20220724 Nāmahaṭṭa Initiation Address

The following is a talk given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on July 24th, 2022 in Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur, India. The talk was given at Nāmahaṭṭa Installation ceremony.

mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
paramānandaṁ mādhavaṁ śrī caitanya iśvaram

Hariḥ oṁ tat sat!

I was told that I should have given the initiation, virtually. But I am trying to stay here a little! Because especially today is the initiation of devotees from East and West Medinipur, I liked coming here a lot. The devotee who used to take care of Medinipur earlier was a very good devotee, Parama Dayāla Gaurāṅga dāsa. In their absence, in some ways, we feel great separation. We are satisfied that many devotees are going out enthusiastically to preach. Haribol! Māyā is very strong. But she is one of Lord Caitanya’s strengths. She gets a lot of strength from Lord Caitanya. My desire is that all of you get Lord Caitanya’s mercy and get a taste to serve Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Generally, the human beings think that they are the body. But we are eternal, spirit souls. We have a body. But the body dies, we do not die – na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin (Bg. 2.20) Our soul is eternal. But we wrongly think that we are this body. The gṛhasthas should aim to keep Kṛṣṇa in the center and live their life. Read and study the scriptures of the Lord like Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. That is why we have the various exams for Bhakti-śāstri and Bhakti-vaibhava degrees. Someone told me that just hearing the name ‘exam’ they get nervous! But if you properly study Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, then there is no fear. Every day, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, regularly, follow the four regulative principles.

At the beginning of this Kali-yuga, Parīkṣit Mahārāja arrested Kali. Then Kali surrendered to him. He said, please give me some place to stay. Parīkṣit Mahārāja said I will give you four places where you can stay – where there is prostitution, where there is animal slaughter, where there is gambling and where there is drinking. Then Kali said that these four places, you will not rule. But now in this present day is there a place where this is such a place? Now those who are taking initiation, you should avoid these four places where Kali stays. Who all of you have taken vows for initiation, please raise your hands. Kali will try to test you all the time. But there is one word you have to tell Kali, that is No! I will not do it. Māyā wants to see if you really want to go back to Godhead. Lord Caitanya has given three things – one is harināma, one is kṛṣṇa-prasāda and thirdly Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

This Navadvīpa that you have come to has nine islands – every island is significant as representing one of the nine limbs of bhakti, devotional service. You should discuss this devotional service in Medinipur, in your homes and around, and experience the bliss.

ānandera sīma nāi, ānandera sīma nāi
nirānanda dūre jāy, nirānanda dūre jāy

The name of the Lord, service to the Lord, prasāda of the Lord – besides these what can give bliss? But presently in Kali-yuga there are various distractions. We have to convert them to attractions to chanting of the name of the Lord, eating kṛṣṇa-prasāda and reading and studying the scriptures. These should be there in your homes. And in the future, in your villages, and surrounding areas, near and far, try to spread this.

Nārada Muni went to Goloka and Lord Kṛṣṇa asked him why are you so sad? He said how will the people of Kali-yuga be liberated? Lord Kṛṣṇa said, I will come, I will come in the form of a devotee. And I will donate kṛṣṇa-bhakti to the entire world – kṛṣṇa-prema! I hope that whether you are renunciant or gṛhastha you will keep Kṛṣṇa in the center and serve and that way attain success in your life. Hare Kṛṣṇa! Have you all said the ten offences to the holy name? You will all try to follow these.