An ocean of mercy

 An ocean of mercy, by  Haripada dasa

Srila Prabhupada is an ocean of mercy. The spiritual master receives the blessing of the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to put it out, the spiritual master releases the afflicted material world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances to the lotus feet of that spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.

I share a very moving story, we were in Vrindavana, India, in the house of some Italian devotees, we were respecting some maha-prasada pizzas, a very old disciple of Srila Prabhupada arrived, I don't remember her name, but I know she was Lohitaksa's wife , she told us that Srila Prabhupada was in the temple in New York and they were doing guru puja, suddenly a person with very long hair and a beard and very dirty entered the temple as if it were a dog on all fours. He headed towards Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada recognized him immediately, and crying at Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet told him several times that forgive me I have failed you, Srila Prabhupada crying was stroking his head, and all the devotees in the guru puja were crying, then that person left and no one ever heard from him.

A few years ago I was talking to an Iskcon guru in Vrindavana, India, he told me that Srila Prabhupada deviated from the guru-parampara by ordering his disciples to initiate in his name or the Ritvik philosophy, as this philosophy does not come in the Sastras or Scriptures, when I heard this I thought that this person has less intelligence than a mosquito, I told him that Srila Prabhupada distributes his mercy to everyone, but if you do not want to obtain it, the fault is yours, Srila Prabhupada ordered his disciples who initiated in his name, this is supported by a special document that Srila Prabhupada sent to all Iskcon from Vrindavana, India, on July 9, 1977, anyone can read this document, and if you do not want to obey this order, blame It is not from Srila Prabhupada but from you. I also told him that according to Harinama-chintamani, the result of offending the guru is that one becomes a mayavadi or atheist. Then some years passed and we also saw each other in Vrindavana, and he said sorry for what I told you several years ago, I replied that you should not ask forgiveness from me, but from Srila Prabhupada.

Helping each other

 

 Helping each other, by Haripada dasa

As I understand it, association with devotees means helping each other, and if in this association we see someone who has a lot of hypocrisy, personal interests and contradictions, our duty for the good of that person and of others is to help him, Srila Prabhupada He said that I am very proud to have had a disciple like Jayananda prabhu, and he also said that everyone should follow his example, the essence of Jayananda prabhu's life is that everything he did was to make Srila Prabhupada happy, not in him there were personal interests, having personal interests in Krishna consciousness is terrible, I once sent a message entitled the spiritual aspect, the essence of this message is that Srila Prabhupada taught us in practice that when the spiritual aspect is very strong, God or Krishna is very satisfied and reciprocates with giving a lot of intelligence and material opulence, association of devotees means open relationship based on love and trust, should We should ask each other, how are your 16 rounds going, you are singing them, you are following the 4 regulative principles, you are reading Srila Prabhupada's books, when there is a good relationship with the devotees we overcome our hypocrisy and impersonalism, I share a very nice poem From Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura who has helped me a lot, he always said: "Forget the past, it is asleep, and in the future your heart should not dream, and in the present you must become Krishna conscious, that is your obligation."

When Srila Prabhupada came to the USA, he wrote some very beautiful poems, in one of them he said that when all the souls who are suffering in this material world are happy in Krishna consciousness, the wish of the Acharyas or authorized spiritual teachers will have been fulfilled. . That is the only wish of a true devotee, that everyone be happy in Krishna consciousness. About leadership in Krishna consciousness, my humble opinion is that a leader is the one who has the most capacity to serve, Jesus always said if you want to be a leader become the servant of all, I share that Srila Prabhupada gave readings of the Nectar of Devotion in The 1972 Kartika at the Sri Radha Damodara in Vrindavana, its themes were the association of devotees, the position of the spiritual master and living in Vrindavana. "The spiritual master should be treated as Hari, the Supreme Person, although he is offered the same respect as Hari, he must think that he is a humble servant of Hari and everyone, he thinks of his disciples as if they were his spiritual teachers , that is the position, he must think that Krishna has sent him many spiritual masters, he does not think of himself as a spiritual master, he thinks that he is a servant, because they have to be trained, Krishna has named him as the one who is going to train them, therefore he must think that he is the servant of his disciples. "

The Symptom of Love

 

The Symptom of Love, by Haripada dasa

Years ago, a devotee named Devarsi prabhu translated some things from the books of conversations into Spanish and gave me those translations, I remember reading there an interview between Sria Prabupada and one of her disciple, Srila Prabhupada said that I will be a Christian and you will be Hare Krishna, Srila Prabhupada told him that we have millions and millions of followers, temples, etc., and you are very few, the devotee said but we have love for God or Krishna and that is the important thing, Srila Prabhupada told him He said that we also have love for God and we go to church and pray to him, the devotee told him that if you had love for God you would obey his orders, Jesus ordered you not to kill and you have the best slaughterhouses, and Srila Prabhupada told him that there It is where I wanted to take you, the symptom that you love God is that you obey his orders, a person who does not know God or love him cannot obey God's orders. Today there are many groups of Christians, and also of Hare Krishnas, so that they do not deceive you you must see if these people are obeying the orders of Jesus and Srila Prabhupada.

One of the points of the philosophy of Krishna consciousness is that we are not interested in the opinions of an ordinary person, ordinary people have four kinds of defects, the first defect is that they tend to make mistakes, another defect is being in illusion , the third defect is the propensity to deceive and finally our senses are imperfect. Any opinion that is not the revealed truth, lacks any value, the revealed truth means, the truth, or scripture that comes from a reliable source, the chain of disciplic succession formed by genuine spiritual teachers is the reliable source; for these people are pure and self-realized souls, and they are free from the four defects mentioned above. You can fool yourself and others, but no one can fool God or Krishna and His pure devotees.

In Srimad Bhagavatam, 5, 26, 15 Srila Prabhupada says that whether we are Hindu, Muslim or Christian, we must all follow the religious principles that correspond to us. However, whoever invents his own religious path, or does not follow any religious principle, will be punished in hell.

Krishna consciousness

 

Krishna consciousness, by Haripada dasa

When Srila Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in 1965 in New York, a friend of his told him why he did not put God consciousness instead of Krishna, and Srila Prabhupda replied that Dio is somewhat vague, but Krishna is something concrete, and if someone does not know that Krishna is God, come here and we will explain it to them.

In the preface to Krishna's book Srila Prabhupada explains why Krishna is God: Now, one can ask the question why is Krishna the Supreme Personality of Godhead? The answer is, because He conforms exactly and in detail to the descriptions of the Supreme Being, the Divine, in other words, Krishna is God because He is supremely attractive. Beyond the principle of supreme attraction, there is no other meaning of the word "God." How can someone be supremely attractive? First of all, if someone is very rich, if he possesses great wealth, then he becomes an attractive person to people in general. Similarly, if someone is very powerful, he also becomes an attractive person; and if someone is very famous, very beautiful, or wise, or detached from all kinds of possessions, he also becomes an attractive person. Thus, from practical experience we can observe that one is attractive thanks to: 1) wealth, 2) power, 3) fame, 4) beauty, 5) wisdom and 6) renunciation. One who possesses all these six opulences simultaneously, and who possesses them to an unlimited degree, is understood to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Parasara Muni, a great Vedic authority describes these opulences of God. We have seen many rich, powerful, famous, beautiful, learned and learned people; we have seen many people who belong to the renounced order of life and who are detached from material possessions, but we have never seen anyone like Krishna in the history of mankind, who was simultaneously and unlimitedly rich, powerful, famous, beautiful , wise and detached. Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is a historical person who appeared on this planet five thousand years ago and behaved just like a human being; but his activities were unparalleled, from the moment of his appearance to the moment of his disappearance. Each of their activities is unique in the history of the world, and consequently whoever knows what we mean by the word "God" will accept Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. No one is equal to God, and no one is greater than Him. That is the meaning of the family proverb "God is great."

Krishna consciousness means the art of focusing our attention on God and giving him our love. Many people think that they will be happy promoting the cause of moral principles and religious rites, others think that they will be happy in economic development, and others through sense gratification, but the truth is that people can only be happy loving God or Krishna. And all the great representatives of God in different cultures like Jesus Christ, Srila Prabhupada, Muhammad, Confucius, etc. preach this truth: Love God above all things, and your neighbor as yourself. Krishna consciousness is not a sectarian but a universal process, and it is practiced all over the world, Srila Prabhupada always said that Krishna consciousness is simple for the simple-hearted and for those who are serious and sincere and it is complicated for those of twisted mind. Although the origin of Krishna consciousness is India, punya bhumi the land of piety, the caste system ruined the entire spiritual culture of India, so Srila Prabhupada came to the west to preach Krishna consciousness and then went to India with its Western disciples and Hindus were very surprised that Westerners full of love for God chanted the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. It is very interesting what Srila Prabhupada says in the introduction to the Bhagavad Gita about the difference between faith and sanatana dharma, faith can change, we see that a Christian becomes Muslim, or becomes Hindu, or vice versa, but sanatana dharma it does not change, sanatana means eternal, and dharma means duty, the eternal duty of the eternal spiritual soul is to serve God or Krishna and His devotees.

Personally I am very happy and happy to see that so many people are interested in knowing God and loving him, it is a fact that today there is a great spiritual awakening throughout the world, and that there are more and more peaceful dialogues between religions, The other day a friend of mine told me that Pope Francis spoke about the law of karma and when Srila Prabhupada was asked what he thought about Jesus Christ, he always said that Jesus Christ is our spiritual master, thank God we are no longer of the age In the middle of the Inquisition era, that for saying that the Earth was round they burned you at the stake, while that was happening in the West in India Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu and his associates were discussing the Srimad Bhagavatam that informs us of the nature of all planets of the universe and the distances between all the planets in a scientific way.

Most beneficial

 

Most beneficial, by Haripada dasa

By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada we understand and accept that there is nothing more beneficial than associating with the pure devotees of God or Krishna, the association with the pure devotees of God or Krishna is more valuable than all the riches of the Universe and more valuable than going To the heavenly planets, a moment of association with the pure devotees of God or Krishna can free you from birth, death, old age and disease and go back home to God or Krishna.

If the association with the pure devotees of God or Krishna is so valuable because people do not associate with them, the answer is that the generality of the people or the heads of families think that their main duty is to give themselves to solve family problems , and that self-realization or enlightenment in spiritual knowledge is a secondary matter, and it is also that such people are very poor of heart that is why they do not associate with the pure devotees of God or Krishna.

I remember a class by Srila Prabhupada who said that people think that the time I am listening to a class of the Bhagavad Gita or the Bhagavatam, that time is better used to be in the office or at work and thus earn money. It is a very practical fact that one's desires and ambitions develop according to the company one has. If one maintains association with the devotees of God or Krishna, he will surely develop love for God or Krishna.

I share this beautiful verse from the Srimad-Bhagavatam (3-25-25) which says: “Conversations about the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the company of pure devotees are very pleasant and satisfying to the ear and heart. One who cultivates this knowledge gradually advances along the path of liberation until he is liberated and his attraction is fixed. Then true devotion and true devotional service begin. "

Those who think that the great Masters like Srila Prabhupada and other Masters of the disciplic succession die, they reason eternally in their instructions and those who obey them live with them.

Srila Prabhupada's Men

 

Srila Prabhupada's Men, by Haripada dasa

Srila Prabhupada's men are people who have decided to use their lives to please Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada's men are by nature meek and humble, but when they see that there are people who offend Srila Prabhupada they are like lightning bolts. In the same way that drug addicts cannot do without their drug, Srila Prabhupada's men cannot live without reading Srila Prabhupada's books every day. Srila Prabhupada's men are always making plans for people to be happy in Krishna or God consciousness. Srila Prabhupada's men are the smartest people because they are always chanting Hare Krishna. Srila Prabhupada's men love even their enemies. Srila Prabhupada's men never engage in sense gratification. Srila Prabhupada's men are the only people who have overcome lower taste by finding great satisfaction in higher taste.

Srila Prabhupada's men are assured of their return home, their return to Godhead. Srila Prabhuada's men use everything for the service of Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga. Srila Prabhupada's men are obedient to Srila Prabhupada's instructions. Srila Prabhupada's men have no time for maya. Srila Prabhupada's men understand and accept that Srila Prabhupada is the Acharya through his books for the next 10,000 years. Srila Prabhupada's men establish relationships with other devotees based on spiritual love and trust. Srila Prabhupada's men are very careful to offend any moving or immobile living entity. Srila Prabhupada's men have found a taste in being the servants of others. Srila Prabhupada's men have decided that their love is for Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada's men understand and accept that many unauthorized people have used Srila Prabhupada for a living.

Srila Prabhupada's men understand and accept that Srila Prabhupada is our direct link to the guru-parampara. Srila Prabhupada's men understand and accept that Srila Prabhupada is the Jagat-guru the guru of the universe and to all devotees who have accepted Srila Prabhupada as the way, the truth and the life offer their respectful obeisances. Srila Prabhupada's men establish a friendly relationship and see all the devotees who have accepted Srila Prabhupada as their Gurudeva as godbrothers. Srila Prabhupada's men obey Srila Prabhupada's order to initiate on his behalf, they don't speculate.

Serious and sincere

 

Serious and sincere, by Haripada dasa

Srila Prabhupada always said that the devotee must be serious and sincere in his Krishna consciousness practices, this also applies to mothers, serious and sincere means that one does not deceive himself or others, in others In other words, one is not a hypocrite, we in a practical way show Srila Prabhupada and God or Krishna that we are serious and sincere when we practice verses 2 and 3 of the Nectar of Instruction, there it is said that when someone becomes too entangled in the After six activities, your devotional service is ruined; (1) Eating more than necessary, or accumulating more funds than required; (2) trying too hard for worldly things that are too hard to get; (3) talking unnecessarily about worldly subjects; (4) follow the rules and regulations of the Scriptures solely for following them and not to advance spiritually, or reject the rules and regulations of the Scriptures and work independently or whimsically; (5) associate with people of worldly inclinations who are not interested in cultivating Kṛishna consciousness; and (6) covet worldly achievements and there are six principles that favor the performance of pure devotional service: (1) be enthusiastic, (2) strive with confidence. (3) be patient, (4) act according to regulative principles [such as śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇam: hearing, chanting and remembering Kṛishna, (5) leaving the company of nondevotees, and (6) following in the footsteps of the previous ācāryas. These six principles undoubtedly ensure the complete success of pure devotional service.

In the Padma Purana it is said that so that we are not inhabitants of hell we have to be very careful with these 4 things, 1- see the Deity of Krishna as if it were a stone, 2- consider that the chanting of the Maha-Mantra Hare Krishna , Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare (the H is read as J for j), it is a worldly sound vibration, 3- see the charanamrita, or the water that washes the Deities as simple running water and 4- see the devotees from the material point of view.