Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.28.18 – October 27, 1975, Nairobi

By kirtana it becomes very easy

Harikesa: Page number 1192. Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya. Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya. Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya. [devotees repeat] Srimad-Bhagavatam, Third Canto, Twenty-eighth Chapter, text number eighteen. [leads chanting of verse, etc.]

[02:46]

Translation: "The glory of the Lord is always worth singing, for His glories enhance the glories of His devotees. One should therefore meditate upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead and upon His devotees. One should meditate on the eternal form of the Lord until the mind becomes fixed."

This is called meditation. Yavan, so long the mind is disturbed and deviates from our subject of meditation, one should practice this kirtana. Kirtaniyah sada harih . Caitanya Mahaprabhu advises that the devotee should chant always, twenty-four hours, kirtanya: "It is worth singing." It is worth singing, why? Punya slokasya. Punya slokasya... Punya sloka yasaskaram. Even if you do not fix up your mind-kirtana means fix up your mind-but even if you do not fix up your mind, then you are still gainer. The more you glorify the Lord, you become pious simply by kirtana. It is not necessary that you understand, but if you go on chanting Hare Krsna maha-mantra, then you become pious. Punya-sloka. Krsna's another name is Punya-sloka, Uttama-sloka. Simply by chanting "Krsna," you become pious.

So dhyayed devam samagraṅgam. The dhyana, the meditation, should begin from the lotus feet. As soon as you begin kirtana, first of all concentrate your mind on the lotus feet, not all of a sudden jump over the face. Be practiced to think over the lotus feet, then still higher, the knees, then the thighs, then the belly, then the chest. In this way, at last go to the face. This is the process. It is described in the Second Canto. The process is how to think of Krsna., man-mana bhava mad-bhaktah [Bg 18.65].

This is meditation. So this... By kirtana it becomes very easy. If you chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra twenty-four hours like Haridasa Thakura... That is not possible. So as much as possible. Tirtha-yasasa. Kirtana... This is also kirtana. We are talking about Krsna, reading about Krsna, reading Krsna's instruction in the Bhagavad-gita or reading Krsna's glories in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. They are all kirtana. It is not that simply when we sing with musical instruments, that is kirtana. No. Anything you talk about Krsna, that is kirtana.

Kirtaniyah sada harih means that... Vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane [SB 9.4.18]. This is the character of Maharaja Ambarisa, that whenever he would talk, he would talk about Krsna. This is kirtana. He won't talk anything else. Sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayoh. Whenever he will think, he will think of Krsna-His lotus feet, His body, His hands, His flute. This is meditation. Meditation means that... Trance means when your mind is so fixed up on Krsna or Visnu that not for a second your mind is deviated from the Krsna's form. That is called trance. Not artificially. You can practice it. If you see Krsna daily in the temple, if you worship, you offer your obeisances-man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg 18.65], naturally you will think of Krsna twenty-four hours, and that will make you more pious, because without being pious, nobody can think of Krsna.

Yesam anta-gatam papam. [Bg 7.28] Pious means there is no reaction of sinful life. It is all squared up. That you can do at any moment. Krsna takes charge. Krsna says, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami [Bg 18.66]. He can do that. He can nullify the destiny. Karmani nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhajam [Bs 5.54].

Everyone is bound up by the laws of karma. Yas tv indragopam athavendram aho sva-karma-bandhanurupa-phala-bhajanam atanoti. Everyone, beginning from that small microbe, indragopa, and up to the king of heaven-his name is also Indra-so from this Indra to that Indra, all different types of living entities, they are suffering, not enjoying; suffering the resultant action of their past sinful life. This is material existence. Everyone is suffering, but maya is so kind that he [she] misleads the sufferer to understand the suffering is enjoying. This is maya. Actually everyone is suffering, but he is misled to think that he is enjoying. So if we keep ourself always in contact with Krsna, then we become pious more and more, and as soon as our sinful reaction of life is counteracted by these pious activities, we begin to understand Krsna. Yesam tv anta-gatam papam. Without being sinless, nobody can understand Krsna. So this process should be continued.

Kirtanya-tirtha-yasasam punya-sloka-yasaskaram dhyayed devam [SB 3.28.18]. Devam. Devam means the Supreme Lord. Samagraṅgam. So if He has no form, how you can think of His whole body, samagra? Samagra means the whole; aṅgam means body. Samagraṅgam. So if He has no body, if He is formless, if He is nirakara, then where is the question of aṅgam? He has aṅgam, samagraṅgam, but He hasn't got a form like us. That is the meaning. When in the sastra it is said that God has no form, it means that He has no material form. He has form; otherwise how can I think of His form? This Krsna's form is not like us. Just like if you take my statue or any other statue and if you pray or if you offer food, that does not go actually to the person. But Krsna's His aṅga, His form, is nondifferent from Krsna.

Foolish people may say that "These men, they are offering food to a marble statue. Everyone knows." No. It is not the fact. The fact is Krsna is omnipotent. He can accept your service, becoming a marble statue. Because I cannot see Krsna by my present eyes, therefore He has appeared before you just like a marble statue. But He is not marble statue. We must know that. If we think, "Here is marble statue, and if I commit some offense, who is going to see?" this is wrong conclusion. He is Krsna personally present here in a form which we can see. It is His mercy. It is called arca-vigraha. Krsna is everything. This marble is also Krsna's energy. Bhumir apo'nalo vayuh [Bg 7.4]. So He can accept your service from any of His energy. The marble is also His energy, the water is also His energy, the air is also His energy-everything. Without Krsna nothing can exist. So He is omniscient, all-powerful. He can accept your service through His energy. This is arca-vigraha. Samagraṅgam.

So Krsna has got form, aṅgam, but His aṅga is different. Sac-cid-ananda-vigraha [Bs 5.1]. His aṅga is sac-cid-ananda, not like... Ananda-cinmaya-rasa pratibhavitabhis tabhir ya eva nija-rupataya kalabhih [Bs 5.37]. Krsna and His expansion-ananda-cinmaya. Just like Krsna is in the rasa dance. These gopis are also expansion of His energy, and you will find, therefore, with each and every gopi, Krsna is there. That is another expansion. So we should not take Krsna's dancing like our ball dance. No, that is mistake. If we understand Krsna's dancing, then we become liberated. It is said in the Srimad-Bhagavatam that instead of reading some books of this ball dance, if you read about Krsna's dancing, then what will be the result? The result will be hrd-rogam-kamam apahinoty asv acirena dhirah [SB 10.33.39]. Everyone, we have got these lusty desires, but if actually one is advanced and he hears from a realized person what is the meaning of Krsna's rasa dance, then the result will be hrd-roga-kamam. We have got a heart disease. Heart disease means lusty desire. Hrd-roga-kamam apahinoti: "It becomes vanquished." If one actually hears Krsna's rasa-lila, then no more material lusty desires. This is the result.

But unless we are so advanced spiritually, we should not indulge in hearing about rasa-lila. Then we shall commit offense. We shall think that "Krsna is dancing like us." How He, Krsna, is dancing? Krsna is dancing with each and every gopi. Can you do that? Then how you can say that "Krsna is dancing like us"? If you see the picture, you will find that each and every... Every gopi is thinking that "Krsna is dancing with me." How it is possible? If you dance with imitation... There are many rascals, they imitate that, that "I am Krsna, and I can dance also like that." No. It is ananda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhavitabhih. This manifestation, demonstration, is not of this material world. Ananda-cinmaya-rasa. When Krsna was dancing, all the gopis, they left their material body by the side of the husband, but they went to dance. That is spiritual body. That is not material body. So don't indulge in such a way, that "Krsna's dancing and our dancing is the same." Then you will be mistaken. That will be offense.

So we have to become advanced in spiritual understanding. And people, the so-called artists, they indulge in Krsna's pictures, His dealings with the gopis. That is not very good. That is misleading. People may think, and actually that happens. If without being mature, without being advanced in spiritual consciousness, if one tries to understand or see krsna-lila with the gopis, then he will be misled. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu, you will find, rigidly He discussed this krsna-lila with very confidential devotee, Ramananda Raya, not with others. He never discussed with Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya or Prakasananda Sarasvati. He discussed on philosophy of Mayavada, but not on krsna-lila. Krsna-lila He discussed with Ramananda Raya, most confidential devotee. And to understand Krsna, Vyasadeva has devoted nine chapter..., nine cantos. And then, from Tenth Canto, he begins krsna-lila.

So krsna-lila is the face of Krsna, smiling of Krsna. So here we have to practice to see the different parts of the body gradually from down. We first of all see His lotus feet, then gradually... So that is described. The two feet, they are called the first chapter..., in the First Canto, Second Canto. In this way we must go. Everything is very scientifically arranged. If we take it in chronologically, according to the instruction of the sastra, then it will be very easy. Otherwise,

We should understand tattvatah. That tattvatah means, bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah [Bg 18.55]. Again tattvatah. Only through devotional service. So devotional... What is devotional service? Sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-seva... [SB 7.5.23]. We have to follow these nine principles of devotional service, especially this sravanam, kirtanam and arcanam. Arcanam, worshiping the Deity, and sravanam kirtanam. Even if you follow one, that is sufficient, but there are nine different processes. As far as possible we shall execute everything, and at least sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam, arcanam. Arcana is very important. For kanistha-adhikari, devotee in the lower stage, arcana is very, very important. Although the devotee in the higher stage, he also offers worship, but Krsna is everywhere. But for a neophyte devotee... Just like some people say that "Why you should go to the temple? Krsna is everywhere." Who was asking that question? "Krsna cannot be served..." Here, last night. I think those girls, svarna[?] girls. Krsna is everywhere, that is a fact, but that is for the paramhamsa, one who is very, very advanced. For the kanistha-adhikari, he cannot... He, like parrot, he can say, "Krsna is everywhere." He must be educated, "Here is Krsna in the temple." Otherwise it is simply blaspheme, that "Krsna is everywhere." That's a fact, but where is your realization? Krsna is within your heart. Have you got that realization? Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati [Bg 18.61].

Have you got that realization, that Krsna is within your heart? Can you talk with Krsna? He says, Krsna says, "I talk." Buddhi yogam-dadami tam [Bg 10.10].Krsna gives intelligence. Krsna is giving, but have you got that realization? So these are all facts, that Krsna is everywhere, Krsna is within your heart, Krsna is within the atom. Andantara-stha-paramanu-cayantara-stham [Bs 5.35], that's a fact, but where is your realization? Therefore you have to begin realization by arcana. That is very essential. The more you become expert in arcana, ye yatha mam prapadyante [Bg 4.11], Then the more you become realized, then more you become advanced. So therefore, for kanistha-adhikari, he has to raise himself.

By executing this arca-vigraha, arcanam, gradually you advance. But if you simply remain in the arca-viddhi or arcana process, and you cannot understand who is a bhakta and what to do with others... That is also a bhakta's duty, not that simply we shall remain engaged in arcana. We must know how to respect devotee, how to do some service to others also. That is madhyama-adhikari. Simply if you become satisfied, that "Now I am initiated and I am offering arcana. I have become perfect," no, the perfection is still awaiting. You have to understand who is a devotee. You have to understand how to give service to the innocent. If you do not know that, then if you simply become packed up by arca-vigraha-seva, arcana, then you will remain in the material platform.

Na tad-bhaktesu canyesu sa bhaktah prakrtah smrtah. Prakrtah means material. He is trying to go to the spiritual platform, but if he simply remains in the arcana and does not preach, this is na tad-bhaktesu canyesu. Anyesu. Anyesu means those who are innocent. That is madhyama-adhikari, middle stage.

Isvara. Then, by arca-vigraha worship, by sravana-kirtana, by making your properly advanced, you will understand what is the position of Krsna, isvara. And isvare tad-adhinesu. And adhina. Adhina means those who are working for Krsna. They are called tad-adhina. Adhina means subordinate.

So every devotee is subordinate. Nobody is equal to Krsna. If we do that, then it is mistake. Devotee... A devotee never says. Dasa. Dasa means servant. Servant is always the subordinate. Therefore Vaisnava says "dasa." He never says "master." Vaisnava, dasa, subordinate, tad-adhina, under the..., under Krsna. Nobody can be superior to Krsna or equal to Krsna. That is mistake. These Mayavada philosophers, they think, "Now I have become equal to Krsna. I am also Krsna." That is rascaldom. Krsna, God, is never equal to anyone. Asamaurdhva. [Bg 11.43] Asama means "not equal," and urdha, "always the top." Asamaurdhva. That is described in the Bhagavad...

So we should remain tad-adhina, always under Krsna. That is our perfection. If we remain... Just like in Western countries, they rebel. If a woman is advised to remain under the control of the husband, that is insult to them. They cannot tolerate it. But actually we see in India that a wife who remains under the guidance of the husband, she is happy. That's a practical fact. That is a practical fact. And therefore in the Manu-samhita it is advised, na striyam svatantram arhati. [Manu Samhita 9.3] Women should be always protected. That is... Protection does not mean negligence. No. Protection means to give him [her] all facilities. That is protection. Just like father gives protection to the chil... That does not mean neglecting. Similarly, a woman should be protected. It is not that neglecting. They misunderstand. In the Western countries maybe there is misbehavior, but actually we have seen, still going on in India, the woman is... That is the ideal given by Lord Ramacandra, how woman is given protection by the husband. Sitadevi was kidnapped. Ramacandra is the Supreme Lord; He could have married many thousands of Sita. But as the dutiful husband, to rescue one wife He killed the whole family of Ravana. This is protection. He killed the whole family of him. He became... This is. So woman requires protection, and the husband is responsible to give protection, the father is responsible to give protection, and the elderly children, they are responsible to give protection.

So we are prakrti. Prakrti purusa. So Krsna is the purusa. He is the protector of all living entities. Yesterday, bhrtyanugraha-kataram [SB 3.28.17]. Just like a father is always anxious to see his children are well protected, similarly, Krsna is also always anxious to give protection to His subordinates. But if the subordinate denounce Krsna, "I don't want Your protection," then suffer your karma. That you are doing. Those who are in the material world, they are suffering. Why? They have given up the protection of Krsna. They are thinking that "We can protect ourself. What is the use of Krsna?" So this is called dharmasya glanih. This is deviation from the natural way of life, when you give up the protection. So our Krsna consciousness movement is: again go back to that protection, go back to home, back to Godhead.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. [break]

Prabhupada: ...patena pariprasnena. To understand the subject matter submissively, to question, is one of the paraphernalia.

Pusta Krsna: A question?

Devotee (1): You said that if we made a marble image of you and offered food to it, you would not accept it. So we install Deities [indistinct].

Prabhupada: Hmm?

Brahmananda: In your lecture you said that someone who offers food to a statue of yourself...

Prabhupada: He is not statue, but people think statue. He is Krsna Himself. But because we cannot see Krsna at the present moment, therefore He appears like a statue.

Brahmananda: His question... You stated that a statue of yourself is not the same as you, and yet in some of our temples, such as Vrndavana, the murti of Your Divine Grace has been installed, and they are offering prasadam. So is it the same, that the prasadam is accepted by the guru?

Prabhupada: Yes. Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastraih. [Sri Gurvastaka 7] Guru is nondifferent from Krsna. That is accepted by all the sastra. Saksad-dharitvena samasta sastraih. Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair uktah: "It is said, tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih, and those who are advanced devotees, they accept it like that." Kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya: "But the guru's position is the most confidential servant." So guru is the servant God, and Krsna is the master God. Both of them are God-servant God and master God. Guru krsna krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc Madhya 19.151]. So we have to serve the both the servant and the master. Through the servant, we go to the master. Any other question? Chant Hare Krsna

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupada. [end]