© 1998 VNN
| WORLD December 11, 1998 VNN2661 Srila Narayana Maharaja Visits Singapore BY SRIDAM SAKHA DASA SINGAPORE, Dec 11 (VNN) — We arrived in Singapore late in the evening on 29th November. The person who was hosting Srila Gurudeva and his immediate party is named Elangovan Raju, and he was assisted in this by his sister, Taruni devi dasi, who is Srila Gurudeva's initiated disciple. Elangovan prabhu has spent up to twenty years in military service. Simply from his experience of having met Srila Gurudeva briefly last year at Mr Gupta's apartment (who was out of Singapore this time) Elangovan prabhu had become inspired to offer his unreserved hospitality to Srila Gurudeva and party. Thanks to his simple hearted kindness, and the welcoming spirit of his friends and family a warm mood was generated which contributed greatly to making the programs and events of Singapore such a success. Unfortunately, due to some miscommunication, our hosts had not been aware that all 20 of us or so would be arriving late that evening, and there was an initial flurry of confusion and dismay caused by this. Nevertheless, they kindly accommodated all of us, and Urukrama and Prana Govinda prabhus made proper arrangements the next day for the remainder of our visit. Srila Gurudeva first spoke on the evening of the following day. He started by expressing his happiness to be back in Singapore, and then went on to ask the question of why one should do bhajan, especially if one possesses much wealth, aristocratic birth, a beautiful wife and children. He then called on Pundarika prabhu to explain, who proceeded to very articulately give many reasons to illustrate why worldly happiness is really not happiness at all. All material facilities are temporary, and even if one possesses them, it still may well be that one is unable to take advantage of them. For instance, one may be diabetic, and therefore unable to indulge his taste for sweet food. The many friends who flock around a wealthy person, flattering him, are in fact only interested in what they can extract from him. Therefore, by the possession of wealth, one becomes isolated from being able to have true friends, and trusts no-one. Pundarika prabhu then told a sobering story about a wealthy man who lived in Bombay to illustrate this. A disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura went to this man's house to try and arrange a meeting, but was told by one of his servants that it was not possible. When this devotee persisted, the rich man, thinking that this sadhu was only trying to get some some money out of him gave a few hundred rupees to his servant and told him to give it to the sadhu, and to send him on his way. When the devotee declared that he was not interested in money, and this message was relayed by the servant to his master, the master told the servant to give the devotee a couple of thousand rupees instead and to again tell him to leave. However, even when the rich man learned from the servant that the sadhu *didn't* want money, the rich man still refused to see him, and, eventually, the devotee left. A year later, the devotee happened to pass in front of the same house again, and he noticed a haggard looking figure selling some cheap commodity outside. Drawing close, the devotee could understand that this was the same man whom he had tried to meet one year before. Approaching him, he asked the man, who had lost everything due to some business calamity, whether he recognized him. At first the man was unable to do so, but when the devotee reminded him, he remembered everything. Now that his wealth, and the false barriers it had created were gone, he was very willing to hear from this devotee, and, in due course, he then took up the path of bhakti himself. Otherwise, his wealth had prevented him. Srila Gurudeva then asked Prema Prayojana prabhu to speak. Prema prayojana prabhu started by reciting the verse labdhva sudurlabham idam bahu sambhavante explaining how the human form of life, although temporary, affords us the valuable opportunity to awaken our Krsna consciousness. Therefore we should quickly utilize all of our time and energy to realize this goal and not divert our valuable energy into the quest for sense enjoyment which comes automatically by the law of karma without any endeavour. Although one may have all material facilities no-one can enjoy them alone. Therefore our real necessity lies in a relationship of love and affection. Krsna is supremely pure so if we make Krsna the object of our love, then our love will be pure. Without this pure love no-one can be satisfied. Rather, all are suffering the threefold miseries at the hands of maya simply because of forgetfulness of Krsna. So by doing bhajan of Krsna under the guidance of sad guru and vaisnavas simultaneously the sufferings due to maya will be completely vanquished and our perfect eternal loving relationship with Krsna will be awakened. Continuing on these themes, Srila Gurudeva then described how Ravana had dwelt in a palace made of gold, a standard of opulence unimaginable by today's standards. However, not satisfied by his unlimited material facilities, he tried to steal Sita-devi herself, and was killed by Lord Ramachandra. Hiranyakasipu was so powerful that Vayu the god of air was sweeping his palace, and Indra and all of the other demigods were serving him. This demon was feared even by Sankar and Brahma. He could not be killed in water, in sky or earth, in day or night, by demons or demigods or in any year or month. But still, he was killed by Nrsimhahdeva. Napoleon was so powerful, he wanted to be the lord of all. He tried to conquer Russia by crossing over the Alps, but he was defeated and taken prisoner. Because his enemies feared him so much, they put him in an iron cage, and threw him into the ocean where he was drowned. So no materialist can be happy. Simply by talking to him one can understand this. Hiranyakasipu was feared by all except for one person, Prahlada Maharaja, who feared no-one. Therefore a cold war existed between father and son. Everybody was on the side of Hiranyakasipu, sharing his demonic habits of eating flesh, smoking and drinking wine. Seeing that Prahlada was so different they thought that he must be mad or stupid, and therefore sent him to school to be educated. In what? To make money, to be strong and to cheat and control others. This is the general ambition of most people, so therefore they admire demons. The teachers of Prahlada were named Sanda and Amarka. What do these names mean? Sanda, angry like a bull and Amarka, darkness. So they cannot teach us anything else. If we do not practice bhajan, then duplicity and politics is all we will learn. In this world nothing is true. However, if we say to the atheists and materialists "but God is true" then they will not agree. They have not seen God. But if we will say that death is true, then everyone must accept this. And what is also true is suffering. No-one can deny this either. We see the president of Indonesia, Suharto. He ruled for 25 years, enjoying so much sense gratification, giving so much wealth and position to his family members, thinking he was the monarch of all. But he was defeated by little boys ...students, they made a revolution, and forced him out. There was a beautiful princess, Diana, she had all wealth, aristocracy, and she married Prince Charles. But neither were satisfied. He went to another woman, and she went to another man, one muslim. And Clinton also. He had everything, but still he wanted love and affection from another, very young, and now he will be forced to lose his position. Whatever we think of in life and at the point of death, we will go to that. One of my disciples in Delhi, Somnathji, he was telling me that one businessman was staying with him in Delhi for some time. This man is from England, very wealthy, and he has four horses and five dogs. Afterwards Somnath was telling me that this devotee was so worried for his animals, that he was ringing to England every day to see if they are OK. But, if you will think of dogs, then you will be dog in next life. Prahlada Maharaja, he was telling his school friends that they should start to engage in bhajan. So they told him that "Oh, we can start when we are older. Now we are young, so let us play instead." But death may come at any time. It is not in our control. I know one lady, very beautiful, she was pregnant for 6 months but then some problem came. So she had to go to hospital, there was surgery, and her baby boy was taken out, dead. This is one example. Or another person he may be one hundred years old, one hundred and forty, with very serious disease, but still death does not come, for so long. Then the friends of Prahlada said that in life we have to learn how to make money. Prahlada said to them that by karma wealth will come, also reputation and food. There was once a very religious boy, and he decided that he must give up family life, and go to do bhajan in Vrndavana. But, soon after he had left his village, he started to worry about how he was going to get any food or lodging, and, becoming weak, could not make up his mind what to do. Just then, a bird's egg fell out of a tree and landed in front of him. The shell had broken, and the baby started to come out, making sound: "cheh cheh". it was blind, no feathers, it was so hungry, but mother was not there. Then one small, very soft insect, fly, came and became stuck in the liquid coming from the egg. The more the fly was moving, the more it became entrapped, and, in a ball of liquid, it came automatically into the mouth of the baby bird. When the boy saw this, he realized how Krsna is arranging everything, and he got his courage back again, and left for Vrndavana. Continuing with relating the teachings of Prahlada Maharaja, Srila Gurudeva described how the allotted one hundred year human life span is gradually whittled away by sleep, in youth up to the age of twenty, struggling with disease in old age, and, the time spent absorbed working hard in family life. Then, referring to the opulent surroundings of the apartment in which he was speaking and staying, he remarked: "most people could not meet this standard". On either side of him were two 5 foot high, ornate, South Indian style gold coloured ghee lamps, and, behind him, from floor to ceiling, about ten foot across, was an inspiring photo poster of the surging waters of a pine forest brook. Just opposite to his makeshift armchair vyasasana was an impressive display of high tech stereophonic equipment. Atop one of the speakers was a hefty three foot intricate teak carving of a majestic looking pair of eagles. Moving his hand in their direction, Srila Gurudeva said: "Just see -- Garuda is here". Then, turning slightly, and indicating the oversized poster behind him he added humorously: "and Yamuna is flowing." Then, nodding at an attractive vase to his right, filled to overflowing with a multi coloured array of exquisite silk flowers he continued: "Beautiful decorations are here". Srila Gurudeva then said to us that because Elangovan prabhu was hosting all of us so wonderfully, that he must be repaid - but not by money, by kirtan. When the kirtan had finished, Srila Gurudeva handed out bananas to all the devotees and guests present. A foot bathing ceremony was then carried out accompanied by kirtana. The next day, Srila Gurudeva was taken by Elangovan prabhu to a nearby park for his morning walk. Although the surroundings were very beautiful, he found the uphill winding track to be somewhat taxing, preferring the Singaporean beach strolls of last year. As a man walking a dog passed by, Srila Gurudeva asked the devotees what the man would have done if someone attacked the dog. Elangovan prabhu then replied that he would protect the animal. Then Srila Gurudeva asked what a man with his dog would do if a larger man with a larger dog attacked them both. "They would run away" came the reply. Similarly, Srila Gurudeva replied, Krsna, Who can create or destroy unlimited universes in less than a second can and will most surely support, protect and nourish us in every way if we become His dog. Later on that morning during a short class, Srila Gurudeva asked Prema prayojana prabhu to define saranagati, surrender. Quoting from the Caitanya caritamrta, Prema prayojana prabhu recited the verse: anukulyasya sankalpah pratikulyasya varjanam raksisyatiti visvaso goptrtve varanam tatha atma-niksepa-karpanye sad-vidha saranagatih explaining what the six items of saranagati are. Firstly one must accept those things favourable to devotional service, and secondly one must reject those which are unfavorable. One should have the conviction that Krsna will give one full protection, one should accept Him as one's Lord and maintainer, and one should be meek and humble not craving for honor, in full self-surrender. Saranagati is the door to bhakti so one may be hearing and chanting but if he is not surrendered he cannot enter the realm of bhajan. Under the fifth item, accepting the Lord as one's maintainer, Srila Gurudeva returned to his morning walk example of the master and his dog. He explained that one of the parts of saranagati was to attack and defeat those who preached against bhakti such as sakhi-bekhis, sahajiyas and mayavadis, just as the faithful dog will attack one who acts against his master. Srila Gurudeva then asked Nanda kisora prabhu to speak about Srila Rupa gosvami. Being caught off guard, Nanda kisora prabhu spoke haltingly at first, looking at Srila Gurudeva all the while. "Don't look at me like I am an examiner!" Srila Gurudeva chided him. "Speak to all, very strongly." "But I am very nervous" replied Nanda kisora prabhu. "Don't worry" said Srila Gurudeva, "just think that they are like trees or creepers and don't know anything." Srila Gurudeva proceeded to put the rest of us on the spot with the same question, going from person to person. Brajanath prabhu ultimately spoke at some length on the life and teachings of Srila Rupa gosvami to the satisfaction of Srila Gurudeva. Srila Gurudeva then insisted that a rather reluctant Vrndavana Vilasini didi speak about Srila Raghunath das gosvami. After a little arm-twisting from Srila Gurudeva, she then proceeded to give an eloquent and comprehensive explanation of his life story. When she reached the point in her account where Srila Raghunatha das gosvami left his family, Srila Gurudeva then pointed out that we know very little about Srila Raghunatha das gosvami's wife. Nowhere do we read that he ever spoke anything about her. He then said that if anyone enters renounced life, but then reminisces about his former wife, saying "she was so beautiful", then he will surely fall down. However, if we must marry, then we should find someone who can help us in our spiritual lives. But, he went on, those who are a little more advanced will reject marriage like stool. Srila Gurudeva then asked what reaction would come to a person who committed suicide, to which the devotees replied that one would become a ghost. Then Srila Gurudeva mentioned that Srila Raghunatha das gosvami had also made a plan to commit suicide after the disappearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Svarupa Damodara and Sri Gadadhara pandita, and asked us if that was wrong. He then gave the answer, saying that non-devotees plan to kill themselves because their material desires have become frustrated, but that in the case of Srila Raghunatha das gosvami his desire was prompted by an intense mood of separation. Therefore, Srila Gurudeva said, one should not criticize a pure devotee on the grounds of a superficial interpretation of his words or actions, but rather understand the mood in which he is doing it. Srila Gurudeva then explained to us that bhajan begins when one starts to experience feelings of separation. Until then, one is merely performing sadhana, or not even that, rather an abhasa, a semblance of sadhana. He went on to explain that the six processes of saranagati are not bhakti themselves, but rather they are the negative injunctions without performing which bhakti cannot be attained. It is the door of bhakti. While we were in Singapore, we were honored to have the presence of H.H. Hrsikesa Maharaja with us. He is a diksa disciple of Srila Prabhupada, and sannyasa disciple of Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Maharaja. H.H. Hrsikesa Maharaja had spent some time with us during our Vraja mandala parikrama, filming, and he now filmed the classes and darsanas which were being given by Srila Gurudeva. Since H.H. Hrsikesa Maharaja is very active in producing the magazine "Vishva Vaisnava Raja Sabha", Srila Gurudeva asked whether he would be willing to help him in producing his publications. "If you will order me" H.H. Hrsikesa Maharaja replied, to which Srila Gurudeva laughed, twisting his hand back and forth in a circular motion. In particular, Srila Gurudeva explained how he was anxious that his Bhagavad-gita be printed as soon as possible, because he knew that it would help many, many people very much. In his book he has translated the commentaries of Srila Visvanath Cakravarti Thakura and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and then given his own explanations of them too. Afterwards, H.H. Hrsikesa Maharaja told me that Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Maharaja had said that these commentaries of Srila Visvanath Cakravarti Thakura were the highest conceptual ones to be found among all Gaudiya vaisnavas. That evening Srila Gurudeva spoke for some time. Returning again to the theme of saranagati, he explained how the devotee must depend upon Krsna for everything. If any danger comes, we should think, oh, Krsna has promised me all protection, so nothing to fear. He then told the story of how Srila Rupa and Sanatana gosvamis left worldly association to engage in pure devotional service. First of all, Srila Rupa gosvami and his brother Anupama went to their village and gave half of their wealth to the brahmanas there. Why? Because one should only keep that which is helpful for one's bhakti. Wealth is not, and nor is the association of those who are attached to worldly life. Even if the king is favourable, and loves us so much, still it is an obstacle, and should be given up. Even if our mother loves us, or even the whole nation, then still these are obstacles and must be renounced. So at first Srila Rupa gosvami gave up the nawab (king), then his family, and then he gave one quarter of his wealth to his family, especially so that it could be used for the education and care of Jiva, who was still a baby. After this, Srila Rupa gosvami entrusted the remaining quarter to a shop keeper, to be given secretly to Srila Sanatana gosvami, so that he would be able to bribe his way out of jail. We see that bribes are everywhere in India, Indonesia, and also in a very big form in England and America. When Srila Sanatana gosvami offered the jailer 7,000 gold coins, the jailer said, "Oh, I cannot go against the nawab", so Srila Sanatana gosvami increased the amount to 10,000 coins. When the jailer saw this big pile, water came from his mouth, and he took it at once. So Srila Sanatana gosvami was able to leave, and took one servant with him called Isana, who secretly kept 8 gold coins with him. After Srila Sanatana gosvami had given seven of them to the leader of some dacoits who then helped them to cross a dense forest on their way to Benares, Srila Sanatana gosvami told Isana to leave his association, and to take the one remaining gold coin with him. Although Isana was weeping to stay, Srila Sanatana gosvami refused to allow him to come, because he knew that it would cause further problems. This coin was bad association, and so was Isana, being attached to wealth, so he gave them both up. Later on, after he had met with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Sanatana gosvami gave up the fine blanket he had received from his uncle, and so Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became very pleased with him. Tugging at his sleeve, Srila Gurudeva said that if it was a source of attachment, then it should also be given up. Similarly, our families, even our bodies should be renounced. The gopis also say that they want to give up their bodies, because they have no attachment to Krsna. In the beginning we can worship devas like Durga, Ganesh or Kali, it may be useful, but one day we will have to give it up. We can do arcana of Rukmini, Rama, or Hanumana, but if you want Vraja prema, then you will have to give it up also. You can worship Gopisvara mahadeva, Girirajaj, and Yamuna but not others if you want one-pointed Vraja prema. You may have so much love for Krsna as your son, but if you want to love Him like gopis, then even this will have to be given up. There are so many things which Srila Rupa gosvami has given such as bhava virudha, bhava anukula etc. Bhakti is what? The essence of the hladini and samvit of svarupa sakti. Svarupa sakti is really only one sakti of Krsna, which is Radharani, para-sakti, but she is known in so many ways, in so many different manifestations. Hladini is the power or energy by which Krsna experiences so much joy, and how he gives pleasure to all others. And samvit, that is knowledge, which, when refined becomes mood, in the form of a relationship. Then, to give an example, Srila Gurudeva pointed at a male devotee saying that he knew that this was a human male, which he compared to jnana. But if, by service, a relationship came, then the person would become one's husband. Srila Gurudeva then said that samvit sakti manifests its influence first in the form of jnana, and later in the mature stage manifests as a relationship in one of the five primary rasas, the peak of which is madhurya. This bhakti-lata-bija first manifests as a small particle of svarupa sakti in the heart of the jiva in the form of krsna-seva-basana, the desire to serve Krsna. When this happens, it is the symptom that our lives have become successful. Our constitutional spiritual form is eternally present in our heart, but in conditioned stage it is in latent position. But when the svarupa-sakti descends into the heart then one's constitutional form gradually becomes manifest. Srila Gurudeva then gave the following example. When it rains during svati naksatra (a certain stellar constellation) if the rain falls on oysters then at that time they will produce pearls, if it falls on a banana tree then camphor will come, if it falls on the hood of a black snake then a jewel manifests, if on the head of elephant then gaja mukta, a kind of precious pearl will grow, and if it falls on the hoof of a cow then gorucana is produced. It is very precious, and is used for sacrifice bamboo bamsalocana . So from the same water, a different effect comes. So what makes the pearl come from the oyster? Devotee: A combination... Srila Gurudeva: Not combination! There is another example. In one garden there are so many seeds like tamarind or mango, but they all grow into different plants. Garden is same, water is same, conditions are the same, but still effect is different. Why? Because each seed has its own potency hidden in it. So from guru one svarupa-sakti is coming, but according to the different svarupa of the disciples, a different consititutional nature is manifesting. Some are in sakhya rasa, some are in vatsalya and some in madhurya - but that is very rare. In madhurya there are 360 parts and even each of those are divided into two further parts. jivera svarupa haya krsnera nitya dasa. All jivas are the eternal servants of Krsna. that svarupa is already there, male, female, the form, qualities, the seva, only it has to be illuminated. This is all explained by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is a very important and high thing, still I know so many even advanced gaudiya vaisnavas don't know it. The bhakti-lata-bija is Krsna-seva basana. Many such people think that it is sraddha but sraddha is the external symptom of bhakti-lata-bija. The mood, desire of one performing seva is that "even if anyone cuts me in lakhs of pieces, I'll never give up Krsna bhakti. I have a very strong belief in Krsna, guru's teachings, Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita." These are the symptoms of one serving Krsna. Sraddha is the external symptom of bhakti-lata-bija, but in reality the bhakti-lata-bija is the desire to serve Krsna in a particular rasa. For one who has good fortune, then from the seed already in his heart the bhakti-lata-bija will come out. This good fortune is gained by the good impressions one receives by association with vaisnavas, and hearing from them. The water that nourishes the bhakti-lata-bija is sravanam kirtanam. This water, bhakti, is the combination of the hladini and samvit of svarupa-sakti. Bhakti is not some imagination, it is composed of nine processes. This Srimad Bhagavatam came from Krsna to Brahma, from Brahma to Narada, from Narada to Vyasa, Vyasa to Sukadeva and so on. So it is coming down originally from Krsna. And bhakti, which is the samvit and hladini potencies of svarupa-sakti comes originally from Krsna, and down to us through parampara. If anyone has association with any qualified vaisnava, then, even though there may be so many obstacles of aparadhas and anarthas one can become a very good devotee. Just like Jagai and Madai, how they were changed by the touch of Haridasa and Nitai. Their tendency for seva was already there, but was not manifest until Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu sent Haridasa and Nitai. By the love and affection of Haridasa and Nitai the original constitutional forms of Jagai and Madai became uncovered, as Jaya and Vijaya. So this seed of bhakti as a mood to serve Krsna is a latent potency in the heart, but it is covered with maya. Why? Because we have accepted maya by the use of our free will, our very precious independence. But Krsna has the right to punish or bless us according to our activities. Then, looking at one person in particular, he asked: "You know in India we call mamsa - meat. Do you know the meaning of this "meat"? Me - eat. To those who we are eating, they will eat me tomorrow. She-goats, fishes, if unfavourable you should give it up today! If you are blind, not seeing, still, we are seeing." Then Prema prayojana prabhu asked: "If a particular mood of seva does not come in the heart of the sadhaka, does it mean that the bhakti-lata-bija has not been established? Srila Gurudeva answered: "The seed is there, but covered. If luckily one has vaisnava sanga then one should think that maya is going or we should think it has gone, which is why a saint has come to me: bhavapavargo bhramato yada bhavej janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samagamah sat-sangamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau paravarese tvayi jayate ratih (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.51.53, Caitanya caritamrta Madhya 22.84) Can you tell whether it is your first time in human body? No, the owner does not know. So any chance to remember Krsna should be taken or lakhs and lakhs of births will have to pass before another chance. That is why Srila Rupa gosvami and others left maya. Krsna's mercy comes through guru. Actually Krsna's mercy is the root, because it is there in vaisnava. Baladeva is akhanda-tattva guru, undivided guru, and He manifests as guru parampara, so mercy is all coming from Krsna, Who is jagat guru. Krsna is there as caitya guru in the heart, and then he comes as diksa and siksa gurus. Srimati Radharani told Krsna that "send someone to my devotee to help him" and Krsna, by order of Radha came to Gopa kumar, so Krsna was doing all. In guru parampara, those who are actually practising they can give their mercy to anyone. Like my guru. But we see so many gurus fall down, but how? Does Krsna fall down? No. Siksa and diksa gurus are the svarupa and rupa of Krsna, so guru can never fall down. So we have to see the symptoms of guru from Caitanya caritamrta, and then we will be able to receive the mercy of Krsna, from original source. First caitya guru tells a person, "Oh, go to this vaisnava", and then the vaisnava will tell him: "You should go to this guru". Then, caitya guru in the heart of the guru will say: "Oh, you should help him." For general persons these terms siksa and diksa are there, but really guru is a high level uttama like Narada muni or Sukadeva gosvami. The example for the first stage of uttama adhikari is Narada in his previous life. He had a darsana of Narayana, but only glimpse, because he was not yet perfected, mukta. Some trace of anartha was still there. So, he can be guru, but not fully. (This category is called murcita kasaya. Narada still possessed some very subtle material desires at this point) Second stage is Sukadeva gosvami. There is nothing unwanted in him. No desire for self gain, followers, wealth, nothing. (This second category is called nirdhuta kasaya, and is the stage of svarupa siddhi) But when Narada was moving everywhere in material or spiritual world, then he became actually guru. But it is very rare. (This third and highest category of uttama is called bhagavat parsada deha prapta. Here, Narada had become situated in his eternal spiritual body, at vastu siddhi) So Krsna may send one to madhyama guru, who will never fall down, although he is not yet parama mukta. But his bhakti sadhana is very high, like Bilvamangala, Citraketu, Bharata also. He was at the level of bhava bhakti but some unwanted thing was there, he was attached to baby deer, he did not fall down, but his bhakti was stopped for 3 births. But so many gurus who are not even madhyam are actually falling down. They are attached to the three w's... do you know? Devotees: Wine, women and wealth. Srila Gurudeva: Yes. They think "we are pukka guru" but they're not. (to devotee) You want to ask anything? Devotee: The svarupa of the jiva is fixed, so who fixes it? Srila Gurudeva: It is fixed by svarupa sakti. Who created the jivas? Svarupa-sakti. Devotee: But it seems unfair. Srila Gurudeva: When you follow some vaisnava, and practice sincerely, then you will be able to understand it. Only hearing and discussing will not do. So my thanks to all the devotees assembled here, but especially to the owner, (to Elangovan prabhu) you inspired me so much. I want to repay you, but how I don't know, it is very hard for me. So I want to give you my transcendental wealth, I think that you will soon be prepared for this, only Krsna harinama is my wealth. So in seven days we will return. There are so many unwanted obstacles to harinama (speaking to all the local devotees) so you should all help so that he will be very qualified. (to Elangovan prabhu) I think that it is enough time to repair your heart. At this point, Elangovan prabhu came forward, bearing a gift for Srila Gurudeva. Previously, Srila Gurudeva had remarked on the very fine and rare conchshell which Elangovan prabhu had on his altar. Its spiral opens on the left side which is very unusual. As he came close to Srila Gurudeva's vyasasana, we could see that he was carrying a fine red silk cushion with the conchshell on top of it. As he handed it to Srila Gurudeva we all spontaneously clapped and cheered. Srila Gurudeva then addressed us all, saying that he had had a desire to have a conch like this for some time, and had searched in Hawaii, Japan, Fiji and America. He then asked Elangovan where he had obtained it, and thanked him very graciously. We could see that he was very pleased with this devotee's act of surrender, and we were also touched to witness it. Class now came to an end, soon after which evening prasada was served to all the devotees. Shortly after, most of us left for the train station, where we caught an overnight sleeper to Malaysia, the next part of the tour. Srila Gurudeva and his immediate party flew there early the next day. This story URL: http://vaishnava-news-network.org/world/WD9812/WD11-2661.html
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