Lecture

Initiations

Prabhupāda: The ten offenses, explain. [japa]

Jagadīśa: [explains ten offenses]

So there are 10 offences. One must be very careful to avoid in chanting Hare Kṛṣṅa mantra, explained here. The first, to blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives for propagating the holy name of the Lord.

This means one must be free from envy—especially of the spiritual master. In the Nectar of Devotion, it is explained that one may not envy the spiritual master as he would an ordinary man. One may not be envious of the spiritual master, this enviousness of the spiritual master—blaspheme the spiritual master's position. The spiritual master being an emissary of Kṛṣṅa. An ambassador, just like if the ambassador of United States, suppose France was insulted then it is taken as an insult by the president. It is taken as an insult, by the leader of the country.

So the ambassador is just a representative, but the offence to the ambassador is not forgiven, in the case of a pure devotee Kṛṣṅa never forgives this offence. Because the pure devotee, the spiritual master is so dear to Kṛṣṅa performing the most beneficial activity to reform souls in the material world and thereby as Kṛṣṅa explains in the 18th chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā. There He explains this science of devotional service, the devotee is the most dear to the Lord. So therefore anyone who blasphemes or insults the spiritual master, the pure devotee is automatically becoming greatly hindered in his advancement in devotional service.

In fact it is called a 'mad elephant' offence to offend a pure devotee. Just as in a garden there are so many nice flowers and plants growing but if an elephant gets into the garden. If a 'mad elephant' gets into the garden then all the vines and flowers are torn, torn away from the roots. And so with devotional service, the creeper of devotional service can be completely destroyed by this offence to the pure devotee. This must be avoided.

The second offence. "To consider the names of the demigods like Lord Śiva or Lord Brahmā to be equal to or independent of the name of Lord Viṣṅu." Sometimes the atheistic class of men take it that any demigod is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Viṣṅu but one who is a devotee knows that no demigod no matter how great he may be is independently as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore if somebody thinks that he can chant, "Kālī, Kālī," or "Durgā, Durgā," and it is the same as Hare Kṛṣṅa, that is the greatest offence.

So, also in the Nectar of Devotion it is described that one who thinks of the demigods on an equal level with Kṛṣṅa or he thinks that it is alright that if you worship the demigods you will get to Kṛṣṅa, he is considered an atheist. He is not understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead and his position as the supreme over all the spiritual world and material world.

The demigods are merely living entities like ourselves, emanations from Kṛṣṅa. They cannot be accepted as God. Sometimes they are accepted by foolish men, these foolish men are accepting, this is atheistic. So we should be careful to avoid comparing the demigods with the Lord placing them on any kind of equal level with the Supreme Personality Kṛṣṅa. Kṛṣṅa is the source of the demigods, as He explains in the Bhagavad-gītā and in the 9th chapter all about spiritual knowledge, Kṛṣṅa says, "Whatever is offered to the demigods is actually meant for Me. Albeit without due understanding—for I am the source of the demigods."

"The third offence is to disobey the orders of the spiritual master." The spiritual master's instructions are given explicitly to the devotees so that he may make advancement so if the devotee neglects to follow these instructions of the spiritual master, his advancement will be in trouble. In the Bhagavad-gītā Lord Kṛṣṅa tells Arjuna, "Never mind, don't consider loss or gain, victory or defeat, just fight for the sake of fighting—just fight."

So one must... In the purport Śrīla Prabhupāda explains, one must execute the instructions of the spiritual master as if in military discipline, that may seem troublesome [indistinct]. But the troubles will preposter[?] tapasya, the difficulty will only go on by the disciples because he is following the instructions of the spiritual master. This is the key, this is the key to advancement in Kṛṣṅa consciousness. After all the devotee must learn to hate sense enjoyment. This tapasya means the giving up of sense enjoyment for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord. This is very beneficial for advancing in Kṛṣṅa consciousness. It must be accepted, if one neglects or disobeys the orders of the spiritual master his progress is greatly hindered.

"To blaspheme the Vedic literature or literature in pursuance of the Vedic version." Just like [break] Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam may contain many stories like Lord Kṛṣṅa when He was in Dvārakā from each of His 16,108 palaces each day He would give away thousands of cows. Material [?], this material nature[?] so, so many cows every day were being given away by Kṛṣṅa. This is inconceivable we can't understand so many instances, parts of the scriptures will seem inconceivable. But we must accept it as it is, we cannot test.

We can test by following the instructions of the spiritual master then all will become revealed by Kṛṣṅa's causeless mercy. This is Kṛṣṅa's inconceivable potency. The example is given of cow dung and conch shell, being the bone and stool of an animal. Ordinarily even if one touches dung or stool of an animal he must immediately bathe, or the bone.

But the bone of a conch shell and the dung of cow dung these are pure, it is stated in the Vedic scriptures. It may be doubted, you may say, "Oh this is contradictory because it also says as soon as one may touch the dung of an animal, stool of an animal one must bathe." But the scientists are discovering, yes. The stool of a cow, cow dung is full of all antiseptic properties. So the Vedic scriptures and literatures in pursuance of the Vedic version, all are perfect but they must come in disciplic succession.

Literatures in pursuance of the Vedic version coming through Rūpa Gosvāmī, Jīva Gosvāmī, Bilvamaṅgala dāsa Ṭhākura, Bhaktivinode Ṭhākura, Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura and Śrīla Prabhupāda. All these literatures coming through disciplic succession in pursuance of the Vedic version must be accept the cent per cent as the absolute truth. One must not blaspheme these gurus.

The next offence is, "to consider the glories of chanting Hare Krishna to be imagination." Very simply this is just [indistinct] to be mental speculation. Anyone who chants seriously, sincerely with a view to understanding Kṛṣṅa and becoming purified to gain relief from material miseries. Anyone, four classes of men come to Kṛṣṅa. Those in want of money, those in material distress, those who are curious and those who are in knowledge.

Anyone of these men by chanting Hare Krishna seriously, just after a short time though note the effect. And only because of someone's entanglement, mental activities, mental speculation would they consider this chanting an imaginative process. So we must be careful to avoid all speculation about chanting the holy name. The holy names are pure and this can be experienced by anyone and everyone. [indistinct]

And the next offence, "To interpret the holy name of the Lord." This again, the name of the Lord is non-different from the Lord himself. It can't be changed, Kṛṣṅa is non-different from Kṛṣṅa the personality and it can be understood by any intelligent man verified [indistinct]

By hearing Hare Krishna from the authorised spiritual master everyone even if he a very sinful person can become free and can eventually come to a purified state because of the potency of the chanting of Hare Krishna. So we cannot interpret, Kṛṣṅa gives full information about His name. Kṛṣṅa's name, His self, His pastimes...

Prabhupāda: [aside:] Give them chairs. Some ladies are standing.

Jagadīśa: ...paraphernalia, are all the same, same on the absolute level.

So the next offence is, "To commit sinful activities on the strength of the holy name of the Lord. Because by chanting the holy name of the Lord one can be freed from all kinds of sinful reactions, it should not be taken that one may continue to act sinfully and after that chant Hare Kṛṣṅa to neutralize his sins. Such a mentality is very dangerous and should be avoided."

So Kṛṣṅa being the supreme absolute truth Personality of Godhead gives us this chanting of Hare Krishna to come to Him, chant Hare Krishna you can go back home, back to Godhead and come to Kṛṣṅa. Kṛṣṅa and His name are non-different, devotional service and the kingdom of God are the same. Devotional service is the beginning of the process in practice. Devotional service and the practice are all bhakti and in the end devotional service is the end.

Devotional service is non-different from Kṛṣṅa as well, so we must chant and engage in Kṛṣṅa's devotional service. But if we think we can chant and allow our senses still to go still freely, this is a mistake. You may think, "Oh I will be freed anyway, I will be purified by chanting and then indulge, think about meditate on or engage in some way in the objects of the senses. This is like trying to light a fire while pouring water on the thing.

How can you cleanse the lust if you are remaining lustful? If you are deceiving and give in to your lustful desires while meditating on the objects of the senses, or engaging with the objects of the senses at the same time trying to become purified. No, one must try to control the senses. Controlling the senses is very important, we must control our mind and if the senses are out of control the mind cannot be controlled.

So the senses must be controlled by meditating on Kṛṣṅa's lotus feet. The Deity in the temple, the picture of Kṛṣṅa, the picture of Vṛndāvana, by controlling our senses, by burning incense in the temple, the smelling of flowers offered to the Deities. Controlling the sense of touch, chanting japa, playing instruments, [indistinct], dancing for Kṛṣṅa.

Another sense the tongue, chanting Hare Krishna, taking bhāgavata prasādam. Then the hearing, of course by hearing the transcendental vibration Hare Krishna. All the senses must be controlled this way then the mind will be controlled. And we can focus the mind on Kṛṣṅa's lotus feet. The mind will be wavering here and there, but if we control the lower self...

Prabhupāda: Or, in other words, when you fix up your mind in Kṛṣṅa, then senses will be automatically controlled.

Jagadīśa: Ah.

Prabhupāda: This way is difficult. That way is easy. You fix up your mind... Sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṅa-padāravindayor vacāṁsi vaikuṅṭha-guṅānuvarṅane [SB 9.4.18].

[Mahārāja Ambarīṣa always engaged his mind in meditating upon the lotus feet of Kṛṣṅa, his words in describing the glories of the Lord, his hands in cleansing the Lord's temple, and his ears in hearing the words spoken by Kṛṣṅa or about Kṛṣṅa. He engaged his eyes in seeing the Deity of Kṛṣṅa, Kṛṣṅa's temples and Kṛṣṅa's places like Mathurā and Vṛndāvana, he engaged his sense of touch in touching the bodies of the Lord's devotees, he engaged his sense of smell in smelling the fragrance of tulasī offered to the Lord, and he engaged his tongue in tasting the Lord's prasāda. He engaged his legs in walking to the holy places and temples of the Lord, his head in bowing down before the Lord, and all his desires in serving the Lord, twenty-four hours a day. Indeed, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa never desired anything for his own sense gratification. He engaged all his senses in devotional service, in various engagements related to the Lord. This is the way to increase attachment for the Lord and be completely free from all material desires.]

Ambarīṣa Mahārāja, he was a emperor, but he was a great devotee. How? He always fixed up his mind on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṅa. Vacāṁsi. Sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṅa-padāravindayor. Kṛṣṅa-padāravindayor, on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṅa, he fixed up his mind. Vacāṁsi vaikuṅṭha-guṅānuvarṅane.

The next is the tongue. Mind fixed up, then the next sense is, important sense, is the tongue. Next to the mind, the tongue should be controlled. How? By chanting Hare Kṛṣṅa and eating kṛṣṅa-prasādam. Then other senses will be automatically controlled.

[continues chanting japa]

Jagadīśa: [continues lecture] Then there will be no more sinful activities if the mind is fixed on Kṛṣṅa and the tongue is fixed on Kṛṣṅa. Sinful activities on [indistinct]. One must know the goal by intelligence. We must know the goal...

Prabhupāda: That verse is not quoted there? Sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṅa-padāravindayor vacāṁsi vaikuṅṭha-guṅānuvarṅane [SB 9.4.18]. Leg should be engaged to go to the temple of Kṛṣṅa. Hand should be engaged for cleansing the temple. Nose should be engaged for smelling tulasī which is offered to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṅa. Ear should be engaged for hearing about Kṛṣṅa. Eyes should be engaged for seeing Kṛṣṅa beautifully dressed.

These things are... In this way, the temple worship means all these senses being engaged in Kṛṣṅa consciousness, mind and senses. Then they can..., cannot do any harm. They're already engaged. They cannot have any other engagement. And if you keep vacant the mind and the senses, then māyā will capture. Then eye will go to see the cinema and tongue will go to the restaurant, for [indistinct] steak, what is called? These things will be engaged. [laughter] Yes. [continues japa]

Jagadīśa: [continues lecture] The next offence to be avoided is, "To consider the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṅa as one of the auspicious ritualistic activities which are offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities karma-kāṅḍa."

In the Bhagavad-gītā also it is explained that when your mind has become free from the dense forest of delusion then you will be indifferent to all that is given[?] and all that is to be imparted [?]. By chanting Hare Krishna one becomes immediately free from the dense forest of delusion, I mean ignorance of Kṛṣṅa.

Remembering Kṛṣṅa and remembering His holy name thereby remembering His lotus feet one is automatically fulfilling all the purposes of the Vedas. In the second chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā [indistinct] the purposes of a small pond are immediately fulfilled by a large reservoir of water [japa] understand [indistinct] the Vedas. All the Vedas [indistinct] all the puerile activities, the rules and regulations. Just fix your mind on Kṛṣṅa [indistinct].

The next offence is, "To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name. Anyone can take part in chanting the holy name of the Lord, but in the beginning one should not be instructed about the transcendental potency of the Lord. Those who are too sinful cannot appreciate the transcendental glories of the Lord, and therefore it is better in the beginning not to instruct them in this matter."

However the process of chanting Hare Krishna works so quickly to cleanse the mind that in a very short time the devotees who have come to Kṛṣṅa consciousness relish the activities of the Lord in His form as Kṛṣṅa and in fact the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṅa are so powerful. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out in the introduction of Kṛṣṅa Book that even if a materialist reads about the activities of Kṛṣṅa and the gopīs and he understands them only on the level of a young boy and young girl.

Still they will become purified because these activities are 100% transcendental. Kṛṣṅa's pastimes are completely purifying, so anyone who appreciates Kṛṣṅa's activities becomes purified. So we must always try to fix our mind on Kṛṣṅa-Kṛṣṅa's activities, Kṛṣṅa's lotus feet...

Prabhupāda: Bhavauṣadhi śrotra-mano-'bhirāmāt [SB 10.1.4]. Kṛṣṅa's pastimes are described as the medicine of the disease, bhava. Bhava means repeated birth and death. This is a disease. So bhavauṣadhi. The medicine, panacea, for curing this disease, bhavauṣadhi. At the same time, śrotra-mano-'bhirāmāt: it is very pleasing to hear, and very enlightening to the heart. Kṛṣṅa's name is so nice, Kṛṣṅa's pastime is so nice, that it is very pleasing, satisfying, at the same time, it is the medicine for the disease of repeated birth and death. [continues japa]

Jagadīśa: [continues lecture] This is the very reason why Kṛṣṅa appears in the material world at all. He appears so that others may know and hear of His transcendental activities and thereby be attracted to offer to Him and be engaged on the spiritual platform and give up all material desires. Just to know Kṛṣṅa's activities and pastimes are all attractive, Kṛṣṅa means all attractive and His pastimes are to attract the conditioned souls to give up.

Give up material association and go back to Kṛṣṅa be with Kṛṣṅa in the spiritual realm. And the last offence is, "To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy names and to maintain material attachments, even after understanding so many instructions on this matter." One of the qualities of...

Prabhupāda: The more you become free from material harassment, the more you make advance in spiritual life, or the more you make advance in spiritual life, the more you become detached to the material life. These are the tests. Bhaktiḥ pareśānubhavo viraktir anyatra syāt [SB 11.2.42].

[Devotion, direct experience of the Supreme Lord, and detachment from other things—these three occur simultaneously for one who has taken shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in the same way that pleasure, nourishment and relief from hunger come simultaneously and increasingly, with each bite, for a person engaged in eating.]

Bhakti, devotional life, spiritual life, the test is that viraktir anyatra. Anyatra means beyond, without Kṛṣṅa, everything becomes detestful.

The example is given just like a hungry man, when he's eating, as he's eating so he's feeling satisfaction and no hunger, proportionately. And at one time it will come, he'll say, "No, I don't want any more. I am completely satisfied." Svāmin kṛtārtho 'smi varaṁ na yāce [Cc Madhya 22.42].

[[When he was being blessed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Dhruva Mahārāja said:] ’O my Lord, because I was seeking an opulent material position, I was performing severe types of penance and austerity. Now I have gotten You, who are very difficult for the great demigods, saintly persons and kings to attain. I was searching after a piece of glass, but instead I have found a most valuable jewel. Therefore I am so satisfied that I do not wish to ask any benediction from You.]

Just like Dhruva Mahārāja. He said, "I am now completely satisfied. I have..., I haven't got to ask anything, benediction."

That is the progress and ultimate goal of bhakti. As soon as one is saturated with bhakti, he has no more demand, no more attraction for this material world. Not... Kṛṣṅa attraction means decreasing attraction for the material world. Go on. [chants japa] One can test his advancement for spiritual life, how he is being detached to the material life.

That's all. It is not to be taken certificate from others. Just like when you eat, you haven't got to take certificate from others. You'll feel, "Yes, I'm satisfied." That's all. You don't require, while eating nicely, you don't require to take certificate: "Am I eating nicely?"

Devotees: [laughter]

Prabhupāda: You'll know yourself. [japa]

Jagadīśa: One must be convinced of success and Viṣṅu is success the only key to advancement. So Kṛṣṅa gives a taste, you feel satisfaction coming, just like when eating one feels the satisfaction. In Kṛṣṅa consciousness this satisfaction is coming.

Prabhupāda: Another example is given: the candy. Candy, when a man is suffering from jaundice disease, if you give him candy, he'll taste it bitter. That means more one is materially suffering, he'll not be interested to Kṛṣṅa consciousness. But the example is this: The candy is the only medicine for jaundice. So we have to give him candy by force. And as he cure, as he cures, he'll say, "Oh, candy's very nice. Candy's sweet." [laughter]

So in the beginning we have to force. We have to give the medicine just like horse is given medicine. Three men required to induce medicine to the mouth of the horse. So this is our duty, to inject Hare Kṛṣṅa medicine, just like pushing medicine in the throat of a horse. By force. [laughter] [japa]

[devotees chant fire sacrifice prayers]

vande 'haṁ śrī-guroḥ śrī-yuta-pada-kamalaṁ śrī-gurun vaiṣṅavāṁś ca śrī-rūpaṁ sāgrajātaṁ saha-gaṅa-raghunāthānvitaṁ taṁ sa jīvam sādvaitaṁ sāvadhūtaṁ parijana-sahitaṁ kṛṣṅa-caitanya-devaṁ śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṅa-pādān saha-gaṅa-lalitā- śrī-viśākhānvitāṁś ca

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master and of all the other preceptors on the path of devotional service. I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaiṣṅavas and unto the six Gosvāmīs, including Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Jīva Gosvāmī, and their associates. I offer my respectful obeisances unto Advaita Ācārya Prabhu, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and all His devotees, headed by Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura. I then offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṅa, Śrīmatī Rādhārānī, and all the gopīs, headed by Lalitā and Viśākhā.]

nama oṁ viṣṅu-pādāya kṛṣṅa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṅa on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.]

namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṅī-pracāriṅe nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṅe

[Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvatī Gosvāmī. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.]

oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who has opened my eyes, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the torchlight of knowledge.]

nama oṁ viṣṅu-pādāya kṛṣṅa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktisiddhānta-sarasvatīti nāmine

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṅa, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.]

śrī-vārṣabhānavī-devī-dayitāya kṛpābdhaye kṛṣṅa-sambandha-vijñāna-dāyine prabhave namaḥ

[I offer my respectful obeisances to Śrī Vārṣabhānavī-devī-dayita dāsa [another name of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī], who is favored by Śrīmatī Rādhārāṅī and who is the ocean of transcendental mercy and the deliverer of the science of Kṛṣṅa.]

mādhuryojjvala-premāḍhya-śrī-rūpānuga-bhaktida śrī-gaura-karuṅā-śakti-vigrahāya namo 'stu te

I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, the personified energy of Śrī Caitanya's mercy, who deliver devotional service which is enriched with conjugal love of Rādhā and Kṛṣṅa, coming exactly in the line of revelation of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī.]

namas te gaura-vāṅī-śrī-mūrtaye dīna-tāriṅe rūpānuga-viruddhāpa

Prabhupāda: Then neck, neck beads. Neck beads let them...

Jagadīśa:

siddhānta-dhvānta-hāriṅe

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, who are the personified teachings of Lord Caitanya. You are the deliverer of the fallen souls. You do not tolerate any statement which is against the teachings of devotional service enunciated by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī.]

namo gaura-kiśorāya sākṣād-vairāgya-mūrtaye vipralambha-rasāmbhode pādāmbujāya te namaḥ

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto Gaura-kiśora dāsa Bābājī Mahārāja [the spiritual master of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī], who is renunciation personified. He is always merged in a feeling of separation and intense love of Kṛṣṅa.

namo bhaktivinodāya sac-cid-ānanda-nāmine gaura-śakti-svarūpāya rūpānuga-varāya te

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto Saccidānanda Bhaktivinoda, who is transcendental energy of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He is a strict follower of the Gosvāmīs, headed by Śrīla Rūpa.]

gaurāvirbhāva-bhūmes tvaṁ nirdeṣṭā saj-jana-priyaḥ vaiṣṅava-sārvabhaumaḥ ṣrī-jagannāthāya te namaḥ

[I offer my respectful obeisances to Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī, who is respected by the entire Vaiṣṅava community and who discovered the place where Lord Caitanya appeared.]

vāñchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo vaiṣṅavebhyo namo namaḥ

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaiṣṅava devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees who can fulfill the desires of everyone, and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls.]

namo mahā-vadānyāya kṛṣṅa-prema-pradāya te kṛṣṅāya kṛṣṅa-caitanya-nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ

[O most munificent incarnation! You are Kṛṣṅa Himself appearing as Śrī Kṛṣṅa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṅī, and You are widely distributing pure love of Kṛṣṅa. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.]

pañca-tattvātmakaṁ kṛṣṅaṁ bhakta-rūpa-svarūpakam bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ namāmi bhakta-śaktikam

[I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṅa, who is nondifferent from His features as a devotee, devotional incarnation, devotional manifestation, pure devotee, and devotional energy.]

jayatāṁ suratau paṅgor mama manda-mater gatī mat-sarvasva-padāmbhojau rādhā-madana-mohanau

[Glory to the all-merciful Rādhā and Madana-mohana! I am lame and ill advised, yet They are my directors, and Their lotus feet are everything to me.]

he kṛṣṅa karuṅā-sindho dīna-bandho jagat-pate gopeśa gopikā-kānta rādhā-kānta namo 'stu te

[O my dear Kṛṣṅa, ocean of mercy, You are the friend of the distressed and the source of creation. You are the master of the cowherd men and the lover of the gopīs, especially Rādhārāṅī. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

dīvyad-vṛndāraṅya-kalpa-drumādhaḥ śrīmad-ratnāgāra-siṁhāsana-sthau śrīmad-rādhā-śrīla... [break]

[In a temple of jewels in Vṛndāvana, underneath a desire tree, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Govinda, served by Their most confidential associates, sit upon an effulgent throne. I offer my most humble obeisances unto Them.]

...vṛndāvaneśvari vṛṣabhānu-sute devī praṅamāmi hari-priye

[I offer my respects to Rādhārāṅī, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the Queen of Vṛndāvana. You are the daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu, and You are very dear to Lord Kṛṣṅa.]

Jagadīśa: Those who are second initiates taking the brahminical initiation. This has been called by His Divine Grace as more important than the first initiation. Receiving Gāyatrī mantra is supposed to be done, done only by those who have become fixed up in the mode of goodness.

Earlier on I was explaining about the lust full coverings of the living entities. How the lustful covering can be completely cleansed by the chanting of Hare Krishna.

Prabhupāda: Go on. I shall distribute this. Who is this?

Jagadīśa: Should I go on, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Jagadīśa: So, after a year's time or less, sometimes more.

[lecture continues in background] [devotees coming up, taking initiation]

Prabhupāda: Ātmārāma dāsa. Ātmārāma means who is satisfied with self-realization. Next?

Devotee: Purañjana.

Prabhupāda: Purañjana was a great king, devotee, in the history. [japa]

Jagadīśa: He is completely fixed up in the mode of goodness. Completely cleansed of all lustful coverings. Lustful coverings due to contamination with association with the material modes. So after a short time, if one is qualified because he is fixed in the mode of goodness. Mode of goodness means he is not attracted by the objects of the senses. Belly, anger, the tongue, genitals and so forth. We have to be completely free from material attachments.

Devotee: Purañjana.

Prabhupāda: Purañjana was a great king, devotee, in the history. [japa]

Jagadīśa: All material attachments are completely wiped away by the chanting Hare Krishna. One becomes fixed in the mode of goodness and by taking brahminical initiation from the spiritual master one then eventually becomes qualified, becomes situated in pure goodness and therefore can become a spiritual master himself.

Prabhupāda: [japa]

Jagadīśa: Sometimes the tongue as in the case of Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī. He was not required to undergo any purificatory activities and Śukadeva Gosvāmī was completely liberated from birth. But this brahminical initiation is a second birth. This is the title given to the spirit soul taking a second birth. It is dvija, twice born.

Devotee: Aprākṛta.

Prabhupāda: Aprākṛta. Aprākṛta means transcendental. Yes. Hare Kṛṣṅa. Then, next?

There are different stages of understanding. First understanding is direct perception, pratyakṣa. In Sanskrit word it is called pratyakṣa, direct understanding. That tenth-class understanding. That is not actually understanding, direct perception. But people are giving stress that "I want to see. I want to touch." This is called pratyakṣa.

Then next is parokṣa, hearing from authorities. Then aparokṣa, realizing. Then adhokṣaja means beyond the perception of the senses. And then aprākṛta, transcendental. These are the stages for going to the aprākṛta, transcendental stage. From direct perception, then pratyakṣa, parokṣa, to take instruction from others. Then realization. Then beyond these senses. Then aprākṛta, transcendental.

So Kṛṣṅa is aprākṛta. Kṛṣṅa cannot be understood by direct sense perception. Gradually you have to rise to the aprākṛta stage, which is called vasudeva stage, beyond this material understanding. That will take time. You have to practice that. Hare Kṛṣṅa. Come on.

Devotee: Hiraṅyagarbha.

Prabhupāda: Hiraṅyagarbha. Hiraṅyagarbha is Lord Brahmā's name. Or Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṅu's name. Generally Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṅu's. Hiraṅyagarbha dāsa. That's all right.

Then, next? Where is...? No neck bead? How is that? Heh? Where is neck bead? Huh? Oh, these things are not good. It must be well equipped. Otherwise, what is the meaning of initiation?

Give... No neck bead? Go on. First of all get neck beads. Who is next? You have got neck beads? [indistinct comment by devotee] That's alright.

Devotee: Viśvakarmā dāsa.

Prabhupāda: Viśvakarmā. That's nice. Viśvakarmā is the engineer of this universe. Hare Kṛṣṅa. Jaya. You know what are the rules and regulation?

Viśvakarmā: No intoxication, no illicit sex...

Prabhupāda: That's right. Next? [laughter] Come on.

Devotee: Dineśvara dāsa.

Prabhupāda: Dineśvara. Dineśvara is the name of sun, sun-god. Come on. We are all dāsa, not the person. When you call "Kṛṣṅa," "Kṛṣṅa" means Kṛṣṅa dāsa. When you call Dineśvara, Dineśvara means Dineśvara's servant. Our position is always servant. Dāsa-anudāsa [Cc Madhya 13.80].

[I am not a brāhmaṅa, I am not a kṣatriya, I am not a vaiśya or a śūdra. Nor am I a brahmacārī, a householder, a vānaprastha or a sannyāsī. I identify Myself only as the servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṅa, the maintainer of the gopīs. He is like an ocean of nectar, and He is the cause of universal transcendental bliss. He is always existing with brilliance.’]

Servant of the servant, servant of the servant. The more..., the more you become on the lower status of servant, our position is greater. This is...

Come on. Next. [japa]

You arranged for offering this sacrifice? You arranged? [indistinct comment by devotee] What is name?

Devotee: Mahāvī dāsa.

Prabhupāda: Mahā...?

Devotee: Mahāvī.

Prabhupāda: Eh? Mahāvīra. Mahāvīra.

Devotee: M-a-h-a-v-i.

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Devotee: M-a-h-a-v-i. Mahāvī?

Prabhupāda: M-h-a...

Devotee: M-a-h-a-v-i.

Prabhupāda: ...'r' Mahāvīra. Mahāvīra is the name of Hanumān, the servant of Lord Rāmacandra. He was very strong. He could raise even the hills for service of the Lord. Mahāvīra. Mahā means great, and vīra means hero. Come on. Hare Kṛṣṅa. [laughter] Don't laugh.

Then? [japa]

Devotee: Bahirṣmatī dāsī.

Prabhupāda: Bahiṣmatī, one of the daughters of Manu. Come on. Hare Kṛṣṅa. You know what are the rules? Tell me.

Bahiṣmatī: No meat-eating, no illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling.

Prabhupāda: Thank you. Hare Kṛṣṅa.

Prabhupāda: Come on. Next. Who's is this?

Devotee: Went to get some neck beads on.

Prabhupāda: Oh, all right. Then how many still remaining?

Devotee: Three.

Prabhupāda: All right. [japa] First of all grains mixed up. [japa]

Come on. Take your... Come on.

Whose beads are lying on the floor there? Whose beads?

Oh, you never put it in the floor. When there is no bag, you put like this.

Devotee: Mahāyogi.

Prabhupāda: Mahāyogi. Mahāyogi is a name of Lord Śiva. Hare Kṛṣṅa. Take. [japa]

Devotee: Uttamaśloka. Uttamaśloka dāsa.

Prabhupāda: Uttamaśloka. Uttamaśloka means Kṛṣṅa who is chanted with best verses. Come on. [japa]

Jagadīśa: The mantras can be recited again, and this time the initiates can mix up the grains in their hands and throw, at the end of each prayer, the grains on the fire by saying svāhā and pouring ghee on the fire. All the initiates. All the initiates should surround the fire. Those who are not initiates can leave.

[devotees chant fire sacrifice prayers]

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

nama oṁ viṣṅu-pādāya kṛṣṅa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale

Prabhupāda: You keep it.

Jagadīśa:

śrīmate bhaktisiddhānta-sarasvatīti nāmine

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṅa, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.]

namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṅī-pracāriṅe nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṅe

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā cakṣur unmīlitaṁ...

Prabhupāda: You keep it. You keep it. [prayers continue] So where is that, he has come? Waiting. I'm going just now. [japa]

Jagadīśa:

...yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who has opened my eyes, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the torchlight of knowledge.]

nama oṁ viṣṅu-pādāya kṛṣṅa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktisiddhānta-sarasvatīti nāmine

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṅa, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.]

śrī-vārṣabhānavī-devī-dayitāya kṛpābdhaye kṛṣṅa-sambandha-vijñāna-dāyine prabhave namaḥ

mādhuryojjvala-premāḍhya-śrī-rūpānuga...

Devotee: Bhagavatī.

Prabhupāda: Bhagavatī. Goddess Durgā's name. Goddess Durgā, external energy of Kṛṣṅa. [japa]

...bhaktida śrī-gaura-karuṅā-śakti-vigrahāya namo 'stu te

namas te gaura-vāṅī-śrī-mūrtaye dīna-tāriṅe rūpānuga-viruddhāpa siddhānta-dhvānta-hāriṅe

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

namo gaura-kiśorāya sākṣād-vairāgya-mūrtaye vipralambha-rasāmbhode pādāmbujāya te namaḥ

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

namo bhaktivinodāya sac-cid-ānanda-nāmine gaura-śakti-svarūpāya rūpānuga-varāya te

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto Saccidānanda Bhaktivinoda, who is transcendental energy of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He is a strict follower of the Gosvāmīs, headed by Śrīla Rūpa.]

gaurāvirbhāva-bhūmes tvaṁ nirdeṣṭā saj-jana-priyaḥ vaiṣṅava-sārvabhaumaḥ ṣrī-jagannāthāya te namaḥ

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

[I offer my respectful obeisances to Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī, who is respected by the entire Vaiṣṅava community and who discovered the place where Lord Caitanya appeared.]

vāñchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo vaiṣṅavebhyo namo namaḥ

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

namo mahā-vadānyāya kṛṣṅa-prema-pradāya te kṛṣṅāya kṛṣṅa-caitanya-nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

pañca-tattvātmakaṁ kṛṣṅaṁ bhakta-rūpa-svarūpakam bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ namāmi bhakta-śaktikam

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

[I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṅa, who is nondifferent from His features as a devotee, devotional incarnation, devotional manifestation, pure devotee, and devotional energy.]

jayatāṁ suratau paṅgor mama manda-mater gatī mat-sarvasva-padāmbhojau rādhā-madana-mohanau

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

[Glory to the all-merciful Rādhā and Madana-mohana! I am lame and ill advised, yet They are my directors, and Their lotus feet are everything to me.]

he kṛṣṅa karuṅā-sindho dīna-bandho jagat-pate gopeśa gopikā-kānta rādhā-kānta namo 'stu te

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

Devotee: Tapasvinī.

Prabhupāda: Tapasvinī: who performs great austerity. [indistinct] ...after performing sacred thread initiation..

Devotee: Sacred thread initiation? [indistinct].

Prabhupāda: So we can go. [indistinct].

Jagadīśa:

dīvyad-vṛndāraṅya-kalpa-drumādhaḥ śrīmad-ratnāgāra-siṁhāsana-sthau śrīmad-rādhā-śrīla-govinda-

Prabhupāda: [leaves] [Devotees offering obeisances]

devau preṣṭhālībhiḥ sevyamānau smarāmi

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

śrīmān rāsa-rasārambhī vaṁśī-vaṭa-taṭa-sthitaḥ karṣan veṅu-svanair gopīr gopīnāthaḥ śriye 'stu naḥ

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

[Śrī Śrīla Gopīnātha, who originated the transcendental mellow of the rāsa dance, stands on the shore in Vaṁśīvaṭa and attracts the attention of the cowherd damsels with the sound of His celebrated flute. May they all confer upon us their benediction.]

tapta-kāñcana-gaurāṅgi rādhe vṛndāvaneśvari vṛṣabhānu-sute devī praṅamāmi hari-priye

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

Jagadīśa: Everyone stand up.

namo brahmaṅya-devāya go-brāhmaṅa-hitāya ca jagad-dhitāya kṛṣṅāya govindāya namo namaḥ [Viṣṅu Purāṅa 1.19.65]

Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

namo [end]