CONTENTS:
- The Holy Name, Part 6;
- Questions and Answers;
- Srila Prabhupada's Appreciation;
- Guru Maharaja’s Instructions;
1. THE HOLY NAME PART 6
Now you can see how one enters into Vrindavan. What is the way to go to Vrindavan? Through Vrindavan. And what is the means? Chanting the Holy Name of the Lord. So that is what Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to give this process and Mahaprabhu made this process. Gopa Kumara was fortunate to be instructed by Narada Muni and Uddhava. They are personalities who didn’t have access in those days but with us it has become so easily available. The means is:
harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
nasty eva gatir anyatha
[CC 17.21]
2. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: Why is it not possible for Narada Muni to go to Vrindavan?
A: Because the relationship he had with Krishna doesn’t allow him to develop this loving relationship because he has awareness of Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In simple words Narada Muni’s relationship with Krishna is in dasya rasa. Predominately relationships in Vrindavan are friendship, parental and conjugal. But Narada Muni did have access, you know how? When he came as Srinivas Thakura in Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes then he had access to Vrindavan. Similarly, Brahma also got access to Vrindavan as Haridas Thakura by participating in Mahaprabhu’s pastimes. This is how Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu created the good fortune for everyone.
Q: When we chant Hare Krishna we hear the Holy Name is it better to meditate on Krishna’s names, forms, pastimes?
A: This morning we discussed about that point, how to chant? The way we receive sound vibration is through hearing so the way to receive the Hare Krishna Maha mantra is just by hearing. There is no need for imagination because if you even think of Krishna’s pastimes what will happen? You will try to think of Krishna’s pastimes and maybe you will succeed for two minutes then your mind will start thinking about something other than Krishna. Therefore, Prabhupada said just hear when you are chanting and then from the Holy Name Krishna’s form will appear. We do not have to create something with our mind. Krishna will appear and when Krishna appears, along with Krishna’s form, Krishna’s quality will become manifest. When Krishna becomes manifest Krishna’s form, Krishna’s quality and Krishna’s pastimes will become manifest. Along with His pastimes His associates will become manifest and in this way the entire spiritual sky will become manifest, it’s just a matter of chanting.
Q: When one chants he has to be attentive with the mind so how does the heart play a role?
A: Heart is with the mind. When the mind is there then the feelings will automatically become manifest which is the involvement of the heart.
Q: Nectar of Instruction says that when one is enthusiastic then everything will come naturally.
A: Yes being enthusiastic probably indicates sincerity. Yes sincere chanting.
Q: This Gopa Kumara story you have given is it considered and ithias?
A: It is an extension of Bhagavad Purana. Brhad Bhagavatamrta is giving a clearer understanding of the teachings of Srimad Bhagavatam. Bhagavatam as a Mahapurana it gives us a very clear understanding of creation, sub-creation, planetary system, how everything is being maintained by the Lord, need to expand or procreate, the reigns of Manu, descriptions of actions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, cessation of material existence, liberation and ultimate shelter. It is gradually taking us to that point. Brhad Bhagavatamrta is elaborating these concepts.
Q: Gopa Kumara goes to Purushotama Ksetra…
A: He gets informations and that informations causes him to desire to go there and by the potency of the mantra he is elevated there.
Q: The residents of Vrindavan thought that Gopa Kumara was sent by Kamsa, are there demons in Vrindavan?
A: In Vrindavan the demons are not there but they think Kamsa is coming, so that feeling is there. Similarly, in Goloka Vrindavan Krishna’s childhood pastimes are not there but they remember, “Oh you know when Krishna was a young bot he was doing this and that.” Those impressions from the earthly Vrindavan are carried into Goloka Vrindavan.
Q: Is there any special significance why Gopa Kumara was given Gopal mantra instead of Maha Mantra?
A: You see again, what he got from his spiritual master is the Gayatri mantra because Gopal mantra s the Gayatri mantra. This Hare Krishna Maha Mantra is the special mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is there and you see what he was doing was calling out to the Lord with the love of his heart and by his favourite names. Yes, he was probably chanting Hare Krishna Maha Mantra but at that time it was not described because it was still a secret. This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s special mercy.
Q: Gopa Kumara’s journey there is a special theme as he is going from one place to another, we chant Hare Krishna to be with Krishna because we are eternally separated parts and parcels of Krishna. Does the feeling of separation ever end in spiritual world?
A: In spiritual world these two factors are present union and separation, it’s not continuous separation, they do meet but they become separated again. Now when they become separated then the urge and yearning to become united becomes more intensified. If there was no separation then it would become boring. It has been pointed out that separation is even more intense, the feeling of separation leads to even more feeling. We are in a better situation we are naturally separated from Krishna so now in that mood of separation we are hankering to have that union.
Q: How is it possible for Gopa Kumara to supersede his Guru Maharaja’s position?
A: Gopa Kumara’s actual spiritual master is the one from Vrindavan so that is the personality who is leading him.
3. SRILA PRABHUPADA'S APPRECIATION
Therefore, Prabhupada said just hear when you are chanting and then from the Holy Name Krishna’s form will appear.
4. GURU MAHARAJA’S INSTRUCTIONS
We do not have to create something with our mind. Krishna will appear and when Krishna appears, along with Krishna’s form, Krishna’s quality will become manifest. When Krishna becomes manifest Krishna’s form, Krishna’s quality and Krishna’s pastimes will become manifest. Along with His pastimes His associates will become manifest and in this way the entire spiritual sky will become manifest, it’s just a matter of chanting; and
If there was no separation then it would become boring. It has been pointed out that separation is even more intense, the feeling of separation leads to even more feeling;
(The content of this E-magazine is based on a lecture given by His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami at ISKCON Chatsworth, Durban, South Africa on 19th June 2017)
(Compiled and Edited by Hemavati Radhika Dasi)