Many devotees have a desire to join ISKCON full time and dedicate their lives for Śrīla Prabhupāda. However, because of the situations in the world or in the family or personal life, they are sometimes on the borderline wondering whether I should or I sho | Questions and answers

Category: [Anarthās], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Sādhanā / Regulative Principles], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

As a part of the preaching session few new devotees had questions about Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu being Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself. We had shown them the scriptural references from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Garuḍa Purāṇa, etc. But they were not fully convinced. Please could you enlighten us the different ways we can try to make them understand this?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-02-19

Jayapatākā Swami: If the person accepts the Vedic literatures as evidence,

then they could be convinced,

after lots of Vedic evidence.

But say, one does not really accept the Vedas,

then just encourage them to chant.

There are lots of evidences in the Vedas and scriptures in the world

that tell us that we should chant the names of God.

When they feel the spiritual bliss of chanting the holy name,

or if they feel some peace

then they may be more convinced.

You see, in the first canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

it mentions that if someone

engages in devotional service,

then the causeless knowledge and detachment comes.

So somehow get the people to engage in some service.

Like maybe they are doing it as a social work,

like giving out prasāda to the hungry, to the homeless,

somehow or another they do some service

which they like to do.

Have them do something they like to do.

Then, by doing that,

they get causeless knowledge and detachment.

Maybe we know we can wake someone who is asleep,

but if they are awake pretending they are asleep, you cannot wake them up.

Because they are already awake.

So you may give the knowledge that the Vedas say this,

but if the person doesn’t want to hear,

then it may not be so useful.

I had one person in Assam,

he would meditate in his closet.

He was a believer that he was God.

And in the Bhagavad-gītā in the 14th chapter, last verse it says very clearly

that the Lord is the basis of the impersonal Brahman.

But he could not accept.

But then he liked to do service.

So we engaged him in service.

After a few years, he said you know I am beginning to understand devotional service.

So think of trying to convince someone,

if they have a short circuit in their brain,

they cannot understand,

then just engage them to do some service.

Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]

As per guru and śāstra, women are to serve their husbands and children devotedly. However, the ultimate goal of life (kṛṣṇa-prema) requires a lot of sādhanā. Will serving the family become an obstacle towards the goal? Also, how can women go back to Godhead in one lifetime?

Questioner: Harshita Sharma

Date: 2022-10-04

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya advised that we should do yukta-vairāgya.

Everything we do, we do as an offering to Kṛṣṇa.

So, ideally the wife can marry a devotee of Kṛṣṇa.

Just by assisting him,

she is also directly doing devotional service.

If she is not so fortunate to have a devotee,

she can also try to bring up her children in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

She can offer bhoga to the Deities

and take prasāda and give prasāda to the family.

There are different ways one can engage in devotional service.

I had the good fortune of visiting many gṛhastha families,

seeing how they have Deities,

how they are offering the bhoga,

offering āratī to the deities.

Some people have picture altars,

some have Deities.

So, we are seeing how the families are spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness,

how they are practicing.

This is the way that one can achieve success in this lifetime.

Link: 20200601 The reaction of the Atheists and Devotees After Seeing the Saṅkīrtana

Category: [Day-to-day Life / Married life], [Day-to-day Life / Parents], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Varṇāśrama / Gṛhastha], [Women]

Because of material allurements, my mind is distracting from chanting, service and so on. How could I develop unalloyed love for Kṛṣṇa in such circumstances?

Questioner: Purabi Das

Date: 2022-09-10

Jayapatākā Swami: We should not be attracted by temporary things.

Temporary things only last for short time, so we should not be distracted by them.

If we are attracted by some temporary things, we should think how to do that in the service of Kṛṣṇa.

In this way, we can naturally develop our love for Kṛṣṇa.

So, developing love for Kṛṣṇa is a gradual process.

And step by step we develop our love for Kṛṣṇa. Just like if we want to have a child, we pray to have a Kṛṣṇa conscious child.

We do everything in such a way that Kṛṣṇa will be pleased.

And naturally like we were reading how the king and his queen were praying to Kṛṣṇa and then they got a Kṛṣṇa conscious child, they actually got an avatāra, Ṛṣabhadeva as their child who was the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Link: 20220417 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Māyā], [Anarthās / Sinful activities], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Because of our services, we may not get enough time to actually read and deliberate on the philosophy. So how can we be assured that by doing just the service, we can still go back to Godhead ?

Questioner: Anon

Date: 2022-08-03

Jayapatākā Swami: Prabhupāda gave me a service of building Māyāpur and then at that time day and night we had two shifts of construction we were working - 600 people working under us - three devotees.

So then I went up to Prabhupāda and said I just want to take out two hours a day for reading books, because I am not getting any chance to read, so I want to take out.

Prabhupāda got angry at me and said, "You think there is a difference between serving and building my project and reading my books?

You see any difference?" (laughter)

"No."

"Then? Then?"

"Hare Kṛṣṇa"

That’s it.

Of course, the point is that while somehow or other I still managed to squeeze out half hour here there something.

It takes some desire.

This idea that we have to stop our service to read… actually, if we really go through our schedule, cut down, or even… you know, cut down on all the little times that we were wasting our…whatever.

If we really go through the schedule we can squeeze out some time every day.

And if there is really so much service that uh, needs to be done, well, that is also a shelter.

That protects us.

We have to see, if that much emergency service we have to do.

There was a big emergency in Māyāpur.

Of course, Prabhupāda generally tells everyone we should read for an hour a day.

But if we attend two classes that is also reading.

If we are hearing a class that is also reading, it is not that one is not reading.

We are hearing the Bhāgavatam every day.

In addition to that we can get time for reading, we have to just really economize.

That way if we have a desire that we want to do our service so quickly and so perfectly so that we can get little time for reading,

not little more time for sleeping or little more time for gossip… as soon as there’s a little time, we all start to gossip, or we do something else.

We have more taste sometimes for prajalpa, for other things, but if we actually tried to squeeze out the time then when we have a little time we immediately sit down and read.

So that is very good, we don't want to have a lot of spare time.

How much can we read anyway?

We can only read as much as we serve.

Service creates in us an appetite for reading.

So that way if you are competing with your time to do as much service then even do it more efficiently by which you can fit in a little more time for reading, you see.

Then it will be difficult for māyā to catch you.

In the spiritual world there is sevya, sevā and sevaka.

There is the served, the service and the servitor.

The process, the person… Everything is the, the person served, the process of service and the servant these three items are completely spiritual therefore the spiritual world is called Absolute.

There is no tinge of material contamination there.

We just have to see if our… if we can keep our consciousness in the service then there is no problem.

If our consciousness is becoming agitated we need some special instructions, then we have to discuss with authorities.

As long as the consciousness is good, one doesn’t have to think that well, just by serving you are not going to get where you want to go, because actually this service is completely pure.

Rather, just like Pra… I don't chant more than 16 rounds.

First, I will chant 16 rounds then I will read.

Then after I complete what I consider enough reading then I will chant more than 16 rounds, you see.

My priority is, first finish my rounds then read.

Sometimes devotees chant 20 rounds, 30 rounds.

Not always, but sometimes they chant more rounds.

My next priority after rounds is reading.

Then after that then more rounds sometimes if I have more time.

So, in this way, somehow or another we have to adjust everything without actually reducing.

We should not reduce, we should think how to further increase.

If there is so much service that you have no time for reading and if… if… if you are so expert that you are also not giving any time for māyā in your day, well then you are still safe.

And of course, you are attending class, so some reading is there, that is also reading.

Not that Prabhupāda did not think this was reading.

Then you can further become expert or arrange to engage other devotees who may not be as fully engaged and squeeze out a little time for reading.

Our goal is not to reduce service, but somehow fit everything in, increasing, as far as possible.

And if that can’t be done with one's own service then you try to train some other people to take up more responsibility.

Make more devotees, train them up, is that alright?

Devotee: Yes.

Link: 19821013 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.5.19

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)]

Can a gṛhastha devotee serve Kṛṣṇa like a brahmacārī?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-08-27

Jayapatākā Swami: You see it depends on one’s nature.

In the 8th canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,

there is fight between the king of the elephants and the king of the crocodiles.

So the fight was in the water.

At one point, the elephant felt that he was losing.

Because he is a land animal,

and he was in the water.

But the crocodile is a water animal.

So somehow or another he was in his elements, so he was stronger.

In the purport Śrīla Prabhupāda says that we should see what is our nature.

That in every situation, we want to fight against māyā.

So, if your nature is more vairāgya, then you can be a brahmacārī for a long time.

If your nature is more gṛhastha,

then you may be in that āśrama.

But then it is important to have a devotee wife.

So that both of you can fight against māyā as a team,

to serve Kṛṣṇa.

If the lady is simply māyā,

then that will not be very convenient.

It is very important to marry a Kṛṣṇa conscious lady,

if you want to have a gṛhastha-āśrama.

Of course, having a household means you have to work.

Unless you have a service at the temple, you have to spend some time earning money.

So it is little more of a balancing act.

Being a brahmacārī has certain advantages – you don’t have these responsibilities.

But again, you have to see what your nature is.

If your nature is such that you have to be a gṛhastha,

then you should try to find a devotee mate.

See how you can do your devotional service together.

Unfortunately, people when they look for a mate, they look for a nice face!

But actually, you have to deal with the mind.

So you should see that they are Kṛṣṇa conscious.

One boy, he married a non-devotee,

he was asked by his parents.

She was a non-veg,

but she promised I will be a vegetarian.

After they had a baby,

she started eating chicken.

Then he said, “You promised you will be a vegetarian!”

She said, “I promised,

I tried,

I was a vegetarian for a year.

You know what background I came from –

sorry, I have to eat

meat!”

So, better to have a devotee from the beginning.

So at least there is less maintenance.

Marriage is two people.

You have to have the other person on the same wavelength.

As brahmacārīs, when you are staying in the āśrama, there are some crazy people also.

So there are ups and downs in both sides.

Brahmacārīs, you don’t have responsibilities, so you can serve Kṛṣṇa 24 hours.

But gṛhasthas can also do a lot of service.

So if they make money, they can give some money to the temple.

Or they can do various preaching.

We want people to serve Kṛṣṇa,

no matter what they are.

Link: 20201117 Zoom Session with ISKCON IYF Kolkata

Category: [Varṇāśrama], [Varṇāśrama / Brahmacārī], [Varṇāśrama / Gṛhastha], [Day-to-day Life / Married life], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Can a gṛhastha devotee serve Kṛṣṇa like a brahmacārī?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-08-27

Jayapatākā Swami: You see it depends on one’s nature.

In the 8th canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,

there is fight between the king of the elephants and the king of the crocodiles.

So the fight was in the water.

At one point, the elephant felt that he was losing.

Because he is a land animal,

and he was in the water.

But the crocodile is a water animal.

So somehow or another he was in his elements, so he was stronger.

In the purport Śrīla Prabhupāda says that we should see what is our nature.

That in every situation, we want to fight against māyā.

So, if your nature is more vairāgya, then you can be a brahmacārī for a long time.

If your nature is more gṛhastha,

then you may be in that āśrama.

But then it is important to have a devotee wife.

So that both of you can fight against māyā as a team,

to serve Kṛṣṇa.

If the lady is simply māyā,

then that will not be very convenient.

It is very important to marry a Kṛṣṇa conscious lady,

if you want to have a gṛhastha-āśrama.

Of course, having a household means you have to work.

Unless you have a service at the temple, you have to spend some time earning money.

So it is little more of a balancing act.

Being a brahmacārī has certain advantages – you don’t have these responsibilities.

But again, you have to see what your nature is.

If your nature is such that you have to be a gṛhastha,

then you should try to find a devotee mate.

See how you can do your devotional service together.

Unfortunately, people when they look for a mate, they look for a nice face!

But actually, you have to deal with the mind.

So you should see that they are Kṛṣṇa conscious.

One boy, he married a non-devotee,

he was asked by his parents.

She was a non-veg,

but she promised I will be a vegetarian.

After they had a baby,

she started eating chicken.

Then he said, “You promised you will be a vegetarian!”

She said, “I promised,

I tried,

I was a vegetarian for a year.

You know what background I came from –

sorry, I have to eat

meat!”

So, better to have a devotee from the beginning.

So at least there is less maintenance.

Marriage is two people.

You have to have the other person on the same wavelength.

As brahmacārīs, when you are staying in the āśrama, there are some crazy people also.

So there are ups and downs in both sides.

Brahmacārīs, you don’t have responsibilities, so you can serve Kṛṣṇa 24 hours.

But gṛhasthas can also do a lot of service.

So if they make money, they can give some money to the temple.

Or they can do various preaching.

We want people to serve Kṛṣṇa,

no matter what they are.

Link: 20201117 Zoom Session with ISKCON IYF Kolkata

Category: [Varṇāśrama], [Varṇāśrama / Brahmacārī], [Varṇāśrama / Gṛhastha], [Day-to-day Life / Married life], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Can you please let me know what are the services I can do every day that will please you?

Questioner: Mādhavī Śyāmasundarī devī dāsī

Date: 2023-01-20

Jayapatākā Swami: All the services to the Deities in this temple or any temple of ISKCON will be very pleasing to me.

So you can ask the temple leaders what service you can do.

Lord Caitanya said, yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa.

Whoever you see, tell them the glories of Kṛṣṇa.

That will make me very happy.

Link: 20220822 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]

Could you teach us how to properly offer prayers?

Questioner: Haridhvani devī dāsī

Date: 2022-10-17

Jayapatākā Swami: The highest form of prayer is to sing or chant the name of the Lord.

If we pray, it maybe not a very good prayer.

So that is why the saṅkīrtana or chanting of the holy name is recommended

If one chants the name of Narasiṁhadeva 21 times, they can get delivered from various sufferings.

“Śrī Narasiṁha! Jaya Narasiṁha! Jaya jaya jaya Narasiṁha!” 21 times.

Otherwise, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

You can chant 54 times or 108 times.

So, the name of Kṛṣṇa is worth 3000 names of Viṣṇu.

And the name Rāma is worth 1000 names of Viṣṇu.

So, by this Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Rāma mantra,

you get so much spiritual benefit.

And the side benefits are the material suffering is mitigated.

But the real benefit is that one awakens one’s love of Godhead.

Please ask the people to chant one of the mantras,

and since there may be offence in our chanting, one can chant the Pañca-tattva mantra before chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityānanda śrī advaita gadādhara śrīvasādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛndā.

Category: [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]

Despite all adversities, you have always continued to serve Śrīla Prabhupāda without any interruption, and we see sometimes devotees, they get upset on small things. And they leave their services. And that really compromises everybody’s service to Śrīla Prabhupāda. So how can we continue in your mood, that not to leave services when offended and work together? Any instructions, any guidance you can give us about that?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-01-21

Jayapatākā Swami: Well, as I said,

we owe everything to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

He could have stayed in Vṛndāvana.

He would have easily got liberation.

But he took a great headache,

he came to the USA,

came to Canada,

and he gave us Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

So who thinks that they have paid their debt fully?

I don’t think so!

I have to do so much,

still the debts are not paid for.

As long as I have breath in the body,

as long as I have any abilities,

I will try to serve Śrīla Prabhupāda.

When I was in Canada

I asked Śrīla Prabhupāda,

whether I should join the USA army,

because my father said he would turn my name.

Then Śrīla Prabhupāda told me

better you join Kṛṣṇa’s army.

So I am still in Kṛṣṇa’s army,

and I haven’t taken retirement yet.

So as a serving officer in Kṛṣṇa’s army,

I have to continue! Ha!

Link: 20200801 Addressing Balarāma Pūrṇimā Festival Eve to ISKCON Toronto

Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Cooperation]

Even after knowing what would be favorable for me in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the desire serve in the proper mood and to get the blessings of senior devotees is weak. How to respond in these situations?

Questioner: IYF Māyāpur

Date: 2022-08-03

Jayapatākā Swami: If you realize that you are weak

in some area,

then you want to pray to Kṛṣṇa and get some strength.

Pray to Lord Caitanya, pray to Lord Nityānanda, pray to Gurudeva.

It is like an athlete.

If you don’t win, what do you do?

Give up or try harder, train more.

You want to get that gold medal for your country.

Like that.

You want to offer something to Kṛṣṇa.

Link: 20201018 Zoom Session with Mayapur IYF Youths

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]

For the last many years I have been practicing, preaching and teaching Bhagavad-gītā to so many people but internally I feel my conviction has weakened and I am not able to practice properly. Wanted to ask how to deal with this situation?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-04-27

Jayapatākā Swami: Associate with devotees who have conviction.

You see, since devotional service is a gradual process,

some people naturally would be at different stages.

So some devotees are at a very advanced stage.

A devotee of the Lord (Akrūra), when he saw the footprints of Kṛṣṇa he left his chariot and paid his obeisances to the footprints.

Like that, some devotees are very fixed up.

Try to associate with them.

Link: 20240204 Evening Address | Question-and-Answer session

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Emotions / Faith]

How can I develop greed, laulyam for rāgānuga-bhakti?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-02-19

Jayapatākā Swami: The whole purpose of bhakti-yoga is to develop our intense desire, laulyam to serve Kṛṣṇa.

So that is something that should be increasing as we go on.

And it is not a separate endeavor.

If we become attached to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, if we become attached to Lord Caitanya,

naturally we want to associate with Them.

We were reading in this līlā of Lord Caitanya and His leaving Navadvīpa,

how the devotees are lamenting in separation.

They are holding their heads, they are crying, they are rolling on the ground,

like wild people.

Someone finally tells them,

you are very fortunate

that you have a personal relationship with Kṛṣṇa Caitanya

and He cares about you.

So you should control yourselves

and follow His instructions.

So someone gave them such instructions.

So like that, we see how they developed so much deep attachment for Lord Caitanya.

We want also to develop that attachment.

Lord Caitanya taught that in this Age of Kali,

the way we can worship the Lord

is to feel His separation.

And that vipralmbha-bhāva

is not difficult

considering it is Kali-yuga! Ha!

We actually beg from the Lord

and we are separated from the Lord!

Link: 20240201 Evening Darśana and Question-and-answer session

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How can I develop unwavering faith and love in you and Kṛṣṇa in my heart?

Questioner: Kṛṣṇasevinī Rādhā devī dāsī

Date: 2022-12-02

Jayapatākā Swami: The whole practice of bhakti-yoga is to develop our love for guru and Kṛṣṇa.

It is not a different process.

Same process delivers us

and we should perform devotional service

and naturally if you help the spiritual master

then Kṛṣṇa will be very pleased.

Link: 20220715 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)]

How can I follow your orders properly? I am not able to do that properly now.

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-04-27

Jayapatākā Swami: Try!

Why cannot you read the books?

Why cannot you preach?

One lady, she brought seven women to take shelter.

Anybody can preach.

Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How can I keep my mind firmly fixed on the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa when lust always stands as an obstacle to my devotional service ?

Questioner: Sukamala Nityānanda dāsa [Bangladesh]

Date: 2022-09-10

Jayapatākā Swami: I just said that

we should pray to Kṛṣṇa

that whatever we do, we do service in a Kṛṣṇa conscious way.

Firstly, you have to get married,

and then the two should pray that you have Kṛṣṇa conscious children.

Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Link: 20220417 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Anarthās], [Emotions / Lust], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How can one be a serious preacher ?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-09-23

Jayapatākā Swami: A serious preacher, well a person can become a serious preacher in different ways.

When one is a serious devotee, one becomes a serious, one can be a serious preacher.

If a person is very serious about carrying out the order of guru, Vaiṣṇava, Kṛṣṇa, that naturally becomes also a serious,

whatever he does, including preaching.

If a preacher becomes very concerned about helping the people,

awaken from their animalistic consciousness and come into their actual spiritual heritage,

in that case they become very serious preachers,

by developing their compassion, by actually seeing philosophically how people both those who appear to be happy,

and those who appear to be suffering are all in a very precarious unfortunate condition,

and they need to be helped to become Kṛṣṇa conscious,

to become God conscious, to get out of this entire material entanglement.

In material life, happiness is the stepping stone to misery, and misery is the stepping stone to happiness.

sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ.

mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ -

Happiness and sadness is always changing just like the changing of the seasons,

spring to summer, summer to fall, fall to winter, winter to spring, spring to summer, like that.

So, if someone is happy, it doesn’t mean anything,

it just means that within no time he going to be sad, even if someone is suffering that doesn’t mean

that much because after some time things will change and he will become happy.

So, to simply try to help all the people who are materially unfortunate, become materially fortunate,

is alright in the material platform, but in the overall spiritual sense that falls short.

That… that for us we want to help everyone.

Of course, those who are suffering materially, obviously it’s hard for them to concentrate on spiritual life.

So many of the Kṛṣṇa conscious services like giving out prasāda, also do have the material side effect.

Like feeding their hunger.

But the purpose is not to stop there, but to actually give them spiritual happiness.

Even rich people, even so called successful people or happy people, their situation is also uh one that deserves some sympathy,

some compassion, some mercy that they could actually become spiritually situated, because their situation is very unstable.

Very soon they will also be put into material suffering if they are not already in it.

But devotee becomes very compassionate to the fallen soul, wants to see them become spiritually happy,

wants to see them in their suffering, this is one way of becoming a very serious preacher.

Or one in general takes up the mood of the spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa and wants to carry out their instruction but also be very serious.

Link: 19840531 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.8.10

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How can the disciple know that the spiritual master is happy with his service?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-03-15

Jayapatākā Swami: The disciple, if they follow the guru correctly, then naturally he will be pleased.

If they are chanting their 16 rounds, following the regulative principles, if they are preaching,

so naturally the guru will be pleased.

If one has a doubt you can ask the guru.

But generally guru will be happy is following the orders of the guru.

But we should not commit any vaiṣṇava-aparādha,

that is very dangerous.

Link: 20200422 Zoom Session with Delhi Devotees

Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How can we engage all the varṇas in the service of Kṛṣṇa ?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-08-29

parent takes care of the children who takes them, instructs them because he loves them.

So the proper attitude for someone with more spiritual knowledge is to love the others,

members of the human race, because everyone is, we are all living creatures, because we are all part of Kṛṣṇa,

and want to help them in the service of, so that they can engage in the service of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Should be loving attitude.

You are feeling one with Kṛṣṇa, naturally you feel also connected with all living entities.

You feel kindness towards them.

Because there are all Kṛṣṇa is in them and they are in Kṛṣṇa.

Link: 19850416 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.6.30

Category: [Varṇāśrama], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How can we increase our faith in chanting the holy names and the order of the spiritual master?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-03-13

Jayapatākā Swami: Depends on what gives you faith.

I mean, some people have faith by reading the scripture,

since it tells us that the holy name is Absolute and non-different from Kṛṣṇa.

Some people have faith by realization.

If you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, you may become peaceful and ecstatic.

And that may increase your faith.

Some people commit offences to the holy name.

So they don’t get the full result of chanting.

And you should tell them to be very careful to follow the order of the spiritual master.

I think the third offence to the holy name is to disobey the order of the spiritual master.

We must have a spiritual master and follow his instructions.

There is no question but to accept the spiritual master.

So Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura had everyone in the temple chant 64 rounds.

Those who went for book distribution and preaching, they should chant 16 rounds.

So Śrīla Prabhupāda said that for the Western rounds it would be difficult to chant 64 rounds.

So he had them chant 16 and preach.

So by following Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions, one can advance.

Link: 20221023 Evening Darśana

Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions]

How can we inspire more people to chant and dance, as instructed by Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Questioner: Yamuneśvarī devī dāsī

Date: 2022-10-22

Jayapatākā Swami: Well, if you chant and dance,

that in itself would be very inspiring.

Gaurāṇgī Gandharvikā, she sent me a video

of how they were chanting and dancing…

very nice!

And I think..

the way to inspire more people to chant

is to chant yourself.

Naturally by having a group, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa

and inspiring other people to join in.

I saw in New Orleans,

before the Mardi Gras,

Mardi Gras.

Christians

went.. and they had signs...

"TURN OR BURN!".

Such were the signs.

"Accept Jesus or burn in hell!".

I did not see anyone joining in.

But when we went with our kīrtana,

people were buying roses and throwing at our feet

Some people

joined with the kīrtana.

So they see, they like..

how we were performing, singing and dancing.

Link: 20220516 Bidding Farewell to the Residents of Kāśī, Part 2

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]

How do we avoid feeling envious of other devotees and their service ?

Questioner: Puja

Date: 2022-10-14

Jayapatākā Swami: You see, in the material world, people, they are competing with others in a race,

thinking I will be the first.

But in service to Kṛṣṇa, it is not that we are competing with others.

Rather, Kṛṣṇa is more pleased if they help others.

We shouldn’t be thinking that by somehow by impeding others,

or somehow if someone else excels,

somehow that is detrimental to us - it is not the case.

Everyone has a personal relationship with Kṛṣṇa,

rather the envy of others is a great impediment

- you will never be the number one!

When I said to Śrīla Prabhupāda, I am the most fallen,

he said you are not the most anything!

So that should be our mood.

There will always be some devotee who is better than us,

but we should not envy that person.

Rather we should associate and try to improve our own service.

Link: 20200909 Although Being in a Predicament, the Barber Receives a Boon of Residence in Goloka (Part 2)

Category: [Anarthās], [Emotions / Envy], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]

How do we beg forgiveness from guru for a falldown and continue our devotional service?

Questioner: Nandagopīpriyā devī dāsī

Date: 2022-10-17

Jayapatākā Swami: There is no reason not to reveal your mind to guru.

If you have had some trouble with one of the principles, you could get some advice from your spiritual master.

But if you have recovered, then all the better to tell him that you had difficulty but now you have come back to the strict standard.

And sometimes one is started to difficulty with a principle, but it is not as serious as they think.

It is better to reveal to the spiritual master.

Link: 20240209 Evening Address | Question-and-Answer session

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Aparādha (Offenses)]

How do we develop the desire for devotee association and service to devotees?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-04-27

Jayapatākā Swami: By hearing,

by associating,

we get a taste for hearing and associating.

And naturally, we want to associate with them.

So by taking part in bhakti-yoga, it is natural to develop these things.

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]

How do we do sevā in the right consciousness, not in the mode of passion or ignorance?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-01-20

Jayapatākā Swami: Pray to Śrīla Prabhupāda, pray to your guru and do your sevā correctly.

Passion means lust. To do it to get some material benefit.

Ignorance means crazy, lazy.

Anger – I will show you that I am the best devotee! I will kill you by my bhakti! And some crazy thing!

So avoid passion and ignorance, and what is left is goodness.

So we do devotional service – hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate –

to please the senses of Kṛṣṇa, not for ourselves.

Link: 20220822 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Material World], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]

How do we increase the intensity of the absorption in our daily services to you and Kṛṣṇa? In other words, how do we keep our attention in devotional service fresh every day?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-02-29

Jayapatākā Swami: Just like Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said,

kṛṣṇera saṁsāra kara, chāri anācāra,

we want to put Kṛṣṇa in the center of our household life.

We want to just give up the prohibited activities.

Meat eating, intoxication and others.

And if one wakes up with that intention

then naturally, they will try to increase their services of the day.

We want to please guru and Kṛṣṇa.

That is the goal of our life.

The common people, the goal of their life is to have sense pleasure.

But sometimes our senses are pleased and sometimes they suffer.

Just like no one wants fever

but some people get.

Nobody wants the Corona virus,

but some get.

Vrajeśvara Gaura Dāsa, he read to me one quote that

Sarvajaya Mādhava from Dallas had sent,

something that in the Bible,

they said that stay in your house

for a little time

and let the Lord take His vengeance

and then after that it will all pass!

What a coincidence, how great is our God.

The Government arranged the closure on March 26, 2020, in the Bible verse Isaac 26.20 says “Go home My people and close the doors.

Hide a little until the wrath of the Lord has passed.”

They found this verse in the Bible.

Anyway we are trying to do inter-faith preaching.

Not only the Hindus but get the other faiths to preach.

In America they have mostly Christians.

Middle East mostly Muslims.

We respect all the religions

and we want them to just chant the name of God they believe in.

So if we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa in the morning

and every day we do our devotional service,

naturally, that becomes the focus of our life.

We want the husband and wife to work together and cooperate together.

I was so inspired to hear how different gṛhasthas are doing internet preaching!

One gṛhastha said that he was giving four classes a day

in this lockdown period in India

and he had 500 people attending.

One lady was saying how

she had a Japathon

and they were chanting japa,

one person chanted 2 lakhs 11 thousand rounds.

A little child chanted 16 rounds.

Sometimes Japathon, sometimes class,

sometimes Bhakti-vṛkṣa,

different ways they are preaching,

encouraging people to take up to chanting in this time of crisis.

Even in the Supreme Court of India,

they recommended to the Government,

people should do bhajana, kīrtana and namaz.

Link: 20200409 Zoom Class to Mathurādeśa Devotees

Category: [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How do we understand when to help ourselves and when to simply depend of Lord Kṛṣṇa's mercy?

Questioner: Keya Rāṇī

Date: 2022-09-16

Jayapatākā Swami: They are skipping over your question because it is not particularly from the verse.

Anyway we should do both together.

We should help ourselves

while we depend on Kṛṣṇa,

not that we just sit and say Kṛṣṇa will do everything.

We do the best we can and we depend on Kṛṣṇa.

There is a story where there is a flood.

And they came by the house and said that,

"Get in!

There is a flood."

He said, "No, No! I am depending on Kṛṣṇa."

Then the water rose

up to the roof.

And he was on the roof.

Boat came and said, "Get on!"

He said, "No on I am depending on God",

and the boat left.

And then helicopter come,

ere grab the rope!"

and he said "No. I am depending on God.",

and he got drowned.

Then he went back to Godhead.

He asked God, "Why did you not save me?"

He said "I sent you a car, a boat, a helicopter

you did not take anything.

So what do you expect?"

So naturally we have to take the mercy of Kṛṣṇa

that may come in any way.

Link: 20210601 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Mercy], [Emotions / Enthusiasm]

How do you continue to please Śrīla Prabhupāda so well even in his post-manifest līlā?

Questioner: Keśava Kṛpā Sindhu dāsa

Date: 2022-09-27

Jayapatākā Swami: I know that His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda,

what he told me to do.

So trying to execute his instructions,

I have to make various decisions.

But I always keep in my mind, pleasing Śrīla Prabhupāda.

So, this has always served me well.

Śrīla Prabhupāda said that in one case,

I did what he would have done.

I don’t know

if everything I do is pleasing to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

But I am trying to do that.

And I know that that itself is pleasing to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

But we may make some mistakes on the way.

But then we can also correct. that.

Link: 20200829 The Devotees Forget about the Sannyāsa during Saṅkīrtana with the Lord (Part 3)

Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings]

How do you know the services we do actually satisfies you?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-12-19

Jayapatākā Swami: Nice question!

Because we should do service to please guru and Kṛṣṇa.

Now certain things the guru has said, he would like to be done.

Just like I told Nāma-niṣṭhā

that I would like a temple to be constructed.

So doing that sevā, constructing a temple,

he knows that it is pleasing to the guru.

Right?

Nāma-niṣṭhā dāsa: Actually, I went to meet Guru Mahārāja and this was in Tirupati.

And he was being very kind to me.

He told me, “Construct a temple.”

So I said, “Please put your hand and order.”

That was the time he put his hand on my head and ordered,

“Make a beautiful temple with all the facilities.”

At that moment we were only three devotees and no money!

And I remember next detail he told me, on June 5th Pānihāṭi 2020 that what are you doing?

That was an online visit.

We hardly had any devotees and I said, “There was nothing to do because everything is closed.”

“Why don’t you do like Chennai, Guru Mahārāja”, said. “6,000 devotees attended their course online.”

So I thought Sumitra Kṛṣṇa dāsa did 6,000, Nāma-niṣṭhā will do 10,000!

And I tried, within four days, 10,000 people registered.

And we don’t even know where the money came from, we don’t even know, in fact all the devotees Guru Mahārāja initiated yesterday,

all came from online and it is unbelievable.

Jayapatākā Swami: Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Link: 20231008 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How do you see ISKCON in the next 50 years?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-12-05

Jayapatākā Swami: Interesting question!

Since I have been in ISKCON, over 50 years,

when I came to Māyāpur there was a grass hut,

now there are 7,500 devotees.

What will happen in 50 more years?

Śrīla Prabhupāda said, we should have 50,000 devotees here!

When I joined ISKCON I had visited every temple in ISKCON –

all three!!

San Francisco, New York and Montreal.

But now I don’t think it is possible,

there are 600 or 800.

I don’t know if they count all the outposts and Nāmahaṭṭas.

In India, I know there are 5,000 Nāmahaṭṭas.

Because we have over 5000 Nāmahaṭṭas in Eastern India

and now we want to expand that to the rest of India.

We have Bhakti-vṛkṣa groups –

in Chennai I think they have more than 115.

Similarly, in Kolkata about 200.

In Delhi they have Nāmahaṭṭas for the cities.

They are called āśraya group,

to have an āśraya group you need to have a hall which would hold at least 100 people.

Anyway, they are not counting the Nāmahaṭṭas, Bhakti-vṛkṣas or the āśraya groups.

And in Russian speaking countries they have 535 Bhakti-vṛkṣa groups,

that was the last time that I heard.

Russians are very good for Bhakti-vṛkṣa groups.

I don’t know why but if you have two or three Russians, your Bhakti-vṛkṣa group will be very successful!

So, I don’t know, it is a purely speculative answer.

But Lord Caitanya, He wanted that in every town and village the holy name would be sung.

In the Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa, Lord Kṛṣṇa told the holy rivers that

after 5000 years in Kali-yuga,

there would be a 10,000-year golden age

and that people would generally be Kṛṣṇa conscious.

So, with all these predictions in the Purāṇas and by Lord Caitanya, so we are looking at a very positive period.

But I am too busy to speculate on the future,

being in the situation that I am confined to.

But, we hope that in the next 50 years, we fulfill all these predictions of Śrīla Prabhupāda and Lord Caitanya.

Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura had predicted during the British Rāj

that the Westerners, they would go on Navadvīpa parikramā

and they will see their brothers from India

and they would be chanting “Jaya Śacīnandana!” together

and embrace each other,

not thinking about any caste, creed, nationality.

Can you imagine in the British Rāj

he was saying such a thing!

I personally saw it come true.

I saw we had a Bengali and Indian party

and an International party.

They came together

and they were chanting together, “Jaya Śacīnandana! Jaya Śacīnandana!

Gaurāṅga!”

So what happens in the next 50 years is in your hands!

What you are going to do to make happen!

I am already at the end of my life,

you are at the beginning,

so you have all the future.

You will see the next 50 years, I won’t see it.

Not in this body anyway.

So that is why we want you to take this up very seriously.

We have like 800 temples, thousands of Bhakti-vṛkṣas, thousands of Nāmahaṭṭas.

How did this happen?

It happened one after another after another.

So, Lord Caitanya said that:

bhārata-bhūmite haila manuṣya-janma yāra
janma sārthaka kari' kara para-upakāra
(Cc. Ādi 9.41)

Those who are born in India they have got a special facility

to perfect their lives

and to help others.

So, now we find that many of our Indian brothers and sisters have gone to the West for IT.

And we are trying to encourage them to distribute Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books,

to be active in their spiritual life.

We don’t know what Kṛṣṇa’s plan is

but we have some windows to the future.

But if you work hard then there is no reason why we cannot achieve those goals.

People are seeking for some spiritual purpose of life

and they are not getting it,

except in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

So, Śrīla Prabhupāda went to the West,

he said that people in the West are dying, burning in the modes of passion, and ignorance

and he wanted to save them.

He made a 108-temples,

I think we should have a special status for these 108 temples.

Just like in Śrī-sampradāya

they have a 108-temples called Divya-deśas.

They say that if you can visit all the Divya-deśas, you can go back to Godhead.

Now if you can visit all the 108-temples that Śrīla Prabhupāda established,

that will be a wonderful thing.

The airline companies will like us!

Because you will have to go to Fiji, Australia, South America, Europe, America, Japan, all over.

Śrīla Prabhupāda established 108 temples, amazing!

He left in 1977 and since then now, we have like 600 or 800 temples

and thousands of Nāmahaṭṭas and Bhakti-vṛkṣas.

What will happen in the next 50 years?

Some of you can calculate.

I am busy in making it happen!

Link: 20230717 Question And Answer Session With IYF Devotees

Category: [Gauḍīya History / ISKCON]

How important is austerity for self-realisation?

Questioner: Rāma Kānāi Mathureśa dāsa

Date: 2022-10-04

Jayapatākā Swami: The thing that pleases Kṛṣṇa most is pure devotional service.

And the renunciation austerity

is not so important.

What is more important is pure bhakti.

So, that is why in the jñāna-yoga, to get the impersonal liberation,

one should be a sannyāsī.

But in bhakti-yoga, one could be a gṛhastha, one could be a sannyāsī, as long as they chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, follow the process of pure bhakti, they can achieve Kṛṣṇa.

Link: 20200816 Brahmā and the Demigods Test Dhruva – Viśvambhara’s Narration to Śacī-devī

Category: [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vratās (Austerities)]

How seriously should the disciple take the instruction received from the guru?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-09-17

In this regard, Śrīla Prabhupāda was quoting Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura

that the disciple should take the order of the spiritual master as their life and soul.

If you are not able

to follow the instruction of your spiritual master,

then you can ask him

what to do in that case.

Link: 20210607 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How to always be enthusiastic?

Questioner: Rasapriya Gopikā devī dāsī, Māyāpur

Date: 2022-10-17

Jayapatākā Swami: This is on the stage of anartha-nivṛitti.

One of the anarthas is called thick and thin.

Sometimes the devotion is very thick,

sometimes very thin,

so thin and thick.

So by following the process and reaching the stage of niṣṭhā,

then one will be fixed and there won’t be this thick and thin enthusiasm.

Link: 20190201 Question and Answers Session

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How to be determined in our devotional service like Dhruva Mahārāja was?

Questioner: Śacīnandana Gauracanda dāsa.

Date: 2022-09-22

Jayapatākā Swami: We can see, it is not a small thing.

Personally, I don’t we need such a determination.

But we should be determined to chant,

to follow the four regulative principles

and engage one’s self in devotional service,

and eventually achieve pure love for Kṛṣṇa.

Kṛṣṇa is so wonderful.

Why do you want to serve anyone else?

Kṛṣṇa or His devotees are the only persons we should worship.

You know, Rāvaṇa, Hiraṇyakaśipu, they gave all material desires to their followers.

But they had to reject God and serve them,

then you will get all that you want, materially.

But why do you want to serve a demon?

But the demons would like to serve the demons,

the devotees want to serve the devotees.

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How to become stable and strong when the situations are worse?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-02-08

Jayapatākā Swami: Question is how do we be stable and strong when the situation is difficult?

How could you study in college if there are exams?

There will be exams,

you cannot avoid it.

That’s how you get your degree.

If you want to be a devotee,

there will be tests.

It is not a cheap thing, it is a very valuable thing.

So naturally, there will be difficulties.

And don’t be disturbed by that.

It is part of the process.

Link: 20200919 Zoom Session for South India Youth Boys

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Emotions / Faith]

How to become stable in Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-02-19

Jayapatākā Swami: Good question!

I know very little Hindi, but I will speak in English.There will be Translation.

So there are eight steps in bhakti-yoga.

First is śraddhā,

then sādhu-saṅga,

bhajana-kriyā,

anartha-nivṛtti,

niṣṭhā,

ruci,

āsakti,

bhāva

and then prema.

So, first one at the stage of bhajana-kriyā one takes initiation.

And then one under the guidance of guru and his assistants, they get rid of their anarthas.

That is called anartha-nivṛtti.

And then one is niṣṭhā or steady in devotional service.

This is a gradual process and if he takes initiation, he goes up to anartha-nivṛtti and then he can become niṣṭhā or fixed.

So I was in the RODC and then in the NRODC in the USA.

The Army and Navy.

Then I asked Śrīla Prabhupāda, “What should I do?”

He said, “Better you join Kṛṣṇa’s Army!”

And now I am in India, I am also an army man!

Link: 20201124 Addressing Devotees in Annakūṭa, Govardhana

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How to chant or perform devotional service when the body is not feeling up for it?

Questioner: Śaśimukhi Rādhā devī dāsī

Date: 2022-10-17

Jayapatākā Swami: Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura,

he like to walk

when he chanted. He was very active.

So he didn’t like sitting and chanting.

He would walk,

pace back and forth chanting.

So as far as leaving our body,

Kṛṣṇa helps us then.

We should practice chanting in all situations;

because the time of death is of course the most difficult time.

I went to a dentist, he said,

“The greatest suffering is kidney stones,

child birth,

dying

and dental [surgeries]!

Welcome to your dentist!!” [laughter]

So he said that dying is one of the most difficult times.

That is why we need to practice chanting now.

So that we can chant at the time when we leave our body.

But even if we cannot,

if we had remained good and chanted all through our life;

at the time of leaving our body, Kṛṣṇa will help us.

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Material Sufferings], [Material World / Mind / Intelligence], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How to dedicate my life for your service?

Questioner: Ati Sundara Jagannātha dāsa

Date: 2023-12-19

Jayapatākā Swami: When it is some puja time, say Dīpāvalī or something,

you buy something for your sister, your mother, your loved ones.

So while you are buying that you are thinking what does this person like? What should I get?

Like that, the act of shopping

becomes an act of love.

And so in the same way when you want to do something for the spiritual master,

you think like that, what will be pleasing? What can be used?

And that way, it is an act of love for your spiritual master.

Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Link: 20231008 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How to develop faith?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-02-10

How do you develop faith in walking?

And how do you know that the ground will not fall in?

If you see other people walking

you take a step forward,

you see that you don’t fall into any ditch,

then your faith increases.

It is a practical thing.

We put the knowledge to practice

and then we see the effect.

So, you are studying so maybe it is a new thing for you.

As Śrīla Prabhupāda said, it is a gradual process.

And gradually you increase your faith,

increase your realization.

How fast one can advance

depends on how you put your mind to it.

I was thinking, I was looking for a guru,

and I was going here and there,

so then I thought

unless I try this Kṛṣṇa consciousness fully,

I won’t know for sure.

Let me try

and if it works, alright it is done or otherwise will go on and try something else.

As Rādhe Śyāma said I have been at it for 52 years.

I have never looked back, I have never regretted it.

Link: 20200917 Zoom Session with Utkarsa Youth Boys Program

Category: [Emotions / Faith]

How to develop submissive mood, keeping aside false ego while carrying out services under authorities?

Questioner: Śaraṇāgati Gaura dāsa

Date: 2023-01-27

Jayapatākā Swami: You have a nice name, śaraṇāgati, means surrender.

Just apply your name!

Lord Caitanya said in the third verse of the Śikṣāṣṭakam which they chant here every morning –

tṛṇād api sunīcena taror api sahiṣṇunā amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ.

Be more humble than a blade of grass.

Śrīla Prabhupāda described – you step on grass, it bends over, it is humble.

When you walk away from the grass, the grass comes back up.

So, in that way, we should be humble and at the same time be resilient.

Go upright in due course of time.

Be more tolerant than a tree.

A tree stands there in a rain, in heat, in a wind and people cut branches from the tree and make toothbrushes.

One devotee, Śrīla Prabhupāda said, he wanted a neem tree.

There was a neem tree outside his window.

He hung out of the window to get a neem branch.

Śrīla Prabhupāda said, don’t do that!

He said, don’t worry Prabhupāda, I did that many times!

Maybe, but don’t do in front of me, Śrīla Prabhupāda said.

Śrīla Prabhupāda was afraid for the devotee, maybe he will fall!

That way a tree is very tolerant, so we should be tolerant and we should offer respect to others

but not expect any appreciation or respect for ourselves.

In that way we can always chant the Holy Name.

So śaraṇāgati is the actual mood we should have surrender

and whether our authority treats us very nice with a smile, or he treats us harsh,

we are not doing it for the authority.

As such, we are doing it to please Kṛṣṇa.

And if the authority gives us a service we can do, we should appreciate it, thank you for giving me the service!

Link: 20200217 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]

How to develop unflinching faith?

Questioner: Vijaya Rādhā devī dāsī

Date: 2022-10-17

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Emotions / Faith], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]

How to develop unflinching faith?

Questioner: Vijaya Rādhā devī dāsī

Date: 2022-10-17

Jayapatākā Swami: To associate with devotees

who have unflinching faith.

Otherwise the process of bhakti-yoga

is to gradually increase your faith,

then it becomes unflinching.

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Emotions / Faith], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]

How to increase our faith in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and how to get rid of the anarthas?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-02-10

Jayapatākā Swami: This question was asked by Arjuna to Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā.

And Kṛṣṇa said that we should take our sword of knowledge and cut the knot of ignorance.

If you read the teachings of Kṛṣṇa,

Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,

and if you regularly chant the holy name,

then naturally you can understand more

and your faith will increase.

But it is also important to have good association.

You associate with people who are Kṛṣṇa conscious

and avoid association with people who are very negative and critical.

One should know the philosophy,

one should know how to help people,

then you can meet with more people and help them.

But if you have a bad association in the beginning then it can be very disruptive.

Link: 20200917 Zoom Session with Utkarsa Youth Boys Program

Category: [Anarthās], [Emotions / Faith]

How to keep one enthusiastic at all times despite what situation one is in?

Questioner: Yaśodā Kṛṣṇa.

Date: 2022-10-17

Jayapatākā Swami: If you associate with enthusiastic devotees

you will also be enthusiastic.

And knowing how wonderful is Kṛṣṇa,

and how when you take one step towards Kṛṣṇa, He takes ten steps towards you.

So how can you fail to be enthusiastic?

Link: 20190208 Question and Answers Session

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]

How to overcome lethargy and laziness

Questioner: Anantalīlā Gopāla dāsa

Date: 2022-10-04

We don’t want to be lazy or lethargic.

We don’t want to miss this chance.

If you do nice devotional service,

but you have material desires,

you may end up in the heavenly planets,

be there for a long time,

hundreds of thousands of years.

You will miss the Golden Age,

and then come back in the worst part of Kali-yuga or after.

So, no time to be lazy.

You have to finish your business while you have the chance.

Category: [Emotions / Sloth], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How to perceive aparādhās in our devotional service (or abhideya) and how to atone for them?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-09-10

Jayapatākā Swami: The abhideya is devotional practice of devotional service.

And

so thinking of practicing devotional service is one thing.

But if you are thinking something against devotional service,

that is aparādhā.

To atone an aparādhā there is no higher atonement than devotional service.

Link: 20220417 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]

How to preach without expectations, only for the service and pleasure of guru?

Questioner: —Susevinī Guru Gaurāṅga devī dāsī

Date: 2022-10-17

Jayapatākā Swami: Kṛṣṇa is in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul, or Paramātmā,

the Christians know as the Holy Ghost.

So, one is actually talking through the Paramātmā in the heart of the living entity and to the Spirit Soul.

So with the help of the Paramātmā we want to help the jīva to get out his illusion.

The word preaching has kind of a negative connotation.

The word in Sanskrit or Bengali is pracāra,

pracāra means to glorify the Lord and the process of His devotional service.

It means how to encourage someone to take up devotional service.

Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Prabhupāda Ṭhākura said that there is no scarcity in the material world,

only scarcity is devotional service.

Everywhere you see this scarcity.

People work so hard to win some athletic competition,

they work so hard to get some academic degree,

they work very hard to get a raise.

But actually even if a little effort they give to serve Kṛṣṇa,

they would actually be able to perfect their lives.

Who remembers the one athletic event five years ago?

And some people leave and some people break their bones and die,

but if we render some devotional service we never lose the result,

it stays with us life after life.

But all the things we achieve in this material world, the material things we achieve this life we leave behind us.

Say we earn millions of dollars;

we cannot take one paisa to the next birth or one cent.

But any devotional service you do,it stays to your credit.

If you have enough credit, you leave this material world

and go back to the spiritual world where you can serve the Lord constantly,

where there is no birth, death, old age or disease. Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Link: 20190219 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How to remain enthusiastic in service despite all obstacles?

Questioner: Bhakta dāsa, ISKCON Baroda

Date: 2022-10-15

Jayapatākā Swami: You see there will always be some tests.

Māyā will test you, are you really sincere?

You want to serve Kṛṣṇa or you are just playing around.

So many devotees here.

I give class every day, more or less every day.

Wherever you are, Bhopal, Vadodara, you can watch the class,

either by Facebook or Zoom.

Link: 20220515 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Anarthās], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How to remain steady in brahmacārī-āśrama?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-08-27

Jayapatākā Swami: The secret is to always stay busy in Kṛṣṇa’s service.

Mana, kāya, vākya –

we want our deeds, our words and our thoughts to be absorbed in Kṛṣṇa.

If we can engage our intelligence how to expand the preaching,

or how to improve our service,

that is the best way.

If we allow the mind to drift on to the objects of the senses,

then naturally we become distracted.

So somehow, it is important to have a service,

you like to do.

That you can be fully absorbed in.

Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me a lot of very absorbing services.

And so that kept me busy, out of māyā.

So the devotee who gives you service should see that you are fully engaged.

If you are not fully engaged,

tell them, because you need to be fully engaged to be free of māyā.

As they say, idle mind is a devil’s workshop.

If the mind is idle,

if we are not fully fixed in our service,

then the mind will start to think about māyā.

Bhakti-yoga means to be fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Link: 20201117 Zoom Session with ISKCON IYF Kolkata

Category: [Varṇāśrama], [Varṇāśrama / Brahmacārī], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How to remain steady in brahmacārī-āśrama?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-08-27

Jayapatākā Swami: The secret is to always stay busy in Kṛṣṇa’s service.

Mana, kāya, vākya –

we want our deeds, our words and our thoughts to be absorbed in Kṛṣṇa.

If we can engage our intelligence how to expand the preaching,

or how to improve our service,

that is the best way.

If we allow the mind to drift on to the objects of the senses,

then naturally we become distracted.

So somehow, it is important to have a service,

you like to do.

That you can be fully absorbed in.

Śrīla Prabhupāda gave me a lot of very absorbing services.

And so that kept me busy, out of māyā.

So the devotee who gives you service should see that you are fully engaged.

If you are not fully engaged,

tell them, because you need to be fully engaged to be free of māyā.

As they say, idle mind is a devil’s workshop.

If the mind is idle,

if we are not fully fixed in our service,

then the mind will start to think about māyā.

Bhakti-yoga means to be fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Link: 20201117 Zoom Session with ISKCON IYF Kolkata

Category: [Varṇāśrama], [Varṇāśrama / Brahmacārī], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How to stay positive and continue our devotional service even after making mistakes?

Questioner: Kiśorī Yoginī devī dāsī

Date: 2022-10-05

Jayapatākā Swami: There is no higher atonement than Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

So if one makes a mistake,

then the best remedial method is serving Kṛṣṇa.

So, if you make mistakes,

then you should be more diligent actually, at serving.

The point is that, one should not make sense gratification as the goal of our life.

When we have senses, there will be some sense of pleasure and some suffering.

So Kṛṣṇa explains that, you regulate the activities.

Just like you take prasādam,

just like we have married life,

try to produce Kṛṣṇa conscious children.

Different activities are regulated.

But the goal is not sense gratification,

the goal is to please Kṛṣṇa.

This world unfortunately is beginning, middle and end is all sense gratification.

They don’t understand anything about Kṛṣṇa in most cases.

Even if they are God conscious, they pray to God to give them some material gratification.

But we should rather want to serve the Lord.

Well, it is expected that you will make some mistakes.

That is why we should be more careful,

after making mistakes,

to practice more sincerely.

Just like a child learning how to walk.

Naturally they will fall down a few times,

but eventually they learn to walk, run, everything.

Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Thank you!

Link: 20200818 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How to take our inabilities in performing some seva and in material life?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-12-19

Jayapatākā Swami: Sometimes someone is expert at something.

Sometimes they are not expert.

But Lord Kṛṣṇa is expert at everything.

So, we try to do all the services for Kṛṣṇa

and some services will be well done,

and some could be better.

So, we ask Kṛṣṇa for mercy to do our services better.

And shortcomings are taken as areas that we need to concentrate more on.

Link: 20231008 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How to tell if guru and Gaurāṅga are pleased with our services and would it affect our taste in chanting if they are not?

Questioner: Rasapriya Gopikā devī dāsī

Date: 2022-10-17

Jayapatākā Swami: Well there are two parts to your question.

One, how do I know if my service is pleasing to guru?

If we are doing something which he has asked us to do,

then it is usually pleasing to him.

If we are doing something which is for our authorities requested us to do

and it doesn’t go in contradiction with anything that guru told us;

and that something that is completely against our nature,

then usually it is very pleasing.

If it is something that is against our nature;

but it is something that is urgently needed;

and sometimes by fulfilling that one gets some special mercy from the guru.

What was the second part?

If our services are not pleasing does it affect our taste in chanting?

If you do not carry out the order of your guru,

then that is the third offence to the holy name

and naturally that will be something that hampers our tastes.

Link: 20200915 Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu Enters the Forest After Accepting Sannyāsa

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Guru (Spiritual Master)]

How to understand sambandha, abhideya and prayojana properly?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-09-16

Jayapatākā Swami: Saṁbandha is understanding of our relationship that we are the servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Abhideya is engaging in that relationship.

And prayojana is achieving the perfection of life,

pure love of Kṛṣṇa.

Link: 20220506 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

How we see in this pastime while Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu has all these mahā-bhāva ecstasies, when we talk about this or discuss with the devotees, sometimes they question that, how is it possible, it is unbelievable! We do have faith, but how to explain to them that it really happened? Or how to make them trust like whatever the words are here, they all are so true?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-10-25

Jayapatākā Swami: That is why Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja is saying that the common men, they not believe.

But Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī and others have seen that,

so Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja says, I accept it, I believe it!

I BELIEVE!

These are things that we just have to believe.

If people don’t believe it, maybe, there are other things that Lord Caitanya did,

which are believable,

and mentioned in the śāstra,

but that I witnessed and saw these uncommon transformations of Lord Caitanya, His body.

So the author accepts, if you want to accept or not that is your free will.

He gives his reason why he accepts.

We know one thing that Lord Caitanya was uncommon. Haribol!

Haribol!

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu kī jaya!

Link: 20230506 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]

I always feel I am not able to serve you enough. So what to do about that?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-09-02

Jayapatākā Swami: Of course, it is good to feel like that.

Rādhārāṇī feels She is not doing enough, as much as She could.

But we think that She is 100% best,

but She is thinking what more I should do?

That is the Kṛṣṇa conscious attitude.

Not that, oh! I am doing everything I can.

Then we won’t try to do more.

If we cannot think of how to increase, you could also always ask what more can I do?

Or if you have some idea, then you can suggest, can I do this, will this be pleasing?

We always should be eager to do something more for Kṛṣṇa.

Parents, your children ever come up and say, mom dad, can I do some service for you? Ha!

You think, what do they want from me! Ha!

But actually if they don’t want anything that would be super!

If you think what more you could do and you want permission, then suggest that.

Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Link: 20230425 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

I am bereft of devotee association and am somehow trying to keep my bhakti alive. Due to a demanding schedule, it is hard to find time for book reading and other devotional services. I can barely just finish my 16 rounds. In such situation what should I do to stay fixed at your lotus feet?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-08-27

Jayapatākā Swami: Ladies, they have to do a lot of housework.

They ask me similar questions.

But you see to be working plus have to do the housework.

So, the thing is that now we have the Bhagavad-gītā and different books that only association was face to face, now we can contact each other virtually.

You can have an iPod

and listen to the audio, Gītā and other audio śāstras.

So in this way while doing your work like washing and cooking,

you can hear the śāstra.

But also you can download the classes from the internet,

there is my Jayapatākā Swami App.

That gives access to the different JPS Archives and different programs

so you can hear the classes.

Many other things are there like SoundCloud.

You can also attend my daily classes which I give at 7pm.

And so there are different ways where you can hear classes, you can associate,

on Facebook,

YouTube.

You can download and you could also associate with different devotees,

virtually.

So there must be also classes of the IYF which you can attend.

So this way you can get some devotee association.

Actually, as I said,

I don’t have much personal contact with the devotees.

But all day long, I am meeting devotees.

And I don’t even feel that I am not meeting them.

I feel contact with them,

as I feel contact with you!

It used to be that only association was face to face, now we can contact each other

virtually.

Link: 20201117 Zoom Session with ISKCON IYF Kolkata

Category: [Emotions / Confusion], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]

I am divided in my desire to surrender completely to Mahāprabhu. Sometimes, there is a desire for name and fame. Also there are the expected responsibilities of married and working individuals. What should I do ?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-09-14

Jayapatākā Swami: Since this verse is about Dhruva Mahārāja

and he was the great grandson of Lord Brahmā.

The grandson of Svāyambhuva Manu.

So Manu was obviously a gṛhastha.

He was grandfather of Dhruva,

he also was the father of the mother of Kapila Muni.

And so it is said that he went back to Godhead.

But he was a gṛhastha

he had children, he had responsibilities,

but he did everything Kṛṣṇa consciously.

When he did his things, he did everything thinking of Kṛṣṇa.

So like that our gṛhasthas sometimes have deities in their house.

They may have Jagannātha Baladeva Subhadrā, Nitāi-Gaura,

so by doing their daily activities in a Kṛṣṇa conscious way they can balance.

We should always remember that our prime duty is to serve Kṛṣṇa.

But we may have other duties.

Those we do in a Kṛṣṇa conscious way

and that way we always stay under Kṛṣṇa’s shelter.

In the 10th topic of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it says āśraya.

We want to be under the shelter of Kṛṣṇa.

So we pray to the Deities as gṛhasthas, that we want to have a Kṛṣṇa conscious healthy, long lived suputra or putrī.

Only gṛhasthas can have children.

Brahmacārīs, vānaprasthas, sannyāsīs no children.

It says if your child becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious and goes back to Godhead, putra or putrī,

then if they go back to Godhead, 14 generations will go, also, minimum,

7 backward and 7 forward.

Kṛṣṇa is very grateful.

I have one family they said we don’t know if we will go or not but please train our son in Kṛṣṇa consciousness so he goes back.

If you think, oh I have a responsibility for my parents who are sick, old,

you think I will help them to remember Kṛṣṇa

or remember Rāma, that is the interest.

In this way our service, our responsibility, is Kṛṣṇa conscious.

Bhakti-yoga is very practical.

We want - everything will be naturally balanced because we do everything in a Kṛṣṇa conscious way.

Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Link: 20220502 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.12.17

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā], [Karma / Desires], [Emotions / Pride], [Emotions / Confusion]

I am from a Christian background and now he is a new devotee and Kṛṣṇa conscious. How to increase my inspiration and enthusiasm to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-05-13

Jayapatākā Swami: You see my mother was a Christian and very active in a Church.

But she came when I told her

I had found my guru,

Bhaktivedanta Swami, Prabhupāda.

And that I wanted to follow him.

And then she said, “Why don’t you be a Christian priest?”

I told her that I have found my guru and I want to be taught by someone who knows the science.

And she said, why don’t you that when you are old?

I said, how long do I have to live?

She started crying!

No mother and father want to think how long their child will live!

Then how can I say how long I would live, I said.

I have to take this chance now!

So then she started chanting four rounds.

And she started staying in an apartment near our temple in New Orleans, USA.

So practically I have also a devotee who is a Christian nun

and I told her that she can chant the name of Lord Jesus.

She was chanting, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, Christ, Christ, Jesus Jesus!

She thought it is almost like the Sanskrit, why don’t I try the Sanskrit?

So she started chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare, Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare!

and she realized it was the same like chanting the name of Jesus.

But Hare Kṛṣṇa was more powerful!

Christians say, Father, Son and the Holy Ghost.

Who is the Father?

We say the Father is Kṛṣṇa.

He has unlimited names.

And then my mother saw in the Bible, St. Johns,

that Jesus said, I have many flocks

and you are one of them,

but there are many others,

they don’t look like you.

So you can also say that we are one of the flocks of Lord Jesus.

You try the process and see if that process works for you.

If it does, then very good!

We are not saying anything negative.

You just chant Hare Kṛṣṇa if it works!

Practice bhakti-yoga and see if it works!

Lord Jesus said, first commandment is “love God”,

with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind.

I didn’t do that before I came to Kṛṣṇa consciousness!

I loved other things! Ha!

We cannot talk about!

After coming to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, I learnt to love Kṛṣṇa!

So, hope that you will be successful in practicing bhakti-yoga.

Link: 20200517 Zoom Session with Nigeria Devotees

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Emotions / Faith]

I find it difficult to remember Kṛṣṇa while in office. Kindly help?

Questioner: Śrīdhara

Date: 2022-10-13

Jayapatākā Swami: Just that when we do office work,

we dedicate the work to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Certain percentage of the income, we may give to Kṛṣṇa.

So even though we may not always be able to think about Kṛṣṇa while we are working,

since the activity is offered to Kṛṣṇa, that will suffice.

Category: [Day-to-day Life / Workplace], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

I have a question based on my profession. I am an advocate in Delhi High Court. I also write pages in newspaper on Hinduism and way of life how we can promote it.

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-03-20

Jayapatākā Swami: Every job has got some defect.

Even a brāhmaṇa, a Purohit he has to do some sacrifice for materialists.

So the advocate, naturally they have to represent sometime people who are guilty.

But the advocate still has to defend him.

So everything we do has some defect.

In the present society everybody has a right to defense.

If the advocate is very expert he may save a person.

But that person may be actually guilty!

But by the advocate being expert, they may be saved.

So, the thing is that one could try to be selective

but that may not be possible.

The other thing is that what we earn, we give a certain percentage to Kṛṣṇa,

in that way, you are doing your job for the pleasure of Kṛṣṇa.

And you are not responsible ultimately for the person who you are defending.

The thing is that each person, if you do your service

as an offering to Kṛṣṇa

and you try to be expert.

So you said that you also write articles in the newspapers.

So we hope that you get education in the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda.

And be able to represent Sanātana Dharma in a proper way.

Because you are an advocate in the High Court

naturally you have a certain respect in the society.

So use that for Kṛṣṇa.

In that way, you can balance your material and spiritual life.

I am very happy to meet you.

You said you are the niece of Ajīta Gopinātha das.

Link: 20200505 Zoom Session with IYF Chennai

Category: [Day-to-day Life / Workplace], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

I know that being under the loving guidance of my seniors keeps me safe and also pleases guru and Gaurāṅga. But sometimes, due to māyā, I grow neglectful of them. How do I sharpen my faith?

Questioner: Soundarya Rādhikā devī dāsī, New Rājāpur Dhāma, Bengaluru

Date: 2022-10-04

Jayapatākā Swami: You seem to have realized that when you don’t follow

the advice of the senior devotees,

you get attacked by māyā.

So that should convince you

that to avoid being attacked by māyā,

follow the more advanced devotees’ advice.

Link: 20240201 Evening Darśana and Question-and-answer session

Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Māyā], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Śikṣā-guru], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings]

I want to improve my spiritual and devotional service. I am not able to attend maṅgala-ārati sometimes – is it an offence?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-01-20

Jayapatākā Swami: It depends for what reason you are not able to attend. You are up late, preaching, you are sick or just lazy?

If you are just doing out of laziness, it is not proper.

Link: 20220822 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

I want to know what is the right mood to take the initiation test?

Questioner: Liz Valero

Date: 2022-10-05

Jayapatākā Swami: You have to listen to and read the books.

Understand the teachings, at least the basic books.

If you read the books, the questions are fairly simple. For instance, what is the difference between the body and soul.

You can have the questions in advance, no secret.

So if you want the questions, we can send you.

So any way don’t feel anxiety.

We want you to pass your test.

And if you don’t pass it first time,

you can ask for the answers.

Next time you pass.

I think they are not so difficult.

Why do you believe that Kṛṣṇa is God?

Questions like that, they are very simple.

More complicated for second initiation.

They have to pass Bhakti-śāstri.

For first initiation, they are very simple.

Okay? No anxiety! Be calm!

Link: 20200818 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Day-to-day Life / Education], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

I was reading the Līlāmṛta. There was a conversation where you were giving a report on Bangladesh preaching and preaching to Muslims and Śrīla Prabhupāda was pleased with that. How can I please you Mahārāja, so that we can please Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-04-27

Jayapatākā Swami: If you are able to read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, assimilate the knowledge,

and preach,

I will be very happy!

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā]

I was wondering how we develop the same guru-niṣṭhā that Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura had for Lord Nityānanda?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-09-02

Jayapatākā Swami: It is just causeless mercy!

We see that Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, he offered prayers to Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda.

So, that is the devotional process called vandanam.

Offering prayers, obeisances.

So, by desiring, praying for, by Their mercy, it can be achieved.

Link: 20230420 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]

I wish to offer myself to Śrīla Prabhupāda but am hesitant due to my material conditioning and attachments. Please guide.

Questioner: Milan, ISKCON Youth Forum, Baroda

Date: 2022-10-15

Jayapatākā Swami: You see Lord Caitanya, He taught that you can achieve perfection whether you are a vairāgī or a householder.

So, if you are a householder you should try to keep Kṛṣṇa in the center.

I saw one drama from the Chennai youths.

One girl and one boy were playing Yamadūtas and one lady, girl was playing Yamarāja.

She painted her mustache as Yamarāja.

The Yamadūtas they were complaining. Yamarāja! What do we do? These Kṛṣṇa conscious devotees have deities in the houses, they chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, they read Bhagavad-gītā, what do we do?

We cannot take them to hell!

Maybe need a way to find another chākrī, another job!

So it was very interesting to see the Yamadūtas complaining.

Actually, one family in Kolkata, the mother, children, were all initiated.

Everyone but the father.

He was dead against.

But then he was diagnosed with cancer.

He was in bed ,

and he saw two hairy people with leather ropes, walk through the wall.

He said, “No, no, no, no! No, no!”

Somehow they left.

He called his wife, “I want the neck bead.

I want the Bhagavad-gītā, I want the japa-mālā.”

What we were trying so long, the Yamadūtas in few minutes they changed him.

So he became very Kṛṣṇa conscious after that.

Link: 20220515 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Māyā], [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Karma / Desires], [Material World], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

If our family members are not very favorable to our doing lot of service and preaching and go out and serve you, how do we continue with our services?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-06-03

Jayapatākā Swami: There is a saying in Bengali - Big big monkeys, big big stomachs…

Hanumān was very strong.

He went to South India and went to Laṅka from there.

We desire that I should be able to jump like Hanumān.

But we are not able to.

We have big, big stomach that is why we cannot jump.

Our desire is that we should do a lot of things.

But if do devotional service then everything will be good.

That we are not able to do maybe.

Here we have Sītā Rāma Lakṣmaṇa and Hanumān Deities.

And we have Śrīnāthajī and Rādhā Govindajī as well.

This way we want to serve Lord Rāmacandrajī and Śrīnāthajī.

Haribol!

Nitāi Gaura!

With the mercy of Nitāi Gaura we get the mercy of Lord Rāmacandra and Śrīnāthajī.

Link: 20240117 Address to Devotees from Ahmedabad in Bengali

Category: [Day-to-day Life / Relatives], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

In certain places where we have ISKCON temples, there would be another group of devotees having their own centers. Even if the ISKCON temple is very close by, what is your opinion on this?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-12-19

Jayapatākā Swami: You see when I was a new devotee,

I visited every temple in ISKCON.

San Francisco, New York and Montreal!

Three!

And there were no other devotees in these temples, nearby.

But right now, we have about 800 temples, more or less.

And there is this one temple I know, mostly there are no other devotees.

In India, we have one place we have a few temples

but in other countries you don’t see.

Of course, in some places, there is the Gauḍīya Maṭha and other devotees.

It is alright.

They are making devotees around the world is good.

But it is very rare, most they are ISKCON devotees.

Link: 20231006 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Gauḍīya History / ISKCON], [Sādhanā / Preaching]

In our life there are many ups and downs how can we be determined and think of Kṛṣṇa in all the situations which is very difficult?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-03-15

Jayapatākā Swami: If you want to go back to Kṛṣṇa,

if you want to please Kṛṣṇa,

if you want to have the spiritual bliss,

then material suffering should just be an incentive that this material world is not a good place.

Just like now we have the pandemic. The material world is a very dangerous place.

The Bhāgavatam says, padam padam yat vipadām.

One should use it well and understand that this material world is not a place for us to stay.

Bhagavad-gītā says that four kinds of people think about Kṛṣṇa –

those who are in need,

those who are miserable,

those who are inquisitive

and those who are in knowledge.

So these four types of people think of Kṛṣṇa.

If you are facing difficulty, then you should think of Kṛṣṇa.

There are four kinds of people who do not think about Kṛṣṇa –

narādhama,

asura,

this type.

Pious people think of Kṛṣṇa when they are in distress.

Now I will visit your houses as much as possible.

We want to thank everyone for your offerings and receiving me.

Please send your realizations to Madhavakānta or to Vrajeśvara Gaura Dāsa.

Hope you are all preaching using internet.

The scope is unlimited,

people are more receptive.

Because the hospital and doctors can only do so much.

So we are all on the mercy of the Supreme Lord.

Link: 20200422 Zoom Session with Delhi Devotees

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

In the morning, tulasī-ārati is performed after maṅgala-ārati but in the evening it is performed before gaura-āratī. Why is this so?

Questioner: Saṅkīrtana Manohara dāsa, Dacca, Bangladesh.

Date: 2022-10-04

Jayapatākā Swami: The point is that if you do the maṅgala-ārati at 4.30,

we should do the tulasī-pūjā when the Deities are closed.

So, you have the choice to do tulasī-pūjā before maṅgala-ārati, or after.

So I think it is difficult enough for devotees to attend maṅgala-ārati at 4.30 am!

That is why they do it later in the morning.

But in the afternoon, when the deity is being offered bhoga,

they do the tulasī-āratī,

because after the sandhyā-ārati,

the deities are not closed.

But we have to offer worship to tulasī, when the deities are closed.

Or you can do tulasī-pūjā at 8.30 at night,

when the deities are closed.

Then it is too late,

if you have to get up for maṅgala-ārati.

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vigraha Āradhana (Deity Worship) / Temple Deity Worship]

In the past classes you had said that one should not make sense gratification as the ultimate goal of life. While following this particular principle, sometimes when we face fluctuation and are swayed away by māyā, and because of our unlimited desires, we get engaged in any kind of sense gratification. How should we avoid and control ourselves not being swayed away by māyā and get determined in the service of guru and Kṛṣṇa? Please enlighten me

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-02-19

Jayapatākā Swami: While we have senses in the material world,

so naturally the senses need a certain amount of satisfaction.

That depends on each individual.

But that should not be the ultimate goal.

In the material world

we see that people, they make as their goal that their senses should be happy.

But the senses are a source of happiness and a source of suffering.

So, although there may be some happiness

and some suffering,

we should tolerate that,

but we should make our ultimate goal to serve Kṛṣṇa.

So, certain very simple things we should avoid.

Like eating meat, fish, onion, garlic,

like gambling,

like taking intoxication

and having out of marriage illicit sex.

If you are a married person

it is natural there will be some material pleasure.

But there will also be some suffering.

Just like to conceive a child there is some happiness

but to have a child is also pain –

labor pain.

So, that should not be our ultimate goal.

You may have certain desires,

but the ultimate desire should be to serve and love Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Link: 20200829 The Devotees Forget about the Sannyāsa during Saṅkīrtana with the Lord (Part 3)

Category: [Anarthās], [Anarthās / Māyā], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Is fasting nirjala on every Ekādaśī a standard we may aspire to rise to or just unnecessary hard-heartening austerity ?

Questioner: Lalitāṅgī Rādhā devī dāsī

Date: 2022-09-27

Jayapatākā Swami: I was chanting 32 rounds a day.

I thought this would be pleasing to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

But he told me that I should chant 16 rounds

and go and preach.

If I don’t preach, stay in the temple all day chanting,

who will preach?

So Śrīla Prabhupāda put more importance on preaching.

If you can fast and still preach,

then it is alright.

But at least you have to observe no grains Ekādaśī,

and then preach as much as you can.

If you can do or if you are inspired to do on some Ekādaśī,

that is nice.

But that shouldn’t be a reason that next day, the whole day you are sleeping or something.

That would be counterproductive.

Since you want to please the Lord,

that should be our focus.

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vratās (Austerities)], [Vratās (Austerities) / Ekādaśī-vratā]

Is it an offence to do any kind of devotional service like making ghee wicks during a live lecture?

Questioner: Anonymous

Date: 2022-11-30

Jayapatākā Swami:

It is not if you are paying attention to the lecture,

if you are able to multitask.

Link: 20190111 Question and Answer from Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Is it an offense to not be attentive while reading/hearing ?

Questioner: Vraja Kīrtana dāsa

Date: 2022-10-14

Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva. And someone came and talked to him. He looked away; he was listening to the devotee. And the guru said, “You no need to hear?” So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them. So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on. Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda, he was sitting in the class of his Gurudeva.

And someone came and talked to him.

He looked away; he was listening to the devotee.

And the guru said, “You no need to hear?”

So, he thought that as a great blessing, because the guru noticed them.

So definitely we want to give our full concentration while class is going on.

Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Link: 20200909 Although Being in a Predicament, the Barber Receives a Boon of Residence in Goloka (Part 2)

Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

It is said nityam-bhāgavata-sevayā - does it mean that we should specifically read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam daily or reading other books of Śrīla Prabhupāda works too?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-09-16

Jayapatākā Swami: You should read all of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books

but having read, you may read other books one time.

But Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam you should read every day.

Bhagavad-gītā is necessary for preaching,

the Bhāgavatam takes you to sambanda, abhideya and prayojana.

Link: 20220506 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a very blissful process. But some resentment owing to some bad interactions we had with devotees occupy so much of the mind that absorption and focus in Kṛṣṇa consciousness because difficult, and again and again same thoughts come when we see those devotees. How to overcome all this and absorb in service to our guru?

Questioner: Hemāṅga Haladhara dāsa

Date: 2022-08-05

Jayapatākā Swami: This is the International Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness.

Not that you should be focused on bad experiences.

That would distract your Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Some bad behavior we may be committed that we would not like to do such bad behavior with others,

but other than that

we really don’t want to be focused on bad experiences,

other than thinking how to avoid such activities.

We see that Lord Nityānanda, He was merciful.

Even though He was hit on the head with a wine bottle,

He did not feel any anger or jealousy to that person.

He wanted to give mercy to that person.

So like that, everybody in the material world,

has some defect

and we try to avoid committing mistakes

having defects

in our spiritual life.

Link: 20220218 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Anarthās], [Aparādha (Offenses) / Vaiṣṇava-aparādha], [Emotions / Envy], [Emotions / Sorrow], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Cooperation]

Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the topmost yoga system. What kind of service can we be engaged in where we can present our philosophy very scientifically to the inquisitive?

Questioner: Sumitra Gauracandra Dāsa

Date: 2022-09-06

Jayapatākā Swami: The TOVP, the Temple of Vedic Planetarium is trying to destroy the false

understanding or wrong understanding about the universe and things like this

and therefore they are trying to establish the proper science as per the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Vedas.

Now if you wish you could get in touch with the Bhaktivedanta Institute or you can also contact the TOVP

and be engaged in this service as they are doing the same activity.

Link: 20211127 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.13.9

Category: [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Other philosophies / Western Science / Western Philosophy], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Many devotees are gifted with leadership qualities which should be used in Kṛṣṇa’s service. But sometimes we might use this leadership position for sense gratification. How do we keep a track of whatever we are doing is purely for Kṛṣṇa’s service?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-04-27

Jayapatākā Swami: If we do leadership to enjoy material facilities,

we get that material happiness as our result.

But if we do it to please Kṛṣṇa then we will get Kṛṣṇa.

This temple has a very nice Temple President, Brajahari dāsa Prabhu.

He is trying to do everything, as far as I can see, to please Kṛṣṇa.

Lord Caitanya advises that we should not do things for lābha, pūjā or prathiṣṭha.

If we do for those things, that is a weed in our devotional service.

We should try to do everything to please Kṛṣṇa.

So, just because we are in a leadership position, that doesn’t mean we are doing for a material desire.

That is why we have to be very careful why we do things.

You see, I have a weakness.

We heard that there was some sadhu in previous time, he heard two English people arguing.

The sādhu was bathing in the river and he heard two English people arguing.

He did not know English.

But he came to court, and he said I remember what they said.

And he repeated like a tape recorder what they said.

Such was the memory in previous times!

I don’t remember names,

unless I use that name ten twenty times.

So, I know some peoples’ names because I use their names again and again.

But I thought that in these 15 minutes my disciples who are here can come up and tell me their names!

And I can give them a blessing!

Link: 20240209 Evening Address | Question-and-Answer session

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Many of your disciples are far away in different countries, how can we serve you?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-10-25

Link: 20230505 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

My material desires overpower my spiritual desires. How do I increase my desire for service?

Questioner: Murāri Hari dāsa

Date: 2022-10-15

Jayapatākā Swami: You see everybody wants to enjoy,

they want to be happy.

But actually, the real happiness is from the spiritual kingdom.

In the material world everything is temporary.

So it is not possible to get permanent happiness,

and to get some happiness we have to get a lot of suffering also.

Like, old age, disease,

studying,

spend so much time to study,

if you are working,

and other people in your workplace may be envious

and they want to screw you,

so they can look good, so then can be the General Manager.

So we find that Quality Control, Operations, Marketing, they are actually trying to create problem for others.

So real happiness that you get is from Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Then you chant and dance.

Sometimes Lord Caitanya said one feels so much bliss

that they cry, laugh.

So like this they feel very happy.

Everyone wants to feel happy.

But māyā eludes us, she kicks us that we be, will be happy in material life.

That if we have lot of sense gratification, we will happy.

But actually, that doesn’t give real happiness.

So one should use this human birth, to be Kṛṣṇa conscious.

So, if you think you are the body, then this deep-rooted desire to enjoy the body will come.

But if you realize that you are not the body, then you will try to enjoy by giving pleasure to Kṛṣṇa.

And by giving Kṛṣṇa pleasure we feel happier.

Link: 20220515 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Karma / Desires], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Spiritual World / Dhāma], [Material World], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

My question is that while performing service there are three types of offences we can perform through mind, body and through actions. How can we avoid these offences so we can be engaged in devotional service of the Lord?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-04-13

Jayapatākā Swami: Someone asked me yesterday what do I do, how do I control my anger when my servants do not do what I want?

I could not remember a time when I lost my temper like that!

So, but there must have been a time long ago!

But I said that we commit so many offences to Kṛṣṇa, knowingly or unknowingly,

we want Kṛṣṇa to forgive us.

So, like that if we don’t forgive others, then how can we expect Kṛṣṇa to forgive us?

Your question, what is the root reason for your question?

If one hates another person that is an offence.

If such kind of hatred or violence is not there, then why should it be considered an offence?

This way, if we see the good qualities in others, if we praise them, then how will be commit offence?

If we are intolerant of the different qualities of people, then there is possibility of offences.

If you see an offence to Vaiṣṇavas or guru then you need to get angry.

Just like Kṛṣṇa, if you offend Him, He usually forgives you.

But if you offend His devotee, He is very angry.

Link: 20221217 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.2.33

Category: [Aparādha (Offenses)], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Now we are focusing a lot reading Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and also doing courses like Bhakti-vaibhava. Now we when we do these courses, it needs a good amount of time. So our preaching has reduced a bit. What will please you more?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-02-02

Jayapatākā Swami: What would you preach if you don’t read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books.

You know, we don’t say that by reading, you do not do any preaching.

But if you don’t read, what do you preach?

Would you speculate something?

It is important to read at least in the beginning.

Śrīla Prabhupāda told me that to get first initiation, I had to read the Bhagavad-gītā ten times.

Then I had these lines marked, one, two, three, four, strike. One, two, three, four, strike.

I read ten times and got my first initiation.

But by reading Bhagavad-gītā ten times I had so much knowledge of the Gītā that I was giving accredited courses in the university.

Although I was a college drop out!

And in the McGill University I gave a course but there was no credit.

So then, Śrīla Prabhupāda gave us a test, I got Bhakti-śāstrī.

Recently I want to encourage my disciples, my followers, devotees in general

to read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books.

Then the Māyāpur Institute offered me the honorary degrees,

because I had read the books so many times.

But I thought if I get honorary degree,

then that would not encourage the devotees to read.

I said, no, I will take the test.

And now I have finished the 5th canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. I got one more canto to go to get my Bhakti-vaibhava.

After that I will go for the Bhakti-vedānta.

Then I am very glad that I am doing that.

It is nice that if you are reading Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and are getting tested then you read it more carefully.

But it doesn’t mean I don’t preach.

In fact preaching is going on.

Link: 20221024 Evening Darśana

Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

One of the qualities we develop is humbleness and tolerance. Sometimes this results in others taking advantage of us. For example, at work. What should we do to avoid this?

Questioner: Śyāmavallabhā Gopī devī dāsī

Date: 2023-01-27

Jayapatākā Swami: If they are right, you know that you are able to do.

If someone is asking you to do something you think that, is not correct or which is beyond your scope, then you can say, I am sorry, but be very polite.

Humility doesn’t mean you do everything that everybody tells you!

Link: 20200217 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings]

Please enlighten me, if I face any difficulty while doing service, and it is due to our inefficiency or do we understand it in the right way? How do we understand it?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-04-27

Jayapatākā Swami: If you get a service, take it as a blessing.

Try to do it as best you can.

If you don’t think you are doing it very well, then ask the person that gave you this service for some advice.

Link: 20240201 Evening Darśana and Question-and-answer session

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Please guide us to the right method of worshipping śālagrāma.

Questioner: Tāriṇī Rādhikā devī dāsī, UK.

Date: 2022-10-04

Jayapatākā Swami: You can also learn the process

from the Māyāpur Academy on Deity Worship.

And also from the minister of Deity worship.

Śrīla Prabhupāda personally taught Jananivāsa Prabhu

how to worship the śālagrāma-śilā.

The śālagrāma should be worshiped every day.

At least bathe with water and put tulasī leaf on it.

But if you want you can also bathe with milk or pañca-gavya or pañcāmṛta.

And draw a smiling face on the śālagrāma-śilā with a tilaka.

More details you can get from the Deity Worship ministry.

Link: 20230717 Question And Answer Session With IYF Devotees

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vigraha Āradhana (Deity Worship) / Home Deity Worship]

Prabhupāda said that we must serve the spiritual master to his exact desire. So how can develop the unalloyed service mood ?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-08-25

You

try do that and by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness,

always praying to the spiritual master, previous ācāryas, Kṛṣṇa,

to be able to do that, that is the principal desire in one’s life,

well by their mercy the impossible can be possible.

Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Link: 19850307 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.27.10 - Gaura Purnima

Category: [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Should one try to make more devotees or try to absorb oneself in other devotional activities such as chanting, reading and serving Deities?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-08-27

So, the point is that there are two devotees, the bhajanānandīs and the goṣṭhyānandīs.

So, the bhajanānandīs want to see their own personal liberation.

The goṣṭhyānandīs want to take many devotees with them

back home back to Godhead.

So, our disciplic succession is goṣṭhyānandī.

We practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness, at the same time we try to expand the number of devotees.

So, our business is practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness and we also try to outreach.

Link: 20211211 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.13.23

Category: [Gauḍīya History], [Gauḍīya History / ISKCON], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Should one try to make more devotees or try to absorb oneself in other devotional activities such as chanting, reading and serving Deities?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-08-27

So, the point is that there are two devotees, the bhajanānandīs and the goṣṭhyānandīs.

So, the bhajanānandīs want to see their own personal liberation.

The goṣṭhyānandīs want to take many devotees with them

back home back to Godhead.

So, our disciplic succession is goṣṭhyānandī.

We practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness, at the same time we try to expand the number of devotees.

So, our business is practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness and we also try to outreach.

Link: 20211211 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.13.23

Category: [Gauḍīya History], [Gauḍīya History / ISKCON], [Sādhanā / Preaching], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

So, the next generation, I often feel that the kind of affection and loyalty and dedication like a sold-out-servant as all of you are, I feel that is greatly lacking in the next generation, Mahārāja. So, we feel in our generation many people, they get initiated officially and after that they do not feel such a great commitment to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission and in expanding the movement the way. I am sure that your expanding the movement has happened because you are strongly rooted in Śrīla Prabhupāda. So how can the grand disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda have such feelings for him and a sense of belonging with him and thereby a sense of love and dedication for his mission?

Questioner: Rādhe Śyāma Dāsa

Date: 2023-12-05

Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda kī jaya!

You see Śrīla Prabhupāda, he gave us the science of bhakti-yoga.

So everyone should read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, attend the Śrīla Prabhupāda daily guru-pūjā.

I mean, what does it take for people to be committed to Śrīla Prabhupāda?

When I first came to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we did not have many books.

So Śrīla Prabhupāda said we could read Professor Sanyal’s Teachings of Lord Caitanya

and there was a section on Haridāsa Ṭhākura.

He said that whenever he would think of anything else, he would chant louder.

So I was a new bhakta

and I had so many thoughts.

So I would end up chanting louder and louder!

All the devotees, they went to Śrīla Prabhupāda and said, “This Bhakta Jay, he shouts so loudly while chanting

and we cannot concentrate!”

Śrīla Prabhupāda called me

and he asked me, “Why you chant so loud?”

I told him,

he said, “Hmmm, that is not bad,

but you are disturbing all the other devotees.

So I give you permission to chant in the park.”

That was the pre joggers’ period, now we have many joggers.

I saw birds, and squirrels.

They all heard the holy name when I was shouting!

Anyway, by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy devotional service is so nice

that we start experiencing some bliss

and I don’t think that is a big secret.

Anyone who does Kṛṣṇa consciousness sincerely,

they can also experience bliss!

I have seen some new people

coming and they are very blissful and very happy.

We should be you know, grateful

that Śrīla Prabhupāda gave us such a nice process

that works.

It is not a theory or just a faith, it works!

If you do it then you will not regret

it and then you feel grateful

that Śrīla Prabhupāda gave us such a wonderful thing.

If he hadn’t come, he hadn’t preached, where would we be today!

I wrote a song yadi prabhupāda nā haita, tabe kī haita.

If there was no Śrīla Prabhupāda, what would there be today?

It is something terrifying,

to think back,

what I was

and what I am today,

what bliss I am experiencing by following Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions.

I think everybody should realize

that what they have

is all due to ultimately Śrīla Prabhupāda starting this movement.

Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Association (Sādhu-saṅga)]

Sometimes it seems that we engage in service or chanting, but we don’t have the full enthusiasm for it. How do we fix that?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-08-08

Jayapatākā Swami: For… for a devotee, the more that you understand that Kṛṣṇa is directly accepting your service through the spiritual master, and the main thing that He is accepting is how enthusiastically you do it.

Because ultimately, He doesn’t need the service.

What He’s relishing is your...your desire to serve Him, your devotion, your enthusiasm.

Just like that time when Kṛṣṇa appeared in the kitchen, and then they so enthusiastically handed Him the banana peel, instead of the ba… they handed Him the banana peel, and He ate the banana peel.

So, then they saw, “I gave Kṛṣṇa the banana peel, and I kept the banana.

He is eating the peel!”

Then He said, “Well for Me, the peel and the apple are the same.

I was relishing your enthusiasm to serve Me.” (laughing)

Actually, Kṛṣṇa doesn’t need anything.

He is already ātmārāmāḥ ca munayaḥ.

He is already complete - oṁ pūrṇam adaḥ pūrṇam idaṁ.

But the fact that after so many millions of years of forgetting Him, the conditioned soul is coming forward to serve Him, that enthusiasm and that desire is what Kṛṣṇa appreciates most.

So therefore, even if (uhh), the service may not be that… sometimes one needs a slight change of service, sometimes the service is alright.

These are things that can only be discussed by the authorities with the individual devotee as to whether there is adequate service to keep the person fully engaged.

That’s a separate situation.

That has to be dealt with individually.

But even in such a situation, still, one should be very enthusiastic,

and still after being very enthusiastic if the person is bored, or just unengaged, true that it’s not enough service, or not enough to keep the mind in… involved, then that’s something that has to be dealt with individually between the spiritual master,

or the representative… his representative, the temple authority.

Still, the person should be doing the service fully enthusiastically, otherwise, how can you tell whether you’re working up to the capacity or not?

Just like if you’re driving in the car and the pedals… the gas pedals got down and then the car is killing, you see…you know and then you come to some conclusion, “Well, something is wrong with the car.”

But then sometimes when the engine is cold, or when you overload it, just have to put on more gas.

You’re going up a hill, then you keep going up the hill, then when you’re going up the hill, it kills, then you say, “What’s wrong?”

You go and look at your car and everything, but because you weren’t putting the gas on.

Right?

So, when you’re going up the hill, you’ve got to put the gas on.

Maybe sometimes you downshift, put on the gas, and you go up. Right?

If you don’t put on more gas when you’re going uphill.

So, that’s why sometimes Kṛṣṇa makes a person go uphill a little bit, just like you’re forced to put on the gas.

Sink to swim.

Ordinarily you know, if you’re always putting on the gas,then it doesn’t make any difference.

Those type of tests are no longer really needed, either.

So, a devotee is not actually tested that much, and even if he is, it doesn’t make any difference.

He just passes, just to show other devotees as an example.

Do you see what’s for Kṛṣ… for Prahlāda to swim in the boiling oil, because he such a great devotee.

You know.

Similarly, for us, we get very infinitesimal situations comparatively, Kṛṣṇa helps us to cross over them.

Enthusiasm is something that is just (uhh)… just somehow or another, like a person riding, running in a race.

How do you become enthusiastic?

Someone either through instruction, through criticism, through joking, through something, a person just gets fired up and goes out and does it.

Ultimately, enthusiasm is not something, you can pray of course to Nitāi-Gaura,

Nityānanda to help you become more enthusiastic, but enthusiasm comes from one’s desire.

If you desire something, you’re enthusiastic.

If you want to please Kṛṣṇa, you become enthusiastic.

It’s just a question of focusing.

Focusing your… focusing your desires, focusing your intentions, tīvreṇa bhakti-yogena, just like the sunlight, focusing on Kṛṣṇa.

If it’s not focused, energy gets splayed, you lose enthusiasm.

Link: 19821016 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.9.9

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Sādhanā / Chanting (Japa)], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Śrīla Prabhupāda has done impossible deeds. And Caitanya Candra Caraṇa Prabhu told that the perfection in success is to do whatever is possible and little more. Can you please elaborate on the heroism in devotional service? What is the heroism in devotional service in this perspective?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-01-05

Jayapatākā Swami: Śrīla Prabhupāda said to publish the Caitanya-caritāmṛta in two months.

Then Rāmeśvara Prabhu said, that is impossible.

Śrīla Prabhupāda said impossible is a word in the fool’s dictionary.

They had a marathon and published all the volumes of the Caitanya-caritāmṛta in two months.

Some devotees went to Śrīla Prabhupāda and said I distributed so many books – say ten thousand!

Śrīla Prabhupāda would say, very good!

Now double it next year!

So, if you want to do a little more you can double it.

We should try to do as best we can do.

A little better!

So, we were distributing for Bhādra Pūrṇimā previously 6,000 sets.

In 2020 we did 25,000 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam sets.

in 2021 we did 35,000.

So Vaiśeṣika Prabhu said that by 2026 we should distribute 100,000 sets.

That means every year increasing by 23%.

This year we should distribute at least 43,000 sets of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Every year we should increase minimum 23%.

So if you can give me how many sets of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītās you can distribute. Each person.

You may not know Bengali but just by being friendly you can capture their heart!

Ladies can embrace the other ladies!

Wow! They will never forget! I was embraced by a Russian lady!

Link: 20220801 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.33.39

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā], [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Emotions / Enthusiasm]

Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disciples are very enthusiastically serving their Śrīla Prabhupāda with surrender, dedication and commitment. How do we as his grand disciple develop this level of faith and surrender?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-03-13

Jayapatākā Swami: I hope they are serving Śrīla Prabhupāda enthusiastically

and I hope that the grand disciples will also serve guru and Gaurāṅga enthusiastically.

And that depends on their sincerity.

If they are sincere they will do that.

Link: 20221029 Śrīla Prabhupāda Disappearance Day Question and Answer Session

Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disciples are very enthusiastically serving their Śrīla Prabhupāda with surrender, dedication and commitment. How do we as his grand disciple develop this level of faith and surrender?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-03-13

Jayapatākā Swami: I hope they are serving Śrīla Prabhupāda enthusiastically

and I hope that the grand disciples will also serve guru and Gaurāṅga enthusiastically.

And that depends on their sincerity.

If they are sincere they will do that.

Link: 20221029 Śrīla Prabhupāda Disappearance Day Question and Answer Session

Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

Two days ago, your health was not good. I was feeling very sad. What can I do for you?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-05-11

Jayapatākā Swami: Many devotees are praying for me, doing various sacrifices,

so that is helping.

Also, devotees if they follow the regulative principles, that also helps me.

Link: 20240205 Evening Address | Question-and-Answer session

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā]

We always talk about serving the senior devotees. How should we, as Mātājīs, serve the senior devotees besides serving prasāda?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-09-02

Jayapatākā Swami: Just like, I request my disciples to read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and get their degrees such as Bhakti-śāstrī,

Bhakti-vaibhava, Bhakti-vedānta.

So, there is one devotee in her 20s, she already has her Bhakti-vedānta degree.

We haven’t given much attention to that.

We find that there are many doctors, politicians, lawyers of the female gender.

It would be nice to have devotees who actually know the scriptures and can properly explain it.

People like to hear from Mātājīs and children.

Normally, they don’t speak philosophical things.

But if they do, people like it!

That is one thing that can be done.

I mean, I have been invited to go to Tucson, Arizona and Phoenix also.

Both those temples have females as Temple Presidents.

So in some countries of the world, not every country, there are no limitations like that.

In the 9th canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, there is the Apsarā, Urvaśī, she criticizes a bit how ladies are not reliable.

But in the purport Śrīla Prabhupāda said this is for the materialistic ladies.

Anyone who is Kṛṣṇa conscious, man or woman, they are all equal.

So, I mean, I don’t see such a limitation.

We saw that in the Dallas Ratha-yātrā, ladies were doing many services.

Link: 20230420 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings]

We are very fortunate that we have your darśana and it is Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mercy we are seeing you, the direct representative of Śrīla Prabhupāda. I want to know how much strength you get from your spiritual master. You are struggling so hard and serving the paramparā. How do you gather so much enthusiasm and strength to serve even in this condition?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-06-03

Jayapatākā Swami: I have seen how Śrīla Prabhupāda expanded the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement.

And Śrīla Prabhupāda gave us the teachings of Lord Caitanya.

And Śrīla Prabhupāda desired that

we should distribute the teachings of Lord Caitanya.

Lord Caitanya wanted that His teachings should be followed.

Śrīla Prabhupāda had visited Māyāpur,

he wanted that Lord Caitanya’s teachings be expanded.

Many people did not know Lord Caitanya.

Lord Caitanya lived in Bengal.

He was in the place of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura.

Lord Caitanya lived in different places.

Link: 20240117 Address to Devotees from Ahmedabad in Bengali

Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Gauḍīya History / Śrīla Prabhupāda], [Guru (Spiritual Master) / Guru Disciple Relationship], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

We are very soon approaching Puruṣottama month. What kind of service and sevā will please Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Mādhava and yourself?

Questioner: Kackuly Rāṇī

Date: 2022-09-27

Jayapatākā Swami: Thank you Kackuly Rāṇī for your nice question.

In the Puruṣottama month

Kṛṣṇa has accepted this month as nondifferent from Himself.

♫

So, they are regular attendees of this class,

Keya Rāṇī, Kackuly Rāṇī.

So on the CDM website

we are going to publish all the things that you can do in Puruṣottama month.

In the Dāmodara month,

you get hundred times benefit.

But in the Puruṣottama month, it is a 1000 times.

So basically, we do all the things

that we can do in the Dāmodara month,

and some more also.

It is not a good month for weddings or any kind of śubha-karma.

But it is very good for transcendental devotional service.

Link: 20200829 The Devotees Forget about the Sannyāsa during Saṅkīrtana with the Lord (Part 3)

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vratās (Austerities)], [Vratās (Austerities) / Puruṣottama-māsa-vratā]

We can see how you served Śrīla Prabhupāda whole life with complete dedication and surrender. How can I develop full surrender to the spiritual master and become servant in the true sense, keeping aside false pride?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-02-02

Jayapatākā Swami: Just like I am serving my spiritual master,

I hope you can learn from my example

and serve me.

Link: 20221024 Evening Darśana

Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

What are the signs to understand that Kṛṣṇa has accepted our service?

Questioner: Mariya, Perm

Date: 2022-10-17

So, if we please Kṛṣṇa, we can eventually feel blissful,

but if we are not able to understand,

then if we please the spiritual master,

and we should understand that we pleased Kṛṣṇa.

Kṛṣṇa accepts our service,

if we offer it with devotion and love.

If one is very proud, then Kṛṣṇa is not obliged to accept that service,

that way we know that if I offer to my guru and he accepts,

then he will offer to his guru, and he will accept,

and in this way it goes back to Kṛṣṇa.

So, the guru-paramparā system is such,

that we know that our service is being accepted by Kṛṣṇa,

if it is accepted by the spiritual master

Link: 20200614 Lord Gaurāṅga Blesses Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura’s Servant

Category: [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

What can we, as parents, do to make our children determined devotees like Dhruva Mahārāja?

Questioner: Ratikeli Rādhikā devī dāsī

Date: 2022-10-05

Jayapatākā Swami: Teach them by your example

and encourage them that anything they do in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Just like Śrīla Prabhupāda, his father gave him Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa small Deities to practice pūjā.

And also gave him a Jagannātha, Baladeva, Subhadrā ratha.

So he was happy to have this Kṛṣṇa conscious play.

Link: 20200818 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Day-to-day Life / Children], [Day-to-day Life / Parents], [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]

What is more important for a Vaiṣṇava? To remain a brahmacāri or to beget a child?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2022-12-09

Of course more important.

It’s an individual situation.

Individual.

Prabhupāda explains in the 8th Canto Bhāgavatam that we have to work from wherever our position of strength is.

The example that’s said,

the elephant was fighting against the crocodile.

But the crocodile and elephant were in the water.

So the elephant was becoming weaker,

and the crocodile was becoming stronger.

So the elephant was getting to not able to fight.

So he start to pray to Kṛṣṇa to help.

So in this verse Prabhupāda explains that the devotees should be physically,

mentally,

and spiritually strong.

And it gets to be a bit of an energy drain.

In other words,

for them,

the mind is being distracted that a lot by different thoughts.

So it’s a constant thing that a person has to work at.

Of course,

everyone can do it,

but it seems to be like an energy drain,

or possibly one will be more peaceful and productive in a family situation.

So basically it depends upon each individual.

Generally our program is that people should first of all practise the brahmacārī life as far as possible,

and become strong,

and after some time,

then the Spiritual master and the senior Vaiṣṇavas,

they can help to advice one,

whether they should enter into the gṛhastha-āśrama,

whether they should try to remain in the brahmacārī ashram for some more time,

or in some cases,

whether,

rarely,

someone should take sannyāsa.

Link: 19861031 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.43

Category: [Varṇāśrama / Brahmacārī], [Varṇāśrama], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Day-to-day Life / Children], [Varṇāśrama / Gṛhastha]

What is the best way to preach and is it offensive to preach to the faithless, so how do you preach then?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2023-09-04

Jayapatākā Swami: You see we don’t tell the glories of the holy name to a faithless person.

If you say, oh, you chant the holy name it will destroy all your sins.

He is a faithless person he does not believe in sin.

You just tell them chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and be happy,

not going through all the glories of the holy name.

Just tell them chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and be happy!

Eat this prasāda, bhel-purī!

It was very nice Gujarati prasāda today.

Link: 20230419 Question and Answer Session

Category: [Emotions / Faith], [Sādhanā / Preaching]

What is the criteria of quality of bhakti and sevā? What is the percentage?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-04-27

Jayapatākā Swami: I was there when Śrīla Prabhupāda said this.

He was in Montreal, 1968.

And all the devotees were thinking, “Oh, 100%, that is very high!”

But as he was coming down, 90%, 80%.

Then, he was walking away,

taking his cadāra behind him.

He said even 70%. [paragraph]

In my class His Holiness Girirāja Swami, he said he knew the secret!

That one devotee said to Śrīla Prabhupāda, even if I don’t achieve 70%, what is my hope then?

Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “Stay with me, I have the key to the backdoor!”

Link: 20240209 Evening Address | Question-and-Answer session

Category: [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Sādhanā / Technicalities]

What pleases you the most?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-03-15

Jayapatākā Swami: What pleases me the most? Pleasing Śrīla Prabhupāda! Ha! Ha!

He asked me to distribute books,

expand the congregation,

to expand Kṛṣṇa consciousness pracāra unlimitedly,

to develop Māyāpur Dhām,

to unite the Saraswat family,

to develop Navadvīpa-dhāma,

to develop Gaura Maṇḍala Bhūmī,

and many other things.

So you can do any of these things,

which one will you do?

Link: 20200424 Zoom Session to Kanhaiyādeśa

Category: [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

What should be our mood while serving you, my dear spiritual master? How should we develop feeling of gratitude and humility?

Questioner: Devotee

Date: 2024-02-19

Jayapatākā Swami: Naturally, we should serve the spiritual master as the representative of his guru, the guru-paramparā and Kṛṣṇa.

So, in this way Kṛṣṇa is watching

and how we satisfy our spiritual master

that Kṛṣṇa sees.

He blesses accordingly.

Now how to develop proper attitude.

It happens naturally as we progress in our spiritual life.

Hare Kṛṣṇa!

Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Sādhanā / Sevā]

What should be the mood of a gṛhastha who is serving in the temple and has to accept Lakṣmī for maintaining his family? Could the service also be selfless ?

Questioner: Śrījīva Gosvāmī dāsa

Date: 2022-10-04

Jayapatākā Swami: If they are taking minimal amount,

what they need for maintaining their family,

so if the temple thinks it is worthwhile,

then one should do that.

And that would be considered as selfless service.

Of course, if one is taking a huge amount and saving a lot,

then he may consider if it is selfless.