30 Apr 2023 a.m. – Bhava and Karma (English) – Spain | Srila BV Vana Maharaja
tvdegurudev
When mature bhakti is manifested in the heart of the sadhaka, it is called prema-bhakti.
The nine external symptoms of attaining bhava (rati). The first of these is shanti (calm and peaceful mind).
The mind of rsis and munis is never disturbed.
Svabhava (intrinsic nature).
Prakriti creates everything and time is very powerful.
Always remember the philosophy of the five tattvas: isvara-tattva, jiva-tattva, prakriti, kala (time), karma.
The types of karma (major, minor – gauna karma).
The karma we do for Krsna’s pleasure becomes bhakti: Hari-seva.
Charity that does not please Krsna is worthless.
Sublime Vaisnavas have a peaceful mind (shanti) and know that everything depends on Krsna.
We are all in the same boat: “Who will help whom?
The curse of Pariksit Maharaj (perfect example of shanti: peaceful mind).
Accepting one’s own mistakes leaves the mind at peace.
Sukha (happiness) and dukha (sadness) are according to our past karmas.
The Upanisads explain that our body is like a tree (deha-rupe-vriksa).
Example of karma: Story of the manager who was slapped by the customer.
Lord Krishna’s blessing on Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami.
The grantha of Srila Raghunatha Gosvami: Sri Vilapa-kusumanjali.
The expression of gopi-bhava in the verse of Vritasura. E.g. young birds, calves, beloved and lovers (examples of gopi-bhava).
Loving someone makes us think of inauspicious things. For example, a mother’s concern for her child.
Internal symptoms of bhava or three abhilaṣās, cravings, desires or aspirations: 1 – bhagavat-prapti-lālasā or longing and eagerness to attain Krsna; 2 – souhṛda-bhāva or making friends with the Lord’s devotees; 3 – anukūlya-mayī-ceṣṭā or directing all efforts favourably towards Krsna-bhakti.
Verse: anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ (always practise what is conducive to bhakti).
The three internal symptoms of the bhava stage are most important.
Impersonalists are very humble but become very angry at any problem. For example, a snake with its hood raised is about to attack.
The story of the two men in the wheat field.
Always tell the truth. Ex. If you are humble enough to say you are not hungry, but you are, you will be hungry.
Showing humility depends on the time, place and circumstances.
Question: Does the guru interfere with the karma of the disciple? Answer: No, the guru is like a doctor who prescribes medicine, but it depends on whether the patient takes it or not.
The duty of the bhakta-guru is to help people in the spiritual life, not in the material life.
The guru prays to Krishna for his disciple.
Karma is completely destroyed by receiving Hari-nama. Have faith in it!
The glories of the holy names are very powerful.
Example of Ajamil chanting Narayana and attaining nama-bhasa (destroying all his papa karmas).
Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura explains in the Madhurya Kadambini (the venom in the snake’s fangs runs out, but it continues to bite).
The Lord keeps a little karma so that we have a body and can practise spiritual life, and the other reason is that suffering makes us humble.
Without humility it is not possible to receive the mercy of Krishna.
Humility is the vessel for receiving Krishna-prema.
Everyone remembers the Lord when he is suffering.
Always remember Krishna and never forget Him!
Whether in joy or sadness, always chant His holy names.
In the Bhagavad-gita it says about the four people who go to do bhakti for Krishna: the one who has sukrti and is suffering, the inquisitive, the one who desires money, the one who wants to acquire knowledge – jnanis.
Take maha-prasada and chant the holy names, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
