And people would be short in their lifespan, that family relationships, brother to brother, mother and son, husband and wife, they would have so many disagreements where before this did not exist.

And he wanted to. He was giving actually the easiest method for transcending all the difficulties in life and for achieving the complete and perfect realization of the complete, absolute truth, the origin and source of everything. So Lord Caitanya was characterized by singing and dancing with these majangas and cartels, and he would be dancing in ecstasy. There is picture of Chaitanya Mahāprabhu with his arms raised. So, because the soul, the Ātmā, is by nature joyful, this chanting brings out that joy. It is just like a treasure. If there is a treasure buried in this yard, but if I don’t know where the treasure is, I only know that somewhere here there is a treasure. It’s like that. This joy of the soul is within our heart, it is within the Ātmā, but we don’t know how to get at it.

So this process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, of chanting, is how to get to that real happiness of a soul. So Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu predicted that all the cultures of the world would come together on a harmonious platform, and that in every town and village all over the world, this chanting of hare Kṛṣṇa would be spread. So, about 17 or 15 years ago, our founder, Sheila aC Bhaktivedanta, Swami Prabhupāda, left from India and went to United States of America with this message. There are many, of course, yogis and similar preachers who have gone to the west, but this is the first time that this Kṛṣṇa conscious philosophy and chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa was ever brought to the west. So, of course, that is all history now. Today there are over.

Actually, within a short time in New York, he established the International Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness in 1965. Then centers were opened in San Francisco, Montreal, thereafter, centers were opened in Europe, London, Paris, and now, today, there are over 200 temples of Kṛṣṇa consciousness all over the world. Not only in North America and all over Europe, but in South America, Australia, Africa and Asia. So already there are centers in Malaysia, Singapore, indonesia, and of course, all over India. Big center also in the Philippines. So when I came here visiting about one year ago, I felt that why Thailand is being left out, that the young men and women of Thailand are very intelligent and very religious and spiritually inclined at the same time. They are also scientifically advanced amongst the developing nations. So this is a scientific process for God realization, for self realization.

So therefore, we try to encourage different people to establish a center of our Kṛṣṇa conscious movement here in Bangkok, knowing that this was a very good place. Unlike many other groups, we do not have any entrance fee that one has to pay. But that is not because the subject matter is not valuable. It is actually priceless. If were to put a price tag, then we would not be able to ask that much. So better to give it free. Also, just as recently in Nepal, there was a worldwide conference, and they are representatives of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism were all present. And everyone agreed that there are at least five basic principles that are common goals of everyone.

That is basically reincarnation, cow protection, the sacred mantras, and having a good qualities like nonviolence, truthfulness, cleanliness, and respecting Kṛṣṇa, Ram, the Buddha, Garuḍa. But of course, these are just very basic common points. So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness goes beyond to the most subtle and beautiful concepts. So I Would actually, because it’s late, I would like to hear some questions from you about this KṚṢṆA consciousness also, so I can learn to know you better. Do you have any questions? Completely true. You see, let me qualify that actually Lord Buddha is Kṛṣṇa, but he is what we call an expansion of Kṛṣṇa. That means that there is one, that Kṛṣṇa is one, and he is supreme, and he assumes different forms for different purposes. So we are like an atom part of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore we fall into illusIon, because we are so small.

Therefore, we have to take shelter of Kṛṣṇa. Then we get freed from illusion, you see? So Lord Buddha, he is much, he is not just a small part, but he is the expansion of Kṛṣṇa. That means Kṛṣṇa has come as Buddha to help the people come closer to the truth. Therefore, in our prayers, we also sing prayers to Lord Buddha, Sarira, Jay, Jagadish. We do not see Lord Buddha as different from Kṛṣṇa, but we see that Buddha is having one type of pastimes and Kṛṣṇa is having a different type of pastimes. So Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes are more variegated, more full. But both are on the same transcendental platform. None different. Therefore we are culturally having oneness. But this Kṛṣṇa conscious movement can answer all of your questions. It says in the vedas that Lord Buddhas came also millions of years ago.

And that Kṛṣṇa is coming in so many avatars, just like waves are coming one after another in the oceaN. So whenever there is a rise in irreligious principles to reestablish them, Kṛṣṇa comes. Or in one of his forms, a question.

I love that also. Kṛṣṇa.

You see, if it’s the same Buddha, then why not? You see, there are different budDhas. Meter almost a child.

He says before he took birth as Buddha, he was born ten times. But the ten incarnations in the Bible is not mentioned at all.

No, those are different. What? You see, there are different buddhas, but the original. Whenever, just like Gautam Buddha, he is the original buddha that all the present buddhist movements are coming from today. And Buddha, the one who appeared india. Yeah. And he was. And he was. It was predicted that he would come 5000 years ago. Yes. This. This ten avatars is written 5000 years ago. The description of the ten avatars is written thousands of years before Buddha kingdom. It was written in Sanskrit. Sanskrit. Slokas. Not. Not entire English or French or German. It also predicts. Predicted that after Buddha would come. Chetanya, Mahāprabhu. But Caitanya comes in disguise as a devotee. It also describes in other vedas that in a previous creation there were other buddhas. Buddha has his own abode where other. Where his devotees go. Entertain the nirvana with him there.

But he’s the original and he is supreme. So beyond that, there are different types of Nirvana. So we’re. We’re dealing with a higher form of nirvana called Brahma. Nirvana.

What practical.

But practical things. You see, everyone is looking for a friend. Some man is looking for a friend in another man or in a woman. Woman is looking for a friend in another woman or in a Mandev. But in this world, there’s no perfect friend because everyone is unfulfilled, incomplete. So when you achieve Kṛṣṇa, then you have achieved the ultimate friend who will never let you down, who will always satisfy your every need in the most sublime way that we are born in this world. But you know that this is not our first birth. We have so many reactions from our previous births coming upon us. That is why even two twins are born in the same family. But they’re having different futures. So when one takes shelter of Kṛṣṇa, one is immediately uplifted from these reactions of karma.

(Side B of the Cassette)

Cross over, Bhavambudi, this ocean of birth and death. In fact, the ocean becomes small, just like the impression of a cow’s calf in the mud. And we can easily cross over. And those who do not take shelter. Padang. Padang. Yad vi padang. Natasha, there’s danger at every step. So the intelligent people, they do not take shelter in this dangerous world, but they take shelter in the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. You want to know practically what you get. You can ask all the devotees what they’re getting here. Atmavidia from Germany, Praveshnu Swami from Ireland, Jagadija Das from America. Our nashing ha tirtha from Thailand. He’s a businessman. He’s chanting before he’s born in Thailand. He didn’t know about Kṛṣṇa exactly like this before. Now, since he’s chanting, his business has increased. So there are all kinds of practical results.

But the best thing is you get Kṛṣṇa as your friend, with him as your friend, then you don’t have to worry about anyone. Take the lash and hold it. The girls with a t lock, they’re looking so nice.

How about.

You? Had a question before?

Buddha’s teaching to reach Kṛṣṇa.

Buddha teachings and Lord Caitanya’s teachings are similar up to a point. After that point, Lord Buddha doesn’t speak anymore. What is beyond nirvana? He doesn’t speak. Lord Chaitanya is describing what is beyond nirvana. Lord Buddha said there are different levels of nirvana, but he didn’t go into such detail. So Lord Caitanya described that beyond the nirvana there is another brahmanirvana. And within that brahmanirvana, the highest realization is a realization of qualities which are beyond any material touch. This world has so many qualities, but they are temporary, therefore they are illusory. This is accepted both by. This is the same in all the teachings of Buddha and Lord Chaitanya, but that all these qualities have come from a different from where these qualities have come from, that Lord Buddha didn’t describe what is the ultimate source because it wasn’t necessary at that time.

But now people are more eager to find out the complete truth. So therefore, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu is revealing the reality of transcendental quality. And if we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, then all this type of form quality from the Brahmanirvana will be realized. In this chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa. Do you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa? Sometimes daily. How many rounds you chant? Not a full round. Anyone? Chance. Full round. How many? How many chance? He is dancing, you kill him. And these mothers, they chen.

They just took books last week, but didn’t have time to read because they had the examination. So after they were ready.

Very good. They want to make a Hare Kṛṣṇa club university. Very nice. Do we have a guest book? When everyone comes, you get their name and should have a visitor’s book and file card. File cabinet also. These subject matters are in one way much easier than your school studies. Another way they are more difficult. Actually everything is very simple. But to understand it requires that one’s consciousness has to be awakened. So many material conditionings and anxieties are in our brain. So by chanting then it actually gives us a awakening of divine consciousness. It’s kind of like cultivating the soil. When you plant the seed in cultivated soil, it will grow quickly. But if you put the seed on the hard soil, it cannot penetrate.

So along with reading and thinking of questions, if the chanting continues, then more and more everything will become revealed to you from within your heart. And when you ask the questions, the answers will seem very clear. The quality of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is actually to be free from all type of designations. Sarvapadi, venir, muktang, tat, parathain, anir, mālā upadi means different type of material designations and names and material conceptions. So Lord Buddha also said that one should become above this type of limited identifications. So this is the easy process. And then once real permanent situation is revealed. So therefore, we are very encouraged that you are chanting. The more that you chant, the more you will be able to see. As you ask, what is the practical result when you eat food? What is the result when someone eats, he knows when he is full.

Similarly, when you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and your desires are satisfied, when your heart is filled, you don’t have to ask anybody else, you will know. Just like when you’re eating your filth, you don’t have to ask anyone else. You know you’re filthouse. What are the guest names?

My name is mister.

Thank you. Samkat seven. Some can j ed Jed couldn’t hear it. Porn utmade like Ladu. Ladu. You know Ladu. It’s a sweet preparation that Kṛṣṇa eats means one very sweet disposition. Another one.

He’s an indian devotee.

Yes.

Staying here, he borrowed many books of Prabhupāda. But before he was reading many books of Arya Sma, that everything. But when he came to the books of Śrīla Paupad, he didn’t need any other books. And now he stopped previous life and following foreign sections. Just recently, in a few weeks, his wife also. And now he’s chanting and accepting Kṛṣṇa as a supreme Sajeev Gotham.

Very nice.

Now you should have a chance.

I left my list. You left the restaurant when you.

I was very happy with him in one sense. Before he was coming to shop, he borrowed like Bhagavad Gītā. Bhagavad Kam. He used to drink and quite a lot. But now his friends are shocked that why he changed completely. So you give some view to Śrī Lanka Jhonka for just a short time. Another friends, thai friends, they will understand.

Can a man be successful in one life? You should repeat his question. Successful in achieving Kṛṣṇa? Yes. That is the promise that if one follows these principles of Kṛṣṇa consciousness chants the minimum amount of hare Kṛṣṇa every day surrenders to the spiritual master. One will be successful in this life. Why one life? You can be successful even in one moment. If you have the determination. If you get a sudden desire trouble. We don’t have desiree to attain that perfection. That if we have the intense desire, in a moment we can get. So Bhagavad Gītā recommends that we should. If we do not have that intense desire, then we should practice. Because by practice that will develop. Gītā says young vapis marang babet tajat ante Khalibaram. That when we leave this body, whatever we think of that we attain in our next life.

Sapama.

If a man thinks of a woman at time of death, he may become a woman in his next life. And if a woman thinks of a man, she may become a man in her next life. But if one thinks of Kṛṣṇa while leaving this body, then he goes back to Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa says, once you come to me, you never come back again. Nav Nuvanti Mahatma sang siddhi paramam gata. Nav Nuvanti means never comes back. And Sang SiDdhing means the supreme perfection. Naradamuni was the son of a maid servant. And he lived in a Kṛṣṇa conscious ashram when he was only five years old. With his. While his mother was serving some monks. They were great Bhaktivedanta monks who knew the science of Kṛṣṇa. So he used to take the remnants of food that was left from their plate.

And he would hear their discourses on these transcendental subject matters. So when the rainy season was over, they went on tour again. And he was left alone with his mother. And his mother was bit by a snake and she died. So he was left alone. So he started to wander around through the forest, over the streams, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. Going up in the hills, over the mountains and into the valleys. Sometimes through the villages and sometimes to the cities. So finally, he sat down by the side of a sacred river under a tree. And he started feeling a deep desire to see Kṛṣṇa. And as he was chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, he started to cry for Kṛṣṇa. His hair stood on end and there was quivering in his body. And his throat became choked up in love as he called on Kṛṣṇa’s name.

And suddenly Kṛṣṇa appeared before him, just for a moment. And then he disappeared. So when Naradamuni saw Kṛṣṇa, he was so happy, he felt complete fulfillment and joy. And then when Kṛṣṇa immediately disappeared, he felt as if he’d been thrown into the deepest well of despair. And he was crying and crying again. He sat into the position of meditation and again tried controlling his breath and focusing his concentration. Enchanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. But he could not see Kṛṣṇa again. Then Kṛṣṇa spoke to him, but he did not reveal himself. He told him, I have simply given you this momentary glimpse of because you are not completely pure yet. Therefore, you are not yet qualified to permanently remain with me. But to give you enthusiasm and more energy, attraction. I have revealed myself.

Now, if you very seriously continue practicing this bhakti yoga, you will attain me. And then Naramuni, as just a small child, he was constantly chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa and following Kṛṣṇa’s instructions. Within a very short time, within a year or so, all of a sudden, just like lightning hit.