Carrying the Lord in our Hearts

Date: 2007-09-04 Author: Kalacakra Krsna das

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

Today is the most auspicious day for all of us aspiring to love Krishna in this lifetime. Sri Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated all over the world with great pomp and many states in India give even a whole week's vacation to observe the appearance day of the Supreme Lord.

Every year we celebrate Janmashtami and remember and recite the Lord's pastimes and His transcendental holy names and it is a day we look forward to with great eagerness for the celebration. But many times we make the mistake of equating the Supreme Lord to human beings and celebrate His appearance day just like any other mortal's birthday. But we should remember that Krishna did not take birth like us. Rather He 'appeared' in this world just like the Sun appears every day in the morning. That is why we call it as His "appearance day".

In Srimad Bhagavatam (SB 10.2.16 & 17) it is very clearly mentioned about His appearance thus:

bhagavān api viśvātmā bhaktānām abhayaṅkaraḥ āviveśāṁśa-bhāgena mana ānakadundubheḥ

Thus the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the Supersoul of all living entities and who vanquishes all the fear of His devotees, entered the mind of Vasudeva in full opulence.

sa bibhrat pauruṣaṁ dhāma bhrājamāno yathā raviḥ durāsado ’tidurdharṣo bhūtānāṁ sambabhūva ha

While carrying the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead within the core of his heart , Vasudeva bore the Lord's transcendentally illuminating effulgence, and thus he became as bright as the sun. He was therefore very difficult to see or approach through sensory perception. Indeed, he was unapproachable and unperceivable even for such formidable men as Kamsa, and not only for Kamsa but for all living entities.

In this particular verse the word 'dhama' is used. Dhama means the place where the Lord resides. In this particular situation, the Lord first entered the mind of Vasudeva and then situated Himself within the core of his heart. Consequently his heart became a dhama. Srila Prabhupada in his unparalleled purport explains beautifully thus:

"Any place where the Supreme Personality of Godhead is present by His name, form, qualities or paraphernalia immediately becomes a dhama. For example, we speak of Vrndavana-dhama, Dvaraka-dhama and Mathura-dhama because in these places the name, fame, qualities and paraphernalia of the Supreme Godhead are always present. Similarly, if one is empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to do something, the core of his heart becomes a dhama, and thus he becomes so extraordinarily powerful that not only his enemies but also people in general are astonished to observe his activities."

The conclusion is that wherever we may be situated today, we can try individually to carry the Lord in the core of our hearts by remembering Him, by chanting His holy names and by serving everyone, especially Vaishnavas who themselves carry the Lord in their hearts. This way our hearts can also become paurusham dhama - residence of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. This is the real way of celebrating Janmashtami. The Lord can stay in our hearts only if there is space. At present we have filled our hearts with all the anarthas and unwanted desires for sense enjoyment that there is no space for Krishna to stay. To avoid these anarthas from hindering our remembrance of Lord Krishna, it is advised that we fast from everything until mid-night, recite Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita which are non-different from the Lord, chant His holy names (as much as possible) and perform sincere service. Thus by keeping a humble heart and a greatful attitude for all the benedictions that He has bestowed upon us all along, let us thank the Lord from the core of our hearts and pray sincerely for His mercy to increase our bhakti every moment.

Sri Krishna Janmashtami Mahotsav ki jai!! Sri Krishna Bhagavan ki jai!!!

Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Kalacakra Krsna das.