Bhakti Vriksha Program Notes

Review of Bhakti Vriksha Program

February 17, 2001

While on a morning walk, Satsvarupa Maharaj watches a young person chanting and realizes that the young boy does not analyze his chanting. This scenario was one of the first topics of our discussion from Japa Walks, Japa Talks. Maharaj wondered to himself why he seems to over-analyze his own japa. He asks why he cannot just chant without worrying about it so much. He says that he wants to chant without putting forth any conscious effort, the way breath is inhaled and exhaled. Mathura Prabhu says that the most powerful instruction he always remembers from Srila Prabhupada is to chant like a baby crying for its beloved mother.

In our talk, some of us testified that sometimes we feel so offensive that we should quit chanting. It is healthy to analyze our chanting in a constructive manner but we should never quit chanting. Gaura-Nitai Prabhu tells us that even offensive chanting has value and it is actually continuous chanting which helps us to get free from offensive chanting. Sastras confirm this point. When we have doubts, Krishna assures us that this process is "the king of knowledge", raja vidya, and that He will help to dispel our doubts about whether or not the process is working. On some level, it is working, but it is different for all of us according to our karma and our endeavor. We should regard chanting as the most important act of our lives and continue trying to do it well.

During the remainder of our class we discussed the rest of the questions which Narottama Prabhu had assigned us for this section (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.1-11). In text five, we find that the only relevant questions are those which relate to the Absolute Truth. People can go on speculating for lifetimes and never be satisfied in life. Only questions about Krishna and answers from authoritative sources can fully satisfy the soul. We should avoid prajalpa or nonsense talking and engage in Krishna katha as much as possible. Mathura Prabhu says that if we cannot directly preach to someone, we should give the person prasadam.

We then discussed some important terminology in the verses. Text six discusses pravrtti-marga and nivrtti marga, the path of sense enjoyment versus the path of renunciation. The path of renunciation is the superior of the two types of occupation for the human being because it is the path of sacrifice for the Supreme cause. Along with this topic, is the definition of the term dharma. We mention this term throughout study of the Vedic literatures. Dharma is "that which sustains one's existence". The true sustenance of one's existence is to coordinate one's activities with the Supreme Lord. Another vocabulary word, which appears in text seven, is naiskarmya and it means "not undertaking activities that will produce good or bad effects". We do not negate our senses or negate what is necessary to maintain the body, but we purify our senses in Krishna's service.

We really should take care of our bodily needs, etc., only as far as necessary to carry out our service, not for over-indulgence in sense gratification. Most specifically, hearing and chanting about Krishna evokes our spiritual consciousness and lessens our material desires. Material endeavors are a waste of time if they are not connected to the Absolute Truth. If we are regulated in chanting, studying scriptures, eating, sleeping, working, and attending spiritual programs, we can make some progress. Seekers of the Absolute Truth are so absorbed in their services that they have no interest in sense gratification. They are not allured by the material world because they know it is ultimately a waste of time. Srila Prabhupada says in his purport to text seven:

"The whole spiritual process leads to perfect knowledge of everything material and spiritual, and the results of such perfect knowledge are that one becomes detached from material affection and becomes attached to spiritual activities."

Spiritual advancement is a gradual process and it is different for everyone because we are all individual souls. We are fortunate to be engaged in this process together. This is a rare opportunity in this world. Haribol-until next time.