December 2011 A Newsletter from His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami

Therefore cleanliness is required. Apavitrah pavitro va. 1 Cleanliness is Godliness But... Apavitrah pavitro va sarvavastham gato ‘pi vah. If by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada one takes to Krsna consciousness and follows the rules and 2 Obstacles to Humility regulations, then automatically he becomes clean, inside and outside. Automatically. Apavitrah pavitro va. What for we by His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami are accepting initiation? In any condition, in any condition 2 Devotee Spotlight: we shall be purified by chanting Hare Krsna, ceto-darpana- His Grace Advaita Acarya dasa marjanam if we chant really.

4 A Stronger Taste For the Holy Name Lecture on SB 1.16.26-30 -- Hawaii, January 23, 1974 by His Holiness Candramauli Swami

Cleanliness is Godliness by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

O the devotee must be clean, inside and outside, both. Outside cleaning by taking Sbath with oil or soap or soda, and inside, materially, there will be no unclean things, stool, unnecessary stool. That means one must evacuate every morning and evening, If we we eat more, we will have to evacuate twice. But if we eat less, then one evacuation is sufficient. It is said, yogi, bhogi, rogi. Yogi means spiritually advanced, and bhogi means materialist, and rogi means diseased. It is a common saying. A yogi evacuates only once. That is yogi. And bhogi, because he eats more, he evacuates twice. And one who evacuates more than twice, he’s rogi, diseased. Yogi, bhogi, rogi. So everything has got routine work. Saucam. So you’ll feel healthy. If you have evacuated nicely, you have washed inside and outside, taken your bath, you’ll always feel refreshed. And unless you feel refreshed, you cannot very nicely chant Hare Krsna mantra or serve Krsna. Lord Caitanya Cleaning the Gundica Temple 1 next 8 Obstacles to Humility a person to be secure. Our insecurities force us to react because by His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami of our lack of balance or strength. Any slight disturbance will cause more instability. For example, when you lack proper balance, the harsh words of another person will naturally e need to examine the many disturb you. However, when you have sufficient stability, obstacles that sabotage the the same words will seem irrelevant and will not cause an development of genuine overreaction or unnecessary disturbance. In Washington D.C., Whumility. The list of interferences we have a martial arts institute. When one masters certain arts includes false pride, false ego, fear, of defense, one does not need to respond to every situation envy, lust, anger, illusion, greed and because of a personal awareness of one’s power. The person even insecurity. As we analyze this list, has the fearlessness to wait until the last minute to respond. we can immediately understand the When we are strong and fixed in our devotional service, we negative consequences of such traits. can naturally access humility because we will not feel any For instance, when someone suffers from false pride and insecurity from the maya in the environment or from anyone feels excessively important, they will not be able to access else. Humility can also help us appreciate our connection to deep humility. This sense of self-importance places the mind our origin. Although the living entity is insignificant, the soul at the forefront, and this will lead one to accept the various is still part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. concoctions dictated by the mind and intelligence. How can In a secular situation, a person may not have much money, but we act humbly with the mind in control? False ego also results if their mother or father has wealth, they can feel some sense in a situation similar to pride. Fear blocks humility because of well-being. Although they may not have much capital, their it leads to survival consciousness. Someone who fears the parents can make resources available, freeing them from any environment, accepting it as precarious and dangerous, cannot sense of insecurity. be humble. Instead, their mood will become combative and Most importantly, humility involves a genuine loving aggressive. Envy impedes humility because it causes one to heart and loving sentiments. From this discussion, we can see feel hostile towards another individual in the environment. the great complexity of real humility. We will simply feel disturbed by the qualities or possessions of another person. Enviousness, selfishness, self-centeredness, Devotee Spotlight: Advaita Acarya dasa pride, false ego, doubt, envy, greed and illusion are a few of the attributes or personality traits that completely block the expression of humility. Unfortunately, people who have these How and where did you join traits constantly feel intense fear, pride or insecurity. Humility the International Society for helps to ground us. Krsna Consciousness? After acknowledging these misconceptions about humility along with the various obstacles, we can better Honestly, I can only speak understand that genuine humility is not a lack in substance about the time when, where, or the result of weakness. Our present day environment and how I met the devotees. Since then, I have just been causes us to think in this way due to the belief that successful trying to join the Hare Krsna movement. It is like my personal individuals achieve greatness through their expertise in safeguard—beginner’s mind that gives me an ongoing fresh manipulation and exploitation. Society often views righteous perspective on things. or humble individuals as irrelevant or even as failures since Some years back in Split, Croatia, on my way to they may not maintain a position of dominance. However, college, I saw a poster of Maha-Visnu half-submerged in even the Judeo-Christian perspective accepts that the meek water with information regarding a Vedic cultural program. shall inherit the earth. All the various religious traditions of Being a student of Art and Art History, I was always attracted the world emphasize submissiveness, meekness and humility. to hearing about historically remote cultures and civilizations. Humility has many positive sides and qualities. If we feel I was just about to turn twenty. The program was at the some insufficiency in our service, instead of resorting to low Museum of Revolution and it blew my mind on many levels. I self-esteem, we can simply see others in a higher position than can still taste that simply wonderful in my memory core—the ourselves. Humility also gives us an eagerness to learn. When incense and sound vibration—like in a transcendental bubble. we are free of the egocentricity of thinking that we know I remember Sacinandana Maharaja (who traveled that part everything, we can then become humble and ready to receive. of the world very often) speaking about different levels of Furthermore, we can relinquish our claim to proprietorship by consciousness: ana-moya, prana-moya, jana-moya, vijnana- recognizing that all of our qualities come from God and by moya, and ananda-moya. Very impressive. I was hooked but I learning to properly use them in His service. Humility allows didn’t respond until some months later when I came to our

2 next 8 little Hare Krsna center at the Mitnicka address and met arrangement, met Kalpa Vriksha prabhu and shared with him upwith local devotees: Vapu prabhu, Mahojvalam about an aspiring devotee in Croatia. Very soon I received prabhu, Manjulali mataji, and others. They showed me how package from Kalpa Vriksha prabhu with a few Spiritual to chant and nourished me so well that I was able to continue Warrior books (what a brother he is!). As I was reading them, my studies and practice Krsna consciousness at my own pace I took the liberty to write a thank you letter to Maharaja. He (meaning very slow). responded and that was the beginning of our correspondence. In That chapter is very long and the war was breaking up. one of his letters, he invited me to help with one of his projects For the next four to five years, I was searching and naturally in —Gita Nagari. I debated considering all the had ups and downs in my own personal catharsis along with prospects I had so far. Without endeavoring, many things just my downtown “karmi” friends with whom I shared time and spontaneously started unfolding in the direction of B.T. Swami’s enthusiasm for different things liberation related during those desire. war years. I did not officially “join” any temple yet due to I was on the way and landed in Washington D.C. just my studies but I was involved in many ways and my heart a few days before B.T. Swami’s Vyasa-puja in February, 1999. was there intensely praying to Srila Prabhupada to send me Bhakti Tirtha Swami arrived from London just a few days after, his representative who will take me back to him and back to and there I was, welcoming him with a garland at the airport, Krsna. along with Mother Jambavati. He was quite surprised to see Gradually I was working my way towards sixteen that I made it—very happy. I answered, “By the mercy/desire of rounds and I liked chanting. For some reason, I liked to pure devotees, anything is possible.” He smiled. The next day chant and I had that thing with Visnujana Swami from we were all on the way to Gita Nagari. It was raining. the beginning—some kind of attraction to that particular devotional mood and stories about Maharaja. As socialism What are your current services and what services enthuse was falling apart, I eventually graduated (as a teacher of Art you the most in your spiritual life? and Art Restoration) and spent twelve months in the army— that was mandatory for all. Finally the path was open and I I have been in San Antonio, Texas since 2009 developing a was free to choose how I will use my time and mold my life. project under H.H. Guru Prasad Swami—a contemporary Living as a fulltime bhakta in your own city of origin is not asrama center for learning and transformation. It is a student an easy way to live with the profile I had and the number of resource center and we are focusing on youth and different friends and people I knew. “It’s hard to be a saint in your own youth forums. village,” as they say. I feel most enthused working with young and creative Anyway, in 1997-1998, we started a weekly program individuals, incorporating their talents in Krsna consciousness (congregational distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books), and initiating mantra meditation one on one in their terms/ that later became sastra-dhana, and I helped with a weekly lingo. I distinctly remember that my Guru Maharaja blessed me magazine. That was my first service and I am now living with with this as well. He said, “We don’t really preach or try to a group of devotees fulltime. The learning curve with book convince anybody, but we do serve and make friends. When distributors is very sharp and funny—hilarious. Thank you people become attached to you due to your attention to detail, Venu-Gopal prabhu and crew for all that sankirtana nectar I they will naturally open up. Only the lazy and self-righteous will always remember. Soon I went on a Jagannatha Harinama avoid this most natural path of coexistence.” party to travel from city to city performing harinama (as a This is very much evident during my summer tour. karatala player and backup vocals). That was the beginning Every year from July-September, I join the Warped Tour, BBT and, as you can see, it was very long and slow. book distribution party, and Burning Man—a radical self- reliance art festival. We use all kinds of outreach strategies How did you meet your spiritual master? along with our team of very progressive devotees ready to bend backwards for Srila Prabhupada’s mission. Presently in San Bhakta Tomica (now Tattva-vada prabhu) made that Antonio this culture of love is spreading from our asrama to all connection while I was still a student. He used to visit me the young Chicano revolutionaries of the Occupy Movement—a and stay over. During Srila Prabhupada’s centennial year in movement for the basic human needs, needs for freedom. 1996, I saw a BTG article he was reading at my place. H.H. Although only active for two years, we had a Ratha- Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s smile on that photo blew me away and, yatra at the big San Antonio Fiesta Parade with hundreds of more importantly, how and what he spoke about in the article. thousands on the streets receiving darsana of Jagannatha, The mood in which he served Srila Prabhupada (his spiritual Baladeva, and Subhadra, and a TV audience of over two million. master) was very apparent and unique. We made a connection The most enthusing service is my time spent with H.H. Guru later. Prasad Swami and with my dear godfamily, and with my dear Tattva-vada prabhu went to America and, by a some godfamily, especially at Gita Nagari and Washington, D.C.

3 next 8 How did kirtan become such an integral part of your helping people maintain their connection with Krsna—japa sadhana? experience. This is the heart of any outreach, any project.

I was alone with Sri Sri -Damodara a lot and I How do you maintain an internal connection with your knew how much they liked kirtana. So necessity became the spiritual master? How have you been able to apply the mother of invention. If there is any credit to this fact, it goes to instructions of your spiritual master to your own life? Guru Maharaja and Their Lordships, who kindly guided me. Prior to that time, I had no or very little kirtana experience, I always remember what he has shared with us: but by sitting in front of Radha-Damodara and pressing the everytime you chant your japa, please know that I am sitting keys of the harmonium, it became more and more apparent right next to you. This has been my main source of strength that I was in Their classroom. and connection with Guru Maharaja. Every time I ask myself I would like to share a pastime: once Guru Maharaja this question regarding how I have been able to apply myself, called me to give him some harmonium lessons (we only made the best point of reference has been my kind godfamily who it for one before he was diagnosed with cancer and the rest of always shows me the way and provides just the right type the lessons cancelled), but that time I will always remember. of medicine. Guru Maharaja is more present today in his He asked me to show him a simple tune, Srila Prabhupada’s expansive dynamic than ever before. I hope to always perceive tune…It was his turn and, as he was trying, I got carried away this. to interrupt his practice and pointed out a wrong note (as a teacher should), but he gave me that look (displeased), almost What are your short-term goals in Krsna consciousness? telepathically communicating, “Don’t you every forget who Long-term goals? is the guru here.” Ooops, it finally dawned on me that the only reason he called for harmonium classes was not for him My short-term goal is to establish a safe environment to learn (as you know he was never into it) but for me to get in our present project where people will feel comfortable the mercy and empowerment to continue with kirtana. Guru investing themselves. My long-term goals would resonate with Maharaja kindly accepted and liked that kind of kirtana. Guru one of the instructions that I received from Guru Maharaja Maharaja’s mood is the main point of reference in my kirtana some years back: “I want you to try to concentrate and study attempts. Once on the day of Gita Nagari Ratha-yatra, I was as much as you can because in the future I have big plans fixing some signs on the road next to Govardhana Hill, and a for you. After we get a green card, I want you to help me in car came and slowed down. Guru Maharaja rolled down the developing the preaching in several other parts of the world… window and asked me how it was going in the last minute See this as a training ground, so see your work at Gita Nagari preparation work and improvements. Foolishly enough I said, as an important training ground.” Sounds like a life’s mission “I hope Lord Jagannatha will be happy with my efforts.” Very and I can only hope to become an instrument one day. For any kindly he put me at peace. “Oh don’t worry, I will let you kind of goal, devotee’s blessings are crucial. That’s my main know,” reminding me of his role as well. That was a moment goal: to be of some relevant service (short or long-term), so of enlightenment. I try to remember that in kirtana as well. devotees can bless me to bring Guru Maharaja good news.

What have you found to be the most effective means of How does your association with devotees help maintain giving Krsna consciousness to others? your own spiritual life and sadhana?

Japa for sure. This only works if we have developed There are four of us in the asrama fulltime and some friendship, and people trust us and are comfortable doing occasionally more than that. The local movements of such of meditation under our guidance. As soon as that is in place, I such a small group are very high and we really get to know invite them to try mantra meditation in unison. They are given each other. This facilitates growth in close encounters and we beads and introduced to the mystical world of mantra. It is will most likely split when our number reaches a steady eight essential to build the value of the holy name before it is passed to go and open a new center close by. on. It is a five minute exercise that definitely spins thechakra For maintenance of our spiritual life, some fresh energy levels and shifts consciousness in a core. People share challenge is always needed on the horizon. And here are the this without exception. At half a round, we take off on our sanga ideals set for us in nature from the bird kingdom. own speeds. It is very important that in that second half, we project our swift japa pace as we normally chant. This seals Take a look at the folllowing: the deal for their own one week experiment. I do encourage them to put beads away for a week as well and to compare on • They fly in a V formation and every bird, by wing’s their own merit. All the preaching efforts serve this purpose of movement, creates air lift that helps other birds.

4 next 8 • By flying together, the possible distance increases by 71% A Stronger Taste for the Holy Name compared to a single flight. by His Holiness Candramauli Swami

• When the lead bird gets tired, another bird takes over as the new lead bird, which helps another one to take any other “The holy name of Krsna is spot in the formation. The leader gets the most air resistance transcendentally blissful. It bestows than any other bird. all spiritual benedictions, for it is Krsna Himself, the reservoir of all • The bird that is at the back of formation occasionally makes pleasure. Krsna’s name is complete, sounds to encourage birds in the front so they can maintain and it is the form of all transcendental the speed. mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less • If any bird in the formation gets injured or sick, two birds powerful than Krsna Himself. Since from the formation will go with the one in need and take Krsna’s name is not contaminated by care of him. They stay with him until the one in need is the material qualities, and there is no question of its being able to fly again or until he leaves the body. Only then involved with maya, Krsna’s name is always liberated and the two birds will continue catching up or joining another spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material formation. nature. This is because the name of Krsna and Krsna Himself are identical.” (Padma Purana) What do you see as the most significant obstacle facing the This verse establishes the position of Krsna’s Name expansion of the Hare Krsna movement? How do you feel as being fully non-different from Krsna Himself. It is all that devotees can tackle this obstacle? powerful and therefore fully sweet and tasty. Then why do we not always taste that nectar each and every time? The reasons This is my favorite question, considering how much are perhaps many, but let’s look at a few prominent ones. interest Guru Maharaja had in this along with the removal When one enters into a loving relationship with of suffering. Nothing external can really harm the expansion another, along with it comes the responsibility to make it work of the Hare Krsna Movement, only our own disruptions and and to increase it. Therefore a person comes to know there is lack of cooperation. When we become weak, we will start more to the relationship than just being together all the time. demanding instead of expressing our needs. This brings down Similarly the chanting of the Holy Names is part of a larger the spiritual environment to a little less transcendental level. process by which one can approach the Holy Name in the At times, I see how we are just too timid and shy away from proper conscious. That process is the science of devotional such great opportunities for expansion on local levels. With service as given by Srila Prabhupada and the previous acaryas. less rhetoric and more love, we can fill that increasing gap Without properly following the devotional process, it is like in the postmodern world that is alienating everybody from trying to cook your food with smoke—it will take 300 years. everybody. We are not assertive enough in this new electronic By serving the servants of the Lord, one gradually renaissance of information and blogging. This slows down gets the quality of such servants, and thus one becomes reformation and upliftment of the world. We don’t have to qualified to hear and chant the glories of the Lord. Thisis pretend we are in no man’s land because truth will lead you mentioned in the Bhagavatam (1.2.16). Along with this one to your authentic path. All that sugarcoating and desire to must cultivate the personal qualities that are conducive to please is only averting from that nugget of truth in a moment. chanting such as humility, tolerance, not expecting respect for Streams of loving consciousness are based on truth, the only oneself, and cultivating a respectful attitude towards all others remaining value of dharma without becoming blinded by the as mentioned in the Siksastakam prayers. light of self-righteousness. “One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, Advaita Acarya dasa is a disciple of H.H. Bhakti Tirtha devoid of all sense of false prestige, and ready to offer all Swami. When he is not at his base in San Antonio, TX, he is traveling throughout North America giving the Holy Names respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant to others. the holy name of the Lord constantly.” (Siksastakam 3)

5 next 8 A constant cultivation of the above mentioned qualities “The word asakrit is significant, for it means not just for a opens up the heart and mind and allows the mercy of the Holy few minutes but continuously. That is the instruction given by Names to take root and grow in relationship to an attitude of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in His Siksastakam 3. Kirtaniyah submissive service and surrender. Along with this, one must also sada harih: (Cc. adi 17.31) “The holy name of the Lord should carefully avoid those activities that impede the development of be chanted twenty-four hours daily.” Therefore in this Krsna the nectar of Holy Name which are known as offenses or just consciousness movement we request the devotees to chant wrong activity. What we do and say throughout the day will at least sixteen rounds on their beads daily. Actually one has directly enhance or take away our ability to approach the Holy to chant twenty-four hours daily, just like Thakura , Name properly. who was chanting the Hare Krsna mantra three hundred When Krsna is pleased, he will reveal Himself through His Holy Name in proportion to our loving devotion. thousand times daily. Indeed, he had no other business. As Srila Prabhupada has stated, one cannot force quality in Some of the Gosvamis, like Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, chanting, we can only try to hear nicely and allow the Name were also chanting very rigidly and also offering obeisances to constantly vibrate on our tongue and in our heart (mind). very rigidly. As stated in Srinivasacarya’s prayer to the six Gosvamis (Sad-gosvamy-ashtaka): sankhya-purvaka-nama- Knowledge of the Name’s Exclusive Position gana-natibhih kalavasani-kritau. The word sankhya-purvaka means “maintaining a numerical strength.” (Purport) etavan eva loke ‘smin pumsam dharmah parah smrtah Sometimes we find ourselves unable to improve bhakti-yogo bhagavati tan-nama-grahanadibhih despite all our efforts to do so. One very wonderful program in ISKCON are japa retreats. Both in Europe and the US there “Devotional service, beginning with the chanting of the are retreats where one can get the opportunity to exclusively holy name of the Lord, is the ultimate religious principle focus on chanting without any other activity. Under the for the living entity in human society.” (SB 6.3.22) guidance of qualified instructors one can learn much about the glories and practice of the Holy Name and relish its sweetness To regularly hear about the glories of the Holy Name and it’s superior position above all other forms of activity, as in great Krsna conscious association. It may cost a little but stated by Yamaraja in this verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam, what can be said about the value of anything that can bring greatly enhances our enthusiasm to chant more and more. By us closer to better chanting and a greater appreciation for the knowing the value of this great treasure given freely to all precious mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. we can become more serious about chanting no matter what circumstance we are in. By knowing the value of something, we can treasure it more and give it to others knowing we are offering the best of all gifts for all times. Chant Krsna’s Name always, any time, any place, and Copyright © 2011 Hari-Nama Press in any condition of life. Chanting connects us with Krsna and awakens our love for Him and our determination to achieve All rights reserved. No part of this newsletter may be the real goal of life—love of Krsna. reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted In Verse 6 of the Sad-Goswamy Astaka, Srila in any form, by any means, including mechanical, Srinivasacarya glorifies the six Goswamis, saying how electronic, photocopying, recording, or other wise, they fixed their vow in chanting in a numerical way. This is without prior written consent of the publisher. also fundamental to improved chanting in that we become Hari-Nama Press gratefully acknowledges the BBT committed to chant a fixed number of rounds of japa. This for the use of verses, purports and photos from allows us to destroy the whims or the flickering mind and Srila Prabhupada’s books. All such material are © be situated in steady chanting. Srila Viswanatha Cakravarti Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc. Thakur explains by chanting regularly we can rise to the platform of chanting always which is the goal of chanting Designed by Tamal Krsna dasa Edited by Lila Katha devi dasi Hare Krsna. Photo of Bhakti Tirtha Swami: © 2005 Lawson Knight/ “Therefore, O sons of the King, the Supreme Personality Laksmivan dasa ACBSP of Godhead, Hari, is situated in everyone’s heart. He is also within your hearts. Therefore chant the glories of the Lord and always meditate upon Him continuously.” (S.B.4.24.70) 6