Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 1.15

[aside conversation while verse recitation is going on]

Devotee (1): Prabhupāda, you want this [indistinct]?

Prabhupāda: Ācārya-[indistinct] means beginning from your spiritual master. Where is the picture of your spiritual master?

Devotee (1): Of Your Divine Grace?

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Devotee (1): When you're not here, that's put here.

Prabhupāda: It is put here? So long I am here, you can...

Devotee (2): [leads chanting of verse etc.]

jayatāṁ suratau paṅgor mama manda-mater gatī mat-sarvasva-padāmbhojau rādhā-madana-mohanau [Cc Ādi 1.15]

[break] [01:06]

"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."

Prabhupāda:

jayatāṁ suratau paṅgor mama manda-mater gatī mat-sarvasva-padāmbhojau rādhā-madana-mohanau [Cc Ādi 1.15]

That is sambandha. Sambandha, abhidheya, prayojana. At the present moment, in our conditioned stage of life, we have forgotten our relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is our conditional life. Just like a son has forgotten his father, rich father, opulent father, and loitering in the street, that is our condition. We are all sons of Kṛṣṅa, part and parcel, and Kṛṣṅa is full of six opulences: richness, strength, influence, beauty, knowledge, renunciation—Kṛṣṅa is complete. If my father is complete, and I am his son, beloved son, why shall I loiter in the street? This is māyā. We are thinking that we are made of something of these material elements: "I am this body. The body is made of this material element," bhūmir āpo 'nalo vāyuḥ khaṁ mano buddhir eva ca [Bg 7.4].

[Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego—altogether these eight comprise My separated material energies.]

So this is our manda-mati. Manda means bad. This conception, bodily conception of life, is the cause of our conditional life, subjected to the stringent laws of material nature. This is our position.

So Kṛṣṅa begins, therefore, His instruction that "Don't think you are this body. This is your covering. You are within this body." That is the beginning of Kṛṣṅa's instruction. And at last He, as a father, advises, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṅaṁ vraja [Bg 18.66]. So when we do that—giving up everything, we surrender to Kṛṣṅa—at that time we revive our relationship with Kṛṣṅa. This is wanted. Therefore the author is instructing us, jayatāṁ suratau paṅgor mama. Manda means one who cannot go very fast; or bad. Manda means mad; manda means slow. In this age especially, in Kali-yuga we become very, very slow in spiritual progress, although that is our main business. But on account of this Kali-yuga, we are all very, very slow. We think that "Spiritual cultivation is meant for old age. Now let us enjoy our life in this material world."

That is our wrong conception of life. What do you mean by old age? Nearing death. So who can guarantee that he is not nearing death? Everyone is nearing death at any moment. Why should you wait for old age? That is manda-mati, bad intelligence. We should know that death may take place at any moment. Therefore every one of us are already old. Old... Generally we understand that old age means nearing death, but who can guarantee that there is no death immediately? At any moment. Therefore śāstra says, tūrṅaṁ yateta anu-mṛtyu pateta yāvad. Before meeting your next death, you should endeavor so dexterously that you complete your Kṛṣṅa consciousness before your death comes. That is intelligence. Not that "I am now young man. Let me enjoy. And in old age, after passing sixty years, when there will be no other engagement, at that time I shall chant Hare Kṛṣṅa mantra." No. Immediately, tūrṅaṁ yate.

Prahlāda Mahārāja advises,

kaumāra ācaret prājño dharmān bhāgavatān iha durlabhaṁ mānuṣaṁ janma tad apy adhruvam arthadam [SB 7.6.1]

He advises from childhood. Just like we are trying to teach even the small boy, a small child, to chant and dance with us, and they are learning. It is not difficult. The small children, they are also taking part. Now somebody may say that "These children do not understand English. What they are hearing? Simply they are wasting their time." No, they are not wasting their time. The vibration is surcharged with Kṛṣṅa consciousness. So even they simply hear, even though do not understand English language, by simply hearing the vibration uttered by a Vaiṣṅava to a Vaiṣṅava, that will be effective. Śṛṅvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṅaḥ puṅya-śravaṅa-kīrtanaḥ [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 will do. Simply by hearing they will become pious. And the chanting Hare Kṛṣṅa mantra, somehow or other, if one takes part in these discourses, he will be pious. Śṛṅvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṅaḥ. Paraṁ vijāyate śrī-kṛṣṅa-saṅkīrtanam. Ceto-darpaṅa-mārjanam [Cc Antya 20.12].

[Let there be all victory for the chanting of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṅa, which can cleanse the mirror of the heart and stop the miseries of the blazing fire of material existence. That chanting is the waxing moon that spreads the white lotus of good fortune for all living entities. It is the life and soul of all education. The chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṅa expands the blissful ocean of transcendental life. It gives a cooling effect to everyone and enables one to taste full nectar at every step.]

This is the process of cleansing the mirror of the heart. Mirror, when it isSimply by hearing it is effective, always. So from the very beginning of our life, we should try to become Kṛṣṅa conscious. Not try, but we must. It is not, what is called, optional. It is compulsory. It is compulsory. If you want to make your life successful, then this is compulsory, from the very beginning to become Kṛṣṅa conscious.

So especially in India, the atmosphere is very good. It is especially meant, within this universe, this plot of land known as Bhārata-varṣa, India, is the most sacred place within this universe. And of the whole land Bhārata-varṣa, in Bengal, it is very sacred. And the whole of Bengal, this Nadia district is very sacred. And in the whole Nadia district, this spot is very sacred, Māyāpur-candrodaya Temple. So by Kṛṣṅa's grace, you have got this opportunity to live here. Take advantage, full advantage of this opportunity, spiritually fortunate. This is the statement of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. Not that I am manufacturing. We cannot manufacture anything, but we can repeat the words of our predecessors. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, in his Jaiva-Dharma, or in Caitanya-śikṣāmṛta, he has stated like that. In the Bhārata-varṣa, Bengal is the most important place, and in Bengal, the district Nadia is most important place, because Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared. Don't take it leniently. It is very serious thing that Bhārata-varṣa is meant for cultivation of Kṛṣṅa consciousness. Unfortunately, our present leaders, they are misleading them. Anyway, you are fortunate. You take advantage of this cult of Kṛṣṅa consciousness which was spoken by Kṛṣṅa Himself, in this land of Bhārata-varṣa, dharma-kṣetre kuru-kṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ [Bg 1.1].

[Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: O Sañjaya, after assembling in the place of pilgrimage at Kurukṣetra, what did my sons and the sons of Pāṅḍu do, being desirous to fight?]

That kurukṣetre is still existing. It is not a myth or mythology. The nonsense people, they may say like that, but Kṛṣṅa is the supermost person both in history... Purāṅa means history, itihāsa purāṅa. Saraṁ saraṁ samuddhṛtam [SB 1.3.41]. Vyāsadeva compiled the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam by collecting the most important news from history. Purāṅa. Purāṅa means old history. It is not mythology. The foolish people, they say like that: "Mythology means something created." No. Don't take it that way. It is the essence of important historical incidences. Record. Both itihāsa, history... Mahābhārata is also history. Mahā means great, and bhārata means this land. Actually it is a history. But foolish people, without understanding through the guru-paramparā system, they manufacture their own way of understanding; therefore they are misled. They cannot take full advantage of this Vedic literature because they are misled. We should not be misled. Here, we should know always that we are lame, paṅgoḥ. Just like a lame man cannot go very fast. But by the grace of Kṛṣṅa, even a lame man can go fast—not only go fast, but cross over the mountain.

mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim yat kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande śrī guruṁ dīna-tāraṅam [Cc Madhya 17.80]

It is possible if we become obedient student of guru, then even though we may be dumb, deaf and dumb, still, we can become good lecturer. Mūkaṁ karoti vācālam, talk very much about Kṛṣṅa. This is Kṛṣṅa's grace, mūkaṁ karoti... Paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim: if one is lame man, he is made to cross over the hill, mountain. This is the mercy of guru.

So bhakti, or cultivation of spiritual knowledge, is never checked by any material things. Ahaituky apratihatā [SB 1.2.6].

[The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.]

No material thing can check us in our progress in Kṛṣṅa consciousness. That is not possible. Never think like that. Simply follow the instruction of Kṛṣṅa consciousness, man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru [Bg 18.65].

[Always think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.]

Follow the rules and regulation, and everything will be clear, very crystal clear. There will be no impediment. Always chant, hear; don't waste time. Cāṅakya Paṅḍita, he is a moral instructor. He says about wasting time, he says, āyuṣaḥ kṣaṅa eko 'pi na labhya svarṅa-koṭibhiḥ: "Even one moment of your life cannot be returned, even if you are prepared to pay millions of dollars." It is so valuable, time, one moment passed. Seven... What is this month? May? No.

Devotees: April.

Prabhupāda: April. Now seven of April, 1975, passed. If you ask back, the return seventh April 1975, it is not possible even if you are prepared to pay millions of dollars. So just imagine what is the value of our time. So this time should not be wasted. We should always remain... You Western people, you know the value of time from material point of view. Material point of view, that is also good. Don't waste your time; engage always yourself in some good activities. But for spiritual advancement also, we should be more accurate and strict, avyartha-kālatvam [Cc Madhya 23.18-19].

Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has recommended that one who is always anxious to see that not a moment is spoiled, that is advancement of Kṛṣṅa consciousness, avyartha-kālatvaṁ nāma-gāne sadā ruciḥ, vivikta deva deśa sevitam, like that. Upadeśāmṛta, you will find. A devotee should always think, "Whether my time is passed uselessly?" Then he will make advancement. Don't be slow. We should be always very expertly alert not a single moment is wasted. Jayatāṁ suratau paṅgor mama manda-mater gatī. Manda-mater gatī. We are very slow, especially in the spiritual matter. Practically there is no intention all over the world. They do not know that is the real business is spiritual advancement of life. They are so in darkness. Very unfortunate time, this Kali-yuga. Mandāḥ sumanda-matayo [SB 1.1.10].

[O learned one, in this iron Age of Kali men almost always have but short lives. They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always disturbed.]

Now if they want to utilize, they manufacture some new ways of spiritual advancement. This is another difficulty. So many rascals, yogīs, svāmīs, Transcendental Meditation, this, that, avatāras, always ready to mislead you. Always ready. If one is little inclined that "Let me do something spiritually, advance," these rascal will mislead you. Very difficult position. Therefore, the best thing is to surrender to Madana-mohana, Kṛṣṅa. Sambandha-devata[?].

Madana-mohana... Our most difficult position is sex. Kṛṣṅa... Māyā has given such a—they may call nice or bad—such propensity, sex, that it will create disturbances. Even though you are rigid, avowed, you are doing nicely, at sometimes, especially at night, it will disturb. It will disturb. Therefore suratau. Kṛṣṅa is the most expert in this conjugal love, Kṛṣṅa. Therefore we have to submit, surrender to Kṛṣṅa. Suratau paṅgoḥ. We are very much feeble and very slow. And so far our sex impulse is concerned, here especially mentioned, Madana-mohana. Sex impulse is called Cupid, Madana. But if we become staunch devotee of Kṛṣṅa, this material sex impulse will vanish. Will vanish. Because Cupid becomes, I mean to say, attracted. Even Cupid becomes attracted by Kṛṣṅa. We are attracted by Cupid, but Cupid is attracted by Kṛṣṅa. Therefore His name is Madana-mohana. That is the only remedy.

yad-avadhi mama cetaḥ kṛṣṅa-padāravinde nava-nava-rasa-dhāmany udyataṁ rantum āsīt tad-avadhi bata nāri-saṅgame smaryamāne bhavati mukha-vikāraḥ suṣṭhu niṣṭhīvanaṁ ca

If you stick to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṅa—"Kṛṣṅa save me"—then this disturbing material thing, sex agitation, will not disturb you. This is the only way. Therefore it is said Madana-mohana. Our spiritual life is hampered very strongly by this sex impulse. But it is material. The sex impulse is material, so we should try to tolerate: kaṅḍūyanena karayor iva duḥkha-duḥkhaṁ kaṅḍūtivan manasijaṁ viṣaheta-dhīraḥ [SB 7.9.45].

[Sex life is compared to the rubbing of two hands to relieve an itch. Gṛhamedhīs, so-called gṛhasthas who have no spiritual knowledge, think that this itching is the greatest platform of happiness, although actually it is a source of distress. The kṛpaṅas, the fools who are just the opposite of brāhmaṅas, are not satisfied by repeated sensuous enjoyment. Those who are dhīra, however, who are sober and who tolerate this itching, are not subjected to the sufferings of fools and rascals.]

Just to tolerate little and chant Hare Kṛṣṅa, pray to Kṛṣṅa, "Please save me from these disturbances." And we should materially also control. Control means atyāhāraḥ prayāsaś ca prajalpo niyamāgrahaḥ [Upadeśāmṛta 2].

[One's devotional service is spoiled when he becomes too entangled in the following six activities: (1) eating more than necessary or collecting more funds than required; (2) overendeavoring for mundane things that are very difficult to obtain; (3) talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters; (4) practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following them and not for the sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically; (5) associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Kṛṣṅa consciousness; and (6) being greedy for mundane achievements.]

Atyāhāraḥ, too much eating, that is also agitating.

So everything can be controlled by Kṛṣṅa's grace. He is Madana-mohana. Therefore, our first business is to surrender to Madana-mohana and establish our relationship with Him. "My Lord Kṛṣṅa, I have so long forgotten..." That song is sung by Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura,

mānasa, deha, geha, yo kichu mora arpiluṅ tuyā pade nanda-kiśora! [Śaraṅāgati]

This full surrender. Then Kṛṣṅa assures, ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi [Bg 18.66], He will protect. So tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata [Bg 2.14]. There are so many disturbances. So Kṛṣṅa says tolerate, and do your business faithfully. Chant Hare Kṛṣṅa, follow the rules and regulations, and remain fully surrendered at the lotus feet of Madana-mohana. There will be no more disturbance.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. [end]