Humble Questions, Divine Answers Part 1
1. How to avoid mechanical chanting?
In the beginning, it may seem like, “I have to finish my rounds,” and there is no love and affection for Krishna. You might chant mechanically, like, “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama…” But when you serve Guru and Vaishnavas, by their mercy, love and affection will gradually come for Krishna, and then the chanting won’t be mechanical; it will be spontaneous. You might not relish it at first, but you must do it. Gradually, the taste will come.
2. How to open the heart during chanting Harinama?
When you have sambandha-jnana understanding your relation with Krishna, your heart will open. The more you chant, the more this understanding will come. Just as Rupa Goswamipad stated:
*syāt krsha-nāma-caritādi-sitāpy avidyā- pittopatapta-rasanasya na rocikā nu*
*Nectar of Instrcution 7*
*(Sri Updeshamrit 7)*
In the beginning, due to our conditioned stage, taste will not come. Sometimes we become monkeys, sometimes donkeys, sometimes dogs, sometimes hogs. Each birth leaves an impression, which creates obstacles for us. But when you chant, gradually, your heart will open, and everything will come.
3. How to get rid of material desires?
Srila Rupa Goswamipad explained:
*dadāti pratigrhnāti guhyam ākhyāti pṛcchati bhuṅkte bhojayate caiva sad-vidhaṁ prīti-laksanam*
*Nectar of Instruction 4*
*(Sri Updeshamrit 4)*
These six exchanges foster friendship, whether with a devotee or a materialistic person. If you practice these six exchanges with Vaishnavas like giving something to them, taking something from them, opening your heart to them, listening to their hearts, feeding them, and taking prasadam from them – then your love and affection for devotees, Guru, and Krishna will increase. But, if you engage in these six exchanges with a materialistic person, your love and affection for them will increase. Therefore, avoid these exchanges with materialistic people. Engage in them only with Vaishnavas and Guru, and your love for Hari, Guru, and Vaishnavas will increase, helping you get rid of material desires.
4. As conditioned souls, how can we approach a high stage of spirituality as quickly as possible?
The same process: be in sadhu sanga (association of devotees). As scriptures state:
*sādhu saṅga sādhu saṅga sarva śāstra kaya lavamātra sādhu saṅge sarva siddhi haya*
*CC Madhya 22.54*
“Sadhu sanga, sadhu sanga, sadhu sanga! All scriptures say there is no other way, no other way, no other way. You can attain all perfection by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee.” You can achieve all perfection through sadhu sanga. We have given many examples in classes from time to time.
5. Some say that association with kanistha Vaishnavas is also sadhu sanga. What kind of association should we have?
You should associate with like-minded people. It is better to associate with those a little higher than you, as you will benefit more. If you associate with a kanistha Vaishnava, they will benefit, and you won’t lose anything, but they will be the primary beneficiaries. When you discuss, new things will emerge. However, try to associate with like-minded devotees, those higher than you, and those who have love and affection for you.
6. How, having a male body, can one understand manjari mood? It seems a female body might be closer to this mood.
This mood is not inherently closer to a male body or a female body; it is beyond that. Material ideas of “male” and “female” are not close to manjari bhava.
First, you must focus on getting rid of anarthas. Only when you reach the stage of bhāvāvasthā, and later āsakti will you be able to understand, not before that.
7. How can one, in this life, feel at least some Krishna prema to get some taste?
Srila Gurudev (Srila Narayana Goswami Maharaj) used to say, “Loyalty is the key to success.” You must be loyal towards Gurudev and be very simple-hearted and sincere. Whatever Harikatha you listen to, you must work on that, applying it to yourself. This is sincerity. Don’t keep any hypocrisy in your heart; tell Guru and Vaishnavas what is there.
Be completely loyal to Gurudev, just like a dog is very loyal to its master. In the same way, be loyal to Gurudev, and be very simple and sincere, and in this very lifetime, you can attain Krishna prema.
For example, when we were at Acyutananda’s house, they have an Alsatian dog. When I, Satya, and he arrived, the dog barked, “Woof woof woof!” But when he told it to stop (putting his finger to his lips), the dog stopped barking immediately because it was loyal. So, we have to be loyal to Guru, simple-hearted, and sincere, then it will work.
8. How to develop a service mood towards Guru like yours, and who inspired you to have this type of service mood?
Krishna has said:
teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ yena mām upayānti te
*Bg. 10.10*
(I give intelligence to those who are devoted to Me, by which they can come to Me).
So, you must surrender to Krishna through Vaishnavas and Guru. How I have served Gurudev (Srila Naryana Goswami Maharaj), if you serve, attachment for Guru will come automatically, but it will come only through service and by understanding his mood.
If Guru says, “Go this way,” and I say, “No, I will go that way,” it will not work.
Gurudev (Srila Naryana Goswami Maharaj), used to tell everyone, “Madhava Maharaj is my mamushka (uncle), my Dedushka (grandfather), my PApachka (father), my nurse, my doctor, my student, my disciple, my guru, my everything.”
I never asked him to say this. You have to serve in such a way that the heart will melt, and Guru is bound to say this. Then this attachment for Guru will come. This is how it came for me.
9. How to understand what kind of aparadhas you committed and how to improve and not do them again?
First, you have to know what aparadha is. “Apa” means to remove, to go away. “Radh” means priti: love and affection. When your love and affection for Hari, Guru, and Vaishnavas are diminishing, then you can understand that you have committed some aparadha. If you had attachment before, but it’s gradually disappearing, there is some aparadha. If you remain attached, aparadha will go away. If you don’t commit offenses, then there’s no problem.
10. We have to render different kinds of service to Kanishtha, Madhyama, and Uttama Vaishnavas. But how we differentiate between these stages of Vaishnavas and serve them appropriately?
In the Madhyam Adhikara stage, one understands how to interact appropriately with those in Kanistha, Madhyam, and Uttama categories. A Kanistha Adhikari, however, might mistakenly believe, “Oh, I am equal to an Uttama; I am not less than anyone.”
Someone in Madhyam Adhikara understands who is equal to them and behaves with them as a friend. Towards those junior to them, they show love and affection. For those in the Uttama category, they should consider them their very life and soul, serving them wholeheartedly.
Grasping these concepts requires consistent effort in bhajan. It’s not something one can fully comprehend in a single day. The definitions of Kanistha, Madhyama, and Uttama Adhikari Vaishnavas are elaborated in Srimad Bhagavatam, and reading it will aid your understanding.
11. In Sri Brhad-bhagavatamrita it is mentioned about different types of devotees. In which category does Dhurvasa Rishi belong?
It does not mention Durvasa Rishi. It mentions Prahlad Maharaj as a jnani-bhakta, Ambarish Maharaj as a shuddha-bhakta, Hanuman as a premi-bhakta, the Pandavas as prema-para-bhaktas, and Uddhava as a prema-tura-bhakta. But there is no mention of Durvasa Rishi, Lord Shiva, Brahma, you, or myself. So, what is mentioned there, we must understand properly.
| Name | Type of Bhakta |
|---|---|
| Prahlad Maharaj | Jnani-bhakta |
| Ambarish Maharaj | Shuddha-bhakta |
| Hanuman | Premi-bhakta |
| The Pandavas | Prema-para-bhaktas |
| Uddhava | Prema-tura-bhakta |
Durvasa is not an ordinary person. He is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Though he may appear angry, in reality, he acts to reveal the greatness of devotees and the power of bhakti to the whole world.
12. What is right process of taking shelter of a Sadguru? I have heard from Sripad Brajnath Prabhu that Srila Bhakti Vigyana Bharti Goswami Maharaj is in bhava stage so I was inspired and took diksha from him. Did I do the right thing? What is the correct process for taking shelter of a Sadguru? Should we rely on our own feelings and understanding of Sadguru, or should we listen to the recommendations of senior devotees when accepting one?
Both your own feeling and Vaishnavas’ suggestions are needed. Don’t be immediate. You can listen to Harikatha, you can judge, and then understand. Sometimes, some Vaishnavas have love for one Vaishnava but not for another. It may happen, as we have seen many times. But you have to pray to Krishna, “Oh! Please give me intelligence.” Then Krishna will give you intelligence.
Taking shelter of Srila Bhakti Vigyana Bharti Goswami Maharaj, is very good; no problem.
Mataji: Is there any difference between these two ways? Which is better?
Some difference is there. If somebody is not sincere and cannot understand by their own judgment, but a senior Vaishnava is telling them, then it is better to go with his suggestion. Because they understand their own line.
13. How to serve Guru during his physical absence?
If Guru is physically absent or you cannot see him due to our conditioned stage, then serve him through Vaishnavas and serve his vani , his speech, his instructions.
Look at me: when Gurudev was physically present, I was highly occupied 24 hours a day. Due to the absence of his physical presence, whatever I have learned from him, I am now preaching it all over the world. In this way, I am serving him directly.
But don’t compare me with others. Some might serve their Gurudev better than me, while some others might not be as good. Everybody has some quality; some may be better than me in this seva, some maybe less than me in this seva. Some might be better than me; I can do pranam to them.
14. How to understand the gradation of devotees Kanishtha, Madhyam, Uttam and how to get rid of cheating tendencies?
After the Shri Jagannath cart festival was over, Mahaprabhu told devotees to return to Bengal and perform Krishna puja and Vaishnava seva. Three devotees asked Mahaprabhu, “We know how to do Krishna seva or archana, but you are ordering to do seva to Vaishnavas, we don’t know who a Vaishnava is.”
They asked this question for 3 years, Mahaprabhu then explained that one who chants Harinam or Krishna’s name is a Kanishtha Vaishnava. One who has been initiated by a bona fide Guru and constantly chants Krishna’s name is a Madhyam Vaishnava. And one who, upon seeing, automatically inspires Harinam to come to our heart, mind, and tongue, is an Uttam Vaishnava. For a Kanishtha Vaishnava, you have to encourage them. For a Madhyam Vaishnava, you have to deal with them in friendship. And for an Uttam Vaishnava, you have to serve him like with heart and soul. Mahaprabhu stated this in Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita.
15. It is written that those who do not follow shruti and smriti are knowingly or unknowingly committing some kind of aparadha. Only an Uttam Vaishnava does not commit aparadha. We are not practicing perfectly, so how do we live with this and how do we pray? Somehow, we are making disturbances for others. How to avoid offenses?
Srila Rupa Goswami has stated:
*śruti-smrti-purānādi-pancarātra-vidhiṁ vinā aikāntikī harer bhaktir utpātāyaiva kalpate* Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.101
Sruti means Veda, Smriti means texts like Manu Smriti, Harit Smriti, Yagyavalkya Smriti. Then Puranas, there are 18 prominent Puranas, 18 branched Puranas, 18 Upapuranas. After that, Pancharatra means Narad Pancharatra. We must follow their guidance regarding Hari Bhakti.
Sometimes it happens, as we have seen many times, that some people say, “Oh, I will do this, do that!” And they will find fault in others: “This is not good, this is that! Now I will do this! Oh, I couldn’t adjust with them, it’s their fault.”
They are not looking at their own faults; rather, they are looking only at others’ faults. This means they are acting contrary to Sruti, Smriti, Purana, and Pancharatra. Whatever Hari Bhakti they do, they won’t be successful in that.
In our stage, it is not so easy to follow all the scriptures. We are bound to make some faults because we cannot understand the essence of Shastra or the mood of the Shastra. But whatever our Guruwarga (lineage of Gurus) has prescribed for us, we must follow that through our Guruwarga. Only then will we be okay; otherwise, we are bound to commit some offense. When we start thinking, “Oh, I know better than Gurudev, what does Gurudev know? I read this, I read that,” but in reality, whatever we did is completely wrong; we couldn’t understand.
Don’t try to find fault in others; try to find faults within yourself, whatever faults we have. When we are chanting, the index finger is outside the bead bag. And the other three fingers are pointing towards our own self. So, you are pointing one index finger towards others, but actually, the other three fingers are pointing towards ourselves, indicating the faults we have. But we can see that the index finger is visible, everyone can see that it is pointing towards others, and the other three fingers are pointing towards ourselves, but no one can see that.
So, whatever faults we do, no one can understand. We can keep saying, “This is their fault, their fault, and their fault.” But first of all, we have to find our own faults.
Every human being has some good quality. Bhagavan has given everyone some good quality. We have to find their good qualities and not the bad qualities; then we will not commit any offenses.
We saw some honey at Sundar and Sundari’s house. How do you get the honey? The bees go here and there; they are not finding faults in the flowers, saying, “Oh, this is a good smell, and this is not a good smell.” The bees are taking the essence from the flowers and making honey. In the same way, we should take the essence, i.e., good qualities, from others, and then we will not commit any offense.
If we dream something while sleeping at night do we need spectacles for clear vision? We dream by the eyes of the mind. Our mind also has eyes, and by that, we are able to experience our dreams while sleeping, so there’s no need of glasses.
16. Before, I had the taste to read spiritual books, now it disappeared. How to bring it back?
It happens from time to time. Due to the conditioned stage, even if the taste is not there, you still have to do it. If you do it by force, then the taste will come. This is a symptom of material bondage stage.
Sometimes you can read books also. But if your chanting is increasing and your reading of books is decreasing, no problem. It’s like a scale: one side goes down when the other side goes up. Similarly, sometimes there are many limbs bhakti; one might be higher, and another might be lower. Nothing to worry about that.
17. If we are far from a Sadhu but deeply focus on Hari Katha, is that the same as listening to a Sadhu in their physical presence, or is there a difference? What truly means “Sadhu Sanga”?
They are almost same but not same. When you are directly with a sadhu or Gurudev, you are bound to focus very carefully, but without physical prescence we get distracted, sometimes thinking, “Oh, what happened yesterday? What are they doing? Let me check.”
People does not do this when Gurudev or a sadhu is sitting there. But if someone is in a higher stage, it’s the same thing. However, if someone is in a lower stage, it’s not the same.
18. Is it possible to achieve perfection by following one anga, limb of bhakti?
It is mentioned in the Chaitanya-charitamrita that there are 64 limbs of bhakti. Out of countless limbs, these 64 are prominent. Then among them, 9 are highlighted, then 5, then 3, and ultimately, 1— Harinam Sankirtan, which is powerful enough to compensate for all the others. But should one rely on only this and neglect the rest? No, that should not be the case.
Devotee: What if someone is following only śravaṇam—the limb of hearing?
Gurudev: Yes, that will also work. Maharaj Parikshit attained perfection—Krishna-prema—through śravaṇam alone in seven days. Kīrtanam, the 13th limb of bhakti, was performed by Śrīla Śukadeva Goswami, and he also achieved perfection. Arjuna attained perfection through sakhyam (friendship, the 28th limb), and Bali Maharaj through ātma-nivedanam (complete surrender, the 29th limb). There are many examples where perfection, or even Krishna-prema, was achieved by practicing just one limb of bhakti.
For example, some great examples are Śukadeva Goswami who attained perfection through kīrtanam (13th limb), Hanuman through dāsyam (27th limb), Arjuna through sakhyam (28th limb), and Prithu Maharaj through arcanam (10th limb).
| Name | Achieved Perfection Through |
|---|---|
| Parikshit Maharaj | Śravaṇam (Hearing, 1st limb) |
| Śukadeva Goswami | Kīrtanam (Chanting, 13th limb) |
| Hanuman | Dāsyam (Servitude, 27th limb) |
| Arjuna | Sakhyam (Friendship, 28th limb) |
| Bali Maharaj | Ātma-nivedanam (Surrender, 29th limb) |
| Prithu Maharaj | Arcanam (Worship, 10th limb) |
19. Are the parents of a pure devotee also necessarily pure devotees?
No, there is no guarantee. Just because someone is a pure devotee does not mean their parents are also pure devotees. For instance, Prahlad Maharaj was a pure devotee, but was his father Hiranyakashipu a pure devotee?
Devotee: So were the parents of Srila Gurudeva: Śrīla Narayana Maharaj, pure devotees?
Yes, they were pure devotees, but they followed the Rāmānuja Sampradāya. But again, as I mentioned, not all pure devotees have parents who are pure devotees. Take Prahlad Maharaj and his father Hiranyakashipu as an example.
20. Can someone offer tāmbūla (betel leaf) to Gopāl, Nityānanda Prabhu, and Sri Chaitanya Mahāprabhu?
Yes, you can offer tāmbūla to all of them. But what will you do with that tāmbūla afterward? Devotees are not allowed to consume it. You can offer tāmbūla only mentally. Especially to Mahāprabhu, since He is in a sannyāsī mood, He does not accept tāmbūla after taking sannyās. However, you can offer it in your mind to Mahāprabhu in His pre-sannyās form.
When we serve Mahāprabhu on the altar in our maṭha, He is not depicted in His sannyāsa dress, so you may mentally offer Him tāmbūla in that form. Understand?
21. Is mādhurya-rasa in Dvārakā superior to sakhya-rasa or vātsalya-rasa in Vṛndāvan?
The Rasa of Vraja cannot be compared with that of Dwarka or any other place. Among all Rasas, Madhurya Rasa is the highest. Madhurya Rasa is of two types: Swakhiya and Parakiya. In Swakhiya, there are the queens of Dwarka, and in Parakiya, there are the Gopis of Vraja. Therefore, these two Rasas cannot be compared.
Every devotee naturally feels that their own rasa is the highest, whether it is sakhya, vātsalya, or mādhurya. But from a neutral perspective, mādhurya-rasa is considered the topmost. Wherever mādhurya-rasa is present, it is superior: even in comparison to other rasas in Dvārakā or the material world. However, we should never criticize any devotee for being in a different rasa.
22. I have given up many bad habits, but I still struggle with the urge to drink coffee. I just can’t seem to give it up.
Gradually, gradually you must try to reduce it. Maybe you can’t give it up all at once, but slowly, with effort and sincerity, you can eventually overcome it.
