16 Jan 2026 midday – Vyasa Puja (English) – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Srila BV Vana Maharaja-
tvdegurudev
We should worship the lotus feet of Sri Guru every day. According to Gurudeva, the only day we don’t worship the Guru is the day we stop breathing.
By associating with sadhus (saints) we attain the highest perfection, which consists of self-realizing our transcendental form and establishing a loving relationship with Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Radha Krishna.
Practicing sadhana and bhajana is more important than acquiring knowledge.
The stage of anartha-nivrtti is only achieved through guru-seva with a surrendered mood.
Gurudeva recalled that a devotee was once distressed that a world war would soon break out; he brought up this example to emphasize that one aspect of surrender is being totally dependent on the Lord’s will.
If we don’t perform sadhana and bhajana, we are already dead.
A holy person thinks: “If I don’t die now, I can perform more sadhana and bhajana”. A materialist, on the other hand, thinks: “I’ll not die to obtain more sense gratification”.
When sadhus leave the body, they go to the transcendental world.
Vyasa-puja means one who is preaching, spreading, and glorifying the pastimes of Guru and Krishna.
The throne is called simhasana because it is decorated with two lions, one on each side, demonstrating power.
Guru-puja and Vyasa-puja are synonyms, but vyasa-puja corresponds to the Guru’s birthday.
Puja, besides worship, means giving pleasure to the Guru and Krishna.
Gurudeva exemplifies with the aroma of flowers what we should not offer him, neither a flower without scent, nor one with a very strong aroma, that is: a balanced and beautiful mind (sumana).
On special dates like Vyasa-puja, the main thing is to talk about the Guru’s life story and his contribution; the rest are formalities, although equally important.
We satisfy Sri Guru through our body, mind, and words, but worshiping with the mind remembering Krishna’s pastimes is reserved only for uttama-bhagavatas.
Kanistha-adhikaris and madhyamas serve with the body and with words.
Before we can meditate on the lilas of Radha and Krishna, we must meditate on our transcendental form through diksa-mantras.
Radha and Krishna have pet monkeys, namely: Kakkhati and Dadhilobha.
The glories of Radha-kunda are no different from those of Srimati Radhika.
