Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja speaks on Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14; the importance of listening to Hari Katha from the pure devotees; the appearance and disappearance days of many elevated Vaisnavas; the necessity of serving the Vaisnavas; the significance of surrender; the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; the glories of the Holy Name; how to become humble; how to observe Ekadasi; and much more.

Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja is a disciple of Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhava Maharaja, who is a disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada.

Jagannatha Puri: January-March 2016 (English)

Srila Bharati Maharaja explains that the forest fire of material existence can only be extinguished by Harinama Sankirtan. In that connection, Srila Maharaja cites the sloka "Samsara davanala - Just as a raincloud extinguishes a blazing forest fire by showering its rain upon it, Sri Gurudeva, by his rain of divine mercy, delivers the people burning in the fire of material existence, suffering the threefold miseries – adhyatmika, adhibhautika and adhidaivika. I offer prayers unto the lotus feet of Sri Gurudeva, who manifests when Krsna’s mercy becomes very thick and who is an ocean of auspicious qualities."

Bhagavan Himself is coming in the form of Sri Guru, giving knowledge to everyone. The topmost devotee is Radharani. That is why Krsna Himself accepted Radharani´s bhava and complexion, and came in the form of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, teaching how to become free from misery and reach the highest goal.

Krsna Nama is Cintamani. It is full with living mellows. Nama and Bhagavan Himself are non-different. Bhagavan is full with mellows. Name is also full with living mellows. Living entities have feeling, activities, and desire. Same like this, Nama also has these mellows. With the help of Nama, Krsna Himself will appear in front of us. 

To read a summary of Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14, written by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, have a look at  http://prabhupadabooks.com/kb/1/14 , which features Srila Prabhupada´s original books for free.

 This class was given on the 19th of January 2016, and is the first in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja.

PURI 2016 Jan 19 PM: Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has shown, how we should follow Ekadasi: 

sri-hari-vasare hari-kirtana vidhana
natya arambhila prabhu jagatera prana
punya-vanta srivasa-angane subharambha
uthila kirtana-dhvani gopala govinda

("On Ekadasi Lord Caitanya, the life of the worlds, would chant Lord Hari's names and dance. In the courtyard of fortunate Srivasa would rise the auspicious chanting of Gopala! Govinda!" Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya Khanda 138-139)

On the day of Ekadasi, we should stay close to Bhagavan. How can we be close to Bhagavan? By performing Nama Sankirtan. Because Bhagavan and His Holy Name, are non-different. That is why on the day of Ekadasi, we should only do Nama Sankirtan.

Hari Bhakti Vilasa describes, how to follow Ekadasi. Glorifying Bhagavan by Nama Sankirtan, this is the main thing. And what we should do more? If one can not do the full fast (nirjala, complete fasting from water and food on the entire Ekadasi), then one can take water. If one is not satisfied by taking water, then one can drink milk. If one is not happy with milk only, then one can eat some roots. Or some fruits. The main thing is to chant Krsna, remember Krsna, glorify Krsna, and serve the Vaisnavas. 

If one is having problems following Ekadasi, then one should ask one´s Gurudeva, what to do. 

Ekadasi is very auspicious. We can only get the actual benefit of Ekadasi, when we associate with Sadhus. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada says that without Hari Katha, staying in the Math, is karma khanda only. We should stay close to Bhagavan, on the day of Ekadasi.

If you would like to read what Hari Bhakti Vilasa says about Ekadasi, you can find it online, for example here: http://www.salagram.net/ekadasi-vratHBV.htm

This class was given on the 20th of January 2016, and is the second in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. 


PURI 2016 Jan 20 PM: Putrada Ekadasi

Srila Bharati Maharaja speaks on the Appearance Day of Sri Jagadisa Pandita, and explains that it is very beneficial for our spiritual lives to remember Sri Krsna and His devotees. The beloved chief commanders of Bhagavan are very strong, there is nobody as strong as them. Therefore there is no need to be fearful. When we remember them, they will throw out the prostitute of prestige, and make a place in our hearts for seating Bhagavan. It is their work, to remove the enemy. 

Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswami says: "O mind, how can pure divine love appear in my heart as long as the shameless dog-eating, outcaste woman of the desire for prestige is audaciously dancing there? Therefore always remember and serve the immeasurably powerful commanders of the army of Sri Krsna, the beloved devotees of the Lord. They will at once banish this outcaste woman and initiate the flow of immaculate vraja-prema in your heart." (Sri Manah Siksa, verse 7, www.purebhakti.com)

Why are they so powerful? Because of their conduct. That is why, if we want to get free from maya, we should chant the names of these beloved devotees of the Lord. They go everywhere, preaching the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

In Srimad Bhagavatam, 9 limbs of Bhakti are mentioned (sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam, SB 7.5.23-24). Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has condensed it to 5 limbs: “Sadhu-sanga, chanting the holy name, hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam, residing in Vraja mandala and worshiping the Deity with faith.” (CC Madhya-lila 22.128. Translation from Sri Slokamrta, www.purebhakti.com)

Amongst these 5, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu told that Nama Sankirtan is topmost. Srila Vedavyasa ends Srimad Bhagavatam by writing: "If you do Nama Sankitana, all kinds of sins will be finished" (SB 12.13.23). But he didn´t say, which name we should chant. This has been cleared by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: Sri Krsna Sankirtanam (Sri Siksastakam, verse 1). This means, the Kirtan of Radha and Krsna.

One meaning of Sankirtan is, when many people come together to chant. Another meaning is, that Kirtan which is full of all qualities. Narayana only has 60 qualities. Whereas Sri Krsna has all 64 qualities. Guna madhuri, lila madhuri, venu madhuri, and rupa madhuri. These are the 4 extra qualities of Krsna. When the gopis saw Narayana, their hearts didn´t change. Because He doesn´t have these 4 qualities. We have to follow the footsteps of Srimati Radharani (in front of Whom Krsna couldn´t keep His 4 armed Narayana form). Sri Krsna Sankirtanam.

This class was given on the 21st of January 2016, and is the third in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, as the above sound file is a live translation, and as the above synopsis is based on that translation, there may be some mistakes. Kindly do not mind.

PURI 2016 Jan 21 PM: Appearance Day of Sri Jagadisa Pandita

Srila Bhakti Kumuda Santa Goswami never thought: "This Math is mine." Similarly Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhava Maharaja was always saying: "This Math is yours, it is not mine. If this thing should come in my mind that, this Math is mine, then at that very same day I want to die."

Srila Bharati Maharaja speaks about his loving relationship with Srila Bhakti Kumuda Santa Maharaja, and the many things he learned from his excellent conduct. Srila Bhakti Kumuda Santa Maharaja joined the Math at the age of 11. Both his parents were disciples of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada. 

Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja mentions several examples, of how Srila Bhakti Kumuda Santa Maharaja was humble and respecting the devotees.

Finally Srila Maharaja mentions that Srila Santa Maharaja was also fearless: Once there was a meeting in Kolkata. Srila Narayana Maharaja, Puri Goswami Maharaja, Srauti Maharaja, Santa Maharaja, Srila Bharati Maharaja, so many Maharajas were there. A guest speaker started speaking mayavada philosophy. Then Santa Maharaja stood up, and acted as if he was going to punch the guest speaker. The guest speaker moved back, and again Santa Maharaja acted as if he was going to hit him, and again the guest speaker moved back. Then Santa Maharaja started laughing: "You told that you are Brahman. Then how can it be that you are now moving back. Brahman has no transformations." Then everybody started laughing. In this way, practically he was preaching against mayavadism.

This class was given on the 22nd of January 2016, and is the fourth in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, as the above sound file is a live translation, and as the above synopsis is based on that translation, there may be some mistakes. Kindly do not mind.


PURI 2016 Jan 22 PM: Disappearance Day of Srila Bhakti Kumuda Santa Maharaja

Only when we surrender at Your lotus feet, will You appear in our hearts, out of Your own mercy. Otherwise no one can understand You, Brahma says.

In Caitanya Bhagavata, Vrindavan dasa Thakura says: Who can know You? If He Himself will not allow us to know Him, then no one can know Krsna. 

"My dear Lord, neither I nor anyone else can estimate the potency of this transcendental body of Yours, which HAS SHOWN SUCH MERCY TO ME and which appears just to fulfill the desires of Your pure devotees. Although my mind is completely withdrawn from material affairs, I cannot understand Your personal form. How, then, could I possibly understand the happiness You experience within Yourself?" (SB 10.14.2. Source: Vedabase.com)

Can we know Bhagavan, by giving very nice lectures, or reading so many scriptures? No. Bhagavan will only appear to that person, who has taken shelter at the lotus feet of Krsna. There is no other way, except surrender.

At the Rasa-lila, after Krsna went away, the gopis were searching for Him. Krsna manifested Himself in front of the gopis, in His four armed Narayana form. And so the different gopis saw Narayana, paid their pranams, and went on looking for Krsna. But when Srimati Radharani arrived, Krsna was unable to hide. He couldn´t keep His form as Narayana in front of Srimati Radharani. And so those gopis who are surrendered to Srimati Radharani and walked as a part of Her group, they saw Krsna too. 

(Note: Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada completed the translation of Srimad Bhagavatam up to the 10th Canto, chapter 13. So the above translation of SB 10.14.2 isn´t made by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.)

This class was given on the 23rd of January 2016, and is the fifth in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, as the above sound file is a live translation, and the above synopsis is based on that translation, there may be some mistakes. Kindly do not mind.


PURI 2016 Jan 23 PM: Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.2

If Sri Guru desires something, then it will work out. Srila Bharati Maharaja speaks on the excellent life and character of his Gurudeva, showing how Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhava Maharaja was fully surrendered to Bhagavan. At a certain time they had no temples, but because so many people had faith in Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhava Maharaja, they gave their land to him, and in a short time 22 temples were built.

Srila Bharati Maharaja explains that, in order for Hari Katha to be powerful, proper conduct must be there. If the speaker doesn´t have proper conduct, then even though his words may be the same as those of a person with proper conduct, there won´t be any power in his Hari Katha.

"Those who, even while remaining situated in their established social positions, throw away the process of speculative knowledge and with their body, words and mind offer all respects to descriptions of Your personality and activities, dedicating their lives to these narrations, which are vibrated by You personally and BY YOUR PURE DEVOTEES, certainly conquer Your Lordship, although You are otherwise unconquerable by anyone within the three worlds." (SB 10.14.3)

We should go there where Sadhus are speaking, and we should follow the conduct, whatever has been spoken by Sadhus. We can serve them by making flower garlands, cooking for them, paying pranams to the devotees, listening to Hari Katha, giving respect in our mind, etc. Then what will happen? That Bhagavan who is unconquerable, He becomes conquered. 

This class was given on the 24th of January 2016, and is the sixth in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, as the above sound file is a live translation, and as the above synopsis is based on that translation, there may be some mistakes. Kindly do not mind.



Puri 2016 Jan 24 PM: Sri Krsna Pusya & SB 10.14.3

It is not enough to say that we surrender at the lotus feet of Bhagavan. We will have to listen to Hari Katha from Sadhus. We should listen from those who are surrendered. And whatever we hear during Hari Katha, we should try to follow. 

The essence of Srimad Bhagavatam is: 

sravanam kirtanam visnoh
smaranam pada-sevanam
arcanam vandanam dasyam
sakhyam atma-nivedanam

iti pumsarpita visnau
bhaktis cen nava-laksana
kriyeta bhagavaty addha
tan manye 'dhitam uttamam

"Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Visnu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words)—these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO THE SERVICE OF KRSNA through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge." SB 7.5.23-24

Simply by following one of these limbs, one will be successful. Like Pariksit Maharaja. He simply did sravanam.

The definition of Bhakti is:

sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam
tat-paratvena nirmalam
hrsikena hrsikesa sevanam 
bhaktir ucyate

"Bhakti, or devotional service, means engaging all our senses in the service of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of all the senses. When the spirit soul renders service unto the Supreme, there are two side effects. One is freed from all material designations, and one’s senses are purified simply by being employed in the service of the Lord." CC Madhya-lila 19.170

We have all these designations: I am brahmin, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra, grhasta, vanaprastha, sannyasi, brahmacari, doctor, engineer, and so on. That is why before we are doing arcana, we purify ourselves: 

naham vipro na ca nara-patir napi vaisyo na sudro
naham varni na ca grha-patir no vanastho yatir va
kintu prodyan-nikhila-paramananda-purnamrtabdher
gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah

"I am not a brahmana, I am not a ksatriya, I am not a vaisya or a sudra. Nor am I a brahmacari, a householder, a vanaprastha or a sannyasi. I identify Myself only as the servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna, the maintainer of the gopis. He is like an ocean of nectar, and He is the cause of universal transcendental bliss. He is always existing with brilliance." CC Madhya-lila 13.80

I am only the servant of the servant of Your servant.

SB 10.14.4: "My dear Lord, devotional service unto You is the best path for self-realization. If someone gives up that path and engages in the cultivation of speculative knowledge, he will simply undergo a troublesome process and will not achieve his desired result. As a person who beats an empty husk of wheat cannot get grain, one who simply speculates cannot achieve self-realization. His only gain is trouble."

This class was given on the 25th of January 2016, and is the seventh in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, as the above sound file is a live translation, and as the above synopsis is based on that translation, there may be some mistakes. Kindly do not mind.



PURI 2016 Jan 25 PM: The essence of Srimad Bhagavatam & SB 10.14.4

Whoever is surrendered, will very easily get Bhagavan. If we have no love for Krsna, even if we are doing so much seva externally, then it is only karma. That is why first we should surrender at the lotus feet of Bhagavan, and then we should do Bhakti.

What is surrender? Hrsikena hrsikesa sevanam (CC Madhya-lila 19.170). Means with our senses, we will serve the owner of our senses (Hrsikesa, Bhagavan). When is that possible? When we are surrendered. 

We have to surrender to the devotees. We can not surrender to Krsna by ourselves.  Who is a devotee? The person who has Bhakti. When we surrender to such a devotee, then we can get Krsna easily.

Brahma says:

"O almighty Lord, in the past many yogis in this world achieved the platform of devotional service by offering all their endeavors unto You and faithfully carrying out their prescribed duties. Through such devotional service, perfected by the processes of hearing and chanting about You, they came to understand You, O infallible one, and COULD EASILY SURRENDER TO YOU and achieve Your supreme abode." SB 10.14.5.

This class was given on the 26th of January 2016, and is the eigth in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, as the above sound file is a live translation, and as the above synopsis is based on that translation, there may be some mistakes. Kindly do not mind.


PURI 2016 Jan 26 PM: Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.5

One should always remember the lotus feet of Krsna. What does it mean? Srila Bharati Maharaja explains the meaning of the sloka : 

Avismrtih krsna-padaravindayoh
ksinoty abhadrani ca sam tanoti
sattvasya suddhim paramatma-bhaktim
jnanam ca vijnana-viraga-yuktam

"The Supreme Lord’s lotus feet are the greatest source of auspiciousness. By never forgetting them, all inauspiciousness is destroyed and peace finally settles on the mind. When one’s being is thus genuinely purified, devotion to the Lord is awakened, and one attains spiritual knowledge, realisation of that knowledge and detachment from mundane, worldly things." (SB 12.12.55. Source: Slokamrtam)

When one remembers Krsna, then first one will get knowledge. Then vijnana, knowledge with realization. And then vairagya, renunciation, which means detachment from this world and strong attachment for Bhagavan - when both these things are there, then it is called renunciation - otherwise not. 

How will this come? When we remember the lotus feet of Krsna. Means, when we remember the devotees. Then and only then, all these things will come in our lives.

In Bhagavad Bhajan, 3 obstacles are there: 1) Kanaka, means money. 2) Kamini - for man, means woman - and for woman, means man - this attraction, how can we be saved from it? By remembering the devotees. 3) Prestige. 

Amongst these 3, prestige is very bad. It is the last weapon of maya. Raghunatha dasa Goswami says:

pratisthasa dhrsta svapaca-ramani me hrdi natet 
katham sadhu-prema sprsati sucir etan nanu manah
sada tvam sevasva prabhu-dayita-samantam atulah
yatha tam niskasya tvaritam iha tah vesayati sah

"O mind, how can pure divine love appear in my heart as long as the shameless dog-eating, outcaste woman of the desire for prestige is audaciously dancing there? Therefore always remember and serve the immeasurably powerful commanders of the army of Sri Krsna, the beloved devotees of the Lord. They will at once banish this outcaste woman and initiate the flow of immaculate vraja-prema in your heart." (Sri Manah Siksa, verse 7. Source: purebhakti.com)

This prestige is like a prostitute, it is like a dog eater. Is there any remedy to get rid of it? Yes, remedy is there: Always serve the very beloved devotees of the Lord. They will throw out this prostitute, this dog eater, and make space to seat Bhagavan in our heart. This is the only remedy. 

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said: "In every town and village of the world, the chanting of My name will be heard" (Sri Caitanya Bhagavata, Antya-khanda, 4.126). Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Sanatana Goswami (CC Adi-lila 7.164), Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada - they preach Caitanya-vani, and they are Mahaprabhu´s chief commanders. We are sitting here, speaking Hari Katha, listening Hari Katha. The cause of this Hari Katha is my Param-gurudeva, om visnupada astottara-sata Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada. The Hari Katha is being translated from Hindi into English, Russian, and Chinese. People then hear the Hari Katha on the internet. This is all the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Srila Bharati Maharaja then moves on to speak about the Appearance Day of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami & the Disappearance Day of Srila Ramacandra Kaviraja.

This class was given on the 27th of January 2016, and is the ninth in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, as the above sound file is a live translation, and as the above synopsis is based on that translation, there may be some mistakes. Kindly do not mind.

PURI 2016 Jan 27 PM: App Day of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami & Disapp Day of Srila Ramacandra Kaviraja

It is not possible to see Krsna through our eyes. We can not achieve Bhagavan through the knowledge which we get from our material senses. This is why Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada says: Darshan of Krsna will be through the ears. Not through the eyes.

Jnane prayasam udapasya namanta eva
jivanti san-mukharitah bhavadiya-vartam
sthane sthitah sruti-gatah tanu-van-manobhir
ye prayaso 'jita jito 'py asi tais tri-lokyam

"Those who, even while remaining situated in their established social positions, throw away the process of speculative knowledge and with their body, words and mind offer all respects to descriptions of Your personality and activities, dedicating their lives to these narrations,  which are VIBRATED by You personally and BY YOUR PURE DEVOTEES, certainly conquer Your Lordship, although You are otherwise unconquerable by anyone within the three worlds." spoken by Brahma, SB 10.14.3

When Bhagavan is doing His appearance pastimes, still we can not understand. Then Bhagavan is giving Darshan in the form of Deities, but still we can not understand Him. That is why it has been spoken: Adau sravanam. We should first do sravana. Name sravana. We should listen to the Hari Katha about You, which comes from the mouth of Your devotees. That is why Brahma says: You should surrender at the lotus feet of those who have knowledge about Bhagavan, and who have achieved Bhagavan because of their surrender. When you surrender at the lotus feet of that kind of Sadhu, then and only then you can get Bhagavan.  

Since one can not achieve Bhagavan through the knowledge which one gets from one´s material senses, in which knowledge should one then believe? Sabda-brahma. One should believe in those words coming from Vaikuntha. What is sabda-brahma? The words which are coming from the mouths of Sadhus who really know tattva. One should believe in their words only. The tattva which one is getting through Guru Parampara, that is actual tattva. Hari is actual param-tattva, param-truth.

Who has knowledge about Bhagavan? Only those who have pure Bhakti (not mixed with karma and jnana) in their hearts.

(Note: The following sloka may be useful, in understanding that there is no difference between Krsna and His Holy Name/His Hari Katha/transcendental sound vibration, and that is why it is possible to get Darshan of Krsna by listening to Hari Katha from the pure devotees: "Sabda-brahma param brahma, mamobhe sasvati tanu - the Supreme transcendental sound vibration and the Supreme Being are one and the same. Sabda-brahma (hari-katha and the Hare Krsna maha-mantra emanating from the lips of a pure devotee) is identical to param brahma (the Supreme Absolute Truth) and both are My eternal transcendental aspects." SB 6.16.51. Source: purebhakti.com, Slokamrta. Another translation of the same sloka, by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada: "I am the form of the transcendental vibrations like omkara and Hare Krsna Hare Rama, and I am the Supreme Absolute Truth. These two forms of Mine—namely, the transcendental sound and the eternally blissful spiritual form of the Deity, are My eternal forms; they are not material.")

This class was given on the 28th of January 2016, and is the tenth in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, as the above sound file is a live translation, and as the above synopsis is based on that translation, there may be some mistakes. Kindly do not mind.

PURI 2016 Jan 28 PM: The importance of Hari Katha & elaboration on SB 10.14.3

Without Vaisnava Seva, no one can get Hari Bhakti. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura has written: "Chadiya vaisnava-sevanistara payeche keba - unless one becomes a servant of a pure devotee, one cannot be delivered from the material condition of life." (http://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/10/10/25 )

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says: "Bhakata-seva, parama-siddhi, prema-latikara mula - service to the Vaisnavas is the highest perfection and the very root of the tender creeper of divine love." (Suddha Bhakata, purebhakti.com) 

We have read about Vaisnava Seva. But we are not paying attention to it. Srila Sridhara Maharaja gave me this teaching: "You should associate with higher devotees only. Not with the very new devotees inside the Math." Then I asked: "They are all Prabhupada disciples, they are my Guru-varga, how can I stay with them?" Sridhara Maharaja told me: "When you will serve them, then you can stay with them easily."

When we stay with the Vaisnavas, we get to see their conduct. The characters of Vaisnavas are very deep. At every step of the Vaisnavas, they give us teachings.

Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaja was serving a lot. Whenever devotees were going through the area of the Math by train, Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaja would send Prasad for them. Still, after Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada went into samadhi, someone told him: "Go out from the Math." But he never gave up this moral of serving the Vaisnavas, and again he got a place in that area also. I was present in Mayapur, when he got sannyasa from Giri Maharaja. In Puri also, I went to meet Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaja. One time he wasn´t eating anything, and his servant came and got me. I asked Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaja: "Why are you not eating?" And with great difficulty he answered: "Burning pain." So I told to give him water mixed with sugar candy and salt. He could drink that, and slowly slowly after drinking this, he became able to eat. After some time he went abroad for preaching.  

In 1956, my Gurudeva (Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhava Maharaja) started Vraja Mandala Parikrama. Once during Parikrama, a Prabhupada disciple told me: "If we have the ability to give money, but still we will be miserly, then that will be a fault." Although there was nothing at his home, but still he wanted to give a donation for the Parikrama, and in that way he showed that we should serve the devotees. 

My Gurudeva told us about his room in Mayapur "If any of my Godbrothers will come here, he will stay in my room.This room is not for my comfort. This is a room for service." My Gurudeva also once wrote to me "Any Vaisnava will come to you, no need to ask me if you should keep him in the temple or not, the chance of service, immediately you should accept that chance of service to Vaisnava."

And Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Goswami told me "We did not come to Math, to see this temple. We came here, by seeing the moral of Prabhupada. That is why, we will fight for siddhantas and morals only. We are not fighting for Math and construction." 

This kind of thought they have, this kind of moral.

When we are glorifying, speaking about the qualities of Gurudeva and Vaisnavas, this will give us so much benefit in Hari Bhajan. Because of my Gurudeva´s mercy, I got the chance to serve all these Vaisnavas. Without Vaisnava Seva, no one can get Hari Bhakti. For this reason I am feeling that I am very fortunate.

Note: The beginning of the translation is missing, due to a problem with the transmitter. 

This class was given on the 29th of January 2016, and is the 11th in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, as the above sound file is a live translation, and as the above synopsis is based on that translation, there may be some mistakes. Kindly do not mind. 

PURI 2016 Jan 29 PM: The Necessity of Vaisnava Seva & App Day of Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaja

What teaching did Srila Jayadeva Gosvami give to the person who wants to do Bhajan? Srila Bharati Maharaja speaks about Srila Jayadeva Gosvami, describing his saintly life with his wife Padmavati, and different events related to "Sri Gita-govinda" written by Jayadeva Gosvami.

Srila Maharaja explains how Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared to Srila Jayadeva Gosvami and told him: "I will appear in Navadvipa, and after taking sannyasa, I will come to Puri." This knowledge Mahaprabhu gave to Jayadeva Gosvami before He appeared. He also told Jayadeva Gosvami, that He would relish Gita-govinda in Puri. 

When Jayadeva Gosvami was writing Sri Gita-govinda, there was one line he couldn´t get himself to write. Radharani is in mana, and Krsna asks Her to put Her feet on His head. Jayadeva Gosvami went out, and Krsna came looking like Jayadeva Gosvami, wrote in the book, and left again. When Jayadeva Gosvami then came back, he saw that in his book it had been written: "Smara-garala-khandanam mama sirasi mandanam, dehi pada-pallavam udaram - Offer the fresh buds of your enchanting feet as an ornament upon my head." (Sri Gita-govinda, act 10, verse 8). 

Jayadeva Gosvami and Padmavati then understood, that it was Krsna Himself who had come and written this, and Jayadeva Gosvami told his wife that she was very fortunate, to have had Darshan of Krsna.

There is one incident in Puri, where Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard someone singing Gita-govinda, and He started running towards the singing of Gita-govinda. Sri Gita-govinda is also being sung every morning and every evening for Jagannatha. Sri Gita-govinda is full with vipralambha rasa, separation mellow. It is full with all mellows.

Once some dacoits attacked Jayadeva Gosvami and cut off his arms and legs and threw him in a well. In the well, Jayadeva Gosvami was singing Gita-govinda. A king passed by, took Jayadeva Gosvami from the well, and brought him to his kingdom. Under the guidance of Jayadeva Gosvami, the king started doing Vaisnava Seva. These very same dacoits then came, pretending to be Vaisnavas. The dacoits made false accusations against Jayadeva Gosvami, and immediately the earth opened and swallowed the dacoits, whereafter the arms and legs of Jayadeva Gosvami grew back. Everyone were astonished to see this. 

This class was given on the 30th of January 2016, and is the 12th in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, as the above sound file is a live translation, and as the above synopsis is based on that translation, there may be some mistakes. Kindly do not mind.


PURI 2016 Jan 30 PM: Disappearance Day of Srila Jayadeva Gosvami

How can we win over maya? This is today´s topic. In Bhagavad-gita Krsna has told, how we can win over maya: "You should surrender at My feet. Then you can get free from maya." 

Bhagavan is omni-potent. That is why the person who is surrendered to Bhagavan, he can win over maya. There are 6 limbs of saranagati. When we are surrendered at the feet of Bhagavan and we serve Him, then and only then can we win over maya. This has been spoken by Mahaprabhu.

sadhu-sanga, nama-kirtana, bhagavata-sravana
mathura-vasa, sri-murtira sraddhaya sevana

"One should associate with devotees, chant the holy name of the Lord, hear Srimad-Bhagavatam, reside at Mathura and worship the Deity with faith and veneration." (CC Madhya-lila 22.128)

sakala-sadhana-srestha ei panca anga
krsna-prema janmaya ei pancera alpa sanga

"These five limbs of devotional service are the best of all. Even a slight performance of these five awakens love for Krsna." (CC Madhya-lila 22.129)

If you associate a little bit with these 5 limbs of Bhakti, then you will get Krsna prema in your heart. It is very difficult to understand Krsna. Only when we associate with Krsna, when we read scriptures, then we can understand the subject, Krsna. 

Mahaprabhu did not speak "murtira sevana". He told "sraddhaya sri murtira sevana". What is the meaning of sraddha here? 

’sraddha’-sabde—visvasa kahe sudrdha niscaya
krsne bhakti kaile sarva-karma krta haya

"Sraddha is confident, firm faith that by rendering transcendental loving service to Krsna one automatically performs all subsidiary activities. Such faith is favorable to the discharge of devotional service." (CC Madhya-lila 22.62)

The meaning of sraddha is, firm faith in Krsna that, by doing Krsna Bhakti, everything will be done. 

You should think that "Bhagavan is my topmost shelter", and you have to make yourself free from all kinds of material titles, and you have to serve with your senses the owner of our senses (sarvopadhi vinirmuktam, CC Madhya-lila 19.170). Then and only then is it called Bhakti. That is why when we are offering, serving Deities, unless and until you purify yourself, even if you purify everything, asana, plate, but if you will not purify yourself, then you can not offer anything to Bhagavan. 

What is topmost Bhakti? Anukulyena krsnanusilanam (Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.11).  We have to do Krsna Bhakti under the guidance of Srimati Radharani. Anukulyena means, Bhagavan´s anukula potency, is Radharani. Anukula potency means, who is serving Krsna. Under Her guidance only. When we do Bhakti under the guidance of Srimati Radharani, then and only then can we get this topmost Bhakti. If we do the Bhakti under the guidance of Laksmi or under the guidance of Rukmini, you can not get this topmost Bhakti.

What is the evidence of this? When Radharani left the rasa-lila, although hundred crores of gopis were there, Krsna also left and followed Her. In the first verse of Srimad Bhagavatam, what has been spoken there? If we explain properly the first verse, what is the meaning? Janmady asya yato 'nvayad itaratas carthesv abhijnah svarat (SB 1.1.1). Janma-adi asya - from Radha and Krsna, all kinds of mellows are coming. Adi-rasa means that the topmost mellow is Radha-Krsna. And "anvaya" ('nvayad) means, that personality who follows somebody. Anvaya, a person who is following somebody, going behind. So Krsna is anvaya. Because when Radharani left the rasa-sthali, Krsna followed Her. And Radharani is itaratah. Itaratah" means "a personality who is beyond compare, who can not be replaced by anyone else" (this last sentence is a cross-reference, from a class given by Srila Bharati Maharaja on the 20th of November 2015).

If anybody speaks "I am topclass, listen from me", then this is the line a devotee should not speak. That is why, the topmost remedy to get free from maya, is when we surrender at the feet of Krsna, who is omni-potent. Then and only then we can get free from maya. 



PURI 2016 Jan 31 PM: How to win over maya

When we will see very carefully, then we can understand, everything is for our auspiciousness.

Tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamano
bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam
hrd-vag-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te
jiveta yo mukti-pade sa daya-bhak

"Those who clearly perceive Your mercy at every moment with great enthusiasm are able to endure with unperturbed minds the happiness and distress that comes to them in accordance with their prarabdha-karma, considering it to be the mercy of the Lord. With hearts filled with love, voices choked with emotion and the hairs of their bodies standing on end, they offer themselves at Your lotus feet. Just as a son is eligible for the wealth of the father, they become eligible for the supreme spiritual status, or in other words, bhagavat-prema." (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.8. Source: Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu-bindu, verse 4, Sri Bindu-vikasini-vrtti, purebhakti.com)

One mother has 4 kids. One of the kids is sick. To the 3 other kids she is giving very nice food. But to the sick kid she is not giving. Is she an enemy of that sick child? Does it mean she has no love for him? No. That is why it has been spoken: Tat te ´nukampam su-samiksamano - in every state, when we will see very carefully, then we can understand, everything is for our auspiciousness. 

Once there was a Prabhupada disciple. He needed to get an eye operation. He had diabetes, and in order to be able to perform the operation, it was necessary to control his diet very strictly, to bring his sugar levels down. It was going well. But then one disciple came and gave him some Janmastami Prasad. Then his sugar levels went up, and the doctor could not do the operation. So was it really service to give him that? 

Bhagavan knows everything, and Bhagavan is merciful. So (unlike the disciple in the above example) He will not do something which is not auspicious for us. Whatever is happening, it is only for our auspiciousness. Who can have this vision? Only those who are surrendered to Bhagavan. 

We can not see Bhagavan with our eyes. We can see so many things, but we can´t see Bhagavan in front of us. At the Ratha Yatra, Mahaprabhu was dancing simultaneously in 7 different parties. Most did not see this. They all thought: "Mahaprabhu is dancing in my party only." But Maharaja Prataparudra saw that Caitanya Mahaprabhu was dancing in all 7 parties at once. Why? Because he has love for Mahaprabhu.

Bhagavan is only mesmerized by service with love. He is never under the control of anyone. How can we know Bhagavan then? Only by service with love and affection. Then and only then can we know Bhagavan. 

sneha-sevapeksā mātra śrī-krsna-krpāra
sneha-vaśa hañā kare svatantra ācāra

"Lord Kṛṣṇa’s mercy is dependent only on service performed with utmost love and affection. Being obliged only by affection, Lord Kṛṣṇa acts very independently." Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, 10.139.

Whoever has love for his Gurudeva, he will give up all activities like karma, jnana, yoga, bhakti mixed with karma, bhakti mixed with jnana, he will leave all these things. When he will give up all these things, he will stand at Your feet, and he will serve You. Brahma says. Only that person is fortunate. 

This class was given on the 1st of February 2016, and is the 14th in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, as the above sound file is a live translation, and as the above synopsis is based on that translation, there may be some mistakes. Kindly do not mind.

PURI 2016 Feb 1 PM: Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.8

The spark itself is coming from the fire. Because of that fire, it is shining. Therefore it is sheer foolishness, if the spark is trying to show its force on the big fire. In this way, Brahma is repenting his foolishness: "My Lord, just see my uncivilized impudence! To test Your power I tried to extend my illusory potency to cover You, the unlimited and primeval Supersoul, who bewilder even the masters of illusion. What am I compared to You? I am just like a small spark in the presence of a great fire."(vedabase.com/en/sb/10/14/9)

A person who is thinking "I am the doer, I am doing everything", he is not only foolish, he is topmost foolish. Bhagavan is doing everything only. In Bhagavad-gita it says: "All aspects of material activity are performed by the modes of material nature, but a person whose intelligence is bewildered by false ego thinks himself to be the doer" (BG 3.27, www.purebhakti.com). Brahma regrets his impudence, having caused disturbance to Krsna and His friends. He laments that he has never done any kind of service to Krsna, and instead only committed offence.

"Therefore, O infallible Lord, kindly excuse my offenses. I have taken birth in the mode of passion and am therefore simply foolish, presuming myself a controller independent of Your Lordship. My eyes are blinded by the darkness of ignorance, which causes me to think of myself as the unborn creator of the universe. But please consider that I am Your servant and therefore worthy of Your compassion."(vedabase.com/en/sb/10/14/10)

Brahma then begs Krsna to please forgive him, and bestow upon him whatever punishment He sees fit, in order to correct Brahma´s bad behavior (this prayer is strongly linked with the prayer described in the previous class - tat te ´nukampam, SB 10.14.8).

Ajnana timirandhasya. Ajnana means ignorance, and duplicity is the topmost ignorance. Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami has written:

ajnana-tamera nama kahiye ‘kaitava’
dharma-artha-kama-moksa-vancha adi saba

"The darkness of ignorance is called kaitava, the way of cheating, which begins with religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation." (CC Adi-lila 1.90,  http://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/adi/1-1)
 
Our eyes have become blind. When is this ignorance coming? When we desire dharma, artha, kama. That is ignorance. Then we will become blind. Who is andha, blind? Brahma is saying: "I am blind, because I have pride. When all this will go away, then I will be able to see You. Otherwise I can not see You. That is why I am blind." 

"Sikhaya saranagati bhakatera prana - Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu taught the path of saranagati, devotional surrender to the Supreme Lord. This saranagati is the very life of the true devotees." (Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Saranagati, Introductory Song, verse 2).

This class was given on the 2nd of February 2016, and is the 15th in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, as the above sound file is a live translation, and as the above synopsis is based on that translation, there may be some mistakes. Kindly do not mind.

PURI 2016 Feb 2 PM: We are servants of Krsna - SB 10.14.9-12

This class was given on the 3rd of February 2016, and is the 16th in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, the above sound file is a live translation, so there may be some mistakes by the translator. Kindly do not mind.

P.s: The sound file has been uploaded, for those who wish to listen immediately. A written synopsis will be added later.


PURI 2016 Feb 3 PM

This class was given on the 4th of February 2016, and is the 17th in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, the above sound file is a live translation, so there may be some mistakes by the translator. Kindly do not mind.

P.s: The sound file has been uploaded, for those who wish to listen immediately. A written synopsis will be added later.


PURI 2016 Feb 4 PM

This class was given on the 5th of February 2016, and is the 18th in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, the above sound file is a live translation, so there may be some mistakes by the translator. Kindly do not mind.

P.s: The sound file has been uploaded, for those who wish to listen immediately. A written synopsis will be added later.


PURI 2016 Feb 5 PM

This class was given on the 6th of February 2016, and is the 19th in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, the above sound file is a live translation, so there may be some mistakes by the translator. Kindly do not mind.

P.s: The sound file has been uploaded, for those who wish to listen immediately. A written synopsis will be added later.


PURI 2016 Feb 6 PM

This class was given on the 7th of February 2016, and is the 20th in a series of lectures given in Jagannatha Puri by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja. Srila Maharaja is very expert, and always presents things perfectly. However, the above sound file is a live translation, so there may be some mistakes by the translator. Kindly do not mind.

P.s: The sound file has been uploaded, for those who wish to listen immediately. A written synopsis will be added later.


Jagannatha Puri: January-March 2016 (English)

Srila BV Bharati Maharaja