Vaisnavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga & The Seven Flames of Sankirtan Yajna by Tattva Vicara Publications

Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate The Darkness of Kali-yuga & The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

VAISNAVAS DISSIPATE THE DARKNESS OF KALI-YUGA The information in this booklet is an morning class, delivered by Çré Çrémad Gour Govinda Swami Mahäräja on 5 November, 1993, Bhubaneswar, India. Quotes from the books of Çréla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda are copyrighted © The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. ISBN: 978-0-648-16318-3 © 2020 TATTVA VICARA PUBLICATIONS

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Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate The Darkness of Kali-yuga & The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

Śrī Śrīmad

Gour Govinda Swami Mahārāja

TAT T VA V I C A R A P U B L I C AT I O N S

www.tvpbooks.com

www.gourgovindaswami.com

Table of Contents

Vaisnavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga & The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

Beg Mercy of All the Moons

The Responsibility Is Entrusted to You

Śrī Vaiṣṇava-Vandanā

A Future Church of the World

Purify Your Heart of All Material Contamination

Let Your Heart Be Illuminated

with the Supreme Sun Kṛṣṇa

The Holy Name Alone Is the Ultimate End in Life

Are You a Worthy Recipient?

The Crow Who Developed Greed to Eat Bitter Melon

Mahāprabhu Indiscriminately Distributes Kṛṣṇa-prema

The Waxing Moon that Spreads

the White Lotus of Good Fortune 17

The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

Drown Yourself in that Ocean of Prema

We Glorify the Unlimited Moons

of Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu

Dedicated to Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda who spread the chanting of the holy name throughout the Western world

ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇaṁ śreyaḥ-kairava-candrikā-vitaraṇaṁ vidyā-vadhū-jīvanam ānandāmbudhi-vardhanaṁ prati-padaṁ pūrṇāmṛtāsvādanaṁ sarvātma-snapanaṁ paraṁ vijayate śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtanam

“L

et there be all victory for the chanting of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, which can cleanse the mirror of the heart and stop the miseries of the blazing fire of material existence. That chanting is the waxing moon that spreads the white lotus of good fortune for all living entities. It is the life and soul of all education. The chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa expands the blissful ocean of transcendental life. It gives a cooling effect to everyone and enables one to taste full nectar at every step.” — Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā 20.12

hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare

jaya śrī-caitanyacandrera bhakta candra-gaṇa sabāra prema jyotsnāya ujjvala tri-bhuvana “All glories to the moons who are devotees of the principal moon, Lord Caitanya-candra! Their bright moonshine illuminates the entire universe.” — Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 13.5

Śrīla Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda

Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura

Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Śrīla Gaurakiśora dāsa Bābājī

Śrīla Gour Govinda Swami

Śrī Śrī Gaura-Nitai

Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga &

The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

jaya jaya çré-kåñëa-caitanya gauracandra jayädvaitacandra jaya jaya nityänanda “All glories to Çré Kåñëa Caitanya Mahäprabhu! All glories to Advaitacandra! All glories to Lord Nityänanda Prabhu!”

jaya jaya gadädhara jaya çréniväsa jaya mukunda väsudeva jaya haridäsa “All glories to Gadädhara Prabhu! All glories to Çréväsa Öhäkura! All glories to Mukunda Prabhu and Väsudeva Prabhu! All glories to Haridäsa Öhäkura!”

jaya dämodara-svarüpa jaya muräri gupta ei saba candrodaye tamaù kaila lupta “All glories to Svarüpa Dämodara and Muräri Gupta! All these brilliant moons have together dissipated the darkness of this material world.

jaya çré-caitanyacandrera bhakta candra-gaëa sabära prema jyotsnäya ujjvala tri-bhuvana

Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga

“All glories to the moons who are devotees of the principal moon, Lord Caitanya-candra! Their bright moonshine illuminates the entire universe.” (Caitanya-caritämåta, Ädi-lélä 13.2-5) In this verse we find the moon described as candra-gaëa, which is plural in number. This indicates that there are many moons. In the Bhagavad-gétä (10.21) the Lord says, nakñaträëäm ahaà çaçé: “Among the stars, I am the moon.” All the stars are like the moon. Western astronomers consider the stars to be suns, but Vedic astronomers, following the Vedic scriptures, consider them moons. The sun has the ability to shine powerfully, and the moons reflect the sunshine and therefore look brilliant. In the Caitanya-caritämåta Kåñëa is described to be like the sun. The supreme powerful is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Çré Kåñëa, or Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, and His devotees are also bright and illuminating because they reflect the supreme sun. The Caitanya-caritämåta (Madhya 22.31) states: kåñëa—sürya-sama, mäyä haya andhakära yähäì kåñëa tähäì nähi mäyära adhikära “Kåñëa is bright like the sun. As soon as the sun appears, there is no question of darkness or nescience.” Similarly, the present verse also describes that by the illumination of all the moons, brightened by the reflection of the Kåñëa sun, or by the grace of all the devotees of Caitanya Mahäprabhu, the entire world will be illuminated, despite the darkness of Kali-yuga. Only the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu can dissipate the darkness of Kaliyuga, the ignorance of the population of this age. No one else can do so. We therefore wish that all the devotees of the Kåñëa consciousness movement may reflect the

& The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

supreme sun and thus dissipate the darkness of the entire world. (Caitanya-caritämåta, Ädi-lélä 13.5 purport)

Beg Mercy of All the Moons We should be worthy to reflect the supreme sun. If you are not worthy, how can you reflect? You cannot. The planet Rahu is there, but it does not reflect the sun. The planet Ketu is there, which does not reflect it either. It is black. So, unless you become worthy, how can you reflect this supreme sun, that Kåñëa or Caitanya-candra? This is most important. Therefore, we should beg for the mercy of Caitanya-candra, and also the mercy of all the moons, those dear devotees of Caitanya-candra. Without their mercy how can we develop that quality of being worthy to reflect the supreme sun? In the beginning Çréla Kaviräja Gosvämé glorifies the dear devotees of Caitanya Mahäprabhu, begging for their mercy. Without the mercy of such moons, the darkness cannot be dissipated. kåñëa—sürya-sama; mäyä haya andhakära yähäì kåñëa, tähäì nähi mäyära adhikära “Godhead is light. Nescience is darkness. Where there is Godhead there is no nescience.” So, you must be worthy. Your heart should be cleansed of all material contamination, of all nescience. It should be purified. Then you can reflect the Kåñëa sun. Then you will carry Lord Kåñëa. Develop kåñëa-prema then you will be able to bind Kåñëa, the supreme sun, then you will be a moon that will be able to reflect that sun. Otherwise, how can you? This paragraph in Prabhupäda’s purport is most important. Çréla Prabhupäda says:

Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga

“Similarly, the present verse also describes that by the illumination of all the moons, brightened by the reflection of the Kåñëa sun, or by the grace of all the devotees of Caitanya Mahäprabhu, the entire world will be illuminated, despite the darkness of Kali-yuga. Only the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu can dissipate the darkness of Kali-yuga, the ignorance of the population of this age. No one else can do so. We therefore wish that all the devotees of the Kåñëa consciousness movement may reflect the supreme sun and thus dissipate the darkness of the entire world.”

The Responsibility Is Entrusted to You This is your duty. This is the responsibility entrusted to you, the devotees of the Kåñëa consciousness movement. The Founder Äcärya conferred this responsibility on you. Do you understand the gravity of the statement that Prabhupäda made? Understand it, realise it and make yourself worthy and fit now. Without the mercy of such moons, such dear devotees of Caitanya-candra, the supreme sun, how can we be worthy? How can we reflect? Therefore, we should glorify them. jaya jaya çré-kåñëa-caitanya-nityänanda jayädvaitacandra jaya gaura-bhakta-vånda “All glories to Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu and Lord Nityänanda! All glories to Advaita Prabhu, and all glories to the devotees of Lord Caitanya, headed by Çréväsa!” (Caitanya-caritämåta Ädi-lélä 10.2)

jaya jaya çacé-suta gauräìga-sundara jaya nityänanda padmävatéra koìara

& The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

“All glories to handsome Lord Gauräìga-sundara, who is Çacé’s son! All glories to Lord Nityänanda, who is Padmävaöi’s son!”

jaya jaya sétä-nätha advaita gosäïé yähära karuëä-bale gorä-guëa gäi “All glories, all glories to Lord Advaita Gosäïé, who is Sétä’s husband! By the power of His mercy I chant Lord Gaura’s glories.”

These are some of the innumerable moons, the dear devotees of Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Çré Vaiñëava-Vandanä

Çré Devakénandana däsa Öhäkura

våndävana-väsé jata vaiñëavera gaëa prathame vandanä kori sabära caraëa (1) “First of all, I offer glorifications to the feet of all of the Vaiñëavas of Våndävana.”

néläcala-väsé jata mahäprabhura gaëa bhümite paòiyä vandoì sabära caraëa (2) “Praising of all of Mahäprabhu’s Néläcala associates, I prostrate myself at their feet.”

navadvépa-väsé jata mahäprabhura bhakta sabära caraëa vandoì hoiyä anurakta (3)

Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga

“I pray for loving attachment to the lotus feet of all of Mahäprabhu’s Navadvépa bhaktas.”

mahäprabhura bhakta jata gauòa-deçe sthiti sabära caraëa vandoì koriyä praëati (4) “I offer praëämas at the feet of all of Mahäprabhu’s Gauòadeça (Bengal) devotees.”

je-deçe je-deçe baise gauräìgera gaëa ürddhva-bähu kori vandoì sabära caraëa (5) “With upraised arms I pray to the feet of all of Gauräëga’s bhaktas, in whichever country they may reside.”

hoiyächena hoibena prabhura jata däsa sabära caraëa vandoì dante kori’ ghäsa (6) “Holding a straw between my teeth, I submit myself at the feet of all the servants of Mahäprabhu that were or will be.”

brahmaëòa tärite çakti dhare jane jane e veda puräëe guëa gäya jebä çune (7) “I have heard their glorification in the Vedas and Puräëas, which proclaim that each one of His devotees has the çakti to deliver an entire universe.”

mahäprabhura gaëa saba patita pävana, täi lobhe mui päpé loinu çaraëa (8)

& The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

“(Hearing of their glory) I have come with great eagerness to surrender to Mahäprabhu’s bhaktas, who are all patita pävana for sinners like me.”

vandanä korite mui kata çakti dhari tamo-buddhi-doçe mui dambha mätra kori (9) “What power do I have to glorify them? But out of my ignorance and unmitigating pride I do so anyway, thinking myself so qualified.”

tathäpi mükera bhägya manera ulläsa doña kñami’ mo-adhame koro nija däsa (10) “Even though I am dumb and unable to express their greatness, still my heart is joyful due to my great good fortune (that the Vaiñëavas have accepted me as their own and Çré Gurudeva has given me harinäma full of blissful pastimes). Forgive the faults of this fallen soul and make me your servant.”

sarva-väïchä siddhi haya yama-bandha chuöe jagate durlabha hoiyä prema-dhana luöe (11) “They award the perfection of all desires, including freedom from death, and even that rarest treasure not found in this world—prema!”

manera väsanä pürëa aciräte hoya devakénandana däsa ei lobhe koya (12) “All of one’s pure, heartfelt desires will be fulfilled without delay. Devakénandana däsa, intensely eager for this, glorifies and prays to the Vaiñëavas.”

Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga

A Future Church of the World This is significant. Then how can you become a moon of Caitanya-candra, the chief moon, or chief sun? Mahäprabhu is prema-puruñottama. He gives prema. namo mahä-vadänyäya kåñëa-prema-pradäya te kåñëäya kåñëa-caitanya-nämne gaura-tviñe namaù “O most munificent incarnation! You are Kåñëa Himself appearing as Çré Kåñëa Caitanya Mahäprabhu. You have assumed the golden colour of Çrématé Rädhäräëé, and You are widely distributing pure love of Kåñëa. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.” (Caitanya-caritämåta, Madhya-lélä 19.53)

This çré-kåñëa-saìkértana ‘as a future church of the world’, in the words of Saccidänanda Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura, mahäjana väëé, ‘invites all classes of men, without distinction of caste, creed or class, to the highest cultivation of the spirit to come and join here. This church, it appears, will extend all over the world and take the place of all sectarian churches.’ Do you understand what he has said? This is Mahäprabhu’s prema dharma, paraà vijayate çré-kåñëa-saìkértana. The gross materialists, the Westerners, who were running after material enjoyment to the topmost limit, still could not get peace. Now they are attracted to kåñëa-saìkértana, paraà vijayate çrékåñëa-saìkértana, and have given up all their sense gratification. They realise there is no happiness and no peace at all in it, so they came and joined Mahäprabhu’s movement. He predicted,

& The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

påthivéte äche yata nagarädi gräma sarvatra pracära haibe mora näma (Caitanya-Bhägavata, Antya-khaëòa 4.126) “My name will be chanted throughout the world, in all villages, in all towns, in all cities, in all corners of the world.”

That has now come true. This will be established in all parts of the world. Go and see the temple of Caitanya Mahäprabhu, where they are chanting ‘jaya çacénandana!’. In so many places the worship of Lord Jagannätha’s Ratha-yäträ is going on with the chanting of jaya çacénandana. How is it possible? Here in the purport it is said, “only the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu can dissipate the darkness of Kali-yuga, the ignorance of the population of this age.” Make Kåñëa appear, then dissipate the darkness. Nescience is darkness. Kali-yuga is darkness. Quarrel, hypocrisy, cheating, and all these things are out of nescience, darkness only. Therefore, you, gaura-bhaktas, devotees and followers of Gauräìga Mahäprabhu, it is your duty to make Kåñëa appear and then all darkness, nescience will be completely dissipated. This is the purport here. You should understand what the Founder Äcärya says: “We therefore wish that all the devotees of the Kåñëa consciousness movement may reflect the supreme sun and thus dissipate the darkness of the entire world.”

Purify Your Heart of All Material Contamination How will it be possible unless you make Kåñëa appear in your heart? Purify your heart. Convert your heart into Våndävana. When your heart is completely purified of all material contamination, ceto-darpaëa-märjanam, then through pure, offenceless chanting

Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga

hare kåñëa hare kåñëa kåñëa kåñëa hare hare, hare räma hare räma räma räma hare hare, kåñëa-sürya, the supreme sun Kåñëa will appear more and more brilliant. Then you will be able to dissipate the darkness of Kali-yuga prevailing over the entire world. Only gaura-bhaktas can do it. Çréla Prabhupäda, the Founder Äcärya of ISKCON, cherishes this hope. “I hope that all the devotees of the Kåñëa consciousness movement may reflect the supreme sun and thus dissipate the darkness of the entire world.” How can you unless you develop kåñëa-prema? Mahäprabhu gives that prema through chanting.

Let Your Heart Be Illuminated with the Supreme Sun Kåñëa mukhya pate jéva paya kåñëa prema dhana niraparädhe näma laile päya prema-dhana If your chanting is offenceless, pure, then you will get kåñëaprema. Kåñëa becomes bound by that love, and Mahäprabhu gives that love through chanting. So, you should qualify yourselves to get that prema, by the mercy of all these dear devotees, the unlimited moons of Gauräìga Mahäprabhu. Without their mercy how can we develop it? How can we qualify ourselves to carry Kåñëa, or bind Kåñëa in our hearts with the rope of love? How will we be able to dissipate the darkness of the world? That is what Çréla Prabhupäda wants. First you develop complete Kåñëa consciousness. Let your heart be illuminated with the supreme sun Kåñëa, then you will become a reflecting moon and you will be able to inculcate Kåñëa consciousness unto everyone in the world. Then, as a result, the entire world will be illuminated despite the darkness of Kali-yuga.

& The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

The Holy Name Alone Is the Ultimate End in Life In this Kali-yuga the holy name will give everything. The pure name is Kåñëa. If you can chant the pure name then you can get Kåñëa, then that is everything. na nämasadåçaà jïänaà na nämasadåçaà vratam na nämasadåçaà dhyänaà na nämasadåçam phalam na nämasadåçastyägo na nämasadåçaà samah na nämasadåçaà punyaà na nämasadåçä gatiù nämeva paramä muktir nämeva paramä gatiù nämeva paramä santir nämeva paramä sthitiù nämeva paramä bhaktir nämeva paramä matiù nämeva paramä pritir nämeva paramä småtiù nämeva käranaà jantor nämeva prabhur eva ca nämeva paramä rädhyo nä meva paramo guruù (Agni Puräëa, quoted Hari-bhakti Viläsa 2.11.465-469) The name is everything. There is no knowledge, religious vow, meditation or any other attainment that is equal to or superior to the holy name. Neither renunciation, control of the mind, or any meritorious deed nor the highest aspiration is equal to or higher than the holy name. It is the name alone that is the highest form of mukti. The holy name alone is the ultimate end in life. That is Kåñëa. Resort to the holy name is the highest kind of peace. People are asking anxiously, “Where is peace? Where is peace?” Here is peace. Resort to the holy name alone is the abiding welfare. Resort to the holy name is the highest devotion. Recourse to the holy name alone is the ultimate end of knowledge. It is mentioned in kapiladeva-devahüti saàväd:

Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga

aho bata çva-paco ‘to garéyän yaj-jihvägre vartate näma tubhyam tepus tapas te juhuvuù sasnur äryä brahmänücur näma gåëanti ye te “Oh, how glorious are they whose tongues are chanting Your holy name! Even if born in the families of dog-eaters, such persons are worshippable. Persons who chant the holy name of Your Lordship must have executed all kinds of austerities and fire sacrifices and achieved all the good manners of the Äryans. To be chanting the holy name of Your Lordship, they must have bathed at holy places of pilgrimage, studied the Vedas and fulfilled everything required.” (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.33.7)

One who is chanting, whose tongue utters the pure, holy name, hare kåñëa, has acquired all Vedic knowledge. Automatically he will understand. The holy name is knowledge, Kåñëa is knowledge. That is what He [Lord Kapila] says. Attachment to the holy name alone is the highest love. Recollection of the holy name alone is the true remembrance. The holy name alone is the root cause of all beings and the holy name alone is the sole master. The holy name alone is the highest object of worship and the holy name alone is the highest among all spiritual masters.

Are You a Worthy Recipient? The name is everything, and Mahäprabhu gives that holy name, kåñëa-näma. So, get that Kåñëa, carry that Kåñëa, but unless you are a worthy recipient you cannot receive Him. You want Kåñëa but are you prepared to take Him? Therefore, you must pray to a pure Vaiñëava.

& The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

kåñëa se tomära, krsna dite päro, tomära çakati äche ämi to’ käìgäla, ‘kåñëa’ ‘kåñëa’ boli’, dhäi tava päche päche “O Vaiñëava Öhäkura, Kåñëa is yours, tomära hådoye sadä govinda-viçräma, He has taken rest in your heart because your heart is Våndävana. You have bound up Kåñëa in your heart with the rope of love. Only you can give me Kåñëa. I am käìgäla, I have nothing. I am materially bereft of everything. There is nothing here in this material world. I want only Kåñëa.” So, run behind a Vaiñëava calling out, “Give me Kåñëa! Give me Kåñëa!” “Alright, you want Kåñëa? I will give Him to you, but how will you receive Him? Are you a worthy recipient? If you are then you can receive Kåñëa. If not, if He is given to you but you are not able to receive Him, then what will happen? There is a story illustrating that point.

The Crow Who Developed Greed to Eat Bitter Melon A crow saw a bright yellow ripe karela fruit, bitter melon. When the fruit is ripe the seeds are red. The crow developed greed to eat that ripe karela, “I should eat it.” The plant said, “You have no right. I have a master. It is the master’s right. So how can you take it?” “Who is your master?” “The owner is he who has sown me in the ground. Go to him, ask him.” The crow went to the master and asked, “In your garden there is a ripe karela. I want to eat it.” The master replied, “How can you take it? If you grow it yourself

Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga

then you can eat it. I sowed the seed, it grew, flowers came, then the fruit came, and then the fruit ripened. So, it is mine. You grow it for yourself.” “How can I grow it?” “First cultivate the land properly, then sow the seed.” “What is needed for cultivation?” “A plough is needed. First get a plough and bring bullocks to cultivate the land properly, then sow the seed in the ground. The seed will grow. Then at last it will bear fruit and ripen.” “Where can I get a plough?” “Go to the blacksmith. He manufactures it from iron.” The crow went to the blacksmith. “O blacksmith, I have developed greed to eat ripe karela. I want to grow it, but first I need to cultivate the land with a plough. Can you give me a plough?” “Oh, I’ll give it to you, but are you prepared take it?” The blacksmith was bellowing the fire, putting the iron into it. When the iron became red-hot the blacksmith began hammering it into shape. “Are you ready? Are you prepared to take it? It is red-hot! It will burn you. Can you take it?” The crow had developed such greed. “Oh yes, I must.” “How will you take it? Where?” “Opening its mouth, aaaahhh. Put it here in my beak.” As soon as the blacksmith put the red-hot ploughshare into the crow’s beak the crow was burned to ashes. How could it receive that plough? He was not a worthy recipient. Similarly, you want Kåñëa, you are running behind a pure Vaiñëava, crying, “Give me Kåñëa! Give me Kåñëa! But are you worthy? Are you prepared? I will give Him to you, but are you able to receive Him?” First make yourself a worthy recipient to receive Kåñëa. It is not so easy to receive Kåñëa.

& The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

Mahäprabhu Indiscriminately Distributes Kåñëa-prema What was the condition of the crow in that story? Really, we have no qualification at all. We are not worthy recipients at all. We are very, very fallen, degraded, the lowest of the low, adhama pati. But Mahäprabhu is so wonderfully merciful. He showers His mercy. He is patita-pävana. He is the deliverer of the fallen souls. Indiscriminately He distributes kåñëa-prema. That means He gives Kåñëa because Kåñëa is bound up by prema. Those who are dear gaura-bhaktas, they are giving Kåñëa. They have received Him and have bound Him in their heart. They have developed kåñëaprema by chanting the pure name. By the mercy of Gauräìga Mahäprabhu, Nityänanda Prabhu and Their dear devotees, so many moons, they are distributing Kåñëa. But you should first become a proper recipient to receive that prema, otherwise you will lose it. What is the condition? What is the principle? tåëäd api sunécena taror api sahiñëunä amäninä mänadena kértanéyaù sadä hariù “One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honour yet is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord.” (Caitanya-caritämåta, Ädi-lélä 17.31)

This is Mahäprabhu’s teaching. Follow this. Adopt this formula and cultivate it. Çréla Kaviräja Gosvämé says: make a garland of this verse, put it around your neck and chant, hare kåñëa hare kåñëa kåñëa kåñëa hare hare, hare räma hare räma räma räma hare hare, while thinking yourself to be much more insignificant than a

Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga

blade of grass lying on the street. Be as tolerant as a tree. Do not demand respect. Pay respect to one and all. Previously we were discussing how Çréla Kaviräja Gosvämé, the compiler of Caitanyacaritämåta, says, “I am the most fallen.” He thinks himself to be most fallen. jagäi mädhäi haite muïi se päpiñöha puréñera kéöa haite muïi se laghiñöha mora näma çune yei tära puëya kñaya mora näma laya yei tära päpa haya (Caitanya-caritämåta, Ädi-lélä 5.205-206) Çréla Kaviräja Gosvämé, who is the crest-jewel of paramahaàsas, says, “I am worse than the worm in stool. I am more sinful than Jagäi and Mädhäi. Do not utter my name. You will lose all your pious credits.” This is the mood that should be developed. Then you will be a worthy recipient. ei-mata haïa yei kåñëa-näma laya çré-kåñëa-caraëe täìra prema upajaya “If one chants the holy name of Kåñëa in this manner, one will certainly awaken one’s dormant love for Kåñëa’s lotus feet.” (Caitanya-caritämåta, Antya-lélä 20.26)

Developing this mood when you chant hare kåñëa hare kåñëa kåñëa kåñëa hare hare, hare räma hare räma räma räma hare hare, is prema-näma. When the name gives love, that means it is prema-näma-saìkértana. This is not ordinary näma-saìkértana, this is prema-näma-saìkértana because it is potent with prema, and gives that prema that comes out from the mouth of Gaura, gaurankudgirna näma. The holy name of Kåñëa uttered by Gaura 16

& The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

is like a volcanic eruption. What is inside, is coming out. Inside is prema, and that is coming out. That is çuddha-näma, the holy name. Otherwise what kind of name is it? Only letters are coming out, not the holy name, näma akñara bähira haya näma nähi haya [Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura] – ha-re, kåñ-ëa, rä-ma. In that case, only syllables, letters from the alphabet are coming out of the mouth, not the pure name. So how will you be a worthy recipient?

The Waxing Moon that Spreads the White Lotus of Good Fortune Kali-yuga is a special yuga because: kaler doña-nidhe räjann asti hy eko mahän guëaù kértanäd eva kåñëasya mukta-saìgaù paraà vrajet (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 12.3.51) In Kali-yuga there are so many faults, it is an ocean of faults. However, there is this one good quality; kértanäd eva kåñëasya – if kåñëa-kértana is performed then all ills, all sinful reactions of Kaliyuga will be destroyed. That is the result of hari-saìkértana. ceto-darpaëa-märjanaà bhava-mahä-dävägni-nirväpaëaà çreyaù-kairava-candrikä-vitaraëaà vidyä-vadhü-jévanam änandämbudhi-vardhanaà prati-padaà pürëämåtäsvädanaà sarvätma-snapanaà paraà vijayate çré-kåñëa-saìkértanam “Let there be all victory for the chanting of the holy name of Lord Kåñëa, which can cleanse the mirror of the heart and stop the miseries of the blazing fire of material

Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga

existence. That chanting is the waxing moon that spreads the white lotus of good fortune for all living entities. It is the life and soul of all education. The chanting of the holy name of Kåñëa expands the blissful ocean of transcendental life. It gives a cooling effect to everyone and enables one to taste full nectar at every step.” (Caitanya-caritämåta, Antya-lélä 20.12)

The Seven Flames of Saìkértana Yajïa The fire coming from the saìkértana yajïa has seven flames – sapta jihva, that will burn to ashes all the ills of Kali-yuga.

1. The first flame, ceto-darpaëa-märjanaà, will cleanse the dirt accumulated in the heart for hundreds of thousands of lives. So many nasty things, anarthas, are there as large as the Himalayan mountains, but the chanting will burn to ashes all anarthas.

2. The second flame, bhava-mahä-dävägni-nirväpaëaà, will

extinguish the forest fire of material afflictions, namely the three tapas, adhyätmika, adhidaivika, adhibhautika. Everyone in this world is like being fried, burning and burning in the frying pan of material existence. But that fire will be extinguished if you do çré-kåñëa-saìkértanam.

3. The third flame is çreyaù-kairava-candrikä-vitaraëaà. The

bright sunshine of Kåñëa will be reflected in the moon. After the scorching heat of the sun of the threefold miseries, cooling moonshine will come from the rising full moon. And it will bring about all good fortune to the chanter of the holy name.

& The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

4. The fourth flame is vidyä-vadhü-jévanam. The chanting is the life

of vidyä-vadhü. Vidyä means knowledge, spiritual knowledge, not material knowledge. That is vadhü, that is the life, the bride. Vadhü means bride. When a newly wedded bride comes to her father-in-law’s house, how does she walk? How does she move? She is slightly bending forward, and her veil is covering her head. Not half naked. Her whole body is covered and she moves very silently. She is not shameless. That is how a chaste bride is behaving. That is the fruit of education in chastity. Nowadays there is no more chastity in the education of girls. Material education is unchaste. Indeed, where is chastity? Where is submissiveness? Where is humility? We see only pride. Heads are erect. They wear sleeveless garments. They are galloping like a mare, tok-tok, tok-tok, tok-tok, tok-tok. There is no chastity in education because there is no kåñëasaìkértana. If you perform kåñëa-saìkértana then chastity will come. Vidyä dadäti vinayaà, pure spiritual knowledge gives one humility. So, if you chant then you will become humble. vidyä-vinaya-sampanne brähmaëe gavi hastini çuni caiva çvapäke ca paëòitäù sama-darçinaù “The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brähmaëa, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].” (Bhagavad-gétä 5.18)

That verse mentions the word vinaya, which means ‘humility’. There is no humility nowadays. Ham baòa hai! “I am great and important!” “No! I am great and important!” Then there is

Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga

quarreling. Where is humility? Humility comes from kåñëasaìkértana. That is the fourth flame.

5. The fifth flame is änandämbudhi-vardhanaà. Then comes änanda,

transcendental blissfulness. That ocean of transcendental blissfulness will increase (vardhana), and will remain ever increasing.

6. The sixth flame is prati-padaà pürëämåtäsvädanaà, at every step you will relish amåtä, nectar.

7. The seventh flame is, sarvätma-snapanaà, then all the souls will be fully purified and will become peaceful.

These are the seven flames of kåñëa-saìkértana. The whole world will be so blissful, so peaceful. All souls will reflect that effulgent sunshine emanating from the supreme sun Kåñëa, and all will become moons. That is what the purport says.

Drown Yourself in that Ocean of Prema In the Çré Caitanya-caritämåta it is mentioned: saìkértana haite päpa-saàsära-näçana citta-çuddhi, sarva-bhakti-sädhana-udgama “By performing congregational chanting of the Hare Kåñëa mantra, one can destroy the sinful condition of material existence, purify the unclean heart and awaken all varieties of devotional service.”

& The Seven Flames of Saṅkīrtana Yajña

kåñëa-premodgama, premämåta-äsvädana kåñëa-präpti, sevämåta-samudre majjana “The result of chanting is that one awakens his love for Kåñëa and tastes transcendental bliss. Ultimately, one attains the association of Kåñëa and engages in His devotional service, as if immersing himself in a great ocean of love.” (Caitanya-caritämåta, Antya-lélä 20.13-14)

This is the result for the whole world. If you perform real saìkértana, prema-näma-saìkértana, not ordinary name, then all sinful reactions of Kali-yuga will be completely destroyed. Then citta-çuddhi, the heart will be purified, sarva-bhakti-sädhana-udgama, then you will develop pure kåñëa-bhakti. Then kåñëa-premodgama, love of Kåñëa will arise and you will relish premämåta-äsvädana, the nectar of loving mellow emanating from the holy name. If you can do real kåñëa-saìkértana then kåñëa-präpti, sevämåta-samudre majjana, you will get Kåñëa and you will drown yourself in that ocean of prema. Mahäprabhu was teaching this.

We Glorify the Unlimited Moons of Gauräìga Mahäprabhu We glorify the dear devotees, the unlimited moons of Gauräìga Mahäprabhu. Only then can you dissipate the darkness of Kaliyuga, the ignorance of the population of this age. No one else can do it. Prabhupäda, the Founder Äcärya of ISKCON cherishes this hope that all the members of the Kåñëa consciousness movement will chant the pure name, develop kåñëa-prema and get Kåñëa and then be able to dissipate the darkness of the whole world. So now, the time has come, just think of how far you are doing this as a member of this Kåñëa consciousness movement. Make

Vaiṣṇavas Dissipate the Darkness of Kali-yuga

a self-analysis in retrospect. How much pleasure are you giving to the Founder Äcärya? Think about it, and how you can get his mercy. The time has come now for you to do this.