Two Ways The Guru Attracts Me Towards Bhagavan

“The many past births you spoiled can be rectified right now, today, if you start chanting Shri Rama’s holy name and renounce bad association, says Tulsi.” (Dohavali, 22)

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बिगरी जनम अनेक की सुधरै अबहीं आजु |
होहि राम को नाम जपु तुलसी तजि कुसमाजु ||

bigarī janama aneka kī sudharai abahīṃ āju |
hohi rāma ko nāma japu tulasī taji kusamāju ||

1. God lives

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada reveals that there are particular principles which had a significant influence in attracting him towards the message of His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. One of them is that God is a living being, not just an abstract.

This is an important distinction to make because without active encouragement and constant discussion, how would a person arrive at the conclusion on their own? It is not like we are born with the eyes to notice the presence of the Divine in every sphere. It was not until recent times that scientists could take pictures of the inside of the body. Even so, there is no imagery to detect either the individual soul [atma] or Supreme Soul [Paramatma].

The idea that God lives is very encouraging. It means that not only is there someone looking over and managing the entire creation, but He is available for consultation. Unlike with a celebrity or important politician, paperwork or bureaucracy is not involved in getting a meeting.

2. We can live with Him

We can get a meeting through meditation. The guru says to chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Avoid the four pillars of sinful life, keep a clean diet of foods in the mode of goodness, and also try to maintain the association of other sadhus, who are saintly people.

चतुर्-विधा भजन्ते मां
जनाः सुकृतिनो ऽर्जुन
आर्तो जिज्ञासुर् अर्थार्थी
ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ

catur-vidhā bhajante māṁ
janāḥ sukṛtino ‘rjuna
ārto jijñāsur arthārthī
jñānī ca bharatarṣabha

“O best among the Bharatas [Arjuna], four kinds of pious men render devotional service unto Me—the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.16)

Gradually, I will be able to notice that God lives within me. I can also live with Him. More than simply approaching Him for stuff, for help in material life, for answers to pressing questions, I can spend an infinite duration of time enjoying in His company.

Leaders of other faiths may make a similar promise.

“Surrender now and be saved. Avoid eternal damnation. Profess your allegiance and wait until the afterlife for eternal happiness.”

Through the Vaishnava representative, I learn that I can live with God right now. Today. Not tomorrow. Not in an hour. In a second. I just have to change my consciousness. Renounce bad association and hold onto the holy name, as Goswami Tulsidas advises.

Though He lives everywhere through His Supersoul feature, the permanent residence for the Bhagavan personality is the Vaikuntha realm. That place, also known as the spiritual world, has many planets, the foremost of which is Goloka Vrindavana.

There God lives in His all-attractive form of Krishna. He has nothing to do; just enjoyment and play. There are so many associates to give Him increasing pleasure, and they derive the same. They are so happy in His association that they forget His Divine nature.

In the beginning I get a taste for spiritual life by understanding that God lives and that I can live with Him. In the highest stage of liberation I forget those two aspects and simply enjoy the time spent in the association of the Almighty. This is the secret of the bhakti path which the guru kindly reveals to me. He is not stingy in this area. He is ready to reveal the same to everyone, to inspire the kind of service that is the only way towards true and lasting happiness.

In Closing:

More than someone wealth to give,

Guru revealing that God to live.

And that potential with Him to be,

Always His transcendental form to see.

More than just living in fear,

The ananda property clear.

The same ready for everyone to teach,

The ideal companion not out of reach.

The Three Ways The Absolute Truth Can Be Realized

"The Absolute Truth is realized in three phases of understanding by the knower of the Absolute Truth, and all of them are identical. Such phases of the Absolute Truth are expressed as Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan." (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.2.11)

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वदन्ति तत् तत्त्व-विदस्
तत्त्वं यज् ज्ञानम् अद्वयम्
ब्रह्मेति परमात्मेति
भगवान् इति शब्द्यते

vadanti tat tattva-vidas
tattvaṁ yaj jñānam advayam
brahmeti paramātmeti
bhagavān iti śabdyate

More than just faith extended to someone a popular person claims to be a savior, in Vedic culture the individual is encouraged to use the intelligence gifted to them from high above. There is the aphorism, athato-brahma-jijnasa. This applies to the human birth, which brings an urgent need to inquire into higher topics.

Not on how to find food. Not on how to spend the time on a Sunday afternoon, when not at the office. Not for how to enjoy as many female companions as possible, while avoiding infighting and jealousy. Not focused on how to accumulate the biggest bank balance, to the envy of your neighbors.

Go towards the highest truth. Know it, but also realize it. Be constantly aware of that truth. In this regard there are three specific levels of realization.

1. Brahman

This is the energy referenced in the aphorism. That which is not Brahman is maya, though such a claim is not entirely accurate. Brahman is everything, including that which is on the other side. Something like the shadow caused by the sunlight, there is a rear portion of the Absolute Truth which has a sort of illusory effect.

The Brahman realization is understanding the spiritual equality of everything. My telephone is made of certain elements. My model has a specific visual, but it consists of elements coming together. The exact combination or proportion may not be the same as with others, but the method of construction is the same.

All living beings, regardless of the body type they inhabit, are Brahman. This is very difficult to perceive. After all, the tiger behaves completely differently than the cow. The tiger won’t listen to anything I say, and it wants to eat me. The cow has so much love for its children that it produces milk on sight, some of which it kindly donates for the benefit of the human community.

The Brahman vision sees the spark of spirit inside of both. That spark is what animates the body; it gives life to the individual. This is one way to realize the Absolute Truth. That same energy is everywhere, across the entire universe of space, known and unknown. Brahman stays intact through all three time periods: past, present and future.

2. Paramatma

This is a more advanced realization. Not only is there the singular Brahman energy, of which we are fragments, there is a localized representation of the Absolute Truth. This is separate from the Brahman energy, though only in terms of realization.

The word Paramatma is used to distinguish from the other atma. I am spirit soul, but I am not alone. Inside of me also is the Supersoul. Paramatma and atma together, though I tend to be unaware of the presence of the other occupant.

This means that the Absolute Truth is always with me. Paramatma has an additional role. Without Paramatma no result would manifest. Supersoul is ultimately responsible for how nature operates and how karma always delivers the proper result.

3. Bhagavan

The highest realization, Bhagavan is an individual person. He is a distinct identity, supposedly separate from Brahman and Paramatma. Bhagavan is closest to the concept of God known to the world, though there is so much more. “The Supreme Personality of Godhead” is the translation for this word chosen by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Brahman and Paramatma emanate from Bhagavan. If you know the Supreme Lord, you know everything. You are not required to know Brahman. You automatically see the Supersoul inside of everyone, which has the visual of the four-handed Narayana.

Any of the three realizations counts as spiritual life. The fortunate person will be liberated at the time of death, though the destination will not be identical. The Brahman realized soul merges into the Absolute Truth. They essentially lose identity. The person who knows the Supersoul gets to stay with Him at all times.

Realizing Bhagavan means the opportunity to interact with Him in endless ways. This superior realization carries the superior kind of liberation, one in which the individual can live in any place. Heaven or hell, hot or cold, forest or city – the setting makes no difference, since they always see God the person standing by.

In Closing:

At the ready standing by,

On Him for everything to rely.

For ideal conditions no need,

Since in Divine vision to proceed.

Bhagavan realization the best,

Where the eyes supremely blessed.

Brahman and Paramatma there as well,

Liberated anyone who can tell.

Three Common Things Associated With God That Are Absent In Goloka-Vrindavana

“O son of Pritha, there is no work prescribed for Me within all the three planetary systems. Nor am I in want of anything, nor have I need to obtain anything—and yet I am engaged in work.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.22)

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न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं
त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन
नानवाप्तम् अवाप्तव्यं
वर्त एव च कर्मणि

na me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ
triṣu lokeṣu kiñcana
nānavāptam avāptavyaṁ
varta eva ca karmaṇi

The first word references cows. It is the planet where the transcendental senses are taken care of by the one named Gopala. The cows are under His care, and they grant any desires in a matter of moments. The second word refers to a forest area. In that place the goddess of devotion is prominent.

It is not a surprise that the Supreme Personality of Godhead chooses to stay there. He is already antaryami, or the all-pervading witness. He expands His influence everywhere through the feature of Supersoul. He can hear prayers simultaneously offered in thousands of places. His system of karma never makes a mistake; every result delivered is inherently fair, though the timing may not be expected or properly understood.

Though He is everywhere, the full feature of Bhagavan in the spiritual world has unique characteristics. Aspects commonly associated with a Supreme Controller are absent, although His status as the Almighty is not diminished in the slightest.

1. Responsibilities

A young child asks a prominent religious leader to explain not only the beginning, but prior to that. As if understanding the infinite nature of time, they are genuinely curious:

“Can you tell me what God was doing before He created the world? I appreciate everything He has done for us, but I would like to know more about His nature.”

The Vedas, which represent the original works of knowledge and lack a specific date of inception, explain that God is the origin of both the material and spiritual worlds.

अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो
मत्तः सर्वं प्रवर्तते
इति मत्वा भजन्ते मां
बुधा भाव-समन्विताः

ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo
mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate
iti matvā bhajante māṁ
budhā bhāva-samanvitāḥ

“I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who know this perfectly engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.8)

It is the most important responsibility on His shoulders, and yet God accomplishes the task quite easily. The visual is of the opulently adorned, four-handed Vishnu lying down in rest. Upon exhaling the universes manifest. Upon inhaling everything returns into Him, and the time in between is the period of manifestation.

2. Strict attention to dharma

While effortlessly creating and destroying, Vishnu sometimes descends to the mortal world. He does so out of His own desire, but also to help those who are suffering. If the saintly class is getting harassed, if their dedication to godly life gets interfered with, the Supreme Lord takes an interest.

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य
ग्लानिर् भवति भारत
अभ्युत्थानम् अधर्मस्य
तदात्मानं सृजाम्य् अहम्

yadā yadā hi dharmasya
glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya
tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham

“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.7)

It makes sense that during those descents, known as avataras, Bhagavan primarily focuses on dharma. This is often translated as religion, but only because the true concept is difficult to understand. Dharma is the way of living, the essential characteristic for the eternal spirit soul.

Certain policies and procedures help to return that characteristic way of living; hence dharma can be understood as something like religion. Dharma also determines right and wrong, piety and sin, and so forth. As an example, Vishnu’s avatara of Shri Rama upholds dharma in the face of intense opposition from fiendish characters like Ravana and his family of man-eating ogres.

3. Punishing the sinners

A self-professed “God-fearing” person is focused in this area. They follow pious behavior as a way to avoid consequences to the other side. They do not want to suffer in hell. Neither do they wish to raise the ire of the man upstairs, who happens to be the most powerful. If He gets angry, who knows what He is capable of doing?

Shri Krishna in Goloka Vrindavana is not concerned with any of these roles. His system of karma automatically deals with “bad” people and behavior. Though in actuality, with material life there really is no good and bad. The distinction is something like high and low or winter and summer. Piety carries ascension to the heavenly planets and sin leads to hellish conditions, but either situation is only temporary.

The nava-yauvanam jewel of the Vaikuntha realm has nothing to do. There are no pressing responsibilities, and He does not have to maintain a watchful eye on dharma. After all, He embodies good qualities and behavior. Following dharma in the highest stage leads to His association, which subsequently never has to be released.

What was God doing before He created the world? There is an answer:

“What He always does. Enjoy. He is with His eternal associates, the liberated souls. That is our original home, as well. It is a place to which we can return both physically and in spirit through devotional activities like chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”

In Closing:

Krishna with nothing to do,
No pressing responsibilities too.

Like creating universe entire,
Or here when trouble to transpire.

On the sinners a watchful eye,
Who harassing saints no reason why.

Many other systems already controlled,
In Goloka only enjoyment to unfold.

What Do You Think Of These Celebrity Devotees

“This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.2)

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राज-विद्या राज-गुह्यं
पवित्रम् इदम् उत्तमम्
प्रत्यक्षावगमं धर्म्यं
सु-सुखं कर्तुम् अव्ययम्

rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ
pavitram idam uttamam
pratyakṣāvagamaṁ dharmyaṁ
su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam

Friend1: This might be the strangest question I have ever asked you.

Friend2: Really? That would be saying something.

Friend1: I mean it makes no sense. There is no reason to bring it up. At the same time, it is nagging at me, so I would like to get an outside opinion on the matter.

Friend2: Listen, if you read Vedic literature you will find that people are sometimes reluctant to ask something, but due to the closeness of the relationship they open up. For instance, did you know that Arjuna later told Krishna that he forgot about their previous conversation?

Friend1: Later, as in after the Bhagavad-gita was spoken?

Friend2: Yes. You find the exchange towards the end of the Mahabharata. We are only human, after all. Even if we receive the most important, life-altering information, it is natural to forget. Other responsibilities take over. Situations change. I was happy one moment, and then worrying the next.

Friend1: I see. Did Krishna scold him? After all, not everyone gets to see the virata-rupa, the universal form. Not everyone is privy to the secret of all secrets, guhyatam, as Bhagavan describes it.

Friend2: The guru is tolerant and affectionate in that way. They are prepared to explain the same topic many times over. They take as much joy in describing the gunas of Bhagavan as the person on the receiving end does hearing about them.

Friend1: That’s nice to know. Alright, so here goes. There are these people I will describe as “celebrity devotees.” I can’t think of a better term. What do you think of them?

Friend2: I obviously need more information here.

Friend1: Let’s say that one person is expert at doing kirtana. They sing the maha-mantra very well: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Their ability is so exceptional, in fact, that they can put on concerts. They release audio recordings of the performances. Their services are in high-demand across the world.

Friend2: Wow. That sounds great, as long as it doesn’t go to their head. You have a problem with this?

Friend1: I cringe when I see such people advertising their services in so-called “training workshops.” For a fee, they accept students into this academy of sorts, where the basics of the kirtana experience are explained. The advertisement says something to the effect that no one else in the world can teach these ancient practices because the original teachers have all left this world.

Friend2: Interesting.

Friend1: Let me give you another situation, just to get a general idea of where my problem lies. A temple has a weekly gathering open to the public. There is a full program, as we will call it. Kirtana. Chanting. Formal worship of the deities, which are the authorized, physical representations of the Supreme Lord.

Friend2: Meant to facilitate worship. Obviously, God is always more than stone. He is larger than this entire universe, in fact, but He is so merciful that He allows us to envision His transcendental features in a way that we can somewhat understand.

Friend1: This program has a lecture, too. It used to be reading from the Bhagavad-gita and then explaining. Lately, it has been inviting some “celebrity” devotee, as I call it. They have a resume, so to speak. A list of accomplishments to include in an email announcement, which will hopefully attract more people to the program.

Friend2: Okay.

Friend1: Sometimes the resume is properly focused, such as with opening temples, serving the guru, travelling the world distributing Vedic literature. Sometimes, to me, it seems the content is way off.

Friend2: How so?

Friend1: They may have published some book that became popular in the retail market. No mention of Krishna. No mention of bhakti-yoga. Just a bunch of platitudes, life lessons that are rooted in duality. You know, like “never criticize others, learn to listen, be humble”, and so on.

Friend2: I get the general idea. And all of this bothers you?

Friend1: It does.

Friend2: Is there a little envy, here? Perhaps you wish that you could advertise your services in the same way.

Friend1: Maybe, but I think it goes beyond that. I have been to a lot of temple programs. I have met many different people. I can’t tell you the impact they have made on me. It is absolutely true that taking the dust of the lotus feet of a Vaishnava is everything. The devotee of Vishnu can save you from this world of suffering through only a short interaction.

Friend2: That is very nice. Yes, nothing compares to the association of saintly people.

Friend1: The thing is, some of the best lectures I have heard have been from people who don’t speak regularly. They are not well-known, either. Maybe they were politely encouraged to give a talk since no one else was available that particular week. Here’s the other thing. Some of the most inspiring and heartwarming kirtanas I have heard are from people who have never done it before.

Friend2: Really? As in don’t sing in front of people or they don’t sing at all?

Friend1: Could be both. They are not expertly trained in music. They simply heard and repeated. The devotion carried them forward. I guess that is what I am getting at. Isn’t the level of devotion more important than any of these outside factors?

Friend2: Absolutely. Totally agree with you. The more one advances in their connection in consciousness to the Supreme Lord, the smaller they feel. While others may think they are big and famous, the individual becomes more humble as a result. It is because they properly see the world around them and how others serve Bhagavan so well.

Friend1: Right, so what is the need for such advertisements? Pick anyone in the congregation and let them speak. I don’t need a freaking seminar. Choose a verse from Bhagavad-gita at random and explain what it means. You should have some general idea through your devotional practices. Tell me what it means to you, at least in terms of impact.

Friend2: I get what you are saying. There is the story from Lord Chaitanya’s lila about the illiterate person who held onto Bhagavad-gita every day. He could not read the words but just from holding the book he always remembered Krishna and Arjuna on the chariot. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said that such an understanding was perfect.

In Closing:

Friends and family gather,

For important spiritual matter.

For celebrity-like devotee this week,

Who profound wisdom to speak.

Or expertly at kirtana music trained,

Only with fee the same by you gained.

But in truth level of devotion mattering,

The humble servant my illusion shattering.

Wouldn’t It Be Helpful If The Vedas Were Available As Movies

“The beginning of Krishna consciousness and devotional service is hearing, in Sanskrit called shravanam. All people should be given the chance to come and join devotional parties so that they may hear. This hearing is very important for progressing in Krishna consciousness. When one links his ears to give aural reception to the transcendental vibrations he can quickly become purified and cleansed in the heart.” (The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 10)

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Friend1: I’ve often heard you say that the nicest thing you can do for someone is leave written words. Books, poems, letters and the like.

Friend2: That is personal opinion, based on the impact such artifacts have had on me. I am not claiming an absolute rule that is passed on from authority or anything.

Friend1: Okay, but it is still interesting enough. I want to juxtapose with the modern-day practice of binge-watching.

Friend2: Alright.

Friend1: For those who are unfamiliar, with the digital transformation has come convenience in viewing television and film.

Friend2: No more stocking up on VHS tapes, rewinding them when you’re done, and keeping an inventory.

Friend1: DVDs were the first sign of change. In a small “digipak” you could get an entire season’s worth of a television show. Change the discs periodically, but the full day could be spent watching one thing.

Friend2: Yes. I myself never made it that far, though I intended to several times.

Friend1: Today you can subscribe to a digital streaming service and be set for life. They’ll keep track of what you watched, in case you lose your place. They will make suggestions based on similarities in genre and the like.

Friend2: It uses something called data mining. A popular term today is “machine learning.”

Friend1: Anyway, so many people like to binge-watch. It is a popular way to pass the time. I was thinking that perhaps it would be helpful if the Vedas were available in such a format.

Friend2: Oh? You think people would take an interest?

Friend1: I understand that another word for the Vedas is shrutis. “That which is heard.” Lord Brahma, the creator, did not see anything at first. He meditated and found the Supreme Lord within the heart. He received aural instructions. There wasn’t something like a printed instruction manual with pictures.

Friend2: This is with respect to how to go about creating the universe, generating the body types known as the species, and the like?

Friend1: Yes. I will say that was a different time period. Even thirty years ago people were very interested in books, but I don’t know about today. Do not the messengers sent from above have to adapt?

Friend2: I’m not saying that it is a total waste of time. For sure, even plays depicting the pastimes of Bhagavan help audience members take an interest. Yet there is still something to the sound. It is known as shabda-brahman. This is the sound of the Absolute Truth. It is the most effective way to associate with transcendence.

Friend1: But why? Are you saying it is more impactful for me to spend a day reading a book like Shrimad Bhagavatam than watching a television program depicting the same?

Friend2: Absolutely. No doubt about it. You can make a test of it. With television people tend to focus on the imagery. The content is secondary. It is only natural. With sound you are forced to pay attention. You have to process the information and then react accordingly.

Friend1: What about the argument that certain people learn more quickly through video instruction than through books?

Friend2: There is still hearing involved. That may be a good way to get jnana, but vijnana is at the personal level through active participation. That is what I am driving at. Whatever your preferred medium, at least create a daily routine of chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Even just seeing those words printed has a positive impact. Images otherwise have an illusory effect.

Friend1: How so?

Friend2: Rakshasas on the battlefield used to display false images to dispirit the side fighting for good, such as the Vanaras from Kishkindha. It is a great trick of the news business to play on people’s emotions through images. They can create a false narrative more easily that way. If you appeal to people’s intellect, you have to come up with an intelligent argument.

Friend1: Meaning it requires more work to convince them.

Friend2: Yes. Vishnu-tattva is about the real thing. You don’t need any false imagery. The message appeals directly to the soul, which already has knowledge incorporated in its existence. Sach-chid-ananda. The sound of the shrutis is for bringing back that unmatched bliss and keeping it moving forward.

In Closing:

Why not into movies made?

So that better attention paid.

To Vedas of profound teaching,

Through video more people reaching.

On purpose first presented as sound,

Ears not distracted by display target found.

Also harder with illusion mistaking,

From holy name Absolute Truth taking.

Why Is It Okay For Krishna’s Friends To Ask Him For Stuff

“Dear Balarama, You are very powerful; Your arms are very strong. Dear Krishna, You are very expert in killing all kinds of disturbing demons. Will You kindly note that just near this place there is a big forest of the name Talavana. This forest is full of palm trees, and all the trees are filled with fruits. Some are falling down, and some of them are very ripe even in the trees. It is a very nice place, but because of a great demon, Dhenukasura, it is very difficult to go there.” (Friends addressing Krishna and Balarama, Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 15)

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Friend1: I think one term you see more than others in reading the works of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is “pure devotee.”

Friend2: You’ve counted?

Friend1: This is the impression left with me, anyway. I’m sure someone else may say it is “Mayavadi” or something like that. Anyway, I am fully aware of both the context and the need. “Pure” devotion is distinguished from “ordinary” or “impure” devotion.

Friend2: Yes, because you can have allegiance to the Supreme Lord but also competing interests. It is like dipping your toe in two pools at once.

Friend1: Karma, jnana or yoga. These would be the other desires. In karma I may want to advance personally, to a higher post in this life or even to the heavenly planets.

Friend2: Where you get to enjoy material life on an exceptional scale, consuming the most intoxicating beverages.

Friend1: In jnana the ultimate objective is to merge into the Absolute. Become one with the Brahman energy. Lose identity. With yoga there are the accompanying siddhis.

Friend2: Hold your breath for long periods of time. Become extremely light or unbelievably heavy.

Friend1: Such as with baby Krishna against the whirlwind asura named Trinavarta.

Friend2: Or Lakshmana on the battlefield against Ravana. Impure devotion is the more common situation. It is still devotion, which is a great head-start on the road towards liberation.

Friend1: The easiest way to understand the “pure” variety is to remove outside desires. Basically, I don’t want anything from God. I want to serve Him. I am asking Him for service opportunities. That is the meaning to chanting the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Friend2: A very difficult standard to reach, but every living being has the potential.

Friend1: Alright, so now let’s transition to Krishna’s lila, His pastimes in Vrindavana. There is the incident with the asura named Dhenuka.

Friend2: A large ass, in the actual meaning. Terrorizing a forest area known as Talavana, preventing others from even entering.

Friend1: Which is why the cowherd friends in Vrindavana approached Krishna and His elder brother Balarama. The aroma from the fruits was too enticing. They wanted to enter Talavana but were well aware of the danger.

Friend2: Which Krishna and Balarama could easily handle.

Friend1: I’m getting to that. Sure, the friends knew this, but why take advantage? If they are intimate associates living in the company of the Supreme Lord in the sacred land of Gokula, why would they ask anything of Him? Does not their desire to taste fruits from a specific area invalidate their status as pure devotees?

Friend2: That is a really good question. What do you think the answer is?

Friend1: I’m not sure. I get it that one explanation is the previous lives.

Friend2: What do you mean?

Friend1: These associates passed through the different stages of transcendental advancement already. They were already free of sin, so by the time they were with Krishna there was no chance of falling down, i.e. having material desires.

Friend2: That is certainly true. It’s a good way of putting it. I would add that when you are so close to the Supreme Lord, you can indeed ask Him for things. It does not violate any standard.

Friend1: Really? But enjoying the sense of taste seems material to me. It would go against pure devotion, no?

Friend2: Even if it did, look at who they approached. It is not like the boys would start eating the fruit and then suddenly forget God. See the history of Bhagavan’s pastimes. The Vanara leader Sugriva asked for assistance against the rival brother named Vali. Sita Devi, the devoted wife of Vishnu’s incarnation of Rama, once asked her husband to chase after a deer. Sudama Vipra tried but couldn’t muster up the courage to ask for financial assistance to deal with poverty. If you are close to Him, you can ask Krishna for anything. He will happily oblige.

In Closing:

Dhenuka the boys to scare,

Of his Talavana presence aware.

So to Krishna and brother went,

Since on tasting fruits bent.

But pure status not against?

Since for sense pleasure went.

When already for everything to rely,

The requests Krishna not to deny.

Four Ways That Krishna Shows His Mystic Power

“Because the water was so poisonous, the boys and cows became visibly affected immediately after drinking. They suddenly fell down on the ground, apparently dead. Then Krishna, who is the life of all lives, simply cast His merciful glance over them, and all the boys and cows regained consciousness and began to look at one another with great astonishment. They could understand that by drinking the water of Yamuna they had died and that the merciful glance of Krishna restored their life. Thus they appreciated the mystic power of Krishna, who is known as Yogeshvara, the master of all mystic yogis.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 15)

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Karma, jnana, and yoga. These are the three paths of life an intelligent person can follow. Basic enjoyment, bhoga, is not actually karma in the sense that the duties followed are not prescribed. It is something like animal-life, while there are certainly fruits to the activities. There are consequences to the further development of a material body, but actual karma means to follow prescribed activities associated with a person’s gunas, or material qualities.

Jnana is acquiring knowledge, specifically about the difference between matter and spirit. Jnana brings vairagya, or renunciation. It is something like discerning patterns of past failure, such as with eating a specific food or consuming adult beverages. Through knowledge a person is able to see the harm in a specific choice and thereby avoid it in the future.

Yoga is something in between. It is not strict renunciation and neither is it pure enjoyment aimed at elevation to a higher status. Practiced properly, yoga brings mystic powers. These are known as siddhis in Sanskrit. One English translation is “perfection.” Like achieving black belt status in martial arts, if you have one or more siddhis, you can do amazing things.

Bhakti is synonymous with the Supreme Lord, who is above the material creation. To reach Him, neither fruitive activity nor knowledge is required. Renunciation can help, but that is also not necessary. Bhakti already incorporates everything.

As devotional service descends from the object of worship, He has every opulence imaginable. That is to say knowledge, ideal activities and mystic perfection are found in Shri Krishna in full. One name for Him is Yogeshvara, as He is the best yogi a person could imagine.

1. Reviving His friends from the dead

This would be the ultimate magic trick. Revive the dead. Take someone who has quit their body and bring them back. Whether they wish to return is another story. Mystic yogis can accomplish this miracle on occasion, though it is hardly necessary.

Shri Krishna showed this ability one time on the banks of the Yamuna River. His friends mistakenly drank some of the water, which had been poisoned due to the presence of the serpent named Kaliya. Krishna saw what occurred and immediately rescued His friends. When they awoke, they realized what had happened and were once again amazed at young Krishna’s abilities.

2. Swallowing the forest fire

Another time the same friends were caught in the middle of a fire. They had no means of escape. It is not like they could call the fire department or make a giant leap to safety. There was no hope except Krishna, who was luckily with them.

This time the darling child of mother Yashoda simply swallowed the fire. He consumed the blaze to avert the crisis. Magicians and others may perform tricks along these lines in front of a spellbound audience, but no one can take a massive fire and put it into their mouth. Since it is a material element originally sourced in Him, Krishna can accomplish this easily.

3. Expanding the sari of Draupadi

One of the siddhis of yoga relates to shrinking in size. Shri Hanuman, the dedicated servant of Bhagavan in the avatara of Rama, once made use of this siddhi while in the territory of Lanka. He shrunk his size to that of a cat so that he could roam the city undetected.

सूर्ये चास्तं गते रात्रौ देहं सङ्क्षिप्य मारुतिः |
पृषदंशकमात्रः सन् बभूवाद्भुतदर्शनः ||

sūrye cāstaṃ gate rātrau dehaṃ saṅkṣipya mārutiḥ|
pṛṣadaṃśakamātraḥ san babhūvādbhutadarśanaḥ ||

“At night, on the sun having set, Maruti [Hanuman] contracted his body. Becoming the size of a cat, he was a wonderful sight to behold.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 2.49)

The other side is becoming large. Krishna showed this feature when one time assuming the form of a sari. It was draped on a beautiful and chaste princess known as Draupadi. She was in trouble and no one else could save her. Her husbands and elder relatives were unwilling to intervene, as she was ready to be shown naked in an assembly, against her will.

She called out to Govinda, which is another name for Krishna. He used His mystic power to take the form of the sari and make it ananta, or never-ending. No matter how much the enemies pulled, they could not succeed in their objective.

4. Displaying the universal form

These amazing incidents are not really exercises in yoga, since the Supreme Lord merely expands Himself into different forms. He is already the life inside of everyone, the prana air. His presence as the Supersoul is what determines an existence, and He decides when and where an individual soul will appear.

He once displayed the universal form to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. What appeared to be an exhibition of mystic ability was merely a vision of something that factually exists. There is a complete whole. We may not be able to properly contemplate the entire cosmos, but that giant collection does exist.

If He can revive His friends from the poisoned water of the Yamuna River, He can certainly wake us up to our original occupation of devotional service. He accomplishes this through the representative, who kindly urges us to chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

His friends from poisoned water awaking,

Endless form of Draupadi’s sari taking.

Into His mouth entire,

Threatening forest fire.

Virata-rupa for Arjuna to show,

Rescuing ability acharyas know.

Who recommending chanting why,

On transcendental sound to rely.