Verse: Krishna's Pastimes Leicester
Transcription: Ramananda Raya Dasa
Editing: Ramananda Raya Dasa
To begin with we have to remember His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, our Founder Ācārya because it is due to his divine mercy and arrangement that we are able to do whatever we are doing spiritually. Our spiritual life is solely based on or founded on his divine arrangements. Śrīla Prabhupāda came to the West, undergoing so many difficulties to set up Iskcon and as a result of that we are enjoying the facilities that he has created for us.
It is something like belonging to an illustrious family. It is someone who establishes the family, a great man, or a dynasty. It is a great king who sets the dynasty and all his successors enjoy the benefit of that. So with us also it is something like that. We belong to an illustrious spiritual family. And this family has been established by Śrīla Prabhupāda.
And then again it is not only just Śrīla Prabhupāda. It goes back to Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur. It goes back further to Gaura Kishora Dasa Babaji Mahārāja, Bhaktivinoda Thakur,it goes on. What an amazing spiritual family. What an amazing spiritual dynasty, Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas Sampradāya.
So that is how we actually have to be in one hand proud of our good fortune. Like you can consider those who are borne in the royal family of England, how do they feel? Recently a child was borne and the whole world was rejoicing practically. Consider the good fortune of the child who was borne in this family. Although the monarchy is gone, although everything is gone but still there is so much commotion about that, so much celebration about that. So those families are mundane, temporary and meaningless. Whereas our family is spiritual, eternal and full of meanings. And in that sense we have to be… Yes, although we are not meant to be proud but in this respect we can be proud. Proud of our spiritual inheritance. We belong to an illustrious spiritual family. We belong to Śrīla Prabhupāda, a very, very special spiritual personality in this line, Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas Sampradāya.
And as a leader of this family, as one of the leaders, as one of the representatives of Śrīla Prabhupāda I feel that I have a responsibility to guide you all properly. Like there lies our spiritual aristocracy. We are here to become properly qualified to inherit this good fortune that we have received by our birthright of being connected to Iskcon. Just like the father has the responsibility to bring up the children. Like in a big illustrious aristocratic family, what does the father do? Doesn’t the father make it a point to train up his children, educate his children, bring up his children in an appropriate way?
So just as the father feels that he is responsible to bring up his children, similarly in the spiritual family the spiritual master considers that it is his responsibility to bring up, train his disciples. And I often feel that that is a responsibility I have towards to you and that is an obligation I have towards Śrīla Prabhupāda. Although Śrīla Prabhupāda has given us Iskcon we have a special responsibility to train you up. And how do we train you up? We train you up by communicating Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings to you and engaging you properly in Iskcon.
Many times I mentioned that three things, three instructions of Śrīla Prabhupāda I consider to be very, very important and rather most important for me. That first instruction is: no matter whatever happens, don’t leave Iskcon. No matter whatever happens. I’ll give you the background when Śrīla Prabhupāda said that. One of our Godbrothers who was a leader of our movement, I don’t want to mention his name, he was the GBC of Australia and he was a very illustrious sannyasi. He was very famous for his kīrtanas. He was very dear to Śrīla Prabhupāda. He was a sannyasi but at some point he gave up his sannyasa and got married and then he left Iskcon. When Prabhupāda was in Vrindavana Satsvarupa Mahārāja brought him to Śrīla Prabhupāda. Then Prabhupāda told him: “Why did you leave?” You got married, so what? And Prabhupāda pointed out some householder devotees who were sitting there. He said: “They are married, they didn’t leave Iskcon. Why did you leave? Because you got married.” That’s how merciful Śrīla Prabhupāda was! He did not say: “You are sannyasi, why did you fall down?” And in a way the whole society was probably thinking like that. He was a sannyasi, he fell down and due to embarrassment he left. But Prabhupāda’s reaction was: “Why did you leave?” You got married, so what? There are so many householders here. They did not have to leave Iskcon. And then Prabhupāda made this very, very profound statement: “No matter whatever happens, don’t ever leave Iskcon, don’t leave Iskcon!”
The next important instruction that I consider, is: “Your love for me will be shown by how you cooperate with each other.” And that also had a very beautiful background. You see, Prabhupāda was in Vrindavan at that time and Prabhupāda was quite sick but still Prabhupāda used to reply to all his letters. And Tamal Kṛṣṇa Mahārāja used to read out these letters to Śrīla Prabhupāda and Prabhupāda used to give the points what to reply. And there was a very nice letter written by one of Prabhupāda’s disciples, I don’t remember who it was. He was actually expressing his emotion in a very nice way; he was telling Prabhupāda how he wanted to offer his lifespan to Śrīla Prabhupāda so that Śrīla Prabhupāda could continue to live… Prabhupāda’s reaction was a little unusual. After hearing the letter Prabhupāda’s reaction was: “Your actual love for me will be shown by how you cooperate with each other to push this movement forward.” Prabhupāda did not take this emotional, sentimental expression so seriously. He pointed out: “These words are not important. What will really matter to show your love is how you cooperate with each other to further this mission.”
And the third instruction is that the GBC is the ultimate authority in Iskcon. It is already known in Iskcon all over the world. The GBC is the ultimate managing authority. Many times I had faced various difficulties but remembering those three points, those three instructions of Śrīla Prabhupāda I had been able to overcome all these difficulties. This is how important our involvement in Iskcon is. This is how important our relationship with Śrīla Prabhupāda is. And how do we show our love for Śrīla Prabhupāda? Okay I will ask you, how many of you love Śrīla Prabhupāda? How will you express your love for Śrīla Prabhupāda? How are you going to express your love for Śrīla Prabhupāda? Are you going to write nice letters to Śrīla Prabhupāda? How are you going to show your love for Śrīla Prabhupāda?
Devotee : By cooperating with each other.
BCS : Right. By cooperating with each other. Cooperation is very difficult, specially in this age of Kali. Cooperation is very difficult. Why? Why is it difficult? Tell me, why cooperation is difficult? How many of you… yes, Arcana?
Arcana Dasi : Kali means quarrel and Kali will provoke to fight.
BCS: Kali means quarrel and Kali will provoke you to fight with each other. Very good point. That is one way, that is one reason why cooperation is very difficult. And any other reason why it is so difficult to cooperate? Yes, Ananda
Ananda Dasa : It is difficult to give up the false ego
BCS: Very good, because it is difficult to give up the false ego. And the false ego causes conflict. It is due to the false ego that we can’t cooperate. Why did he say this to me? I don’t want to see his face. [laughter] But ultimately who is reacting in this way? The spiritual me or the false me? The false me. The material concept of me is reacting in this way. I am so big, I am so great. He does not know who I am. And we become very upset if somebody said something to me. Why did he say so? But ultimately what does it mean? It is because of our false ego. Very good point. It is because of our false ego that we cannot cooperate. Therefore we have to give up our false ego. Giving up our false ego means? How can we give up our false ego?
Devotee: By becoming humble.
BCS: How can you become humble?
Devotee: By rendering service.
BCS: How can you serve? By becoming properly situated on the spiritual platform. Unless and until we become situated on the spiritual platform we won’t be able to give up our false ego. The way to get rid of our false ego is to become situated on the spiritual platform.
What is the meaning of spiritual platform? What is spiritual platform? The spiritual platform is a very simple understanding. Everything for Kṛṣṇa and nothing for me. Everything for Kṛṣṇa and only Kṛṣṇa’s mercy for me. Whatever I get, whatever I need, whatever comes to me is simply Kṛṣṇa’s divine mercy. That is how we have to accept everything. It’s not that… We are not impersonalists. Not nothing for me. Nothing for me does not mean the impersonalistic way, to give up everything and go to the forest. Even if they go to the forest, they think this forest belongs to me. Even if they go to the mountain cave they think this mountain cave belongs to me.
The only way we can give up our false ego, the feeling of possession is just by recognizing that everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa… And Kṛṣṇa will give me whatever I need. To surrender to Kṛṣṇa actually means to become the children of a very rich man. Does the son of a rich man have to worry about anything? But does he have to make an endeavor to get anything for himself? A devotees’ situation is like that. He surrenders to Kṛṣṇa and Who is Kṛṣṇa? Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Sarva-loka-maheśvaram. He is the Controller and Proprietor of everything. And when you surrender to Kṛṣṇa, then does Kṛṣṇa accept you? When you surrender to Kṛṣṇa, does Kṛṣṇa accept you? Yes, He accepts you. And when Kṛṣṇa accepts you, how does He accept you? He accepts you either as His son or as His servant, as His friend… In whichever way you look at it, is there any room for being in anxiety when you surrender to Kṛṣṇa. No.
If not the son of a rich man, at least consider being the servant of a rich man. When people look for a job what kind of a job do people look for? Don’t they look for a job in the best company? To become the servant of a big man. Bill Gates… One got a job in Microsoft, one is so proud. What does it actually mean? He has become a servant of Bill Gates. [laughter] Why is it so good to become a servant of Bill Gates? Because Bill Gates is one of the richest men in the world. And when we become a servant of Bill Gates, what happens? [unclear] Bill Gates is not going to take care of you. He will supply you for all your [unclear]. Now if one feels so secure being the servant of an ordinary person, ordinary mortal being, what to speak of becoming the servant of Supreme Personality of Godhead? If one feels so secure being the servant of a rich man, what to speak of becoming the son of the richest Personality, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
So that is our situation. Our situation is that we have inherited an inconceivable good fortune by being connected to Iskcon, by being connected to Śrīla Prabhupāda, by being connected to Kṛṣṇa. And as your spiritual master, what is my responsibility? Either as a dīkṣā guru or a śikṣā guru, what is my responsibility? My responsibility is to guide you on the spiritual path. In a way when you approach me, you actually display your dependence on me. How many of you feel that, that I have certain responsibility towards you? [laughter] Whether you feel it or not, I am going to be accountable to Śrīla Prabhupāda. Because you all have come to Śrīla Prabhupāda. When you joined Iskcon you came to Śrīla Prabhupāda. When you joined Iskcon you joined Śrīla Prabhupāda. Śrīla Prabhupāda has accepted you as his property. And then due to some divine arrangements I have become your group leader. And Prabhupāda said: “Okay, take care of my children.” And if I don’t take care of you what will Śrīla Prabhupāda say? You rascal what did you do all that time? You have this service, enjoyed your life and your responsibility. That’s what Prabhupāda will say, we know how Prabhupāda is dealing with us. Often we think that Prabhupāda was so sweet and soft but we know how Prabhupāda was. Yes, Prabhupāda was very sweet and soft but at the same time Prabhupāda also was harder than the thunderbolt, he was harder than the thunderbolt. He chastised us often. In a way we saw that Prabhupāda chastised those who he loved the most. Because he was a teacher. He was not a baby-sitter, he was a teacher. The babies need pampers. But a teacher, a good teacher is strict, that is how Śrīla Prabhupāda was. He was very strict. Prabhupāda often used to remind us about our responsibilities. And what is Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings? Prabhupāda’s teachings were actually to become a good devotee, a pure devotee. Prabhupāda expected that everybody in Iskcon should become a pure devotee. Not that everybody in Iskcon should become a pure devotee. Prabhupāda’s expression was something like: “Everybody in Iskcon is a pure devotee”. Prabhupāda once mentioned that. And some devotees reacted: “Śrīla Prabhupāda, is everyone in Iskcon a pure devotee?” Prabhupāda said yes. Then they asked: “Prabhupāda, those new bhaktas, those who joined the other day, are they pure devotees? Prabhupāda said: “Yes. It is a matter of green mango and ripe mango.” [laughter] The mangos may be green today but if it stays on the tree then it will become ripe in due course of time. So that is our situation. We simply have to stay in Iskcon. That’s why Prabhupāda was so emphatic that we should not ever leave Iskcon. Because Iskcon is providing us an opportunity to become a pure devotee. Iskcon is providing us an opportunity to become a pure devotee.Therefore for the sake of our own spiritual benefit we should stay in Iskcon. And no matter whatever happens, don’t leave Iskcon. Yes, we may be green mangos. We may not even be mangos at the end. We may be just a mango bud, just a mango flower. But if we stay in Iskcon, in the course of time we will become a ripe mango. So that is the wonderful facilities that we are deriving from our involvement in Iskcon.
Now another simple consideration, what is the meaning of a pure devotee? What is a pure devotee? What does it mean? Anybody? Yes Ananda.
Ananda Dasa: One who always remembers Kṛṣṇa and never forgets Him.
BCS: One who always remembers Kṛṣṇa and never forgets Him. Any other input on that? Yes Sarasvati?
Sarasvati Dasi: One who does not have any other shelter than Kṛṣṇa.
BCS: Very good, very good, one who does not have any other shelter besides Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet. Any other?
Devotee: One who is always engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
BCS: Very good. One who is always engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service, so many wonderful points are coming out about pure devotional service. Anymore?
Devotee: Becoming the servant of the servant.
BCS: Okay, it is coming to the same point… Anyway, not only the servant but to be engaged as the servant of the servant. Do you remember Rupa Gosvamis definition? I mean all these points are very good, but I was thinking of another consideration. Who remembers Rupa Gosvami’s definition of pure devotional service?
Devotee: Anyābhilāṣitā śūnyam.
BCS: Very good. Anyābhilāṣitā sunyam. What does this line mean? Śūnyam means? Devoid of. And anya means? Other.
BCS: Abhilāṣa means?
Devotees: Desire
BCS: Desire. Yes, free from any other desire. Any other desire means, any other desire than service to Kṛṣṇa or Kṛṣṇa. Pleasing Kṛṣṇa, service to Kṛṣṇa, glorifying Kṛṣṇa, only Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa. When the mind becomes like that. Desire, who desires? Through which faculty we desire?
Devotees: through the mind.
BCS: Yes, through the mind. And generally what happens? Often I hear. Devotees ask me. When I am chanting my mind is wandering. What does it mean? My mind is thinking of something else than Kṛṣṇa. So how to control the mind? Anyābhilāṣitā śūnyam means simply thinking about Kṛṣṇa and nothing else. Kṛṣṇa and thoughts related to Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa and related to Kṛṣṇa. Service to Kṛṣṇa is non-different from Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa ‘s pastimes are non-different from Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa’s associates are non-different from Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa’s dhama is non-different from Kṛṣṇa. Absorb your mind always thinking about Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa’s form, Kṛṣṇa’s qualities, Kṛṣṇa’s Holy Name. Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, Kṛṣṇa’s devotees, Kṛṣṇa’s dhama, Kṛṣṇa’s qualities. The mind should be completely absorbed in Kṛṣṇa.
So is it only mind? No, karmaṇā manasā girā. Karmaṇā. Karma means? Activities of the body. Does the body like just sitting down at one place? Does the body simply want to sleep? Although sleep is very nice. [laughter] But for how long can you sleep? When you tired you want to sleep. But when you become fresh, then what happens? Then you want to dance. This is the business of the body. The body wants to be active. These actions of the body is called karma. Karmaṇā. The body must act. How should the body act? On behalf of Kṛṣṇa. The mind’s business is to think or desire. What should we desire? Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure. Karmaṇā manasā girā. Girā means? How many of you know the meaning of the word ‘gira’?
Devotee: [unclear]
BCS: Very good, speech. Girā means speech. The faculty to speak. What should the faculty to speak be engaged in glorifying Kṛṣṇa? In Kṛṣṇa katha. Chanting the Holy Name. Glorifying Kṛṣṇa. So this is the goal of life. The body is engaged in the service of Kṛṣṇa, the mind is engaged in the service of Kṛṣṇa and the faculty to speak is engaged in glorifying Kṛṣṇa. That is a pure devotee. One who is always doing that is a pure devotee.
So, anyway, Pradyumna, I was wondering for how long I should speak. Any idea, Saci Tanaya?
Saci Tanaya Dasa: You can go on speaking.
BCS: I can go on speaking? Yes, since this morning we don’t have a class. We just go out and tour for half an hour. Okay.
So as I was telling about the retreat. I got this idea of a retreat. Which year was that?
Devotee: 2007.
BCS: 2007? Yes, it should have been 2007.Pradyumna, I was just asking, for how long should I speak?
Pradyumna: In one sense we have a lot of time. [unclear]
BCS: That will take how long?
Pradyumna Dasa: That should take no more than half an hour.
BCS: Okay, so quarter past… We have plenty of time. So then we can have some kīrtana also.
Devotee: and then at twelve thirty. Around twelve thirty or maybe around quarter past twelve we will go for the tour.
Pradyumna: Yes
BCS: Okay, very good. So, speaking about the retreat. Yes, I got this idea of the retreat in 2007. In 2007 I had some heart problem. And the doctor told me not to travel so much. Actually the doctor told me not to travel at all. [laughter] Not so much was my addition to that. My take on that. [laughter] So the doctor told me not to travel and I also thought that I won’t be able to travel. But I was thinking that all the devotees won’t be able to come to India all the time. So that was the time that I was thinking: “Okay, I won’t travel so much, I will go from country to country.” And I will stay in each place for one week. And we will have a retreat. We will have a situation; we will make a situation where we all can just get together. And be together for one week. And when I shared this idea with some of the devotees, the first ones to respond were the devotees from Switzerland. They told me: “Why don’t we go to some remote place in Switzerland?” I said: “Fine.” And Switzerland is a beautiful country. So which year was that? Was it 2008? Who all of you went to the retreat in Switzerland? Yes, Harsarani?
Harsarani Dasi: 2008
BCS: Yes, 2008. Who else went there in that retreat? Many of you went there. And we had a beautiful situation actually. It was a hotel on the Swiss Alps. And that is a place where the road ends. Beyond that there is no road, there is a skiing resort. And after that you have to go by cable car. And it was a skiing resort. So people go for skiing what time of the year?
Devotees: In winter
BCS: In winter, but that was summer. The hotel was, we got the entire hotel at a very cheap rate. [laughter] And we turned the hotel into a temple, an āśrama. Their banquet hall was turned into a temple room. And there another hall was the dining room. So then we stayed there for seven days. And we had a wonderful time.
And then the next one was in Orlando. Because I was spending a lot of time in Orlando. There also was a hotel owner, he gave us the facility to stay in the hotel. But the only problem the hotel had, he did not have a large hall. It was a motel actually. The difference between a motel and a hotel is that the hotel has many other facilities whereas a motel is only for living. Like the hotels have a banquet hall and a big dining hall and other such places. So anyway, so we had that in Orlando. In this way… Then we had one in South-Africa.
In this way we just started mainly in five places we started to have retreats. Like Europe, America, South-Africa, India and Australia. And it was very nice. And practically every year we had been having the retreat. Only last year we had only one such occasion when we had the cruise. And Radhanatha Mahārāja, Sacinandana Mahārāja, Mother Malati, Bhakti Purusottama Mahārāja, Candramauli Mahārāja, they were joining. How many of you went to that cruise? How did you all like it? [laughter] Yes, devotees still write to me. Actually the day before yesterday I received one request from the devotees. He actually wrote: “I heard that you are going to have a cruise again this year. Please let me know where you will have it this year.” [laughter] So I have to write to him that this year we are not having any cruise. But personally I think these retreats in a place like this is much better. And I also tell you another realization I had. The last retreats… actually we are having the retreats in hotels. The reasons were that I wanted all the devotees to come and stay for seven days or five days at one place. Because this is also another responsibility I have whether you like to hear it or not. My business is to take you out of your homes. [loud laughter] My business is to take you out of your household situation. See I am a sannyasi. [laughter] So I want to increase my group. [laughter] That’s why we prefer that you all came towards one situation, whether comfortable or not. I have noticed that devotees enjoy it. I remember when I was young sometimes we used to go out into camping. And it was a difficult situation. Like materially speaking it was a very difficult situation. You are going out in the middle of nowhere, pitching tents, living there. But the three, four days that you stayed there was such great fun, isn’t it? Like although there was no comfort, you know. Like we are living in a tent. And the food one cooks, you know. Digging some hole in the ground and like that. But although the food was so bad, it tasted like nectar. From that I felt that whatever the situation is, whether austere or opulent, you will enjoy it. But one thing I tried to do, because you are not young anymore, many of you are not young anymore. So you need certain material facilities. After all you have become spoiled being in your household situation. [laughter] So a certain degree of comfort is necessary. And so I tried to make arrangements. For example one of the grandest situations we had was in America, in a place called Vail. Vail is considered to be one of America’s best skiing resorts. America does not have that many skiing resorts. And Vail is in Colorado Mountains and we took over the Holiday Inn in Vail. And Holiday Inn is one of the higher up class up-marked resorts there. How many of you went to that one? Yes, [unclear name] was there, you were there. How was the facility there? Actually Vail, later on I got to know. That of course was in summer. In winter when people go there, you know how much it costs per head, per day in Vail? 2000 dollars a day, generally. Sometimes some of the hotels charge 5000 dollars a day. The hotel we were staying they were charging 2000 dollars a day and the facilities were limited. And you know, only rich people come. For them 2000 / 5000 is no money. And what do we do? As I was telling, we turned the hotel into an āśrama with a temple room, with a regular temple program. Then the kīrtana hall and all that. The dining room and plus nice arrangements for accommodation. That is how we all started.
But as I was telling, all these years we were making the arrangements in a hotel. But this summer, in America, we decided to have it in Gītā-nagarī. Previously devotees had asked me to do it in Gītā-nagarī but when I informed them, when I inquired, they told that they did not have enough facilities for so many devotees. But this year I got to know that they developed those facilities. And even if those facilities were not there, there were some hotels nearby that we could have rented and have the arrangements there. And although the facilities were not that comfortable so to say but devotees loved it. Devotees loved it because it was at our own home. It was in our temple. And also Gītā-nagarī is a beautiful place. How many of you have been to Gītā-nagarī? Yes, okay. It’s a beautiful place in Pennsylvania. It’s a large farm. During Prabhupāda’s time it was so opulent. They used to have hundreds of cows. But after Prabhupāda’s disappearance they started to face some difficulties. Bhakti-Tirtha Mahārāja was actually in charge of Gītā-nagarī and after his disappearance Gītā-nagarī had been going through a lot of difficulties. But now it is coming up and … So I felt that by having the retreat there it would also help them. And indeed it helped them. Arcana was there. How did you feel?
Arcana Dasi : [unclear]
BCS: Yes, how did it compare between Vail and Gītā-nagarī?
Arcana Dasi: The atmosphere was more spiritual.
BCS: Yes, the atmosphere was more spiritual. And being there also helped them. Besides all the devotees being there, creating a vibrant atmosphere, when I arrived ing Gītā-nagarī I saw their altar was very… I mean it was not looking so nice. Their Deities are very special. How many of you heard of the Rādhā-Dāmodara party? The bus party? You know how the name of the bus party came? Because of the names of the Deities of Rādhā-Dāmodara. Prabhupāda took the Deities of Rādhā-Dāmodara, not very big, about that big Deities made of ashtadhatu, eight metals, beautiful Deities, beautiful Deities. Even I had my special attachment to Rādhā-Dāmodara because Tamal Kṛṣṇa Mahārāja was serving Śrīla Prabhupāda at that time and I also was serving Śrīla Prabhupāda. And Tamal Kṛṣṇa Mahārāja and I used to live in the same room. And Tamal Kṛṣṇa Mahārāja had his altar with the picture of Rādhā-Dāmodara. And they looked so beautiful, I used to sit there with that picture. I remember I had such fond memories of those days and Tamal Kṛṣṇa Mahārāja as you know, he started the Rādhā-Dāmodara bus party. These were his Deities. And when the Rādhā-Dāmodara bus party was dismantled, Rādhā-Dāmodara went to Gītā-nagarī. So this way I had a somewhat deep relationship, intimate relationship with Rādhā-Dāmodara. And when I went to Gītā-nagarī this time and I saw the altar looked very… simple. It is not befitting Rādhā-Dāmodara. And in Ujjain we make altars. People just fall in love with those altars when they see that. And I thought we should have an altar for Rādhā-Dāmodara. And the next morning I was doing the guru-puja for Śrīla Prabhupāda. And there also I was thinking Prabhupāda’s āsana is looking so unattractive, not at all befitting Śrīla Prabhupāda. So I thought we also have to make an āsana for Śrīla Prabhupāda, a vyāsāsana for Śrīla Prabhupāda. And on the last day when I was having the last get together with the devotees, the farewell session, I told them this is what I was thinking. I just told them how I felt when I came about the Deities’ altar, how I felt when I was worshiping Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Guru-puja. And then I told them that I am thinking of making an altar for Rādhā-Dāmodara and a vyāsāsana for Śrīla Prabhupāda. And I told them. Of course I got in touch with Ujjain and I found out that the whole thing will come to a cost of about 15000 dollars. And I told them that if you all want you can contribute towards it, whether you contribute or not I will make it in any case. And in about 15 minutes 11000 dollars were raised. [applause] And that was not the end of the story. At that time actually I did notknow how much was raised because people were taking pledges, they are taking the pledges and the amount. When I went back to New Jersey after Gītā-nagarī, Vrindavan Chandra came and told me the whole amount had been counted and it came to 11000. And he said: “Not only that, the devotees, one of the devotees who were there while counting, he found out that there was a short fall of 4000, so he pledged that he will cover that 4000. [Apllause/Haribol by devotees]. The point that I was trying to make is that just by going there, not only we enlivened the devotees there and uplifted the spiritual atmosphere but a new altar is coming up for Rādhā-Dāmodara and a grand vyāsāsana for Śrīla Prabhupāda. You what kind of a vyāsāsana we are making for Śrīla Prabhupāda there? How many of you went to Ujjain? Have you seen the Śrīla Prabhupāda vyāsāsana in Ujjain? It is going to be that kind of vyāsāsana.
So that is how… That is the advantage of doing things in a temple situation. Devotees come, get together and they naturally feel enlivened to do something for the temple. And with this spirit actually we decided to have the retreat this year in Leicester. Because in Leicester, you will see in a couple of days, we have got a beautiful property. It is a heritage building, right in the centre of the city. It is a gorgeous, marvelous building, it is a Victorian building. Of course it needs a lot of work and … But you all can consider how you can help developing this Leicester centre. When the people see that the devotees are coming forward to help then they will feel inspired to do things. Anyway, at least now we are here. That beautiful facility, you will see an amazing facility that has been created to educate our children. And not only our children. Other children as well. In the school not only devotee children are coming. In this school outside children are also coming. Like how the outside children are also benefiting. The other day I was talking to Upendra Prabhu who is the administrator of Kṛṣṇa Avanti school. Upendra Prabhu was telling me. I was asking about the school. And he told like how this school is creating an amazing reputation even in the non devotee community. There was an 11 year old boy who was suffering from some sort of psychological problem because he was very fat. In the school he was bullied by other children. As a result of that he hated to go to school, he did not want to go to school, he did not want to study and the parents had a problem with him.
Eventually they brought him to a Kṛṣṇa Avanti school. At first there also he did not want to come to school. So then the teacher called him up and insisted that: “You have to come to school.” So anyway the boy started coming. And in this school nobody bullied him. Nobody laughed at him. Because the devotee children are brought up with a different kind of mentality. They are not in the bodily platform. Now when they are fat or thin it does not matter to them. So he started to like to come to school. And now, last… I don’t know what the occasion was. He said that he got three awards and he is shining so brilliantly. He has become such a… Because his inherent talents were not getting a chance to come up and become prominent. But in these schools he is getting that opportunity. This is how our schools are going to make a difference in this world.
Another thing that I was talking to Naveen, Naveen Kṛṣṇa the other day. You see, our… Naveen Kṛṣṇa is now trying to establish the schools in India. He already had an offer from Narendra Modi. How many of you know who Narendra Modi is ? I am sure every Indian knows him. Narendra Modi is the chief minister of Gujarata and Narendra Modi has a school and Narendra Modi is thinking to hand the school over to this Kṛṣṇa Avanti management. [Haribol by devotees] And if that happens that will be an amazing development. He is going to meet, actually he already left for Gujarat yesterday. And he will meet him there. And another person that he will meet about the schools is a possibility of the school in Rajestan. Actually he is meeting… this is Sanjeet, Sanjeets’ father he is meeting for a prospect of another school in Rajesthan. They are from Ajmir in Rajesthan. But I think the school is in Jaipur that he is thinking of. So in this way, if we can set up two, three schools and especially if we get Narendra Modi’s school, that will be such an amazing credit for us to begin with.
And as I was already telling Naveen has been very clear about one idea which I very much appreciated. You see I don’t know about UK but in India school business, school has become a very big business. Like people are setting up schools to make… I mean it has become a big business. Because people like to have their children educated. Rich people are prepared to spend any amount of money for the children’s education and they are taking advantage. Some schools are very expensive. Good school means very expensive school. This is how, say for example these Ambanis. They are setting up schools. And these Ambani schools… One of my disciples grandchild is going to the Ambani schools and it is inconceivable how much they are spending. They are spending like 15000 dollars a month for a child in a school. I am sorry not 15000 dollars, 15000 rupees. 15000 rupees, it is a lot of money in India, it means like 3000 dollars a month. Rich people have so much money. They don’t mind. And they are giving all kinds of facilities. They are giving facilities but they are making money. I heard that they have their busses. And in their busses they have two governesses. When the bus is going there are two ladies there to take care of these children. For these children they have big tennis players to teach them. There is one guy called [unclear], he is a champion tennis player. And he is playing tennis to these 7-8 years old kids. It is just all a big hoax.
But Naveen has made it a point. People approached them that they want to make these schools, they wanted to get involved. But he makes it clear that is not going to be a profit making venture. Our business is not going to be a profit making venture. Our business is to give our children the real education, give them the real education. And I thought that is a very good principle to stand on to. So here is such a school where people will get real education. And what is the real education? The object of real education is a perfect combination of material and spiritual. What does a healthy body mean? What is a healthy existence? A strong body with a strong spirit soul in it. Right? That is a real healthy existence.
Spiritual atmosphere in the material nature, there has to be a combination of spirit and matter. When we go back to the spiritual sky we can say good bye to matter. But when we are in this material nature we have to deal with matter. So when we deal with matter, we have to create the proper material situation. So this education system that we have. Pradyumna, is it right? Material education as well as spiritual education, a perfect combination of that. That is what these schools are going to create.
Pradyumna Dasa: Yes, [unclear]
BCS : So that is what these schools are going to teach. We are not going to disregard material education. That is the mistake we actually made in our gurukula system. In our gurukula system we completely disregarded the material side. We taught our children that this outside world is… What is the expression we used to give it?
Devotees: In māyā.
BCS: Okay, that is a mild expression. The outside world is the world of māyā. The other schools are the slaughter houses. These were the expressions that we used. Everybody outside is a damned karmī. That was the way, that was a mistake. Prabhupāda did not want that. But unfortunately, due to immaturity and as a result of that we can see that that system did not really succeed. If they stayed in Iskcon as a full devotee then most probably that would have been all right. But most children did not stay on in Iskcon. They went out and when they had to deal with the material nature, outside world, they were a total misfit. But what did Śrīla Prabhupāda actually want? Prabhupāda did not want our children to become a misfit in the outside world. Prabhupāda wanted our childrens to become important people in the society when they grew up. Prabhupāda wanted our children to become not only successful professionals… but become a leader of the society. Generals, ministers, political leaders and so forth. And in order to do that they have to have a perfect understanding of both material and spiritual reality. So this is one such school where you will see soon what a wonderful arrangement has already been made. Beautiful facilities. I saw it last time when I was here. Pradyumna Prabhu took me around and I was indeed very, very impressed.
Okay, so next few days that we are here let us take full advantage of every single facility that is coming our ways. And I heard that some of you had some difficulties in your accommodation situation yesterday. The first person that my eyes go to is Narendra Kṛṣṇa. And I am sorry. But you know it happens. This is also part of the excitement, the big excitement of being in a retreat.
Narendra Kṛṣṇa Dasa: It is sorted out.
BCS: And did you find it to be exciting? [laughter] Which part did you find exciting? The problem or the solution?
Narendra Kṛṣṇa Dasa: Both equally.
BCS: [laughs] Both equally, okay. Who else faced some difficulties? Don’t feel shy. I like to hear you know. Yes, you had some difficulties. What happened?
Devotee: [unclear, laughter]
BCS: I am sorry about that. Actually Pradyumna Prabhu’s idea was to make the arrangement in some hotel, at first, yes? At first. But then we can use this facility. This person is very favorable towards Kṛṣṇa Consciousness. And as a result of that some of you have to bear some grunt of it… Now your problem has been solved? Sure? Did you sleep well last night? Did all of you sleep well last night?
Devotees: yes [laughter]
BCS: So now you all are ready and fresh for the day?
Devotees: yes
BCS: Okay, thank you. Does anybody have any question? Priyavrata, are you comfortably situated?
Priyavrata Dasa: Yes, Guru Mahārāja.
BCS: Sure? Or do I have to ask Radharani? Radharani? Are you comfortably situated?
Radharani Dasi: Guru Mahārāja? [unclear]
BCS: Yes, okay, very good. And prasādam, I am sure prasādam must be very nice. So no one has any question? Yes, Priyavrata?
Priyavrata Dasa: [unclear] In India, our schools in Māyāpura and Vrindavan will they also change their standards?
BCS: Okay, yes. Let us see how it goes. Of course our gurukulas they learned their lesson from their mistakes. Especially the Vrindavan gurukula is running very well. Like some of the very qualified persons are involved in the gurukula. Like for example Vrindavan gurukula is now run by Lila Purusottama prabhu who is an IIT professor. He used to teach in IIT, he is still teaching in an IIT school. And he is involved. So they know. You see, previously one mistake with our gurukula was, you know the best devotees were not sent to the gurukula. Best devotees were sent out to book distribution etc. And as a result of that gurukula did not get the best of our society. And as a result of that you know, as you know we faced so many difficulties with our gurukula system. Many children had been abused, many children did not get proper education. Sometimes I was told that in spite of their education in gurukula for so many years they cannot even properly write. But now gurukula system is much better and in Māyāpura we have a national school for the local children. We have an international school which is affiliated by Cambridge. And Bhakti-Vidyapurna Maharaja’s gurukula, another gurukula is there. That is more like brahminical education. It’s fine you know. Some children can be educated like that also [unclear]. The girls’ gurukula are also doing grow up to become a mother, to become a household wife. They are learning how to cook nicely, they are learning how to care of the houses. At the same time their academic qualification [unclear] Yes, from our mistakes we are learning.
Priyavrata Dasa: [unclear]
BCS: In Māyāpura, yes… Brahminical, vocational and western and Indian.
So any other question? Yes,..
Devotee: Anyone who sees ratha-yatra. [unclear]
BCS: The scriptures say that just by seeing Jagannatha one can get liberated. But the question is how one is seeing. With love? The ultimate consideration will be attraction or love. Like yesterday morning I had a radio show and the lady who was conducting, after the show she was saying: “I like to see how the Lord looks like, how God looks like.” Yes, people are getting to know how the Lord looks like. Most of the people don’t even have an idea how God looks like. Some time Michelangelo was painting God as old person... But God is the Supreme Attractive Personality. Hare Krishna, any other question?
Devotee: [unclear]
BCS: [Unclear] You are coming? Yes, we are going to make it clear… [Unclear] No, this is international school. [unclear]
Devotee: [Unclear]
BCS: Thank you! [laughter/applause] Well if I am a teacher then your business is to become a good student. If I am the father your business is to become a good daughter. If I am a grandfather then your business is to become a good granddaughter, grandchildren. It is a good point actually because it is reciprocate. Like responsibility and benefit. When you get some facility, along with the facility also comes the responsibility. The responsibility is that you have to accept your.. tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena, paripraśnena: sincere inquiry. Thank you. I was hesitant [unclear/laughter]
BCS: Yes, Sarasvati?
Sarasvati dasi : [unclear]
BCS: Good. That’s also a good point that you brought up. Because… You see I had the good fortune of hearing directly from Śrīla Prabhupāda. I give you the background. I was in Vrindavan serving Śrīla Prabhupāda. At night one of us used to always be with Śrīla Prabhupāda. It means we had shifts. My shift was from twelve to two. That was considered the most difficult shift. But it was the most blissful shift, twelve to two. Because many nights Prabhupāda could not sleep and Prabhupāda used to talk. Sometimes Prabhupāda used to sit up and when Prabhupāda used to sit up then I would massage him. And at that time Prabhupāda used to talk. At one night Prabhupāda started to express his frustration that his health is so bad and there is so much to do. So I told Prabhupāda: “Prabhupāda, what you have done is beyond anyone’s knowledge. It is inconceivable. You should not think [unclear]. Then Prabhupāda said: “No, what I have done is fifty percent and the other fifty percent is to establish varṇāśrama. And then Prabhupāda mentioned: “Not that everybody will become a devotee. Those who will not become a devotee, for them we use varṇāśrama. And in this way Prabhupāda just kept on speaking. Of course at that time I was just a neophyte devotee, a new devotee. Many things went above my head. Many things I [unclear] not even recall. But what I gather from that speech. Prabhupāda made it clear: “Iskcon is for devotees.” Those who will become serious devotees, Iskcon is for them. But not that the whole world will become devotees. Many of them will live outside Iskcon. And for them we make varṇāśrama. The devotees of Iskcon are beyond the modes of material nature. It becomes very clear in Bhagavad-gita, Krishna mentioned in the fourteenth chapter. That the devotees are nistraiguṇyo, traiguṇya-viṣayā vedā nistraiguṇyo bhavārjuna. Arjuna, you become transcendental to the modes of material nature. But not that everybody will be in that situation. So those who won’t become devotees, for them we make varṇāśrama. That means those who are in the modes of nature. Some are in the mode of goodness, some will be in the mode of passion, some will be in the mixed mode of passion and ignorance and some will be in ignorance. Now you see: [unclear] Iskcon devotees are beyond that. Below that, those who won’t become say pure devotees. Iskcon is meant for pure devotees. Those who won’t become pure devotees, they will be in the mode of goodness, brāhmaṇa. Iskcon devotees are beyond brāhmaṇa. Iskcon devotees are vaisnava, they are in pure goodness. Mode of goodness brāhmaṇa, mode of passion kṣatriya, mixed modes passion and ignorance vaiśya and the mode of ignorance śūdra. Now consider if this is fifty percent of what Śrīla Prabhupāda has done, that means if this is going to match Prabhupāda’s achievement it means establishing varṇāśrama all over the world. Just defining people according to their modes. In a way that statement may make sense: “Yes, in Iskcon is only brāhmaṇa’s. But to structure the world, those who won’t become they will be [unclear] I don’t know in what context that he made that statement but my take will be… And it is not just an ordinary thing. Another thing, let us look at it. What is the most difficult thing out of establishing varṇāśrama dharma? Prabhupāda has already given brāhmaṇa through his teachings. He is creating brāhmaṇas. The whole world is already śūdras. And some vaisyas are there. Now does it mean that from brāhmaṇas we have to make kṣatriyas? No, that will be very, very difficult. You know what it means? When you want to make kṣatriyas, then democracy has to go. In the democracy structure there is no room for kṣatriyas. Who is a kṣatriya? What is the nature of a kṣatriya?
Devotee: Fighting
BCS: Not only that, not only fighting. The kṣatriya is… He will get what he wants with his strength. Their will be [unclear] the survival of the strongest. Not just the fittest, the strongest. A kṣatriya will go and say: “Look, I want your kingdom.” And the other king will say: “Get lost.” He will say: “Get lost” He will say: “Come, before you get lost let’s settle it in the battlefield. And their will be a fight over the kingdom. They will go to the battlefield and whoever will win, he will get the kingdom. That’s the nature of a kṣatriya. Look at the nature of a kṣatriya, meaning an individual who is in the mode of passion. Consider an animal who is in the mode of passion.
Devotees: Lion.
BCS: Lion, consider the nature of a lion. A lion will not eat an animal that has been killed by some other. A lion will kill the animal itself and then eat it. And he will give his remnants to others. The lion will kill the animal, eat the thing to his content and then he leaves it to other animals like jackals and [unclear] etc. Now transfer that concept to a kṣatriya. He is like that. He is like a lion. And he will establish himself with his own physical power. Brāhmaṇas are intellectuals, kṣatriyas are powerful. With the power of their physical strength and the power of their military strength. That is a kṣatriya.
See brāhmaṇas are there, Prabhupāda created them, the whole world is already śūdra. Now which way we have to go to develop? I think the next way we have to go is through the vaiśya community. And this is another kind of power, monetary power. And then the kṣatriya communicty will develop. And in order for that to happen democracy has to go. For the people, by the people, of the people means: for the śūdra, by the śūdras and of the śūdras .. [laughter]. Because the mass is ignorant. Ignorance means śūdra. So most of the people are śūdras. If the majority of the people are going to decide, what kind of a decision are you going to get? You will simply get a śūdra decision. So therefore the śūdra structure has to go to make room for proper varṇāśrama. And when the kṣatriyas come, they take over… If they are Krishna conscious they will be guided by the ministers. Who are the ministers? The ministers are the brāhmaṇas. kṣatriyas are independent, they are guided by the ministers, the brāhmaṇas. And then only they learn how to rule a country. All right?
Sarasvati Dasi: Thank you Mahārāja.
BCS: Okay, now we will have a little kīrtana.