's Transcendental Journey - Part 1

Date: 2013-07-17 Author: Manohar Suvarna

Hare Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev!

Akrura is one of the greatest devotees of the Lord Krishna. However, by providence he was placed under the demoniac King . Akrura's case is similar to the case of Mahajana Bhishmadeva who was serving Duryodhana in Kuru dynasty. It was a longing wish of Akrura to have Lord's darshana while he was serving Kamsa. But, apparently, he had no courage to inform Kamsa. But Krishna is so merciful that He arranges everything for devotees. In this material world too, if we show slight inclination to go to Krishna, Lord comes running with great compassion and pleasure to take us and Lord will see that we will have no hurdles on the path of devotional service.

The word 'akrura' means 'one who is not krura or cruel', which means kind. We should become Akrura in our material life. Unfortunately, we are cruel in every second of our life. We hurt others. We enjoy hurting others. We cannot tolerate others. As Guru Maharaj says, we are non-vegetarians because our mouth is slaughterhouse. Not only our mouth, our mind is slaughterhouse. Purpose of this offering on Akrura is to meditate how much Akrura, a pure devotee of Lord, was excited to have Lord's darshan, how much he remembers Lord on his way to Gokula and Lord's transcendental beauty, qualities etc, how much he was engrossed in it. We visit temple to have Lord's darshan. We have daily darshan at home. But do we have intense desire to have Lord's darshana? Are we longing to see the Lord? Is it not becoming ritual or mechanical? Before going further, let us recite one beautiful prayer by to Lord Krishna in Srimad Bhagavatam SB 10.27.10,

namas tubhyaṁ bhagavate puruṣāya mahātmane vāsudevāya kṛṣṇāya sātvatāṁ pataye namaḥ

Obeisances unto You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the great Soul, who are all pervading and who resides in the hearts of all. My obeisances unto You, Krishna, the chief of the Yadu dynasty.

Srimad Bhagavatam 10th Canto and Chapter 36 gives wonderful account of Akrura's selection by King Kamsa to bring Lord Krishna and Balaram to . Narada Muni informs Kamsa that Krishna and are not sons of Maharaj but of and . It is these two boys who killed Kamsa's men. Upon hearing this, King Kamsa became furious and lost control of his senses. He, at once wanted to kill Vasudeva. However, Narada Muni restrained him. After Narada Muni left, King Kamsa sent many demons to kill Krishna. But no one were successful.

Then Kamsa called for Akrura, the most eminent of the Yadus. Here, Bhagavatam calls Akrura, the most eminent. Kamsa addresses Akrura as most charitable one and no one is as kind as Akrura among Bhojas and Vrshnis. Kamsa praises him for carrying out his duties soberly and begs favor from him. Here, interestingly Kamsa compares Akrura to Lord and himself to Indra who takes shelter of Lord Vishnu. Surprisingly, Kamsa is aware of Akrura's transcendental qualities and he knows very well that no one can bring Krishna to Mathura other than Akrura. Kamsa instructs Akrura to bring Krishna and Balarama on the pretext of bow sacrifice, so that he will kill them, thereafter kill Vasudeva, his father , uncle Devaka and all his enemies.

Position of Akrura, great devotee of Lord, was awkward. He is overwhelmed with idea of meeting Lord, however, he has been chosen by the king to bring the Lord to Mathura for killing. Akrura was sad and he is warning Kamsa that whatever he planned need not materialize. Further, he wonderfully says in Bhagavatam 10.36.39, manorathān karoty uccair jano daiva-hatān api yujyate harṣa-śokābhyāṁ tathāpy ājñāṁ karomi te

An ordinary person is determined to act on his desires even when fate prevents their fulfillment. Therefore he encounters both happiness and distress. Yet even though such is the case, I will execute your order.

Akrura is clearly hinting to Kamsa about his imminent death. Further, he gives a message to all of us that we helplessly have to face distress if we are determined to act for fulfillment of desires, which is beyond our control. Above statement of Akrura is supported by Bhagavatam 4.24.66, where in Lord Siva in his prayers to Lord Krishna says, " My dear Lord, all living entities within this material world are mad after planning for things, and they are always busy with a desire to do this or that. This is due to uncontrollable greed. The greed for material enjoyment is always existing in the living entity, but Your Lordship is always alert, and in due course of time You strike him, just as a snake seizes a mouse and very easily swallows him."

Krishna willing, we shall continue to learn more about Akrura's transcendental journey in the subsequent offerings.

Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Manohar Suvarna Abu Dhabi.

Moderator's Note: Shri Manohar Suvarna Prabhuji is a sincere, honest and dedicated devotee attending the congregation programs in Abu Dhabi for more than ten years. Having been influenced by the transcendental touch of our beloved Gurudev HH Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj, he has very seriously taken to the study of Srimad Bhagavatam in a systematic manner and is an excellent preacher of Srimad Bhagavatam and Srimad . His punctual presence in the Mangala arati without fail is an example for everyone to follow. He is regularly contributing for Shri Neel madhav Temple construction project with great love and a magnanimous heart. He exudes so much faith, enthusiasm, innocence, positive energy and love for Krishna that it is impossible not to get attracted by his preaching. Akrura's Transcendental Journey - Part 2

Date: 2013-07-21 Author: Manohar Suvarna

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

In the previous offering on this topic titled, 'Akrura's Transcendental Journey', we learnt that Akrura is one of the greatest devotees of Lord Krishna, unfortunately serving demoniac king Kamsa. Akrura has been requested by Kamsa to bring Lord Krishna and Balarama to Mathura. Akrura was overwhelmed with idea of having Lord's darshan.

Today, we will see how much Akrura was thinking of Lord Krishna on his way to Gokula, how he celebrated in his mind of seeing Lord. Akrura spent one night in Mathura before setting off his chariot. That night must have been sleepless and restless long night for Akrura out of excitement to see Lord Mukunda.

Bhagavatam says as he traveled on the road, the great soul Akrura felt tremendous devotion for the lotus-eyed Personality of Godhead. He started wondering as how he got opportunity to see Lord , as he was absorbed simply in sense gratification. Let us introspect our position in this material world. Lord has magnanimously given us so many comforts in our life; do we really deserve all these? We are very much absorbed in sense gratification, yet we don't admit like Akrura. We are not yet firm in devotional service. We are performing some devotional service, but not sincerely. Most importantly, we do not acknowledge Krishna's hand in our every success and in every passing of hurdles. Although, at every step, we feel we have no capacity, we have no intelligence, we have no control over the future events, yet, we do not admit our helplessness. This is the reason for our millions of birth and death.

Lord Rshabhadeva tells his sons in Srimad Bhagavatam 5.5.4, When" a person considers sense gratification the aim of life, he certainly becomes mad after materialistic living and engages in all kinds of sinful activity. He does not know that due to his past misdeeds he has already received a body, which although temporary, is the cause of his misery. Actually the living entity should not have taken on a material body, but he has been awarded the material body for sense gratification.Therefore I think it is not befitting an intelligent man to involve himself again in the activities of sense gratification by which he perpetually gets material bodies one after another." Lord Krishna explains to in Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.17 the following wonderful verse:

niṣkiñcanā mayy anurakta-cetasaḥ śāntā mahānto ’khila-jīva-vatsalāḥ kāmair anālabdha-dhiyo juṣanti te yan nairapekṣyaṁ na viduḥ sukhaṁ mama

Those who are without any desire for personal gratification, whose minds are always attached to Me, who are peaceful, without false ego and merciful to all living entities, and whose consciousness is never affected by opportunities for sense gratification -- such persons enjoy in Me a happiness that cannot be known or achieved by those lacking such detachment from the material world.

Akrura thought to himself that his all-sinful reactions have been eradicated and his birth has become worthwhile, as he will offer obeisances to Supreme Lord's lotus feet. Here, we have to contemplate about obeisances. Obeisances and falling at feet to our Guru, parents and elders is important medicine to humble ourselves. The moment we bow down, our ahankara is destroyed. All throughout Srimad Bhagavatam, one can see devotees and great souls always paying obeisances to each other as if to Lord Krishna Himself.

Now Akrura in his mind thanked King Kamsa for his mercy in sending him to see lotus feet of Lord Hari. Simply by the effulgence of His toenails, many souls in the past have transcended the insurmountable darkness of material existence and achieved liberation. Akrura glorifies Lord's Lotus Feet, which are worshipped by lord , , demigods, sages and goddess of fortune. He says his eyes will achieve perfection of its existence by looking at beauty of Lord Vishnu. Following is wonderful verse by Akrura in glorification of Lord in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.38.12:

yasyākhilāmīva-habhiḥ su-maṅgalaiḥ vāco vimiśrā guṇa-karma-janmabhiḥ prāṇanti śumbhanti punanti vai jagat yās tad-viraktāḥ śava-śobhanā matāḥ

All sins are destroyed and all good fortune created by the Supreme Lord's qualities, activities and appearances, and words that describe these three things animate, beautify and purify the world. On the other hand, words bereft of His glories are like the decorations on a corpse.

We often come across people wishing good luck, best wishes etc. But in Krishna consciousness, there is no good and bad luck. But, if one simply describes Lord's qualities, activities and his appearances, all the good fortune will fall at one's feet. Above verse confirms that words that describe Lord's activities are so powerful that they beautify and purify the whole world and all sins are destroyed. What else we need?

Krishna willing, we shall continue to learn more about Akrura's transcendental journey in the subsequent offerings.

Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Manohar Suvarna Abu Dhabi. Akrura's Transcendental Journey - Part 3

Date: 2013-07-24 Author: Manohar Suvarna

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

This is in continuation of the previous offering on this topic titled, 'Akrura's Transcendental Journey'. So far we saw how:

1. Even demoniac king Kamsa knew that only Akrura can bring Lord Krishna and Balarama to Mathura. 2. Akrura humbly wondered how although he was involved in sense gratification, how he got the opportunity to have darshan of the Lord. 3. He thanked King Kamsa for his mercy in sending him to see lotus feet of Lord Hari.

Today, we will see how Akrura is excited to have Lord's darshan. Akrura thinks that seeing the Lord brings jubilation to all who have eyes. Lord is the beauty of the universe. As soon as he sees Lord, he will at once alight from his chariot and bow down to the lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, the Supreme Personalities of Godhead. He will also offer his obeisances to the Lords' cowherd boyfriends and to all the other residents of Vrindavana. Akrura feels for a moment bit guilty as demoniac King Kamsa, who considers Krishna as his enemy and wants to kill Lord Krishna, is sending him as messenger. However, immediately he is recovered. He thinks that Lord will not consider him as His enemy because Lord is the omniscient and is the actual knower of the field of this material body. Here, we see Akrura's unflinching faith in Lord. If we were in the position of Akrura, we would have no courage to face Krishna. Even if we know, Lord is omniscient, still we will be hesitant. We would concoct in the mind that what Krishna will think. What will happen to our devotee position in the eyes of the Lord Krishna etc etc and finally we will be lost. H H Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj rightly says, "We ask Krishna to save us, But we don't accept when He comes. Our faith is artificial."

Akrura had no such fears. Akrura further thinks, "Lord will cast His smiling, affectionate glance upon me as I remain fixed with joined palms, fallen in obeisances at His feet. Then all my contamination will at once be dispelled, and I will give up all doubts and feel the most intense bliss. Recognizing me as an intimate friend and relative, Krishna will embrace me with His mighty arms, instantly sanctifying my body and diminishing to nil all my material bondage, which is due to fruitive activities."

Akrura's celebration of Lord's darshan reaches peak when Lord will address him as, "My dear Akrura." He says at that very moment my life's purpose will be fulfilled. Indeed, the life of anyone whom the Supreme Personality fails to recognize is simply pitiable. Akrura's thought in the below verse of Srimad Bhagavatam 10.38.22 is very wonderful.

na tasya kaścid dayitaḥ suhṛttamo na cāpriyo dveṣya upekṣya eva vā tathāpi bhaktān bhajate yathā tathā sura-drumo yadvad upāśrito ’rtha-daḥ

The Supreme Lord has no favorite and no dearmost friend, nor does He consider anyone undesirable, despicable or fit to be neglected. All the same, He lovingly reciprocates with His devotees in whatever manner they worship Him, just as the trees of heaven fulfill the desires of whoever approaches them.

Akrura, thus traveling on the road deeply meditating on Krishna reaches Gokula in the evening when sun was beginning to set. In the cowherd pasture, Akrura saw footprints of Lord, distinguished by such marks as the lotus, barleycorn and elephant goad, which made the ground wonderfully beautiful. Increasingly agitated by ecstasy at seeing the Lord's footprints, his bodily hairs standing on end because of his pure love, and his eyes filled with tears, Akrura jumped down from his chariot and began rolling about among those footprints, exclaiming, "Ah, this is the dust from my master's feet!"

Bhagavatam says the very goal of life for all embodied beings is this ecstasy, which Akrura experienced when, upon receiving Kamsa's order, he put aside all pride, fear and lamentation and absorbed himself in seeing, hearing and describing the things that reminded him of Lord Krishna.

Krishna willing, we shall continue to learn more about Akrura's transcendental journey in the subsequent offerings.

Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Manohar Suvarna Abu Dhabi. Akrura's Transcendental Journey - Part 4

Date: 2013-08-03 Author: Manohar suvarna

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

This is in continuation of the previous offering on this topic titled, 'Akrura's Transcendental Journey'. So far we saw how:

1. Even demoniac king Kamsa knew that only Akrura can bring Lord Krishna and Balarama to Mathura. 2. Akrura humbly wondered how although he was involved in sense gratification, he got the opportunity to have darshan of the Lord. 3. He thanked King Kamsa for his mercy in sending him to see lotus feet of Lord Hari. 4. Upon seeing Lord's footprints Akrura went into ecstasy, and jumped down from chariot and began rolling on footprints.

Today, we will see how Akrura is received by Lord Krishna and Balarama in Mathura.

Upon seeing Lord Krishna and Balarama, Akrura's eyes flooded with tears, his body exhibited eruptions of ecstasy and out of eagerness he could not speak a word. After his obeisance, Lord Krishna drew him close and embraced him. Lord was pleased to meet Akrura as he is one of the surrendered souls. Lord Balaram and Nanda Maharaja offered all the hospitalities to Akrura and enquired about the journey. Having been honored so much by Lord Balarama and Krishna, Akrura felt that all his desires he contemplated on the road, were fulfilled. Srimad Bhagavatam verse 10.39.2 is very wonderful which Sukadeva Goswami is sharing with Parikshit Maharaj.

kim alabhyaṁ bhagavati prasanne śrī-niketane tathāpi tat-parā rājan na hi vāñchanti kiñcana

My dear King, what is unattainable for one who has satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the shelter of the goddess of fortune? Even so, those who are dedicated to His devotional service never want anything from Him.

All that we devotees need to do is to satisfy Supreme Lord and rest is all assured. No anxiety, no fear and no lamentation. The first 2 lines of this verse is worth meditating since in this material world of desires, most challenging is how to get satisfied and contended. Most important thing is that how wonderfully first two lines of verses are linked to second two lines. When Lord is satisfied, devotees are completely satisfied and therefore, do not want anything from Lord. In other words, satisfaction is the appropriate measurement of our devotional service. The more we are advanced in Krishna consciousness, less are our wants.

Srila Prabhupada says, this Krishna consciousness movement is actually a purificatory process. sarvopādhi-vinirmuktaṁ . We become purified and when we are purified, our activities carried out by our purified senses make us perfect. That is the ideal perfection of human life. Modern civilization is rascaldom. Everyone is seeing daily that he is under control of material nature and still he thinks that, "I can do whatever I like". People say that, 'This life is all. After this life, everything is finished. I am free.' This is the problem and this is the position.

After Akrura's evening meal, Lord Krishna enquired about his journey and how Kamsa is treating His dear friends and relatives, whether all friends and relatives are happy and in good health. Lord here addresses Akrura most affectionately as, "My dear gentle uncle". This shows the exalted position of Akrura. Verse 10.39.6 of Srimad Bhagavatam which is spoken by the Master of the Universe, Lord Krishna is most touching and appropriate to His nature. Lord says, "Just see how much suffering I have caused My offenseless parents! Because of Me their sons were killed and they themselves imprisoned." Lord is the master of everything, proprietor of everything and is independent. He had descended on earth to protect His unalloyed devotees and to kill miscreants. Therefore, there is no need for Lord to feel guilty on anything. Yet, He feels so much love, reverence and compassion for His parents and emphasizes on the conscious duty of the sons towards parents.

Krishna willing, we shall continue to learn more about Akrura's transcendental journey in the subsequent offerings.

Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Manohar Suvarna Abu Dhabi. Akrura's Transcendental Journey - Part 5

Date: 2013-08-15 Author: Manohar suvarna

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

This is in continuation of the previous offering on this topic titled, 'Akrura's Transcendental Journey'. So far we saw how:

1. Even demoniac king Kamsa knew that only Akrura can bring Lord Krishna and Balarama to Mathura. 2. Akrura humbly wondered how although he was involved in sense gratification, he got the opportunity to have darshan of the Lord. 3. He thanked King Kamsa for his mercy in sending him to see lotus feet of Lord Hari. 4. Upon seeing Lords footprints Akrura went into ecstasy, and jumped down from chariot and began rolling on footprints. Akrura was received most affectionately by Lord Krsna and Balaram.

Today, we will see departure of Lord Krsna and Balarama to Mathura.

On the Lords request, Akrura described whole situation including King Kamsa's enmity towards Yadus and his attempt to kill Vasudeva. Further, he relayed the message he had been sent to deliver and described Kamsa's real intention and how Narada had informed that Krsna is son of Vasudeva. Lord Krsna and Balaram laughed at Akrura's words and informed Nanda Maharaj to prepare for the journey. The Lord is laughing because His plans are beyond the imagination of insignificant living entities. In this context, it is worth remembering Srimad Bhagavatam verse 2.4.8 wherein Parikshit Maharaj is glorifying Lord with Sukadeva Goswami,O learned brahmana, the transcendental activities of the Lord are all wonderful, and they appear inconceivable because even great endeavors by many learned scholars have still proved insufficient for understanding them. Even Lord Brahma (SB 10.14.2) expressed his inability to understand the Lord's potency and personal form.

Here in Gokula, gopis were frightened at the prospect of even the briefest separation from Lord Mukunda, so now, as they remembered His graceful gait, His pastimes, His affectionate, smiling glances, His heroic deeds and His joking words, which would relieve their distress. They gathered in groups and spoke to one another, their faces covered with tears and their minds fully absorbed in .

Srimad Bhagavatam says that gopis blame Akrura for their distress and he should not be called Akrura as he is merciless. They felt that he is so extremely cruel that without even trying to console the sorrowful residents of Vraja, he is taking away Krsna, who is more dear to them than their life itself. They forgot all shame and loudly cried out, "O ! O Damodara! O Madhava!"

Here, we need to understand the intensity of bhakti and samarpana bhava expressed by gopis. We, devotees, need to develop atleast 0.001% of this bhava. Srila Prabhupada gives the example of magnetic force and piece of iron. Unless the iron is rusty, it is automatically attracted by magnetic force. Similarly, although we are now contaminated by material coverings, we have to make ourselves rust free so that immediately we shall be attracted by Krsna. This is the program. Krsna is all attractive. And we are naturally attracted. But because we are covered with rust, instead of being attracted by Krsna we are being attracted by .

While leaving Gokula, Lord Krsna somewhat pacified the gopis and said I will return. Sending their minds after Krsna, the gopis stood as motionless as figures in a painting. They remained there as long as the flag atop the chariot was visible, and even until they could no longer see the dust raised by the chariot wheels.

Supreme Lord Krsna, traveling as swiftly as the wind in that chariot with Lord Balarama and Akrura, arrived at the river Kalindi, which destroys all sins.

Krishna willing, we shall continue to learn more about Akrura's transcendental journey in the subsequent offerings.

Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Manohar Suvarna Abu Dhabi. Akrura's Transcendental Journey - Part 6

Date: 2013-08-22 Author: Manohar suvarna

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

This is in continuation of the previous offering on this topic titled, 'Akrura's Transcendental Journey'. So far we saw how:

1. Even demoniac king Kamsa knew that only Akrura can bring Lord Krishna and Balarama to Mathura. 2. Akrura humbly wondered how although he was involved in sense gratification, he got the opportunity to have darshan of the Lord. 3. He thanked King Kamsa for his mercy in sending him to see lotus feet of Lord Hari. 4. Upon seeing Lords footprints Akrura went into ecstasy, and jumped down from chariot and began rolling on footprints. Akrura was received most affectionately by Lord Krishna and Balaram. 5. Departure of Lord Krishna and Balarama to Mathura with Akrura.

Today, we will see how Lord Krishna reveals His Vishnu form to Akrura.

On the way to Mathura, Their Lordships Krishna and Balaram stopped by the bank of Yamuna and took Their baths. Having drunk water from river Kalindi, both Lord Krishna and Balaram climbed back the chariot. Srila Prabhupada in his Krishna book writes that, Simply' by taking a bath in the Yamuna, anyone can diminish the reactions of his sinful activities.' Anything in this material world which has got the transcendental touch of Supreme Lord becomes transcendental. So what to speak of Yamuna in which Lord has taken bath, drank water and played with His friends. Devotees of the Lord are always eager to honour the maha prasada of the Lord. So in this case we see that Akrura sought permission from Lord for a bath in river. The Lord is very dear to His devotees and is always eager to please them. So as soon as Akrura started immersing himself in the water of Yamuna, he suddenly saw both Krishna and Balaram in the water. Akrura was wondering how the Lordships are seated in the chariot and now in the water. He came out of the water and saw Them as They were in the chariot just as before. Akrura re-entered the water. What Akrura is going to see now is the goal of every great devotee.

Akrura now saw Ananta Sesha, the Lord of the serpents, receiving praise from Siddhas, Caranas, and demons, who all had their heads bowed. Akrura then saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead lying peacefully on the lap of Lord Ananta Sesha. The complexion of that Supreme Person was like a dark-blue cloud. He wore yellow garments and had four arms and reddish lotus-petal eyes. His face looked attractive and cheerful with its smiling, endearing glance and lovely eyebrows, its raised nose and finely formed ears, and its beautiful cheeks and reddish lips. Lord was worshipped by Nanda, Sunanda, Sanaka, Kumaras, Brahma, Rudra and other chief demigods; the nine chief brahmaṇas; and the best of the saintly devotees, headed by Prahlada, Narada and Uparicara Vasu. Each of these great personalities was worshiping the Lord by chanting sanctified words of praise in his own unique mood.

To get the transcendental darshan of the Lord and His devotees is a very great blessing of the Lord and it happens only when Lord is pleased with devotional service of the individual. We may not be qualified or fortunate enough to see the Lord in person in this lifetime, but every time we see His dear devotees, we must be thankful to the Lord for that merciful opportunity and try to render service to them to the best of our ability. Pure devotees of the Lord, carry the Lord in their hearts and so by serving them, we can be assured that some day or the other we will gain entry into the Lord's abode.

As the great devotee Akrura saw Lord Vishnu and His close devotees, he became extremely pleased and felt enthused with transcendental devotion. His intense ecstasy caused His bodily hairs to stand on end and tears to flow from his eyes. Somehow managing to steady himself, Akrura bowed his head to the ground. HH Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj says that offering obeisances to the Lord has so much potency. There are times when we are not able to offer anything to the Lord. Even in such occasions, if we simply surrender whole-heartedly and offer Him dandavats, then the all merciful Lord rejuvenates our mind and senses. So after offering obeisances, Akrura joined his palms and with emotions, very slowly and attentively began to pray.

Krishna willing, we shall continue to learn more about Akrura's transcendental journey in the subsequent offerings.

Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Manohar Suvarna Abu Dhabi. Akrura's Transcendental Journey - Part 7

Date: 2013-08-30 Author: Manohar suvarna

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

This is in conclusion of the previous offering on this topic titled, 'Akrura's Transcendental Journey'. So far we saw how:

1. Even demoniac king Kamsa knew that only Akrura can bring Lord Krishna and Balarama to Mathura. 2. Akrura humbly wondered how although he was involved in sense gratification, he got the opportunity to have darshan of the Lord. 3. He thanked King Kamsa for his mercy in sending him to see lotus feet of Lord Hari. 4. Upon seeing Lords footprints Akrura went into ecstasy, and jumped down from chariot and began rolling on footprints. He was received most affectionately by Lord Krishna and Balaram. 5. Departure of Lord Krishna and Balarama to Mathura with Akrura. 6. Lord Krishna reveals His Vishnu form to Akrura.

7. Prayers offered by Akrura to Lord Vishnu : Akrura offered 30 prayers (Srimad Bhagavatam verses 10.40.1 to 10.40.30) to Lord. All these are wonderful prayers and these prayers are powerful enough to liberate us if regularly chanted, humbly before the Lord. Vandanam or offering prayers to the Lord is one of the nine limbs of devotional service and in Bhaktirasamrta sindu verse 1.2.265, it is mentioned that akrūras tv abhivandane - Akrura attained perfection by offering prayers to the Lord. His prayers are epitome of devotion to the Supreme Lord. As HH Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj says along with chanting of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, when we offer prayers regularly, humbly with a folded hand, and bowed head Lord Krishna is pleased and He ensures His divine protection. Let us recite one of Akrura's prayers to Lord - Srimad Bhagavatam 10.40.28,

so ’haṁ tavāṅghry-upagato ’smy asatāṁ durāpaṁ tac cāpy ahaṁ bhavad-anugraha īśa manye puṁso bhaved yarhi saṁsaraṇāpavargas tvayy abja-nābha sad-upāsanayā matiḥ syāt

Being thus fallen, I am approaching Your feet for shelter, O Lord, because although the impure can never attain Your feet, I think it is nevertheless possible by Your mercy. Only when one's material life has ceased, O lotus-naveled Lord, can one develop consciousness of You by serving Your pure devotees.

Before offering prayers, we need to be humble. We should be conscious that we do not deserve Lord's mercy. However, Krishna is ocean of mercy and everything is possible if Lord is merciful. Last two lines of the above verse are very significant as we are all under the illusion that we are Krishna conscious. However, above verse indicates that a real Krishna consciousness is not easily achievable. It is only when we are free from material desires, and sense gratification, and most importantly by serving Lord's pure devotees, one can develop Krishna consciousness.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that, "I am not brahmana, not kshatriya, not vaishya and I am not shudra. I am not brahmachari, not grahasta, not vanaprashta, I am not sannyas. These are negations. Positive is gopī-bhartuḥ pāda- kamalayor dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ. I am the servant of servant of servant of gopī-bhartuḥ, Krishna who maintains gopis - His cowherd girlfriends."

Therefore, surrender to spiritual master is royal road to the devotional service. Akrura, after the prayers, came out of the water and quickly finished his ritual duties. Lord Krishna asked Akrura whether he has seen something wonderful for which Akrura responded that Lord is all in all and everything wonderful in all universes, reside in Lord only. Akrura entered Mathura and invited Lord Krishna and Balarama to his house. He glorified Krishna in selected verses and pleaded Lord to purify his home with dust of His lotus feet. However, on Lord's assurance that He will visit his house once all work is done, with heavy heart, Akrura took leave from the Lord.

Thus Akrura, one of the exalted devotees of Lord Krishna, exhibited exemplary devotional service in a very odd situation, along with performing his duty as messenger to his King Kamsa. He accomplished most difficult job with ease because he had unflinching faith in Lord.

Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Manohar Suvarna Abu Dhabi.