This lecture was given in Badger, California - 1997 and was
recently published in "Harmony - A Preview"]
First try to give up all the manifestations of your false egos, like anger. If you have so much anger, you cannot understand topics about bhakti.
Try to be very humble,
trnad api sunicena taror api shaisnuna, amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih
[“Thinking oneself to be even lower and more worthless than the insignificant grass which is trampled beneath the feet of all, being more tolerant than a tree, accepting no honor, but offering respect to all others according to their respective positions, one should continuously chant the holy name of Sri Hari.” (Siksastakam, verse 3)]
This principle should not only be seen and practiced in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta; it should enter your heart. If you are not following this, but you are always in an arrogant mood and telling others, “You should obey me, I will not obey you. What I am telling is true to the highest extent” – not considering what the other person is telling you, or whether he is giving good or bad advice – this is not good. Do not be like this.
Try to be like Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates. They were so broadminded. Always see what other persons want. Try to realize their difficulties.
We should try to understand the suffering of another person. We should try to keep our own mood concealed, and try to accept and hear the other person’s mood. We should try to understand the happiness and distress of another. We should give up our own moods and hear the other person’s moods. Then, together, we can consider what to do. If we do not hear the other person’s mood, but rather keep our own mood prominent, this is not called ‘association’.
There are four duties of a madhyama-adhikara: love (prema) to Sri Krsna or Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and friendship to Vaisnavas. We should give friendship and service to superiors. To those who are equal, we should give deep friendship. To those who are junior, we should give friendship with some mercy and compassion.
Kanistha Vaisnavas, those who are not very advanced, should be given a great deal of mercy. Always tell them hari-katha. They may do something wrong, but we should tolerate that. If doctors are going to operate on someone, and that person abuses the doctor or others, still, the doctor very patiently tolerates and does the needful. So, we should tolerate all these things; we should obey this principle.
We should try to neglect those people who have an opposing mood and are making some offense, but we should not quarrel with them. We should follow the example of Prahlada Maharaja – the way in which he reciprocated with his father. We should also follow the example of the way in which Yudhisthira Maharaja reciprocated with the inimical Duryodhana. Yudhisthira Maharaja never called him “Duryodhana,” but rather “Suyodhana.” [‘Duryodhana' refers to a bad person, and ‘suyodhana' refers to a good person.] Also, he addressed the demon Dushasana as Sushasana.
We should try to follow all of these principles. This is the ground-level, the platform of bhakti. If the platform is not made, then all these showers of instructions [the instructions he is about to give in his six-day discourse on Sri Bhakti-tattva Viveka) may come but will not remain with you. If your ego is like a mountain, this shower will go down the mountain; it will not remain on it. Those who are polite, trnad api sunicena, will gain everything; and those who are proud will gain nothing.
Dearest Symarani didi, Pranam, Thank you for rushing to get this out. Jaya Gurudeva!
Haribol Sudevi ji, I seen your email exchange with Syamarani did re Harmony Community Center. I am happy to assist where required. We are already in process of creating something to faciliate such efforts; workshop and seminars, etc.
Have a look at http://bhakticulture.com/courses/ (still under construction)
Yrs
Raghava
Pranam Raghava Prabhu,
Hare Krishna! I am very happy to see this website you have shared. Wonderful to see that so much is already done to support this most important training! Yes!!! Thanks! I pray to also be useful in my Gurudeva’s mission.
Vashnavebhyo Namo Namah
With love,
Sudevi dasi
Haribol,
This post is for the “broken hearted”
” Faith is the power, that brings forth in living reality
All the beauty and purpose of the ideal
Human eyes are forever blinded by human tears of doubt
And human misgivings, fear and anxiety
But when the soul is filled with the vitalizing spiritual
energy of FAITH
It becomes one with something that lifts it above the
dust of the earth
And gives it a vision of effort so clear, so certain, that
in the midst of appalling obstacles
It walks on and fears not………..by Julia Seton Sears”
This is how much faith I would want to have in Guru and Gauranga !!
Dandabats Pracetana
An example I noticed, the lady next door allowing her kids to walk to school, the full length of this street, about a mile, I guess, when I suggested it was not good to see the youngest one dawdling along alone behind the group. As a group (like devotees who protect each other) they are safer if some creep wishes to lure them to his car. But alone, they are extremely vulnerable to attack from outside. Since which they now all go together in a group. If I didn’t care about anyone but myself, I would not have mentioned this to this lady, that she needed to ask her children when they go to or from that school that they all go in a group together and that if anyone stops them for any reason on the way, to not go near them and if need be, go to the nearest house for help. They are not my children, but I still felt it my responsibility to report to the mother what I noticed was wrong. I sleep much better knowing they go to school in one flock. Together. (like devotees should always be to each other) look out for and caring of each others individual ways either in or out of the group and if need be make a point to help each other to work together more amicably.
Hari bol, Nandalal,
From your posting , I appreciated the fact that you drew to our attention the importance of looking out for each other. That was village life. We are brothers and sisters, and uncles etc. We care about the safety of others. This cultural vision of the universal brotherhood of man, was a natural protection based on love and trust.
The modern world spreads, doubt, fear, selfishness, and racial discrimination. It’s caused us to be impersonal and distant, and made us incapable to interact with each other in a helpful manner.
I’m glad you took the big uncle role and helped get the flock together. Good for you.
Jaya
tarunkrsnadas
I understand the hectic state of life, I have two cats, two tortoises, Laddhu Gopal to serve, neighbours who have birds that need a carer to look after them for them, in between studying and writing music all day long, time gets precious. I’d just like to say, I tried to download both Syamaranis’ bits and was most annoyed when my internet both times loaded it in but when I hit play couldn’t even get it to work, so gave up and probably have missed out on some great information. Actually the second comment I made was in relation more to something someone emailed me from this page, so that might be why it seems out of context with whatever Syamaranis’ talk is about.
Anyway, my email is still the same as it ever was so you are always welcome to drop us a line, even a postal address so I can send you the latest CD / DVD if ever you get time to listen to it. Hows that son, and the Chookie? Well in all ways as also for yourself always I hope. All the best in Krsna Consciousness. Maybe see you in Moo/bah sometime, or if ever you come to Adelaide. Namaste and Jaya Sri Gurudev from Nandalal and animal associates.
Dandabats all
To all of you Vaisnava devotees of the Lord, that are, ever were and ever will be.
Especially our beloved present acharya, I refer to as, “my” Gurudeva.
Wow! Syamarani, Rags, .. Did u guys ever nail that one?
The combination of content, the enunciation, pronunciation, the perfect camera distance.
The duration based on all the above was perfect. Anything less and a blind, deaf ol man would have been looking at my watch, or switching channels.
In essence this communications is the best all round production, that has incorporated all of the above attributes.
This is what I would like to assist in. These kind of shorts are so powerful.
Please excuse my boldness but I consider myself as on your team, even if it is as a water boy, or ur fan club.
My Dutch father used to ask us at every meal, does it taste good, Smack hoot, or something like that, in Hollands.
Rags, Syamarani, this tastes reeeal good. So good I want to share with ‘more’, ‘to more’.
Please let me know how and when you will grant me, the privilege of doing some more devotional seva to your, oh, so worthy an endeavor.
So let’s Get On It. As ol’ John Wayne said ‘we’re burning up sunshine’. I’m in my sixty eighth year and I don’t know how much gas is left in this ol’ tank. Use me while you can,
An aspiring,
Hari dasa
Thank you so much for your encouraging words Haridas prabhu.
We are planning to produce many more of those videos, by all of your blessings and kind support.
There is so much to do. Where do we start?
Yrs, Raghava
I agree with you Hari dasa, these short films are a great media, although I AM a bit deaf and the background music forced me to crank up the volume.
Short films permit authoritative devotees to broadcast a lot of valuable ideas, quickly.
tkd
Haribol Tarun exactly, even to ur comment on the the deafness and background sounds of the Govardan temple.I wasn’t there this year so it kind of brought back pleasant memories. But I have mentioned it to Syamarani and Rahgava and point was well received.
I don’t think I am ksatriya anymore than anyone else, just if someone does something awkward, or silly, or in the past they did this or that, I don’t care, thats them as stupid as I was sometimes, but if they cross the line, like to steal my 22 year old cat, then yes, I will call the police. I won’t see it as karma that Lilly should be stolen by some idiot, I will react but legally. Some might go there with a wood and bash them, this to me is wrong, but to ring to the police and say, “This man is stealing my 22 year old cat please stop him”, then they also are gods servants, and will react for me but within the law and probably a lot neater than if I let anger rule my head and went there with a wood and bashed his head in. Or hate him which I don’t. I just see him as a pathetic person, but like Prabhupad, they say devotees never react, but when this bad man threatened so many devotees, ripped them off, threatened some with an axe, became vindictive and real nasty, then they said Prabhupad was dancing happy when he heard this man had died. I also remember years ago a police man threatened to cut my dogs head off. I loved this dog so much as a soul friend, and tried to take some legal actions against him to no avail as that states police are so corrupt they can get away with stuff like that. Total abuse and worse again. But some years later sitting on the front porch of a house I lived at in the bush, we were reading the paper and I read, this very same police man had been hit by a car and it went nine hundred feet before they realised he was under it. I beleive an agonising way to die. Well, I danced happily with my dog that day. I thought this is that very bad mans’ karma coming back. He not only did what he did to me, but many very bad things to many people. Way over the normal jurisdiction of someone who is in police. I’m not saying I am the lord of my own karma, but if someone goes to extremes then to take legal action is fine. Its a better way of dealing with irresolvable issues with people than using brute force or some other method and then we ourself are over stepping the mark. Like Krsna with Kamsa, I mean I know he is pulling the strings ultimately but I just think working diplomatically is better than running ‘hate campaigns’ and ‘gossip’ situations. Thanks for the comments.
Hi Haribol Nanda prabhu
Yes I do remember you, Mate. Sorry I haven’t responded to your last email. My heart is pretty damaged these days and it takes me all day just to get through my sadhana and household duties.
When we must protect any dependent who is endangered, since we are responsible for their care we use whatever means are available, and in our country I guess that the police could be considered a “legal weapon”.
However, after noting your points, I would like to say to you that Syamarani didi is not really discussing extreme situations but everyday dealings with others, especially other devotees.
Our old social responses to minor conflicts are not appropriate and so, as devotees, it’s best if we learn how to resolve minor conflicts in the Vaisnava way, and learn to ignore irksome people (stupid people as you call
them).
There’s a real good reason for this, since we want to associate with Sri Sri Radha Krsna and our wonderful Gurudeva, forever. In THAT situation, 150% humility may be called for at times, whereas other times we may need to be quite bold, as required, and Syamarani didi’s instructions are meant to get us started on that path.
Anyway, that’s my humble opinion.
Your Moo Baa Mate
tkd
Dandavat pranams. Jai Srila Gurudeva.
I very much appreciate what Shyamarani dd is discussing. Clarifying for us all the the deep importance of healthy communication between devotees and its ultimate connection with pure chanting of the holy name.
Some leaders in the field of communication have said things like, the health of the individual is directly proportional to his or her ability to communicate with a high level of affinity and ability. Or, the health of an institution depends on healthy lines of communication throughout the organization.
As devotees, relationships are extremely important. We are personalists. In fact, if we communicate improperly, we may even be at risk of committing offense, which of course, ebbs away at our devotional creeper. So for us, I would argue, learning, practicing, discussing healthy communication within our sangha and with all living entities is essential. We have all the principles of communication in our scriptures. Humility, compassion, truth, forgiveness are foundations of vaisnava behavior and qualities. Learning to communicate non violently will help us all avoid many obstacles to bhakti.
It is very exciting to me that these topics are being discussed along with the highest nectar in the universe coming from the lips of Srila Gurudeva!!
Pranams, Dear Syamarani
I am so happy, to see you on this site, and hearing your words of wisdom, is like a soothing balm on the soul. How wonderful are the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. How fortunate for us listeners, that this facility of hearing and sharing on the internet has been made available. My many thanks to all those, who have made such an important service, of communication easily accessible to all.
Many of us are scattered around the globe, some with no tangible sense of devotional community. This medium is so appropriate for the times. Especially for me and family, who live in a situation, that is isolated.
I remember all the kindness you showed me, whenever we happened to meet at festivals, and when you stayed at my cabin in Saranagati.
I hope to hear more words of encouragement. The seasoned devotees are a store house of knowledge and inspiration.
You are looking healthy and happy.
All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga
your insignificant God sister
I agree totally, but there are limits to tolerance, and Prabhupad showed than when he clapped and cheered happily when he heard the man who gave his early devotees such hell and animosity that he danced for joy upon hearing the man was dead. I myself also will communicate with someone amicably to a point, but if they start to become abusive, homophobic, or even send threatening styled emails to my home address, then I have to tell them, leave, get out of my life, go away or I will go to the police. I have yards of tolerance but if someone goes all out to hurt me either physically, or emotionally, or personally, then yes, I will take first steps and tell them to stop, if they persist further I have no hesitation in taking them before a magistrate as I have had to do three times in my life before in the past. Its not easy, but the judge decides by the law, and clearly sees who is lying who is telling the truth. And at the end of the day, no one has the right to walk all over you and use you for a doormat for their own minds ignorance. I mean if they are stupid thats tollerable, but if they are ignorant, well yes I have it in me to blow up, but constructively also. Through the legal process, through the court and let the judge decide, or the police. I think everyone at the end of the day has a right to protect themself from abusive behaviours. Hare Krishna.
Pranams, Nandalal Prabhu,
Wow,,,,I just had to reply to your strong post, because “what is poisen for one, is nectar for another”,,or “one man’s food is another man’s poisen”
It is glorious for a Ksatriya, to use his anger to protect the weak. Like Bhimasena, when he killed Ketchaka. But it is also glorious for a Brahmana to tolerate the worst offences, like Haridas Thakur who was beaten in the market places.
If we read in the Bhagavadgita, the qualities of a Ksatriya,,,,well they are very inspired when challenged, and their bravery, and heroism is unparralled.
If we read in the Bhagavadgita, the qualities of a Brahmana,,,,well they are very tolerant, patient, forgiving.
The Harmony in this situation is to see that different natures will react differently, and neither one is wrong or right. One just acts according to one’s nature, and the Bhagavadgita advises us that no sin is incurred when acting according to one’s nature.
Syamarani is speaking from a Brahminical plateform. Whereas you seem to be speaking from a Ksatriya plateform. It seems to me that on the Transcendental plateform , which is simultaneously one yet different, harmony can be found in both of your statements.
For Arjuna to act like a Brahmana , and give up the fight and go begging was not complimentary to his nature. Krsna advised him against it. Krsna encouraged Arjuna to fight.
Harmony is a mysterious, transcendental vision. We see in the life of Maharaja Ambarish, who was also a Ksatriya king, that he tolerated Durvasa’s unnecessary anger. Was it because Maharaja Ambarish did not want to offend a Brahman? Would it have been proper for Maharaja Ambarish to have punished Durvasa Muni?
Was it proper for Laxmana to cut off Surpanaka’s nose, when she attacked Sitadevi, even though Surpanaka was a woman?
The intricacies of action, inaction, reaction are really difficult to understand. How do we know if we are acting properly or not?
Was it wrong for Lord Rama to have deceitfully killed Bali from behind the tree?
Was it wrong for Kayadu, Prahlad’s mother, to give her dear son Prahlad poisen, on the order of her husband Hiranyakashipu?
Sometimes it’s hard for us to know what is right and what is wrong. I guess that is why we need Guru, Sastra, and Sadhu.
Dandabats Pracetana dasi
You are still priceless in my eyes and anything but insignificant you ol’ Prabhupada warrior god sister of mine.
You are so right. As Gurudeva says ‘ don’t even criticize the criticizer.
Ambarisa was even praying for his criticizer otherwise Sudarsana would have burned his butt.
Haribol Haridas, nice to connect with you here on the net. I hope your new year is filled with determination to chant and read. Winter time is great for curling up in a warm blanket and reading for hours.
take care
yrs pracetana dasi