Bhakti Vriksha Lessons For Members Krishna Sevak

Bhakti Vriksha
Lessons for
Members
Krsna Sevak
Bhakti Vriksha Lessons for Members – Krsna Sevak
Contents
The Transcendental Gardeners ............................................................................................................ 3
Preface .................................................................................................................................................... 5
Lessons .................................................................................................................................................... 6
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
10. Reincarnation .......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
11. Sinful and pious activities - karma......................................................................................................................................... 9
12. Karma free activities ............................................................................................................................................................. 11
13. Offering to the Lord ............................................................................................................................................................. 13
14. Ante Narayana smriti............................................................................................................................................................ 16
15. Eternity of bhakti.................................................................................................................................................................. 18
16. Bhakti yoga ........................................................................................................................................................................... 20
17. Vyuha 2 - Karma ................................................................................................................................................................... 22
18. Rules and regulations ........................................................................................................................................................... 23
19. Importance of prayers .......................................................................................................................................................... 25
20. Service to Tulasi.................................................................................................................................................................... 27
21. Importance of decorating the body with tilaka ................................................................................................................... 30
22. Vyuha 3 - Panchatattva ........................................................................................................................................................ 38
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The Transcendental Gardeners

Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says to all the people of the world
ekalä mäläkära ämi kähäì kähäì yäba

ekalä vä kata phala päòiyä viläba (CC Adi lila 9.34)
ataeva ämi äjïä diluì sabäkäre
yähäì tähäì prema-phala deha’ yäre täre (CC Adi lila 9.36)
ataeva saba phala deha’ yäre täre
khäiyä ha-uk loka ajara amare (CC Adi lila 9.39)
“I am the only gardener. How many places can I go? How many fruits can I pick and distribute? Therefore I
order every man within this universe to accept this Kåñëa consciousness movement and distribute it everywhere.
Distribute this Kåñëa consciousness movement all over the world. Let people eat these fruits and ultimately
become free from old age and death.”
Suno suno Nityananda, suno haridasa,

Sarvatra amara ajna koroha prakasa,
Prati ghare ghare giya koro ei bhiksa,
Bolo Krsna, bhaja Krsna, koro Krsna siksa (Caitanya Bhagavata Madhya-lila 13.8-9)
“O hear Me, hear Me Nityananda! Hear Me Haridasa! Simply disseminate My order everywhere. Go from house
to house and beg the residents as follows: Speak about Krsna, worship Krsna and teach others about Krsna.”
In Sri Godruma-Kalpatavi, Bhakti Vinoda Thakura, one of the pioneering acaryas of our parampara, describes the
structure of the Nama Hatta. The spirit of his endeavor exactly matched the mood of Lord Nityananda, who was
personally ordered by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Thakura established over five-hundred Nama Hatta sangas
(associations).
Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati instructed his disciples to broadcast the glories of Sridham Mayapur and
Navadvip parikrama, to print books and establish Nama Hatta. Of these three activities, brhad mridanga, or the
massive distribution of books has been considered the primary method of expansion. But nowadays with ninety-
eight percent or more of our devotees being congregational members, Nama Hatta is more relevant to ISKCON
today than it was at the beginning of our movement.
In a letter Srila Prabhupada appreciates home preaching, “Your home to home preaching is very good. The
important thing is to make arrangements that they hear and chant. That will make your preaching successful.
Once they begin chanting then automatically they will want to follow the rules and regulations, attend arati, take
prasadam, etc.” (Letter to Tusta Krsna Maharaja, 9th January, 1976)
In the introduction to the translation of Sri Godruma Kalpatavi HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja says that, “In
this modern age it is most practical to apply the Nama Hatta form of preaching - cultivating people through small
groups formed of the congregation. Nama Hatta groups can begin anywhere, without restrictions, whereas in a
temple there are so many restrictions, not only spiritual but also material, in the sense that so many expenses
must be met.
Today we have different kinds of Nama Hatta programs, such as counsellor groups, Bhakti Vrikshas and various
other groups, all of which are included in the broad category of the Nama Hatta.”

Implementation of Nama hatta for the present time in the form of Bhakti Vriksha was introduced by HH
Jayapataka Swami Maharaja. The Bhakti Vriksha program’s structure follows the same format as Srila
Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Nama Hatta organization, adapted for the current times.
Inspired by Srila Prabhupada and HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja a team of devotees in ISKCON New Rajapur
Jagannatha Dham (NRJD), Bengaluru have made an insignificant attempt in compiling these lessons for the
benefit of the devotee community.
These lessons have been compiled to help the Bhakti Vriksha sevaks to help their members to systematically
advance spiritually.
Devotees who have any queries, suggestions or would like to seek any clarification on this Bhakti Vriksha
Lessons for Members or congregational preaching may reach out to us on iskcon.nrjdblr@gmail.com.
Your servants,
Caitanya Avatari Das and Rasamayi Devi Dasi
(On behalf of the Editorial team, ISKCON - NRJD, Bengaluru)
P.S.: If you are interested in successfully implementing Bhakti Vriksha in your Yatra / area please contact the
Congregational Development Ministry (phone: +91 (3472) 245619, email: cdm@pamho.net)

Preface
In the introduction to the Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Srila Prabhupada writes
tasmat sarveshu kaleshu

mam anusmara yudhya ca
mayy arpita-mano-buddhir
mam evaishyasy asamsayah
“Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Krsna and at the same time carry out your
prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me,
you will attain Me without doubt.” (BG 8.7)
“He (Krsna) does not advise Arjuna simply to remember Him and give up his occupation. No, the Lord never
suggests anything impractical. In this material world, in order to maintain the body one has to work. Human
society is divided, according to work, into four divisions of social order – brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya and sudra.
The brahmana class or intelligent class is working in one way, the kshatriya or administrative class is working in
another way, and the mercantile class and the laborers are all tending to their specific duties. In the human
society, whether one is a laborer, merchant, administrator or farmer, or even if one belongs to the highest class
and is a literary man, a scientist or a theologian, he has to work in order to maintain his existence . The Lord
therefore tells Arjuna that he need not give up his occupation, but while he is engaged in his occupation he
should remember Krsna (mam anusmara) (BG 8.7). If he doesn’t practice remembering Krsna while he is
struggling for existence, then it will not be possible for him to remember Krsna at the time of death. Lord
Caitanya also advises this. Therefore we have to practice remembering the Lord always, twenty four hours a day,
by chanting His names and moulding our life’s activities in such a way that we can remember Him always.”
The commitment level to practice Krsna consciousness varies depending upon the involvement of the practioner
and also the help/guidance given by the Bhakti Vriksha sevak /Bhakti Vriksha sector sevak. Whatever may be the
level of commitment Krsna Himself promises in the Bhagavad Gita, “There is no loss or diminution in this
endeavor and even a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most fearful type of danger.” (BG
2.40)
In order to encourage the members to systematically advance spiritually, different shiksha-levels of commitment
and standards of devotional service are recognized by ISKCON. These standards are prescribed for the devotees
who are practicing Krsna consciousness from home . The shiksha program helps the congregational devotees to
consolidate and increase their spiritual practises.
The different shiksha-levels of commitment and standards prescribed are:
 Shraddhavan
 Krsna / Gauranga Sevak
 Krsna / Gauranga Sadhak
 Srila Prabhupada Ashraya
 Sri Guru Charana Ashraya
 Diksha

Lessons
Introduction
The Lessons along with ‘Sri Namamrta’ and ‘Preaching is the essence’ for Bhakti Vriksha sessions 10 to 22 are
provided in this Chapter.
The relevant lessons along with the ‘Sri Namamrta’ and ‘Preaching is the essence’ should be printed every week
and shared with the participants during the weekly session. It is suggested that all the participants read through
the lesson during the weekly program. Subsequent discussions and questions will be centered on the lesson.
The Bhakti Vriksha sevak should moderate the discussions based on his advanced preparation and the lesson for
the week.

10. Reincarnation
Srila Prabhupäda: One must first understand that he is a soul or something other than his body.
Mike Robinson: And when will we understand that?
Srila Prabhupäda: You can understand at any moment, but it requires a little intelligence. For example, as a
child grows, he becomes a boy, the boy becomes a young man, the young man becomes an adult, and the adult
becomes an old man. Throughout all this time, although his body is changing from a child to an old man, he
still feels himself to be the same person, with the same identity. Just see: the body is changing, but the occupier
of the body, the soul, is remaining the same. So we should logically conclude that when our present body dies,
we get another body. This is called transmigration of the soul.
Mike Robinson: So when people die it is just the physical body that dies?
Srila Prabhupäda: Yes. That is explained very elaborately in the Bhagavad-Gita (2.20): na jäyate mriyate vä
kadäcin... na hanyate hanyamäne Sharére.
Mike Robinson: Thank you very much for reading that. So can you explain to me just a bit more? If the soul is
undying, does everybody's soul go to be with God when they die?
Srila Prabhupäda: Not necessarily. If one is qualified—if he qualifies himself in this life to go back home, back
to Godhead—then he can go. If he does not qualify himself, then he gets another material body. And there are
8,400,000 different bodily forms. According to his desires and karma, the laws of nature give him a suitable
body. It is just like when a man contracts some disease and then develops that disease. Suppose somebody has
contracted smallpox. So, after seven days he develops the symptoms. What is that period called?
Mike Robinson: Incubation?
Srila Prabhupäda: Incubation. So you cannot avoid it. If you have contracted some disease it will develop, by
nature's law. Similarly, during this life you associate with various modes of material nature, and that association
will decide what kind of body you are going to get in the next life. That is strictly under the laws of nature.
Everyone is controlled by the laws of nature—they're completely dependent—but out of ignorance people think
that they are free. They're not free; they're imagining that they're free, but they are completely under the laws of
nature. So, your next birth will be decided according to your activities—sinful or pious, as the case may be.
Mike Robinson: And what difference would it make to someone—being taught how to be a Hare Krsna person?
Srila Prabhupäda: His real education would begin. The first thing is to understand that you are a spirit soul. And
because you are a spirit soul, you are changing your body. This is the ABC of spiritual understanding. So, when
your body is finished, annihilated, you are not finished. You get another body, just as you may change your coat
and shirt. If you come to see me tomorrow wearing a different shirt and a different coat, does that mean you are
a different person? No. Similarly, each time you die you change bodies, but you, the spirit soul within the body,
remain the same. This point has to be understood; then one can make further progress in the science of Krsna
consciousness
Mike Robinson: Yes, I think I've got that now. If we could go on from there—you said that how you lived made
a difference in your life after death, that there are natural laws that determine your next life. How does the
process of transmigration work?
Srila Prabhupäda: The process is very subtle. The spirit soul is invisible to our material eyes. It is atomic in size.
After the destruction of the gross body, which is made up of the senses, blood, bone, fat, and so forth, the subtle
body of mind, intelligence, and ego goes on working. So at the time of death this subtle body carries the small
spirit soul to another gross body. The process is just like air carrying a fragrance. Nobody can see where this
rose fragrance is coming from, but we know that it is being carried by the air. You cannot see how, but it is
being done. Similarly, the process of transmigration of the soul is very subtle. According to the condition of the
mind at the time of death, the minute spirit soul enters into the womb of a particular mother through the semen
of a father, and then the soul develops a particular type of body given by the mother. It may be a human being,
it may be a cat, a dog, or anything.
Mike Robinson: Are you saying that we were something else before this life?

Srila Prabhupäda: Yes.

Mike Robinson: And we keep coming back as something else the next time?
Srila Prabhupäda: Yes, because you are eternal. According to your work, you are simply changing bodies.
Therefore, you should want to know how to stop this business, how you can remain in your original, spiritual
body. That is Krsna consciousness.
Mike Robinson: I see. So if I become Krsna conscious, I wouldn't risk coming back as a dog?
Srila Prabhupäda: No. [To a devotee:] Find this verse: janma karma ca me divyam... [Bg. 4.9].
Disciple:janma karma ca me divyam / evaà yo vetti tattvataù
tyaktvä dehaàm punar janma / naiti mäm eti so 'rjuna
"One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body,
take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna." (Bg. 4.9)
Srila Prabhupäda: God is saying, "Anyone who understands Me is free from birth and death." But one cannot
understand God by materialistic speculation. That is not possible. One must first come to the spiritual platform.
Then he gets the intelligence required to understand God. And when he understands God, he does not get any
more material bodies. He goes back home, back to Godhead. He lives eternally; no more change of body.
(Adapted from Science of Self Realization – Chapter 1)
Discovery:
1. Do you think we have undergone physical changes in this lifetime?
2. What does the body we will get in the next life depend on?
Understanding:
1. How does the process of transmigration work?
2. Is it possible to get out of the cycle of birth and death?
Application:
Will this knowledge of reincarnation make any difference to you in your life? If yes, what steps/commitment
you plan to take personally?
SRI NAMAMRTA
As long as one continues to be subject to polluted desires, he has to accept one material body after another.
By chanting the Hare Krsna mantra constantly, one can fix the mind on the lotus feet of Krsna (sa vai manah
Krsna−padaravindayoh), and in this way achieve the perfection of yoga. Otherwise, the flickering mind will
hover on the platform of mental speculation for sense enjoyment, and one will have to transmigrate from one
type of body to another… (SB 10.1.42)
PREACHING IS THE ESSENCE
The duty of all sane men is to save the people in general:Parikshit Mahäräja ... anxiously wanted to know from
Sukadeva Gosvämi how humanity can be saved from gliding down to hell.... Intelligent men must take
advantage of these instructions. Unfortunately, however, the entire world is lacking Krsna consciousness, and
therefore people are suffering from the grossest ignorance and do not even believe in a life after this one. To
convince them of their next life is very difficult because they have become almost mad in their pursuit of
material enjoyment. Nevertheless, our duty, the duty of all sane men, is to save them. (SB 6.1.6 )

11. Sinful and pious activities - karma

In conditioned life we are committing sins at every step, even without knowing it. The reason we are sinning
unknowingly is that we have been in ignorance from our very birth. This ignorance is prominent despite so
many educational institutions. Why? Because despite so many big, big universities, none of them is teaching
atma-tattva, the science of the soul. Therefore people remain in ignorance, and they continue to sin and suffer
the reactions. That is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.5.5): parabhavas tavad abodha-jato yavan na jijnasata
atma-tattvam. This foolishness will continue until one comes to the platform of understanding self-realization.
Otherwise, all these universities and institutions for imparting knowledge are a continuation of that same
ignorance and foolishness. Unless one comes to the point of asking "What am I? What is God? What is this
world? What is my relationship with God and this world?" and finds proper answers, one continues to be
foolish like an animal and is subjected to transmigration from one body to another in different species of life.
This is the result of ignorance.
So, the modern civilization is very risky. One may feel comfortable as a successful businessman or politician, or
one may think oneself comfortable because of being born in a rich nation like America, but these statuses of life
are temporary. They will have to change, and we do not know what kind of miseries we will have to suffer in
our next life because of our sinful activities. So if one does not begin cultivating transcendental knowledge, then
one's life is very risky. Suppose a healthy man is living in a contaminated place. Is his life not at risk? He may
become infected by disease at any moment.
Therefore we should work to dissipate our ignorance through cultivation of transcendental knowledge. A good
example of how we commit sins unknowingly is cooking. In the Bhagavad-Gita (3.13) Krsna says that His
devotees are freed from sin because they eat only the remnants of food that has been offered to Him. But, He
says, those who cook for themselves eat only sin. The difference between cooking here in this
temple and cooking in some ordinary house is that our cooking and eating are relieving us from sin, while the
cooking and eating of a nondevotee are simply entangling him more and more in sin. The cooking appears to be
the same, but this cooking and that cooking are different. Here there is no sin because the food is being cooked
for Krsna. Anything you do outside the field of Krsna conscious activities entangles you in the modes of nature.
Generally, you are being implicated in sinful activities. Those who are a little more cautious avoid sinful
activities and perform pious activities. But one who performs pious activities is also entangled. If a man is pious,
he may take birth in a family that is very rich or aristocratic, or he may be very beautiful or get the opportunity
to become very learned. These are the results of pious activities. But whether you are pious or impious, you
have to enter into the womb of some mother. And that tribulation is very severe. That we have forgotten.
Whether you take birth in a very rich and aristocratic family or from an animal womb, the pangs of birth, old
age,disease, and death continue.
The Krsna consciousness movement is meant to give you an opportunity to solve these four problems--birth,
old age, disease, and death. But if you continue to act sinfully and eat sinfully, then these miseries will continue.
Otherwise, you can nullify your sinful reactions by surrendering to Krsna, as He states in the Bhagavad-gita
(18.66): "Just give up all your so-called religious practices and surrender unto Me. I shall protect you from all
your sinful reactions." Part of surrendering to Krsna is being careful not to eat anything that has not beenoffered
to Him. That should be our determination. Even if we have committed some sin, by eating prasadam, food
offered to Krsna, we will counteract it. If we surrender to Krsna in this way, He will protect us from sinful
reactions. That is His promise. And where does a surrendered devotee go at the time of death? Is he finished, as
the voidists say? No. Krsna says, mam eti: "He comes to Me." And what is thebenefit of going there? Mam
upetya punar janma duhkhalayam asasvatam napnuvanti: "One who comes back to Me does not have to return
to this miserable material world." That is the highest perfection. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita (3.9):
yagnarthat karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanah. "Except work for Krsna, any work, whether good or
bad, will bind you to this material world." If you do good work, you will have so-called enjoyment in your next
life--but you will still remain bound up in the cycle of birth and death. And if you do bad work, then you will
have to suffer the sinful reactions and also remain bound up in birth and death. But if you work for Krsna, there
are no such reactions, good or bad, and at the time of death you will return to Krsna. This is the only way to
break the bonds of karma.(Adapted from The laws of Nature – Chapter 1)
Discovery:
1. What is the result of ignorance?
2. How is the modern civilization risky?

Understanding:
1. What are the results of pious and impious activities?
2. Is it good to incur good karma or can the bonds of karma be broken?
Application:
1. What are the different devotional activities you do? Share your experience.
SRI NAMAMRTA
Crime can be eradicated by mass sankirtana, which changes the heart
Lieutenant Mozee: I understand you have some ideas that could help us in our efforts to prevent crime. I'd be
very interested to hear them.
Srila Prabhupäda: The difference between a pious man and a criminal is that one is pure in heart and the other
is dirty. This dirt is like a disease in the form of uncontrollable lust and greed in the heart of the criminal. Today
people in general are in this diseased condition, and thus crime is very widespread. When the people become
purified of these dirty things, crime will disappear. The simplest process of purification is to assemble in
congregation and chant the holy names of God. This is called saìkértana and is the basis of our Krsna
Consciousness movement. So, if you want to stop crime, then you must gather as many people as possible for
mass saìkértana. This congregational chanting of the holy name of God will dissipate all the dirty things in
everyone's heart. Then there will be no more crime.... The age we live in is called Kali-yuga, the age of forgetting
God. It is an age of misunderstanding and quarrel, and the people's hearts are filled with dirty things. But God is
so powerful that if we chant His holy name we become purified, just as my disciples have become purified of
their bad habits. Our movement is based on this principle of chanting the holy name of God. We give everyone
the opportunity, without any distinction. They can come to our temple, chant the Hare Krsna mantra, take a
little prasäda as refreshment, and gradually become purified. So if the governmental authorities give us some
facilities, then we can hold mass saìkértana. Then, without a doubt, the whole society will change....
(The Science of Self-Realization – Chapter 6)
The Krsna Consciousness movement can save the world:
Kiräta, Hüëa, Ändhra, Pulinda, Pulkaça, Äbhéra, Çumbha, Yavana and the Khasa races and even others who are
addicted to sinful acts can be purified by taking shelter of the devotees of the Lord due to His being the supreme
power. I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.
The above-mentioned historical names are different nations of the world. Even those who are constantly
engaged in sinful acts are all corrigible to the standard of perfect human beings if they take shelter of the
devotees of the Lord. Jesus Christ and Hajrat Muhammad, two powerful devotees of the Lord, have done
tremendous service on behalf of the Lord on the surface of the globe. And from the version of Srila Çukadeva
Gosvämé it appears that instead of running a godless civilization in the present context of the world situation, if
the leadership of world affairs is entrusted to the devotees of the Lord, for which a worldwide organization
under the name and style of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness has already been started, then by
the grace of the Almighty Lord there can be a thorough change of heart in human beings all over the world
because the devotees of the Lord are able authorities to effect such a change by purifying the dust-worn minds
of the people in general. The politicians of the world may remain in their respective positions because the pure
devotees of the Lord are not interested inpolitical leadership or diplomatic implications. The devotees are
interested only in seeing that the people in general are not misguided by political propaganda and in seeing that
the valuable life of a human being is not spoiled in following a type of civilization which is ultimately doomed.
If the politicians would, therefore, be guided by the good counsel of the devotees, then certainly there would be
a great change in the world situation by the purifying propaganda of the devotees, as shown by Lord Caitanya....
... A person, though he be even the most sinful man, can at once be purified by systematic contact with a pure
Vaiñëava.... So by the order of Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, the cult of Srimad-Bhägavatam or the Bhagavad-
gita can be preached all over the world, reclaiming all persons willing to accept the transcendental cult. Such
cultural propaganda by the devotees will certainly be accepted by all persons who are reasonable and
inquisitive, without any particular bias for the custom of the country. (Srimad-Bhägavatam 2.4.18)
10 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

12. Karma free activities

na hi kascit ksanam api / jatu tisthaty akarma-krt
karyate hy avasah karma / sarvah? prakrti-jair gunaih (BG 3.5)
TRANSLATION
Everyone is forced to act helplessly according to the qualities he has acquired from the modes of material
nature; therefore no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment.
PURPORT
It is not a question of embodied life, but it is the nature of the soul to be always active. Without the presence of
the spirit soul, the material body cannot move. The body is only a dead vehicle to be worked by the spirit soul,
which is always active and cannot stop even for a moment. As such, the spirit soul has to be engaged in the
good work of Krsna consciousness, otherwise it will be engaged in occupations dictated by illusory energy. In
contact with material energy, the spirit soul acquires material modes, and to purify the soul from such affinities
it is necessary to engage in the prescribed duties enjoined in the sastras. But if the soul is engaged in his natural
function of Krsna consciousness, whatever he is able to do is good for him.
The Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.5.17) affirms this:
tyaktva sva-dharmam caranambujam harer / bhajann apakvo 'tha patet tato yadi
yatra kva vabhadram abhud amusya kim / ko vartha apto 'bhajatam sva-dharmatah
"If someone takes to Krsna consciousness, even though he may not follow the prescribed duties in the sastras or
execute the devotional service properly, and even though he may fall down from the standard, there is no loss
or evil for him. But if he carries out all the injunctions for purification in the sastras, what does it avail him if he
is not Krsna conscious?"
yagnarthat karmano 'nyatra / loko 'yam karma-bandhanah
tad-artham karma kaunteya / mukta-sangah samacara (BG 3.9)
TRANSLATION
Work done as a sacrifice for Vishnu has to be performed, otherwise work causes bondage in this material world.
Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always
remain free from bondage.
PURPORT
Since one has to work even for the simple maintenance of the body, the prescribed duties for a particular social
position and quality are so made that that purpose can be fulfilled. Yajna means Lord Vishnu, or sacrificial
performances. All sacrificial performances also are meant for the satisfaction of Lord Visnu. The Vedas enjoin:
yajno vai visnuh. In other words, the same purpose is served whether one performs prescribed yagnas or
directly serves Lord Vishnu. Krsnaconsciousness is therefore performance of yagna as it is prescribed in this
verse. The varnasrama institution also aims at satisfying Lord Visnu.
Varnasramacaravata purusena parah puman/ visnur aradhyate (Visnu Purana 3.8.8).
Therefore one has to work for the satisfaction of Visnu. Any other work done in this material world will be a
cause of bondage, for both good and evil work have their reactions, and any reaction binds the performer.
Therefore, one has to work in Krsna consciousness to satisfy Krsna (or Visnu); and while performing such
activities one is in a liberated stage. This is the great art of doing work, and in the beginning this process
requires very expert guidance. One should therefore act very diligently, under the expert guidance of a devotee
of Lord Krsna, or under the direct instruction of Lord Krsna Himself (under whom Arjuna had the opportunity
to work).
Nothing should be performed for sense gratification, but everything should be done for the satisfaction of
Krsna. This practice will not only save one from the reaction of work, but also gradually elevate one to
transcendental loving service of the Lord, which alone can raise one to the kingdom of God.
This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita (3.9): yagnarthat karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanah.
"Except work for Krsna, any work,whether good or bad, will bind you to this material world." If you do good

work,you will have so-called enjoyment in your next life--but you will still remainbound up in the cycle of birth
and death. And if you do bad work, then you willhave to suffer the sinful reactions and also remain bound up in
birth and death.But if you work for Krsna, there are no such reactions, good or bad, and at thetime of death you
will return to Krsna. This is the only way to break the bonds of karma.
Discovery:
1. What is the nature of the soul?
2. Whom are we serving? What do we get in return?
3. What is the cause of bondage?
4. For whose satisfaction should work be performed?
Understanding:
1. What happens if you do work for Krsna’s satisfaction?
2. Who should ultimately be satisfied by our service?
3. Why should we offer everything for the satisfaction of Krsna?
Application:
1. Which activities in your life would you like to offer to the Lord?
SRI NAMAMRTA
The results derived by great sacrifices in the past can be derived by performing saìkértana-yajïa. Unless we are
prepared to perform the prescribed sacrifices, our supply of the necessities of life will be checked. Bhagavad-gita
confirms that Lord Brahmä created human society along with yajïa, the performance of sacrifice. Yajïa means
Lord Viñëu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and sacrifice means working for the satisfaction of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. In this age, however, it is very difficult to find qualified brähmaëas who can
perform sacrifices as prescribed in the Vedas. Therefore it is recommended in Srimad-Bhägavatam (yajïaiù
saìkértana-präyaiù) that by performing saìkértana-yajïa and by satisfying the yajïa-puruña, Lord Caitanya, one
can derive all the results derived by great sacrifices in the past. King Påthu and others derived all the necessities
of life from the earthly planet by performing great sacrifices. Now this saìkértana movement has already been
started by the International Society for Krsna Consciousness. People should take advantage of this great
sacrifice and join in the Society's activities; then there will be no scarcity. If saìkértana-yajïa is performed, there
will be no difficulty, not even for industrial enterprises. Therefore this system should be introduced in all
spheres of life—social, political, industrial, commercial, etc. Then everything will run very peacefully and
smoothly. (Srimad-Bhägavatam 4.19.7)
In the material world one may become very tired if he works all the time, but if one works in Krsna
Consciousness, he can chant Hare Krsnaand engage in devotional service twenty-four hours a day and never get
tired. But if we vibrate some mundane vibration, then we soon become exhausted. There is no question of
becoming tired on the spiritual platform. The spiritual platform is absolute.(The Perfection of Yoga- Chapter 2)
Pure devotees preach and deliver conditioned souls
The Ganges water is celebrated as being able to eradicate all kinds of sinful reactions. In other words, when a
person takes his bath in the Ganges, he becomes freed from all life's contaminations. The Ganges water is
celebrated in this way because it emanates from the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Similarly,
those who are directly in touch with the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead & who are absorbed
in the chanting of His glories are freed from all material contamination. Such unalloyed devotees are able to
show mercy to the common conditioned soul. Srila Våndävana däsa Öhäkura has sung that the devotees of Lord
Caitanya are so powerful that each one of them can deliver a universe. In other words, it is the business of
devotees to preach the glories of the Lord and deliver all conditioned souls to the platform of çuddha-sattva,
pure goodness. (Srimad-Bhägavatam 4.24.58)

13. Offering to the Lord

patram puspam phalam toyam / yo me bhaktya prayacchati
tad aham bhakty-upahrtam / asnami prayatatmanah (B.G. 9.26)
If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.
For the intelligent person, it is essential to be in Krsna consciousness, engaged in the transcendental loving
service of the Lord, in order to achieve a permanent, blissful abode for eternal happiness. The process of
achieving such a marvelous result is very easy and can be attempted even by the poorest of the poor, without
any kind of qualification. The only qualification required in this connection is to be a pure devotee of the Lord.
It does not matter what one is or where one is situated. The process is so easy that even a leaf or a little water or
fruit can be offered to the Supreme Lord in genuine love and the Lord will be pleased to accept it. No one,
therefore, can be barred from Krsna consciousness, because it is so easy and universal. Who is such a fool that
he does not want to be Krsna conscious by this simple method and thus attain the highest perfectional life of
eternity, bliss and knowledge? Krsna wants only loving service and nothing more. Krsna accepts even a little
flower from His pure devotee. He does not want any kind of offering from a nondevotee. He is not in need of
anything from anyone, because He is self-sufficient, and yet He accepts the offering of His devotee in an
exchange of love and affection. To develop Krsna consciousness is the highest perfection of life. Bhakti is
mentioned twice in this verse in order to declare more emphatically that bhakti, or devotional service, is the
only means to approach Krsna. No other condition, such as becoming a brahmana. a learned scholar, a very rich
man or a great philosopher, can induce Krsna to accept some offering. Without the basic principle of bhakti,
nothing can induce the Lord to agree to accept anything from anyone. Bhakti is never causal. The process is
eternal. It is direct action in service to the absolute whole.
Here Lord Krsna, having established that He is the only enjoyer, the primeval Lord and the real object of all
sacrificial offerings, reveals what types of sacrifices He desires to be offered. If one wishes to engage in
devotional service to the Supreme in order to be purified and to reach the goal of life—the transcendental loving
service of God—then one should find out what the Lord desires of him. One who loves Krsna will give Him
whatever He wants, and he avoids offering anything which is undesirable or unasked. Thus meat, fish and eggs
should not be offered to Krsna. If He desired such things as offerings, He would have said so. Instead He clearly
requests that a leaf, fruit, flowers and water be given to Him, and He says of this offering, “I will accept it.”
Therefore, we should understand that He will not accept meat, fish and eggs. Vegetables, grains, fruits, milk and
water are the proper foods for human beings and are prescribed by Lord Krsna Himself. Whatever else we eat
cannot be offered to Him, since He will not accept it. Thus we cannot be acting on the level of loving devotion if
we offer such foods.
In the Third Chapter, verse thirteen, Sri Krsna explains that only the remains of sacrifice are purified and fit for
consumption by those who are seeking advancement in life and release from the clutches of the material
entanglement. Those who do not make an offering of their food, He says in the same verse, are eating only sin.
In other words, their every mouthful is simply deepening their involvement in the complexities of material
nature. But preparing nice, simple vegetable dishes, offering them before the picture or Deity of Lord Krsna and
bowing down and praying for Him to accept such a humble offering enables one to advance steadily in life, to
purify the body, and to create fine brain tissues which will lead to clear thinking. Above all, the offering should
be made with an attitude of love. Krsna has no need of food, since He already possesses everything that be, yet
He will accept the offering of one who desires to please Him in that way. The important element, in
preparation, in serving and in offering, is to act with love for Krsna.
Discovery :
1. What is the simple method mentioned to please the Lord which can be practiced by all?
2. What does the Lord want from us?
Understanding:
1. What are the foodstuff that can be offered to the Lord?
2. Why do we have to offer everything to the Lord?
3. What will happen if we don’t offer to the Lord?
Application:
1. How do you plan to apply this practically in your life?

SRI NAMAMRTA
Even if one is not wealthy, he can act for the highest welfare of human society and please the Supreme Lord by
preaching the Hare Krsna mantra to everyone
[Lord Caitanya to His devotees]: "I am merely a gardener. I have neither a kingdom nor very great riches. I
simply have some fruits and flowers that I wish to utilize to achieve piety in My life."
In performing welfare activities for human society, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu presents Himself as being not very
rich, thus indicating that a man need not be rich or opulent to act for the welfare of humanity. Sometimes rich
men are very proud that they can perform beneficial activities for human society whereas others cannot. A
practical example is that when there is a scarcity of food in India on account of meager rainfall, some members
of the richer class very proudly distribute foodstuffs, making huge arrangements with the help of the
government, as if merely by such activities people will be benefited. Suppose there were no food grains. How
would the rich men distribute food? Production of grains is completely in the hands of God. If there were no
rain, there would be no grains, and these so-called rich men would be unable to distribute grains to the people.
The real purpose of life, therefore, is to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Srila Rüpa Gosvämé
describes in his Bhakti-rasämåta-sindhu that devotional service is so exalted that it is beneficial and auspicious
for every man. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu also declared that to propagate the bhakti cult of devotional service in
human society, one does not need to be very rich. Anyone can do it and thus render the highest benefit to
humanity if he knows the art. Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu takes the part of a gardener because although a
gardener is naturally not a very rich man, he has some fruits and flowers. Any man can collect some fruits and
flowers and satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead in devotional service, as recommended in Bhagavad-
gita:(Bg. 9.26)
One cannot satisfy the Supreme Lord by his riches, wealth or opulent position, but anyone can collect a little
fruit or flower and offer it to the Lord. The Lord says that if one brings such an offering in devotion, He will
accept it and eat it. When Krsna eats, the entire world becomes satisfied. There is the story in the Mahäbhärata
illustrating how by Kåñëa's eating, the sixty thousand disciples of Durväsä Muni were all satisfied. Therefore it is
a fact that if by our life (präëaiù), by our wealth (arthaiù), by our intelligence (dhiyä) or by our words (väcä)
we can satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, naturally the entire world will become happy. Therefore
our main duty is to satisfy the Supreme Godhead by our actions, our money and our words. This is very simple.
Even if one does not have money, he can preach the Hare Krsna mantra to everyone. One can go everywhere, to
every home, and request everyone to chant the Hare Krsna mantra. Thus the entire world situation will become
very happy and peaceful. (Çré Caitanya-caritämåta Ädi-lélä 9.44)
Distribution of transcendental literature benefits human society:
There are so many unwanted literatures full of materialistic ideas of sense gratification.... The people in general
want to read (that is a natural instinct), but because their minds are polluted they want such literatures. Under
the circumstances, transcendental literature like Srimad-Bhägavatam will not only diminish the activities of the
corrupt mind of the people in general, but also it will supply food for their hankering after reading some
interesting literature. In the beginning they may not like it because one suffering from jaundice is reluctant to
take sugar candy, but we should know that sugar candy is the only remedy for jaundice. Similarly, let there be
systematic propaganda for popularizing reading of the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad-Bhägavatam, which will
act like sugar candy for the jaundice like condition of sense gratification. When men have a taste for this
literature, the other literatures, which are catering poison to society, will then automatically cease.
Srimad-Bhägavatam 1.5.11

Handout for Lesson 13 – Offering to the Lord
Mantras to be chanted for offering bhoga
Option 1
nama om vishnu-padaya
krsna-preshthayabhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta
swamin iti namine
namaste saraswate deve

gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi
pashchatya-desha-tarine
namo maha vadanyaya

krsna prema pradayate
krsnaya krsna caitanya namne
gaura tvishe namaha
namo brahmanya devaya

go brahmana hitaya ca
jagadhitaya krsnaya
govindaya namo namaha
Option 2
nama om vishnu-padaya
krsna-preshthayabhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta
swamin iti namine
namaste saraswate deve

gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi
pashchatya-desha-tarine
sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda
sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

14. Ante Narayana smriti

yam yam vapi smaran bhavam / tyajaty ante kalevaram
tam tam evaiti kaunteya / sada tad-bhava-bhavitah (BG 8.6)
TRANSLATION
Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son of Kunti, that state he will attain without
fail.
PURPORT
The process of changing one's nature at the critical moment of death is here explained. A person who at the end
of his life quits his body thinking of Krsna attains the transcendental nature of the Supreme Lord, but it is not
true that a person who thinks of something other than Krsna attains the same transcendental state. This is a
point we should note very carefully. How can one die in the proper state of mind? Maharaja Bharata, although a
great personality, thought of a deer at the end of his life, and so in his next life he was transferred into the body
of a deer. Although as a deer he remembered his past activities, he had to accept that animal body. Of course,
one's thoughts during the course of one's life accumulate to influence one's thoughts at the moment of death, so
this life creates one's next life. If in one's present life one lives in the mode of goodness and always thinks of
Krsna, it is possible for one to remember Krsna at the end of one's life. That will help one be transferred to the
transcendental nature of Krsna. If one is transcendentally absorbed in Krsna's service, then his next body will be
transcendental (spiritual), not material. Therefore the chanting of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, KrsnaKrsna, Hare
Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare is the best process for successfully changing one's state of
being at the end of one's life.
tasmat sarvesu kalesu / mam anusmara yudhya ca
mayy arpita-mano-buddhir / mam evaisyasy asamsayah (BG 8.7)
TRANSLATION
Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Krsna and at the same time carry out your
prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me,
you will attain Me without doubt.
PURPORT
This instruction to Arjuna is very important for all men engaged in material activities. The Lord does not say
that one should give up his prescribed duties or engagements. One can continue them and at the same time
think of Krsna by chanting Hare Krsna. This will free one from material contamination and engage the mind
and intelligence in Krsna. By chanting Krsna's names, one will be transferred to the supreme planet, Krsnaloka,
without a doubt.
Discovery:
1. Can we predict our lifespan?Or how many years do you think you will live?
2. What happens at the time of death? (Please narrate a story from the scriptures)
3. Where do we need to fix our mind?
Understanding:
1. Does the Lord expect us to cease all material activities?
2. How do you think we can fix our mind on the Lord?
Application:
How do you plan to remember Krsna at every moment of your life?

SRI NAMAMRITA
One who chants the holy name of the Lord constantly during one's life can, at the time of death, return home,
back to Godhead
[Çukadeva Gosvämé to King Parékñit]: While suffering at the time of death, Ajämila chanted the holy name of
the Lord, and although the chanting was directed toward his son, he nevertheless returned home, back to
Godhead. Therefore if one faithfully and inoffensively chants the holy name of the Lord, where is the doubt that
he will return to Godhead?
At the time of death one is certainly bewildered because his bodily functions are in disorder. At that time, even
one who throughout his life has practiced chanting the holy name of the Lord may not be able to chant the Hare
Krsna mantra very distinctly. Nevertheless, such a person receives all the benefits of chanting the holy name.
While the body is fit, therefore, why should we not chant the holy name of the Lord loudly and distinctly? If
one does so, it is quite possible that even at the time of death he will be properly able to chant the holy name of
the Lord with love and faith. In conclusion, one who chants the holy name of the Lord constantly is guaranteed
to return home, back to Godhead, without a doubt.
(SB 6.2.49)
Krsna takes the preacher back home, back to Godhead
For one who explains the supreme secret to the devotees, devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he
will come back to Me. There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one
more dear.
Anyone ... who tries sincerely to present Bhagavad-gita as it is will advance in devotional activities and reach the
pure devotional state of life. As a result of such pure devotion, he is sure to go back home, back to Godhead.
(BG. 18.68-69)

15. Eternity of bhakti

nehabhikrama-naso 'sti / pratyavayo na vidyate
sv-alpam apy asya dharmasya / trayate mahato bhayat(BG 2.40)
TRANSLATION
In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the
most dangerous type of fear.
PURPORT
Activity in Krsna consciousness, or acting for the benefit of Krsna without expectation of sense gratification, is
the highest transcendental quality of work. Even a small beginning of such activity finds no impediment, nor
can that small beginning be lost at any stage. Any work begun on the material plane has to be completed;
otherwise the whole attempt becomes a failure. But any work begun in Krsna consciousness has a permanent
effect, even though not finished. The performer of such work is therefore not at a loss even if his work in Krsna
consciousness is incomplete. One percent done in Krsna consciousness bears permanent results, so that the
next beginning is from the point of two percent, whereas in material activity without a hundred percent success
there is no profit. Ajamila performed his duty in some percentage of Krsna consciousness, but the result he
enjoyed at the end was a hundred percent, by the grace of the Lord. There is a nice verse in this connection in
Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.5.17):
tyaktva sva-dharmam caranambujam harer / bhajann apakvo 'tha patet tato yadi
yatra kva vabhadram abhud amusya kim / ko vartha apto 'bhajatam sva-dharmatah
"If someone gives up his occupational duties and works in Krsna consciousness and then falls down on account
of not completing his work, what loss is there on his part? And what can one gain if one performs his material
activities perfectly?" Or, as the Christians say, "What profiteth a man if he gain the whole world yet suffers the
loss of his eternal soul?"
Material activities and their results end with the body. But work in Krsna consciousness carries a person again
to Krsna consciousness, even after the loss of the body. At least one is sure to have a chance in the next life of
being born again as a human being, either in the family of a great cultured brahmana or in a rich aristocratic
family that will give one a further chance for elevation. That is the unique quality of work done in Krsna
consciousness.
prapya punya-krtam lokan / usitva sasvatih samah
sucinam srimatam gehe / yoga-bhrasto 'bhijayate (BG 6.41)
TRANSLATION
The unsuccessful yogi, after many, many years of enjoyment on the planets of the pious living entities, is born
into a family of righteous people, or into a family of rich aristocracy.
PURPORT
The unsuccessful yogis are divided into two classes: one is fallen after very little progress, and one is fallen after
long practice of yoga. The yogi who falls after a short period of practice goes to the higher planets, where pious
living entities are allowed to enter. After prolonged life there, one is sent back again to this planet, to take birth
in the family of a righteous brahmanavaishnava or of aristocratic merchants.
The real purpose of yoga practice is to achieve the highest perfection of Krsna consciousness, as explained in
the last verse of this chapter. But those who do not persevere to such an extent and who fail because of material
allurements are allowed, by the grace of the Lord, to make full utilization of their material propensities. And
after that, they are given opportunities to live prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families. Those who
are born in such families may take advantage of the facilities and try to elevate themselves to full Krsna
consciousness.
Discovery:
1. What is the difference between a spiritual activity and a material activity?
2. What is the greatest danger?
3. Why activities in Krsna consciousness have a permanent effect? How?

4. What activity will save us from the greatest danger?

5. What is the result obtained by an unsuccessful yogi in the next birth?
Understanding:
1. Who can take up devotional service?
2. How does devotional service help?
Application:
1. Do you think you have accumulated any spiritual credit? If yes, how are you planning to increase the
credits? If no, how you are planning to accumulate it?
SRI NAMAMRTA
The Holy Name Protects One from Danger and Fear
To be free from danger, one should chant the Hare Krsna mantra:
[Çukadeva Gosvämé to King Parékñit]: My dear King, wherever people in any position perform their
occupational duties of devotional service by chanting and hearing [çravaëaà kértanaà viñëoù SB 7.5.23], there
cannot be any danger from bad elements. Therefore there was no need for anxiety about Gokula while the
Supreme Personality of Godhead was personally present.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura has sung: nämäçraya kari' yatane tumi, thäkaha äpana käje. Everyone is thus advised
to seek shelter in the chanting of the Hare Krsna mahä-mantra and remain engaged in his own occupational
duty. There is no loss in this, and the gain is tremendous. Even from a material point of view, everyone should
take to chanting the Hare Krsna mantra to be saved from all kinds of danger. This world is full of danger (padaà
padaà yad vipadäm [SB 10.14.58]). Therefore we should be encouraged to chant the Hare Krsna mahä-mantra
so that in our family, society, neighborhood and nation, everything will be smooth and free from danger.
(SB 10.6.3)
One must constantly pray to the Lord for protection and the blessings to preach:
Unless one is sufficiently protected by the Lord, he may fall down from his spiritual position; therefore one has
to pray constantly to the Lord for protection and the blessing to carry out one's duty. Lord Caitanya also
entrusted His missionary work to His devotees and assured them of His protection against the onslaught of
material affection. The path of spiritual life is stated in the Vedas to be like the edge of a sharpened razor. A
little inattentiveness may at once create havoc and bloodshed, but one who is a completely surrendered soul,
always seeking protection from the Lord in the discharge of his entrusted duties, has no fear of falling into
material contamination.
(SB 3.9.24)

16. Bhakti yoga

sravanam kirtanam visnoh / smaranam pada-sevanam
arcanam vandanam dasyam / sakhyam atma-nivedanam
iti pumsarpita visnau / bhaktis cen nava-laksana
kriyeta bhagavaty addha / tan manye 'dhitam uttamam (SB 7.5.23-24)
TRANSLATION
Prahlada Maharaja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities,
paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Vishnu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the
Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant,
considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him
with the body, mind and words) — these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has
dedicated his life to the service of Krsna through these nine methods should be understood to be the most
learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge.
PURPORT
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gives the following explanation in his Tathya. The word sravana refers
to giving aural reception to the holy name and descriptions of the Lord's form, qualities, entourage and pastimes
as explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita and similar authorized scriptures. After aurally receiving
such messages, one should memorize these vibrations and repeat them (kirtanam). Smaranam means trying to
understand more and more about the Supreme Lord, and pada-sevanam means engaging oneself in serving the
lotus feet of the Lord according to the time and circumstances. Arcanam means worshiping Lord Vishnu as one
does in the temple, and vandanam means offering respectful obeisances. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji
mam´ namaskuru[Bg. 18.65]. Vandanam means namaskuru — offering obeisances or offering prayers. Thinking
oneself to be nitya-Krsna-dasa, everlastingly a servant of Krsna, is called dasyam, and sakhyam means being a
well-wisher of Krsna. Krsna wants everyone to surrender unto Him because everyone is constitutionally His
servant. Therefore, as a sincere friend of Krsna, one should preach this philosophy, requesting everyone to
surrender unto Krsna. Atma-nivedanam means offering Krsna everything, including one's body, mind,
intelligence and whatever one may possess.
One's sincere endeavor to perform these nine processes of devotional service is technically called bhakti. The
word addha means "directly" One should not be like the karmis, who perform pious activities and then formally
offer the results to Krsna. That is karma-kanda. One should not aspire for the results of his pious activities, but
should dedicate oneself fully and then act piously. In other words, one should act for the satisfaction of Lord
Vishnu, not for the satisfaction of his own senses. That is the meaning of the word addha, "directly."
anyabhilasita-sunyam / jnana-karmady-anavrtam
anukulyena Krsnanu-silanam bhaktir uttama[CC Madhya 19.167]
"One should render transcendental loving service to the Supreme Lord Krsna favorably and without desire for
material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculation. That is called pure devotional
service." One should simply satisfy Krsna, without being influenced by fruitive knowledge or fruitive activity.
The Gopala-tapani Upanishad says that the word bhakti means engagement in the devotional service of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, not of anyone else. This Upanishad describes that bhakti is the offering of
devotional service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To perform devotional service, one should be
relieved of the bodily conception of life and aspirations to be happy through elevation to the higher planetary
systems. In other words, work performed simply for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord, without any desire for
material benefits, is called bhakti. Bhakti is also called nishkarma, or freedom from the results of fruitive
activity. Bhakti and nishkarma are on the same platform, although devotional service and fruitive activity appear
almost the same.
The nine different processes enunciated by Prahlada Maharaja, who learned them from Narada Muni, may not
all be required for the execution of devotional service; if a devotee performs only one of these nine without
deviation, he can attain the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Sometimes it is found that when one
performs one of the processes, other processes are mixed with it. That is not improper for a devotee. When a

devotee executes any one of the nine processes (nava-lakshana), this is sufficient; the other eight processes are
included.
Discovery
1. What are the processes involved in bhakti yoga?
2. Is there a need to follow these processes? Why?
3. Who is eligible to perform bhakti yoga?
4. Name the devotees who have achieved perfection simply by following each process of bhakti yoga.
Understanding:
1 Do you think it is difficult to perform bhakti yoga as compared to other yoga processes?
Application:
1. Which processes of bhakti yoga would you like to apply in your life? And how?
SRI NAMAMRTA
The bhakti-yoga process should be completed in this life onlybecause in this life we have all the instruments
necessary to become fully Krsna Conscious. We have mådaìgas and cymbals and tongues with which to chant
Hare Kåñëa. Even if we don't have mådaìgas and cymbals, we have a tongue. No one has to purchase a tongue.
We also have ears with which to hear the sound that the tongue vibrates. Therefore we have all the instruments
we need with us—a tongue and ears. We have only to chant Hare Krsna and use our ears to hear this vibration,
and all perfection will be there. We don't have to become highly educated scientists or philosophers. We have
only to chant and hear. At a public kértana one person can chant Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare
Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare, while a group listens, and at the end of the mantra, the
group can respond, and in this way there is a reciprocation of hearing and chanting. This can easily be
performed in one's own home, with a small group of friends or with many people in a large public place. One
may attempt to practice meditational yoga in a large city or in a society, but one must understand that this is
one's own concoction and is not the method recommended in Bhagavad-gita.
(The Path of Perfection : Chapter 8: Failure and Success in Yoga )
The devotee's interest is to actively preach Kåsëa consciousness:
He [the devotee] is not interested in so-called meditation in the Himalayas or the forest. Rather, his interest is in
the busiest part of the world, where he teaches people Krsna Consciousness. The Krsna Consciousness
movement was started for this purpose.... The members of the Krsna Consciousness movement are not at all
interested in so-called meditation in the Himalayas or the forest, where one will only make a show of
meditation, nor are they interested in opening many schools for yoga and meditation in the cities. Rather, every
member of the Krsna Consciousness movement is interested in going door to door to try to convince people
about the teachings of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, the teachings of Lord Caitanya. That is the purpose of the Hare
Krsna movement. The members of the Krsna Consciousness movement must be fully convinced that without
Krsna one cannot be happy.
(SB 7.9.44)

17. Vyuha 2 - Karma

18. Rules and regulations

atha cittam samadhatum / na saknosi mayi sthiram
abhyasa-yogena tato / mam icchaptum dhanañjaya (BG 12.9)
TRANSLATION
My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the
regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me.
PURPORT
In this verse, two different processes of bhakti-yoga are indicated. The first applies to one who has actually
developed an attachment for Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by transcendental love. And the other
is for one who has not developed an attachment for the Supreme Person by transcendental love. For this second
class there are different prescribed rules and regulations one can follow to be ultimately elevated to the stage of
attachment to Krsna.
Bhakti-yoga is the purification of the senses. At the present moment in material existence the senses are always
impure, being engaged in sense gratification. But by the practice of bhakti-yoga these senses can become
purified, and in the purified state they come directly in contact with the Supreme Lord. In this material
existence, I may be engaged in some service to some master, but I don't really lovingly serve my master. I simply
serve to get some money. And the master also is not in love; he takes service from me and pays me. So there is
no question of love. But for spiritual life, one must be elevated to the pure stage of love. That stage of love can
be achieved by practice of devotional service, performed with the present senses.
This love of God is now in a dormant state in everyone's heart. And, there, love of God is manifested in different
ways, but it is contaminated by material association. Now the heart has to be purified of the material
association, and that dormant, natural love for Krsna has to be revived. That is the whole process.
To practice the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga one should, under the guidance of an expert spiritual
master, follow certain principles: one should rise early in the morning, take bath, enter the temple and offer
prayers and chant Hare Krsna, then collect flowers to offer to the Deity, cook foodstuffs to offer to the Deity,
take prasadam, and so on. There are various rules and regulations which one should follow. And one should
constantly hear Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam from pure devotees. This practice can help anyone rise
to the level of love of God, and then he is sure of his progress into the spiritual kingdom of God. This practice
of bhakti-yoga, under the rules and regulations, with the direction of a spiritual master, will surely bring one to
the stage of love of God.
There are so many rules and regulations, and if one at all wants to understand Krsna, he must follow the
regulative principles described in the authoritative literature. One can perform penance in accordance with
those principles. For example, to undergo serious penances one may observe fasting on Janmashtami, the day on
which Krsna appeared, and on the two days of Ekadasi (the eleventh day after the new moon and the eleventh
day after the full moon). (B.G 11.54)
One has to perform devotional service in full tapasya, austerity. One should fast on the two Ekadasi days, which
fall on the eleventh day of the waxing and waning moon, and on the birthdays of Lord Krsna, Lord Rama and
Caitanya Mahaprabhu. There are many such fasting days. Yogena means “by controlling the senses and mind.”
Yoga indriya-saàyamaù. Yogena implies that one is seriously absorbed in the self and is able, by development of
knowledge, to understand his constitutional position in relationship with the Superself. In this way one
becomes fixed in devotional service, and his faith cannot be shaken by any material allurement. (SB 3.27.22)
In the Brahma-vaivarta Puräëa it is said that one who observes fasting on Ekädaçé day is freed from all kinds of
reactions to sinful activities and advances in pious life. The basic principle is not just to fast, but to increase
one’s faith and love for Govinda, or Krsna. The real reason for observing fasting on Ekadasi is to minimize the
demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Lord by chanting or performing similar
service. The best thing to do on fasting days is to remember the pastimes of Govinda and to hear His holy name
constantly.

Discovery:
1. Which are the two different processes of bhakti yoga indicated here?
2. What are our senses generally engaged in?
Understanding:
1. What is the difference between serving in the material world and the spiritual world?
2. What are the principles guiding the rules and regulations of bhakti yoga?
Application:
1. How can we practically do something for the satisfaction of the Lord by using our mind, body etc?
SRI NAMAMRTA
On Ekädaçé day, one should increase one's chanting of Hare Kåñëa
One should generally accept the following principles to properly execute devotional service: ... (9) observe
fasting on Ekädaçé day. (This occurs on the eleventh day after the full moon and the eleventh day after the new
moon. On such days no grains, cereals or beans are eaten; simply vegetables and milk are moderately taken, and
chanting Hare Krsna and reading scriptures are increased.)
Teachings of Lord Caitanya Chapter 12
If we follow the rules and regulations (of devotional service) we can elevate others:
When a person is advanced in spiritual consciousness or Krsna Consciousness, he naturally becomes very
sympathetic toward all living entities suffering in the material world. Naturally such an advanced person thinks
of the suffering of the people in general.... If one is actually sympathetic to fallen, suffering humanity, he should
try to elevate people from material consciousness to spiritual consciousness.... By the grace of Kåñëa, we may
raise a person to spiritual consciousness if we ourselves follow the rules and regulations. If we give up our own
spiritual activities and simply become concerned with the bodily comforts of others, we will fall into a
dangerous position.
(SB 5.8.9)

19. Importance of prayers

"Arcanam means worshiping Lord Visnu as one does in the temple, and vandanam means offering respectful
obeisances. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru. Vandanam means namaskuru--offering
obeisances or offering prayers."
"Vandanam. Although prayers are a part of Deity worship, they may be considered separately like the other
items, such as hearing and chanting, and therefore separate statements are given herewith. The Lord has
unlimited transcendental qualities and opulences, and one who feels influenced by the Lord's qualities in
various activities offers prayers to the Lord. In this way he becomes successful. In this connection, the following
are some of the offenses to be avoided: (a) to offer obeisances on one hand, (b) to offer obeisances with one's
body covered, (c) to show one's back to the Deity, (d) to offer obeisances on the left side of the Deity, (e) to
offer obeisances very near the Deity."
(Adapted from SB 7.5.23 – 24 Purport)
"Prayer means vandanam. So this is also service. Either you take all the nine different items, or you take some of
them, or at least one of them, then you will make progress in spiritual life. So some of them offer prayers, just
like Christians, Muhammadans, they offer prayer. So it is as good as the Hindus give service in the temple,
decorates the Deity, cleanses the temple and offers food. In this way they are engaged. This is called arcanam.
Arcanam is also devotional service as well as offering prayer. So by this devotional service one makes progress
in spiritual life, and when he is sincere in his service, then God is within him, He takes charge of him and gives
him instruction how quickly and swiftly he can approach God. So this is fact. Our... He is not hankering after
our service. He is complete in Himself. He doesn't require anyone's service. But if we offer service to Him, then
we become purified, and... (break) ...complete purification. We can talk with God, we can see God, we can take
His instruction, as Arjuna is talking with God, personally taking His instruction and acting according to His
instruction."
(Adapted from Audio transcripts 1966 – 1977 – Philosophy discussions – Discussions with Hayagriva Dasa)
"We should always speak of Krsna in a pleasing way; then we will be benefited. Another name for Krsna is
Uttamasloka, which indicates that He is worshiped by the best selected words. It is not that we should use any
words we choose. There are many prayers in the Vedic scriptures and also in the Bible and Koran. Although the
Christians and Muhammadans do not worship the Deity, they offer prayers to the Lord, and that is also bhakti.
Arcanam vandanam." (Adapted from Teachings of Lord Kapila, son of Devahuti – Chapter 15 )
"According to great learned scholars, the whole Bhagavad-gita contains many authorized prayers, especially in
the Eleventh Chapter, where Arjuna prays to the universal form of the Lord. Similarly, in the Gautamiya-tantra
all the verses are called prayers. Again, in Srimad-Bhagavatam there are hundreds of prayers to the Lord. So a
devotee should select some of these prayers for his recitation. In Skanda Purana the glories of these prayers are
stated as follows: "Devotees whose tongues are decorated always with prayers to Lord Krsna are always given
respect even by the great saintly persons and sages, and such devotees are actually worshipable by the
demigods."
Those who are less intelligent want to worship different demigods for some material gain rather than worship
Krsna. But here it is stated that a devotee who is always engaged in offering prayers to the Lord is worshipable
even by the demigods themselves. The pure devotees have nothing to ask from any demigod; rather, the
demigods are anxious to offer prayers to the pure devotees.
In the Nrsimha Purana it is stated, "Any person who comes before the Deity of Lord Krsna and begins to chant
different prayers is immediately relieved from all the reactions of sinful activities and becomes eligible, without
any doubt, to enter into the Vaikunthaloka."
(Adapted from NoD – Chapter 9 – Reciting notable prayers)
Discovery:
1. What is vandanam?
2. Does the Lord require anyone’s service? Why do we offer our services to the Lord?
3. What are the offences to be avoided while offering obeisances?

Understanding:
1. How can one become successful?
2. How does one make progress in spiritual life?
Application:
1. What do you usually pray to the Lord for?
SRI NAMAMRTA
The Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra addresses the Lord and His spiritual potency and is a prayer requesting
engagement in Their transcendental loving service:
Caitanya Mahäprabhu teaches us that we should only beg God for His service life after life. This is the actual
meaning of the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra. When we are chanting Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare
Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare, we are actually addressing God and His energy, Harä.
Harä is Kåñëa's internal potency, Çrimaté Rädhäräëé or Lakñmé. Jaya rädhe! This is daivé prakåti, and the devotees
take shelter of the daivé prakåti, Çrématé Rädhäräëé. Thus the Vaiñëavas worship Rädhä-Kåñëa, Lakñmé-Näräyaëa
and Sétä-Räma. In the beginning of the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra we first address the internal energy of Kåñëa,
Hare. Thus we say, "O Rädhäräëé! O Hare! O energy of the Lord!" When we address someone in this way, he
usually says, "Yes, what do you want?" The answer is, "Please engage me in Your service." This should be our
prayer. We should not say, "O energy of the Lord, O Kåñëa, please give me money. Please give me a beautiful
wife. Please give me many followers. Please give me some prestigious position. Please give me the presidency."
These are all material hankerings, which should be avoided.
(Teachings of Lord Kapila, the Son of Devahüti – Chapter 14)
Prahläda's prayer for delivering all conditioned souls:
"O best of the great personalities, I am not at all afraid of material existence, for wherever I stay I am fully
absorbed in thoughts of Your glories and activities. My concern is only for the fools and rascals who are making
elaborate plans for material happiness and maintaining their families, societies and countries. I am simply
concerned with love for them. My dear Lord Nåsiàhadeva, I see that there are many saintly persons indeed, but
they are interested only in their own deliverance. Not caring for the big cities and towns, they go to the
Himalayas or the forest to meditate with vows of silence.... They are not interested in delivering others. As for
me, however, I do not wish to be liberated alone, leaving aside all these poor fools and rascals. I know that
without Kåñëa consciousness, without taking shelter of Your lotus feet, one cannot be happy. Therefore I wish
to bring them back to shelter at Your lotus feet."
(ÇB 7.9.43-44)

20. Service to Tulasi

"Every home with a Tulasi plant is a place of pilgrimage, and no diseases, messengers of Yama, the God of
Death, can enter it." Skandapurana 2, 4, 8, 13 Padmapurana Uttarakhanda
Wherever the aroma of Tulasi is carried by the wind, it purifies the atmosphere and frees all animals from all
baser tendencies." Padmapurana, Uttarakhanda
"Vishnu, the Lord of the Three Worlds, takes up abode in the village or the house where Tulasi is grown. In
such a house no one suffers calamities like poverty, illness or separation from dear ones." Padmapurana,
Uttarakhanda, 6-24-31-32
Although we can never fully describe the glories of Tulasi Devi, an eternal associate of Lord Krsna, the
scriptures give us a hint of the value of worshiping her. The following list comes from the Padma Purana.
—Tulasi is the essence of all devotional activities.
—The leaves, flowers, roots, bark, branches, trunk, and shade of Tulasi Devi are all spiritual.
—One who with devotion applies the paste of Tulasi wood to the Deity of Krsna will always live close to Krsna.
—One who puts mud from the base of the Tulasi tree on his body and worships the Deity of Lord Krsna gets
the results of one hundred days’ worship each day.
—One who offers a Tulasi manjari to Lord Krsna gets the benefit of offering all other varieties of flowers, and he
goes to the abode of Krsna.
—One who sees or comes near a house or garden where the Tulasi plant is present gets rid of all his sinful
reactions, including that of killing a brahmana.
—Lord Krsna happily lives in the house, town, or forest where Tulasi Devi is present.
—A house where Tulasi Devi is present never falls on bad times, and it becomes purer than all holy places.
—The fragrance of Tulasi Devi purifies all who smell it.
—Lord Krsna and all the demigods live in a house where mud from the base of the Tulasi tree is found.
—Without Tulasi leaves, Lord Krsna does not like to accept flowers, food, or sandalwood paste.
—One who worships Lord Krsna daily with Tulasi leaves attains the results of all kinds of austerity, charity, and
sacrifice. In fact, he has no other duties to perform, and he has realized the essence of the scriptures.
—One who puts into his mouth or on his head Tulasi leaves that have been offered to Lord Krsna attains Lord
Krsna’s abode.
—In Kali-yuga, one who worships, remembers, plants, keeps, or performs kirtana before Tulasi burns up all
sinful reactions and quickly attains Lord Krsna’s abode.
—One who worships Lord Krsna with Tulasi leaves releases all his ancestors from the realm of birth and death.
—One who remembers the glories of Tulasi or tells others about them will never take birth again.
Discovery:
1. Why should one worship Tulasi Plant?
2. How should one take care of Tulasi?
3. What is the benefit of circumambulating Srimati Tulasi Devi?
Understanding:
1. Do you think Tulasi is just a plant of this material world? Why or why not?
2. How we can worship Tulasi Maharani?
Application:
1. How would you like to serve Tulasi Maharani to get her blessings everyday?

SRI NAMAMRTA
Chanting the holy name before the tulasi plant has immense spiritual potency:
Haridasa thakura constructed a cottage in a solitary forest. There he planted a tulasi plant,and in front of the
tulasi he would chant the holy name of the Lord 300,000 times daily. He chanted throughout the entire day and
night.
Without difficulty one can sit down anywhere, especially on the bank of the Ganges,Yamuna or any sacred
river, devise a sitting place or cottage, plant a tulasi, and before thetulasi chant the Hare Krsna maha−mantra
undisturbed... the process of chanting the HareKrsna maha−mantra with a vow before the tulasi plant has such
great spiritual potency thatsimply by doing this one can become spiritually strong. Therefore we request the
membersof the Hare Krsna movement to follow Haridasa thakura's example rigidly. Chanting sixteen rounds
does not take much time, nor is offering respects to the tulasi plant difficult.The process has immense spiritual
potency. One should not miss this opportunity.
(CC Antyalila 3.100)
The Lord descended as Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu to deliver the entire world:
Advaita Äcärya was always absorbed in thoughts of how to deliver the fallen souls of the entire world. "The
entire world is full of nondevotees," He thought. "How will they be delivered?" Determined to deliver all the
fallen souls, Advaita Äcärya decided to cause Kåñëa to descend. With this vow, He began to offer Ganges water
and tulasé leaves to worship the Lord. Similarly, Haridäsa Öhäkura chanted in his cave on the bank of the
Ganges with the intention to cause Kåñëa's descent. Because of the devotional service of these two persons; Lord
Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu descended as an incarnation. Thus He preached the holy name of the Lord and
ecstatic love of Kåñëa to deliver the entire world.
(CC Antyalila 3.223-226)

Handout for Lesson20 – Service to Tulasi - Tulasi arati prayers

Srila Prabhupada gave his disciples the following prayers for worshiping Tulasi Devi.
Sri Tulasi Pranama
(Recite when bowing to Tulasi.)
vrindayai tulasi-devyai
priyayai keshavasya ca
Krsna-bhakti-prade devi
satyavatyai namo namah
“I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vrinda, Srimati Tulasi Devi, who is very dear to Lord Keshava [Krsna]. O
goddess, you bestow devotional service to Lord Krsna and possess the highest truth.”
Sri Tulasi Kirtana
(Sing during the arati. This song is in Bengali.)
namo namah tulasi! Krsna-preyasi
radha-Krsna-seva pabo ei abhilashi
je tomara sharana loy, tara vancha purna hoy
kripa kori’ koro tare brindavana- basi
mor ei abhilash, bilas kunje dio vas
nayane heribo sada jugala-rupa- rashi
ei nivedana dharo, sakhir anugata koro
seva-adhikara diye koro nija dasi
dina Krsna-dase koy, ei jena mora hoy
shri-radha-govinda-preme sada jena bhasi
“O Tulasi, beloved of Krsna, I bow before you again and again. My desire is to obtain the service of Sri Sri
Radha- Krsna.
“Whoever takes shelter of you has his wishes fulfilled. Bestowing your mercy on him, you make him a resident
of Vrindavana.
“My desire is that you will also grant me a residence in the pleasure groves of Sri Vrindavana-dhama. Thus,
within my vision I will always behold the beautiful pastimes of Radha and Krsna.
“I beg you to make me a follower of the cowherd damsels of Vraja. Please give me the privilege of devotional
service and make me your own maidservant.
“This very fallen and lowly servant of Krsna prays, ‘May I always swim in the love of Sri Sri Radha and Govinda.’
”
Sri Tulasi Pradakshina Mantra
(Sing while circumambulating Tulasi)
yani kani ca papain

brahma-hatyadikani ca
tani tani pranashyanti
pradakshinah pade pade
“By the circumambulation of Srimati Tulasi Devi all the sins one may have committed are destroyed at every
step, even the sin of killing a brahmana.”

21. Importance of decorating the body with tilaka

Tilaka is sometimes called the ornamentation of the spirit soul. The decoration, made by applying wet clay
mixture, marks the body as a temple of Viñëu, the Supreme Lord. The Vaiñëava devotee marks his body in
twelve places for sanctification and protection, and one who is wearing tilaka can at once be identified as a
devotee of the Lord. Just as one can recognize that the strength of the government is behind a uniformed
policeman, one can understand that the strength of God is behind a devotee marked with tilaka. (Adapted from
the Hare Krsna Handbook, ISKCON 1970 – Chapter 7)
According to Vaishnava tradition, gopi-chandana, or the sacred soil from Dwaraka or Vrnadavan, is applied on
the body in twelve places while reciting mantras to Lord Vishnu. This process purifies one's body, designating it
as a temple of the Lord. Besides purification, the tilak also offers the wearer protection from ghosts, evil
influences, bad dreams, accidents and many other things. It keeps one's mind calm and allows one to constantly
remember Lord Krsna. The sacred dust of vrndavan is said to have touched the lotus feet of Sri Krsna's exclusive
devotees and is worship able even by Sri Krsna himself.
In the Padma Puräëa there is a statement describing how a Vaiñëava should decorate his body with tilaka and
beads: "Persons who put tulasé beads on the neck, who mark twelve places of their bodies as Viñëu temples with
Viñëu's symbolic representations [the four items held in the four hands of Lord Viñëu—conch, mace, disc and
lotus], and who have viñëu-tilaka on their foreheads, are to be understood as the devotees of Lord Viñëu in this
world. Their presence makes the world purified, and anywhere they remain, they make that place as good as
Vaikuëöha."
A similar statement is in the Skanda Puräëa, which says, "Persons who are decorated with tilaka or gopé-
candana [a kind of clay resembling fuller's earth which is produced in certain quarters of Våndävana], and who
mark their bodies all over with the holy names of the Lord, and on whose necks and breasts there are tulasé
beads, are never approached by the Yamadütas." The Yamadütas are the constables of King Yama (the lord of
death), who punishes all sinful men. Vaiñëavas are never called for by such constables of Yamaräja. In the
Srimad-Bhägavatam, in the narration of Ajämila's deliverance, it is said that Yamaräja gave clear instructions to
his assistants not to approach the Vaiñëavas. Vaiñëavas are beyond the jurisdiction of Yamaräja's activities.
The Padma Puräëa also mentions, "A person whose body is decorated with the pulp of sandalwood, with
paintings of the holy name of the Lord, is delivered from all sinful reactions, and after his death he goes directly
to Kåñëaloka to live in association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
(Adapted from NoD – Chapter 9 – Tilaka & tulasi beads)
Anyone who wishes to acknowledge the simple truth that “I am Lord Kåñëa's servant” can wear tilaka, the clay
mark devotees wear on the forehead and other places on their body. You may not feel you have much devotion
to Kåñëa, but you’re not prohibited from wearing tilaka, because it’s a sign that you’re trying to be His devotee.
What’s more, the qualifications for being Kåñëa's devotee soon develop in a person who learns the art of
wearing tilaka.
Why Decorate the Body?
A devotee of Krsna decorates the body because it’s a temple of God. Instead of decorating our body as if it were
the self, or destroying it, or despising it for its filthy emissions, we can respect and care for it as a residence of
the Supreme Lord. The soul lives within the body, and so too does the Supersoul, the Lord. As a house is built
and maintained for the pleasure of its owner, so “our” body is meant for the pleasure of its real owner, Lord
Kåñëa. Decorating the body with tilaka pleases Him.
Putting on tilaka helps remind us we belong to Kåñëa. And when others see a person wearing tilaka they are not
only reminded of Krsna but relieved of sinful reactions.
When we wear tilaka on our bodies, the Lord protects us from all sides. When Srila Prabhupäda gave a disciple
the name Tilaka Däsé, he told her that Tilaka meant “victory personified.”
(Adapted from BTG # 26 4, 1992 – Bhakti yoga at home – Tilaka, the mark of God)

Discovery:
1. What is tilaka sometimes called?
2. How does a vaisnava decorate his body?
Understanding:
1. Why should we put tilaka?
2. What is the wearer of tilaka protected from?
3. How are others benefited by seeing a person wearing a tilaka?
Application:
1. What is your take away from today’s discussion? What is your action plan?
SRI NAMAMRTA
One should stamp the holy names of the Lord on his body:
[Lord Caitanya to Sanätana Gosvämé]: "In the morning, one should regularly brush his teeth, take his bath,
offer prayers to the Lord and offer obeisances to the spiritual master. One should render service to the spiritual
master and paint one's body in twelve places with ürdhva-puëòra [tilaka]. One should stamp the holy names of
the Lord on his body, or one should stamp the symbols of the Lord, such as the disc and club."
(CC Madhya 24.332)
While decorating the body with tilaka, we give protection to the body by chanting twelve names of Viñëu.
As servants of society, devotees of the Lord travel everywhere to preach:
The servants of the Lord are actually the servants of society. They have no interest in human society other than
to enlighten it in transcendental knowledge; they are interested in imparting knowledge of the relationship of
the living being with the Supreme Lord, the activities in that transcendental relationship, and the ultimate goal
of human life.... Without this knowledge, the human life is baffled. The servants of the Lord, Viñëu, are
entrusted with this responsible work, and so they wander over the earth and to all other planets in the universe.
(SB 3.4.25)

Handout 1 for Lesson21 - Glories of the sacred gopi chandan
The following story from the Garga Samhita describes the wonderful glories of the sacred mud known as gopi-
chandana.
(From Garga Samhita, Canto Six, Chapter Fifteen )
Text 15 yasya sravana-matrena / karma-bandhat pramucyate

gopinam yatra vaso 'bhut / tena gopi-bhuvah smrtah
Simply by hearing about Gopi-bhumi, which is so named because the gopis resided there, one become free from
the bondage of karma.
Text 16gopy-angaraga-sambhutam / gopi-chandanam uttamam

gopi-chandana-liptango / ganga-snana-phalam labhet
In Gopi-bhumi gopi-chandana was manifested from the gopis' cosmetics. A person who marks his limbs with
gopi-chandana tilaka attains the result of bathing in the
Ganga.
Text 17 maha-nadinam snanasya / punyam tasya dine dine

ngopi-chandana-mudrabhir / mudrito yah sada bhavet
A person who daily wears gopi-chandana tilaka attains the pious result of daily bathing in all sacred rivers.
Text 18 asvamedha-sahasrani / rajasuya-satani ca

sarvani tirtha-danani / vratani ca tathaiva ca
krtani tena nityam vai / sa krtartho na samsayah
A person who daily wears gopi-chandana tilaka attains the result of performing a thousand asvamedha-yagnas
and a hundred rajasuya-yagnas. He attains the reusult of giving charity and following vows at all holy places. He
attains the goal of life. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 19 ganga-mrd-dvi-gunam punyam / citrakuta-rajah smrtam

tasmad dasa-gunam punyam / rajah pancavati-bhavam
Twice as sacred as the mud of the Ganga is the dust of Chitrakuta. Ten times more sacred than that is the dust
of Panchavati-tirtha.
Text 20 tasmac chata-gunam punyam / gopi-chandanakam rajah

gopi-chandanakam viddhi / vrndavana-rajah-samam
A hundred times more sacred is the dust of gopi-chandana. Please know that gopi-chandana is equal to the dust
of Vrindavana.
Text 21 gopi-chandana-liptangam / yadi papa-satair yutam

tam netum na yamah sakto / yama-dutah kutah punah
Even if in the past he has committed hundreds of sins, if a person wears gopi-chandana tilaka, then Yamaraja
cannot take him away. How, then, can Yamaraja's messengers touch him?
Text 22 nityam karoti yah papi / gopi-chandana-dharanam

sa prayati harer dhama / golokam prakrteh param

A sinner who daily wears gopi-chandana tilaka goes to Lord Krsna supreme abode, Goloka, which is beyond the
world of matter.
Text 23 sindhu-desasya rajabhud / dirghabahur iti srutah

anyaya-varti dustatma / vesya-sanga-ratah sada
In Sindhu-desa there was a king named Dirghabahu. He was cruel and sinful and he was addicted to visiting
prostitutes.
Text 24 tena vai bharate varse / brahma-hatya-satam krtam

dasa garbhavati-hatyah / krtas tena duratmana
While he was on the earth this cruel sinner murdered a hundred brahmanas and ten pregnant women.
Text 25 mrigayayam tu banaughaih / kapila-go-vadhah krtah

saindhavam hayam aruhya / mrgayarthi gato 'bhavat
One day he mounted a sindhu horse and went hunting. With a flood of arrows he accidentally killed with a
brown cow in that hunt.
Text 26 ekada rajya-lobhena / mantri kruddho maha-khalam

jaghanaranya-dese tam / tiksna-dharena casina
One day, greedy to get his kingdom, with a sharp sword his angry minister killed him in the forest.
Text 27 bhu-tale patitam mrtyu- / gatam viksya yamanugah

baddhva yama-purim ninyur / harsayantah parasparam
Seeing him fallen to the ground and dead, the Yamadutas came, bound him, and, joking as they went, took him
to the city of Yamaraja.
Text 28 sammukhe 'vasthitam viksya / papinam yama-rad bali

citraguptam praha turnam / ka yogya yanatasya vai
Seeing this sinner brought before him, powerful Yamaraja said to his scribe Chitragupta, "What is the proper
punishment for him?"
Text 29 sri-chitragupta uvaca catur-asiti-laksesu / narakesu nipatyatam

nihsandeham maha-raja / yavac candra-divakarau
Sri Chitragupta said: O great king, he should be thrown into eight million four hundred thousand hells for as
long as the sun and the moon shine in the sky.
Text 30 anena bharate varse / ksanam na su-krtam krtam

dasa-garbhavati-ghatah / kapila-go-vadhah krtah
On the earth he did not perform a single pious deed. He killed ten pregnant women. He killed a brown cow.
Text 31 tatha vana-mriganam ca / krtva hatyah sahasrasah

tasmad ayam maha-papi / devata-dvija-nindakah
He killed thousands of deer in the forest. He offended the demigods and the brahmanas. He is a great sinner.

Texts 32 and 33 sri-narada uvaca:tada yamajnaya duta / nitva tam papa-rupinam

sahasra-yojanayame / tapta-taile maha-khale
sphurad aty-ucchalat-phene / kumbhipake nyapatayan
pralayagni-samo vahnih / sadyah sitalatam gatah
Sri Narada said: Then, by Yamaraja's order, the Yamadutas took that sinner and threw him into a terrible, eight-
thousand mile wide cauldron of bubbling boiling oil in the hell of Kumbhipaka. The moment that sinner came
to it, the boiling oil, which was as hot as the great fires at the time of cosmic devastation, suddenly became cool.
Text 34 vaideha tan-nipatanat / prahlada-ksepanad yatha

tadaiva citram acakhyur / yama-duta mahatmane
O king of Videha, as Prahlada was unhurt in the same situation, that sinner was not hurt by the boiling oil.
Then the Yamadutas described that great wonder to noble-hearted Yamaraja.
Text 35 anena su-krtam bhumau / ksanavan na krtam kvacit

citraguptena satatam / dharma-rajo vyacintayat
Yamaraja and Chitragupta carefully reviewed the sinner's case and concluded that while he was on the earth the
sinner had not for a moment performed even a single pious deed.
Text 36 sabhayam agatam vyasam / sampujya vidhivan nrpa

natva papraccha dharmatma / dharma-rajo maha-matih
Then Vyasadeva arrived in that assembly. Bowing down before Him, and carefully worshiping Him, saintly and
noble-hearted Yamaraja asked Vyasadeva the following question.
Text 37 sri-yama uvaca: anena papina purvam / na krtam su-krtam kvacit

sphurad-agny-ucchalat-phene / kumbhipake maha-khale
asya ksepanato vahnih / sadyah sitalatam gatah
iti sandehatas cetah / khidyate me na samsayah
Sri Yamaraja said: When a certain sinner, who had never performed even a single pious deed, was thrown into
the terrible boiling oil of Kumbhipaka, the oil suddenly became cool. Because of this my mind is now tortured
with doubts.
Text 39 sri-vyasa uvaca: suksma gatir maha-raja / vidita papa-punyayoh

tatha brahma-gatih prajnaih / sarva-sastra-vidam varaih
Sri Vyasadeva said: O great king, the intelligent sages, who have studied all the scriptures, know that the ways
of piety, sin, and spiritual progress are very subtle and difficult to understand.
Text 40 daiva-yogad asya punyam / praptam vai svayam arthavat

yena punyena suddho 'sau / tac chrnu tvam maha-mate
Somehow or other, by destiny, this sinner did perform a pious deed, and by that deed he became purified. O
noble-hearted one, please hear the story of this.
Text 41 kasyapi hastato yatra / patita dvaraka-mrdah

tatraivayam mrtah papi / suddho 'bhut tat-prabhavatah
That sinner died in a place where from someone's hand some gopi-chandana from Dvaraka had accidentally
fallen. Dying in gopi-chandana, that sinner became purified.

Text 42 gopi-chandana-liptango / naro narayano bhavet

etasya darsanat sadyo / brahma-hatya pramucyate
A person who wears gopi-chandana tilaka attains a spiritual form like that of Lord Narayana. Simply by seeing
him one becomes free of the sin of killing a brahmana.
Texts 43 and 44 sri-narada uvaca: iti srutva dharma-rajas / tam aniya visesatah
vimane kama-ge sthapya / vaikuntham prakrteh param
presayam asa sahasa / gopi-chandana-kirti-vit
evam te kathitam rajan / gopi-chandanakam yasah
Sri Narada said: Hearing this, Yamaraja, who understands the glories of gopi-chandana, took the sinner, placed
him a an airplane that goes anywhere one wishes, and sent him to Vaikuntha, which is above the worlds of
matter. O king, thus I have described to you the glories of gopi-chandana.
Text 45 gopi-chandana-mahatmyam / yah srnoti narottamah

sa yati paramam dhama / sri-Krsnasya mahatmanah
One who hears this account of gopi-chandana's glories becomes exalted. He goes to the supreme abode of Lord
Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Handout 2 for Lesson 21–How to apply tilaka?
One should pour a little water into the palm of his/her left hand and rub gopé-candana (mud from Dvärakä) into
it. When making tilaka the following mantra from the Uttara Khaëòa of the Padma Puräëa should be chanted:
laläöe keçavaà dhyäyen näräyaëam athodare

vakñaù-sthale mädhavaà tu govindaà kaëöha-küpake
viñëuà ca dakñiëe kukñau bähau ca madhusüdanam
trivikramaà kandhare tu vämanaà väma-pärçvake
çrédharaà väma-bähau tu håñékeçaà tu kandhare
påñöhe ca padmanäbhaà ca kaöyäà dämodaraà nyaset
In Accordance with the above mentioned mantra one should now apply gopé-candana with the ball of the finger
tip of the right ring finger, to make the tilaka markings on the twelve parts of the body. According to the
brahmäëòa Puräëa one should not use the fingernail to make the space in the middle of the tilaka. One should
place a damp cloth over the finger and make the space with that.
When one marks the forehead with tilaka, he must remember Keçava. When one marks the lower abdomen, he
must remember Näräyaëa. For the chest, one should remember Mädhava, and when marking the hollow of the
neck one should remember Govinda. Lord Viñëu should be remembered while marking the right side of the
belly, and Madhusüdana should be remembered when marking the right arm. Trivikrama should be
remembered when marking the right shoulder, and Vämana should be remembered when marking the left side
of the belly. Çrédhara should be remembered while marking the left arm, and Håñékeça should be remembered
when marking the left shoulder. Padmanäbha and Dämodara should be remembered when marking the back.
[Caitanya-caritämåta, Madhya 20.202, purport]
The çikhä area is not marked with tilaka; rather, after washing the right hand, wipe the remaining water on your
çikhä while chanting oà väsudeväya namaù.

Tilaka Marking List
• Forehead: Çré Keçaväya namaù
• Abdomen: Çré Näräyaëäya namaù
• Chest: Çré Mädhaväya namaù
• Throat: Çré Govindäya namaù
• Right waist: Çré Viñëave namaù
• Right forearm: Çré Madhusüdanäya namaù
• Right shoulder: Çré Trivikramäya namaù
• Left waist: Çré Vämanäya namaù
• Left forearm: Çré Çrédharäya namaù
• Left shoulder:Çré Håñékeçäya namaù
• Nape of neck: Çré Padmanäbhäya namaù
• Lower back: Çré Dämodaräya namaù
• Head: Çré Väsudeväya namaù

22. Vyuha 3 - Panchatattva

Bhakti Vriksha Lessons For Members Krishna Sevak

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Bhakti Vriksha

1| P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

2|Page ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

The Transcendental Gardeners

ekalä mäläkära ämi kähäì kähäì yäba

Suno suno Nityananda, suno haridasa,

3|Page ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

Caitanya Avatari Das and Rasamayi Devi Dasi

(On behalf of the Editorial team, ISKCON - NRJD, Bengaluru)

4|Page ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

tasmat sarveshu kaleshu

The different shiksha-levels of commitment and standards prescribed are:

5|Page ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

6|Page ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

7|Page ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

Srila Prabhupäda: Yes.

PREACHING IS THE ESSENCE

8|Page ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

11. Sinful and pious activities - karma

9|Page ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

10 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

12. Karma free activities

11 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

PREACHING IS THE ESSENCE

Pure devotees preach and deliver conditioned souls

12 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

13. Offering to the Lord

13 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

PREACHING IS THE ESSENCE

Distribution of transcendental literature benefits human society:

14 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

Handout for Lesson 13 – Offering to the Lord

Mantras to be chanted for offering bhoga

namaste saraswate deve

namo maha vadanyaya

namo brahmanya devaya

namaste saraswate deve

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare

15 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

14. Ante Narayana smriti

16 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

PREACHING IS THE ESSENCE

Krsna takes the preacher back home, back to Godhead

17 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

15. Eternity of bhakti

18 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

4. What activity will save us from the greatest danger?

The Holy Name Protects One from Danger and Fear

PREACHING IS THE ESSENCE

19 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

16. Bhakti yoga

20 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

(The Path of Perfection : Chapter 8: Failure and Success in Yoga )

PREACHING IS THE ESSENCE

The devotee's interest is to actively preach Kåsëa consciousness:

21 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

17. Vyuha 2 - Karma

22 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

18. Rules and regulations

23 | P a g e ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bengaluru

On Ekädaçé day, one should increase one's chanting of Hare Kåñëa

Teachings of Lord Caitanya Chapter 12