Verse: Vaishnava Etiquette
Date: December 18th, 2012
Place: GURGAON, INDIA
Transcription: Ranga Radhika dasi
Editing: Ranga Radhika Dasi
Does anybody have any question?
Yes?
Devotee: [inaudible]
BCS: Why do we clean our?
Devotee: Feet.
BCS: Because that's the part of the body that is the most dirty. And of course, another thing is that cleaning your feet helps your digestion. Putting water on your feet also helps digestion. So everything is very scientific in Krishna consciousness! And it is a part of cleanliness. Better still it is to take a bath before taking prasada! [laughs] But after taking prasada, a bath is not recommended. You know why? For digestion. Any other question? It would be nice if you can write the questions on a piece of paper.
Devotee: Maharaja, you started by saying we are worshippers of Radharani. My understanding has always been that it is Krishna whom we have to love. What I am asking for is more clarity on the same.
BCS: You see, generally the understanding is love for Krishna, but when you go closer to Krishna and you come across Radharani, then you can't help but becoming Her servant. When you realize that She is so merciful and Krishna is so inaccessible, it is impossible to approach Krishna and Radharani's mercy is just flowing abundantly, so when you see that, then what should be your intelligent approach? Krishna is impossible to approach and She is just showering Her mercy. You'll say, "I'll take the easier way." That's why our tendency is to just approach Srimati Radharani. Another consideration is that we are followers of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Who is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu? Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna but in the mood of Srimati Radharani. So when we approach Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who are we approaching? We are not approaching Krishna. We are approaching Radharani!
Devotee: [inaudible]
BCS: Good question: How do we maintain our humbleness in an irritating situation? By being heavy. If the situation is creating disturbance - as you said "irritating situation" - then try to rectify that situation. Not that we remain humble at that time, "Oh, I should not." Like for example, generally at the beginning of the class we make an announcement, "Please switch off your mobile phone." It is not a very humble request. [laughs] And then when the mobile rings you do tend to remind, "Look, you have been told to put the mobile on the side, why didn't you do that?" So sometimes corrections are necessary and if you create some sort of irritation it is understandable. After all, as I said, we are very practical. Devotees are very practical. Our humble disposition is in relation to Krishna and Krishna consciousness. When Krishna consciousness is being affected then the humble disposition is naturally to become concerned about rectifying that situation. That is genuine humbleness. Thank you.
Devotee: This is a question from Ankit from Indore. He is asking, "What is the difference between Vaishnava and Karshna?"
BCS: A question from Ankit from Indore. What is the difference between Vaishnava and Karshna? As it has been mentioned, the worshippers of Vishnu grammatically are called Vaishnavas. Vaishnavas means worshippers of Vishnu. Worshippers of Krishna grammatically are called Karshnas. Worshippers of Krishna are Karshnas. In that respect Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura pointed out that the worshippers of Vishnu are known as Vaishnavas, worshippers of Krishna are known as Karshnas and the worshippers of Srimati Radharani are known as Gaudiyas. So we are Gaudiya Vaishnavas, which means we are the worshippers of Srimati Radharani. And we just mentioned, why we are worshippers of Srimati Radharani? Because when we get closer to Radha Krishna, then we see that Krishna is impossible to approach, whereas Radharani is showering Her abundant mercy. Therefore, it is a natural consideration, "Okay, let me approach Krishna through Srimati Radharani." Another consideration is that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna in the mood of Radharani, therefore when we are following Chaitanya Mahaprabhu we are actually following Srimati Radharani.
Devotee: [inaudible]
BCS: She is asking a question on the point that I made, that how can we maintain that feeling of pride when we see that some other Vaishnavas are achieving something very wonderful? You see, in simple words, these are the tendencies of envy. When we become envious then we cannot appreciate others, rather we become envious. We think, "Why him?" Now let us consider, what is the opposite of envy? Opposite of envy is love. When we love somebody then we become proud and delighted with the achievements of the other because of
our love for that person. Because of that love for that person, he becomes part of me. So we become proud of that person's achievements. So the material tendencies of envy should be conquered by developing our love for that person, love for others.
Devotee: [inaudible]
BCS: Okay, the question is from Nakula from Ujjain. "As you said, material is impersonal and spiritual is personal." He wants me to elaborate on that. You see, matter is inert. Matter doesn't have consciousness. Therefore the more we go towards matter we lose our consciousness. On the other hand, the more we approach the spirit we become more and more conscious. So the more conscious we become, the more our dealings with each other becomes steeped with emotions and other qualities and attributes of consciousness. So that's what makes it personal. Say for example, the more conscious you are, the more love you have in you, in simple words. More love means more consciousness. More consciousness means more love in the heart. Like can an animal love somebody like a man can? Can a tree love somebody as an animal can? Now from this we can see the difference between the finer feelings of emotions in relation to consciousness. So these emotions actually make our dealings personal. So that's why the more we approach the spiritual reality, the more we become situated in our spiritual identity. The more conscious we become, therefore the more personal become our dealings.
Does it answer your question, Nakula?
Oh, there are more questions online. Shall we take the online questions first? Okay, one online, one written. Give it to me. I can read then everybody can hear.
Okay, this question is from Svadhyaya Dasa. Who is Svadhyaya Dasa? Okay. "Dear Maharaja, please clarify how to behave when there are differences between Vaishnavas." You mean, you as a third party or you and other Vaishnavas? Which one? In both cases. Okay. If you are a party in that conflict, then try to take a humble disposition. Tolerate. Because if you tolerate, then the other person will also cool down. But if you get into loggerheads then there will be conflict. So better to avoid conflicts. Take a humble position.
And when you see two Vaishnavas are fighting then don't side with any one of them. Just stay aloof with the understanding we don't know why they are fighting. I mean, that is their business. These are Vaishnava's pastimes. Don't get involved. That is what Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa is saying, that when you see that two senior Vaishnavas are fighting, stay away from it. Don't side with them. Internet question?
Devotee: [inaudible]
BCS: Which actually means how to maintain a proper Vaishnava attitude? For that it is important that you remain in the association of good devotees, because the association of good devotees will give you the right impetus. And read Prabhupada's books. So these are the two very, very important considerations in this respect.
When you send the question, you write the name also. So I'll just ask you who wrote the question.
"Hare Krishna. Dandavat pranama. How can we increase our love and attachment for Srimati Radharani?"
Whose question is this? Okay. How can we increase our love and attachment for Srimati Radharani? How can one develop one's love for anybody? Can you tell me? By appreciating that person's qualities. Krishna is all-attractive - why? Because of His six qualities. He is the most beautiful. He is the most powerful. He is the most wealthy and so forth. So that's why we naturally become attracted. You see, love is a product of attraction. Our love develops out of attraction. We become attracted to somebody and that attraction generates love from the heart. So now, in order to develop our love and attachment for Srimati Radharani, we have to become aware of Her qualities. Now how do you get to know about Radharani's qualities? From Prabhupada's books and from the association of devotees. When you hear them speak about Radharani then you develop your attachment. Okay? Thank you.
Devotee: [inaudible]
BCS: Qualitatively we are one with Krishna, but quantitatively not. Quantitatively we are minute and Krishna is Absolute. So that's why the capacity differs. Krishna creates the material world and you create a little toy and play with it. That is the difference. You are also creating. Or at the most, you are creating your own baby through your wife. That is the extent of your creation. Krishna's creation cannot be matched by anybody else because of the difference of the quality, the ability. At the most a man can create a machine but Krishna creates the entire material world, because Krishna's capacity is far greater than ours.
I can read it. It is very easy if I can speak through the mike. Maybe it will be nice also if we have another microphone? Is there another microphone? Yeah, you can use that when you are reading the questions.
[In Hindi:] "Hare Krishna, Maharaja-ji. Hum kis tarah se bahar office mein humble rah sakte hain, kyuni kabhhi kabhi bhautikta-vadi loga hamare humbleness ka faida uthate hain? To yeh situation mein humme kya karna chahiye?" [Translation: How can we remain humble while we are at the office, because materialistic people will take advantage of our humbles? How to act in such a situation?]
Yeh situation humble rehne ka ek sundar [unclear]. The way I said, like if you get into loggerheads, if you get into a clash, then it will bring more conflict. So better to avoid the conflict. If somebody is taking advantage of you - yeh prashna kiska tha? Aap ka? Samjhe? Agar koi aapka humbleness ka faida uthana chahta hai, to ya to aap us se door raha sakte hain, na to uske paas aur bhi humble ho jayiye, taki wo faida uthana bandh karde. [Translation: If somebody wants to take advantage of your humbleness then you either stay away from that person of become even more humble so that the person will stop taking advantage.]
Devotee: Hare Krishna, this question is from Ratna Rajawat from Ujjain. "Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja. Dandavat pranama. My question is that in the material world everything is perishable. So the relationship between the devotees is also perishable or eternal?"
BCS: Very good. In the material nature all the relationships are perishable because those relationships are based on the material body. So when the body is finished, the relationships are finished. But the devotees' relationships are not based on the body. Devotees' relationships are based on Krishna and because Krishna is eternal, those relationships are also eternal. Okay, Ratna?
Rudrakshi, "Sometimes while being humble people exploit us. How can we manage the situation?"
I just answered the question. Does it clarify your question? You can act in two ways. If that situation becomes unbearable, avoid that person. But if you are strong enough, then face it. That person is trying to take advantage of you, remain humble, but remain firm at the same time. Don't let him take undue advantage of you. But don't get into a conflict. Better to avoid then getting into a conflict because once you get into a conflict it will lead to an endless fight, which is not desirable. It is a waste of time.
Devotee: Maharaja, this question is from Ashoka [unclear]. He is asking, "Can one see the spiritual world and the dealings of the spiritual world while living here?"
BCS: Yes, you can come to ISKCON and see how the devotees are dealing with each other. [audience clapping: Haribol!] Yes, Ashoka, come to the temple, stay with the devotees and you'll see. Srila Prabhupada created ISKCON to bring the spiritual world down to this material nature so that people can get an experience what the spiritual world is like. My point is, yes, when you deal with the Vaishnavas, when you see how the Vaishnavas are dealing with each other, how the Vaishnavas are dealing with others, from that you will understand what the spiritual world is like. It may not be as perfect as the spiritual world, but at least this will give you a semblance of the spiritual world.
Again no name. "A major part of the day one is among materialistic people. What is to be done in order to achieve peace? Because it also spoils habit." What to do? You see, better to avoid materialistic association. If you want to make spiritual advancement, it is better to avoid materialistic association. But due to the force of circumstances, if you cannot, then as I said, try to make the best out of a bad bargain. See how to remain unaffected by that association. Again, be in the association of devotees. During the day if you are in the association of those materialistic people, then at least in the evening come to the temple and associate with the devotees. And you'll see that all the bitterness of that materialistic association will be washed away. And then in the morning come again to the temple and associate with the devotees! In this way you will become strong enough to deal with that adverse situation.
Devotee: Hare Krishna, Maharaja. This question is from Jatinder from Punjab. His question is, "How we get to know that Maya has attacked us?"
BCS: How do we get to know that Maya has attacked us? Maya's attack leads us to materialistic attachment. That is the attack of Maya. Maya attacks, we become attached to material things. So, yes, we are minute and Krishna is Absolute. Therefore, it is always better to depend upon Krishna to avoid that attack or to conquer that attack of Maya. It's alright, Jatinder?
There are quite a few questions. Well, no name again. "Maharaja, you explained about why we should eat with hand or take a bath after two hours of sleep. The reasons are so logical and scientific. Maharaja, you once had made a statement about how religion to begin with is science and how it becomes a political convenience with time. Could you please repeat that statement?"
[To a devotee:] That is your question? Yeah, so the first part of the thing was that you're saying that the explanations were scientific and the second part of the question is that once I stated something about how religion...Okay, what I actually mentioned at that time, about religion turning into politics and so forth was actually a statement by Will Durant, his philosophy. He mentioned that a religion remains a religion for the first few years. Then it becomes a philosophy. Then it becomes a political convenience. And then it becomes a mere ritual. But the science part of it was actually Prabhupada. Prabhupada actually pointed out that religion actually is a science. Religion is not just a faith or philosophy. Religion is not just faith, it's a science. Like, what is science? Science is a systematic study of a subject. Systematic means experimentally verified, experimentally verified facts. When some facts can be verified, so experience that is science, isn't it? Like two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen together makes water. Now, it could have been a hypothesis, but in the laboratory it can be proven. You electrolyze through the electrolyzers. Water is one part oxygen and two parts hydrogen. So it is experimentally [verified], so therefore it is a science. Now systematic study of different subjects is called science. That can be experimentally verified. Like, for example, the study of energy is physics. The study of matter is chemistry. The study of the human body is medical science and so forth. The study of numbers is mathematics. Similarly, there is a thing called soul. There is thing called spiritual reality. There is a personality called God. Now the systematic study of that subject, which can be experimentally verified, is religion. Actual religion is the scientific study or the scientific understanding of the spiritual reality, which included the living entity and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is what religion is, not some faith. Like, I belong to this faith, therefore this is my religion. No. And unless and until this is taken as a science, studied as a science, the religions will simply continue to create disturbances. Just consider, so much damage has been done in the name of religion - why? Because it was not scientifically understood.
Does this answer your question?
Some more questions? How many? [devotee: four] Four. And five from here. "Hare Krishna, Maharaja. Dandavat pranama to your lotus feet.
Question: Maharaja, how should we understand behaving or having relationship with all non-devotees, persons who are not in the Krishna conscious community?"
BCS: Good question. Whose question is this one? Okay, very good. You see, non-devotees fall in two categories. You can classify the non-devotees in two categories: one who are prepared to listen to you - they are not devotees, but they're prepared to listen to you - or those who are offensive to Krishna. Isn't it? There are two types. Now those who are willing to listen to you, preach to them. Give them the understanding who Krishna is. But those who are offensive to Krishna, avoid them. Okay? Avoid the offenders.
Devotee: This question is from Ashoka, third question, [unclear]. If one's wife gives unbearable pain unnecessarily
BCS: What? If one's wife...? [laughter]
Devotee: Gives unbearable pain unnecessarily, can one avoid one's wife? Or how to deal with her if she always tries to pull one away from Krishna consciousness?
BCS: Okay. In Vedic culture there is no concept of divorce. Once you're married, you're stuck forever. [laughter] Therefore think twice before getting married, because once you're married there is no question of separation. Tolerate. You have to tolerate. Even if she gives you pain, you have to tolerate. Tolerate and educate her also, like preach to her. Preach to her, but no divorce.
Jayanta [unclear], "Is it true that one can achieve pure consciousness after giving up everything material if it can't be possible while involved in normal activities?"
First of all, you cannot achieve pure consciousness just by giving up material activities. To begin with, you can't give up material activities. You have to have the spiritual activities to give up material activities. Therefore only by getting involved in spiritual activities you can give up material activities. And then only you can develop pure consciousness. What is the meaning of spiritual activities? You see, a living entity is active. A living entity cannot be inactive. Consciousness is active and a living entity is conscious, so he is active. He is always desiring and he is trying to fulfill his desires. So that is naturally leading him to activities. So you have to be active, but if you are active on the material side, you're in trouble. That means you're inviting suffering, therefore engage your activities in serving Krishna. And by serving Krishna you get such a wonderful taste that you'll naturally give up the materialistic activities.
So as you said, being involved in normal activities whether it is possible, yes, let those normal activities be for the sake of Krishna's pleasure. Then those activities will be the cause of your liberation from material bondage.
Thank you, Jayanta. Hare Krishna.
Devotee: The next question is from Biswajeet from Pune: "Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja. Sometimes we have hot dealings with devotees, but we want to come to the normal relationship but the other devotee is not ready. In this situation what should be done?"
BCS: Well, you are trying to have a nice, favorable relationship with somebody else, but if he is not responding then all you can do is try, but if doesn't work then what can be done? Better to maintain a distance. Avoid. Not avoid, but maintain a distance from that devotee. So that is the best way to deal with that situation. We cannot have a favorable relationship with everybody, but if somebody is impossible to deal with then better to maintain a distance.
Varun Mishra. "Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja. Dandavat pranama. I was listening from a devotee while on book distribution. He passed from a butcher's shop and then tried to preach at that shop. Some person working in that shop purchased one Gita and asked question that he spent his whole life cutting animals, now he is not in a position to leave his occupation, so whether he should leave this or should continue with his occupation with participating in Krishna movement.
Question: Does occupation really matter for taking to Krishna consciousness?"
You see, when we get to know that something is wrong then it is better not to indulge in those wrong activities anymore. As long as he did not know, that is alright, but now that he got to know, after reading Bhagavad-gita or talking to that devotee, that what he had been doing for so many years was wrong, then he should give it up. And then by being engaged in Krishna consciousness he will become purified. Okay? Like, say for example, many of us did so many wrong things in the past. And as long as we didn't know any better that was alright. But after coming to Krishna consciousness, reading Srila Prabhupada's books, when you got to know, then what did you do? You gave up those wrong actions and currently you [unclear].
Devotee: We have a few more questions from online. One is Vijaya Nimai Dasi. "Hare Krishna, Maharaja. Why devotees will fight?" And a similar question
Ashoka Sahu: "Sometimes I see some non-devotees are more mature in personal dealings than devotees. How can this be?"
BCS: Well, the non-devotees may have good qualities and so forth, but because they have not taken to Krishna consciousness or they have not accepted Krishna those good qualities are of no genuine significance. Srila Prabhupada gave the example of zeros. All these qualities are like many zeros. They don't have any value. But when you put Krishna, just one, on the left side of all the zeros, then what will happen? Then all these zeros will become so many (?). So materialistic people may have many qualities but because they don't have that one, all those qualities are of no value. They're zeros. Whereas the devotee, even if he is not very qualified, because he has accepted Krishna his life has become successful, alright?
Arti Khanda. "Dear Maharaja, humble obeisances. Love is cultivated for some particular devotee or comes spontaneous because of some eternal relationship with that devotee?"
Okay, the first consideration is that love is for Krishna. There are two different considerations: love and lust (prema and kama). Chaitanya Charitamrita is describing that the desire to gratify our senses is called lust and the desire to gratify Krishna's senses, give pleasure to Krishna's senses is love. So although they may appear to be alike, but they are opposed to each other. Like sunrise and sunset. Love is brilliant as the sun and lust is deepest darkness. So in this way we have to understand the difference. The point is, love is for Krishna and to the devotees, love for Krishna is reflected unto the devotees in different relationships that we share. So because Krishna is in the center these relationships become meaningful. As you are asking, whether it is due to a past relationship and so forth, my answer will be: it's because of Krishna. If it is a relationship between devotees then we have to understand it is not a karmic thing, nothing, it is because of Krishna. Meaning two persons' love for Krishna brought that them together. Okay?
Does it answer your question or not?
Devotee: My question is, is it cultivated or is it spontaneous?
BCS: Well, that is up to you to figure out. When it is not there then it means it has to be cultivated. But when it is there then it is spontaneous. The practicing stage is the cultivation stage and the spontaneous stage, when the feeling of the heart is flowing, then that is spontaneous.
Gaura. "Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja. Thank you. How should a Vaishnava look at competition in office, as it is a place of cut-throat-competition where everyone wants success at any cost?"
Good question. You see, that completion probably becomes a necessity for the sake of surviving. And since it is in the outer world, in the material world, where you cannot really apply your Krishna consciousness, then become a cut-throat. Don't cut their throats! [laughs] But try to win. An example can be the battle of Kurukshetra. Arjuna didn't want to fight but it was forced upon him by the Kauravas. And when he fought, he was like a lion. His business was to just wipe them away. So the point is, devotees are not a bunch of dodos. Devotees, if necessary, can become like lions, although by nature they are very gentle and polite and humble. But if necessary they can become like lions, especially when they are dealing with non-devotees in an undesirable situation. Because it is a world of competition, if you want to survive, you have to...like for example, when you are studying you are competing to get ahead. "Let them get the best result and I will become the last one." No! When you are there, in that field, try to be the best.
"As an administrator, how can one become humble, [in Hindi:] kyunki action lena zaroori hota hai [meaning: because taking action is necessary]. If not, they'll spoil the system. What should be done?" K.K. Agarwal? Okay. Yes, when you are in management, when you're leading, when you're getting things done, then you can't afford to get humble because you have to get it done. So for the sake of your master, especially when you are doing things for Krishna, then, yes, you have to be strong. You have to be strict and call a spade a spade. Because you're duty is to correct them and get things done properly.
That's the last question? Let me see. Dasarathi Prasad Dasa. "Hare Krishna. Dandavat pranama, Maharaja. As you said, love of living entities is exclusively reserved for Lord Krishna. When we love Krishna it is pure and when we love our children and wife it is contaminated. My question is, how can we dovetail that contaminated love to Krishna's pure love?" A living entity loves Krishna, right? The devotees love Krishna and then he sees all the living entities as Krishna's parts and parcels. So if you love Krishna then what will be your attitude towards the parts and parcels, especially those who are engaged in the service of Krishna? You develop your love for them also. So the point is that love that is centered around Krishna, that is pure. As I mentioned earlier, love for Krishna is reflected unto others in the form of friendship, in the form of compassion, especially unto the devotees. You love Krishna, the devotee loves Krishna. Then what should be your natural tendency? Your natural tendency should be to develop friendship or a favorable relationship towards him.
Does it answer your question?
Devotee: I have a question from Sancari from Ludhiana. "Hare Krishna, Maharaja. Thank you for the class. How should one tackle the guilt if one realizes all his mistakes and wants to correct them and grow spiritually in
Krishna consciousness [unclear] mercy? You see, the feeling of guilt is good, but don't dwell on it. Recognize your mistake. You are feeling guilty because you have done something wrong. So rectify that mistake and carry on with your life. Don't dwell in your guilty feelings. As Bhaktivinode Thakura mentioned,
Forget the past that sleeps and ne'er
The future dream at all,
Live with the time that are with thee
And progress thee shall call.
[The Jiva Soul, Poem by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura]
Forget the past, not dream about the future, but live with the time that is with you, the present. Build your present in the best possible way and that is the real progress (progress thee shall come).
Devotee: This question is from Indrajeet Ahuja from Mumbai. "Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja. Dandavat pranama. My question is for actual cleanliness, one has to defeat laziness. How can one defeat laziness?"
BCS: By being active. To become clean you have to become active. So become active then the laziness goes away. Anyway, just don't be lazy because being lazy is not good. If you realize that you are being lazy, you think it is right to be lazy? If you don't think it is right to be lazy, then don't be lazy. Become active.
Devotee: Kripa Mohana Dasa is asking the question, "How to avoid finding faults with the management?"
BCS: How to avoid finding faults with the management? Good point. Recognize that they are your senior and it is not your business to find faults. Your business is to follow them. But if you feel that the management is going terribly wrong - it may happen, we don't have to deny these things - but in that case, report to the higher authority. In ISKCON there is always a higher authority. Mainly in a spiritual community you always will find a higher authority. So you report to the higher authority, but don't take the law in your hands.
Devotee: Mahattama Devi Dasi, she is from Alachua. She is asking, "We are very grateful to Maharaja for this series of lectures. Could you please direct us where to listen again?" She mentioned it this morning.
BCS: Well, tomorrow I am leaving for Australia. There also there will be a series of lectures in Brisbane and then in Sydney and that also will be telecasted, but there is a big time difference between Australia and Alachua, fourteen hours of time difference. Facebook will announce my activities. So the time will be given on Facebook or BCS Istagosthi. So you can check either of these two.
Thank you very much.
Hare Krishna.
Hare Krishna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Gaura Premanande Hari Haribol!