30 Mar 2024 midday – The Process of Self-Realisation (Bengali) – Kashinagar, India | Srila BV Vana Maharaja

  • Gurudeva says that there are devotees from all over the world participating in this festival, and mentions the glories of those born in Bharata (India).
  • The word “Bharata” means: Bha = light, and, rata = love and affection.
  • Srila Gurudeva talks about the difficulty in preaching in Western countries.
  • To obtain self-realization one must surrender to God, saranagati. Sloka: sarva-dharmān parityajya (Bhagavad-gītā 18.66).
  • The body’s senses are purified by listening and serving, and thus the taste for bhakti arises.
  • Sloka: ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇaṁ (CC Antya-lila 20.12).
  • The story of the child yogi who went to the forest and after thirty years awakened siddhis (mystical powers).
  • God is completely controlled by bhakti and He Himself glorifies His Vaisnava devotees.
  • Harikatha of Rohini Devi when speaking vraja-katha and receiving a visit from Krsna and Balarama.
  • The rasa-lila at Seva Kunja in Vraja, and the story of the person who went crazy because he wanted to have the rasa-lila darsana.
  • The powerful sound of Krsna’s flute that attracts everyone.
  • First it is necessary to follow the instructions of Gaura Sundara, whatever He teaches, is the essence of life.
  • About the four authorised Sampradayas.
  • In Kali-yuga one must do Harinama Sankirtana, this is what pleases the Lord.
  • Sloka: harer nāma harer nāma (CC Madhya-lila 6.242).
  • Without a reliable Guru, no one can cross the ocean of material existence.
  • You must serve the Guru without hypocrisy or duplicity, otherwise there will be no benefit.
  • Story of a sad-guru (trustworthy guru) and the hypocritical and duplicitous disciple.
  • It is not possible to deceive the Guru in any way. He knows everything!
  • The process of obtaining God. How to surrender? Through bhajana! Sing the Holy Names!