More about the first two offenses against the holy name!

Verse 2.1.12 (Sacisuta Prji):

* In the previous verses, we have seen how Jiva Goswami is mentioning about the offenses of the Lord.
* In this purport, the first and second verses are discussed again.
* One should neither blaspheme the devotee of the Lord nor indulge in hearing others who are engaged in belittling a devotee of the Lord
- better to leave the place where such belittling is happening.
* We have to be very very grateful to all the devotees.
* Vaisnava aparadha is dangerous.
* Eg: Jagai Madhai did offense to Nityananda Pr, Caitanya M almost killed them with his chakra
* This vaisnava aparadha is like a mad elephant disease.
* Eg: Saci mata and Advaita acharya, here Saci mata offended the later
- Another eg: Haridas thakur and Gopal Chakravarthy, the later here abused the former
* Another ef: Gopala chapala tried to do Vaisnava aparadha against Srivas thakur. Result of this, the former suffers severs leprosy.
* At community level also, offense to holy name or devotees affects
eg: Ramachandra khan sending a prostitute to Haridas thakur. Another time, he offended Nityananda Pr. Because of his offense, entire village suffered
* Then, the second offense is also discussed
* As far as distinguishing the Lord's holy name from the names of the demigods, the revealed scriptures disclose (Bg. 10.41) that all extraordinarily powerful beings are but parts and parcels of the supreme energetic, Lord Kṛṣṇa. Except for the Lord Himself, everyone is subordinate; no one is independent of the Lord. Since no one is more powerful than or equal to the energy of the Supreme Lord, no one's name can be as powerful as that of the Lord.
* Message is, we should develop proper consciousness while chanting the holy name.
* Never be involved in Vaisnava aparadha
* Be conscious of Krishna and cautious of Maya!

More glorification of the SB!

Verse 2.1.8 (Mohan Prji):

* Here, before Srila SG begins to speak the SB, his introduction is being given.
* We also saw before that Suta Goswami was glorifying the SB.
* 3 primary points come forward here
- This SB is the ripened fruit of all the Vedic literatures.
* Quoted verses
- nigama kalpa taror...
- nasta prayershu abadreshe...
- And today's verse too.
* SP writes the Introduction of the SB and he quotes extensively about the life and pastimes of Lord Sri CM. He tells that Lord CM is the SPG Himself.
- One of his purposes to come to material world is He accepts SB as the post graduate study of the knowledge of the SPG.
* How should one learn the SB?
- SP explains: You cannot just read it and know it. One has to read SB under the guidance of a Spiritual Master.
* It is stated here that SB was narrated at the beginning of Dvapara Yuga. But we might question that it was spoken at the end.
- Here Srila Jiva Goswami very nicely explains this to us, through the example of a tree. Some say beginning is the top, some say beginning is the root.
* The purports of SP therefore, explain this wonderful literature so nicely.

Continuing about the glories of Hearing...

Verse 2.1.7 (Kasi Prji):

* Here we see that Srila SG is mentioning that glories of the Lord are transcendental.
* The proof is that the great transcendentalists always takes great pleasure in discussing such glories of the Lord.
* SB 1.10.- atmaramascha munayo....
* We see that the 4 Kumaras were simply attracted by the fragrance of the Tulsi leaves at the Lotus feet of the Lord and they became unalloyed devotees.
* Sukadeva Goswami (SG) also was similarly attracted to the pastimes of the Lord, although he was brahman realized.
* SB 1.5.10, persons most of the time...
* SP: Those who are in the lowest side, pastimes of the Lord will not be attractive.
* Eg: The storefront in NY, Matchless Gifts, was Vaikunta, in the midst of New York. Not many could see this Vaikunta.
* So slowly hearing the glories of the SB and chanting will slowly purify our heart.
* Sri CM: anandambudi vardanam...
- So this chanting will help us get to the nectar!

At the end of life, remembering Krishna is the ultimate!

Verse 2.1.6 (Naresh Prji):

* SP is saying here, ultimately at the end of life we have to remember the Lord.
* Srvanam, Kirtanam and remembering the Lord will help us do this.
* So making the kingdom of God as our goal is our primary thing.
* But remembering Krishna in the usual time itself is difficult, so how can we remember Him at the moment of death, which is so tough circumstances.
* So the priority is hearing and chanting. Then remembering will follow.
* Chanting sincerely in the mood of goodness is essential. It should not be a background chanting. Attentively listening to the holy name will give positive results in anyone life.
* Coming to the verse, understanding the purpose of human life. We have only intelligence, that which can help us enquire our relationship with God.
* Eg: of the Cat carrying the kitten or the mouse. We should also feel safe as the kitten, that will happen with proper shelter.
* And Krishna gives the method too: engage urself in my devotion ... (man mana bhava madbhakto...)
* After so many lifetimes we have reached to this stage where we are getting the boat to cross the ocean of material existence, through the help of a spiritual master. So we should endeavor to make this happen.
* But we may have just begun, for us also, Krishna is giving a guarantee: BG 2.40 neha bikramo...
* Even if I don't make it to the final point, the goal should be to get on the boat and keep trying. So then it is guaranteed that we will be in the safe hands of Krishna!

Hearing and Glorifying the Lord!

Verse 2.1.5 (Krishna Patro Prji):

* Srila SG, after giving the nature of the grhamedhi, he is now talking about what is the best thing to do for one who is trying for self-realization.
- It is hearing, glorifying and chanting the names of the SPG.
* SG: one who desires to be free from all miseries must hear about, glorify and also remember the Personality of Godhead, who is the Supersoul, the controller and the savior from all miseries.
* It is really difficult to understand that we are actually suffering in this material world. That's why we need the association of a sadhu. Sadhu is one who will remind us of this.
* By association of devotees and reading SP's books, we can realize the time we spend being grhamedi's. So in order to come out of these miseries, one must seize to work as karmi's.
* SP refers to BG 9.27: "One should not do anything, either good or bad, on his own account, but must execute everything on behalf of the Supreme Lord, the ultimate proprietor of everything that be. This process of doing work is recommended in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.27) also, where instruction is given for working on the Lord's account."
* Simplest process is always hear, glorify the SPG.
* We can see in our own life, hearing has brought in so much transformation.
* Hearing from authorities is the best shreyas.
* Another verse supporting this one: srunvatam sva katha krishna...

Our relationship to this world is temporary!

Verse 2.1.4 (Mohan Prji):

* One thing coming to the mind is the answer that Maharaj Yudhistira gave to the question asked by Yamaraja. Everyone is dying, but we don't believe it.
* Same is the case with our wife, relatives etc. Our connections will sooner or later be cut.
* Another story of the person going through the forest
- tiger is following him (which is death in our case)
- the deep well (well of material ignorance)
- the honey which is dripping nearby (is the false pleasures of this world)
Moral is we forget the tiger and the deep well that is imminent on us, but we go after the dripping honey.
* Another story: A person gets hired by a wood merchant. He is given an axe and asked to cut a tree. He cuts down 10 trees to make the merchant happy. Next day he cuts 8, next day he cuts 6. Merchant asks: when was the last time he sharpened his axe.
Moral: Each one of us we forget in this world to sharpen our axe. We may be working hard, but unless we use the scriptures, read them and sharpen our axe, we will be wasting our time.

Grhamedhi's Characteristics explained...

Verse 2.1.3 (Puja Mataji):

* Yesterday, we learnt about Grhastha's and Grhamedhi's. Grhastha's are the best.
* Today, a little more about Grhamedhi's is being told: The lifetime of such an envious householder is passed at night either in sleeping or in sex indulgence, and in the daytime either in making money or maintaining family members.
* Eating, sleeping, defending and mating, even animals do this. So what makes the human different. It is our ability to use our intelligence to know the absolute truth and going back to Godhead, that makes us different.
* In BG, Krishna tells Arjuna that the senses are so strong, that they forcibly carry away the mind of even a person who is trying to control them.
* Krishna also says, a person who fixes his consciousness upon Krishna, is a man of steady intelligence. This is the highest conception of Yoga, which means to connect.
- Eg: Ambarisha Maharaj. Durvas Muni although a great yogi, could not check his anger, although AM could do so, as he was a devotee of the Lord. This he did cause he had fixed his consciousness on the lotus feet of the Lord.
* Again, Krishna says in BG, the time of awakening for a self controlled person is night for a materialistic person and vice-versa. When the materialistic person is actively engaged in sense gratification, the self-controlled person is inactive, meaning not engaged in such things.
* When a person is engaged in such deep consciousness of Krishna, at the moment of death, then one can enter into the spiritual world.

Canto 2 Begins!

Verse 2.1.1 (Mohan Prji):

* We are starting the 2nd Canto here, where Sukadeva Goswami is going to start to explaing the Srimad Bhagavatam to Maharaj Parikshit.
* In today's verse, SG is glorifying that the question of MP is so appropriate and good for all kinds of people.
* Because this question was about Krishna!
* Krishna says in BG: manusyanam sahasreshu...
* SP comments: One should understand that he is not the body, but a spirit soul. The next step is to understand the position of the Supreme Lord and our relationship to Him. There are very few ppl who understand this concept.
* Krishna also says: Devotees are always discussing among themselves about Krishna.
- SB is the right text, where these interactions of devotees are very nicely described.
* Now, SG is going to open the doors for us to understand how to know and understand the devotees of the Lord and their interactions.
* The natural extension of the SB is the Caitanya Caritamrita, which is basically putting all theory into action.

Sept 16 2010:

Canto 2.1 Invocation

oḿ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya

Srila Prabhupada's Translation: O my Lord, the all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

Sri Radhashtami Today, End of Chapter 19, End of Canto 1

Verses 1.19.38-40 (Sacisuta Prji):

* MP is asking Srila SG: Please let me know what a man should hear, chant, remember and worship, and also what he should not do. Please explain all this to me.
* We should meditate on this question so that we could also ask similar questions to acharya's.
* Also, the visit of saints and sages to our houses is very precious. It has to be utilized appropriately.
* Today is also Srimati Radharani's appearance day. So some pastimes.
* Mercy of the Supreme Lord cannot be obtained unless the mercy of His energy (internal), Srimati Radharani's mercy is on us.
* Pastimes: Raghunatha Goswami completely immersed in chanting, tiger comes, Krishna saves. Next time too, he was chanting in the sun. Srimati Radharani was herself protecting him from the sun using her saree palloo. Sanatana Goswami chastised him then for engaging the mother Herself in his service. But such is the causeless mercy of the Supreme Mother.
Another pastime: Srimati Radharani comes as a girl, cooks for Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami. That sweet rice she cooked is so transcendental. Her mercy is so great.
Another pastime: She even bestowed her mercy on a jackal, in the groves of Vrindavan. This jackal was half burnt and crying miserably. Seeing this miserable condition of the jackal, Lalita Sakhi brings her to Srimati Radharani. She places her feet on the jackal and the jackal gets its eternal form as her associate.
* We are also burning in the fire of material existence. Only she can save us.
* Only her mercy can elevate us to chant offenselessly, only her mercy can take us back to Godhead.
* Our prayer today should be: Prayer of gratitude to Sri CM, our acharya's, to SP and to all the Vaisnavas.

Spiritual Master and Disciple....

Verse 1.19.37 (Mohan Prji):

* We can see how MP is surrendering to SG and asking him the best question: "I am therefore begging you to show the way of perfection for all persons, and especially for one who is about to die."
* Since every man is actually someway or the other dying, this is a question meant for everyone.
* In today's purport, SP is telling us more on the relationship of a Guru and disciple.
* When we ask a group of people as to why they are going to the temple, we will get different answers, cause they don't really know why they go to a temple
- The primary purpose is to acquire knowledge about ourselves, the SPG and the relationship between the both.
* Here, SP is giving why one should approach a SM. It is to acquire that knowledge.
* It is very important for us a to approach a bona fide SM to seek out the absolute truth.
- Second, surrender unto the SM is definitely required.
* If we refer to the scriptures, including the Supreme Lord Himself, He sets example. Eg: Lord Krishna, Lord Sri CM all had spiritual masters, they surrendered and served them to acquire knowledge from them.
* Here too, MP assuming to be a totally ignorant person, in a humble mood is asking Srila SG.
* Another ex: Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami, although they were materially rich and intellectually scholars, they still with a blade of grass in their mouth, requested Sri CM to teach them about the purpose of life.
* Very imp to understand the mood of being a disciple: I am an ignorant fool and only my SM can show me the path.
* Also in BG, Krishna says of the qualities of a divine person: surrendering to a spiritual master.
* Anything we do is due to the mercy of a SM.
- SM is of two kinds: diksa and siksa Guru
- Instructions of siksa Guru is same as that of the diksa Guru
* The connection between the SM and the disciple is the INSTRUCTION. As long as the disciple executes the instruction, he is at the shelter of the Guru.

Power of association with Saintly people!

Verse 1.19.33 (Mohan Prji):

* In CC, Ch 22 of Madya lila, here, Sri CM is glorifying the process of devotional service and concludes that worshiping Lord Krishna is the highest.
* Then he continues that attachment of devotees is also very important.
* He says: sadhu sanga sadhu sanga sarva siddi hoya... "even a moment's association with a saintly person is so beneficial"
* Story of Vishnu and Narada muni, about benefit of associating with a devotee. Worm to calf --- to son of a King.
- moral: how important even a little association is.
* The meaning is receptiveness. That is association, not just going and sitting with devotees. Willing to take instructions from senior devotees, that is association.
* In this verse also, SP mentions, one has to go to a holy place not just for the place, but to take association of saintly people living there.
* SP: A householder who dishonors such holy orders is a great offender. It is enjoined, therefore, that a householder who does not bow down before a saint at once must undergo fasting for the day in order to neutralize the great offense.
* Even instruction of spiritual master, it might be painful, but we still need to follow it so our material contamination will be removed.

Associating submissively...

Verse 1.19.32 (Mallikarjuna Prji):

* Ksatriya's in general were not having time for self-realization.
* So here, MP, when we came to know that he was going to die in 7 days, left everything and decided to engage in KC.
* MP is a wonderful example of how one can always remain in KC, whatever he is doing
- that is by answering the Q: Is this for Krishna or for my sense gratification. Every activity needs to the answered through this question
* Sri CM brought forward this consciousness to the world.
* Before Sri CM, people had to go to the forest and engage in meditation for attaining self-realization. But after Sri CM, we are going to cities and preaching and still remaining in KC. Eg: Best is Srila Prabhupada, who came to USA from Vrindavan, India.
* Best thing therefore, is to spread KC. But we always think whether we do it for Krishna or not.
* Krishna's enjoyment does not mean our suffering. Krishna enjoyment also means our enjoyment. All we need to do is to tune our self.
* EG's are Arjuna and MP, who are pure devotees. Always remembering Krishna, never forget Krishna.
* So here, in this verse, MP is welcoming Sukadeva Goswami (SG).
- Essence is that whole purpose of Vedas is to seek the favor of Vishnu. And it comes through the association of devotees.
- We don't receive mercy directly, it comes through servant of servant of servant.
- Real purpose of sadhu sanga is to invoke the Lord's mercy. And submissive spirit is very much required.
* This devotional attitude of approaching devotees with submissive mood, the success is guaranteed.
* Before going into Deity room, we pray to Guru to allow us to serve the Lord. Such devotional activity always attracts Krishna.
* Pure devotees always give credit to their Gurudeva. It is only by Guru's mercy, we can do devotional service.
* Even the ability to execute the order is within the order.

Importance of the Speaker...

Verse 1.19.30 (Mohan Prji):

* We have been seeing the introduction of Sukadeva Goswami (SG) to all the sages.
* Maharaj Parikshit had put forth two questions: What is the duty of the person who is about to die, specifically, what is the duty of a person?
* Generally, the speaker is introduced so that the audience knows the potency of the speaker. So here too, SG is being introduced, so that we all know how valuable are the words emanating from such a speaker.
* Krishna says, when one approaches a superior authority, one has to approach with humility.
- Prabhuji, sharing his personal experience about his encounter with his Professor
- Until and unless one has humility, the knowledge cannot be digested by us.
* Here, the primary reason why Srila SG is being introduced is to give us a clear understand that he is a very very respected person. Even brahmarishi's, rajarishi's and devarsi's assembled there were giving all respects to him.

Offering Obeisances...

Verse 1.19.29 (Kasi Prji):

* All the sages had arrived at the place where Maharaj Parikshit had decided to spend this last 7 days. Then Srila Sukadeva Goswami also arrived there.
* Points from this verse
- offering obeisances to devotees
- taking association of devotees
- less intelligent people do not see the advanced position of pure devotees.
* Maharaj Parikshit (MP) offers full dandavat to Srila Sukadeva Goswami (SG).
* Full dandavat means 7 or 9 parts of the body should touch the ground. Half dandavat means 5 parts of the body should touch the ground
- one progresses spiritually when one offers full dandavats to all devoteess
- Skanda purana: if one does not offer obeisances to a devotee, the Lord does not look to that person for 12 years
- offering obeisances also implies one is offering respects to the supersoul within the opposite person
* We also see here that SG also bows down to pay obeisances to Vyasadeva, Naradamuni etc. He also exchanges greetings with everyone else.
* MP is also told here as visnu-raatah (always protected by Vishnu). One incident is that he is protected by Krishna from the Brahamastra.
- Such pure devotees are always under the shelter of the Lord
- In BG also, Krishna says, his first duty is protection of devotees
- Our task as sadaka's, is sarva dharman paritajya.... abandon all varieties of irreligion and surrender unto the SPG.

Appearance, Form, Youth, Features of Srila Sukadeva Goswami!

Verse 1.19.26-28 (Shiva Prji):

* We are learning so many things about the great sage Sri Sukadeva Goswami (SG).
* In these string of verses, we learn so much about the form, age, features of SG.
* At just 16, he was already a liberated soul, son of Srila Vyasadeva.
* In his previous life, he was a parrot of Srimati Radharani who used to take messages from her to Sri Krishna.
* When she went back from this earth, she asked him to stay back here in the material world. Upon his request, she told him to stay there where SB is being spoken.
* He went to Kailash and in camouflage heard SB from Lord Siva, when Lord Siva was narrating it to Parvati.
* Story continues how the parrot reached Vyasadeva's ashram, went into his wife's mouth Itika, did not come out for many years, finally was born 16 years later and was a self realized soul.
* So we learn from this that hearing SB attentively and preaching SB is so very important, as it will liberate everyone who comes in contact with it, cause anyone who hears SB attentively attains his spiritual position and becomes eternal.


Verse 1.19.21 (Srinivas Pendyala Prji):

* The current context is how the rishi's assembled there were discussing among themselves that they will all wait until MP goes back to Godhead.
* There are innumerable Vaikunta lokas, as SP is mentioning here.
* 3/4th of this creation is spiritual world, and 1/4th is material world, of which, this universe is an iota...
* In the spiritual world, everything is so animate. No power or electricity is needed there. There are innumerable Vaikunta planets there.
* Topmost of which is Goloka Vrindavan.
* 2nd point: Liberation, going back to Godhead. There is birth, old age, death and disease in all the material planets. Only in the spiritual planets, there is none of these.
* 5 different types of liberation
* Of all these 5, Sayujya mukti is something that a pure devotee never looks or aspires for.
* Pure devotee actually refuses to accept any of these 5 different types of liberation, cause Love predominates all these, they only want to serve the Lord always.
* Unique feature of Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya - they are saving ppl from the devouring mouth of liberation. Cause they want us to lead on the exclusive path of devotional service, which is the highest stage of reaching the lotus feet of the Lord.
* 3rd point: MP was destined to go to Goloka. Not to any other spiritual planets, but to the Suprememost of all Vaikunta planets. Cause he was always in loving thoughts of the Lord.
* 4th point: We cannot see a pure devotee so easily.
* It is only a Vaisnava who can give us Krishna, no one else.