Bhakti Vikasa Swami's Blog, page 38

The power of chanting

The chanting of the holy name is so powerful that it gradually establishes its supremacy above everything in the world. The devotee who chants it becomes transcendentally situated in ecstasy and sometimes laughs, cries and dances in his ecstasy. Sometimes the unintelligent put hindrances in the path of the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, but one who is situated on the platform of love of Godhead continues to chant the holy name loudly for the benefit of all concerned. As a result, everyone becomes initiated into the chanting of the holy names — Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. By chanting and hearing the holy names of Krsna, a person can remember the forms and qualities of Krsna.

Srila Prabhupada, TLC 18: The Conversations with Prakasananda

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Even imitative hari-nama has effect

The powerful hari-nama is so strong that even one unconsciously or conscious… Sometimes they imitate: “Hare Krsna.” They have no intention to chant the holy name of Krsna, but they imitate or criticize, “Hare Krsna.” That has also effect.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.2.5-8 — Calcutta, January 10, 1971

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Srila Prabhupada’s father prepares him for sannyasa

Actually, I never liked my wife. I was going to marry another, but my father saved me from the danger and he told me that you do not like your wife, that is the grace of Krishna. So don’t be worried about your wife. If she wants to re-marry, let her do so, and you’ll be free and I shall give you Sannyas and you will be preaching freely.

From a letter by Srila Prabhupada to Gopala Krishna, Honolulu 11 May, 1972

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Haridasa Thakura, relieving Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s anxiety

CC Antya 3.52 Translation by Srila Prabhupada:

Haridasa Thakura replied, “My dear Lord, do not be in anxiety. Do not be unhappy to see the condition of the yavanas in material existence.”

PURPORT
These words of Haridasa Thakura are just befitting a devotee who has dedicated his life and soul to the service of the Lord. When the Lord is unhappy because of the condition of the fallen souls, the devotee consoles Him, saying, “My dear Lord, do not be in anxiety.” This is service. Everyone should adopt the cause of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to try to relieve Him from the anxiety He feels. This is actually service to the Lord. One who tries to relieve Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s anxiety for the fallen souls is certainly a most dear and confidential devotee of the Lord. To blaspheme such a devotee who is trying his best to spread the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the greatest offense. One who does so is simply awaiting punishment for his envy.

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Srila Prabhupada remembers Srila Bhaktivinoda & prays to him

That is our purpose, that “Europeans and Americans will come, and they will dance here with the chanting, ‘Jaya Sacinandana!’ ” So that is being done. So when they chant and dance, I simply remember Bhaktivinoda Thakura. That’s all. I pray to Bhaktivinoda Thakura, “Now they have come to your shelter. Give them protection.” That’s all. What can I do more? I cannot do anything more.

Morning Walk — March 6, 1974, Mayapur

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Lessons from Vamana-lila; Bali Maharaja tested

Bali Maharaja passed the severe test put before him by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is further proof of the Lord’s mercy toward His devotee. The Supreme Personality of Godhead sometimes puts a devotee to severe tests that are almost unbearable. One could hardly even live under the conditions forced upon Bali Maharaja. That Bali Maharaja endured all these severe tests and austerities is the mercy of the Supreme Lord. The Lord certainly appreciates the devotee’s forbearance, and it is recorded for the future glorification of the devotee. This was not an ordinary test. As described in this verse, hardly anyone could survive such a test, but for the future glorification of Bali Maharaja, one of the mahajanas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead not only tested him but also gave him the strength to tolerate such adversity. The Lord is so kind to His devotee that when severely testing him the Lord gives him the necessary strength to be tolerant and continue to remain a glorious devotee.

Srila Prabhupada, SB 8.22.29-30, full purport

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Mayavadis can’t stop the Krsna consciousness movement

We sometimes feel inconvenienced by the hindrances offered by these impersonalists, but we do not care about their so-called philosophy, for we are propagating our own philosophy as presented in Bhagavad-gita As It Is and getting successful results. Theorizing as if devotional service were subject to their mental speculation, both kinds of Mayavadi impersonalists conclude that the subject matter of bhakti-yoga is a creation of maya and that Krsna, devotional service and the devotee are also maya. Therefore, as stated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, mayavadi krsne aparadhi: “All the Mayavadis are offenders to Lord Krsna.” (Cc. Madhya 17.129) It is not possible for them to understand the Krsna consciousness movement;  therefore we do not value their philosophical conclusions. However expert such quarrelsome impersonalists are in putting forward their so-called logic, we defeat them in every respect and go forward with our Krsna consciousness movement. Their imaginative mental speculation cannot deter the progress of the Krsna consciousness movement, which is completely spiritual and is never under the control of such Mayavadis.

Srila Prabhupada, CC Adi 7.39, ppt.

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Real renunciation

National [citizen] means a living entity born in particular country. So at the present moment, the national means only human being. The animals are not nationals. They are being sent to the slaughterhouse. So this kind of sinful activities are going on. Therefore renunciation means to give up these sinful activities. That is real renunciation. Otherwise, you cannot renounce anything. You have to live. And that is allowed at the cost of God. Everything belongs to God. You are son of God.

Srila Prabhupada, Room Conversation with Dr. Arnold Toynbee, Famous Historian, at his home or office — July 22, 1973, London

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Lord Caitanya prays in the mood of Radha: Happiness in distress

“I do not mind My personal distress. I only wish for the happiness of Krsna, for His happiness is the goal of My life. However, if He feels great happiness in giving Me distress, that distress is the best of My happiness.”

Cc Antya 20.52, translation by Srila Prabhupada

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Radha, Krsna, & love

Krsna has got loving propensity; we have got loving propensity. Wherefrom this love has come? Because Krsna loves Radharani, and we are part and parcel of Krsna; therefore we have learned how to love.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.19 – December 28, 1974, Bombay

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