20230507 Question and Answer Session

Question: Reading these passages, knowing that these are something I will never experience. I am assuming that these manifestations are not a requirement to go back with you to the spiritual world – is that correct?

Jayapatākā Swami: Of course, the extent to which Lord Caitanya was experiencing these eight ecstatic symptoms is not normal. I mean it is very special. But, to some extent, you can experience some of these ecstasies. Experiencing all at the same time is highly unusual, but Lord Caitanya was doing that. Maybe Rādhārāṇī does that. But some of these, definitely eventually you can realize. Usually one realizes some ecstasies, then another kind, then another kind, like that. You know, like laughing uncontrollably, crying, your voice choked up, it is possible that someone realizes these. We have seen like Śrīla Prabhupāda, on several occasions he would get some ecstasy. And since people imitate that, that it is our custom - we try to hide it. But sometimes, Śrīla Prabhupāda could not hide it. And he became very ecstatic. But it is possible to realize some of these ecstasies. Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Question: I read in the book once that everything you do in the day from eating breakfast to reading a book or driving, everything you do is your spiritual life, and it is only a matter of how consciously you do these ordinary things, so my question is how can we do ordinary things more spiritually consciously?

Jayapatākā Swami: By doing the activities for the pleasure of Kṛṣṇa. By doing the activities to please guru and Kṛṣṇa. So even the things which we do every day, like we offer our food to Kṛṣṇa, we take kṛṣṇa-prasāda and chant japa, read books. If you are studying in college or school, then you do with that idea that I will use what I learn in Kṛṣṇa’s service. If you are working and earning money and then you think you will use a certain percentage for Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And even the part you need for maintaining yourself, also you are offering your food, you are using your house for Kṛṣṇa’s service. Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Question: When the associates of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, they see Caitanya Mahāprabhu in this aṣṭa-sāttvika-bhāva, it might be also difficult for them to see Caitanya Mahāprabhu in this state, what gave them the courage? To personally be there and see Caitanya Mahāprabhu in that ecstasy, understand the mood of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, it might be so difficult for them as well. So what gave them the courage to bring Caitanya Mahāprabhu back and what was their ecstasy to see Caitanya Mahāprabhu when He was awake in His original state and chanting the mahā-mantra?

Jayapatākā Swami: I mean, because they loved Lord Caitanya. Seeing Him like bleeding from the pores, we normally perspire, but He was not normally perspiring, there was blood coming from His pores. So His aṣṭa-sāttvika-bhāva was extreme. So when people saw Him appearing in this very extreme situation, they cried, and they chanted. What else to do? And among them Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī or someone he was taking the lead. And knew that chanting was the only thing that would return Lord Caitanya to a little bit conscious state. So, these devotees were so fortunate that they could participate in these pastimes of the Lord. And hopefully we would develop a desire to participate in the Lord’s pastimes. Who would like to participate? May Kṛṣṇa fulfill your desires!

Question: How to forget and forgive people who did wrong to us?

Jayapatākā Swami: We could remember Lord Nityānanda, He was hit in the head by Mādhāi with a clay pot. He was caused to bleed, and He said, “Just because you caused Me to bleed, does that mean I will not give you love of Godhead?” So, we take everything, ultimately, if someone is doing something to us, we are thinking, we take it that it is our karma. That the person is acting as an instrument for our karma. We don’t take that person responsible. That they don’t know what they are doing. So in different ways we remember how the bull and cow were beaten by the personality of Kali but they did not hold the personality of Kali responsible. And Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, he was Ajātaśatru, he did not look at anyone as his enemy. He was a well-wisher to everyone. So, even his enemies found that it was better to be a friend, to follow him because he was a well-wisher to everyone. I hope that answers your question, Mr. Online – Mr.or Mrs. I don’t know!

Question: Yesterday Vinitā Mātājī was asking something. I just wanted to bring that topic back. She was asking you, Guru Mahārāja that online from Māyāpur, you used to give blessings to devotees on birthdays, they are all missing you, because they were all seeing you and you used to see them, they are missing that. She was asking is there any possibility you can resume that virtual home visit, not physical?

Jayapatākā Swami: I thought she wanted me to visit her house physically. That is why I said talk to Mahā Varāha dāsa. But if she wants a virtual visit, we can do that at the end of the class. Jānakī Rāmacandra dāsa can get the Zoom up. Tell the people what Zoom link they can go on. And at the end of class, we will see everyone on Zoom. What do you think? It is possible? Is that what they wanted? We did every day different – Monday was South India, one day was North India, one day was Bangladesh, so one day was America or something, also Saturday morning I gave a class on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam then Malaysia, Australia, China and sometimes all the way to Diego! I don’t know what day we visit Dallas. For everybody, wow!  Alright! 40 seconds left! 

Question: Do our initiated names have any significance beyond just the name – are we supposed to take from them an indication of how we are supposed to be, how we are supposed to act?

Jayapatākā Swami: There was a Śrīla Prabhupāda disciples, his name was Jitakrodha, conqueror of anger. He was a very angry guy! Maybe some names like that. Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me the name Jayapatākā and he said you will be victorious! So, sometimes the name has some meaning.

Thank you all very much! Haribol!