04 Jan 2025, morning walk – Questions and Answers (English) | Sao Paulo, Brazil | Srila BV Vana Maharaja
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0:00:00 – Krishna gave the vow: “My devotee will never fall.” An example from the Mahabharata is cited: Bhishma Pitamaha and Krishna’s vow. Always think that Krishna Himself may not keep vows, but His devotees follow the vows given to them.
0:09:08 – Question: Yesterday you said that Krishna cannot repay His debt to Radhika. The debt to Sri Guru — how can a disciple repay it? One must serve; through vani-seva (serving the instructions).
0:13:50 – Why did Krishna save Parikshit Maharaja, even though Srimad-Bhagavatam had not yet been manifested (in written form) at that time?
0:20:30 – Abhimanyu was killed; why didn’t Arjuna save him? Subhadra knew how many years Abhimanyu would live. When a jiva is born, it is already fixed how many years it will be in this world.
0:23:20 – Ramachandra asked for three days: “Give me a way to cross the ocean; just reduce your current, and we will build a bridge.” Nature emanates from Krishna; it is Krishna’s desire.
0:31:00 – In Srimad-Bhagavatam, there is a depiction of Maya-devi; the power and might of Maya-devi.
0:33:40 – Question: After the Guru departs, should one be one-pointedly focused on a siksha-guru (instructing spiritual master) of the same mood? Example: Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami, how his mind was always directed towards Rupa Gosvami.
0:41:00 – When Krishna touches the body of Srimati Radhika, this is reflected on the bodies of the manjaris. A pastime: how Rati Manjari checks if there is a mark on the lip of Rupa Manjari.
0:45:20 – Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada told a story about a jackfruit: how a British representative, not knowing how to eat it, tried it and got all the sticky sap on his beard, so he had to shave it off.
0:53:26 – The conclusion is: when Krishna touches Radhika, it is all reflected in the manjaris. There are five principal nitya-sakhis (eternal friends), prana-sakhis, etc. Rupa Gosvamipada describes this. There are thousands of sakhis, but the manjaris are limited. How Raghunatha Gosvamipada asks Rupa Gosvamipada for manjari-bhava, service in the mood of a manjari.
0:56:55 – Our goal is to perform Rupa-anugatya-seva (service in following Rupa Gosvami). This is very confidential.
0:59:27 – Bhaktivinoda Thakur realized his svarupa; (as) Kamala Manjari (at the age of 12) and described the clothing and service.
1:01:14 – Question: When the Guru departs, how to understand who is my siksha-guru? Self-awareness will come to you. Examples are given of how Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami and Narottama Dasa Thakur received siksha from Jiva Gosvami.
1:04:11 – Question: So, does inspiration come to the heart? No, that is all nonsense. If Gurudev is on earth, ask directly, like Lokanatha Dasa Gosvami did. You must follow the direct instructions of Gurudev.
1:05:53 – The siksha-guru should be of the same mood. One should not imagine; one should follow the Guru’s instructions. Example: Srila Vamana Gosvami Maharaja.
1:10:05 – Listen to Hari-katha. Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakur says: shravanam (hearing) from the mouth of the Guru.
1:16:02 – A girl said: “I prayed to the lotus feet of Gurudev, (asking) who is my husband? Gurudev inspired me that this is my husband.” No, no, the Guru does not arrange this; the Guru does not arrange marriages.
1:17:42 – Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja used to say: if you choose someone, that is your responsibility; you create the problems and solve them yourself. The Guru helps solve spiritual problems. Ask Gurudev: “How should I perform sadhana and bhajan? How to progress in spiritual life?” The Guru does not take responsibility for (arranging) children (marriages).
1:25:08 – Swami Maharaja was always amazed by those who continue sadhana and bhajan because Maya is very powerful, and he was not amazed by those who gave up spiritual practice.
