Shukasari

Of the Possessed and the Maha Mantra

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 12:14:00 +0000

I was working in a publishing house some time back. Most of my colleagues were of different faith but that did not deter us in working together for a project or meeting deadlines. Amongst them was this fairly nice-looking girl who always dresses fashionably to work. Many of my colleagues will comment on her nice fashion sense which is not over the top.

One hectic day while I was busy cracking my head for a story, Suzie (not her real name) who sat opposite of me started to shiver and said it was too cold. I thought it was the air conditioning and offered to turn up the temperature. While trying to get the remote to do so, my other colleagues rushed her to the back room of the office. I was still a little perplexed by the turn of events. A little while later, I saw my office mates rushing out of the back room without Suzie.

Without wasting any time, I went to the back room. What I saw confused me even more. Suzie was lying on the floor and was shivering. I asked her whether she would like some hot drink of a blanket. But all she said was that she was feeling cold. I then knelt down and asked her what was wrong. That's when Suzie's face twisted and she was giving out an eerie laughter. She gruntled menacingly.

I caught hold of her hands and pushed her down. Then it was Suzie all over again and she told me she was afraid. Luckily by Sri Krishna's mercy she was not stronger than me. If she was, I most probably would not be able to type this as the window behind me was open and we were on the third floor!

What was amazing about this whole incident was, I chanted the holy names constantly. I even told Suzie or whatever that possessed her to shut up and even had the courage to ask who that was! Believe me, I am a scaredy cat and will run far away at the drop of a pin if there was danger or heard the word ghost.

But by the miracle of the maha-mantra I was not afraid at all. Soon Suzie calmed down and started to cry. I went out of the back room and told my other office mates that Suzie was possessed. After that her family members were called and she was sent home. She did not come to work for 3 months.

The whole incident gave me a strong faith in the maha-mantra. It is so powerful that even ghosts will run away. The maha-mantra is NON-DIFFERENT from Sri Krishna. Never doubt it. You will definitely be protected at all times. So please chant the holy name:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama

Hare Hare

Jaya Srila Gurudeve! Jaya Sri Radhe Krishna!

Moving House is Synonymous with Moving into Another Body

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Fri, 20 May 2022 09:25:00 +0000

Just last month, I had to help my elderly mom and brother to move house. Believe me, it was a difficult task. We could not get movers as it was the holiday season over here. Moreover, we had to move from one block of the apartment to another block. I started packing two months earlier, but ended up not doing much as the kitchen stuff had to packed as we cooked our meals at home everyday.

The new house was not ready as the owner had to fix the fans and there was plumbing works to be done. Finally when we got the keys, which was about a week earlier from the designated moving date, I decided to put as many stuff onto a trolley and move as much things as I can to the new block on the eighth floor.

I realised I kept going up and down and the amount of stuff seem never ending. I pleaded with my mom and brother to ditch some stuff. It was really, really tiring.

My mom was getting irritated, what with her advanced age and all. I then reminded her how many times have we moved from one body to another taking along all sorts of baggage, life after life.

It then dawned upon me how we give importance to things rather than people. We still want to hold on to things, thinking it will be of use in the near future. Chances are it usually won't happen.

In the same way, we hold on to grudges, bad habits, uncontrollable attributes etc., which we will be dragging on to the next life. We keep moving from one body to another in the 8.4 million species of life.

When will it stop? Only when we cry out, that we are indeed in trouble and want to get out of this rut. Then, by the mercy of the Lord, a bona fide spiritual master will throw us the rope of hope for us to hang on.

Our spiritual masters constantly remind us to live a simple life and have high thinking. Meaning, we don't need many things like clothing, furniture, utensils etc. Live with the essentials but constantly serve Sri Guru and Vaishnavas/Vaishnavis to get the mercy of Lord Sri Radha Krsna.

Material things will eventually leave us to be in the hands of another when we leave this body. They are to be used and not to be a burden to us or another and most importantly one should not hoard them.

We should just use everything in a way that it does not impede our progress in the spiritual path.

Lessons from a Supermarket

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 13:09:00 +0000

Just the other day, I went to the supermarket with my mom. After the usual buying and paying at the counter, we were on our way to the escalator which will take us to the ground floor. Just then, my mom caught sight of a family of five with their shopping trolley packed to the brim. My very elderly mom said, "Wow, that's a lot of stuff!"

I told my mom, it may not be a lot for them and it could be "just nice" for a family of five. It then hit me. The father, the man/master of the household was walking behind his little daughter, his wife, another daughter and a son.

It dawned upon me how we think we are masters of our homes, boss of a corporate firm or even the complete owner of a business etc. But the truth is, we are servants. We are always serving someone or something and of course our senses. Our spiritual masters have countless times reminded us that we are not the masters nor the doers. Only Lord Krsna is the Master and the Doer.

Like what my spiritual master, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja said:

"If you want to make your life successful, happy and peaceful, then endeavour to give all of your love and affection to Krsna, and while keeping Him in the centre, be affectionate to all living entities. Do not try to control others forcibly. Rather, giving up everything, be affectionate to all." - September 22, 2002, Odessa, Ukraine

It is indeed hard to be in a family life. I am not saying being a brahmacari, vanaprastha or even a sannyasi is a bed of rosses. In my opinion, at least they don't have much baggage to carry.

Therefore in a family life, if all family members are looked upon as serving the Supreme Lord Krsna and most importantly the bona fide spiritual master, as the centre of their lives, then yes, life becomes so meaningful.

What is Success?

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 08:53:00 +0000

What is success? Many times we view success, even in devotional life, as having multiple temples, many devotees, loads of amazing festivities and the list goes on. Well, nothing is wrong in that. But the success in spiritual life must be in accordance to what Sri Guru wants and not what we want.

If a temple is small and has a very small congregation, does that mean they are not successful? We tender to measure everything with mundane vision and with extremely limited foresight even in our spiritual path.

Whether big or small, as long as Sri Guru and Krsna is pleased, that is all it takes to move forward in the path of devotion. At the end of the day, each and every soul has their own unique journey and realizations to finally go back home, back to Godhead. One can be like Sabari, residing all by herself in the forest but very firmly holding on to her guru-seva in plucking berries which eventually led her to have darshan of Lord Rama or even having many association in an ashram but holding to every word of his Gurudeva as it is, like Upamanyu. From these two personalities, we see that guru seva is the back bone of bhakti, devotion.

At the end of the day, it really does not matter where you are. As long as you have high class of association and most importantly hold on and serve Sri Guru's instructions as it is, then the path to go home, to our original home will be open.

Haribolo! Dandavat pranama!

The day I met Srila Gurudeva - 25th January, 25 years ago!

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 10:46:00 +0000

Today on this date 25th January, 25 years ago, I met my Srila Gurudeva and it was on my birthday.

Although, I may think I met Srila Gurudeva, actually it was Srila Gurudeva who took me under his wings. I really didn't realise it then, and I hope to realise something eventually...

I still remember that day. We didn't have a car, so my husband asked a friend of his to come along to Sungai Long, a new house in a relatively new housing estate. The place was quite a distance from our house. A would be godbrother's brother welcomed Srila Gurudeva to this new house of his.

We waited and waited and finally a phone call came. My heart just broke. My husband's friend said his car broke down and it will take a while before he could reach us. My husband suggested we go the next day, but I was adamant. I wanted to meet this saint, whom I heard once or twice when I was still in Iskcon. His name resonated with my biological father's name and somehow I wanted to meet him.

After what seemed to be ages, we hopped into the car on the way to Sungai Long. When we finally reached there, the program was over. Everyone was standing up, for Srila Gurudeva to go upstairs to his room to rest. I watched this beautiful saintly figure, didn't know what to say or even think.

We decided to come again the next day to check things out. On the third day, which was our wedding anniversary, my husband asked for initiation. Srila Gurudeva blessed us by showering flowers and ordered us to come to Singapore, (his next stop) for initiation. We did so and on Jaya Ekadasi we were initiated with harinama and Srila Gurudeva said in one year he will give us diksha.

If Srila Gurudeva did not mercifully come into my life, I think I would be a goner. The best thing that ever happened to me is Srila Gurudeva. I will always remember this day, no so much because it is my birthday but only because of Srila Gurudeva.

Jaya Srila Gurudeva ki jaya!!

Lessons From a Cuckoo Water Filter

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 16:08:00 +0000

The recent flood that hit my country, left me quite numb thinking about all the victims' pain and suffering. Here we are, trying to make living quite palatable, and all of a sudden torrents of rain comes to wash off everything we own.

Houses were damaged, cars submerged in water almost irreparable, household goods becomes junk as everything owned was gone and had to be replaced.

No matter how hard we try to make our living here comfortable, it is actually quite impossible as the design system of this material world is full of the three fold miseries, namely miseries arising from one's mind, miseries arising from another living entity and miseries given to us by the demigods.

Although many were affected by the flood, there were also fortunate ones who didn't experience anything of that sort at all. Due to their good fortunes they still have everything they owned intact.

As I was contemplating these while filling my cup with water from a Cuckoo water filter (bought by my brother), it suddenly hit me. Yes, no matter how comfortable we are in the material sense, we are indeed prisoners in this huge jail house. Of course, one must be grateful for whatever one has. But the fact remains, we are prisoners. Some prisoners have it slightly better than others. Even a King in this world is actually a prisoner, who cannot escape old age, disease and death and the torments of his mind or torments from others and natural calamities.

The only way to escape is to keep holding on to the lotus feet of a bona fide guru who will take us across the ocean of nescience. A bona fide guru who initiated us into the mahamantra, will definitely carry us across this prison house. Therefore, we have to completely surrender and depend on Sri Guru.

May this insignificant soul realize these truths.

I Don't Have a Long Life!

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 11:51:00 +0000

The other day, a friend of mine who knows palmistry, looked into an old woman's hand. She must be around 85 years old.

He smiled at her and said, "Madam, you have indeed a long life."

The elderly lady looked at my friend grimly and said, "Who said so? I don't have a long life!"

My friend and I looked at each other. We were not really perplexed at what the lady just said. It only shows how very correct our scriptures are. No matter how long we live, we still feel we don't have a long life. We may have those around us, leaving their mortal bodies, but we still feel, death will not come to us and we still want to enjoy this material world to the fullest. This is how Maya, the illusory energy of the Lord, tricks us into thinking thus.

Ultimately, what is the use of a long life, if it is not used in devotion? What is the use of a long life, if it is not used to serve the Vaishnavas?

Is There Justice in God?

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 09:37:00 +0000

Hare Krsna. Hope you are well and fine.

Once a man was very frustrated and he started to question God’s injustice. He told himself that he prayed regularly, did not harm anyone and did everything righteous while his friends did not pray, told lies and did all sorts of bad deeds. But his friends were living a wealthy life, drove fast cars while he on the other hand, struggled to make a living. He felt God is being totally unfair to him. And this was not justice at all!

Have you ever felt like that? You see, God is not our servant. Understand this. We are His servants. God is not someone whom we could make Him do what we want.

The reason we are suffering is due to our own deeds. Whatever is due to you will come and what is not yours will not be yours. Let others enjoy what is due to them. Justice and Injustice is not for us to mete out on others. That is the Lord’s work. Also, who are we to hope that someone gets punishment from God. We should just mind our own business and develop our own unique relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

We should not feel envious if someone is having a better life than you. Remember there will always be another having a worst life than you.

Instead of putting the blame towards God, build a loving relationship with Him. And the way to go about doing it is, by serving a bona fide spiritual master who will train you spiritually in this matter.

And how does the first training takes place? By chanting the holy names of God. It may be bitter at first, like a child swallowing a bitter pill, but if you keep chanting the holy names, you will definitely find sweetness in the name because the holy names and Krsna is non-different.

Please chant:

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna,

Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama,

Rama Rama, Hare Hare

and see the difference in your life!

One Hard Knock

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 11:08:00 +0000

The other day, I was having a conversation about children with this very sweet Mataji.

Mataji lamented how she keeps worrying about her children, even though all are grown up. She keeps advising them, although her advice is really not that appreciated or even taken seriously by her children. Then, when they get a hard knock, only then, they realise that their mother was right after all.

It is a very natural thing for a mother to keep worrying about her kids. Even in the spiritual world, Mother Yasoda keeps worrying about her Lala, Sweet Krsna. Of course, everything that happens here is a perverted reflection. Over there, it is only pure love of the Lord.

The conversation then went on to Srila Gurudeva.

Mataji said, she found it hard to keep up with all of Srila Gurudeva's instructions. Sometimes she feels she needs time to evolve. I told her everything will happen in due time.

And just like how she worries about her children, Srila Gurudeva is also worried about our spiritual welfare. We may follow him and at times go astray. When Maya gives her hard knock on us, then we will run back to Srila Gurudeva. After many, many knocks from this material world, we will eventually cry out to really wanting to get out of this rut, permanently. We will then say. "Enough is enough!"

Srila Gurudeva, like a mother, will always be there for us - no matter what.

The sweet Mataji nodded in agreement.

Assuming Can Lead to Disaster

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 10:30:00 +0000

Just the other day, I got a call from a friend, early in the morning. She was extremely distraught and wanted to know if the books I bought many years ago has the same cantos or not.

I could only mention a few, to the best of what my memory could muster at that time.

This distraught lady then, went on to berate the organization for short selling her the books. She claimed they did not sent her the entire cantos and she felt they did great injustice to her.

I told her to check everything properly, lest she may have over looked something. But she was quite adamant, and her fury was quite inconsolable.

Not wanting to further the conversation, I excused myself by telling her I have other things to do. I honestly did not feel like hearing all this ranting, especially early in the morning.

Mornings for me is a time of calmness, quietness, meditation and peace. I must admit, it did give me a sense of uneasy queasiness .

Come noon time, I decided to give her a call. She was calmer and found out about the cantos from another friend of hers. Apparently, she mistook what was unboxed and felt apologetic. She did mention that her purchase was in complete order.

You see my friends, sometimes we are quick to assume something to be out of context without really checking. The mind is quick to respond only on the negative. Our inner voice may give us preconceived notions when there is no such thing at all. Worst, we say things, that we cannot take back and this is where we create offenses to people who have no fault at all. In the end, we are digging our own graves. All our spiritual practises will go spiralling downhill as well.

We can take lessons from the above incident to be very mindful and careful of what we let out from our mouths and accuse others unnecessarily, who maybe quite innocent in the whole affair.

And also from the lady herself, who is quick to be apologetic after knowing about her own faults. Not many would even do that.

Stop the Blame Game!

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 05:22:00 +0000

Have you heard of people always saying that God gave them such a child, such a situation or even such a problem. Well, in such a child, meaning if the child is disabled, they would say God gave them such a child. And they have to accept it.

If it is a problem or situation, then, they would say God placed them in such a predicament as a test.

Now, the question is, why are we constantly blaming or saying that God has put you in such a situation?

Do you really think that God is cruel to put you in such a situation? Think about it for a moment. God is all merciful. He always wants the best for His creations. Not even a blade of grass moves without His sanction.

True, everything happens as God's will. But He has given us independence as well. We are free to make choices. And those choices can cost us deeply, not only in this life but in the next life as well. We reap what we sow. And that is actually our karma. For every action, there is an equal opposite reaction.

If we were to have a disabled child, then, it was our karma to have such a child. Why didn't the child born in another family? Why were you his or her parents? Think about it for a moment.

Why some are born healthy, some wealthy and some really intelligent? Think about it for a moment.

It is because, you and I have done some good deeds or some misdeeds and we are duly getting what we deserve. Instead of always saying God put you in that situation, think and say that you yourself got into that predicament.

When we start to accept and take responsibility and repent for what is happening to us, we would actually stop this blame game and try to improve ourselves. What is most important is that, now we are in such a situation, so, we have to make the best out of a bad bargain. The only way we can do this, is to chant the holy names, no matter where we are situated.

Take a moment and appreciate that the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Krsna has given us some intelligence to think, to appreciate and show gratitude to whatever we have. We have to be thankful to be able to walk, use our hands, speak and do many tasks that others around us may not be able to do so.

Instead of saying "Why Me?" all the time, say "Thank you, Krsna!" and move on with your life. Try to do more devotional service and imbibe sweetness in your life. This place is not a permanent one and stop making too many plans for permanence. Anything can happen at anytime. So, try to develop has much spiritual merit to enable yourself to finally go back home, back to Godhead, where we truly belong, where there is no death, problem, sickness, old age. Only sweetness and true love of Godhead.

Please chant the holy names:

HARE KRSNA, HARE KRSNA,

KRSNA KRSNA, HARE HARE

HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA

RAMA RAMA, HARE HARE

and see a real difference in your life!

Impermanence of Permanence

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 09:26:00 +0000

Hare Krsna!

We all think we are going to be around for a long time. We make so many plans that we forget to live the moment. When was it we actually have time for real prayers and give our thanks to Sri Guru and to the Almighty Lord Krsna?

Most times, we want everything to go our way. Of course, all of us want to pass this life of ours in a pleasing manner, not having too much stress. Unfortunately, this world is simply not that. It is a place of impermanence. We make plenty of plans, thinking it to last, when in fact our very bodies will perish one day.

This idea of permanence is actually impermanence in this world we live in.

Live the moment. Pray and serve the Lord's devotees whenever the opportunity arises. The mind is such, that it tends to go astray. Even if it does, bring the mind back to do some service to Sri Guru and Krsna. After all, that is the true permanence of the soul.

Dreaming too big and making too much plans that stresses us is actually like a fool trying to make permanence in an impermanent place.

Hare Krsna!

What is Seva and Hard Labour

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 04:51:00 +0000

What is Seva and Hard Labour?

An excerpt from a lecture given by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Gosvami Maharaja in Chandigarh, India on 10^th November 2013

Hard Labour

It does not matter how much service one performs. Externally one may look like Vaishnavas, but we cannot be Vaishnavas if we have desires for wealth. An example of this is, Srila Raghunath das Thakur's family who were constantly serving Vaishnavas in their homes. But they were only keen on accumulating wealth.

If one is truly doing seva, service, then, he will have more attraction for harikatha. Anyone can be following all the tenets of being a sannyasa, brahmacari, grhastra etc but if there is no desire or attachment for harikatha of the Lord, then, they have not done any service but only physical hard labour.

The Difference Between Wanting to do Seva and Given A Seva by Vaishnavas

Chota Haridasa brought rice from the house of Madhavi devi. Mahaprabhu was not pleased because unless and until the person you are serving is not pleased then it is not seva. In reality service means the person whom you are serving must become pleased with you.

There are so many devotees performing some seva according to their own desires. There are also devotees who rely on other devotees to do service. The first type is doing service according to their mind or desires and the second type is begging for service and to be under the under guidance of senior devotees.

The service performed by one according to his desire is mental satisfaction and has no benefit to the soul.

A person, who is giving up his own desires and surrendering to the devotees and doing seva, will become more peaceful in body and mind. Otherwise it is not possible.

The Boat That Did Not Move

My Guru Maharaja told a story about a marriage that was going to take place and all the party was in a 'green boat' meaning a boat full of facilities. Everyone took prasadam and was resting. The boatman also took prasadam and slept. When he got up, he immediately started to row the boat using the oars. Those who were inside the boat thought that the boat has started to move. The boatman thought he was rowing all night.

When morning came the boat did not move. The father of the groom reprimanded the boatman. It was found that the boat was anchored. So the analogy is that we have to give up our own desires which we have in order to serve the Vaishnavas. We have to take the anchor off and surrender to the Vaishnavas and ask them what is our duty or service. Otherwise we will be like the boatman doing hard labour and not going anywhere.

Don’t Give a Certificate to Yourself

Even though one may say this is my nature or psychology and this particular service fits me, it is only mental speculation and mental satisfaction. We cannot give certificate to ourselves. One must come in contact with a Vaishnava and surrender to him and take shelter from that Vaishnava, and try to please that Vaishnava. Only then, there will be progress.

When to Give Up Guru

Question: If a person comes in contact with someone who gave diksha but not a pranayi bhakta, can the disciple retake disksha?

Answer: If the guru is still following everything, then the disciple should accept siksa and go on. If a guru is fallen down from his position, the guru should be given up and the disciple can come to a pranayi bhakta.

Keep On Preaching What You Heard

Wherever we go we must preach the words of our Guruvarga. Whatever we know we should preach what we heard from our Guru varga. If we are preaching to a new person, we use a lot of energy. We should keep going on because it is not only good for those people but also useful for us. We should bring the new person to a proper place and that service itself will bring us to a higher place. We will get Krsna prema.

Always Associate With Higher Devotees

We should always associate with higher devotees. In this material world we are always suffering but these things will not bother those sadhakas who are always in the association of higher devotees.

Beat Your Mind

Don't give up our services. We have to give up the idea that we are the doer. Whenever we think we are doing so much due to our sadhana and bhajan, we have to take a whip and beat our mind. More than that, we have to associate with superior Vaishnavas and these things will not bother us at all.

Leaving Everything at the Temple

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 04:27:00 +0000

An excerpt from a lecture given by Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Gosvami Maharaji in Puri 2015.

"“There is this elderly grandmother who comes to the temple everyday to hear hari katha. Her grandson would often request her to take him to the temple as well. But she would not do so.

One day, the grandson was very persistent in wanting to go to the temple with his grandmother. Finally, the grandmother relented.

When they were at the temple, the grandson heard the hari katha about the glories of Ekadasi, and how it is important to observe Ekadasi which is the very next day.

As soon as the grandson went home, he told his mother that he will fast the next day. He only wanted some money to buy bananas and would not take any grains.

When the mother heard this, she became furious and scolded the grandmother for taking her son to the temple. She said that her son is very young to be observing such fasts.

The grandmother soon called her grandson and told him, “My, dear child. Whatever you have heard in the temple you should leave it there. Look at me. I go there everyday but I don’t follow Ekadasi at home. So leave everything you have heard at the temple. It is not necessary to follow all these at home.”

So this is our situation. We hear hari katha from sadhus but we don’t want to imbibe and follow what we hear in our life. We leave everything as soon as we are out of the temple.

Only when we surrender, then, our real nature which Sri Guru and Vaishnavas want to give will develop.""

Two Amazing Hari Katha

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 06:30:00 +0000

(Below is an excerpt of the lecture given by Sripad Bhaktivedanta Paramarthi Maharaji (picture below) on his recent visit to Malaysia.)

Have Full Faith in the Holy Names

“We must have strong faith in the holy names. The holy names will protect you and will give you bliss. Srila Bhakti Ballabh Titha Maharaja once related this story.

There once was a lady devotee who wanted to attend a temple function near her house. She dressed up very nicely, putting on beautiful ornaments as well. She then, got a rickshaw to the temple. Seeing such beautiful ornaments on the lady, the rickshaw wallah immediately took another route.

For the entire day, nobody heard from the lady. Everyone was really worried about her whereabouts as she was to be at the temple for the function. Soon there was a search party. People searched everywhere. Soon enough, some people heard a very faint voice in a deserted place. It called out, “O Gopal, O Govinda!”

The lady was calling out Lord Gopal's name throughout her ordeal.

When the search party approached to where the voice was coming from, they saw an old well by the forest. On top of the well was a snake circling around the top edge of the well. And beside the well, was the rickshaw wallah, dead.

They saw the lady was inside the well and was constantly calling out the Lord’s name. She was soon rescued.

So you see, if you have full faith in the holy names, there is no need to fear”

(Below is another excerpt from Sripad Bhaktivedanta Paramarthi Maharaja’s lecture)

Trying to Change Providence

We always think that by hard endeavour, we are able to change our sorrowful situation. Each and every one of us is governed by providence to receive what we are supposed to get.

There was once a very great astrologer in a kingdom. Whatever he says, will surely come true. The king did not have any children yet at that time. But according to the astrologer’s calculation, the king will have a daughter. If that daughter grows up and marries, the astrologer’s son will be blind and he (the astrologer) will become blind and deaf.

The astrologer was devastated. He thought out a plan. So, he went to the king and told the king that whomever the young princess sets her eyes upon; she must marry that person in order to receive all auspiciousness. The king listened to the astrologer as he was always correct in his predictions.

When the princess grew up, she was put in a closed box, with only some holes for her to breath. On the cover of the box, there was an inscription that read, “Who ever opens this box, will marry the princess and will have the kingdom.”

The astrologer planned it so well, that the box should float in a river and at the opportune time, his own son will open the box and marry the princess. And if the son becomes blind, he will be taken care of as he will be married to a princess. As for the astrologer, he too will be taken care of as he is the father of the new king.

And so the princess inside the box was put in the river and the box floated. But it so happened, a heavy thunder storm came and the box floated taking another course along the river.

At the same time, there was a young prince in another kingdom. He was exasperated with his siblings as they were always squabbling for the throne. He thought he had enough of that and he decided to go on an adventure. He was a playful prince as well. He took along with him his pet monkey and bear in a boat, looking for an exciting voyage.

Soon enough, the prince’s boat came across the box with the princess inside, floating in the river. The curious prince decided to see what was inside the box. As he came near the box, he saw the inscription that read, “Who ever opens this box, will marry the princess and will have the kingdom.”

When the prince opened the box, he was delighted to see a beautiful princess. The princess was delighted to be rescued. They fell in love and decided to go back to the princess’s kingdom. But there was one problem though. The prince’s boat did not fit in the monkey, bear, princess and the prince. So, the prince decided to put his monkey and the bear inside the box and close it. He hoped that they would find their way somehow.

In the meantime, the astrologer was getting agitated. According to his calculation the box should have floated at its designated place. He was losing his patience, when he finally saw the box floating by.

He quickly got his men to take the box and bring it home to his son.

Once home, he told his son to open the box. When the boy did so, an agitated monkey sprang up and gave the boy a swipe across his face causing him to become blind. And the equally agitated bear sprang up and pounded the astrologer’s head and swiped him across the face, causing him to become deaf and blind.

So you see, no matter how hard the astrologer tried to save himself and his son, he could not fight providence. What is written for you is what you will get.

But if you chant the holy names, follow Sri Guru’s instruction, and then, by their mercy you will be saved.”

Have Firm Faith in Service

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 07:10:00 +0000

.(Below is a very short excerpt of a lecture given by Sripad Bhakti Sadhak Sajjan Maharaja, disciple of Srila Bhakti Sri-rupa Siddhanti Maharaji on his recent tour to Malaysia.)

"One should not have any doubt in the holy names or in the service of Thakurji or the Vaishnavas

Once there was a person who had a small shop living close by the temple. He used to supply 2 months of groceries without fail, throughout the year. Very soon his business grew. He is now the number one merchant.

Also there was a person who used to donate Thakurji's clothes everyday. Thakurji had new clothes everyday. This person too became very wealthy.

Both of them are still doing so much of service.

You see, if you have firm faith in the holy names, Vaishnavas and Thakurji, all auspiciousness will come to you. Of this there is no doubt."

(Note: Anyone who wishes to invite Maharaji to their country/hometown, may contact him or whatsapp him at + 91 93314 30138 )

Chant the Holy Names! Chant the Holy Names!

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 07:26:00 +0000

The day is beautiful
The birds are chirping
The mind wakes up to nature's beauty
All geared up what the day may unfold
Giving thanks to the Almighty
Come afternoon - Oh the sweltering heat!
Our sweat sticks to us
Our dealings sometimes soured
Mostly because of our own mind
Then, our morning resolution of thanks to Almighty
tossed out of the window
Again, gossip and complain prevails
Where's the morning's thankfulness?
Where's the morning's blessings?
Gone, Gone, Gone!
Night comes
Fatigued by the mind's battle
Deep into slumber we dream of something
Again, morning may come to some
The turmoil of the mind once again prevails
And it goes on and on
Oh! foolish mind
Don't waste any time
Chant, the holy names when you are awake
Chant, when you are to be engaged in an arguement
Chant, when the heat is too much to bear
Chant yourself to sleep
Then perhaps by the mercy of Sri Guru
you will find peace.
True peace. Bliss
a humble prayer by the most fallen:
ashalata devi dasi

Message of Godhead

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 06:54:00 +0000

Message of Godhead

My very first ebooklet for your reading pleasure.

Please click below:

Total Dedication to Their Lordships

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 10:35:00 +0000

(On 17th June, Sri Sri Radha Govinda Gaudiya Math, Malaysia had the good fortune to host Sripad Bhakti Bibuddha Bodhayan Maharaja on his recent tour here, Below is an excerpt of the Hari-Katha given by Maharaji)

Srila Gour Kishore das Bahaji Maharaja

Once Srila Gour Kishore das Babaji Maharaja called a doctor to come immediately to him.

The doctor thought that Srila Maharaja must be ill. Therefore, he rushed to where Srila Maharaja was living.

As soon as the doctor arrived, Srila Maharaja ordered the doctor to treat his wooden Deities – Their Lordships, Sri Gaur Nitai.

The doctor thought this must be some kind of joke. How can an image of wood be treated? The doctor thought to himself. He assumed that Srila Maharaja had lost his mind.

But Srila Maharaja insisted and asked the doctor to check his Deities' pulses.

Seeing such determination and also to pacify Srila Maharaja, the doctor checked the Deities' pulses. As soon as he touched Sri Gaur Nitai, the doctor felt the Deities were having a high temperature. In fact They were having fever!

Sripad Bhakti Bibuddha Bodhayan Maharaja

The doctor gave some medicine to be offered for Their Lordships.

Srila Babaji Maharaja ordered the doctor to come again the next day and check on Them once more – just in case They were still sick.

So just see how much devotion, love and affection Srila Gaur Kishore das Babaji Maharaja has for Their Lordships and how They are reciprocating with him as well.

We should always chant and remember the sweet pastimes of Their Lordships. Otherwise we may have to come back again in this material world.

Complete Dedication to Sri Guru

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Sun, 07 May 2017 05:00:00 +0000

Below is an excerpt from Sripad Bhaktivedanta Siddhanti Maharaja’s class on the 6^th May 2017 in Malaysia.

The Complete Dedication of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada’s Disciples.

"Srila Prabhupada’s disciples are very dedicated towards their spiritual master. One such disciple is Madan Mohan prabhu. He was a householder and whatever he earned for his upkeep, he used to spend half of the earnings for Srila Prabhupada’s mission. The other half is used to maintain his family.

He once planted a mango tree for the service of Srila Prabhupada. He told all his family members that the mangoes from the tree is only for the service of Srila Prabhupada. One day, while Madan Mohan prabhu was at work, his eldest son ate a mango from the tree. Madan Mohan prabhu's wife saw this and she told her son that she will tell the incident to the boy’s father.

As soon as Madan Mohan prabhu came home, his wife told him what had happened. Madan Mohan prabhu was really furious. He shouted at his son, “How dare you! How dare you eat this mango which is for the use of Srila Prabhupada’s service!”

He thrashed his son so badly. The whole family thought the boy would be killed. After a while Madan Mohan prabhu cried very bitterly at his altar and asked for forgiveness. He felt extremely sad that his son took the mango which was for the service of Srila Prabhupada.

After many years, Madan Mohan prabhu’s son used to tell this story whenever I visited him. He said that what his father did was absolutely right because his father was very dedicated in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

There’s also the story where Madan Mohan Prabhu got all his daughters married off. He used to ask for money from his sons-in-laws. Some of his elders told Madan Mohan prabhu that his action was wrong to ask money from his sons-in-laws.

But Madan Mohan prabhu used to say, “What is wrong in my actions. I have accepted my sons-in-law as my own sons. They have no time to do any service for Bhagavan. By taking their hard earned money, I am engaging their energy in the service of Bhagavan.”

In this way, his entire life was for the service of Srila Prabhupada and Bhagavan.

Then there was Krsna Kesava prabhu who was the cook at the temple. He used to chop cabbages and potatoes so fast that within minutes he was able to cook for all the devotees at the temple. In 20 minutes the most! After many years, he used to think that Srila Prabhupada cheated him because he never got the opportunity to speak Hari Katha. All the other disciples of Srila Prabhupada were very highly learned and intellectual giants.

One day, in an assembly, all the stalwart devotees were about to give Hari Katha. At that time, Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhava Maharaja was there. Suddenly he said, “Today Krsna Kesava prabhu will speak.”

Krsna Kesava prabhu was shocked. He said that there was nothing in his mind at that time. He was wondering what to say. As soon as he finished his prayers to Srila Prabhupada, he started speaking non-stop such sweet Hari Katha. All knowledge was coming.

Later on, he realised that Srila Prabhupada did not cheat him at all. Instead, Srila Prabhupad engaged him in service for the Vaishnavas and that was what made him speak. In fact, Krsna Kesava prabhu said that he was not the one who was speaking. It was Srila Prabhupada.

So, just see. How very dedicated the disciples of Srila Prabhupada. They knew nothing beside Srila Prabhupada.

Jay Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!"

The Glories of the Holy Name

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 09:25:00 +0000

(Below is an excerpt of the class given by Radha Govinda Prabhuji on the Powers and Glories of the Holy Name. All these stories are not merely tales but they are factual accords that happened to real people whom Prabhuji had met.

Anyone can share these stories to glorify the Holy Names and to help others.)

The chanting of the holy names is able to cure all diseases and drive away evil spirits. The holy names are very very powerful. It is the only means of deliverance in this age of Kali.

Story 1

Radha Govinda Prabhuji

Once there was this young man who worked in a hotel. He soon got himself involved in illicit sex and contracted AIDS. His family members were very worried for him. He lost his job and was in total depression.

He was asked to chant the holy names continuously. Feeling there was no other recourse, this young man did so. He chanted 32 rounds daily.

As an AIDS patient, he had to go for regular check-ups. Miraculously, the doctor found his AIDS symptom was down by 99%

Just by chanting 32 rounds daily, the young man was able to put death on hold. In fact he was getting better. He appealed for his old job at the hotel and the employer decided to take him in. He was getting better and got his job back.

But very unfortunately, he went back to his sinful activities. Soon his AIDS symptoms came back and he died in a couple of months.

This shows the young man only chanted to get out of his unfortunate situation. It is truly unfortunate for him to die in that manner.

Story 2

Once kirtan was going on. Suddenly, a lady ran out of the kirtan hall crying very loudly. Prabhuji asked the devotees what was going on. Nobody really knew. Prabhuji decided to follow the lady downstairs. When Prabhuji met the lady’s children, they did not allow Prabhuji to enter the room.

After much convincing, Prabhuji was allowed into the lady’s room. Everyone, including Prabhuji saw the lady was pulling her hair and was screaming very loudly.

Usually possessions happens on Sundays and on a new mood day. That day was such a day.

Prabhuji started to chant. The lady’s children held her tightly. She started to scream and shouted at Prabhuji to get out of the room.

After 15 – 20 minutes, of loud chanting, the lady said that something in her heart got out. She chanted 2 rounds on the chanting beads.

Unfortunately, the lady does not chant now.

Story 3

One lady was possessed of evil spirits. Prabhuji was speaking Hari-Katha. At that time the lady’s son called prabhuji to come over to his house. Prabhuji decided to go over.

When he arrived there, Prabhuji chanted for ½ hour. The lady became calm and the spirit disappeared.

Story 4

Once a doctor was staying in the Math, temple, in Assam. The area was surrounded by a lush jungle. The doctor decided to answer his call of nature and urinated some distance from the Math. Later on he went back to the Math to take his rest.

Late in the night, he heard knocks on his door. Although perplexed of who and why would someone be knocking at his door at a very late hour, the doctor decided to open the door. He saw two personalities who insisted he follow them somewhere.

The doctor said it was really late and they should wait till morning. But the two personalities kept insisting. The doctor relented and decided to follow them. The two personalities took him to a spot and told him that he had urinated there earlier on. They also said that if he was not chanting, and did not wear the kanti mala, neck beads, they would have killed him.

Then they disappeared.

The two personalities were actually ghosts.

Story 5 (The below was graciously contributed by Damodara prabhu)

This happened in Mumbai, India last year 2015. Jitu is one of the local person in the Sion area of Mumbai.

*Call to Prabhuji's son by Jitu:* Can your father come to my house for chanting. My father is on the death bed.

*Prabhuji's son:* Yes, let me call and ask him.

*Son calls Prabhuji:* Jitu's father is on death bed. He is calling you for chanting.

*Prabhuji:* ok, I can go. No problem.

(Prabhuji reached Jitu's house)

*Jitu:* Hare Krishna Prabhuji. Dandvat Pranam. My father has done many sinful acts in his life and now about to die in 2 to 3 hours. What should we do?

*Prabhuji:* Immediately put tulsi beads on his neck and put tilak on forehead.

*Jitu:* But , my father has taken non-veg and alcohol his whole life. How to put such pious things on him.

*Prabhuji:* Can he eat and drink such things now?

*Jitu:* No, he may die in few hours.

*Prabhuji:* then don't delay and just put it on. Also, start reading any 10th canto lila from Bhagwatam as advised by Sukdev Goswami to Parikshit Maharaj in 1st canto itself. You can read for proof.

*Jitu:* Reads from Bhagwatam.

(Prabhuji chanted 2 rounds and asked to switch On Srila Prabhupada's Chanting on a tape recorder for 24 hours and left.)

*Day 2: Prabhuji again visited Jitu's house*

*Jitu:* Hare Krishna Prabhuji. Father is fine now and sitting very quietly and listening Srimad Bhagwatam. He seems to have changed and very peaceful as you can see yourself.

*Prabhuji:* You can continue this process of reading from Bhagwatam and Chanting Harinaam for Him. I am going to Vrindavan for Radhastami. We will meet after that.

*(RadhaGovind Prabhuji left for Vrindavan from Mumbai)*

Jitu called on the phone to Radha Govind Prabhuji on the day of Radhastami.

*Jitu:* My father has left his body today. But it was miraculous that he had no pain.

*Prabhuji:* I shall come back and we will discuss.

(After coming back from Vrindavan, Prabhuji visited Jitu's house.)

*Jitu:* Hare Krishna Prabhuji. Dandvat Pranam. I cannot imagine the changes in my father's behaviour in last few days after listening Srimad Bhagwatam and Harinaam. If someone will say that my father changed 100% then I will say it was 1000% change in him. He was so effulgent and peaceful while leaving the body. I cannot imagine the power of this process. A man who never respected anyone in his life and always did all sinful acts but had some regards only for you because of which we thought of calling you during this time. We will remain indebted to you.

*Prabhuji:* Hare Krishna. This is the power of Bhagwatam and Harinaam as suggested by Srila Sukdev Goswami. I cannot do anything on my own. Hence, one should immediately take up the process of Chanting and Reading Srimad Bhagwatam.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Therefore, we must have firm faith in the Holy Name. How can medicine work when given by a doctor? By doubting we will not benefit.

It is our duty to chant the Holy Names.

Only those whose chanting is weak, they will be affected.

In Nrsimha Purana it is stated that the chanting of the Holy Names will nullify the sins of past lives.

How to break free of entanglement of one's karma results – it is only by chanting the Holy Names continuously.

(After the inspiring Hari-Katha, someone asked Prabhuji a question)

Question: "Prabhuji, is it possible that ghosts try to possess a devotee, just so it can get some relief?

Answer: No. No ghost can come to a devotee. If they are really chanting, no possession will come. We must always increase our Hari Naam and not decrease it.

The Mood of A Devotee

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 10:04:00 +0000

(Below is another excerpt of the class given by Sripad Bhaktivedanta Siddhanti Maharaja during his tour to Malaysia.)

The Mood of a Devotee

Once Arjun was thinking, “Who can be better than me?”

When Krsna saw this mood in Arjun, He invited Arjun to the forest. Krsna said, “There is someone more superior than you. I will take you to him. Come, let’s go to the forest.”

Arjun was surprised but he was just as curious to know who it was.

Krsna and Arjun travelled for some time in a chariot into a forest. Soon, Krsna told Arjun to stop the chariot and walk to see this superior devotee.

“The devotee will be doing austerities,” said Krsna to Arjun.

Arjun did as he was told. He walked some distance and saw a yogi doing tapasya, austerities. When Arjun looked at this devotee, he thought, “O, he is not like me.”

Then, Arjun wanted to know the mood of that devotee. He saw that the devotee had 3 tridents instead of mala, chanting beads. Arjun was perplexed and wondered why.

Arjun very carefully paid his obeisance to the devotee. The devotee blessed Arjun.

Very politely, Arjun started to ask questions, “Dear sir, usually devotees carry mala, but you are carrying 3 tridents. And you are not Shiva.”

The devotee answered, “Yes, I am not Shiva. I have a purpose in my life. And that is to kill 3 persons!”

Naturally, this piqued Arjun’s curiosity. He asked, “Who are they?”

The devotee replied, “The first person will be Arjun!”

Now Arjun was shocked. Luckily he introduced himself as the son of Kuntidevi. If he had said he was Arjun, he would have been killed, he thought.

“Why do you want to kill Arjun,” asked Arjun cautiously.

“Why? He has made my worshipable Lord Krsna a chariot driver! You know, Krsna has such soft hands which are only meant to play the flute and give blessings. Arjun ordered my Krsna to drive the chariot here and there!”

Arjun thought, “O such good mood!”

“Who is the second person,” asked Arjun.

The devotee said, “It’s Draupadi!”

“Why her?” asked Arjun.

“She spoiled the mood of my Krsna. When she was being disrobed, Krsna was about to eat one morsel of food. At that time she called out for Krsna. My Lord did not take His food, forgot His shoes and ran towards Draupadi. If it was me, I don’t care to be disrobed. I will not disturb my Lord!”

What high mood this devotee has, Arjun thought to himself.

“Who is the third person?” asked Arjun.

“The third person is Prahlad! He spoiled the beauty of my Krsna! My Krsna is so beautiful and the gopis are glorifying His beauty. Krsna wears vaijayanti mala that has *5 different types of colours.

*(the 5 different types of colours represent the 5 different types of devotees, that is santa (neutral), dasya (servitorship), vatsalya (parental mood), sakha (friendship) and madhurya (conjugal mood).

Krsna’s beauty is always increasing. His beauty is the arena of Kamsa. Everyone was mesmerized by His beauty.

Therefore, Prahlad has spoiled the beauty and Krsna had to come as Nrsimhadeva.

When Arjun heard all this, he did not know what to say. He humbly took his leave from the devotee and returned to Krsna who was smiling. Arjun’s pride was crushed.

The mood of a devotee is superior and it is not measured by close proximity. Lord Rama is full of maryada, awe and reverence, while Krsna is Lila Purushottam (the Lord of Sweet Pastimes).

Rama took a vow that he will never give up those who come to Him. Vibhisan gave up Ravana, who was his brother. Hanuman and Sugriva said not to accept him. But Rama said that they were all His well wishers and whatever they were saying was for His well being. But Vibhisan came under Rama’s shelter, and He will protect him. Besides, for leaving his brother, Vibhisan got a bad name in his own country.

Krsna never kept any maryada. He is not bound in maryada. Krsna is the source of all maryada. Prema, transcendental love, has no maryada. In the beginning of Mahabarata war, Krsna said He will not take any weapons. He said, “I will be alone and I will not fight.”

Duryodhana thought what was the use of having Krsna alone without His armies? So, he chose Krsna’s armies instead.

In many circumstances we act like Duryodhana. We take the material energy and to try to worship Krsna later. Devotees only want Krsna, whether helping or not. Practically it is not easy to follow. Devotees have nothing to do with the material energy.

Kanishta adhikari (neophyte) devotee has so much faith. They have faith in the deity but not giving proper respect to devotees.

Madhyama adhikari (intermediate) devotee has complete surrender. Once Srila Gurudeva said one person completely surrended to Krsna while another devotee only giving ingredients. In Srila Gurudeva’s case whatever he touches becomes prasadam. Madhyama maintains 4 relationships. He has prema, love, for Bhagavan. He has friendship with those of equal standing. He rejects those who are against bhakti, devotion, and to those who are superior, he serves them.

Uttama adhikari (topmost) devotees are totally different from this material world. Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Maharaj used to pay obeisance to his own disciples. We never saw him asleep. The symptoms show what qualification we are in.

If someone is performing akincana bhakti, (devotion without any motives) all qualities of associates of Krsna will come to him. We say we are master of our body but really we are servant of our mind. Bhisma Pitamaha is one of the 12 mahajans. Krsna is bhakta vatsalya. Krsna cannot tolerate that His devotee should get a bad name. So why did Bhisma say that Krsna will take weapons? He felt that Krsna is only the chariot driver of Arjun. His Krsna is Supreme. The impressions will be bad to the kings.

So that’s why Bhisma took vow that the real identity of his Lord is a ksatriya with cakra in Hand.

Why Bhisma took the side of all demons? This is to have darshan of Krsna all the time. If he was with Krsna, then his back will be on Krsna. Instead, Bhisma chose the demons so that he will be having darshan of Krsna all the time.

Lord Krsna is Bhakta Vatsalya

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 03:43:00 +0000

Recently Malaysian devotees had the good fortune to associate with Sripad Bhaktivedanta Siddhanti Maharaja. Below is a short excerpt of Maharaj's class:

Once King Akhbar asked his trusted minister Bilbar, how is it that God comes Himself to save his devotees from any dangers. Why not sent His armies instead?

When Bilbar heard that, he asked the King to give him a few days to think about the question.

Sripad BV Siddhanti Maharaja

Finally after some days, Bilbar asked the King to go on a boating trip. He requested the young prince to be present in the boat as well. When the King heard this, he came with all his associates and confidantes. When the boat was in the middle of the lake, Bilbar threw the young prince into the water. The King was shocked and immediately without thinking jumped into the waters to save his young son.

When the King was back on the boat, he rebuked Bilbar to have acted in a maddened way. Bilbar told the King why he acted that way, "My dear King, that was the answer to the question you asked the previous day."

The purport of the story is - Lord Krsna will always save His own devotees as He is very affectionate towards His devotees. He does not wait for His armies or close confidantes to do it. He Himself will save His devotees. Similarly the King did not wait for his close associates to jump into the water to save the young prince.

Among Bhagavan's qualities, His affection or bhakta vatsalya is His topmost quality.

The Mercy of a Vaishnava Sadhu

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 10:25:00 +0000

(Sripad Bhaktivedanta Padmanabha Maharaja had a short stopover in Malaysia. Below is an excerpt of Maharaji's Hari-Katha on 9th April 2016.)

In 1996, when Srila Gurudeva first started to travel around the world, Srila Gurudeva was humbly requested by devotees to visit a very wealthy doctor’s house living in the United States of America.

Sripad BV Padmanabha Maharaja

This doctor is Indian born and he had left India for almost 30 over years and has been living in the States. His house was overlooking the ocean and was incredibly huge.

When we arrived at his house, we rang his doorbell for 3 or more times. We were wondering what was going on. Here we are with our spiritual master and there was nobody to receive Srila Gurudeva in a proper manner befitting a maha-bhagavat.

Finally the door opened and it was the doctor’s wife. She wore a pair of jeans and T-shirt at that time. She welcomed Srila Gurudeva and the devotees into the house. Srila Gurudeva sat down on the sofa and the rest of us on the floor. Right up till now, there was still no sign of the doctor.

After some time, the doctor’s son came downstairs wearing a sweat-shirt with the words “USC” and a pair of jeans. What happened next shocked all of us. The son actually held out his hand for a hand-shake to Srila Gurudeva and sat next to Srila Gurudeva! We were appalled! Srila Gurudeva, being the personification of complete mercy, talked to the son and had His Divine Hands around the boy who was about 20 over years old.

After all this, there was still no sign of the doctor. We did our kirtan and Srila Gurudeva started to talk. Then we saw the doctor come down and he took his seat at the back of the living room and listened intently at Srila Gurudeva’s Hari-Katha. This was what Srila Gurudeva said.

“Once there was an extremely wealthy king. He was engrossed in his material welfare and had no time for anything spiritual.

In the same kingdom, lived a Brahmin Vaishnava who was good at astrology. The Brahmin checked the king’s astrology and found that the king had only a few days to live. He felt strongly to warn the king of this.

When he came to the gates of the palace, he told the guards that he had urgent matters with the king. The guards forbade him to see the king and told him to leave.

“But I must see the King!” said the Brahmin.

“Why? What is it that you must say? If you have no business, you better get going,” said the guards.

“Please, according to my astrology reading, the King has only a few days to live. I must warn him of this!” pleaded the Brahmin.

Just as the Brahmin said these words, the Queen’s palanquin was passing by. When she heard the Brahmin, she stopped the palanquin and called the Brahmin over.

“What is this that I am hearing? I can have you beheaded!” said the Queen quite angrily and anxious at the same time.

The Brahmin said, “My dear Queen. What I am saying is the truth. The King has only a few days to live. If you don’t believe me, you may put me in jail or have me beheaded. My astrological calculations are perfectly correct.”

When the Queen saw that the Brahmin showed no fear, she immediately took him to see her husband, the King.

The Brahmin told the King of his astrological calculations. He said, “O my dear King. There is no need to worry. You will go to heaven and enjoy many many things in heaven. But there is a problem.”

“What is it?” asked the King getting anxious.

“In heaven there is a problem,” said the Brahmin. “The problem is, there will be mosquitoes to disturb you. But don’t worry there are mosquito nets in Heaven. The only predicament with the mosquito nets, they have some holes. But there are some strings that you could use to sew them. The biggest problem is, there are no needles in Heaven to sew them!”

“No needles in Heaven!” cried the King.

“Yes,” said the Brahmin. “You can take the needles from your palace and go there to Heaven!”

“Take needles from here to go to Heaven! How is it possible? When I am dead, how is it possible to take anything from here??” the King asked.

The Brahmin said, “Now, my dear King, now, you understand.”

Srila Gurudeva concluded that no matter how much we collect here, we will not be able to take a single thing with us.

After listening to Srila Gurudeva, the doctor told Srila Gurudeva that he appreciated the Hari Katha very much. He remembered his childhood in Delhi, growing up in a very wealthy family. And there was a temple in the courtyard of his huge house. The doctor used to go there to worship. After he came to the States, he forgot all of it and got embroiled in his family and work.

The purport of the story is, just like the Brahmin Vaishnava who was very merciful in reminding the King of his limited days on earth and no matter how much wealth one may have, one will not be able to take it upon death. Srila Gurudeva was also showing His immense mercy towards that doctor. This is the nature of sadhus.

Purushottama Month & Caturmasya - A Time for Devotion

noreply@blogger.com (Shuka Sari) — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 11:10:00 +0000

Often when we hear of Purushottama month or Caturmasya (4 months of austerities from certain foodstuffs), we may feel there is just too much restriction, especially in not being able to take our favourite foodstuffs such as tomatoes, honey, runner beans etc.

Instead of looking at it as a bane, we must learn how to look at these months as a boon. It is a time we are restricting such foodstuffs in order to control our senses and to get closer to Sri Guru and Krsna.

In that instance, we cannot also say we will cook some potatoes and rice and that will do for the devotees. Instead, we must remember when we cook, we are indeed cooking for Sri Guru and Krsna. It is a time when we have to think creatively and out of the box to come up with simple yet palatable dishes for our Lordships.

We can take this time and cook something nice for Sri Guru and Krsna and most importantly to cultivate loving relationships and develop out devotion with Them. It's like this. Would we cook something not so palatable for our family members? When we cultivate loving relationships with Sri Guru, we must ask ourselves, "Will Gurudeva like to take this?"

Therefore, we must embrace such months where many inspirational recipes may emerge from our hearts to cook for Their Lordship. After all these holy months are a time when we are tested of our patience, tolerance and devotion.

So, happy cooking and chanting and observing these holy months!

Purushottama month ki jaya!1
Caturmasya months ki jaya!!

Below are some cooking ideas for these months.

a) Dhall and chapati or rice and spinach
b) tofu gravy
c) ladies fingers in grated coconut
d) pumpkin chutney with chapati or white rice
e) apple chutney with chapati
f) fried cabbage and potatoes
g) stir fried asparagus, fried tofu and capsicum
h) pan fried radish with a little bit of chilli powder

and the list goes on.