Symptoms of Kaliyuga continued...

Verse 1.16.20 (Krishna Patro Prji):

* Here, Dharma (in the form of the bull) continues to question Mother Earth (in the form of a cow).
* It is trying to find out what is the cause of her grief.
* 1) Actually, the symptoms of Kaliyuga are presented by his questions.
- 3 legs of Dharma are destroyed, only one remains and that is Truthfulness.
* 2) Unlawful meateaters will exploit Mother Earth.
- Varnashrama Dharma must be followed properly. This way, the senses of people are controlled and gradually they advance in their consciousness.
- But as Kali yuga is progressing, all this is going down. Slaughterhouses are coming up every where causing so many problems in the environment.
* 3) The demigods are now bereft of their share of sacrificial offerings because no sacrifices are being performed at present
- Human civilization should never give up charity, austerity and sacrifices.
- However, the people of today are not looking into sacrifices at all. All they want to do is exploit Earth's resources.
* 4) If sacrifices are not performed, then there will be no rain, causing famine and drought.
* Of course the solution is there:
Lord Caitanya, has recommended only one yajna, or sacrifice, called the sankirtana-yajna, the chanting of Hare Krsna, in which everyone can take part. Thus both devotees and fruitive workers can derive equal benefit from the performances of sankirtana-yajna.

New Vrindaban!

Verse 1.16.18 (Ramana Prji):

* Key points here are
- Cow represents Mother Earth
- Bull represents Dharma
* An example of Vedic culture in today's world, under Srila Prabhupada's mercy is New Vrindavan.
* Story of HH Radhanath Swami and the bull grisham. Preaching to the bull and it would work then!
* New Vrindaban, cows were the center of the whole community. Sustainable ventures.
* Whenever a calf was born, everyone came chanting kirtans.
* SP calls the age of Kali as the age of science and technology.
* Eating, TV, Internet are becoming the biggest addictions of this world, especially in small children.
* Coming back to NV, to make things a little fast, bulls were replaced with tractors. So there was practically no work for the bulls. And tractors spoil the Earth in a very bad way.
* NV was a example of daivyi-varnashrama dharma.
* If we simply follow them, we will be the path of self-realization!

Lord always protects!

Verse 1.16.16 (Kasi Prji):

* This shloka shows how Krishna takes care of His devotees, who are fully surrendered.
* Even in BG, Krishna says: I reciprocate, as all surrender unto me!
* For the Pandavas too, it is seen how Krishna saved them at all times.
* We also, under material circumstances, have seen how by praying unto the Lord, have been saved so many times by the Lord.
* Actually, He is saving us every moment by giving us food, air and life too.
* We also see in many pastimes how Krishna is controlled by his devotees.
- eg: Krishna bringing Nanda Maharaj's shoes
- eg: Krishna washes the feet of brahmanas in Maharaj Yudhistira's Rajasuya Yajna
- so many more...
* But Krishna longs to be controlled by His devotees and His pure devotees obtain such a chance.
* In BG: janma karma....so arjuna
* Krishna is so merciful that even though we have come away from Him, He always comes with us as the Supersoul, trying to protect us all the time.
* Story in this case: man with 4 wifes...
- first wife rejects that she cannot accompany him in his death (analogy: first is our own body)
- second also rejects, I'll remarry (second is our name, fame etc)
- third also rejects (third is relatives, friends etc)
- fourth says I'll come with you. (none other than the Supreme Lord, He comes with us as the Super soul, he is so merciful, He never leaves us, so very compassionate)
* Same unlimited compassion can be seen in the Lord's pure devotees too.
- Srila Prabhupada is a most wonderful example.
* So, Krishna is so merciful, if we fully surrender to Him, He will take care of us at all times!

Hari Katha, glorification of the Lord is auspicious!

Verse 1.16.13-15 (Yugal Kishore Prji):

* Maharaj Parikshit was travelling and wherever he went, the people in those different areas glorified his grand fathers.
* He would not have been happy to hear this glorification if it were not connected to KRishna!
* Anything glorification not connected to Krishna, is basically temporary and not very attractive.
* We have to regularly hear the gloprification of devotees and Krishna
- it takes away envy in our heart
- it pleases Krishna.
* SB is explaining: even if the glories of the Lord and his devotees are not composed properly, still they will hold great potency.
* Valmiki did not look for any patronage, he simply took shelter of Lord Rama.
* But in today's world, people write books simply to boost our own ego's or gratify our senses.
* Devotees are simple, but they are very happy, cause they glorify Krishna and His devotees. It takes away envy in our heart and makes us happy.
* In olden days, Hari Katha, was very famous, stories about the Lord. Famous in South India, simply glorifications of the Lord.
* Some ppl, what they do, they just want to be glorified. This is definitely not good for one's progress.
* Someone is glorifying us, you should not stand there, better to walk out. Or transfer it to Guru!

Disadvantages and Advantage of Kali!

Verse 1.16.12 (Shalini Mataji):

* A lot of geographical details are given in this verse.
* Maharaj Parikshit was the emperor of the whole world, east, west, north and south.
* At the time of his death notice, we all know how well he surrendered to Sukadeva Goswami and prepared for his death. Many lessons for us to learn too.
* Two points
1) Symptoms of Kaliyuga
- Characteristics of people of Kaliyuga - ppl have short life, are dull-headed and lazy, are quarrelsome, ppl are always in anxiety and distress, memory is decreasing.
- All of us are experiencing these difficulties
2) So, how to get out of this age of Kali, using its positive side
- Spiritual realization is easiest when compared to any other age
- The only single boon in this Kaliyuga, is that, when we chant and glorify Lord Krishna, then we will be out of the bad contamination of Kali's qualities.
- In this age, chanting of the holy name of Sri Hari, is the only way for self-realization.
* Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakur's beautiful bhajan: Kali kukkur...
- If you wish to save yourself from the dog like age of Kali, then sing the name of Lord Gauranga and chant the holy name.

4 Symptoms of Kaliyuga!

Verse 1.16.10 (Srinivas Acharya Prji):

* Sūta Gosvāmī said: While Mahārāja Parīksit was residing in the capital of the Kuru empire, the symptoms of the age of Kali began to infiltrate within the jurisdiction of his state. When he learned about this, he did not think the matter very palatable. This did, however, give him a chance to fight. He took up his bow and arrows and prepared himself for military activities.
* In the purport, SP is trying to highlight the 4 symptoms of Kaliyuga, these are the primary root for all qaurrel in Kaliyuga.
* They are (1) illicit connection with women, (2) indulgence in meat-eating, (3) intoxication and (4) taking pleasure in gambling. The age of Kali literally means the age of quarrel, and the abovementioned four symptoms in human society are the root causes for all kinds of quarrel.
* At that time, actually Kali did not have any place to live on earth. So Maharaj Parikshit gave him these 4 locations and finally also gave him another place: wherever a lot of gold is stored, that's where Kali could stay. In another words, the more material possessions we try to gather, that will become a stumbling block in our path of self-realization.
* Sense gratification is nothing but we look forward for our own interests and push everything else back. When pursuing that kind of life, even though we might be religious, Krishna does not find taste in the activities of such living entities. We just are collected more and more material oppulence, which will finally lead us away and away from the SPG.
* When this material oppulence grows, first thing that happens is Namaparadha.
- Historically, we can see that both Vibhishana and Vidhura were insulted just before the Ramayana and Mahabharata wars. These two were most wonderful devotees, and their insult brought out the complete removal of the dynasty that insulted them.
* SP also says: A perfect ksatriya king is always jubilant as soon as he gets a chance to fight, just as a sportsman is eager when there is a chance for a sporting match.
* Though rain is inevitable during the rainy season, still people will find shelter from the natural causes. Similarly, a King must protect his people even though naturally Kali is taking over everything.

Yamaraj is waiting...

Verse 1.16.7 (Phani Prji):

* This is still the continuation of Saunaka Rishi's inquiry to Suta Goswami.
* Every living entity is looking for eternal happiness, but it is actually within us alone.
* Not knowing this, the scientists try to go behind material happiness, which is always accompanied by suffering.
* And it is lust alone which propels us towards this run behind material happiness.
* SP tells a story about a 15th century emperor, on lust. Akhbar...
* Desire is there even at the time of death. One lecture says, even in hell, people will look for sex pleasure. Even though in hell, there is no gap between sufferings given. That is the conditioning of the living entity.
* Thinking needs to willing, which will ultimately lead to doing it.
* Solution is to develop taste for higher activities.
* Even though we are doing bhakti for a long time, still there is no taste. Cause we might be doing it all for some other motive, than to please Radha and Krishna.
* Are we reciprocating with our Deities really well.
* For all this to happen, we should seek good association. Genuinely hanker to get the higher taste. The mood is important.
* Listen to lectures from pure devotees, at least one a day.
* To come out of our superficial level, we need to prepare ourself for the final exam. Are we taking shelter of material things or are we taking shelter of Krishna's holy name.
* Sincerity, seriousness and no ulterior motives must be there for chanting the holy name of the Lord. Chant as though this is our very final exam.

Not wasting a moment...

Verse 1.16.6 (Krishna Patro Prji):

* This is the continuation of Saunaka Rishi's inquiry to Suta Goswami. He is giving the reason for the previous statement of his.
* What is the use of topics which simply waster one's valuable life?
* The pure devotees have great interest in hearing about the Supreme Lord.
* Every living entity is looking for pleasure according to its own understanding. But pure devotees don't look for pleasure in garbage.
* Every material literature is full of garbage. It is not at all connected to Krishna. So without controlling our tongue, we become its victim, causing to go more and more into material bondage.
* In the age of Kali, in this material world, all inquiries are mundane. But we are fortunate cause by the mercy of SP, we get to speak about this transcendental subject matter, thus helping us to get away from the cycle of birth and death.
* Reality: About life, our duration of life is not very long and we don't know when we will be ordered to leave to the next stage.
* We should see that not a moment should be wasted, and every moment is used for listening about the Supreme Personality of Godhead.


Verse 1.16.4 (Ramana Prji):

* First pt: humility of an emperor
* Second pt: Kali yuga and its bad effects.
- Science says animals like cows have intelligence of a 3 year old. They are very mercilessly killed in animal slaughters.
- SP to scientists: Can you make a machine that takes grass and gives out milk.
- Kali is not just outside, it is within us too
* Real intelligence is not in manipulating material energy, it is about spiritual quests.
* As kali progresses, people fail to make a difference between religion and real.
* "Love makes the world go round", but this love is just lust only.
* Another pt: Brahman is there, without qualification.
* Solution available to us: Nama sankirtanam. With determination and dedication, not on our strength, but as a humble servant.
* Without intelligence (head), there is no meaning for the body. So there is a need for a proper King, like Maharaj Parikshit, who could properly rule the world, this body.

Genealogy of Pandavas...

Verse 1.16.2 (-- Prji):

* In this verse, the genealogy of the Pandavas is being explained.
* King Pariksit married the daughter of King Uttara and begot four sons, headed by Maharaja Janamejaya.
* Maharaj Janmajeya is a very devoted, exhalted son of Maharaj Parikshit. He performed the great sarpa yajna.
* He however heard the good counsel of Brhaspati and stopped this sacrifice.
* Jaimini-bharat, book came into existence because of the discussions between Maharaj Janmajeya and Sage Jaimini.
* Takeaway: When we are angry and get into a situation, it is better to take proper guidance from siksa or diksa guru, so that our motivation to act in such anger can be properly controlled.
* Pt: When parents teach children in their direction, children automatically follow according to parent's example.

Remebering Krishna, every moment!

Verse 1.15.51 (Mohan Prji):

* Last verse of this chapter.
* Summarizing the whole chapter
* We see the benediction that Suta Goswami is giving to us. Anybody who listens to these pastimes, will attain the love of Godhead.
* If we carefully look into our scriptures, they are in 3 categories
- sambandha (relationship)
- abhideya (process)
- prayojana (fruit)
* This chapter also, all the 3 aspects can be seen.
* BG chapter 8 is a close parallel, which states how one should attain the Supreme
* Ch 8: anta kale..., yam yam vapi...
- SP is telling that there is only one spiritual body for every jiva. So when we serve and remember Krishna at the time of death, then one will attain that particular spiritual body. Otherwise, we will be in the cycle of our many material bodies.
* How can I remember at the time of death? "If one is planning to remember Krishna at death, that will never happen!".
- Kulasekhar Alwar's statement
* Unless one practises remembering Krishna 24 hrs a day, it will not be possible to remember Krishna at the time of death.
- one small pain in the body, we forget to remember Krishna, then how will we remember Him at death when 40000 scorpions are biting us.
* HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami - Die before dying!
* So are we utilizing our body, mind and intelligence for Krishna 24 hrs a day. Otherwise, we are using it for material things only.
* It is important that we need to convey to Krishna that we are remembering Him now. Then at death, Krishna will help us remember Him.

Fly our own plane!

Verse 1.15.50 (Saci Suta Prji):

* Two imp points that can be learnt from here
- responsibility of each individual as man and woman
- recognizing the goal of life
* Husband means to take care of the wife at all times, and wife means being chaste and dutiful to husband at all times.
* Draupadī had five husbands, and no one asked Draupadī to come; Draupadī had to take care of herself without waiting for her great husbands. And because she was already trained, she at once took to concentration upon the lotus feet of Lord Vāsudeva, Krsna, the Personality of Godhead.
* SB also confirms this: one who has taken shelter of the Lord, has no obligations to society and family, especially at the end of life when one has to cross the ocean of material existence.
* Nice example given by SP: When flying an airplane, one cannot take care of other planes. Everyone has to take care of his own plane, and if there is any danger, no other plane can help another in that condition. Similarly, at the end of life, when one has to go back home, back to Godhead, everyone has to take care of himself without help rendered by another. The help is, however, offered on the ground before flying in space. Similarly, the spiritual master, the father, the mother, the relatives, the husband and others can all render help during one's lifetime, but while crossing the sea one has to take care of himself and utilize the instructions formerly received.
* More examples: 1) Preparing for exam and writing the exam
2) Preparing for Olympics, and the actual race
3) Similarly when we chant, we are preparing for the final text, death.
* So we need to be alert and attentive. Cause we do not know when death will come.
* So every moment we need to be Krishna Conscious.
* Story about Vaisnava association and value of human form of life. (Narada Muni, Vishnu, the worm, the calf and the prince).

Mahatma Vidhura!

Verse 1.15.49 (Srinivas Acharya Prji):

* Vidura, while on pilgrimage, left his body at Prabhasa. Because he was absorbed in thought of Lord Krsna, he was received by the denizens of Pitrloka planet, where he returned to his original post.
* Men are afraid of Yamaraja because it is he only who awards punishment to the miscreants of the material world, but those who are devotees of the Lord have nothing to fear from him. To the devotees he is a cordial friend, but to the non devotees he is fear personified.
* Krishna, wants to see someone who is a pure devotee to do this service and therefore picked up Yamaraja.
* The work of Yamaraja is more intensive cause the number of ppl who are flouting the rules of the Lord is much much more.
* This was so intensive, that Yamaraja wanted to take a break to preach the glories of the Lord. So Krishna sitting in his heart, enacted a pastime where Manduka Muni cursed Yamaraja to be born as a sudra and live in the mortal world for 100 years. And this was Vidhura, thus he got the opportunity to preach the glories of the holy name of the Lord. Because in that life, Lord Krishna gave him so much mercy through His personal association.
* During this time, Aryama (one of the 12 adityas) occupied the position of Yamaraja.
* Vidhura is a mahajan, and expert in neethi-sastra. He always tried to guide Maharaj Dhrtharashtra in the best way possible.
* Being insulted by Duryodhana, he finally leaves Hastinapura for visiting the holy place....
* ...
* Finally, he came to Prabhasa, where being absorbed in the thought of Krishna, Vidhura left his body and went back to his original position of Yamaraja.
* It is more trouble to become envious of the devotees of the Lord, than becoming envious of the Lord Himself.

Attaining pure consciousness!

Verse 1.15.47-48 (Bala Govind Prji):

* We can understand from this shloka that we can go back to Godhead in the self-same body. It is possible.
* As Krishna went back, similarly, we too can go back. And what is the requirement: pure consciousness, that is Krishna consciousness.
* Constant and devotional rememberance of the Lord are the two other required things.
* We should lovingly remember Krishna, not like Kamsa's rememberance. That will help us go back to Godhead.
* SP: We should have pure consciousness, should not be tainted by the 3 modes of material nature. We should be cleansed completely.
* BG 14.26 : One who engages in full devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.
* If we continue this, then what to speak of brahman realization, we will surely come to Bhagavan realization also.
* Without deviation we should meditate on the SPG. Eg: the Pandavas, although subjected to so many distresses, were always in service and thinking of Krishna. Cause they were so much surrendered to Him.
* One who has accepted the boat of lotus feet of Krishna, for them this ocean of material existence becomes the same as the size of a calf's footprint.
* Other examples are there: Prahalad Maharaj, Dhruva Maharaj.
* Other contemporary examples: HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj, under so many problems of health, but still he is continuing so very very nicely. Pure devotees, pain is there, but they don't feel it.
* Another example: HG Stoka Krishna Pr, so much pain in the death bed, but still unflinching faith in the process.
* Primary exmaple: Srila Prabhupada's life. So many difficulties was there, but still he continued, chose service to Krishna as his highest priority.
* What is material consciousness: I am this body, whatever is connected to this body is mine. And where it is all starting, the attraction between male and female. Unless we cut this knot, it is definitely not possible to come out of the material consciousness.
* And how to cut this knot, devotional service is the only means.
* This material consciousness is like a fog, is covering everything. It can be only dissipated by DS, like a sun which dissipates the fog. And for this we need able guidance of a bona fide spiritual master.
* Any person who seriously seeks this pure consciousness, should seriously seek a bona fide spiritual master, seek initiation, serve and hence ultimately be purified to achieve pure consciousness.

Vigyana, Retirement

Verse 1.15.45 (Srinivas Pendyala Prji):

* We have been seeing how MY prepared to give up his kingdom and merged his mind, senses, material body to exclusively meditate on the SPG.
* SP: One who only thinks himself brahman is an impersonalist, but one who acts according to that thinking is a self-realized soul, a pure devotee.
* That's why MY decided to go beyond all the material realms to exclusively meditate on the SPG.
* In this shloka, we are seeing how the younger brothers decided to follow him. This is not on a bodily platform, not because he was their brother. Actually, they are following because: mahajana yena gatha su pantha. They followed a great person who has exclusively taken shelter of Krishna.
* SP: They were already trained in understanding goal of life.
* Gyana and vigyana: Both Pandavas and Kauravas went to the same school to learn vedic knowledge. Just acquiring knowledge is not enough, but practising it and applying it in service of the Lord, only leads to Vigyana.
* HHRNS: Devotional service means no ulterior motives, that is Vigyana.
* SP discusses a second aspect here: Retirement from family life. So many ppl don't know how to retire.
Pandavas were ruling the entire world. But on time, they gave up everything to retire themselves into the forests to meditate on Lord Krishna. This was possible for them, cause they did everything in their entire life only to please Krishna. They considered everything as a property to Krishna and every service that they did was for Krishna.
* And why did they do all this: Because they understood the goal of life. And what is that goal: BG 18.64.
* Krishna said: Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.