19900619 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.20.14-16

The following is a lecture given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami on June 19th,1990 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The class begins with a reading from the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, 3^rd Canto, 20th Chapter, verse 14 through 16.

Verse 14

Translation: Separately unable to produce the material universe, they combined with the help of the energy of the Supreme Lord and were able to produce a shining egg.

 

Verse 15

Translation: For over one thousand years the shiny egg lay on the waters of the Causal Ocean in the lifeless state. Then the Lord entered it as Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.

 Purport: From this verse it appears that all the universes are floating in the Causal Ocean.

 

Verse 16

Translation: From the navel of the Personality of Godhead Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu sprouted a lotus flower effulgent like a thousand blazing suns. This lotus flower is the reservoir of all conditioned souls, and the first living entity who came out of the lotus flower was the omnipotent Brahmā.

Purport: It appears from this verse that the conditioned souls who rested within the body of the Personality of Godhead after the dissolution of the last creation came out in the sum total form of the lotus. This is called hiraṇyagarbha. The first living entity to come out was Lord Brahmā, who is independently able to create the rest of the manifested universe. The lotus is described here as effulgent as the glare of a thousand suns. This indicates that the living entities, as parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord, are also of the same quality, since the Lord also diffuses His bodily glare, known as Brahmājyoti.The description of Vaikuṇṭhaloka, as stated in Bhagavad-gītā and other Vedic literatures, is confirmed herewith. In Vaikuṇṭha, the spiritual sky, there is no need of sunshine, moonshine, electricity or fire. Every planet there is self-effulgent like the sun.

Thus, ends the Srila Prabhupāda’s translation and purports to texts 14- 16.

 

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3rd canto is now discussing conversation between Maitreya and Vidura. The system of the material creation is being described. In Vedic literatures and all the Purāṇas, material creation is an essential aspect. There are 18 purāṇas and each from different perspective, tells about creation as well as the cosmology of the universe.

The basic parts of the creation are very simple although there are so many details. The basic principle is that there was originally no material energy manifested. The material energy was within the Lord. He manifested material energy in one corner of the Spiritual world. This initial state of the material energy is known as un-manifested material energy or mahat tattva. So, from there to manifestation of the false ego, Universes are created. Universe is like a huge shining egg or big coconut. It has some open space in the middle however. The unlimited millions of universes floating in this causal ocean. Originally the universes are not living. There is no life in them. They are simply empty shells.

So, the Lord enters into the universe as Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. Garbha means womb. So, the universe is like a dark womb. So, the Lord enters within that and then within that dark universe life has entered. So, then the universe, materially in nature itself has no life. Life is injected into the womb of each universe by the entrance of the Lord. He is the seed giving father to all living entities. ‘ahaḿ bīja-pradaḥ pitā’ ….in the Bhagavad-gītā Kṛṣṇa says I am the seed giving father. So, when we say the Supreme father, our father. The Supreme father means the original father is ‘Kṛṣṇa’.

Of course, When we say our father in heaven this vague, that could also include Lord Brahmā. Lord Brahmā is omnipotent, omnipresent in the Universe in some ways. He knows everything going on in the universe. He is also the creator. So, some religions when they talk about God as a creator, it’s vague in their presentation that whether they are talking about Brahmā or whether they are talking about the Supreme Lord.

In fact, even the Mohammedans, they come out and say we have no concept about the Supreme Lord. There are many universes and, in each universe, there is one God, the father. Anybody can become God the father, if they are religious for certain period of time which is basically what the Vedas say for becoming Lord Brahmā. But, is very clear here in Bhagavata Purāṇa. What is the relationship between the Supreme Lord? As the Mohammedans based in Salt Lake City about their knowledge of the Supreme Lord, about the creator of each universe. He said that this is a mystery as long as they revealed to us.

But, in the Vedas there is an originally created being in each universe or Brahmā and Lord Brahmā as a living entity with the same category of ātmā/soul that you, and I have. But he has taken much higher birth, his birth and his position is topmost in this universe. But he is coming from Garbhodakaśāyī  Viṣṇu, which is an expansion of the Supreme Lord from the spiritual world.  So, without the presence of Kṛṣṇa and his various expansions there is no other creation is going on. So, they are considered as the primary cause. So, the secondary cause is Lord Brahmā. Without the living entities however, there is no life in the universe. Lord Brahmā can create the different bodies and planets and which living entities can inhabit and live. But the living entities are also directly eternally parts and parcels of Kṛṣṇa. They are spiritual parts.

In this verse explains all living entities are lying in a dormant state waiting to come out and manifest themselves in the Universe with different kinds of activities. So, all of those living entities together are very brilliant. More brilliant than thousands of suns. So, each living entity is more brilliant than thousands of suns also. Because the Sun is a material planet but the living entities are spiritual sparks. That spiritual spark is eternal. Therefore, it’s more significant than unlimited of temporary suns.

Just like in the night people put on fireworks, Prabhupāda once saw the fireworks. In some place, they took Śrīla Prabhupāda to see. He said it tickles the eyes. They are tickling the eyes. He was not very impressed.

So just like the temporary manifestation of the firework in the sky which stays for a few seconds and it’s gone. In the same way, a Sun which is lasting even for a day of Brahmā is coming and then going. What is it compared to the eternal existence of a living entity? Even though in size it may appear like decimal. However, in fact it is eternal and it has unlimited potency, if it is connected with Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, the living entity, or the spirit soul is much more significant. Millions unlimitedly more significant than even thousands of suns.

So, we are in this universe. Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu is there in the Universe. He is the original person. Supreme Person who has brought us into the universe and He is not directly interacting with the living entities. But He expands Himself as Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu or the third avatāra, third avatāra, Incarnation, who is the Supersoul that is present in everyone's heart.

The Lord is our constant companion & witness to all of our activities. He is observing how we thought, our desires, our deeds and speech. So, this form of the Lord is the form which is most active in all the universal activities, directly. Still, then Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu doesn’t interfere in the day to day activity. He gives His sanction. So, the karma, fruits are coming in a mechanical manner, according to laws of karma. But ultimate final decision rests with the Lord whether he commits it or not. If He wants to He could interfere.

Normally for an Atheist, why should He interfere? They don’t believe in God; they don’t want any help from God. So, he doesn't interfere at all. Let them get their karmas. So, whatever they sow, so shall they reap. The devotees are always requesting for the special mercy from the Lord. So, the Lord in consideration out of his own independent decision. If He wants, He can interfere or He may not interfere. It’s up to Him. But without His sanction nothing can happen. It's not that things are out of His control. If He wants, He can exercise his control. Then in the normal circumstances He just observes the things that are going on and He is allowing. The final button, He is pushing. But He allows the things to go on without His interference goes on naturally, automatically. So, the difference for the devotees is that, the devotee is directly under the protection of the Lord.

Since the devotee surrenders to the Lord therefore, He personally takes charge of the devotee’s life. For the materialist there is no relationship with the Lord. Then they are simply working under the laws of karma and material nature in her form as Mother Durgā. She is engaging that conditioned soul in different activities. It’s been explained how, actual living entity is always dependent.

Yesterday, we were driving in Detroit to come here and there was a big sign in one of the parts of Morton. It said, “Addiction is slavery”. So that simple slogan brought out many thoughts. Of course, particular part of the town in America, slavery was been abolished.  But then, People are taking to addiction so they are becoming enslaved. This is may be their immediate thought.

But then in a more Kṛṣṇa Conscious perspective, we see, how by not serving Kṛṣṇa voluntarily we become enslaved to this material nature. Become slaves to our senses Go Dāsa. Actually, Dāsa means slave in one sense. Servitor, but servitor not in the ordinary just in the casual sense. But means a sold-out servitor. In the devotional sense when we say Kṛṣṇa dāsa, is not a forced slave. But, if someone out of love voluntarily dedicates himself for the service of his master, the Supreme Lord. Of course, A forced slave, there is a particular word in Bengali. I don’t know in Sanskrit, it is “Golan” Go..lan….that means it’s like a captured, you know...entrapped slave. But... another generic name is ‘Dāsa’ means that someone who is completely servitor. So that could both indicate slave, that could also indicate someone who is voluntarily serving. Could indicate both. It’s general term. Someone who is serving the master.

If a devotee is voluntarily realized that Kṛṣṇa is the most merciful master. He is my eternal Lord. So, they voluntarily surrender to Kṛṣṇa, and they serve him out of Love. So, those who are in illusion, they may think I don’t serve anybody. I am not going to bow down to anybody. So, but in their decision to not serve anyone since they are actually the spirit soul, they are not the Body. But their whole life is based on serving the body and those things relate with the body and the body is the product of the material nature. They are serving the material nature, the dictations in the body are not within their control. Therefore, if you have to serve and then it’s not in your control. That’s ‘Slavery’.

Actually, the people even choose to voluntarily serve Kṛṣṇa out of love or they are forced to serve the Lord energy. It’s external energy in slavery. That’s also their voluntary choice. But once they are serving, they can’t get out. They can’t do what they want. If It’s time to eat they have to eat, if they don’t eat, then they are going to face a lot of trouble. They are going to be tortured by their stomach. When It’s time to sleep if they don’t sleep they are going to suffer a lot. If they want to sleep then they can’t sleep that’s another type of problem. People are suffering today.

I met one person who couldn’t sleep for so many days. So, they are not freed, they are forced to serve so many dictations of the senses and those dictations, there may be in goodness, passion or ignorance which produce different results in the future.

So, the first of all issue is that we are never without serving. Our eternal nature is to be a servitor. Although we may think we are a great King, even some big Prime minister in parliament, he admitted that I may be here, leave to so many other countries and so many things, but when I go on to my house, I have to just be on my knees to my wife to get sense gratification.

So, in this material world everyone is brought to the knees one way or another. Ultimately death brings everyone to their knees. Someone gave a very nice example. Some people say how your bowing down the devotee are coming in and prostrating themselves before the Lord.

So, the devotees are voluntarily surrendering to Kṛṣṇa because they are won over by His beauty, His opulence, His transcendental qualities, so they are voluntarily surrendering to the Lord. Prostrating themselves humbly before the Lord.

Someone very proud, he said that I won't bow down to anyone. I won’t bow down before any god, for any man, or anyone.

So, but also it came out yesterday, How in America, there is less change in the congress than even in the Supreme Soviet in Russia. Then here in this country the Congressmen who are once elected, generally the Governments are reelected every time. The only way they are voted out is, they get the vote of God. They die. People are voted out of congress by death. They said, wasn’t for the vote of God, they will be there forever. *Devotees laughing* Most of the people they don’t get voted out they die in Congress. Once they get in, they are there till they die.

So that was interesting how they compare the death as the vote of God. Because in the Bhagavad Gītā, Kṛṣṇa says that for the atheist I come as death. For the devotee He comes as so many beautiful forms. Nitāi-Gaur, Rādhā Mādhav, Rādhā Rādhā kaṇṭha, Jagannath. So many beautiful forms are there He comes with His energies and His devotees.

But, for the materialist they know only one form of God. They made a subtle belief in God. But in one form they know for sure. That is the absolute form of death; He comes and moves them personally from their body. So, when He comes as death, even though they say I won't bow down before God, they are forced to bow down. They are forced to fall flat on the ground and do their daṇḍavats at the time of death. Everyone has to lie flat. Whether you put them on the crematorium or you put them in the grave they are flat out. Even, there is a saying I think they call flat sometime, Skiffs right. So, they are forced to do their daṇḍavats at least once in their life. Without any choice.

So, the devotees, they are voluntarily bowing down before the Lord. The materialist forcibly they have to bow down at least once in their life at the time of death. Big Heavyweight boxing champs they win the world title. But then somebody give a good smack, then they also pay their daṇḍavat. Carlos right. Actually at least one time they are knocked out. Death many many more times before that. So, the devotees they understand what is their position.

One PhD Professor yesterday was discussing with me. He asked me “Why is it that the Vedas have all the answers?”. How is it that? Why not in some other part of the world?

From India, in the Vedas it seems every question we have, all the answers are there. The Lord has revealed everything, so much about Himself. About this material nature in the Vedas written down in India. So, from there all this knowledge is there. The Lord has appeared there.

Actually, the Vedas are coming from Kṛṣṇa that’s why they have all this knowledge. Because He could reveal anyway. He is independent. It happened that He revealed in this planet in India because that is a special place for Him, as He had His pastimes there.

But you can say now the Lord is also revealing the same knowledge here in America. It's been written down in India, but if someone practices it in America, they get the same benefit. This knowledge is the same in any part of the universe. On this planet He has revealed it in this yuga, in India. It’s the place of His pastimes, Holy dhāmas are there. In other planets, these books are also revealed. So, all the materialists are trying to understand. What is the creation? Here already the answers are given in the Vedas.

The creation which begins far beyond the level of initial perception possible by material scientist. When it comes here, to the production of the five gross elements, at that time when suddenly Brahmā pow! He gets all the five gross elements to be manifested in this universe. Under his direction these gross elements are formed together in different planets, Suns, etc. star, the sun…. At that time then all the planets become suitable for habitation and then the Lord Brahmā, he starts to create progenitors. He starts to populate the Universe and then actually mankind is brought to this planet. Doesn't evolve on this planet. But it is brought to this planet.

Actually, evolution is also speculation. It’s not accepted by the Vedas. Rather Brahmā, he creates different kinds of life, and there is a type of progression one after another. You can say this evolution and his thought process, the different kinds of bodies that he produces but It’s not that the bodies are evolved or Life evolves. Life is a spirit soul; bodies are evolving in the imagination of Lord Brahmā inspired by Kṛṣṇa. The seeds for the different bodies are given by Kṛṣṇa, his original intelligence and Brahmā inserts the spirit soul and they come to life.

So, Manu comes and humanity begins on this earth. So many other type of life in the universe. What is the origin that scientists are trying to find out from various phenomena, waves and vibrations in the Universe? What are the origins? But they can only even hope to come to know what are the origin up from the origin of entering the gross elements in the Universe. Before that there are many subtle creations which are going on. The creation from the un-manifested material nature, coming into the forms of the false egos. As affected by the different levels of three modes of material nature. Then, it is mentioned here that there is a subtle element, the sense organs and the working senses. So, if they gist the gross five elements. But how does one see them? Taste them, hear, smell and touch. The ability to do that is something very special. That itself is the whole type of creation.

The spiritual living entity is given the ability to perceive. So, the material objects, they also take the form as sense objects. Otherwise they will be material nature, But the spirit soul, that there is no interaction. They will just be there in some un-manifested state. To bring them into existence and bring them into perceivable forms. To actually have the facility or capacity to see, to hear, to perceive. All these are types of levels of creation. These are beyond modern science preview. These are clearly mentioned in the Vedas. In the Bhāgavatam.

So, we understand that everything we are seeing, we are tasting, we are hearing, we are smelling or touching. All this is being done through the material nature. This material nature is wrapped around the spirit soul in the form of the subtle body, the false ego. There is an interfacing, there is a connection. A subtle type of connection, not a direct connection because the.. like oil and water. There are 2 different types of elements one is spiritual śakti and one is material energy. So, but somehow this spiritual energy is entrapped within this material energy and is identified through the senses.

So, one is thinking that with the contact of the sense objects, I will be happy. Something good to smell, good to taste, good to see, good to touch. Or something reverse, something painful, something pungent or bad to smell, stinky, something ugly, something painful. The opposite sensations are there. So, then one is trying to avoid painful sensations and to experience pleasant perceptions and these pleasant perceptions are considered the goal of modern life. Pursuit of happiness. Actually happiness... real happiness is depending on perceptions.

Of course, according to the Bhagavad-gītā there are perceptions in the mode of Goodness, Passion and Ignorance. So, now government responsible. people…. They are telling people, to avoid ignorant perceptions. Say NO TO DRUGS! Because that perception is immediately pleasant but, in the end, it causes suffering. It actually addicts one so on.

So, they differentiate, even materialist, they can differentiate different perceptions of pleasure. Some are destructive taking some cocaine, some crack or heroin or something. This immediate pleasure is actually destroying the person.

Now, they are coming to understand also taking cigarettes is destructive because it causes cancers, bad for their health. Taking some kind of harmful smoke in the body as a regular feature is very detrimental to one's physical wellbeing. So, they are differentiating, this is that.

In Bhagavad-gītā says it is tāmasika, it’s in ignorance, it’s going to cause a disease. These things are already given 1000s of years ago. Things in the mode of ignorance are bad for you. Things in the mode of passion, they give some immediate happiness but later they give frustration, anxiety.

Only things in the mode of goodness give anxiety in the beginning they seem negative. Like if we tell people to be a vegetarian, well! you can't eat meat, have so many difficulties. Then after they are eating vegetarian, they feel healthy, they feel happy, so it’s very nice. So, like this, things in a mode of goodness, at first for those who are not in goodness, they appear otherwise but, in the end,, they feel oh! It’s very nice.

So, modern scientist and its empiric objectivity, as they are becoming more expert, they are able to gather the different, statistics. They are coming to the same conclusions that the Vedas are giving.

The conclusion is that we should…the material life, happiness comes from living alive based more in the mode of goodness. So, then finally government publishes report that eating meat is detrimental. Environmentalist say that those who are eating meat.... actually, the meat eating is what is destroying the environment. That if someone is really an Environmentalist, they should be a vegetarian. These are nothing to do but simply lead spiritual life. They simply they are gradually coming to the conclusion that things which are in the mode of goodness are better. Which is already what Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā. This is like primary kindergarten school, primary understanding. But, real transcendental understanding goes beyond even these three modes of material nature.

Nistraiguṇya above the 3 modes. Devotional service is above the 3 modes. Its discussing with the eternal spirit soul and eternal Lord. So, we also discuss things in the 3 modes people can understand what is this world we are living in. We can know for what it is. Then we are taught in the Vedas especially in Bhāgavatam, Bhagavad-gītā what is beyond this material world. So, we understand that without the spirit soul there is no life.

Without the Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu entering into the Universe, the Universe will remain dark and dead. Lifeless. So, what is our real connection? Is it with the Garbhodakaśāyī  Viṣṇu  or is it with Kṛṣṇa or is it with this material universe and its energy? So, to understand actually this material universe and these bodies are a type of prison. We are imprisoned within the Universe. But, the easy way to get free is to reestablish our forgotten relationship with Kṛṣṇa. So, in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta it mentions that, that person who is the origin of the mūla-sankarṣaṇa, who is the origin of the puruṣa-avatāras. The Mahā Viṣṇu, the Viṣṇu who creates the initial material energy or expansion. The Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu who enters into the material universe and brings life into it. The Ksīrodakaśāyi Viṣṇu, the Supersoul who expands and presents in everyone's heart. All these different puruṣa-avatāras, are coming from Lord Nityānanda.

Lord Nityānanda, who is the origin of the different avatāras, incarnations of Godhead. He himself has come along with Caitanya Mahāprabhu. And he is just freely giving out, immediate reestablishment of our eternal loving relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Which is the real freedom from the material bondage. Which is the highest liberation because, by some mechanical means of yoga. One may dismantle their attachments to material nature and thus realize the effulgence. Which is all expansive throughout the material and spiritual world and surrounding the entire material world everywhere.

So, that they realize the spiritual effulgence they are freed from the laws of karma. But again, from there they can fall back down again into the material worlds. So, that type of liberation is not considered permanent. It’s a type of unnatural liberation.

But, when Lord Nityānanda is giving out love of Kṛṣṇa, which re-establishes our forgotten relationship with Kṛṣṇa and then the chance of falling down has not come again. Because one regains their complete knowledge. Lord Nityānanda is dancing in ecstasy, engaging all the conditioned souls in the service of Caitanya Mahāprabhu in the service of Kṛṣṇa.

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare 

So, Lord Nityānanda, He is also the original spiritual master. Lord Nityānanda is known as Ādi Guru. He manifests as the spiritual master also to give the same knowledge through the disciplic succession. How to regain our original position with the Lord. Engaging the devotees in the Lord’s service. Just as we had the Pāṇihāṭi festival, earlier this month, where Lord Nityānanda engaged Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī, in making flat rice, and cīḍa and condensed milk and fruit feast for the pleasure of Lord Caitanya, Lord Kṛṣṇa. He had Raghunātha Dāsa perform so many different devotional services. This is Lord Nityānanda’s mercy. He engages the devotee in the service of the Lord and while serving the Lord, He also gives them transcendental love.

So, we pray for the mercy of Lord Nityānanda prabhu, He would go on... He would engage everyone in serving Lord Caitanya. We got 100s and 1000s of people would come and take prasādam. He would do this spontaneous festival, kīrtana, prasāda distribution.

So, here we are trying to do the same saṅkīrtana. Distributing the mercy of Lord Nityānanda. Distributing mahā-prasādam to the conditioned souls. But the souls, they may not know that this is to their benefit. They may not, due to being in the mode of ignorance and passion. They may not see.

Even just like glimmer of light to the clouds of mode of goodness coming. So, Just like its overcast. clouds in the sky, sometimes just even for a moment the cloud opens and the sunlight comes through and everything becomes lit up. So, like this in this dark period of Kali Yuga where everything is overcast. The little bit of Sun, the clouds open for a second and the sunlight can shine in and the whole world becomes illuminated.

This is basically what's happening. The clouds have opened letting in the light of Lord Caitanya's saṅkīrtana movement. Śrīla Prabhupāda has brought this message all over the world.  Lord Nityānanda is very anxious to see all the people chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.

“Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare”

 This mercy is not forced on anyone. In one sense, Lord comes as a humble devotee and encourages people requests them to chant. His devotees are also doing the same thing following in His footsteps. People chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, as to their benefit. Devotees are going and requesting everyone to chant.

So, mechanical process of yoga reverses this whole creation process through the meditation of the process of yoga. But, devotional service goes to the very root why we came from the spiritual world. It’s a spiritual solution for our original reason of being here. We are baddha-jīva, nitya-baddha, eternally conditioned because the reason for our coming in this material world, is not a material cause. It stems from... in the spiritual world.

So, by some material means you can’t end your bondage here. You are in the dark well which there is no way to crawl out. The cause for our being here is from the spiritual world.

So, the solution to get out of the material world is a spiritual solution. We had to reconnect ourselves, we have to be forgiven for the whatever offense we have committed to be here in this material world. To re-establish, our relationship with the Lord, our new footing. Then immediately the cause for being in this material world becomes redundant or no longer applicable. So, this is the direct solution. Then one can revert to their nitya-mukta status from eternally conditioned again to eternally liberated.

Once when liberated, then one remains liberated perpetually, eternally. Unless someone wants to enter into the material world. There is no such thing that one has to enter in the material world. It’s not that you have to go back to the spiritual world. You can stay here forever, theoretically. Unless one becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious they don’t get out. The cause for our being here is not material. It's a spiritual cause.

Unless we take shelter of the spiritual world, we can't get back. Similarly, when we are in the spiritual world there is no material nature. So, there is no question of being brought down by the material nature when we are in the spiritual world. We are eternally liberated.

However, due to some spiritual offense, some spiritual defect, if we decide to leave that spiritual world, then we come to this material world. Totally independent and simultaneous. The spiritual and material existences are going on without any direct connection. They are separated by a river called Virajā river, what goes in this world goes on there. There is no direct connection.

But the Lord is the Lord of both the worlds. But While we are in this material world we can connect yourself with the Lord & with the Spiritual world, through the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Through chanting, through the mantras to the devotional service and we can thus get free from this type of illusory consciousness. We can become fixed in our eternal loving devotional service to Kṛṣṇa. It’s all by the mercy of Lord Nityānanda. The original spiritual master. So, we pray to His lotus feet for His mercy that we can engage in Lord Caitanya's devotional service. We can have the eternal service of Rādhā-Rādhākānṭa. Nitāi-Gaura premānande Hari Haribol!

Any question?

Jayapatākā Swami: What I, seem to recall them. In the night of Brahmā some of the planets are kept in the causal, Garbhodaka ocean. Dormant. Everything is shut down. All living entities are brought back in the body of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. There is no planet which is active. But they are not all destroyed. Some are, just kept off the shelf. Kept in cold storage in the bottom of the ocean.

When Brahmā wakes up, he pulls them out of the water again, puts them back in the place, clangs them up and starts them all over. If he wants to create a few new ones or anything he can also do that. Only Satyaloka, only Brahmāloka is not destroyed or not put to rest during the night of Brahmā. When Brahmā sleeps, Indra and all the devas, they also sleep.

Even, Nārada Muni was in heavenly planets. But he is liberated soul. He also, enters into the body of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu during the night of Brahmā. but he remains conscious. So, when he came out again at the new day, he was the same person. Same consciousness. But the other entities, they start over fresh again. Only Lord Brahmā he is waking up again to the new day. But the others, they don’t remember their previous birth. They will start again. Unless those who are some great mystic yogis, or liberated souls. 

Devotee: Inaudible

Jayapatākā Swami: Dhruva Loka is not a material planet. So, it doesn’t get affected.

Devotee:

Jayapatākā Swami: Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, Lord Balarāma was easily pleased and easily angered. Just like He was intolerant, when they were offending him. So, He wanted to pull Hastināpura into the river. When they came and pleaded with Him, He resisted. He is also compassionate. But He was playing in that mood some time as a kṣatriya, sometime as a cowherd boy. But, in the pastime of Lord Caitanya, He is coming in the mood of a devotee, in the mood of a Guru. Guru is always forgiving the disciple. Our offenses. Gadādhara Prabhu took initiation from Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi because he committed offense to him. He knew that if he takes initiation, then the Guru is always forgiving the disciple for offenses.

Śrīla Prabhupāda said we should do daily guru pūjā and pray to the guru every day to forgive us for our known and unknown offenses. So, Lord Nityānanda is coming in that all merciful mood as the Original Guru. You want to go to Lord Caitanya, you have to go through Lord Nityānanda. But, as devotee, if a devotee wants to deliver as a preacher, they want to deliver the conditioned souls.

When Balarāma was playing as a kṣatriya, then, kṣatriya has a different morality. When playing as a cowherd boy, then it's also different. In this pastime He is playing as original Guru. He is a devotee.

Yes!

What is the meaning of being a servant of the servant of the servant?

Just like Rādhārāṇī is the servitor of Kṛṣṇa and She is being served by different sakhīs. They are being served by mañjarīs. Like that Kṛṣṇa is being served by Brahmā, by Nārada, by the disciplic succession.

So, one takes up the service as the servant of the servant. Dasānudāsa. We don’t directly approach to serve Kṛṣṇa directly independent of His other servitors. But through the intimate servitors, we are serving the servant. This is more also pleasing to Them and by their intervention, by their mercy, this pleasing to Kṛṣṇa.

So, one may also get a direct opportunity to serve Kṛṣṇa face to face. We always approach through the via media of the devotees. Confidential, the eternal devotees of the Lord.

Is that alright?

One can express their desire through action. ‘Talk is cheap’. Put the words into action also and pray give me your mercy, I want to.... then you also try to follow the Guru, follow through serving the Guru. Then Lord Nityānanda is pleased. Follow His instructions given by Lord Caitanya. One may or may not be fully successful.  But at least they should try their level best. So, if their desire and the effort is in line.

Actually, trying, they are begging for the mercy also from the pure devotees of the Lord. Then, there are many things in Nectar of devotion. How you can get special mercy. Holy dhāmas are there. Special holy day today is ekādaśī fast. Given in the ISKCON panchaka. So, on ekādaśī if one fasts and chants Hare Kṛṣṇa doesn’t take any grains. Then one can get special mercy. So, we take all the advantages given in the scriptures. When the gates of mercy open up, for the devotees they are serving 365 days a year and they are always serving in the temple of the Lord. So, they are getting all the full facility.