as fort / prison

A Reflection on the Gosvamis
• The speaker, Krsna, Prabhupada, emphasized the importance of chanting the holy name for all ages, especially in this age.
• The speaker referred to the incident of Ajamila's deliverance from Srimad-Bhagavatam, which was written tens of thousand years ago.
• The speaker emphasized the importance of receiving Vedic knowledge through the disciple chain, which is the business of the acarya.
• The Gosvamis, who were highly posted ministers, were compared to the Gosvamis, who were either rich or great scholars.
• The Gosvamis were exalted ministers in the government of Nawab Hussain Shah, but were living in poverty as poor mendicants.
• The speaker, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Prabhupada, introduced the concept of a sannyasi living in a palatial building, which may seem against the principles of the Gosvamis.
• The speaker urged for the spiritual master to be lenient with the principles of Rūpa Gosvami.

Understanding the Principles of Rūpa Gosvami and the Role of acarya
• Rūpa Gosvami's principles are not about living under a tree overnight, but about making convenient means for people to attain them.
• He recommends finding suitable means to attract people to Krsna consciousness, not just following rules and regulations.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Recommendations
• Caitanya Mahaprabhu's principle is to chant the holy names of Hare Krsna for twenty-four hours to dismantle the structure of sinful life.
• Chanting Hare Krsna mantra is sufficient to dismantle the structure of sinful life immediately.
• Chanting Hare Krsna mantra is the greatest offense as it is a fact that one can become free from the effective result of sinful life.

The Principle of bahudak
• The principle of bahudak is that Krsna could talk with any living entity, not just mythological stories or fables.
• Krsna's other quality is bahudak, which is natural as a father understands the language of his son.
• This principle was proven when Krsna was present.

Understanding the Language of Krsna
• Krsna's language is not an allegorical fact but a fact that requires understanding.
• Every living entity can speak, and understanding other's language is crucial.

The History of Ajamila
• The history of Ajamila's activities is not a story but a historical fact.
• Hearing these stories can help one become free from the contamination of sinful life.

The Confidential Teachings of Krsna
• The teaching of Lord Krsna is highly confidential and should not be open to everyone.
• The teaching that one must give up all religion and occupation is also highly confidential.

Kirtana in Devotion
• Kirtana is not just about chanting, but also about speaking about Krsna.
• Speaking about Krsna should be with reference to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
• Praying and facing opposing elements is better than chanting Hare Krsna.

The Culture of Bhakti
• Bhakti involves following the spiritual master and always serving the Lord.
• Regardless of speaking or speaking, one should always be engaged in the service of the Lord.
• Arjuna's fight was not about pride, but executing the order.

Understanding the Concept of Krsna and Brahmana
• Krsna encourages preaching and meeting opposing elements.
• It's important to follow the footsteps of your spiritual master or predecessor.

The Importance of Bhagavata
• Bhagavata should be heard from the recognized bhagavata, not from a professional man.
• Professionals should not recite Bhagavata to earn money for their family expenses.

The Absolute Supreme Personality of Godhead
• It should not be heard from a professional or unscrupulous man who is not a Vaisnava.

The Role of Policemen
• Policemen are meant for the sinful men, not for the devotees.
• If a devotee remains factually a devotee of Krsna throughout their life, they are not meant for the hellish condition of life.

The Role of Brahmana
• Brahmana means a person who is always clean, internally and externally.
• Those who keep themselves clean are considered brahmana.
• A sannyasi is recommended to beg from the house of a brahmana.

The Power of Chanting
• A devotee is never sinful, even if they have fallen down.
• Ajamila, the son of a brahmana, rose up simply by chanting.
• This chanting leads to no fear of falling down and no eligibility to go to the hellish condition of life.    (More...)

So these things are going on in the name of worshiping God. But that is not God worship. That is worshiping the fearful personified by the criminals. Just Durga... Kali is expansion of Durga. Just like Visnu is expansion of Krsna, similarly, Krsna's energy... Energy has also many expansion. Dasa maha-vidya. There are many expansion of Durga because she has to look after... Just like police department. Police department is there, but there are many officers in that police department. Similarly, Durga is the superintendent of police of this universe. Durga. Durga means the fort, durga. Ga means going, and dur means difficulty. So where you cannot go unless you accept so many difficulties, that is called durga, or fort.    (More...)

Similarly, the mother material nature, or Durga-devi... Durga means the superintendent of this prison house, material, Durga. Dur-ga: "You cannot go out." That is called durga. Durga means fort also. Very difficult, dur-ga, to go out. So the superintendent is called Durga. The mother Durga is the superintendent of this material world. Srsti-sthiti-pralaya-sadhana-saktir eka [Bs 5.44]. Very powerful, she has got ten hands. Ten hands means ten direction: east, west and north, south, and the four corners, eight, and up and down, ten direction, dik, dasa-dik. So she is watching all sides: "You cannot get out." Therefore she is called Durga-devi. Or this material world is called Devi-dhama, "the place where the Devi, mother Durga, is the superintendent." Daivi hy esa guna-mayi, maya [Bg 7.14]. She is called also Maya, Daivi-maya.    (More...)