20251227 Question-and-Answer Session

Some questions. Australian question?? Write it down and slip it in.

Question: You said in Rāma avatāra, Hanumān was a great example of a devotee in dāsya-rasa. Is there anyone in kṛṣṇa-līlā?

Jayapatākā Swami: The trees, the animals in Vṛndāvana, they are in śānta-rasa. They say some sage was meditating in the Himalayas and they heard Kṛṣṇa’s flute and they became ecstatic. They started hitting their head on the rock.

Question: Regarding the form of the guru as it manifests in this world. If a new devotee is charmed by the form of the guru or has some attraction for it, how does one avoid this from being sentimental? What is the qualification to be attracted to the form? Is it necessary at all?

Jayapatākā Swami: Not necessary. I know, some people are attracted. When they have association with the guru they may feel his presence. When I joined I was seeing the auras on people. And Śrīla Prabhupāda’s aura was yellow and covered the whole room! Someone asked Śrīla Prabhupāda that, “He sees auras.” He said, “He will get over it, don’t worry.” Now I don’t see!

Question: You said Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted all to become gurus, does it mean śikṣā or dīkṣā-guru?

Jayapatākā Swami: As far as I am concerned it is every kind of guru. But they should also have knowledge of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Lord Caitanya said,

kibā vipra, kibā nyāsī, śūdra kene naya
yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei ‘guru’ haya
(Cc. Madhya 8.128)

So, striyāś are above śūdras. And Kṛṣṇa says in Gītā, striyāś, vaiśyas, śūdras, those who surrender to Him can reach the highest destination. Some may be śikṣā-gurus some may be dīkṣā-gurus. Everyone should understand the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Okay!

Kṛṣṇe matir astu!