1. Regularly serve prasada.
2. Are generous.
3. Push others forward.
4. Genuinely care for others' welfare.
5. Invite others without being asked.
6. Instruct disciples to honor godbrothers.
7. Are inclusive instead of exclusive.
8. Live very simply.
9. Sometimes joke and laugh with us, not at us.
10.Apologize after making mistakes.
11.Ask others what they want to do to please Krsna.
12.Don't insist on being served.
39.00 to 57.40
All of a sudden there is a verse about perils of maya and he describes woman as the perils of maya because he is a man. He is in a male form. Prabhodananda Saraswati. He is a brahmana from South India. So as a sadhaka there is still some gender upadi. We are not mukta jivas. Mukta jivas are beyond the gender. He may be beyond; he may be atmarama and aptakama. sarvopädhi-vinirmuktaà...He may be vinirmuktaà, exceptionally, vi, visesa mukti, having developed an exceptional form of mukti. Iit is called bhakti mukti. Bhakti mukti is when one is fixed in his siddha deha. He is completely fixed and realized in his siddha deha and there is no way to be enchanted by Menaka or some heavenly damsel of the mundane realm. Whereas the greatest rsis and sages...It may be apparently indriya mukti or even jagad mukti. They may be liberated from their senses or liberated from the impulses of the material world – vaco vegam manasah krodha-vegam jihva-vegam udaropastha-vegam. They may be free from all these pushings and demands of the senses. So indriya mukti, like Visvamrta muni, sixty thousand years, no demands of the tongue or genital or anything, but he is not fixed, so it is a type of mukti but then Menaka, the heavenly dancing girl came from Indra's court to seduce him and make him fall from his yoga, yoga bhrasta.
But the bhakti mukti, sarva updai vinir muktam tat partvena nirmalam, he becomes liberated from all the designations, like a yogi. But sarvopädhi-vinirmuktaà tat-paratvena nirmalam håñékeëa håñékeçasevanaà bhaktir ucyate...This is bhakti, sevanam bhakti, bhakti seva. He is absorbed in devotional service to Rädhä and kåñëa and realizes his siddha deha. So this is visesa mukti. He is free from all the designations, sarvopädhi-vinirmuktaà tat-paratvena nirmalam. Nirmala, he has no dirt, any kind of dirt, gross dirt in his brain or mind or subtle dirt, and how so, because he is connected to the master of the mind and senses. You may be master of your senses, but you can't master your mind. Only God can master your mind. So when the mind becomes a friend, becomes a servant, when the mind accepts the servitude of the master Kåñëa. So this is what works with the devotees, whereas the yogi becomes the master of his senses, he is called gosvami, he is the master of his senses. This yogi, gosvami, it says, there is a name, jitendriya, jita and indra, victory over his senses. But what about his mind? canchal hi mana kåñëa...
Sixty thousand years of controlling your mind. Thinking you are controlling your senses and thinking you are controlling your mind, then “jing jing jing jing” and you are finished. Sixty thousand years of self control gets dissolved in six seconds. Amazing power, prabhava of ankle bell, six seconds' of ankle bells “jing jing jing jing jing jing jing jing”
“O! Hi! Where are you from?”
“I am from Svarga.”
And that was that and Shakuntala was the result. So he is warning that this is the dangerous thing for anyone who is not fully liberated from all designations and fixed in bhava bhakti, bhakta seva, absorbed in the service of Hrsikesa.
So for the male sadhaka, that embodiment of maya or illusion is woman. But we discussed some points yesterday, which I don't think we were on the internet but we were recorded. That oftentimes women in the audience, which is generally the majority in any religious gathering, be it ISKCON or Catholic Church or anywhere. The Jews or the Catholics or the Hindus or anyone. Art of dying or whatever these courses they have. All the members are primarily ladies. Because they are suffering or at least they think, they are suffering more than men. And men think they are suffering less, that's maya's nice trick. But actually everyone is suffering equally. Men have the illusion they are in control, but maya is in control of the men and the women. But the illusion is like that.
So when they hear discussions of this, because literally there are hundred verses or more in this book (Våndävana Mahimarta) about the perils of women which are icebergs on the ocean of devotion for a male sadhaka, so why is the rasika jana, this rasika Vaisnava, Prabhodananda Sarawati, discussing this, because this book is all about amrta of Våndävana.
Våndävana is nothing but amrta, but that's nitya Våndävana, prakata Våndävana, where Rädhä and kåñëa and Their parishads reside eternally in bliss of rasa. But that time Prabhodananda Sarawati is living in aprakata Våndävana. Five hundred years ago, in Kaliya daha, Våndävana. And he is aware the affect of kali-yuga in Våndävana. This is not prakata Våndävana, Rädhä and kåñëa are not visible here in this bhauma Våndävana, They are on some other universe, visible. So is very much, there is a Mayic covering on Våndävana. So that means there is some danger, there is maya here. Some mahamaya, it is not all yogamaya.
When kåñëa is here, yogamaya is running the show in Våndävana. But now yogamaya is in background of Våndävana and mahamaya is in the foreground. Murders, rapes, drugs, prostitution, everything going on, drug trafficking, cheating, gambling. You see! It's not too hard to see. There is liquor store right there in Chattikara. In Goverdhana, four, five liquor stores, in dana ghati. That's yogamaya? Thats maha mahamaya. And they are not selling to the Punjabis from Delhi, they come for parikrama, they don't come here to drink. They come here to get punya, to get purified, to get attached to Rädhä and kåñëa. It's the locals. The quote unquote ‘Vrajavasis'.
So therefore there are some dangers for the sadhaka in Våndävana which are a type of visha, a type of poison. And if one takes poison then he will die and he can't experience amrta. So to experience the amrta of Våndävana one has to live in Våndävana consciousness, in devotional consciousness. So one must be savadhana Vaisnava. Be careful. Savadhana. Be careful.
And as I mentioned, when women hear these discussions, “O! These are chauvinistic sadhus” The writers of sastra. And now I thought Prabhodananda Sarawati was an exception, because he wrote Radha Rasa Sudha Nidhi, which is all the sweet, sudha. Radha Rasa Sudha Nidhi, it is an ocean of sudha, nectar about Rädhäräëé and the sakhis and manjaris and their sevas and blissful pastimes of Rädhä and kåñëa in Våndävana. And he wrote Navadvipa Sataka, beautiful book about the glories of Navadvipa. And he wrote Sangita Madhava, beautiful description of the rasa-lila, so much musical ragas described there and beautiful rendition of the pastimes. Sangita Madhava. Very topmost rasika author, Prabhodananda Sarawati. And now he is writing Våndävana Mahimarta and I thought, maybe I should just ignore these verses because it is a controversial subject. When you stop talking about the nectar, when you start talking about reality, then people, “Hey wait a minute man, I want the nectar” Nectar hounds. “Hooow hooow! Give me the nectar”
Well I am certainly an advocate of distributing Våndävana amrta. But we have to careful because mixed in this Våndävana amrta, there is some poison. You can't call Våndävana, poison. It's called maya visha. Maya visha means the poison bite, poison fangs of maya. And that cobra of maya can bite anyone.
So he is talking about women. Now let's look a more seriously about this. For a man maya is the form of woman. For a woman the form of man is maya. But now let's look at this word, as I mentioned yesterday after the internet.
That the word woman in Sanskrit means stri. Stri means to expand. So we gave a definition of a woman - woman means anyone who expands the field of sense gratification. Anyone who expands the field of material sense gratification is a woman.
So a man is also a woman. A man who is materially attached. Because the word woman, stri means female, stri means prakriti. Stri – female, woman. So prakriti means the material energy. Purusa prakriti. Purusa means male. Prakriti means female. Prakriti means this jagad prakriti, asta prakriti, the external energy, the maya sakti, His bahiranga sakti, the maya, the material world. The material world means maya. But maya doesn't mean woman. Maya means the material world, prakriti. There is also apara prakriti. Para prakriti and apara prakriti. So when we talk about maya, we talk about prakriti. And prakriti means female, female means woman and woman means stri. So stri means anyone who expands the field of prakriti or increases one's attachment and interest in prakriti, which means anyone who expands or increases one's interest in material world or material sense gratification is a woman. So a man can also be a woman by this definition.
For example, a very renounced and pious and pure hearted woman may marry a ‘man', a purusa, who is a total hedonist and carnal sense enjoyer. He drinks. He is non-veg. He eats meat. He likes to gamble. He likes to go to parties. He likes to do all non-devotional activities. No interest in devotion. No interest in visiting holy dhamas or doing tirtha yatras. No interest in sadhu sanga. No interest in charity or dana – ana dana, sastra dana or any type of charity for the benefit of others. Simply interested in eat, drink and be merry and be happy with your family. There are so many men like this. And there are so many pious religious women that are interested in devotion and they want to live a simple God-centered life. And practice devotion and associate with sadhus and worship deities in their house and offer Them food and live a sanctified life and seeking moksa. They understand that the purpose of life is dharma, artha, kama and moksa. Their husbands, when they bring out the subject. They can't bring out the subject. The husband says, “Shut up. I don't want to talk about that. I don't want to talk about death and moksa. Forget. That's somewhat old. Let's enjoy. Why are you talking all this non-sense. We are young and healthy. We are handsome and beautiful. Let's enjoy.” So that man is a woman.
So I would like to say that when sastras are warning about the perils of woman, one should say that that's any human being who is interested in material sense gratification. And attached to the material world and attached to staying here and exploiting and squeezing and getting as much pleasure as that living entity can out of the material world. Be they in male form or female form. This is what the acaryas and the writers of sastras mean when they talk about women.
But generally men are writing the sastras, so they are saying maya means woman. And that means may for a man is woman's form. Unless, woman is not woman and she is not maya and she is a pure devotee. She is your mukta, she is your mukti sparsa mani. She is your touchstone of liberation. If a sinful man marries a pious woman, he gets so much advantage, he gets so much punya sukriti, knowingly and unknowingly. Knowingly she may say, “I want to go to the temple, please take me.” “Alright, I will take you, but we have to go to the club afterwards.” So he goes to the temple and he goes and has darsana with his wife. Then she drags him to the temple and he gets agyata sukriti or knowingly. Then he drags her to the club and she tolerates and chants in her mind or remembers the Lord. So in this way, he gets so much benefit. So that's why we are pausing in our sailing across the ocean of nectar over last few weeks and we will continue to sail unless our boats go down, hit that iceberg and get sunk. But we hope to continue and sail. We are examining these icebergs for several days and considering what they mean.
So as we discuss these verses about ‘woman', I would like to ask all the pure souls that are inhabiting female gender, bodies, to not take offence or take this as anything personal of Prabhodananda Saraswati.
It is simply a warning to be careful of maya and maya is everywhere in this material world. She is the ruling queen, Durga. Material world is called Devi dhama. And it is not Våndädevi dhama. We know Våndädevi and we know Rädhädevi. But this is maya devi. Maya devi means durga devi. It is called devi dhama and then there is Hari dhama. So this is the devi dhama and she is the queen, queen Durga and those kings of this world; even kings worship a queen. Very funny! The powerful Indian kings with hundreds of their wives. King Dasaratha had 365 wives in treta yuga. Generally they have lots of wives and they are very powerful, wealthy, influential and strong. Ksatriya people, maharathis and fighters, they have the power and potency to influence somehow such a large harem of queens. “I am the ruling King, Jaisaingh, and these are my queens.”
But actually even the kings of India were all ruled by the queens, because all the kings from India got their power and blessings from Durga. Every single king of India is a worshipper, practically speaking, without exception, primarily, although secondarily may worship Visnu or Ganesa. But primarily they are all Durga worshippers. Because when you worship Durga, you get power. And being a king it is all about power. Physical power.
As a king you want to conquer kingdoms and raid them and loot them, loot their princess and daughters and wealth, then you have to be powerful. And certainly the kings of yore were extremely powerful. It was Durga prasad, all blessings of Durga. Durga Prasad singh, the king of Mewar. Sometimes they were named that. So they all had to worship the queen.
So we are hearing all these verses. This is chapter 9 verse 95.
The bottom line here is, nothing personal, because persons are atmas, spirit souls. We falsely identify with this body. And we think, “O this is personal”. What is personal? The body is personal? The body is a lump of chemicals and bones! The persona is the atma. Jivatma is the person, not the body.
“Hey, you are getting personal. Why are you talking about women. That's personal. I am a woman!”
You are not a ‘personal' woman, you are personal atma, single atma. “Hey, why are you talking about men, it is getting personal.” Nobody in this world ever gets personal.
Then somebody asks you some questions about your family, “Hey, why are you getting personal.” That's not personal. Personal means the atma. Hari katha. That's personal. Atma tattva jnana that is personal subjects, personal discussions, personal questions.
57.40
Mahanidhi Madana Gopala Dasa
#SrilaPrabhupada #Nandotsava #PrabhupadaOnNandotsava
My Friend You Begot a Son!
Srila Prabhupada said, “This date of Nandotsava is a very fortunate occasion. After Krishna's birth, Maharaja Nanda celebrated a ceremony and this day is called Nandotsava. Nanda Maharaja was a little elderly when Krishna was born. At that time, some of his friends came to congratulate, ‘My dear friend, you have got a son in your old age!’ To his friends, Nanda Maharaja said, ‘How can you say I am old? Can old man cannot beget a child. I am young man!’” (Folio 690905VP.HAM)
A Blissful Nandotsava in 1960
Remembering Srila Prabhupada, Shri Gopala Chandra Ghosh recounted, “In 1960 or ‘61, Krishna’s birth ceremony abhisheka was performed at the Radha Damodara Temple at midnight. The next day all temples celebrate Nandotsava, Nanda Babas festival honoring Lord Krishna’s birth. They throw rupees, offer fruits and wear new clothes in the temple. Curd and turmeric are mixed up and thrown on the visitors. They sing of how the son of Nanda appeared here in Gokula. This service is performed with kértana, dancing, and chanting of hari-nama.
“Later, I learned that this was Srila Prabhupada’s own appearance anniversary day. At that time, I saw Prabhupada very playfully dancing in the Radha Damodara Temple’s open courtyard. He was covered with this yellow-colored pauri, the prasada from Thakuraji Damodara. Prabhupada was dancing in Braja style, singing, “Nanda ke ananda bhaiyo, jai kanaiya lala ki”. I also saw him throwing some sugar candies, annas and paisas to the local small boys.” (Our Srila Prabhupada, a Friend to All)
“Nandu—My Childhood Name”
Once Srila Prabhupada said, “My birth name was Abhaya, which means there is no fear of death of this child. However, in my maternal uncle's house, because I was born on the Nandotsava, they always called me ‘Nandadulal.’ (Folio 770719R1.VRN)
Just Nandu
Once Srila Prabhupada told Yamuna dasi, “I am so glad that you remember my childhood name “Nandu”' given by one of my uncles.” (SPL 70-09-16)
Birth Tithi—Srila Prabhupada
In his diary, a disciple named Shri Tamala Krishna Goswami writes that Srila Prabhupada said, “I was born on Nandotsava. It was a Tuesday, Mithuni Rasi, Mrgashirsha nakshatra.”
Sri Krishna Nandotsava ki jai! Srila Prabhupada Janamotsava ki jai!
Nandadulal ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!
Mahanidhi Swami
We present this essay, based on scientific research, to help aspiring devotees recognize THE NEED TO TAKE REST EARLY each night (latest by 10 p.m.), and to rise by 4 a.m. each morning in order to chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and attain the perfection of human life.
After conducting hundreds of experiments on sleep and health, the world’s leading scientists have discovered that to keep optimum health, one should sleep early and RISE BEFORE SUNRISE. The best hours of sleep for your body are between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The scientists say going to sleep at 11 p.m., 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. is extremely harmful to human health, and is a direct cause of many modern “killer diseases” such as heart disease and cancer.
Nature acts and moves according to precise rhythm cycles influenced by the rotation of the earth, sun and moon. Daily the sun rises and sets, the seasons come and go, the moon waxes and wanes, and the ocean tides rise and fall. The function of sleeping and wakefulness is part of this natural rhythm.
In Nature, one finds that the animals and plants are awake and asleep in tune with these rhythms. human beings also have natural rhythms. Our human bodies, like Mother Nature, function according to natural cycles, body rhythms commonly called the internal body clock or the biological clock.
Disruptions of the natural functions of our biological clock due to improper habits and incorrect sleeping patterns cause many different diseases. When our bodies are out of balance and not functioning in harmony with nature, nothing seems to feel right. This is because hormones, chemicals and neurotransmitters that determine our energy levels, vitality, and how we feel, sleep and eat are out of sync. In other words, we are imbalanced and out of tune with our biological clock. We are going against the natural harmony established by mother nature and Bhagavan Sri Krishna.
Before the introduction of electricity in Indian villages, people would just naturally just go to bed shortly after sunset, as most animals do and which Nature intended for humans as well. The best hours of sleep for your body are the hours of 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. These hours and what your body is naturally programmed to do during these hours are governed by the movements of the sun and the 24-hour natural rhythm cycle of your internal body clock; both of which are beyond your control.
During these times (10 p.m. –6 a.m.), the human body is meant to be at a state of rest, repair, detoxification (elimination of waste products and poisons) and rejuvenation. Due to TV, computer, cell phones and Internet absorption most people nowadays are foolishly going against the natural order and design of our body. As a result, we will pay the price by getting various diseases and problems. For example, if your body is overtaxed digesting a heavy late meal or you are up late (after 10 p.m.) working, playing, watching TV or computer, your vital body energy is focused there and not available for rest and rejuvenation. Remember: Bad action brings bad reaction!
We are free to stay up late, and we make that choice. And thus we ignore our bodies, which want to rest so they can do the many things needed to keep us healthy. Let your mind rest once and a while, and give your body some time, so it can do what it has to do to reward you with good health.
The saying is “Health is the greatest wealth”. The main internal organs of your body work according to a “Time Schedule”. Knowing how your body works can help you regulate your schedule in order to attain the optimum level of health and well-being.
The biological clock and your internal organs
9.00 p.m. – 11.00 p.m.: At this time, your body eliminates toxic chemicals from the immune system (lymph nodes). It is best to be sound asleep by 9 p.m. or 10 for your body to properly execute this important function.
11.00 p.m. – 1.00 a.m.: This is the time your liver eliminates poisons and rejuvenates itself. It is best to be sound asleep by 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. for your body to properly execute this important function.
12.00 midnight to 4.00 a.m.: This is the time your bone marrow produces blood.
1.00 a.m. – 3.00 a.m.: This is the time your gall bladder eliminates toxins and rejuvenates itself.
3.00 a.m. – 5.00 a.m.: This is the time your lungs eliminate toxins and rejuvenate themselves.
5.00 a.m. – 7.00 a.m.: This is the time your colon eliminates poisons and rejuvenates itself. This is the proper time to empty your bowel.
7.00 a.m. – 9.00 a.m.: This is the time that vitamins, minerals, proteins and nutrients are absorbed in your small intestines. You should definitely eat breakfast at this time.
Scientists have concluded that everyone should go to bed early (falling asleep by 10 p.m.) to obtain quality sleep, which will ensure proper physical regeneration. When you cooperate with your internal biological clock and allow Nature to take her course, you will feel refreshed, joyful and energized when you wake up (by 4 a.m., of course!). Going to bed before 10 p.m. is essential to keep the human body in tune with Nature and to remain healthy, happy and holy.
material scientists have concluded that the average human being needs 8 hours of sleep per day, which is best obtained by sleeping between 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. However, if you follow a spiritual path by eating sattvic vegetarian food [especially Krishna prasadam], your body becomes healthy, light and sanctified. And by chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and engaging in Krishna’s devotion, your mind becomes purified, pacified and relaxed.
Although, most people require 8 hours daily sleep, Krishna devotees usually only need 6 hours or less to maintain ideal health because their spiritual practices produce tremendous physical energy, mental peace, purity and internal harmony. Wanting all his followers to rise at 4 a.m., Srila Prabhupada said, “We request everyone to rise early in the morning by 4 a.m.” (NOI pg. 34)
If possible (if there’s a will, there’s a way), everyone should follow the golden rule to rise at 4 a.m. in order to be healthy, mentally happy and progress nicely in spiritual life. There is a saying, and it’s true: “Early to bed—early to rise—makes one healthy, wealthy and wise”, provided of course that you chant Krishna’s Holy Names and serve Sri Krishna, Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas. Obviously to rise by 4 a.m, you must sleep early. Practice makes perfect. You have to try sincerely to change your schedule and work towards this goal of taking rest at 10 p.m. and rising at 4 a.m.
16 Scientific tips for good rest
1. Cave Like darkness: The bedroom should be pitch-black, so you can’t even see your hand in front of your face, which means no bright lights, clock lights, night lights or any light coming in from the windows. why? When we sleep in total darkness, the human brain produces a hormone called melatonin. Melatonin is an important antioxidant which protects our DNA structure and prevents cancer. Tests prove that even a small amount of light hitting the skin almost immediately shuts off the production of melatonin.
2. Daily go outside and get natural sunlight: This helps regulate your biological clock and increases the production of melatonin, which promotes well-balanced sleeping patterns.
3. Daily exercise: At least thirty minutes a day will help improve the quality of your sleep.
4. Avoid bright lights: One should avoid keeping bright lights on inside the house before going to bed. At this time, bright light hitting the eye disrupts the bio-rhythm of the pineal gland and shuts off your melatonin production.
5. Hot shower before bed: This relaxes the body and helps you fall asleep quickly.
6. Sleep as early as possible: You should be in bed and FAST asleep by 10 p.m.
7. Wear Socks to Bed: This applies to cold climates only.
8. the bedroom should be free from electromagnetic field: Do not keep a TV, computer or any other electronic item in your bedroom because they create strong electromagnetic field which disrupts the quality of your sleep.
9. Fresh Air: Open the window at least a crack to get fresh air to circulate while sleeping.
10. Avoid fluids: Do not drink any fluids two hours before sleep.
11. Sleep Regulation: Get up and go to sleep at the same time every day. If you are up late one night, still rise at your usual time and nap later in the day.
12. Daytime Nap: If one needs to take a nap in the day, it should not be longer than one hour for optimal rejuvenation, rest and repair. If you nap longer, it will disrupt the night-time sleep quality.
13. Avoid Noise: Because it disrupts sleep.
14. Hot Water Bottle: To relieve tension and anxiety, place a hot water bottle between the navel and the bottom of your ribcage.
15. Head Massage: To relax before sleeping.
16. Foot Rub: Rub ghee or sesame oil on the bottom of your feet to promote restful sleep.
We hope this essay will help everyone understand the extreme importance of sleeping at the proper time, and rising early in order to realize the full potential of this rare and valuable form of human life. Our heartfelt desire is that each and every one will live a long healthy life full of Krishna bhakti, spiritual happiness, and attain the ultimate perfection of Radha Govinda’s eternal loving service in the groves of Vrindavana.
Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Giridhari Shyama ki jai! Sridhama Vrindavana ki jai!
Mahanidhi Swami
Your goal of life and mine is love of God—Krishna prema—immaculate, unadulterated pure loving devotion to Radha and Krishna. As devotees, we all think about prema, we read about prema, we hear about prema, we discuss prema, we hanker for prema, we look for prema, we want prema, and we all hope to one day attain Krishna prema.
But such a coveted and cherished pure goal of life is rarely attained. While describing the means to attain pure love of Sri Krishna, Srila Sanatana Goswamipada states that mercy or compassion is the main cause.
Let’s examine six factors necessary for the attainment of Krishna prema, and see how we can incorporate them into our daily lives.
1. Mercy: The prime cause of Sri Krishna prema is mercy, nidanam param prema, Sri Krishna karuna bharah.
2. Meditation: Prema develops by regularly meditating upon Krishna’s sweet Vraja lilas, Vraja krida-dhyana.
3. Singing: Daily sing about Krishna’s sweet Vraja lilas (lila-kirtana), Vraja krida gana.
4. Association: Mix with Krishna premi-bhaktas, rasa loka sanga.
5. Residence: Live alone in Vrindavana in a favorite pastime place (lila-sthali), of Sri Krishna like Radha Kunda, Govardhana, Seva Kunja or Varsana, priya krida vana raha nivasa.
6. Humility: The root and foundation of prema is to always, in all places cultivate the utmost humility in your thoughts, words and deeds, sthitam sarvatra dainya mulakam. (Br. Bhag. II.5.215-223)
Radha Govinda Yugala prema ki jai!
Krishna krpa ki jai!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!
Mahanidhi Swami
The final moment, Death, waits for all, patiently counting day by day. Sastras advise us to remember Narayana or Krishna at the time of death and thereby gain liberation from the samsara. Calling out Bhagavan’s Holy Name as Ajamila did saying, “Narayana!” is the best way to remember God at the end, ante narayana smrti.
But what is the fate of a devotee who does not or cannot chant, and just dies while sleeping, in a coma, or who quietly breathes his last surrounded by well-wishers? Through memory a dying person can also attain perfection. In Gita 8.6, Sri Krishna says that the mood or bhava you are always cherishing in your mind and heart at death determines your future position.
yaà yaà väpi smaran bhävaà, tyajaty ante kalevaram
taà tam evaiti kaunteya, sadä tad-bhäva-bhävita
One of the last verses of the Ishopanisad (17) describes the moment of death, wherein the pious one cries out to God, “Om! O my Lord! Now let my body be burnt to ashes, and let my prana vayu merge with the totality of air. Please remember all my sacrifices and all that I have done for You!”
väyur anilam amåtam, athedaà bhasmäntaà çaréram
oà krato smara kåtaà smara, krato smara kåtaà smara (17)
In his commentary, Vedanta Deshika says, “The repetition of krato smara krtam smara means that the devotee is urging the Lord to act quickly.” [because he’s dying]
Then acharya Deshika quotes a wonderful verse to prove that the affectionate Lord, bhakta-vatsala Bhagavan Sri Krishna, never forsakes his dear devotee, no matter in what condition he leaves his body.
Lord Vishnu said, “I remember My devotee, who is dying like wood or stone [meaning senseless or without thoughts at that time], and take him to the spiritual world.” Varaha Purana
tatas tam mriyamanam tu, kashtha pashana sannibham
aham smarami mad-bhaktam, nayami paramam gatim
May these wise words solace the hearts of all, and encourage everyone to love Sri Krishna fully, confident that the Lord will be there at that last moment.
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!
Mahanidhi Swami
In verse 11 of Manah Siksha, Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswamipada addresses his mind, and reveals five essential practices which will quickly bring Krishna prema.
He says, “Radha Giridhari are forever overwhelmed by divine erotic love (smara vivaso). O mind! You can attain the direct service of this Playful Pair (sakshat seva), and Their eternal associates in Vraja by devotedly worshiping Giri Govardhana every day, and by performing these five nectar-filled practices mentioned by Srila Rupa Goswamipada:
1) Ijya: Worship Radha Govinda Yugala, archana.
2) Akhya: Describe the names, forms, qualities and pastimes of Radha-Madhava and Their associates, sankirtana.
3) Dhyana: Meditate upon Radha-Krishna’s asta-kaliya-lila in Vrindavana, lila-smarana.
4) Shravana: Hear about the glories and pastimes of Radha Govinda Yugala.
5) Nati: Offer prostrated obeisances, dandavats, to the Divine Pair, Their lila-sthalis and Their devotees in order to develop intense humility”
In summary, Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswamipada is saying that bhajana siddhi, or perfection in devotion, comes to those who worship Sri Sri Radha-Krishna with these five items, which are the essense of bhajana. One needs only to worship, hear, chant and remember Sri Sri Radha-Krishna along with the utmost submission and humility.
Vraja bhajana ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!
