Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis,
Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev!
This is in continuation of the previous offering transcribing the wonderful class by HG Devakinandan Prabhuji in Abu Dhabi on Srimad Bhagavatam verse 4.20.31.
In the last offering, we saw that the reason we are not peaceful and really happy is because we are separated (khanditah) from Krishna as we chose to be independent. Because of this, we are unable to have darshan of Krishna and so if we want to have darshan of Krishna, the first thing we must start to do is to completely depend on Krishna. In this offering we shall see the explanation of this point and the others that enable us to see Krishna.
a) Complete dependence on Krishna: To the extent we depend on Krishna, to that extent we lose our independence. Losing independence in the material world is a bad word. But losing independence in the spiritual world is very nice. This is the opposite. In the material world, when one loses his independence, he is considered weak. But in the spiritual world, when one submits to Krishna, he becomes advanced. This is the first thing we must do. So this khanditah is keeping us from seeing Krishna. We think we are seeing Krishna and so we are not separated from Him. But what Prthu Maharaj is saying is, the separation does not come when we have His darshan. We can see Krishna but if the eyes that are seeing Krishna, are not anointed with submission and love, then that seeing is superficial. Because the moment we leave this hall, then what happens is we do not see the hand of Krishna in our lives. We do not see His hand in all the parts and parcels of our life. When that happens, factually speaking, we have not taken darshan of Krishna. That is why there is a difference in Sanskrit between the words pashyati which means 'to see' and darshan or ikshanam. When one takes ikshanam of Krishna, then he takes audience of Krishna. That means he has invited Krishna in his life and at every stage of his life, he tries to see the hand of Krishna. This is the mood of a great devotee and the advantage of one who does not want to be separated from Krishna is that he becomes peaceful. This is the key.
b) Being in line with Krishna: In Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.14 Narada Muni advises to Vyasadev:
tato ’nyathā kiñcana yad vivakṣataḥ
pṛthag dṛśas tat-kṛta-rūpa-nāmabhiḥ
na karhicit kvāpi ca duḥsthitā matir
labheta vātāhata-naur ivāspadam
Whatever you desire to describe that is separate in vision from the Lord simply reacts, with different forms, names and results, to agitate the mind as the wind agitates a boat which has no resting place.
The verse tells us very nicely that if we do not want to be disturbed, then whatever vision that Krishna has, we have to follow according to that vision. That is the key. So whenever devotees become disturbed, please there is no one to blame. Don't blame your bosses; don't blame your wives; don't blame your husbands; don't blame the children; don't blame the circumstances; don't blame anything. The only reason why we are disturbed is only that we are not in line with Krishna. Being in line with Krishna means being in line with His devotees also because Krishna is never alone. Krishna means Krishna and His devotees. So to the extent, we are with Krishna and the devotees, Bhagavatam tells us that we will not be separated. This khanditah will not be there. But the moment we think that our thinking is different from Krishna's thinking, then we are in trouble. That is why Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport so nicely that frankly speaking, Krishna is taking care of everything. There is nothing that we have to take care of. Whatever we lack, Krishna has given and whatever we have, Krishna will preserve. yoga kshemam vahaamy aham - The only thing is whether we can qualify to have this 'ananyaas cintayanto maam' – worshiping Krishna with exclusive devotion - that is the only fact that is within our hands. Everything else is in Krishna's hands. Krishna is giving us free food, He is giving us free lodging, He is giving us free air. All the animals who are not devotees so to speak, are all surviving because they are fully dependent on Krishna. It is only when we start thinking, 'I don't need Krishna', then we become disturbed. Sometimes in devotional service, when we become proud of our prowess in devotional service, it can become very easy for us to be in the disguise of devotees. But factually speaking, we are not really dependent on Krishna. Because otherwise why will we be still disturbed in devotional service? This point is very important for us to remember.
Prabhuji went on to explain how we become separated from Krishna and the same shall be transcribed and offered in the next mail, Krishna willing.
Thank you very much.
Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev,
Vaijayantimala devi dasi,
Abu Dhabi.
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