Gratitude - Part 16 Date: 2019-01-24 Author: Sudarshana devi dasi Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev. This is in conclusion of the transcription of the class given by our God brother HG Viraja Krishna Prabhuji from Brisbane on Srimad Bhagavatam - verse 12.6.2, rājovāca siddho ’smy anugṛhīto ’smi bhavatā karuṇātmanā śrāvito yac ca me sākṣād anādi-nidhano hariḥ Maharaja Parikshit said: I have now achieved the purpose of my life, because a great and merciful soul like you has shown such kindness to me. You have personally spoken to me this narration of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, who is without beginning or end. In the previous offering we heard as to how important it is for us to realise the value of wealth of Holy Names and Granthraj Srimad Bhagavatam bestowed upon us by Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev. Now we shall hear the questions asked by devotees and the answers provided by Prabhuji at the end of the class. Devotee: What are the various metres in which the verses are being sung? We heard that Raghunath dasa Goswami used to sing verses in various tunes. Viraja Prabhuji: Yes. Raghunath das Goswami bhatta Goswami was expert in Srimad Bhagavatam. Even Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami used to sit down and listen when Raghunatha dasa Goswami begins to recite Srimad Bhagavatam. His recitation of Srimad Bhagavatam was unique because he could sing each verse in many different metres. These lyrics and tune, enhance the devotional mood with which we recite the shlokas. That is why we have the initial raagas - sa-re-ga-ma-pa... It enhances. Maharaj also said that each rhythm or meter for the shloka enhances the devotional mood. Devotee: How will we attain perfection. In this shloka, Pariskhit Maharaj is saying that he has attained perfection. But we are not like him. How to attain perfection? Viraja Prabhuji: Maharaj used to say that actually we can never achieve perfection. We are neither Brahma-rat or Vishnu-rat. So far ourselves, we depend completely depend on the Lord. But we should not feel discouraged. Madhavendra puri says very nicely in his prayer, mugdhaṁ māṁ nigadantu nīti-nipuṇā bhrāntaṁ muhur vaidikāḥ mandaṁ bāndhava-sañcayā jaḍa-dhiyaṁ muktādarāḥ sodarāḥ unmattaṁ dhanino viveka-caturāḥ kāmam mahā-dāmbhikam moktuṁ na kṣāmate manāg api mano govinda-pāda-spṛhām Let the sharp moralist accuse me of being illusioned; I do not mind. Experts in Vedic activities may slander me as being misled, friends and relatives may call me frustrated, my brothers may call me a fool, the wealthy mammonites may point me out as mad, and the learned philosophers may assert that I am much too proud; still my mind does not budge an inch from the determination to serve the lotus feet of Govinda, though I be unable to do it." So this should be our mood. Bhakti means nourishment. That's why this path is also known as 'puṣṭi' maarg. puṣṭi maarg means the more devotional service we do, it nourishes ourself. What is the barometer for this nourishment? Srila Prabhupada says that we automatically become virakta - detached. The measurement for nourishment is simple. We have to question ourselves as to are we getting detached from good things and bad things in life. That is what Mahaprabhu has taught us - vairāgya-vidyā-nija-bhakti-yogam - vairāgya means detachment from everything that does not help develop Krishna consciousness; So that is the measure of progress. Granthaj Srimad Bhagavatm ki Jai! Srila Prabhupada ki Jai! Srila Gurudev ki Jai!" Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to HG Viraja Krishna Prabhuji for sharing this sublime verse and class, to Srila Gurudeva, Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krishna for mercifully arranging the opportunity to hear the class. Hare Krishna. Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev, Sudarshana devi dasi..