Classes of people, Srimad Bhagavatam, New Year tomorrow...

Verse 1.4.24: As explained in the past, once we understand that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vedas and Updanishads also confirm the same.

Not anyone or everyone can comment on the Vedas. Srila Prabhupada is saying: A class of men, who claim brahminical qualification simply by their birthright in the family of a brahmana, claim that the study of the Vedas is a monopoly of the brahmana caste only. Another section of the people take this as an injustice to members of other castes, who do not happen to take birth in a brahmana family. But both of them are misguided.

But if you have taken birth materially in a lower caste, but you are vibrating the Holy Name on your tongue, then you are a brahmana. But if somebody is born as a brahmana, but does not behave so, then he is not a brahmana. Srimad Bhagavatam is making it very clear.

So what is our qualification, it is pure devotional service.

For people in the mode of passion and ignorance, Srila Vyasadev wrote Mahabharata. For people in the spiritual mode, self-realization, he wrote Srimad Bhagavatam. For reading this, we should come out of body consciousness.

Srimad Bhagavatam does not give material benefits. It will remove the 3-fold miseries and bring us out of the cycle of birth and death. At once, you will put onto the platform of Brahman. That is Srimad Bhagavatam.

This world is a place of misery, always there is some problem. Even if we are happy, it is temporary. So Krishna is telling, this is not our abode, so come back. And this Srimad Bhagavatam brings us to the Brahma-buta platform.

Tomorrow is New Year:
For a circle, there is no beginning and no end. Like-wise, for the cycle of birth and death, there is no beginning and no end. For devotees, every day is new beginning. For a person situated in the material world, every day brings him closer to death, his life-span is reducing. But there is only one person, for whom by every, his life-span is not reducing. That person is he who is chanting the Holy name of Krishna, for he is getting closer and closer to going back to Krishna, Who is beyond time itself. So our aim is to be steady, take spiritual responsibilities and keep moving forward with our goal always being to serve Krishna.

Disappearance Day of Srila Jiva Goswami!

Disappearance Day of Srila Jiva Goswami:
* Son of Anupam, brother of Srila Rupa and Sanatana Goswami
* Srila Jiva Goswami has written so many volumes of books on Vedic Philosophy, apprx 400000 verses
* Usually, we should not skip acharya's and approach previous acharya's. But there is an exception, on their appearance day and disappearance day, we can directly approach the acharya and seek his blessings for our spiritual life
* Srila Prabhupada: Srila Jiva Goswami is the greatest philosophers of all time.
* His books hold immense vedic knowledge

Division and Dissemination of the Vedas...

Verse 1.4.20-24: Srila Vyasadev divided the vedas into four divisions. Paila Rsi became the professor of the Rg Veda, Jaimini the professor of the Sama Veda, and Vaisampayana alone became glorified by the Yajur Veda. Then other sages like Angira, Romaharsana etc. took portions of the Vedas and have carefully delineated and imparted the knowledge to the masses. This Romaharsana is the father of Srila Suta Goswami.

Going back, Romaharsana was giving a Bhagavatam lecture. That time Balaramji came there, but Romaharsana did not stand up. Then we all know how Balaramji punished him for this negligence.
Moral: Mere knowledge is not enough. Just reciting the Vedas is not enough. We need to understand that Krishna is to be known from the Vedas, that is their real purpose.

Some Upanishads speak of the impersonal form of Lord. That's why Krishna Himself in Bhagavad-gita, which is also known as Gitopanishad, tells us about the Personal Supreme Lord, Himself.

Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita that He is the owner of everything material and spiritual. Whoever understands this will surrender to Him.

The exalted devotees apply the knowledge of Srimad Bhagavatam is given in Caitanya Caritamrta. So these 3 books are enough for us, for us to go back to Godhead. All this is due to the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, coming in the succession of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

That's why Chanting is the way. We should take it very seriously, if we are interested in self-realization. If we do that, it is very easy.

Purpose of the Vedas...

Verse 1.4.19: Here it is being explained that Srila Vyasadev divided the one Veda present into 4 Vedas, just to make it easy for the purification of the people in Kaliyuga. So purification is the real purpose here. And Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Samhitas etc are the fifth Veda.

Purpose of the Vedas: To know who Krishna is, to know about Krishna.
Interesting verse in Bhagavad-gita too, that states that the main purpose of all our activities is to know Krishna in full.

Second point, is the purification process. Unless one purifies himself, he will not be able to know Krishna. In this age, the main purificatory process is of chanting the Holy Name. Following the four regulative principles, along with chanting the Holy Names is the process in the age for purifying ourselves.

Vedas are thus the guiding light for knowing Krishna. Again here, the 10 offenses while chanting the holy name must be avoided in order for us to move forward in this path.

Effects of Kaliyuga....

Verse 1.4.17-18: When Vyasadev sat in meditation, with his vision he forsaw what is going to happen in Kaliyuga. He could see that in terms of life span, memory, height, agricultural produce, everything is in reduced scale in this age.

When someone is involved in satisfying their lustful propensities, their name, fame, life span, desire for going back home to Godhead is all reduced. In this age, this is so much prevalent.

Disease starts from the mind. If we have unhealthy ideas and a strong desire to enjoy independent of Krishna, that will show its effect on the body eventually, manifesting in the form of disease.

Vyasadev could actually foresee all these degradations in Kaliyuga.
9th Canto SB says, if we are too lusty and give up shy, then what happens, then such habits (like alcoholics) become natural, due to the weakness of the heart (hrdaya-daurbalyam). This can happen with chanting also. We might not fight to keep the mind on the Holy name. We will just complete the rounds with our mind elsewhere. Hence it is very very important to chant sincerely.

But what is the hope of Kaliyuga: By chanting the Holy Name of Krishna, we can go back to the spiritual world. We have a jewel with us, but Maya will try to take it away from us,little by little. That's why when maya tells don't chant, we should chant. When maya tells don't associate with devotees, we should associate.

Small talk on Jesus Christ's birth: Christmas!

Appearance Day of Jesus Christ: Today is a very Holy Day.
He is a shakytavesha avatara. He is a jiva, a vaishnava, sent to this world to mainly prevent insist in the society at that time.

Most of the people were shepherds, did not know the principles of God. Jesus Christ was sent as an acharya, Guru to help them all understand love of God. Srila Prabhupada says in Australia, that he came there not to convert, but to make them better Christians, better lovers of God.

Jesus Christ and his pastimes: It all happened in Jerusalem. It was a place of humility.
Point: Mary Magdalene, a prostitute, was condemned to death for her sins. She genuinely agreed that she has done sins and now wanted to reform, took the shelter of Jesus. Jesus accepted her and saved her from her imminent death. She became a follower of Jesus Christ's teachings.
Her firm commitment to her Guru, her service attitude, willingness to risk the life for her spiritual master, she is even now worshiped with her statue being erected in various churches.

Jesus Christ and his followers were arrested and crucified by the Romans and others. But still he prayed from the cross that please my Lord, excuse them from all these sins.

....

Compassion is another quality that Jesus Christ has exhibited. But today, his teachings are diluted.

....

He came at the time when stealing, killing, insist was common in the society. He came to preach these basic principles of humanity to people of that society. And even for such basic teachings, they crucified him. Jesus Christ said he knew a lot of things, but the people at that time were not in a position to understand all that, so he just gave them what they could understand.

Oneness and difference between Brahmanas and Parivrajakacharhya's

Verse 1.4.13: Bhagavatam is a ripened fruit of Vedic literature. The difference between bhakti and rituals is nicely described here. What is the use of parrot-like recitation of Vedic rituals, eventually the persons who practice this themselves go away. Brahmanas have by-hearted these mantras and they perform rituals, but the people sitting in the puja do not understand what is happening, they just sit there to get some material benefits. But the younger generation not understanding the mantras, go away, give it up. That is why today India is so vulnerable.

...

Genuine devotion is required for people to be attracted. Vaishnava acharya's, because of their devotion, it is not spreading all across the world.

Vedas lead to Upanishads and Bhagavad-gita is the topmost Upanishad. That is, surrender to Krishna is the topmost essence of all Vedic literature. That is why we are reading Srimad Bhagavatam today.

Maharaj Parikshit, a just ruler!

Verse 1.4.12: Basically the rulers should work for the welfare of the citizens. Maharaj Parikshit would take care of all the living beings, including animals, and ensure that their needs are met. Eg: Maharaj Parikshit is ready to kill the sudra, in the dress of a ksatriya, who is trying to kill a cow.

The head should make sure that the essential needs of the family members are met, and should impart spiritual knowledge too. How to do this:
1) Association of devotees
2) Chanting of Holy names
3) Krishna Prasadam
4) Serving Vaishnavas

Qualities of Maharaj Parikshit, Haridasavarya...

Verse 1.4.10 and 11: These 2 verses are talking about the glory of Maharaj Parikshit. He was born in the Pandu family, he inherited the whole kingdom, the whole world. Usually when you become a devotee, automatically all the good qualities of this world and all the higher planets manifest in you.

Bhagavatam explains, one should become the devotee of Krishna (Krishna is the property of the impoverished), when you become His devotee, all the qualities that the demi-gods possess are inherited by you. As for non-devotees, where are the good qualities, it is none. They want something, some name, some fame, some fortune, there is no room for a non-devotee to have all these qualities.

Sometimes it may be difficult to deal with devotees than non-devotees. But in such circumstances too, it is better to deal with devotees since their heart is pure and they are in the correct path. Deal with non-devotees only till the place where you can preach to them.

There are 3 Haridasavarya (very very exalted pure devotees, very expert in serving other, very amazing serving attitude): Maharaj Parikshit, Maharaj Yudhistir and Giriraj Govardhan. They are expert in serving the devotees of Krishna.

Gopi's are considered the topmost of the devotees, but they are themselves praising Govardhan hill, he is the topmost haridasavarya.

Sometimes, humility, the devotees consider it as meek. But no, it is not so. Definition of Humility: By the mercy of Guru and Krishna, everything is happening, I am not the doer. But we work very hard for the service of Guru and Krishna.
This is Maharaj Parikshit's quality.

Maharaj Parikshit is a perfect devotee, a perfect ksatriya. When we hear Bhagavatam, we hear it in a mood to imbibe such qualities in us.

Bhagavatam is about the Lord, as told by His Devotees!

1.4.9: Srimad Bhagvatam is full of stories about devotees. Krishna tells in Bhagavad-gita how to attain perfection of life and go back home back to godhead. So here Krishna speaks about Himself less. Whereas in Bhagavatam, it is explained how devotees attain this perfection and also the devotees speak about Krishna here.

So this SB is a wish-fulfilling tree and it is the ripened fruit of Vedic literature, more so it is coming from Srila Sukadeva Goswami, like a fruit tasted by a parrot, even more nice.

One story being told here: Maharaj Parikshit, how he was saved by the Lord, how wonderfully he ruled, how he checked Kali personified. Knowing that one good point is present (chanting of the Holy Name) in Kaliyuga, he allowed Kali. Finally he was cursed to die and even then it is seen how very well he took it. How one should die was shown by Maharaj Parikshit. He heard SB for all 7 days and nights. He protected the weak, dharma, raised everyone's consciousness and finally went back to the spiritual world, actually before the takshaka came to bite him, he was already liberated from the cycle of birth and death.

Qualifications of Sukadeva Goswami...

Verse 1.4.7 and 8: Here Saunaka Rishi is asking questions to Sukadeva Goswami and at the same time is glorifying the exhalted qualities of Srila Sukadeva Goswami.
1st point: Bhagavatam is not an imaginary story, as it is considered by unauthorized people. It is an open secret, the transcendental essence of all the vedas. Unless we know this, we will not be getting any realizations from the bhagavatam.

2nd verse: Sukadeva Goswami used to get alms from householders. He would only stay long enough for a cow to be milked. In this case, the quality of a sannyasi is highlighted, of how he is a rolling stone. He is constantly moving from one place to other, so that he does not accumulate the conditioning from householders. Srila Prabhupada says: One who is in the renounced order of life should not be allured by the glamor of the householder's worldly possessions and thus become subservient to worldly men.

This also applies to preachers, who should not be affected by the attachments of worldly men. We should give association of the worldly minded people, but not take association from them.

Srila Sukadeva Goswami, behavior description...

Verse 1.4.6: This is the shloka about the behavior of Sukadeva Goswami. In Ch 2 of Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna asks Krishna about the behavior of a transcendental personality. Krishna explained to Arjuna about this.

We cannot perceive a sadhu from their outward appearance, only after hearing from them we will be able to know. Srila Sukadeva Goswami, for him gold and stool is the same. From him, everyone is equal, he does not need to appease anybody, he does not wear clothes as he sees the soul and the bodies just as different dresses.

Similarly we should aim to fit in only one position of servant of servant of servant of the Gopi's. (Gopi bhakta pada kamalayor, das das das anudas)

The activities that materialists are fond of (like eating, sleeping, mating, defending), these are not appeasing to the sages. Similarly, the activities of the sages (good sadhana, getting up very early in the morning, keep connection with Krishna through dipping their consciousness in the Holy name of Krishna, and hence are good for themselves and for the humanity), are not appeasing for the materialists. But these are the activities that we should aim for, because we are a spirit soul.

If we don't do this, Krishna is telling in the Bhagavad-gita that we are a thief. Since we are utilizing everything being given to us for our enjoyment, but not for the right purpose.

Devotee is transcendental to material world!

Verse 1.4.3 and 1.4.4: What a liberated soul does, or a person who tries to liberate himself does, the conditioned soul cannot even understand it.
Eg: Devotee in Mumbai temple distributing books for a long time. His father was a big person in the Railways. TC abused this boy for distributing books, beat him up. But this boy did not even tell that his father was a big man in the railways. Second person came and rescued him from the TC, and told him he was also a Hare Krishna devotee. He saw how the boy was doing the best welfare activity for mankind by distributing these books.

People who are materially attached think we are another nonsense, distributing books as beggars in trains. So devotee's actions are not understood.

Similarly, Sukadeva Goswami was a liberated soul, but to the materially affected people he appeared to be a like a beggar. They did not know him at all. But when he came to the audience of Maharaj Parikshit, everybody stood up since they knew this spiritual potency.

Eg: Haridas thakur, Srivas thakur were abused in public place, their eternal spiritual nature was not understood by people in general.

Qualifications of the Speaker

Verse 1.4.2: Here, the qualifications of the speaker is given. Saunaka rishi is a great Goswami and Suta Goswami is also a great Goswami. You have the listen Srimad Bhagavatam only from Vaishnava's.

In India, many places, we have Bhagvatam sapthaha, thinking that Maharaj Parikshit also heard Srimad Bhagavatam in 7 days and he attained liberation. But this is not the way that we can imitate. Devananda Pandit (DP) was a Bhagavtam recitor. Srivas Thakur (ST) was totally excited hearing Srimad Bhagavatam from him and was ecstatic. Not understanding this transcendental behavior, DP's disciples threw ST out. Although CM was not born still, but He was totally angry with DP. He did not give him any mercy. Later DP did some nice service to Vakreshwar Pandit, and only then he got the mercy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

So Srimad Bhagavatam should not at all be heard from the professional reciters. Here Srila Prabhupada is also telling how some reciters directly jump to the 10th canto to misexplain the confidential part of the Lord's pastimes. Srila Bhaktisiddanta Saraswati Thakur, was speaking about the Srimad Bhagavatam, but that time he did not touch the 10th Canto at all, since he knew.

By serving the devotees, chanting very nicely, serving the devotee bhagavat, we can make a lot of spiritual progress.

Chapter 4 Begins! What is realization?

Summarizing Chapter 3:
There Srila Suta Goswami was explaining how Srila Sukadeva Goswami was explaining about the different incarnations of Lord Krishna. It ended by saying how Srimad Bhagavatam is the ripened fruit of Vedic literature, how it should be heard only from one who is in a bonafide disciplic succession and how the listener should listen with rapt attention to this Supreme knowledge of Lord Krishna and his pastimes.

Chapter 4:
Today's verse, very important. Srila Prabhupada is giving what is the meaning of realizations. Srila Prabhupada says: "Personal realization does not mean that one should, out of vanity, attempt to show one's own learning by trying to surpass the previous äcärya. He must have full confidence in the previous äcärya, and at the same time he must realize the subject matter so nicely that he can present the matter for the particular circumstances in a suitable manner. The original purpose of the text must be maintained. No obscure meaning should be screwed out of it, yet it should be presented in an interesting manner for the understanding of the audience. This is called realization."

Listening with Rapt Attention....

Verse 1.3.44: This is a very instructive, wonderful message. If we really want to understand and realize that Krishna is in the pages of the Srimad Bhagavatam, we have to hear properly from a personality who is a bonafide representative of Sukadeva Goswami. He who personally lives the Bhagavatam, is free of the four sins and is pure in thought, word and deed.

Srila Bhaktisiddantaswami was telling about Srila Prabhupada, that he listens with rapt attention, and hence told that whatever Srila Prabhupada writes should be printed, because he understands since he listens properly.

Caste, creed etc, does not matter. If one has the heart, and listens from Vaishnavas, and listen with rapt attention, then we will realize that Srimad Bhagavatam is Krishna, we can see Krishna Himself in the pages of the SB. We should also attentively read Srimad Bhagavatam. These 10-15 minutes that we listen everyday will create auspiciousness in our entire life.

Srimad Bhagavatam is light for this world!!

Verse 1.3.43: Actually, as Krishna was disappearing from this planet, He is going back to His abode, so qualities like dharma, gyana are also going back with Him. Only thing left is Kaliyuga, then how will the people manage here. The sages were worried because of this.

Then what happened, Srimad Bhagavatam descended. Vyasadev compiled it and his son Sukadeva Goswami spoke it. Maharaj Parikshit was cursed and for him and the rest of Kaliyuga, Bhagavatam was spoken. Srila Prabhupada writes that more or less almost people are just involved in the 4 things of eating sleeping mating and defending. But to elevate people, taking shelter of Srimad Bhagavatam, will help us go back to Krishna.

Srimad Bhagavatam is compared to light especially in the darkness of Kaliyuga. In this age, it is all I me and mine. Let me enjoy before I go. This is the mentality. But if we take the shelter of Srimad Bhagavatam, no other book is required in Kaliyuga.

Parampara - Importance - Sripad Sankaracharya's BhajaGovindam

Verse 1.3.42: Today's verse is talking about how Sri Sukadeva Goswami received the Bhagavatam from Srila Vyasadev, and then hearing from Sukadeva Goswami, Srila Suta Goswami is now speaking it to other sages.
3 Points:
1) We should receive the message of Srimad Bhagavatam in parampara, in disciplic succession. This Srimad Bhagavatam is not fiction, it is factual history that has taken place not just in this planet, but so many other planets all around the material universe. It should not be heard from a professional recitor, then it is like drinking milk that is touched by a serpent, but we should do this in disciplic succession, only hearing from a bonafide representative of Srila Suta Goswami.
2) Srila Prabhupada is mentioning a point on how Maharaj Parikshit once he came to know that he was going to die, he immediately sat down to listen Srimad Bhagavatam from Sukadeva Goswami. We need to understand the mood of Bhagavatam.
3) Srila Prabhupada is quoting Sripad Sankaracharya. Although he presented vedantasutra's in a impersonal form, he finally stated that realizing Govinda is the highest and all other flowery language that he himself presented is useless, if it does not help one remember Govinda at the time of death.

Bhagavatam is factual history

Verse 1.3.41: Bhagavatam is not a mythology. The goal of Britishers was to prove that we are fools, and hence they were successful in getting Bhagavatam to be a mythology. But that is not a fact.

First of all, Bhagavatam is factual history, that happened in this and other planets. And Srila Vyasadev compiled it. The beauty is that it has stories of all things related to Lord Krishna. So two things: it is history for sure and it is all about Krishna.

Bhagavatam has a purifying effect, on the person who is speaking and who is listening too.
Eg: Ganga, she is so pure. Even after 100 years, the water from Ganga is always pure. This is so because she is coming straight from the higher planetary systems.

The point is that, science does not know so many things.
Bhagavatam is therefore not mythology. But it should be heard from a bonafide source, for the effect to take place, the purifying affect.

Gita-Jayanti Today!!!

Today is Gita Jayanti!
5000 years apprx, Krishna spoke Bhagavad-gita (BG) to us through Arjuna. Krishna did not speak to Arjuna because he was prepared on that. There was a situation there, of there being a problem if you do this or do that. Same is our case.
So Krishna is giving directions to the living entity for this life.

Eg: We depend on mapquest for such a short direction say to go from here to Niagara Falls. Life is long journey, BG gives a very nice direction for this journey.
Eg: Take a watch, who can tell about the watch better than the company. Similarly this world is made by Krishna, and he is telling us how to live in this world, by this operational manual BG.
Krishna is telling here how to live, how to eat, how to have recreation and finally how to go back home, back to Godhead.
In here we can find as to how we can get rid of envy, the root cause of our material existence. In BG, Krishna is telling us about the ultimate surrender.

Krishna is also telling that whoever distributes this knowledge, he is very dear to me and at the end of the life, he will come back to me.

What we need to do:
To get rid of the 6 forms of lust, anger ..., Krishna says we need to chant very nicely. As a genuine ardent follower of Krishna, first we practise and then give out this mercy as a compassionate servant of Srila Prabhupada.

Chant the rounds very effectively. Krishna is non-different from his holy name.

Srimad Bhagavatam is Lord Krishna!!!

Verse 1.3.40: Actually, we are very very fortunate to read and hear Srimad Bhagavatam (SB). So many life times we have waited to do this. SB is the purest of all the puranas, it is also the natural commentary of the Brahmasutras. So this is pure and meant for paramahamsa's. This facility of us reading SB everyday, is so very very auspicious and we are so lucky. Why? Because it is non-different from Lord Krishna.

If we understand and assimilate this SB, then we can become a book bhagavat. Means we are applying the instructions of SB in our life. SP is called a maha-bhagavat, since he was a walking bhagavatam.

SB if purchased, it is not like a simple book, we install it, since it is not different from Krishna. This is done with the permission of the siksa guru or diksa guru.

Naradamuni also says, that just by the association of bhagavats, and chanting the names of the Lord, he is what he is today. So, please don't under-estimate the power of SB, the power of chanting the names of the Lord.

Also talked about Odan-shashti: It is a festival celebrated in Jagannath Puri. Pundarika vidyanidhi(PV) was a pure devotee. He was Maharaj Vrsabhanu in Krishna's pastimes. CM used to call him father father.
This festival is a time when the Lord is offered new clothes. The pujari's this time, offered starch-filled cloth. This was an offense. The devotees were watching and dancing during this time. Swarup-damodar Goswami (Lalita Sakhi in Krishna's pastimes) (SG) was also there. P. Vidhyanidhi asked him why they are doing this, which is an offense. SG told that Jagannath is accepting this, then why should we be troubled.

Everything got over, but PV was thinking in the mind, why this was happening. He then was sleeping and Jagannath and Baladev came to his dream. They were very angry that whay right does he have to be angry when They Themselves were accepting what the devotees were giving to Them. They asked him not to offend the devotees anytime ever.

Next day morning, he came late to the program. PV saw that his both cheeks were swollen and red (since in the dream Lord Jagannath slapped him actually). He told to SG that since the Lord has accepted him as His servant, He came and corrected him.

Moral: Even if somebody does something, that might not be correct. There might be something. Don't criticize him. If Krishna is offended, then there will be a reaction. We might not be able to take it. So tell to those people who will listen, to those who will not listen do not ask.

So please do not offend anybody. If you are not in an authoritative position, it is better to keep quiet.

Feasting, Chanting and Dancing - Devotion!!!

Verse 1.3.38: Bhagavad-gita says -"Tesam satata yuktanam ..." Krishna is telling that if somebody approaches Me with love and devotion, I give him the intelligence to come back to me. Krishna is also telling in the next verse that simple bhakti to Him is enough for a person to go back home, back to Godhead. So bhakti-yoga is inclusive of gyana-yoga and karma-yoga. If you want attain the perfection of self-realization, you have to genuinely chant, serve the devotees, then slowly by steadily you will attain self-realization.

Srila Prabhupada has give a simple process: fasting, feasting, chanting and dancing. Kaliyuga means the Holy Name is the yuga dharma. So please chant very nicely and you will attain to the lotus feet of Krishna in this lifetime itself.

Only a Devotee can know Krishna!!!

Verse 1.3.37: Krishna cannot be perceived by our blunt senses. Krishna is there, His energies are there, what is visible to our blunt senses is His energies. Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita, the whole cosmic manifestation works under His direction. So the person who has written the script behind it is not visible, only the drama is visible. So how do we perceive Him.

Some people, materialists or the mental speculators try to do this by speculation. They are also called gyani's, who try to guess who the Lord could be. If we keep on guessing who the Lord can be, then there is no room for bhakti or Krishna there. Krishna says, only a bhakta can know Him.

Only a devotee can know Krishna who utilizes his tongue to talk about Krishna and eat prasadam. No matter what happens, do not utilize this tongue to criticize anybody. If we criticize, we will definitely fall down. Krishna will withdraw His mercy and we will lose our taste in chanting. So whatever happen, never ever criticize anybody, just praise devotees for their qualities always.

Krishna's activities are spotless!

Verse 1.3.36: The verse starts off with saying that the Lord is the one who creates everything. His activities are completely spotless and He is the only one with all the 6 opulences. Srila Prabhupada is further commenting that nothing in this world is lamentable. This is a powerful statement. When we are seeing many times, so much misery around us, it is actually not a problem with this creation, but it is because we ourselves are disturbed.

As long as we abide by the laws of karma, they protect us. But when we break it, it comes back and affects us. This material world is perfectly designed by Krishna, for us to go back to Godhead.

Eg: Whatever activities we perform in devotional service, the credit accrued will never go off. That is Krishna's mercy on us.

Further, Srila Prabhupada explains that Krishna is not at all affected by anything of the material world. Krishna even though maintains the whole creation, he is detached from it. Krishna is equal to everyone. But in case of a devotee, Krishna gives His heart to the devotee.

Holy Name and Krishna's form...

Verse 1.3.36: In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna says: His birth and activities are transcendental. It is absolutely true, even Srimad Bhagavatam explains the same thing here. SB also explains how to cut the cycle of birth and death. It is very easy, just by listening and understand the activities, birth, pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Holy name is the root for all these things. What we are doing is we are chanting the Holy Name. When we keep on chanting with a focused mind, when Krishna understands that we are sincere, slowly Krishna's form will come, the form becomes steady. Then when we keep on chanting, next stage is guna. We will meditate on the qualities of Krishna (compassion, loving etc).
Then we meditate on His lila: how Krishna subdues Kaliya, how Krishna is sleeping on the banks of Yamuna. These pastimes manifest in the heart of the devotee who chants.

This will happen to any sincere devotee. That's why we have to avoid the 10 offenses. Specially the last one of inattentiveness. And along with it, we should have the service attitude, of being a servant of servant of servant.

External can change to Internal Energy, Will of Krishna!!!!

Verse 1.3.34: Srila Prabhupada says quoting Vishnu-purana, Krishna has unlimited energies. The main energies are 3: antaranga, tatashta, bahiranga shakti. We are part of the second one. We should actually be under the first energy, but under the influence of the 3rd energy, we are in a incompatible state. We want to be happy, but we are very frustrated.

But this is very dynamic. For example: Prahalad Maharaj and Hiranyakashipu live in the same house. One is under the protection of the internal energy and the other is under the external energy. Prahalad Maharaj did not have anything, but was happy, but his father although he had everything, he was not happy. That is because he was fully dependent on Maya.

Maya is very powerful. She covers our knowledge, we have to be very very careful of Maya. Eg: Kalkrishna das, assistant of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, was influenced by the batahari's.

It is our choice. If we genuinely chant, in the mood of the servant of servant of servant, then we will come under the shelter of Srimati Radharani.
Otherwise, we will be subjugated under the hands of Maya and therefore suffer continuously.

3 Commanders of Krishna: devotees, holy name and service, who can save us from the clutches of Maya.