CONTENTS:
- Srimad Bhagavatam 11.20.17,
- Srila Prabhupada Appreciation; and
- Guru Maharaja’s instructions.
SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11.20.17
Nr-deham adyam su labham su durlabham
Plavan su-kalpam gurukarnadharam
Ma yanukulena nabhasvateritam
Puman bhavabdhim na taret sa atma ha
Translation
The human body, which can award all benefit in life, is automatically obtained by the laws of nature, although it is a very rare achievement. This human body can be compared to a perfectly constructed boat having the spiritual master as the captain and the instructions of the Personality of Godhead as favourable winds impelling it on its course. Considering all these advantages, a human being who does not utilize his human life to cross the ocean of material existence must be considered the killer of his own soul.
So we got this wonderful opportunity of this human form of life in this earth planet and this verse it has been pointed out why it is such a wonderful opportunity. It is like a very well-constructed boat to cross an ocean and that boat is being captained by the bona fide spiritual master and for a boat or ship to move in the ocean it needs favourable wind and what is that favourable wind that will make the boat move forward? The instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So we have a perfect boat, perfect captain and prefect condition to move forward. Now if one does not take advantage of this wonderful opportunity then it is considered that he is a killer of the soul. So in this way Krishna instructed to Uddhava about the goal of life or the wonderful opportunity we have achieved by receiving this human form. So how many of you think that you have got a wonderful opportunity? Please raise your hands. How many of you want to take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity? How many of you think that you have the perfect opportunity? You got the human form of life in this beautiful country of South Africa, you have got the instructions of Srila Prabhupada and by the followers who are guiding you in your spiritual life, you have the perfect captain. Like there is a painting also in Lilamrita canto, depicting this point. It has been pointed out that there is an ocean infested with all kinds of terrible aquatics sharks, piranhas, and there is a boat and on the flag of the boat it says ISKCON and the sail the wind of Hare Krishna and who is steering the boat? Srila Prabhupada.
So that is the best way to perfect this wonderful opportunity that we got. So stay in this boat of ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada is steering this boat perfectly like when you get into an aeroplane to go to some place. What do you do? All you have to do is buy the ticket and get into the plane with your passport and necessary visas and then what do you do? You just sit tight in the
plane. Why are you so confident? Because you know that the pilot is an expert person who can fly the aircraft and the aircraft is also very safe. So that’s the kind of confidence we have to have just stay in ISKCON. How many of you have joined ISKCON? Please raise your hands. How many of you think that you belong to ISKCON? Please raise your hands. How many of you who did not join ISKCON would like to join ISKCON? Please raise your hands. So take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
What does it take to join ISKCON? First of all you have to be a human being that is the first criteria. Then you have to come across the devotees or Prabhupada’s books and then you get to see the facilities that you may get for your spiritual advancement in this institution. Then as you become acquainted with this institution what do you find? This is an international society with so many devotees and what is the basic prerequisite for becoming a member of ISKCON? You have to become a vegetarian not only a vegetarian but a prasadaterian. Then you have to give up all kinds of intoxicants including tea and coffee. You have to give up all kinds of immoral relationships, illicit sex and you have to give up gambling. So to join ISKCON these are the 4 regulative principles that one needs to follow and then chant the holy name of the Lord.
When I was young I was told that a gentleman doesn’t do 3 things because I come from Bengal where vegetarianism is not very prevalent. At least I have been taught one shouldn’t drink, one shouldn’t have any improper and immoral relationships and one should not gamble. One who does that is bad. So to be a gentleman you have to follow the 4 regulative principles. Why? Because dharma stands on these 4 pillars. The 4 pillars of dharma are austerity, mercy, cleanliness and truthfulness. These are the 4 pillars of dharma on which dharma is standing and when these pillars break the legs of adharma grows. Pillar of austerity breaks meat eating begins, as the pillar of mercy breaks intoxication begins, as the pillar of cleanliness breaks illicit sex begins and as the pillar of truthfulness breaks gambling or cheating begins. So in order to pursue spiritual life one has to follow these 4 regulative principles.
Why is chanting Hare Krishna so important? Because this is the way for making spiritual advancement. Harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam kalua nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha. So this is how wonderful Srila Prabhupada organised this institution of ISKCON and provided this wonderful facilities for all of us to get that opportunity to perfect our human form. Srila Prabhupada spread this movement all over the world.
SRILA PRABHUPADA APPRECIATION
You have got the instructions of Srila Prabhupada and by the followers who are guiding you in your spiritual life, you have the perfect captain. Like there is a painting also in Lilamrita canto, depicting this point. It has been pointed out that there is an ocean infested with all kinds of terrible aquatics sharks, piranhas, and there is a boat and on the flag of the boat it says ISKCON and the sail the wind of Hare Krishna and who is steering the boat? Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada organised this institution of ISKCON and provided this wonderful facilities for all of us to get that opportunity to perfect our human form.
GURU MAHARAJA’S INSTRUCTIONS
So that is the best way to perfect this wonderful opportunity that we got. So stay in this boat of ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada is steering this boat perfectly like when you get into an aeroplane to go to some place. What do you do? All you have to do is buy the ticket and get into the plane with your passport and necessary visas and then what do you do? You just sit tight in the plane. Why are you so confident? Because you know that the pilot is an expert person who can fly the aircraft and the aircraft is also very safe. So that’s the kind of confidence we have to have just stay in ISKCON.