High-Kuntha to Vaikuntha - Part 1

Date: 2015-02-28 Author: Sudarshana devi dasi

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

In Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3, Chapter 15, verses 17 through 21 very nicely describe the nature of residents of Vaikuntha. The very word Vaikuntha means a place free from anxieties. But we are living in this material world which is high-kuntha (place with lot of anxieties). How is it possible to have Vaikuntha atmosphere even while we are residing in this material world? When we imbibe the qualities of the residents of Vaikuntha, then wherever we reside, it is Vaikuntha. So let us try to meditate on each of these verses.

1. Give first preference to devotional service: Srimad Bhagavatam verse 3.15.17 says,

vaimānikāḥ sa-lalanāś caritāni śaśvad gāyanti yatra śamala-kṣapaṇāni bhartuḥ antar-jale ’nuvikasan-madhu-mādhavīnāṁ gandhena khaṇḍita-dhiyo ’py anilaṁ kṣipantaḥ

In the Vaikuntha planets the inhabitants fly in their airplanes, accompanied by their wives and consorts, and eternally sing of the character and activities of the Lord, which are always devoid of all inauspicious qualities. While singing the glories of the Lord, they deride even the presence of the blossoming madhavi flowers, which are fragrant and laden with honey.

Vaikuntha, being the abode of Supreme Lord is full of opulences. But in spite of all the opulences, the residents always give first preference to glorifying the Lord. And they all do it together. When they are absorbed in such glorification, they don't want to be disturbed by the fragrance of flowers like madhavi which is laden with honey. Srila Prabhupada very nicely mentions in the purport that the residents of Vaikuntha are pure devotees. "They consider glorification of the Lord more important than their own sense gratification. In the Vaikuntha planets there is no question of sense gratification. To smell the fragrance of a blossoming flower is certainly very nice, but it is simply for sense gratification. The inhabitants of Vaikuntha give first preference to the service of the Lord, not their own sense gratification. Serving the Lord in transcendental love yields such transcendental pleasure that, in comparison, sense gratification is counted as insignificant."

This is a very important lesson for us. Our normal tendency is we approach the Supreme Lord with sincere mood in times of distress and need. But the moment we are placed in a comfortable zone, we tend to even forget Krishna, what to speak of glorifying Him. As our beloved spiritual master H H Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj mentioned in one of his Bhagavatam classes, we give preference to everything else except Krishna and give last preference for devotional service. As a result, our life is always miserable. Instead if we give first preference to Krishna, then even when miseries come, it will not affect us.

Krishna willing we shall continue to meditate more on this topic in the subsequent offerings.

Hare Krishna. Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Sudarshana devi dasi. High-Kuntha to Vaikuntha - Part 2

Date: 2015-03-01 Author: Sudarshana devi dasi

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

This is in continuation of the previous offering titled, "High-kuntha to Vaikuntha" wherein we were meditating on verses 3.15.17 through 21 of Srimad Bhagavatam which very nicely describe the nature of residents of Vaikuntha dham. In order to experience Vaikuntha atmosphere even in this material-world (high-kuntha) we have to imbibe the following qualities from residents of Vaikuntha. In the previous offering we saw the below point.

1. Give first preference to devotional service.

Now we shall continue to learn other lessons.

2. Always eagerly and submissively hear Krishna-katha: In Srimad Bhagavatam verse 3.15.18, while describing the glories of Vaikuntha dham to the demigods, Lord Brahma says,

pārāvatānyabhṛta-sārasa-cakravāka- dātyūha-haṁsa-śuka-tittiri-barhiṇāṁ yaḥ kolāhalo viramate ’cira-mātram uccair bhṛṅgādhipe hari-kathām iva gāyamāne

When the king of bees hums in a high pitch, singing the glories of the Lord, there is a temporary lull in the noise of the pigeon, the cuckoo, the crane, the cakravaka, the swan, the parrot, the partridge and the peacock. Such transcendental birds stop their own singing simply to hear the glories of the Lord.

Srila Prabhupada very nicely mentions that this verse reveals the absolute nature of Vaikuntha. There is no difference between birds, insects, and other human residents. All of them are simply engaged in only one business and that is to glorify the Lord. And even in that service, they don't become pride or envious. The birds don't think that they are greater in position compared to insects like bee. They are not proud of their voice etc. So even when a bee begins to glorify the Supreme Lord, they simply stop whatever sounds they are making and eagerly, respectfully and attentively hear the glories of the Lord from the bee. His Divine Grace very nicely mentions in the purport, "The special feature of Vaikunthaloka is that there is no question of sense gratification, In the material world even an ass enjoys his sound vibration, but in the Vaikunthas such nice birds as the peacock, the cakravaaka and the cuckoo prefer to hear the vibration of the glories of the Lord from the bees. The principles of devotional service, beginning with hearing and chanting, are very prominent in the Vaikuntha world." Unfortunately here, many times even while going to satsangs and temples, we carry our material minds and tend to discriminate even among devotees. We start thinking, "This person will do nice kirtan", "this person's voice is not good", "this person's class will be interesting", "this person class will not be interesting" etc. When we go with such thoughts, we completely forget Krishna. That is why our beloved spiritual master H H Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj always insisted that our going to satsangs and temples, everything should be centered around Krishna and glorifying Him. If we center it around some other person, then we lose taste once that person is not present. Maharaj says that even while attending Bhagavatam class, we should close our eyes and simply listen attentively to the speaker. Whoever is in disciplic succession and sitting in Vyasaasan and discussing Srimad Bhagavatam, based on Srila Prabhupada's purports is speaking truth. So instead of having challenging or judgemental attitude, we should simply, submissively listen and then Krishna as Paramatma in both the hearts (speaker and listener) will reveal Himself through that class.

Krishna willing we shall continue to meditate more on this topic in the subsequent offering.

Hare Krishna. Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Sudarshana devi dasi. High-Kuntha to Vaikuntha - Part 3

Date: 2015-03-04 Author: Sudarshana devi dasi

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

This is in continuation of the previous offering titled, "High-kuntha to Vaikuntha" wherein we were meditating on verses 3.15.17 through 21 of Srimad Bhagavatam which very nicely describes the nature of residents of Vaikuntha dham. In order to experience Vaikuntha atmosphere even in this material-world (high-kuntha) we have to imbibe the following qualities from residents of Vaikuntha. In the previous offering we saw the below point.

1. Give first preference to devotional service. 2. Always eagerly and submissively hear Krishna katha.

3. Say no to envy: In Srimad Bhagavatam verse 3.15.19, while describing the glories of Vaikuntha dham to the demigods, Lord Brahma further says in verse 3.15.19,

mandāra-kunda-kurabotpala-campakārṇa- punnāga-nāga-bakulāmbuja-pārijātāḥ gandhe ’rcite tulasikābharaṇena tasyā yasmiṁs tapaḥ sumanaso bahu mānayanti

Although flowering plants like the mandaara, kunda, kurabaka, utpala, campaka, arna, punnaaga, naagakeshara, bakula, lily and paarijaata are full of transcendental fragrance, they are still conscious of the austerities performed by tulasi, for tulasi is given special preference by the Lord, who garlands Himself with tulasi leaves.

Srila Prabhupada very nicely mentions in the purport to the above verse, "The most important thing about the spiritual world is that there is no envy among the devotees there. This is true even among the flowers, which are all conscious of the greatness of tulasi. In the Vaikuntha world entered by the four Kumaras, even the birds and flowers are conscious of service to the Lord."

The residents of Vaikuntha, be it flowers or birds or insects, they appreciate and respect each others' service. If some one is doing nice service to Krishna, they feel happy, because their goal is also to please Krishna. They don't have any self-centered motives to gain personal name or fame. And so they don't envy others. Those who are envious don't have entry into Vaikuntha. So how to be non-envious? Srila Prabhupada mentions in the purport to above verse that the residents were conscious of service to the Lord. When we start concentrating and giving importance to service to the Lord, instead of our ownselves, then we will be able to get rid off envy. But when we are envious of others, we feel agitated and we start thinking ill of others and plan to harm them. Engaged in all these useless plans, we tend to forget our real goal of life and stop whatever small service we were doing and spoil our lives as well.

That is why Prahlad Maharaj offers this wonderful prayer in Srimad Bhagavatam verse 5.18.9, "May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living entities become calm by practicing bhakti-yoga, for by accepting devotional service they will think of each other's welfare. Therefore let us all engage in the service of the supreme transcendence, Lord Sri Krishna, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him."

In his wonderful purport to verse 5.18.9 of Srimad Bhagavatam Srila Prabhupada very nicely mentions how khala or envy is worse than poisonous snake. He says, "One kind of khala, the snake, can be pacified simply by mantras or by the action of a particular herb (mantrauṣadhi-vaśaḥ sarpaḥ khalaḥ kena nivāryate). An envious person, however, cannot be pacified by any means. Therefore Prahlada Maharaja prays that all envious persons may undergo a change of heart and think of the welfare of others."

So may we engage our body, mind and soul in service of Supreme Lord and by so doing, let us give up all envy, respect and appreciate each others' service and and start thinking of each others' welfare.

Hare Krishna! Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Sudarshana devi dasi. High-Kuntha to Vaikuntha - Part 4

Date: 2015-03-05 Author: Sudarshana devi dasi

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

4. No distraction or deviation from devotional service: In Srimad Bhagavatam verse 3.15.20, while describing the glories of Vaikuntha dham to the demigods, Lord Brahma further says

yat saṅkulaṁ hari-padānati-mātra-dṛṣṭair vaidūrya-mārakata-hema-mayair vimānaiḥ yeṣāṁ bṛhat-kaṭi-taṭāḥ smita-śobhi-mukhyaḥ kṛṣṇātmanāṁ na raja ādadhur utsmayādyaiḥ

The inhabitants of Vaikuntha travel in their airplanes made of lapis lazuli, emerald and gold. Although crowded by their consorts, who have large hips and beautiful smiling faces, they cannot be stimulated to passion by their mirth and beautiful charms.

In the previous offerings we learnt how the residents of Vaikuntha always give first preference to devotional service and eagerly hear and chant the glories of the Lord. Since they don't have tinge of envy and appreciate each others' service, there is no interruption in their service to the Lord. So whatever opulence that are present around them, whether it is is fragrant flowers, dazzling jewellery or beautiful women, nothing can distract their service attitude. Srila Prabhupada mentions nicely in the purport that, "The residents of Vaikuntha have a better standard of pleasure, so there is no need of sex pleasure."

Even in case of Namacarya Srila Haridas Thakur's life we see how although prostitute tried her best to distract him, he did not give up his service of chanting his stipulated rounds for the day. And he somehow tricked her to daily wait and hear the Holy names. If Haridas Thakur wished he could have left the place, gone to some other quite place and chanted peacefully. But instead he took the risk of staying back and by his purity, he could bring a change in her heart. In the end she gave up her illicit ideas and accepted him as his guru and started chanting the Holy Names. Such is the power of pure devotees of the Lord, who are always engaged in serving Him. They don't worry about their personal inconveniences, but they purify the sinful souls just by their presence and create Vaikuntha atmosphere wherever they reside.

His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada also could have spent his old-age peacefully and blissfully in Vrindavan or Nawadwip in India. But at the age of 70, he took the risk of travelling to the West, not caring for his own personal comforts, just to help suffering souls come back to lotus feet of Krishna. Today on this auspicious occasion of Gaura Purnima, it is good to recollect what His Divine Grace had written in his diary on March 6 1966, when he was staying alone in US. " According to Mayapur Panjika, today is Adhivas day of Gour Purnima. Devotees at Vrindaban and Nabadwipa are enjoying the celebration. I am here alone without any devotee companion. But I have come here to serve the Lord and not for personal happiness. I am prepared to live in hell even if I am able to serve the Lord. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted that His mission should be propagated all over the world and that is my objective. I do not mind the inconvenience personally felt." Indeed because of the sacrifice of that great mahatma, now millions of people in every nook and corner of the world are able to celebrate Gaura Purnima, chant the holy names of Lord and taste the nectar of bhakti. Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada ki Jai! Patitapavan Gauranga Mahaprabhu ki Jai!

Hare Krishna Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Sudarshana devi dasi. High-kuntha to Vaikuntha - Part 5

Date: 2015-03-06 Author: Sudarshana devi dasi

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

This is in conclusion of the previous offering titled, "High-kuntha to Vaikuntha" wherein we were meditating on verses 3.15.17 through 21 of Srimad Bhagavatam which very nicely describe the nature of residents of Vaikuntha dham. So far we saw 4 points.

1. Give first preference to devotional service. 2. Always eagerly and submissively hear Krishna katha. 3. Say no to envy. 4. No Distraction or deviation from devotional service.

Now let us see further.

5. Service attracts Lord's mercy: In Srimad Bhagavatam verse 3.15.21, while describing the glories of Vaikuntha dham to the demigods, Lord Brahma further says

śrī rūpiṇī kvaṇayatī caraṇāravindaṁ līlāmbujena hari-sadmani mukta-doṣā saṁlakṣyate sphaṭika-kuḍya upeta-hemni sammārjatīva yad-anugrahaṇe ’nya-yatnaḥ

The ladies in the Vaikuntha planets are as beautiful as the goddess of fortune herself. Such transcendentally beautiful ladies, their hands playing with lotuses and their leg bangles tinkling, are sometimes seen sweeping the marble walls, which are bedecked at intervals with golden borders, in order to receive the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

This verse also gives us a glimpse of the nature of residents of Vaikuntha. The ladies there are very very beautiful and are adorned with nice ornaments and jewels. But they take pleasure in using their hands and legs in doing menial service like sweeping the walls. As Srila Prabhupada very nicely mentions in the purport to the above verse, there is no question of dust or dirt in the spiritual abode. But the ladies want to do those service simply to get the grace of the Lord. Since Krishna is 'bhaava-graahi janaardana', He is simply pleased with the mood in which the devotees do the service. In the pastime of Maharaj Prataparudra meeting Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu also we see that Lord did not want to see the king even when so many of his close associates requested him to give darshan. But during the Rathayatra when the king, dressed as an ordinary man, engaged himself in the menial service of sweeping in front of Lord Jagannath's ratha, Lord was very pleased and the king got the mercy of Mahaprabhu, not just darshan, but also opportunity to sing Bhagavatam for His pleasure and also to massage His feet.

Although Maharaj Ambarisha was king of universe and had so many servants waiting to serve him, still made it a point to clean the temple floor with his own hands. So as long our body is in working condition, we should try to engage ourselves in doing all kinds of menial service for the pleasure of the Lord. Srimad Bhagavatam verse 2.3.21-22 the sages of Naimisaranya also confirms that, "The upper portion of the body, though crowned with a silk turban, is only a heavy burden if not bowed down before the Personality of Godhead who can award mukti [freedom]. And the hands, though decorated with glittering bangles, are like those of a dead man if not engaged in the service of the Personality of Godhead Hari. The eyes which do not look at the symbolic representations of the Personality of Godhead Vishnu [His forms, name, quality, etc.] are like those printed on the plumes of the peacock, and the legs which do not move to the holy places [where the Lord is remembered] are considered to be like tree trunks ."

So we can experience Vaikuntha atmosphere even in this material-world (high-kuntha), if we try to imbibe these qualities from residents of Vaikuntha.

Hare Krishna. Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Sudarshana devi dasi.