Srila Sripada:

Srila Sripada: Jai Guru Maharaja Srila Prabhupada ki!

Devotees: Jai!

Srila Sripada: Jai Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu ki!

Devotees: Jai!

Srila Sripada: Jai Gaura Bhakta Vrnde ki!

Devotees: Jai!

So we chant siksastakam jointly together

Srila Sripada: Jai Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu siksastakam ki!

Devotees: Jai!

Srila Sripada: Jai Yugadharma Harinam Sankirtana ki!

Devotees: Jai!

Srila Sripada: Gaura Bhakta Vrnde Ki!

Devotees: Jai!

Srila Sripada: Gaura premanande!

Devotees: Hari Haribol!

So this song suddha-bhakata- carana-renu, bhajana-anukula bhakata-seva, parama-siddhi, prema-latikara mula . The dust of the lotus feet of pure devotees is conducive to devotional service. While service to the Vaisnavas is itself the supreme perfection in the root of the tender creeper of divine love. This is a very wonderful song composed by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur. See, to understand Krishna is very difficult. So the only way that we can have some knowledge about Krishna is by serving the pure devotee of the Lord. So here Bhaktivinoda Thakur says very clearly: suddha bhakata means pure devotee of the Lord, renu is the dust, carana is the lotus feet. So serving the lotus feet of the pure devotee of the Lord, one can get the mercy of devotional service. And also bhakata-seva, parama-siddhi, prema-latikara mula service to the Vaisnavas, serving the Vaisnavas is itself the supreme perfection, parama-siddhi, siddhi means perfection, parama is supreme. So serving the Vaisnavas is actually itself the supreme perfection and the root of the tender creeper of Divine Love and also the love for the Lord you can get by serving the Vaisnavas. So in other words, we have to associate with the pure devotee of the Lord and also to serve him with great attachment to give us unlimited blessings to all of us. So just like we come to the Krishna Consciousness mission in order to serve our Srila Prabhupada’s mission. And this understanding how to serve, let’s say, Prabhupada’s mission and how one gets attached to the mission, that understanding is very vital, very important. Because from all the scriptures we get instruction that by serving the pure devotee of the Lord one can get the ultimate perfection. And this understanding is extremely important for the life of a devotee. Without understanding this properly one’s mind will become very restless. So therefore this is very vital in our devotional life. This understanding is absolute necessity in the life of a devotee. So therefore in the Siksastakam we chant everyday in the morning, in the prayer to the spiritual master composed by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur that

samsara-davanala- lidha-loka
tranaya karunya-ghanaghanat vam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasy a
vande guroh shri-charanaravinda m

Vande guroh shri-charanaravinda m means we beg the blessings of the lotus feet of the pure devotee of the Lord. So in this way we begin our life, our day’s work by guru vandana, vandana means praying, begging for blessings of the spiritual master.

yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ‘pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas tri-sandhyam
vande guroh shri-charanaravinda m

So by pleasing the spiritual master, you can please the Supreme Lord.

So in this way, have this understanding how to associate with the pure devotee of the Lord, and how to work under his guidance and this commitment, this preparation, this mental preparation, not only preparation, acting in that understanding is most vital in the life of a devotee. So once we have that understanding, devotional life will be, you know, will be going on very nicely. So we have to therefore, train our mind in such a way that we do not make any mistakes in that understanding. So devotional life is sometimes very simple and sometimes it looks very complex. It is simple for the pure hearted souls. But when the heart is not very clean, or it is not very pure, it could also be complex. Sometimes also, we should also learn how to deal with Vaisnavas. So we have to realize that you know, by serving the Vaisnavas one will get blessings, how to get strength for devotional life. So by serving Vaisnavas, we will get the strength. So the Vaisnavas, so we have to honour him, we have to respect him and we have to take the blessings of the Vaisnavas. There should be no political motive in that process, no politics and no misdealings. So it should be pure hearted, from the heart. 

So in this way when the heart is clean, the Lord by His blessing, the knowledge will come to the sincere devotee of the Lord. Just like in the scriptures,

yasya deve para bhaktir
yatha deve tatha gurau
tasyaite kathita hy arthah
prakasante mahatmanah

That sloka, that person who has great attachment to the spiritual master and also great attachment to the Supreme Lord, the knowledge will be revealed by the blessings of the – combined blessings of the spiritual master and the Supreme Lord, Lord Krishna, all the knowledge will be given.

So in this way, these are the instructions from the scriptures. The instructions from the scriptures, follow these instructions and life will become very, devotional life will be come very joyful journey. So unless one is joyful then how can one carry on devotional life? So this is the secret of success in devotional life. So therefore one should always beg for the blessings from the spiritual master and also act in that understanding. We have to get the blessings and we have to do our duty. If we do not do our duty, only seeking blessings – we also have to act, then we become successful by blessings, actions should be performed nicely.

So we can say that you know, in our movement, in Krishna consciousness, in ISKCON, see after Prabhupada’s departure we encountered many many different, say chapters. Different chapters passed but still by the blessings of Prabhupada, pure devotee, by sincerely serving his instructions and following his guidelines, in spite of some difficulty everything ultimately goes well, goes on. So in this way, this movement will always continue very nicely, properly but then we just have to maintain this understanding that one has to follow the directions of the spiritual master 100%. For that matter we can always beg blessings from spiritual masters, from any other advanced vaisnavas can take as siksha, get instructions from advanced vaisnavas. But the ultimate goal is how to get strength to serve the orders of my spiritual master. That will be the primary. So if we continue like that there will always be harmony and there’ll always be peace and happiness in the life of a devotee. And one will be able to solve all the difficult problems. We have to realize that this material world is always a place of danger. So we should not take it very lightly. One should understand these basic simple things and devotional life will flourish in the life of a person.

So one word about our Cintamani. Cintamani when he came to Mayapur, he was.., his health looked quite well. And he was very enthusiastic. And he seemed to be happy, come to mangala arati everyday. The temple was always full of with thousands of devotees from all over the planet. So he was ready to go to Manipur. So everything was arranged for our Radhanath and Maniya and Cintamani. They even gave their ticket money and everything –  ready to go. He was very happy. He was looking forward.

But you know in the middle of the festival, all of a sudden the weather changed. I got sick for about 3, 4 days. I had high fever, very high fever. Ache, pain all over the body. I thought I got malaria. See, I didn’t use any mosquito net. And for a few days I was staying in Devaki Prana’s house. Our Devarsi brought one doctor. One local Mayapur doctor and he gave me some medicine, called homeopathic medicine. So I took some of his homeopathic medicine for one or two days and then I got cured. (indistinct) And after few days then I heard that Cintamani also got sick. Fever. Actually (indistinct) because a lot of devotees got sick for sometime. I don’t know about Radhanath. He didn’t get sick right?

(laughter)

But many got sick. Even the GBC members in the middle. So I thought it may be something like that. I thought give some homeopathic medicine he’ll be ok. Somehow in this case he didn’t get completely cured. But after the GBC meeting actually I went to Calcutta for some very important, urgent work. Then Radhanatha telephoned me saying that Cintamani’s health is not very well. Then we discussed a few things about how we should consult different doctors and local doctors. So I went. I also went to Mayapur. I went from Calcutta to Mayapur to see Cintamani. I had some prasadam from Jagannatha Puri and Vrndavana. Some people brought, some devotees brought and gave. I took some of those prasadam to Cintamani. I saw him. Although he was not feeling well, he was very jolly. He was joking and I gave him some prasadam, I fed him some prasadam. Good sweet. He wanted to stay at Mayapur. By the blessings of Gauranga Mahaprabhu whatever was coming to him, he was treating it as Krishna ‘s arrangement. He was not worried about anything. But you know he was happy. He was listening some music, some Harinama and then many devotees came. When I went in the room, the room was full. The room was not very big but inside and outside, so many devotees. All our  French devotees and our other devotees from France,  Italian devotees, they were all there. So everybody was you know very much loving Cintamani also. He was also very enthusiastic about life. He also got very impressed by seeing all the devotees. So well to be very very frank somehow by the blessings of Krishna and Prabhupada and Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the holy dhama everything went you know, very very (pause) very nicely. So although availability of the doctors in Nawadwip and Krishnanagar, was available but when we telephoned the France, the group, the insurance group right? They were also very cooperative, very helpful. Very nice that two ladies that we spoke and they also spoke very good English. Radhanath spoke in French, I spoke in English, we had very nice conversation. Then you know by the advice of some lawyers, they advised me that maybe Cintamani should write a will in case something happens so that there won’t be any difficulty in ?processing. So he got a – he also wrote a few lines saying that everything is dependant on the mercy of Krishna and so everything should be arranged in that way. Therefore that part was, it was actually by the arrangement of Prabhupada, the mercy of Prabhupada and Gauranga Mahaprabhu it was done timely and then when the instructions came from France that a doctor from Delhi has instructed that the doctor from Calcutta should be involved. In fact they even arranged for an ambulance to take Cintamani to Calcutta for a better arrangement. And that doctor was also very cooperative. Very very helpful. And our Dhanavat and our Maniya, they were there all the time and our Calcutta boys, Manipuri boys also were tending our Cintamani. When I went to hospital in Calcutta it was already late at night, the nurses also, all were trying to help. Also Cintamani still, he was in good mood, in good spirits, he was joyful. And I only spoke on the telephone and the doctor was very nice person. Ready to help anything that was possible. So then I left, you know we got that festival in Manipur, I left for the holy festival. Then in a few days – What date was that when he left?

Devotee: He left on the 28^th.

Srila Sripada: Yeah, so 26^th I left in the morning. 26^th and 28^th ….

Devotee: 28^th morning, 5.20

Srila Sripada: yeah so I got the message on 28^th. Our boys called me from Calcutta Office saying Cintamani left the body. And then process of how to … because his will was that he wanted to get these things done in Nawadwip Mayapur area. So but to get the permission from the, French embassy is only in Delhi . That was holiday right? Holiday it was closed, yeah, but the doctor from Delhi , he was in touch with the French embassy at ¦home consular. So that fax was sent getting the permission from the … because without that it will take some time. Then also Wednesday right? So then everything was arranged to take to Nawadwip and all the devotees came from Mayapur to join the programme. And so everything just happened in automatic way, just very nicely. And the following day there was very big feasting, because Cintamani wanted right? Also invited some local people in Nawadwip area, temple area. And I went I just came from Nawadwip actually. I came from Nawadwip to here at, and then when I went on that day people are still talking about how nice it is and everything … the procession was nice and the kirtan and the feast and some hundred people from outside came to see me. They were all very happy, talking very nicely about.  Of course, we are not prepared that he should leave his body that quickly but since he was preparing to go to Manipur and wanting to do some preaching in France and he also wanted to get second initiation. So we did that ceremony in good spirits and that was also there. But everything went very quickly and also very nicely..

So from what I have seen, I have seen the symptoms and his jolly mood and wanting to serve Prabhupada’s mission and he was attracted to Krishna consciousness and so symptoms are auspicious, everything looked good. Sometimes he talked about his son, about his schooling, about (inaudible) asking some advice. But also sometimes he was also everything dependent on the mercy of Krishna . He wants to see that his son also becomes a very nice Vaisnava. So in this way it was nice to see him in India . And we just pray that by the blessings of Krishna that he is serving the Lord in the spiritual world and Prabhupada’s mission.

So I’m happy to see all of you here in France . So since I didn’t come to France very often because I’m primarily nowadays I’m busy in writing (inaudible). So I think because writing and this type of writing is also (inaudible) involved and so its difficult to – whenever I get a little bit time I come back to Calcutta because Calcutta, I have everything. Everything that I need is in Calcutta . So that’s one reason. The second reason is that I’m trying to finish the temple at Manipur.  And so it is scheduled to be completely opened in 2007. So in 2007, maybe you should all prepare to visit Manipur. It should be around, I didn’t want to make it too cold at that time so it should be around October. October and middle of November. December generally will be very cold.  So it is planned to have an extremely big festival. It will be at least about one month. So that preparation is already started. Finishing the temple is one of the primary goals for the (inaudible).

So hopefully, most of the … most of the, you know, details of construction, should be finished. Then I’m planning to host a very huge international congress as a part of this opening festival. This congress will be on world peace … congress on world peace and international cultural festival. International cultural festival means there will be many artists from around the world. From Japan , from Africa, from Australia , from Canada , all these contacts that I have around the world, some of them will come and present. This is planned in a big scale. So that, because of this work I’m very tight. Very, very busy. Extremely busy.  And then besides, I travel in this part of the world – Singapore , Malaysia and Indonesia . These parts of the world became an important part of my service. And India itself. India is a big field for preaching. India is the biggest field. India has become a very important place for preaching. So because of these factors, also I want to develop Radha Kunda and Nawadwip. I got all the facilities there, we have to make it available if you come there. So in this way, time has been little. So therefore coming to France has … although I want to come, because of these things I became more involved in those services. So we pray that we could visit … best thing is that if you could visit me in India , that will be best. Especially in Radha Kunda (inaudible) nice ashram and Nawadwip. I’m keeping myself in Jagannath Puri. Jagannath Puri is nice for … (inaudible). I’m looking at a piece of land in Jagannath Puri. These places will be nice ashram and can spend time there. 

So these are … I think from now on looks like I’m going to be more available there in India . Maybe you could come visit, like come one month, 15 days, 2 months, 3 years, 5 years, 10 years (laughter).  Ya, and you can have nice … nice devotional life. I will also try to pass France sometimes. I also like to visit, I like you know this area. France has nice climate and (pause). So you should also think about visiting India . May not be every year but at least it will be good to have a plan in your life to visit at some time India . India definitely has developed different than rest of the world. So come with your mind completely prepared. If you don’t prepare you get sick. Then if you come prepared devotional life definitely will be very conducive. Everywhere so many places that in spite of so many people but you know but your mind is (laughs) you become very joyful in the middle of difficulties. So except Ranganikirtan all of you can come (laughter). He is afraid of flying and also age, the age factor. But he can do nicely here in France . And his wife is going for him. The mataji. So its good that he has a nice (inaudible).

Devotee : (in French) (laughter).

Srila Sripada:  Its ok. He can see the film in India about Vrindavana, you might have seen Vrindavana, Radhakunda, Mayapur. Many of the programmes you might have seen in the video. Seeing those activities is as good as Vrindavana, so we should not worry. For Ranganikirtan.

So everybody please stay well and always use this life for a meaningful goal. We should always think about where will be my destination, journey. So the destination, if you want to reach the ultimate perfection of life, going to the spiritual world. So with that prayer and preparation and seeking the guidance of the Vaisnavas, spiritual leaders and one will be able to find that way and proceed with enthusiasm and seeking always blessings of the spiritual masters and the Supreme Lord. Then life becomes fulfilled.

The important thing is the commitment, that personal commitment because by knowing if we do not apply it in our action, in our day to day life and that will not come so easily. Therefore this commitment and acting in that spirit, spirit of attaining the perfection of life, so therefore this commitment is very important, personal commitment. So some of the simple basic principles of why we take up Krishna consciousness. Therefore the scriptures say that human life is most important. Then this Bhagavata says nasta prayesu vabhadresu nityam bhagavata sevaya. So nityam means eternally or regularly. Regularly this bhagavata seva. Bhagavata seva means serving the spiritual master and also hearing this Srimad Bhagavatam. Nityam Bhagavata sevaya, serving the spiritual master and hearing Srimad Bhagavatam constantly, regularly and all the difficult processes will be overcome, removed from the path of devotional life. Because we don’t want any danger. Danger has to be removed because when you are making a journey if there is certain problem and difficulty, we want to avoid that. So how to avoid? How to get the strength to avoid? How to realize the right path is that this nityam bhagavata sevaya, by constantly serving the spiritual master and also getting the advice regularly.

So therefore it is good to have this realization that before I act I should get the sanction, permission of the spiritual master on whether your plan is right or wrong, you should get the permission from the spiritual master. You should seek internally or externally you can get the permission. If the spiritual master says yes, what you are doing is okay, yes do it, if he says no, don’t do it, shouldn’t do it. So in this way we should get the permission, first we should seek the permission. And if the permission is yes, then you should go ahead with enthusiasm and it will be successful. If he says no, then shouldn’t do it. So therefore Bhagavat says dharmah means the duty that we perform.

dharmah svanusthitah pumsam
visvaksena kathasu yah
notpadayed ratim yadi
(Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.8)

So if those activities are not sanctioned, not permitted then if I do it, then Bhagavat says srama eva hi kevalam , that will be simply wastage of time and valuable time is wasted[1]. (inaudible) Therefore its very simple. Simple in the sense that we have these basic teachings are understood, then it is easy to carry on in devotional life. Therefore mind should be trained in such a way that we should always consult the spiritual masters and we should always get their permission to act, to do the activity. So in this way spiritual life can be very joyful. They say by the combined blessings of the spiritual master and Lord Krishna, it is the combined blessings we can carry on with devotional life.

yasya deve para bhaktir
yatha deve tatha gurau
tasyaite kathita hy arthah
prakasante mahatmanah

Prakasante means it is revealed.It is – Knowledge is coming from the combined mercy of the spiritual master and Krishna . Mahatmanah means the sincere souls, the devotee of the Lord, mahatmanah, devotee, great devotee of the Lord. So therefore they get this knowledge. So therefore this combined blessings of Guru and Krishna is required. So therefore we should always beg for the blessings so that my action is authorized. What I am doing is authorized. So if these simple things are maintained, life will be devotional life will be very joyful experience. Even in the middle of difficulties you get strength to overcome.

So please stay well because France is not so easy. But if the mind is fixed, then you know there is nothing difficult. All the difficulties can be overcome. Now in India, it was very hot and very when I came yesterday and left, it was very hot and it was not easy but when I came to France yesterday I thought I was coming to you know, some heavenly area. Weather was fine, everything is green, nice breeze, not hot, not cold. So I thought it was a very nice place. And devotees were there, in the airport. So by the blessings of Prabhupada, all of you are here. So it’s a wonderful thing. Otherwise life will have been very difficult. But by the blessings of Prabhupada, everything went easy for all of us. So if you cannot come to India , have a nice little house and make it a Vaikuntha. Vaikuntha means Radha Krishna is there and the devotees are gathered together and chanting and discussing about how to serve the Lord with heart and soul. How the mind should be trained nicely so that the mind doesn’t wander around in different parts of the planet. So in this way when we engage and get together then.. Prabhupada told once that if we engage like that then although we are staying here this life is just like staying in Vaikuntha. So make every house a Vaikuntha. So our Ranganikirtan can also make his house a Vaikuntha (laughs). He was staying in that New Rishikesh, Nava? But then you know when we all moved here all of you, then he asked if he can also move here, therefore he came. Nandagram. Yeah but it was nice, because devotees are around. Please keep in good spirit remembering that this human life is important and try to engage in the service of the Lord. Our Ranganikirtan must be pretty old now, he must be .. but he looks very young, he looks the same.

Devotee: This is illusion. (laughter)

Srila Sripada: He looks the same when I saw him in Avenue. In Avenue, when I came first to France , I saw him when I came early in Avenue. I don’t know when I came first to see our Krishna Bhakti. I don’t remember what year was that.

Devotees: 1987

Srila Sripada: Before that.

Devotees: 1984

Srila Sripada: I saw Ranganikirtan. He brought his wife to the program. I was wondering who these are. (Laughs) He looks the same. By the blessings of Prabhupada and Krishna he looks very healthy.

Devotee: Before I was walking straight, but now maybe little zig zag. (laughter)

 [1] The occupational activities a man performs according to his own position are only so much useless labor if they do not provoke attraction for the message of the Personality of Godhead.

Transcribed by: HG Rupacandra Das and Devotees.

You can download this ‘Transcendental Nectar of Satsanga’ as a WMA file Here
(Downloads [downloadcounter(Srila_Sripad_Maharaj_Principles_of_Devotional_Life)])