20230601 Question and Answer Session

Any questions?

Question: How do we try to think of Kṛṣṇa at the time of death, especially if we are dying unconscious?

Jayapatākā Swami: Kṛṣṇa promises to help and that is why we like to worship Kṛṣṇa throughout our life. And then Kṛṣṇa at the time when we leave the body, He helps us. Therefore, we are able to think of Kṛṣṇa. If someone thinks, ah! I will just chant at the time of death, then we will get into a very difficult situation. But if you trying always to think of Kṛṣṇa, then Kṛṣṇa also reciprocates and helps us.

Sarvajaya Mādhava dāsa: We heard if one percent of the world becomes devotees, then 99% of the world is benefited. Can you please help us understand this?

Jayapatākā Swami: Why are you trying to figure it out in some mundane way? Just like in the neighborhood, if one person is Kṛṣṇa conscious, then other people, in one way or another are benefited.

Question: This is not related to the class. Hopefully it is fine I ask. When we chant japa on the clicker, I don’t remember to chant śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda
śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda, is it okay? Because when we chant on the japa-mālā we finish on the Kṛṣṇa bead and we chant that mantra? Is it okay if we don’t chant that mantra when we chant on our clickers?

Jayapatākā Swami: You can chant five times or a number of times in the beginning – śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda! By chanting that first then we are invoking the mercy of Lord Caitanya and the Pañca-tattva for chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa that follows. Whenever possible, we should use beads, and if it is not possible, then sometimes we may use the counter machine. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He used to chant using two hands. He would count on His fingers. Sometimes if He is counting on fingers, we count on the counting machine, what is the difference? But whenever possible we should use beads. But sometimes it is not possible. Like, if I am entering some country where they are prejudiced against devotees, then I cannot use the beads.

Sādhavī devī dāsī: My Prabhujī said that if someone gets initiated, their seven generations get liberated as I am initiated what are the chances of my parents getting liberated?

Sarvajaya Mādhava dāsa: Correction Guru Mahārāja, if one gets liberated instead of initiated.

Jayapatākā Swami: If you remain in Kṛṣṇa consciousness then you go back to Kṛṣṇa. And then fourteen generations forward backward, they also get delivered. And even maybe more - that is the minimal. We want to stay in Kṛṣṇa consciousness then your parents and forefathers get the benefit, me too! Alright!

Question: I have a lot of friends who grew up in the movement but have fallen away from Kṛṣṇa consciousness. What can I do to try to inspire them to come back?

Jayapatākā Swami: Well, everyone is an individual, and what may work with one person may not work for someone else. But if you are Kṛṣṇa conscious, you are getting a taste, then it is more likely that you will be able to influence others and in this way, you can encourage people to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and be happy. Like if someone told you, don’t smoke, and they are smoking, that does not have much effect. But if you are practicing and tell other people to practice, it would have more effect. Why did that individual give up practicing and accordingly, you may say something. Sometimes, just by being a friend, you can encourage people. Haribol!