Some Important Precepts Of Our Spiritual Master Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Goswami Maharaj Through Questions And Answers

Q:- When can a living entity live peacefully ?

A:- A living entity can not enjoy peace until he is under the fruits of his past deeds. He is weak, inefficient and incomplete. So he can not attain eternal peace until he surrenders himself to the lotus feet of the Lord.

Q:- This material world is treacherous soil, so under this circumstances what is the duty of a devotee ?

A:- Though the material world makes a living entity to enjoy different kinds of sorrows, a devotee is not affected by such sorrows. So a devotee should proceed in the path of devotion with enthusiasm and perserverance.

Q:- What is the duty of the human society ? What is the result of following one’s duty ? A:- The sole duty of the human society is the congregational chanting of the holy name of Lord Krishna. Sriman Mahaprabhu is the most munificent incarnation as He has guided us

to take the shelter of Sri Krishna name or He has provoked us to chant the name of Krishna incessantly. A living entity is empowered to relish the devotional mellows of Sri Krishna by chanting His name which is not attainable even by the demigods.

Q:- Everyone in this world is selfish. What is your opinion on this point ?

A:- It is natural that the people of this material world are engaged themselves in their personal benefit. But we are eager to gain the devotion at the lotus feet of the Lord. We are fully selfish because the only object of our worship is to please Lord Krishna and we think we are the servitors of Krishna.

Q:- In which way an intelligent person would utilise his selfishness ?

A:- We have no any other desire except serving the Lord Krishna and our spiritual master. Thinking in this line one should utilise his intelligence for serving both the above persons. Q:- Can a living entity do any beneficial work for himself ?

A:- A living entity can not attain one’s ultimate goal by reading hundreds of scriptures and engaging himself in singing, worshipping, etc. according to his personal will and pleasure. Q:- Can a living entity become Brahma ?

A:- It is not possible to get curd out of water. Similarly, a living entity can not become Brahma. The living entity has some similar qualities like the Supreme Lord and so he is endowed with the power to serve the Lord. As God is above all the living entities and demigods, it is not possible on the part of a living entity to occupy His position .

Q:- Everyone says that one should marry to have a son. What is the significance of this proverb ?

A:- A son delivers his parents from the hell named ‘Pun’ and so he is called a son. A son who does not serve the Lord and engages himself in other deeds, according to scriptures he is an unwanted son. It is just like doing enviousness to the living entity by giving birth to such a son. The son who serves the Lord and the father who makes his son serve the Lord, such type of parental relation with the son is beneficial for their clan.

Q:- Can a person be benefited by denouncing or praising others character ?

A:- It is never so. The benefit of the soul can not be attained by denouncing or praising others character. Moreover it is better to discuss over personal loopholes than discussing over others faults. To control the mind is one type of yoga. The discussion over others character means discussion over the deeds of a person who is not in a position to serve the Lord. So it is not beneficial for the soul. But the word ‘Para’ means the Lord. So by discussing over the Lord’s pastimes, names, etc. we can be benefited in a true sense.

Q:- What should we do at every moment ?

A:- It is always required to discuss relating to our resort, then we can free ourselves from material entanglement. When a devotee gets devotion towards the Lord, he always discusses over the names and deeds of Hari and this helps him in attaining the summum bonum of life.

Q:- How many kinds of Vaishnavas are there and how would we identify them ?

A:- There are three kinds of Vaishnavas like neophytes, middle order Vaishnavas and superior Vaishnavas i.e. who are engaged in the service of the Lord after attaining perfection. A Vaishnava’s position is considered according to his attachment for chanting the Lord’s name. The neophytes have interest to worship the Lord but they do not have the knowledge about Krishna, His devotees and His self-soul. They are like Vaishnavas. The middle order Vaishnavas have inward mentality and they serve the enlightened devotees attentively. The Superior Vaishnavas are impartial to the living entities and they have no discrimination over the name and His person.

Q:- To which kind of reality Sri Jagannath, Sri Balarama and Sri Subhadra Devi belong ? A:- Sri Jagannath is the symbol of the Lord having the form of the Lord with eyes and hands. The meaning of this is that the Lord sees everything, knows everything and creates everything. Balarama is the potency of the Lord who has the capacity to create living entities. Mother Subhadra is the illusory potency of the Lord and Sudarsana represents His will power.

Q:- Why Brahma and Siva are called the demigods ?

A:- Brahma and Siva belong to the differential potency of the Lord. So they are considered as demigods.

Q:- Which method is the better one to enter into the transcendental world ?

A:- There is no other way except congregational chanting to enter into the transcendental world for the living entity.

Q:- How can one attain the highest qualification to enter into the spiritual life ?

A:- The association with sadhus bestows a living entity to enter into the spiritual life.

Q:-What is the result of association with good persons and bad persons ?

A:- A living entity attains love for Krishna by the association with Saints but by the association with unholy people men become like beasts and can not discriminate between good and bad. The association with the unholy persons deviates one’s mind from serving Lord and the real duty of a person.

Q:- It is said that one should give up imitation and should follow the path of good persons, what is the difference between the two?

A:- It is seen that people act like Narada in a drama. But it is quite different from following the devotional path shown by Narada. When one imitates others, he is devoid of benefiting himself but by following the devotional path of saints one attains devotion to the Lord.

Q:- What is the difference between muttering and chanting the Lord’s name ?

A:- Utterance of an incantation with a murmering voice without the movement of the lips is called mutter. But when one chants with the movement of his lips is called kirtan. Kirtan is more beneficial than muttering. Utterance of the Lord’s name, quality and pastimes with a loud voice is called chanting.

Q:- What is the first hand information about Krishna and what is the significance of Krishna’s name ?

A:- The first hand information about Krishna is His holy name. The name of Krishna has the attractive power and it is the most powerful reality in itself. One should chant Krishna’s name for attaining Krishna Himself .

Q:- It has been told that five types of accomplishments are there to attain success in devotional path. Are they not self-sufficient ?

A:- Leaving chanting of Lord’s name, no accomplishment is complete in its nature That means leaving chanting, dwelling in Mathura, association with saints are imperfect.

Chanting of the Lord’s name gives us the fruit of dwelling in Mathura, association with saints, worship of deities and reading Bhagavata.

Q:- It is known that the chanting of the Lord’s name is the means as well as the and. How far is it true ?

A:- Lord’s grace is the only way to attain accomplishment. Any other kind of deed or knowledge is not counted as the chief accomplishment. The name of the Lord and His person are nondifferent. So the attainment of one’s objective is itself the attainment of the Lord as the Lord Himself is in the form of His name.

Q:- Why people treat the pastimes of Krishna as the deeds of an ordinary person ?

A:- The character of Sri Krishna is clear and devoid of misconduct as seen in his meditation by Vyasadeva. The historical characters are entangled with material existences but the pastimes of Krishna are not considered so. The pastimes of Sri Krishna has no relationship with a country’s time, place and person or it is not related with any kind of material happiness.

Q:- Many people think ill of Krishna as He has stolen the clothes of the Gopies. What is the significance of this pastime ?

A:-Those who want to serve the Lord, have nothing to conceal before the Lord. In order to teach this to his devotees the Lord enacted this pastime.

Q:- How Sri Radha and Krishna are related to each other ?

A:- The persons who have accepted the doctrine of Sriman Mahaprabhu know that the conjugal love for Sri Krishna is the greatest serving attitude. The persons who are the followers of Srimati Radha Rani can taste this mellow. Sri Krishna is the truth in reality and Srimati Radharani is His eternal consort. Sri Radha and Krishna are one and the same and they glorify the mellows of Their service. They appear in two forms. They are like the two sides of the same coin.

Q:- What is the difference between Goloka and Gokula ?

A:- There is no difference between Goloka and Gokula. The eternal abode of the Lord is called Goloka and when it comes down to this material world is called Gokula, as the mark of Sri Krishna’s sporting place.

Q:- Is it possible to see the manifested Dhama with our material eyes ?

A:- One should have transcendental eyes to see a Dhama in its real form. Those who receive transcendental vision by the grace of the Lord, are eligible to see the transcendental abode of the Lord.

Q:- Why is it required to take shelter under the lotus feet of Sriman Mahaprabhu ?

A:- The propagator of the congregational chanting of Sri Krishna’s name is Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He enlightens in their hearts and encourages them with Krishna Prema. They gain devotion for the Lord with the help of Sri Krishna sankirtan and taste the mellows of conjugal love. So it is the foremost duty of a living entity to take shelter under the lotus feet of Sri Chaitanya. Again one should take shelter of the staunch followers of Sri Chaitanya

Mahaprabhu like Sri Swarupa Damodara, Rupa Goswami etc. in order to get the grace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Q:-Why is it said that the incarnation of Gauranga Mahaprabhu is unconceivable ?

A:- The significance of taking incarnation in this iron age is to preach kirtan and distribute Krishna Prema among the living entities. Though this incarnation has its own significance, it is secret to the ordinary people.

Q:- What will one attain by remembering the pastimes of Gaura and Sri Krishna ?

A:- There are two compartments in the Brindavan, which is above this material universe. There exists the servitors who are generous. But sweetness is the main character of this abode. In the place of Gauranga generosity is main but there also live the persons who have taken shelter of sweetness. At the time of acomplishment those who worship both Krishna and Gaura, attain at the time of perfection spiritual bodies and stay simultaneously in both the places.

Q:- Who are the disciples of this iron age ?

A:- To worship Gauranga with the incantation of Krishna and worship Lord Krishna with the incantation of Gaura is the one and the same. Those who consider them to be different are called the disciples of this iron age.

Q:- Who worships Gauranga and who worships Sri Krishna ?

A:- When a living entity is not free from material entanglement he worships Gaurasundar and when he is freed from material attachment, Sri Krishna becomes his worshipable Lord.

Q:- The religion of this Kali Yuga is congregational chanting of Lord’s name. But why do you engage your devotees in constructing temples and buildings ?

A:- Everyone has not that qualification which is required to chant the sacred name of the Lord. So they are asked to construct buildings to create serving attitude towards the Lord. At the grace of the Lord one becomes the servitor of the Lord and the transcendental name of the Lord dances on his tongue.

Q:- How can we be freed from sense gratification ?

A:- By the grace of the Spiritual Master when the transcendental name of the Lord purifies our ears we are freed from sense gratification mentality.

Q:- When can a living entity be freed from material attachment?

A:- When we engage ourselves in chanting the name of Hari thinking ourselves to be Karmees, we attain religion, name and fulfilment of our desires. Then we do offence at the transcendental name. So we get only material benefit. When we chant the name of Hari having no ambition for salvation, we are freed from material entanglement.

Q:- What are the favourable situations for chanting the name of the Lord ?

A:- At first we shall be freed from enviousness to the Vaishnavas because it causes misfortune in this material world as well as in the transcendental world. This material world is the testing place. We find here only sorrow. Tolerance, feeling insignificant and praising others are helpful for chanting the Lord’s name.

Q:- How can we make this material body favourable towards devotion ?

A:- One should not try to do any thing against the will of Lord Krishna. If one serves the Lord he feels comfort with his body, mind and soul. If one keeps oneself away from the service of the Lord it stands against him in doing service to the Lord.

Q:- Are the names uttered by us transcendental ?

A:- It is not possible to utter the transcendental name of the Lord with His form, attributes and pastimes with the help of our natural eyes, ears and tongues. With serving attitude of the senses the Omnipotent Lord manifests Himself before us.

Q:- What is the result of chanting offensive name ?

A:- By chanting offensive name we shall be dragged towards hell. This stands against utterance of transcendental name.

Q:- How can we be freed from mental speculation ?

A:- After hearing the scriptures one can be freed from mental speculation. After hearing the scriptures all kinds of mental speculations against the scriptures are removed.

Q:- When does one attain the wealth of transcendental name ?

A:- The Lord and His devotees manifest in this material world for distributing the wealth of Baikuntha. Vaishnavas are transcendental in nature. They know the temporal existence of this material world and that’s why they inform us about the transcendental matter.

Q:- While chanting the Lord’s name mundane thoughts come to our mind. So this chanting becomes valueless. Then how can we be freed from its clutches ?

A:- It is not wise to leave chanting of the Lord’s name, thinking that the material thoughts come to our mind while chanting the transcendental name. Gradually by accepting the transcendental name these unnecessary thoughts vanish and the transcendental name will arise as a Sun with its self-eflulgence.

Q:- What is the system of serving the Lord ?

A:- Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraj Goswami has taught to worship one’s Spiritual master at the beginning, then Sri Gauranga and at the end Gandharvika Giridhari.

Q:-To which thing one should be conscious while chanting the Lord’s name ?

A:- If one chants the Lord’s name Krishna in a clear heart, the senses don’t go away from the Lord’s transcendental form, attributes and pastimes. One should have keen interest for the unbreakable manifestation of the Lord’s form, attributes and pastimes.

Q:- Why is the human form considered as the most valuable form ?

A:- Human form is the most valuable form because it is attained as a result of congregation of good deeds in different births. This is attained by travelling through 80 Lakhs of births. It has been said in the 11th canto 2nd chapter and 29th verse of Srimad Bhagavatam that this temporary human form is very much valuable form which is attained after the accumulation of good deeds in different births. Due to ignorance animals and birds don’t have the knowledge to serve the Lord. They don’t have sacrificing mentality. This human form is suitable for serving the Lord. So the human form is considered as the most valuable form.

Q:- Is there any remedy for death ? How can one conquer it ?

A:- Yes, one can overcome death. But atheists can not overcome death. They can never escape from the hands of death. Only the devotees of Krishna can overcome death, like Bhisma who accepted death at his own will. One can overcome death by taking shelter under the lotus feet of the Lord Krishna. Lord has told in Bhagavata in the 2nd canto 3rd chapter 17th verse that the sunrise and sunset destroys man’s life span, if they are not utilised for discussing the Lord’s pastimes. Those who spent their time in discussing Lord’s pastimes, are not under the control of death. Lord Sri Krishna has also told to Arjuna in

Srimad Bhagavata Gita 9th chapter 31st verse, “O Arjuna, O, the son of Kunti, I declare it properly that my devotee is never destroyed. I will protect him.”

Q:- Then what should a person do at the time of death ?

A:- When a person is at the doorstep of death he should take complete shelter of Krishna, His name, attributes, form and pastimes should be remembered. He should associate with saints and should hear and chant Hari. Once Khatwanga Maharaj had a life span of only a moment. Knowing this he took complete shelter under the lotus feet of the Lord and then he went to the transcendental abode of Lord Hari. It is said in Vishnu Smriti by the Lord, “O Sadasiva, O Mahadeva, I promise, My name ‘Krishna’ is very secret. What can I say more about it as it protects one from death.” So always remember the name of Krishna.

Q:- What is called the doctrine of Bhagavata ? Let me tell this gracefully.

A:-The Lord Shyamasundar has expressed the easiest method to attain Him. To offer Lord Sri Krishna all the deeds done either due to enforcement of one’s nature or fate with mind, speech, sense organs, intelligence or heart is called the doctrine of Bhagavat.

Q:- What do people feel when Mahaprabhu manifested Himself in Nabadwipa ?

A:- When Mahaprabhu appeared in this world at Nabadwipa, the fallen souls, fools, Muslims and illiterate people felt happy and the people of the world chanted the name of Hari and received Krishna Prema which is even unattainable by Brahma.

Q:- Can the remnants of Lord Jagannath be compared with the ordinary food ?

A:- Not at all, the remnants of the Lord, the name of Krishna are transcendental in nature as per devotees of the Lord. So the transcendental objects are not related with the local time, place and person.

Q:- Does the pastimes of the Lord like killing of demons occur in the transcendental abode of the Lord which is above this world?

A:- Goloka is eternally transcendental abode of the Lord. There is no place for illusion. There, the servitors of the Lord enjoy the meIIows of conjugal love by thinking themselves as the servitors of the Lord.

Q:- Are Brahma, the Super Soul and the Lord different reality and why Sri Krishna has more importance ?

A:- Though they are same in nature, one realises the reality as per his accomplishment and one thinks that to be the most desirable thing. Krishna is the embodiment and one thinks that to be the transcendental form, the Super Soul and Brahma.

Q:- What quality should one possess to enter into the abode of the Lord and how can it be attained ?

A:- In order to enter into the Lord’s abode or to attain His name one has to acquire four attributes- 1) One should think himself to be as insignificant as a blade of grass, 2) He should be tolerant more than a tree, 3) He should give up the desire of name and fame, and

4) He should be compassionate towards the living entities. These four qualities are required to chant Hari Nama . There is no other way except the possession of these attributes.

Q:- Does the Lord is served by serving His deity ?

A:- There is no difference between the service of the deity and the Lord. He manifests Himself in the worshipable form. We know that the writers of the scriptures declare that His name, form and God are nondifferent things. He who has no devotion, says the deity is an

idol. One who knows the method of creating electricity with the help of a wire, can say that the wire itself is the current. But the person having no knowledge about it will say it is a wire. Similarly a material thing becomes transcendental.

Q:- What is the object of a devotee ?

A:- A devotee wants to give satisfaction to the Lord. He chants the holy name of the Lord with a serving attitude. He has no other ambition.

Q:-What quality should we possess to serve the Lord ?

A:- The things that are favourable in the line of serving the Lord are tolerance, feeling insignificant and praising others. Unless one has tolerance, one can not have strong faith in the Lord. Tolerance is the ornament of a Vaishnava. One can not praise another person unless one feels oneself to be inferior. So these are the attributes helpful in the line of serving the Lord.

Q:- Why shall we call a Mahabhagavata to be the Universal spiritual master ?

A:- Mahabhagavata sees all the living entities as his spiritual master. This great attribute makes him great and gives him the fame of Universal spiritual master.

Q:- Maharaj ! Everybody has emanated from the Lord. Then why should articles be offered to Him and what significance has it ?

A:- This is a good question. The persons who like arguments think that existence of God is not at all required. So it is not required to offer food to Him. They think that the things created by the Lord when offered to Him, make one think the Lord’s godly qualities to be transformed into mere human qualities. They argue against the requirement of prayer, meditation and eulogy for the benefit of our souls. All the work should be directed for pleasing the Lord and, there should not be any thought of personal benefit. The love for the Lord shows that the beautiful Lord sits before us and enjoys Himself as a father feels arranging food for his children. Similarly God has arranged food for us. For the pleasure of the father the children collected food and offered to their father as a mark of love to obtain blessings. Father lovingly blesses them and returns them all the food articles and says, “O my dear children, these are for you. You offer me as a symbol of love for me. But I don’t require anything. I accepted a little of your offering which is nothing but the unalloyed love and selfless affection.” When we accept Mahaprasad we become happy.

Q:- Are the attainment of service of Lord Sri Krishna and realisation of Him equally significant ?

A:- A living entity is the servitor of Lord Krishna by nature. By chanting the transcendental name of Lord Krishna one attains eligibility to serve Lord Krishna, who is a Cupid . When one is interested with a particular type of service, His real form and realising His real form are equally important.

Q:- When a living entity is entitled to utter the transcendental name of the Lord ? A:- When one is mentally prepared to serve the Lord for His happiness, then the transcendental name would dance on his tongue automatically.

Q:- What is the duty of a man, whose birth is temporary ?

A:- An intelligent person engages his energy fully in the service of the Lord without wasting a moment insignificantly because he knows very well that his life span is very short.

Q:- What should a devotee do being effected by grief ?

A:- One should tolerate it knowing that it has been created by the grace of God. There is no other way to overcome it, other than waiting for the receipt of Lord’s grace.

Q:- Maharaja! What is the aim of begging alms from door to door?

A:- This begging system is for the benefit of pure devotees, but the religious hypocrites misutilise this system to fulfil their belly.

Q:- What is the most beneficial pity for the living being ?

A:- The preach of devotional path is the most ideal benevolence for the living entities, it keeps away from sinful activities and drags them to the Lord.

Q:- Why does a living being disbelieve in the existence of the Lord ?

A:- Atheists learn to argue irrelevantly due to their association with bad persons from their childhood and being effected by this, he does not believe God’s existence. He harms himself and there is no loss to the God.

Q:- Though a living being is an eternal servitor of the Lord, why does he disbelieve in Him ?

A:- Those who don’t have transcendental eyes can’t see the Lord, and so they think that God does not exist. As the blind can’t see the light of the Sun, so also an atheist doesn’t have belief in God .

Q:- Who can not be termed as a human being ?

A:- What is the world ? Who am I ? Who has created this world? What is my duty ? Those don’t have ideas over these things can’t be termed as human beings.

Q:- What are the five states of a living entity ?

A:- A fallen soul has five states like conceived conciousness, contracted conciousness, blossomed conciousness, flourished conciousness and perfect conciousness.

Q:- What is called birth ?

A:- When a fallen soul’s astral body is covered with its material body according to the fruit of his action is called the birth of a living entity.

Q:- What is called death ?

A:- When the material body of a living being is detached from its astral body is called death.

Q:- What is called egoism ? How long does it stay with a living being ?

A:- As long as the astral body is not destroyed the living entity feels egoism in contact with the material body.

Q:- In which body does a living entity enjoy the material things and what is the effect over him ?

A:- The cause of one’s willingness to enjoy the world is due to the existence of astral body encircled with aspirations . The astral body is the cause of a living being’s happiness, sorrow, fear and unhappiness. That’s why a living being is entangled with this material world .

Q:- Which body favours the living being to serve the Lord ?

A:- A living being cannot serve the lord until he has an astral body along with the material body. When one realises his ownself by pure devotion, the serving attitude of the soul is

aroused and he gets the right to relish the ecstatic bliss related to the service of Lord Krishna.

Q:- By whom a living being is effected and cann’t know himself?

A:- The knowledge of a living being in captivated by the Lord’s illusory potency. His outward knowledge is effected by that prime natures of a living being. So he cann’t think himself to be devoid of prime natures.

Q:- Who feels sorrow due to birth and death ?

A:- A person who saves more than his requirement is called a thief, he always enjoys the sorrow due to death and birth

Q:- What is an absolute knowledge ?

A:- To know one’s object of worship and real self form is called absolute knowledge .

Q:- How can we know that we are endowed with devotion ?

A:- It is possible to be related with God by devotion. Devotion is the only way to gain the service of the Lord. When our transcendental eyes are cleared with devotion we are able to know the God in His real form. The God manifests Himself in the Heart of a pure devotee.

Q:- What happens when a living being comes to the state of contemplation and state of loving attitude to the Lord ?

A:- In the State of contemplation one attracts the Lord Krishna with his associates but in the loving state one relishes the devotion to the Lord sporting with His associates .

Q:- What in devotion ? Please explain it graciously ?

A:- The state of mind which thinks over Krishna in a conducive way being devoid of jnana, karma and yoga is called unalloyed devotion. Devotion is internal in nature . It is not a thing to show outwardly.

Q:- Can a living being serve the Lord without the grace of his resort deity ?

A:- It cann’t be so. One’s spiritual master is the resort deity and his disciples belong to the resort class of servitors or the dust particles of the resort deity. When one realises this he can serve the Lord. When one serves His spiritual master properly he attains the service or Lord by his grace. It is not possible to get the service of Lord through personal attempt .

Q:- Let me know the difference between knowledge and devotion ?

A:- One can remove the forgetting attitude to the Lord by devotion. Knowledge roots out the virtue and vice arising out of one’s pursuits. But devotion destroys the seed of pursuits causing virtue and vice and also destroys completely the main root of ignorance . Devotion destroys the sinful fruits of past deeds and present deeds .

Q:- Why is the mind entangled with sorrow and happiness ?

A:- As long as the mind is under the control of primal quality of birth and goodness second basic quality of a human being and ignorance, it remains being absorbed in sense gratification with its senses of knowledge and senses related to actions.

Q:- What is the real form of a soul ?

A:- All the things in the transcendental world have emanated from the Sandhini potency of the Lord. Knowledge and will power has emanated from Sandhini potency and chit potency is the cause of bliss. The embodiment of these three potencies is the real form of the Jiva Soul.

Q:- What is the significance of the Lord ?

A:- The Chitpotency, Sambit potency and Hladini potency are minutely present with a living being, whereas they are in complete form with the Lord. There lies the significance of the Lord .

Q:- What is the difference between the mind and soul ?

A:- The soul never tries for sense gratification whereas the mind is engaged in sense gratification. This is the difference between the two.

Preceptor’s Precepts In Brief

1. A living being attains devotion to the Lord as a result of congregational chanting of the Lord’s name. He relishes the devotional mellow. So one should take shelter under the lotus feet of the Lord Sri Chaitanya Dev. It is concluded that one gets the grace of the Lord by loving the followers of Chaitanya Dev like Swarup and Rupa.
2. A living entity is an eternal servant of Lord Krishna. One realises his ownself by chanting the transcendental name of Lord Krishna which is a service of Lord Krishna, the Cupid .

3. Encouragement and perseverance are the two main qualities of a devotee. The material world cann’t give displeasure to a true devotee.
4. One should chant the name of the Lord Krishna in a clear heart. One should be attentive not to allow the detachment of his senses from meditation on Lord’s form, attributes and pastimes .

5. I am completely selfish because my object of worship is Krishna and I belong to Krishna. I have no love for any other thing unrelated to Krishna.

6. We have no aim other than serving the spiritual master as well as Lord Krishna. An intelligent person should guide his intelligence to acquire this.
7. The human society has one duty that is to chant congregationally the name of Lord Krishna. This is the most munificent quality of Sriman Mahaprabhu, because a living being attains Krishna Prema which is not attainable by the demigods .

8. Association with the saints endows one with the capacity to lead a spiritual life.

His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri in New York City

Krsnacandra dasa Om Anjnana Timirandhasya jnananjana salakaya cakur unmilitam yena tasmai sri guruve namah First, I offer my unlimited dandavat pranams to my beloved diksa guru Om Bishnupad Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaj. I hope with his mercy, and the mercy of the Vaishnavas, that I will be able to recant with clarity the wonderful events which have taken place here in New York for the past one week.

Since the month of June 2001, when my own Gurudeva’s North American tour ended, I felt lonely for the sanga of pure Vaishnavas. I yearned for it day after day, and finally one day, my friend Modan Gopal Prabhu told me that his Gurudeva Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaj would be coming to New York (just one stop on his world tour) in the month of August. His mission; to retrace the steps of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

New York would have a particularly special mood, as this is where Srila Prabhupada began his mission to preach Krishna consciousness to the West, and single-handedly performed sublime seva for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His prophecy, “In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.” I was extremely excited, and had Srila Puri Maharaj’s darshan in the past when I was in Mathura and Vrindavan for Kartika last year.

Thursday, August 23rd, 2001

A contingent of devotees from the New York area, including Bhumipati Prabhu (sisya of Prabhupada) Modan Gopal Prabhu, some godsiblings and myself, arrived at the airport to personally welcome Srila Puri Maharaj to New York. Srila Maharaj’s host, Modan Gopal had not arrived at the time, and we were filled with anxiety. How would we properly welcome Maharaj without his host in New York. But just at the same moment when Modan Gopal had arrived at the terminal, Srila Puri Maharaj entered the room, and all of a sudden, the terminal was filled with chanting.

(Left to right: Sripada Bhakti Vichar Bishnu Maharaj, Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaj) We were all in a state of bliss, a feeling completely foreign to us since my Gurudeva had left North America. Even the common passersby around us took notice of Srila Maharaj and the ecstatic kirtan which seemed to follow him around. Flower petals were spread in his walking path and they were touched by his lotus feet.

Soon, Srila Puri Maharaj and his entourage, consisting of his disciples from Italy, as well as Sripad Bhakti Vichar Bishnu Maharaj and Vrajendra Nandana Brahmachari, both from India, had boarded Modan Gopal Prabhu’s vehicle, and they left for his apartment, in the heart of Greenwich Village, Manhattan. Upon arriving at Modan Gopal’s apartment, there was a Guru Puja would consisted of the bhajan “Sri Guru-Carana-Padma” and a foot- washing ceremony. Srila Puri Maharaj gave a short lecture and took rest. The apartment was a most serene place at this point in time. Most of the devotees had left after the lecture, and all that remained were a few of the Italian devotees (their residence was seperate, but nearby) taking a short rest or chanting their gayatri. Just the mere knowledge of knowing that Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaj was so close by, sleeping peacefully, was enough to make me feel so very fortunate to have such sanga.

Friday, August 24th, 2001

This was a most exciting and glorious day. In the morning, after breakfast prasadam, we all left for Thompkins Square Park, the place where Srila Prabhupada introduced the nama- sankirtan movement to the Western World. I was with several of the Italian devotees from the entourage, including Sajjan Prabhu, Adhoksaja Prabhu, Mathura Prasad Prabhu, and Mana Mohan Prabhu. We began kirtan, anticipating the time when Srila Puri Maharaj would arrive. We were soon joined by devotees from every known camp prominent in the New York area including disciples of my Gurudeva Srila Narayana Maharaj, ISKCON devotees, rtvks, and disciples of Kirtanananda Swami. For one brief, shining moment, we were all able to unite in the backdrop of this most auspicious place. Finally, Srila Puri Maharaj arrived, and our kirtan became most ecstatic upon seeing him. He strode through the park, and took his seat under the very same tree which Srila Prabhupada would sing kirtan.

He gave a wonderful, captivating class, about the history and glories of Srila Prabhupada, as well as the potency of chanting harinama. From the moment he entered this park, until our departure, I felt as if he briefly brought Vrindavan with him. Even after his lecture was finished and he circumambulated the park, animals such as squirrels and dogs walked up to him, and stopped by his feet, almost as if they were offering their pranams to him. I hope that I will always remember with perfect clarity the delightful expression on his face when he was confronted with joy by spirit souls of every kind, devotees, karmis, and animals alike.

What followed was an over one mile long harinama procession from Thompkins Square Park to 26 Second Avenue, or “Matchless Gifts”, the first temple that Srila Prabhupada opened. Despite his seniority, Srila Puri Maharaj walked through the streets with the sankirtan party with such vigor that upon seeing him, Bhishma’s prowess during the Battle of Kurukshetra immediately came to mind.

The Sankirtan procession ended at 26 Second Avenue. Srila Maharaj had finally seen the place which served as Srila Prabhupada’s first temple. The visit was relatively brief. Srila Puri Maharaj was greeted by Danhudar Swami, as well as Yagna Purusha Brahmachari of ISKCON, and together they viewed the many framed photgraphs of Srila Prabhupada inside.

Finally, Srila Maharaj signed the guestbook. After the parikrama of 26 Second Avenue, Srila Maharaj returned to Modan Gopal Prabhu’s apartment, resting before the next program, which was to take place in Jersey City, at the home of grhasta followers of Srila Bhakti Ballabha Tirtha Maharaj.

Srila Puri Maharaj spent a short time in Modan Gopal Prabhu’s lobby. He first briefly skimmed the cover of New York Press, a newspaper, followed by the menu of a local Chinese restaurant. As he was reading, he exclaimed, “One dollar fifty for vegetarian soup. This is sixty-seven rupees! In India, we can feed one dozen people with this money!” Srila Puri Maharaj, glancing at the latest issue of “New York Press” Despite the rather lousy traffic on the way to and from Jersey City, the program was warm and wonderful.

Pradyumna Prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, came with us that evening, and we arrived at the home of some Indian devotees. The program took place in the backyard of the home, and we were greeted by the comfortable evening air while Srila Puri Maharaj spoke illuminating discourses on Gaura lila and the importance of chanting the holy name. Our hosts fed us generally with prasadam, and we soon returned to New York City.

Srila Maharaj and his associates from India took rest, while Modan Gopal, the Italian devotees, and myself hit the streets of Greenwhich Village and had a great naga sankirtan led by Golokananda Prabhu. The end of a perfect day for harikatha and sweet sadhu-sanga.

Saturday, August 25th, 2001

This was a most auspicious day, as many devotees in America celebrated as the Appearance day of Srimate Radharani. I waited in anxious participation for the wonderful lecture which he would soon give at the home of Champakalata devi dasi, a disciple of Srila Bhakti Ballabha Tirtha Maharaj, in nearby Richmond Hill, Queens.

Although it was apartment, it was spacious and inviting due to her hospitality. When we entered her apartment, which was tastefully decorated for the occassion, I had remembered the times when I was at the Vraja Mandala Parikrama, and my godsiblings and I would follow my Gurudeva to the homes of many grhastas, and we would all crowd together as our Gurudeva would give a class. The mood of this particular program was very similar. Most of the time, I had felt as if I was in Vrindavan or Mathura, and I would purposely forget that I was in Queens, New York.

After a most beautiful lecture about Srimate Radharani, Srila Maharaj gave mahaprasadam to all who wanted, signed many of his books, and held some darshans in an adjoining room. When we returned to Modan Gopal’s apartment, we waited in anticipation for our next program, which was planned to have taken place at the Towaco ISKCON Temple in New Jersey.

Just a few hours before we would have departed, a phone call was made to those who made the invitation to confirm our arrival, and we were informed that the ISKCON GBC called the Towaco Temple in force, forbidding them to allow Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaj to give any lecture at the temple. Although a disappointment, little did we know that the Will of Providence would soon take a gentle hand, and bring us to a most worthwhile activity. We were driving about in Lower Manhattan, and as I remember, the objective at the time was to show Srila Maharaj the Statue of Liberty. At one point, we passed the World Trade Center, and Modan Gopal Prabhu asked if Maharaj wanted to go to one of the Twin Towers. He agreed, and we all disembarked at a nearby parking lot.

Upon exiting our vehicle, Srila Puri Maharaj walked up to the parking lot attendant and said to him, “You should let us park here for free. We are sadhu!” This was a priceless moment. I could sense that the parking lot attendant wanted to comply, but he said his boss wouldn’t allow it. Srila Puri Maharaj continued, “We are giving you a great opportunity!” True as it was, Modan Gopal Prabhu finally paid, and we entered Tower #2.

(Left to right: Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaj, Madana Mohan Prabhu, Sripad Bhakti Vichar Bishnu Maharaj) “You should let us park for free. We are sadhu!”

The ever-outgoing Golokananda Prabhu immediately started kirtan as we entered one of the Twin Towers. Not a single person moved to silence us. The kirtan never ended, and was sweeter than anything I had ever heard for a long time. No longer was I thinking about why we entered this place, in the nexus of the New York City Business World, rather all of were absorbed in nagar- sankirtan Modan Gopal Prabhu paid for our tickets to enter the Observation Tower, and we were allowed to skip to the head of the line. Everyone was facilitating our desire to spread the Holy Name even to the topmost structure of New York. We arrived at the 105th floor, and the kirtan resumed. From there, we began to circumambulate the entire building!

As the kirtan intensified, and some of us began to dance, everyone at the Observation Tower took notice. Tourists of every nationality and creed took photographs and video footage of us. Tourists of Indian origin clasped their palms together in deep reverance of Srila Puri Maharaj. Even the employees stopped everything they were doing, and began to be absorbed in the kirtan. Many common people, both young and old, began to dance with us.

Even Srila Maharaj began to dance a little as many different people approached him, all dancing jubilantly. This went on for quite a while, until everyone except for Srila Maharaj, Vrajendra Nandana Brahmachari and myself stayed where we were, while Modan Gopal and the rest decided to see the topmost part of the building.

What followed were wonderful, serene moments. Srila Maharaj saw an informational kiosk, and from the screen, he read aloud the history of such things as the Brooklyn Bridge and Battery Park. We listened intently as if he were giving us a Srimad Bhagavatam lecture. Later, he sat down by a telescope with the State of Liberty far below.

As the Modan Gopal Prabhu and company returned, we went back to the ground level, our kirtan never ceasing. We returned to Modan Gopal’s apartment, and we all took rest for the rest of the day. In the evening, Modan Gopal, the Italian devotees, Ujjvala Sakha das, and myself went to Bhumipati Prabhu’s home for prasadam. All along the way, our kirtan seemed to never end. It continued in our passenger van, and anytime the light would turn red, all the devotees, led by Golokananda Prabhu, would jump out of the van and spread kirtan at every traffic intersection. I had never before felt so fired up since I left India last year. Before going to Bhumipati’s home, we stopped shortly at the Brooklyn ISKCON temple to take darshan of Sri Sri Radha Govinda.

Unfortunately, the curtains had been closed for that night, but everyone who came into contact with us commented that we all looked as if we were “glowing”. Many had no idea that Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaj was in New York. After having excellent prasad at Bhumipati’s home, we went to 94 Bowery, the place where Srila Prabhupad had lived before taking disciples. Engulfed by Chinatown, this property was riddled with graffiti, and felt quite lonely. How could anybody fathom that the sadhu who brought Krishna Consciousness to the West had such a humble beginning, devoid of any fanfare?

Sunday, August 26th, 2001

On Sunday morning, we had a morning program scheduled with The Sanctuary, a temple and restaurant run by disciples of Kirtanananda Swami. Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaj was given flower garlands, and we had another Guru Puja ceremony. Srila Maharaj spoke about the lila of Srila Sanatana Goswami, and the importance of saranagati in devotional life. At the end of this lecture, he humbly thanked us for being so merciful as to allow him to speak that morning. The feeling from hearing such humble words from a sadhu in the Gaudiya Vaishnav tradition is a feeling that words cannot describe. In the late afternoon, we set out for Brooklyn, en route to the home of Ramesh Prabhu and his family, all of whom were followers of Srila Bhakti Ballabha Tirtha Maharaj. So many people were there, ready to provide fanfare for Srila Puri Maharaj in the form of kirtan. The home was well- decorated, and the whole family was ready to serve prasadam once the time came. Another stunning lecture, followed by prasadam, book signings, and darshans, as usual.

Monday, August 27th, 2001

Unfortunately, I was unable to come on Monday, although the program on that day was not as long as the others. Everybody went to Achyutananda Prabhu’s home (a disciple of my Gurudeva Srila Narayana Maharaj), but only remained for one hour because the party arrived late and Srila Maharaj wanted to return Modan Gopal Prabhu’s home to take rest.

Tuesday, August 28th, 2001

No programs took place in the morning, although Srila Puri Maharaj took a short walk around Greenwich Village. After this, a chair from Modan Gopal Prabhu’s home was fetched for him so he could sit comfortably outdoors. Although common to sit outside in American suburbs, sitting on a chair in the middle of Manhattan on the sidewalk of Sixth Avenue is something different entirely. The fact that he is one of the most senior of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas was even more unusual! After sitting for some time, Srila Puri Maharaj entered a nearby dry cleaning establishment, and began to utter mantras and shlokas for some time. Later, we found out that he was purifying the establishment with these mantras! He briefly inquired about their sewing machine, and then we all returned to the apartment.

Later on in the day, we went to Bhumipati Prabhu’s home for a program. Many devotees came, some from as far as Upstate New York and Washington DC! Unfortunately, I did not take photographs or notes of the lecture, so I could elaborate with extra text and photographs at a later date when those become available via the devotees who attended.

Wednesday, August 29th, 2001

The final full day of the New York segment of the tour, Srila Puri Maharaj was invited to the house of Samakrsi Prabhu from New Jersey. Some of the devotees who believed that Srila Maharaj would be at the Towaco ISKCON Temple last Saturday, attended this program.

The program and lecture was held in Samakrsi’s basement, where Srila Maharaj spoke again of the lila of Srila Sanatana Goswami, in particular, the time when his servant was supposed to give all 8 of their remaining gold coins to the rogues lurking between cities, but instead he kept 7. The theme was the faith in harinama as well as complete saranagati and love, as opposed to holding back because of material motivations. At the conclusion of his lecture, Srila Puri Maharaj concluded that we should all be so very thankful for Srila Prabhupada, that he came all the way to America to spread Krishna consciousness. Immediately, I remembered 94 Bowery, this lonely, desolate apartment building which at the same time was permanently sanctified by Srila Prabhupada. This was a very intense moment.

Finally, Srila Puri Maharaj was invited upstairs by Samakrsi. A darshan was held, and finally Srila Maharaj turned to Modan Gopal Prabhu and said, “We should leave from here now, we must travel 48 or 60 miles from here.” Very accurate. We turned to leave.

Incidentally, on the way to New Jersey, Srila Puri Maharaj had first looked at a sign nearby the highway, then turned to Modan Gopal Prabhu and read aloud, “National Wholesale Liquidators”, and demanded to know the meaning. It was very interesting because this is an outlet store that just happened to be run entirely by Indians. Quite a few in that store would have probably benefited greatly from Srila Maharaj’s vapuh sadhusanga.

Thursday August 30th, 2001

Today was a day overshadowed by melancholy; the day when Srila Puri Maharaj would move onto Denver, Colorado. There was a short and sweet program in Thompkins Square Park, and most of the morning was spent packing bags. Bhumipati Prabhu arrived around noon to help, and was blessed with the seva of driving Srila Maharaj to the airport. A caravan of several vehicles set out to Newark International Airport where we had one final darshan in the departures terminal. He spoke to everybody individually in a most sweet, heartfelt way.

The melancholy was spoiled by brief bouts of laughter when Srila Puri Maharaj was requested to come to the ticket counter. The attendant there asked Srila Maharaj two questions, first, if his luggage was ever out of his sight, and second, if anyone else had packed his bags. He replied, “I am from India”, until Sripad Bishnu Maharaj told Srila Puri Maharaj in Oriyan to just say “yes” to all of the questions. He did so, much to my relief, as I was afraid they would end up searching dozens of bags checked in by Srila Puri Maharaj’s tour! He went through the security checkpoints, and while the metal detector buzzed constantly, we were all in the background shouting “Haribol!” and “Jai Gurudeva!”, cheering him on to his next stop.

It was only through Srila Puri Maharaj’s mercy that we were able to carry ourselves back to our homes. Now with the absense of a pure devotee of Krishna in the New York area, all we can do is to continue our professions, but with detachment as is instructed in the Bhagavad Gita. As long as we remain strong with sraddha, Krishna will most mercifully send us the sadhu sanga that we strive to have so much greed, lobha, for. Ever since I first met him in Vrindavan last year, I had hoped to someday spend much time with Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaj. And Sri Sri Radhe Govinda has mercifully given us the sanga of Their most wonderful devotee.

I conclude this essay with a quote uttered frequently by Srila Puri Maharaj during the New York Tour: harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyaatha “In this age of Kali (quarrel and hypocrisy), the only means of deliverance is chanting of the holy name of the Lord. There is no otherway. There is no other way. There is no other way.” (Brhad Naradiya Purana (38.126))