Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.21 and Initiations

Prabhupāda: [sings Jaya Rādhā-Mādhava] [prema-dhvani] Thank you very much.

Devotees: All glories to you Prabhupāda. [devotees offer obeisances]

Prabhupāda: Hmm. Begin.

[05:41]

Pradyumna: Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. [leads chanting of verse] [Prabhupāda and devotees repeat]

bhidyate hṛdaya-granthiś chidyante sarva-saṁśayāḥ kṣīyante cāsya karmāṅi dṛṣṭa evātmanīśvare [SB 1.2.21]

[Thus the knot in the heart is pierced, and all misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive actions is terminated when one sees one's self and one's master.]

Prabhupāda: Ladies. [ladies chant]

That's all. Now word meaning.

Pradyumna: [leads chanting of synonyms]

bhidyate—pierced; hṛdaya—heart; granthiḥ—knots; chidyante—cut to pieces; sarva—all; saṁśayāḥ...

Prabhupāda: "Doubts." What is the meaning?

Pradyumna: "Misgivings."

Prabhupāda: That's all right. Misgiving and doubt is same.

Pradyumna: [continues with synonyms]

kṣīyante—terminated; ca—and; asya—his; karmāṅi—chain of fruitive actions; dṛṣṭe—having seen; eva—certainly; ātmani—unto the self; īśvare—dominating. [break]

[11:50]

Translation: "Thus the knots of the heart and all misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive actions, or karma, is terminated when one sees the self as master."

Prabhupāda: Hmm. So, bhidyate means cut into pieces. What is that? Knot. Hṛdaya-granthi. Hṛdaya means heart, and granthi means knot. So our everyone's heart is knot. What is that knot? The knot is sex. Puṁsaḥ striyā mithunī-bhāvam etam [SB 5.5.8]. This is knot.

[The attraction between male and female is the basic principle of material existence. On the basis of this misconception, which ties together the hearts of the male and female, one becomes attracted to his body, home, property, children, relatives and wealth. In this way one increases life's illusions and thinks in terms of "I and mine."]

The material enjoyment begins... There is, everyone's heart, man, woman... Man wants to have woman; woman wants to have man. This is searching after.

And some way or other, if they unite, the knot becomes tied up, very strong. That is called knot. Then as soon as the knot is there, then house, then land, then gṛha-kṣetra-suta, children. Then friends, then money. In this way, one after another, one after another, we become knotted in so many things. This is called knot. Hṛdaya-granthi, one after the... Just like, to make it tight, you give one knot, again a knot, another knot, another knot, another knot, to make it secure.

So this is our position. This material world, we are knotted in so many ways, and we are creating more knot. In this life...

[tapping sound in background]

Who is making that sound?

[devotees give indistinct explanation]

Oh... So we have to cut down this knot. We are bound up in this material life by so many knots. So the process of cutting down, we have begun: yad anudhyāsinā. What is that verse? Yad anudhyāsinā, yes.

Devotee: Yad anudhyāsinā yuktāḥ.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

yad anudhyāsinā yuktāḥ karma-granthi-nibandhanam chindanti kovidās tasya ko na kuryāt kathā-ratim [SB 1.2.15]

The fifteenth verse, we began, yad anudhyāsinā. These knots are there. The whole world is working so hard on account of being knotted in so many ways. But this Kṛṣṅa consciousness, if you take this sword and carefully work, then all these knots will be cut up. You will become free.

The living entity, soul, is bound up the subtle body and gross body on account of these knots, attachment. And different attachment. And Kṛṣṅa is giving us facilities as we want. If you want a human body, you get it. If you want animal body, you get it. If you want tiger's body, you get it. You want Brahmā's body, demigod's body, you get it. That is going on. Prakṛteḥ kriyamāṅāni [Bg 3.27].

[The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities, which are in actuality carried out by nature.]

You are..., God is within you, and you are hankering after something, God is noting down: "All right." Even if you forget, He'll give you. "You wanted this facility. Now here it is. You can take." Kṛṣṅa is so kind.

We are being harassed by getting these different types of body and engagement according to the body. That we can understand. We are not happy. One after another... Because our main business is sense gratification. So we cannot enjoy all these senses fully in one kind of body. There is some defect. Just like we are trying to gratify our senses by flying to another planet, moon planet. This is another sense gratification. We are meant for this planet. We are bound up by condition.

Artificially we are trying to go there, and making plan, so many plans: "There will be intermediate station, and the petrol will be carried from here," and this and that. So many things. Simply spending money. Just like childish. The child, they spoil their time and energy in certain playing. Similarly, this is going on. Because it is a sense gratification. That's all. Simply mere sense gratification: "Let us go, how it is, moon planet." You have no business there. You cannot do there anything. You cannot live there, but still, "Let us go, let us go." And spend all the money, taxpayers' money, spend like water.This is going on.

So if you actually want to go to moon planet, there is clear process:

yānti deva-vratā devān pitṝn yānti pitṛ-vratāḥ bhūtejyā yānti bhūtāni... [Bg 9.25]

[Those who worship the demigods will take birth among the demigods; those who worship ghosts and spirits will take birth among such beings; those who worship ancestors go to the ancestors; and those who worship Me will live with Me.]

That Easy Journey... Long time ago, I think some times in 1960, so one gentleman met me: "Sir, your book, Easy Journey... So we shall go there?" "Yes, we shall go." "And again I shall come back?" "No. No coming back." [chuckles] So, "Then what it is?" That means he want to sense gratification. He wants to go to moon planet or to any planet, come back, and become boast amongst his friends, "You see, I have gone." [laughter]

That is his business. Actually, he doesn't want to go there, neither he has got power to go, but he wants to satisfy his senses that "I shall go there and come back and show my chest very swollen, that 'I have gone to the moon planet.' " Eh?

That one aeronautics, he first went with that, what is called, capsule? And he was greeted all over the world. He went to India also. Our rascal leaders, they also greeted him. Kruschev and others. "What?" "He has gone round." And it was published in the... When he was rounding, then he was seeing, trying to see, "Where is my Russia? Where is my Moscow?"

So the attraction is here, in Moscow. Just like there is a proverb: The vulture goes very high, three miles, four miles high. It is very difficult for us to fly, single-handed. But the aim is, "Where is a dead body?" He's looking forward, "Where is a dead body?" The aim is not very good. He's looking after some dead corpse to eat. That is his business. But he has gone very high, four miles high.

Similarly, all these so-called rascal scientist, their aim is how to stuck-up in this knot of material existence, and they are trying to become so many things. You see? Hṛdaya-granthi. Real attachment is here. Just like the hog; the real attachment is the stool. But he's getting very fat, "Oh, I am so happy." You see? So this is going on.

Nature is very clever. Just to make you attached to stool, she gives you certain body, type of body, hog. You become very pleased: "Oh, I am so happy. I am living in heaven." Sometimes actually Indra, the king of heaven, he was cursed to become a hog, and he was..., he became hog. He had so many kiddies, wife, and living in filthy place, eating stool. So Brahmā came that for his absence, the management in the heavenly kingdom is not going nice. So he came: "Indra, now please come with me." "Where shall I go to, sir?" "Heaven." "What is that? I cannot go. I have got responsibility. I have got my wife, my children, and I am happy here. I do not know what is heaven."

So this is the attachment. Even if you say... Just like what we are, we are doing? We are canvassing, "Please come with us. Go, let us go." Just like Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says, rādhā-kṛṣṅa bolo, saṅge calo, ei-mātra bhikhā cāi [Gītāvalī]. So Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says that "Kindly chant 'Rādhā and Kṛṣṅa' and come with me. We are going back to home, back to Godhead." Nobody is interested. "What is this 'Rādhā-Kṛṣṅa' nonsense? We are very happy here." Knot.

Even if you describe, "Oh, here is Rādhā-Kṛṣṅa. You see how nicely They're dressed and They enjoy. Just see dancing here. They're...," they don't care for it. "Oh, we are very happy here. Why shall I go to Goloka Vṛndāvana?" "You will not be able to stay here." "Oh, that's all right. As long as I can stay, let me enjoy this stool." That's all. Attachment. This is called attachment. Attachment is so strong that even if you explain that "You will go back to home, back to Godhead. Your father is Kṛṣṅa, all-powerful. You can enjoy there blissful life, eternal life," "No. It is better here."

So by Kṛṣṅa consciousness movement, if people take to it seriously and become advanced... The same process, śṛṅvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṅaḥ [SB 1.2.17],

[Śrī Kṛṣṅa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā [Supersoul] in everyone's heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.]

simply hearing about Kṛṣṅa, as we are doing. Then, gradually, we come to the platform of goodness, and the lower modes of material nature, namely ignorance and passion, cannot disturb us. We become situated in goodness. And then, gradually, this stage comes, evaṁ prasanna-manaso bhagavad-bhakti yogataḥ [SB 1.2.20]. You become engladdened, you become joyful, by discharging devotional service. And the knots, you will be no more interested with this rascal life of material existence. Bhidyate hṛdaya-granthiḥ.

Just like if you are..., just like Dhruva Mahārāja. Dhruva Mahārāja wanted the kingdom of his father, but actually when he saw Lord Viṣṅu before him, he said, "Sir, I do not want anything." 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.]

"My dear Lord, I have no more any aspiration of this kingdom or that kingdom, that kingdom." This position comes. It is just like that...

You are hungry, but if you are given food, if, when your belly is filled up, you will automatically say, "No, no, I don't want any..., anything. That's..." Kṛṣṅa consciousness is like that. Actually, we don't want to eat. We have nothing to eat. I am spirit soul, you are spirit soul; we have nothing... It is our material hankering. In order to maintain this body, we require some material things to eat. Otherwise, as spiritual soul, I or you don't want to eat anything. There is nothing to be eaten.

Therefore the eating propensities should be satisfied by eating Kṛṣṅa's prasādam, so that you gradually become spiritualized and your eating propensities may be diminished. Just like the Gosvāmīs. Nidrāhāra-vihārakādi-vijitau cātyanta-dīnau ca yau. Nidrāhāra. These are our necessities: sleeping, eating, nidrāhāra and vihāra, and sex enjoyment. Nidrāhāra-vihārakādi-vijitau, conquered. Conquered. Because in spiritual life there is no need of eating, there is no need of sleeping. That is a different thing. So nidrāhāra-vihārakādi-vijitau.

So this Kṛṣṅa consciousness, as we have discussed, gradually will bring you to that stage where no more knot for the material attachment. Bhidyate, bhidyate hṛdaya-granthiś chidyante sarva-saṁśayāḥ. Saṁśayāḥ. Now everyone is... We are speaking that "You are not this body; you are soul." The people cannot understand. They are in doubt, "Oh, how is it I am soul? I am this body." But as soon as you come perfectly in spiritual consciousness, or Kṛṣṅa consciousness, the doubts will be over: "I am spirit soul. I am eternal servant of Kṛṣṅa." Then that will be fixed up.

bhidyate hṛdaya-granthiś chidyante sarva-saṁśayāḥ kṣīyante cāsya karmāṅi... [SB 1.2.21]

We are bound up by karma, by karma acting. In this life, I am acting in such a way so that I am preparing my next life. Again, next life, I shall act in such a way I shall prepare my next life. In this way, one after another, one after another, one after another. But if we take to Kṛṣṅa consciousness and if we simply act for Kṛṣṅa, yajñārthāt karmaṅo 'nyatra loko 'yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ [Bg 3.9],

[Work done as a sacrifice for Viṣṅu has to be performed, otherwise work binds one to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kuntī, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain unattached and free from bondage.]

simply if we act for Kṛṣṅa, there will be no more karma-bandhana. Then one after another, that will be finished.

Karmāṅi nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhājām [Bs 5.54].

[I adore the primeval Lord Govinda, who burns up to their roots all fruitive activities of those who are imbued with devotion and impartially ordains for each the due enjoyment of the fruits of one's activities, of all those who walk in the path of work, in accordance with the chain of their previously performed works, no less in the case of the tiny insect that bears the name of indragopa than in that of Indra, king of the devas.]

In the Brahmā-saṁhitā this is, that "Those who have taken to Kṛṣṅa consciousness, their karma, their action of, resultant action of karma, is stopped." How it is stopped? Kṛṣṅa gives you assurance in the Bhagavad-gītā: ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi [Bg 18.66]:

[Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.]

"I shall give you protection from all kinds of resultant action of your sinful life. You just surrender Me." Kṛṣṅa can do everything. Just like king can give you, excuse you. Although by law you are condemned to death, but if you appeal to the supreme executive, the king or the president, if he likes, he can excuse you.

Similarly, by nature's law we cannot be freed from the resultant action of our sinful life. That is not possible. But if Kṛṣṅa desires, if Kṛṣṅa is pleased upon you, He can excuse; He can excuse you. Chidyante sarva-saṁśayāḥ, kṣīyante cāsya karmāṅi. How cāsya karmāṅi? Dṛṣṭa eva ātmani īśvare. Because at that time, actually when you are Kṛṣṅa conscious, we'll always see Kṛṣṅa ātmani, within mind, within heart. That very seeing is, what is called, immunity from all sinful activities. Then you become free, go back to home, back to Godhead.

Thank you.

Devotees: All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. [devotees offer obeisances] [break]

Prabhupāda: Begin. Hmm.

[31:55]

[kīrtana] [break]

[38:50]

Devotee: ...no gambling.

Prabhupāda: Thank you. Your name is Rūpa-nārāyaṅa dāsa. Rūpa-nārāyaṅa. Hare Kṛṣṅa.

Devotees: Hare Kṛṣṅa.

[Prabhupāda chants japa]

Prabhupāda: So, what are the rules and regulation?

Devotee: No meat, fish or eggs, no intoxicants, no gambling or mental speculation and no illicit sex.

Prabhupāda: So your name is Māyāpur-candrodaya. That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's name. [japa]

Devotees: Jaya.

Devotee: No meat, fish or eggs, no intoxicants, no gambling and no illicit sex life.

Prabhupāda: So your name is Nitāi-gauracandra dāsa.

Devotees: All glories. Jaya.

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṅa. [japa] [break]

Devotees: Jaya! All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. Ācāryadeva. [break]

Prabhupāda: ...Govinda-mādhava.

Devotees: Jaya! All glories to you, Śrīla Prabhupāda. [break] [kīrtana] [break]

Devotee: ...no gambling, no eating of fish, meat or eggs, no intoxicants.

Prabhupāda: So your name is Madana-mohana dāsa. Hare Kṛṣṅa. [japa]

Devotee (1): Richard? Rādhā-gopīnātha.

Prabhupāda: [japa] Hmm. What are the rules?

Richard: No meat, fish or eggs, no intoxications, no illicit sex and no gambling.

Prabhupāda: So your name is Rādhā-gopīnātha dāsa. [japa]

What are the rules and regulation?

Lady devotee: No meat, fish or eggs, no illicit sex life, no intoxicants and no gambling or mental speculation.

Prabhupāda: So you are Vṛndā-devī dāsī. Vṛndā-devī? Yes. Vṛndā-devī is another name of tulasī. [japa]

Devotee (1): [indistinct]

Prabhupāda: So, what are the rules?

Devotee: No illicit sex life, no intoxications, no gambling, no mental speculation, no intoxicants...

Prabhupāda: Hmm, what is the name?

Devotee (1): Mathurā-mohana.

Devotee: ...no meat-eating, meat, fish or eggs.

Prabhupāda: So your name is Mathurā-mohana dāsa. Hare Kṛṣṅa

Devotee: Thank you very much, Śrīla Prabhupāda. [japa] [break]

Prabhupāda: ...rules? What are the rules?

Devotee: No illicit sex, no fish, meat or eggs, no intoxicants, no gambling.

Prabhupāda: All right. Your name Devīndranātha [pause] dāsa. [laughter]

Devotee (1): Mark Prabhu? No, Paula. Paramahaṁsī. [japa]

Prabhupāda: What are the rules?

Lady devotee: No illicit sex, no meat, fish or eggs, no gambling and no..., intoxication.

Prabhupāda: So your name is Paramahaṁsī-devī. [laughter] Don't laugh. Hare Kṛṣṅa. [japa] [end]