20240709 Question and Answer Session

Jayapatākā Swami: I promised the doctor that I will end by 10 (PM).

Whatever language you ask the question in, I will reply in the same language.

Question: Hare Kṛṣṇa. Daṇḍavat Praṇāma Gurudev unto your lotus feet. (PAMHO) Please accept my humble obeisances. How to keep oneself motivated in doing rituals like morning program, chanting? I tend to break my morning routines. Also, how to engage in quality chanting? —Your insignificant servant, Paṅkaja-netra Vrajeśa dāsa.

Jayapatākā Swami: Oṁ tat sat. So, devotional service has different stages. First, we have some regulative principles, and we perform what is known as vaidhi-bhakti. When vaidhi-bhakti becomes automatic, then we can consider that as rāga. When we actually have love for Kṛṣṇa, then the devotional service really becomes rāga-mārga. And then we have the level of bhāva. That means we have ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa. And when that bhāva becomes more advanced, it becomes prema. So, we hope that you all reach that stage of bhāva. Then you won’t ask such questions like this!

Question: Hare Kṛṣṇa Guru Mahārāja. Please accept my most respectful obeisances at your divine lotus feet. Dear Guru Mahārāja, you always encourage women to take part in active services in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. When a mātājī goes for distributing books on the streets, one may face weird situations. So should they approach only females or what are the best ways for women to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness? —Your insignificant servant, Bhakti-priya Rāi devī dāsī.

Jayapatākā Swami: What is the time?

Devotees: 9:50 (PM)

Jayapatākā Swami: So, in the West, they are used to mixing with women. So, in the West, ladies are distributing books to men. But here, it is how you feel. And if possible, then you can also distribute books to men, women. But at least, in India, women can distribute to other women. In Caitanya-caritāmṛta introduction, Śrīla Prabhupāda says that Lord Caitanya, He was making His movement suitable for men and women. In the 9^th Canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in one of the purports Śrīla Prabhupāda said, men, women, śūdras, whatever, if they are Kṛṣṇa conscious then they are all equal.

Next question.

Question: Sometimes we see devotees who have been practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness for decades, when they fall down, we tend to lose our motivation temporarily thinking who are we if they fell? How to constantly be away from māyā? How to never forget the aim of life? Māyā is very subtle and strong.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, (in Navadvīpa), there are nine islands and one of them is Sīmantadvīpa. The Devī of the material world, she took the dust from Lord Caitanya’s lotus feet. Now, if someone is careless…. māyā is very strong and she would test people. She may test by giving suffering or she may give material allurement. So, one has to be ready to tolerate suffering and to tolerate enjoyment.

What time is it?

Devotees: 10 o’clock

Jayapatākā Swami: So, thank you, I promised the doctor I would leave at 10 pm! So, tomorrow we are having GBC meeting from 5 to 6.30 pm. And I hope that I will be here by 7 pm. Thank you!