This evening Srila Gurudeva started his class by talking about Srila Prabhupada and Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Maharaja.

"Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja came to Eastern and Western countries in such a short time, and preached bhakti everywhere. But after he had entered aprakata-lila devotees became so weak because no advanced sadhu-sanga was there. So, lacking this, bhakti began to dry up. Srila Svami Maharaja saw that the devotees who are kanistha wanted to progress but gradually they were going to dry. So I think that he mercifully inspired me to go everywhere. He has given seeds of bhakti, he has made a very good platform, otherwise persons like myself have not done anything. You are only hearing due to his mercy. He wrote so many books so that new devotees could understand bhakti, the supreme personality of Godhead, and how we can be happy in this and future life. I see everywhere I go the good platform which he created. The numbers are few, but we are satisfied. I am also so much indebted to Gour Govinda Maharaja. He was a pure vaisnava, a very pure vaisnava. He wanted to serve Srila Prabhupada, but so many obstacles came, so much, from all round he was hindered, so at last he left this world. But he was so bold and he stressed so much on vaisnava sanga, and that is why almost all his disciples are associating with me. So I'm also indebted to him. I know that such vaisnavas cannot die. They have crossed birth and death. When they see we are preaching the same message they'll give that same mercy to us. You should not be weak, but have the same faith in bhakti. If we do not have sadhu-sanga, then read Srimad-Bhagavatam, Caitanya-caritamrta, Bhagavad-gita. We can associate with them in their absence through their instructions. When, by good fortune we meet the living bhagavat, we should try to listen to him. We have very short time, only two or three days, so you should listen to all, and try to practise. Just as Vyasa heard from Narada, and Sukadeva heard from him. Like this, Svami Maharja also heard from his guru and followed. So try to do this, and don't have doubt."

Then Srila Gurudeva gave a class about the early pastimes of baby Krsna. After he had finished speaking, he instructed Krsnadasa prabhu to sing some bhajanas. Then he asked one of the devotees to hand him a copy of his new song book. After looking through it for a short while, he told us how important it was that we learn these bhajanas by the acaryas, and really understand their profound moods.

"All these bhajanas have a very deep meaning, and, if you know them, then it will really help you. Otherwise, knowing only the basic meaning will help you somewhat, because these are all transcendental words. But if you understand all the words, and the deeper meanings behind them, then you will be so much benefited. (reading out the words of the song 'Yasomati Nandana' by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura) Vraja bara nagara. What is the meaning?"

Devotee: "Top most lover of Vraja."

Srila Gurudeva: "Yes ...but there is more meaning. A daughter may be in a marriage which she never wanted, but which was ordered by her parents. In India, still, the parents will arrange their daughter's marriage. She'll never know who her husband will be until the wedding day. Nowadays these standards are practised much less, which is not so good. Therefore there is so much divorce. This has also started in India now. But in ancient days, it was so solid. So a girl who has married may not love her husband. It may be that there was another whom she loved before in her childhood, so she cannot love her husband now. Similarly, Krsna is not the husband of the gopis, but He is their beloved, nagara, the nagara of the gopis. If Krsna says to the gopis that 'You should obey me because I am like your husband,' then they will reply, 'I am not dependent you. You are not giving me food or lodging. But you are dependent on my love.' So in this way Krsna is under the control of Srimati Radharani. She will order, and He will obey. But in Dvaraka, nagara - nagari relationship will not be there. So if any devotees want to know all these things, then they should have one of these song books, it is very essential for devotional service. In some places I have given explanations, but I could not do so much or it would fall into the hands of unqualified persons. In these words is the essence of all advice, so precious and so deep. You should also try to follow it, it will help you so much. These books should be distributed everywhere so that people will be helped, and again we will print more. The cost is very little for you, and it will help the whole world."

Srila Gurudeva then asked a local guest to sing some bhajanas. Taking a harmonium the man then began to sing very beautifully about Krsna, using his own song sheets. After he had finished we all applauded, and Srila Gurudeva congratulated him warmly, saying: "Very good, but no name of Radha. But it is OK. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would also sometimes not sing the name of Srimati Radharani. But there was a special reason. Do you know? Because He'd taken her mood, He was trying to understand Her love for Krsna. Therefore: 'Hare Krsna Hare Krsna,' Krsna who is so charming, 'Hari Haraye namah Krsna Yadavaya namah,' Who takes the mind and heart of Radha.' But a sadhaka should also sing and chant Radha's name. We are not upasakha to Krsna only. Those who worship Krsna alone are only getting half. It is not possible to accept the sun, but to reject the sun rays, the heat and the light. The sun is a planet and rays, both. So Krsna is like the sun, and Srimati Radharani is like the heat, Both are inseparable. When you'll be a bhakta you'll understand all these things."

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