Srila Gurudeva's Visit to Singapore
  		    	November 1998
                 (report written by Sridam Sakha prabhu)

	We arrived in Singapore late in the evening on 29th November. 
The person who was hosting Srila Gurudeva and his immediate party is 
named Elangovan Raju, and he was assisted in this by his sister, 
Taruni devi dasi, who is Srila Gurudeva's initiated disciple. 
Elangovan prabhu has spent up to twenty years in military service. 
Simply from his experience of having met Srila Gurudeva briefly last 
year at Mr Gupta's appartment(who was out of Singapore this time) 
Elangovan prabhu had become inspired to offer his unreserved 
hospitality to Srila Gurudeva and party. Thanks to his simple 
hearted kindness, and the welcoming spirit of his friends and family 
a warm mood was generated which contributed greatly to making the 
programmes and events of Singapore such a success. Unfortunately, 
due to some miscommunication, our hosts had Not been aware that all 
20 of us or so would be arriving late that evening, and there was
an initial flurry of confusion and dismay caused by this. 
Neverthess, they kindly accomodated all of us, and Urukrama and 
Prana Govinda prabhus made proper arrangements the next day for the 
remainder of our visit.

	Srila Gurudeva first spoke on the evening of the following day. 
He started by expressing his happiness to be back in Singapore, and 
then went on to ask the question of why one should do bhajana, 
especially if one possesses much wealth, aristocratic birth, a 
beautiful wife and children. He then called on Pundarika prabhu to 
explain, who proceeded to very articulately give many reasons to 
illustrate why worldly happiness is really not happiness at all. All 
material facilities are temporary, and even if one possesses them, 
it still may well be that one is unable to take advantage of them. 
For instance, one may be diabetic, and therefore unable to indulge 
his taste for sweet food. The many friends who flock around a 
wealthy person, flattering him, are in fact only interested in what 
they can extract from him. Therefore, by the possession of wealth, 
one becomes isolated from being able to have true friends, and 
trusts no-one. Pundarika prabhu then told a sobering story about a 
wealthy man who lived in Bombay to illustrate this. A disciple of 
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura went to this man's house to 
try and arrange a meeting, but was told by one of his servants that 
it was not possible. When this devotee persisted, the rich man, 
thinking that this sadhu was only trying to get some some money out 
of him gave a few hundred rupees to his servant and told him to 
give it to the sadhu, and to send him on his way. When the devotee 
declared that he was not interested in money, and this message was 
relayed by the servant to his master, the master told the servant 
to give the devotee a couple of thousand rupees instead and to again 
tell him to leave. However, even when the rich man learned from the 
servant that the sadhu *didn't* want money, the rich man still 
refused to see him, and, eventually, the devotee left. A year 
later, the devotee happened to pass in front of the same house 
again, and he noticed a haggard looking figure selling some cheap 
commodity outside. Drawing close, the devotee could understand that 
this was the same man whom he had tried to meet one year before. 
Approaching him, he asked the man, who had lost everything due to 
some business calamity, whether he recognized him. At first the man 
was unable to do so, but when the devotee reminded him, he 
remembered everything. Now that his wealth, and the false barriers 
it had created were gone, he was very willing to hear from this 
devotee, and, in due course, he then took up the path of bhakti 
himself. Otherwise, his wealth had prevented him.

	Srila Gurudeva then asked Prema Prayojana prabhu to speak. Prema 
prayojana prabhu started by reciting the verse labdhva sudurlabham 
idam bahu sambhavante explaining how the human form of life, 
although temporary, affords us the valuable opportunity to awaken 
our Krsna consciousness. Therefore we should quickly utilize all of
our time and energy to realize this goal and not divert our valuable 
energy into the quest for sense enjoyment which comes automatically 
by the law of karma without any endeavour. Although one may have 
all material facilities no-one can enjoy them alone. Therefore our 
real necessity lies in a relationship of love and affection. Krsna is
supremely pure so if we make Krsna the object of our love, then our 
love will be pure. Without this pure love no-one can be satisfied. 
Rather, all are suffering the threefold miseries at the hands of 
maya simply because of forgetfulness of Krsna. So by doing bhajana 
of Krsna under the guidance of sad guru and vaisnavas simultaneously 
the sufferings due to maya will be completely vanquished and our 
perfect eternal loving relationship with Krsna will be awakened. 

	Continuing on these themes, Srila Gurudeva then described how 
Ravana had dwelt in a palace made of gold, a standard of opulence 
unimaginable by today's standards. However, not satisfied by his 
unlimited material facilities, he tried to steal Sita-devi herself, 
and was killed by Lord Ramachandra. Hiranyakasipu was so powerful 
that Vayu the god of air was sweeping his palace, and Indra and all 
of the other demigods were serving him. This demon was feared even 
by Sankara and Brahma. He could not be killed in water, in sky or 
earth, in day or night, by demons or demigods or in any year or 
month. But still, he was killed by Nrsimhadeva. Napoleon was so 
powerful, he wanted to be the lord of all. He tried to conquer 
Russia by crossing over the Alps, but he was defeated and taken 
prisoner. Because his enemies feared him so much, they put him in 
an iron cage, and threw him into the ocean where he was drowned. So 
no materialist can be happy. Simply by talking to him one can 
understand this. Hiranyakasipu was feared by all except for one 
person, Prahlada Maharaja, who feared no-one. Therefore a cold war 
existed between father and son. Everybody was on the side of 
Hiranyakasipu, sharing his demonic habits of eating flesh, smoking 
and drinking wine. Seeing that Prahlada was so different they 
thought that he must be mad or stupid, and therefore sent him to 
school to be educated. In what? To make money, to be strong and to 
cheat and control others. This is the general ambition of most 
people, so therefore they admire demons. The teachers of Prahlada 
were named Sanda and Amarka. What do these names mean? Sanda, angry 
like a bull and Amarka, darkness. So they cannot teach us anything 
else. If we do not practice bhajana, then duplicity and politics is 
all we will learn. In this world nothing is true.  However, if we 
say to the atheists and materialists "but God is true" then they 
will not agree. They have not seen God. But if we will say that 
death is true, then everyone must accept this. And what is also 
true is suffering. No-one can deny this either. We see the 
president of Indonesia, Suharto. He ruled for 25 years, enjoying 
so much sense gratification, giving so much wealth and position to 
his family members, thinking he was the monarch of all. But he was 
defeated by little boys …students, they made a revolution, and 
forced him out. There was a beautiful princess, Diana, she had all 
wealth, aristocracy, and she married Prince Charles. But neither 
were satisfied. He went to another woman, and she went to another 
man, one muslim. And Clinton also. He had everything, but still he 
wanted love and affection from another, very young, and now he 
will be forced to lose his position. Whatever we think of in life 
and at the point of death, we will go to that. One of my disciples 
in Delhi, Somnathji, he was telling me that one businessman was 
staying with him in Delhi for some time. This man is from England, 
very wealthy, and he has four horses and five dogs. Afterwards 
Somnath was telling me that this devotee was so worried for his 
animals, that he was ringing to England every day to see if they are 
OK. But, if you will think of dogs, then you will be dog in next 
life. 

	Prahlada Maharaja, he was telling his school friends that they 
should start to engage in bhajana. So they told him that "Oh, we 
can start when we are older. Now we are young, so let us play 
instead." But death may come at any time. It is not in our control. 
I know one lady, very beautiful, she was pregnant for 6 months but 
then some problem came. So she had to go to hospital, there was 
surgery, and her baby boy was taken out, dead. This is one example. 
Or another person he may be one hundred years old, one hundred and 
forty, with very serious disease, but still death does not come, 
for so long. 
	
	Then the friends of Prahlada said that in life we have to learn 
how to make money. Prahlada said to them that by karma wealth will 
come, also reputation and food. There was once a very religious boy, 
and he decided that he must give up family life, and go to do 
bhajana in Vrndavana. But, soon after he had left his village, he 
started to worry about how he was going to get any food or lodging, 
and, becoming weak, could not make up his mind what to do. Just then, 
a bird's egg fell out of a tree and landed in front of him. The shell 
had broken, and the baby started to come out, making sound: "cheh 
cheh". it was blind, no feathers, it was so hungry, but mother was 
not there. Then one small, very soft insect, fly, came and became 
stuck in the liquid coming from the egg. The more the fly was 
moving, the more it became entrapped, and, in a ball of liquid, it 
came automatically into the mouth of the baby bird. When the boy saw 
this, he realized how Krsna is arranging everything, and he got his 
courage back again, and left for Vrndavana. 

	Continuing with relating the teachings of Prahlada Maharaja, 
Srila Gurudeva described how the allotted one hundred year human 
life span is gradually whittled away by sleep, in youth up to the 
age of twenty, struggling with disease in old age, and, the time 
spent absorbed working hard in family life. Then, referring to the 
opulent surroundings of the apartment in which he was speaking and 
staying, he remarked: "most people could not meet this standard". On 
either side of him were two 5 foot high, ornate, South Indian style 
gold coloured ghee lamps, and, behind him, from floor to ceiling, 
about ten foot across, was an inspiring photo poster of the surging 
waters of a pine forest brook. Just opposite to his makeshift 
armchair vyasasana was an impressive display of high tech 
stereophonic equipment. Atop one of the speakers was a hefty three 
foot intricate teak carving of a majestic looking pair of eagles. 
Moving his hand in their direction, Srila Gurudeva said: 
"Just see -- Garuda is here". Then, turning slightly, and indicating 
the oversized poster behind him he added humorously: "and Yamuna is 
flowing." Then, nodding at an attractive vase to his right, filled 
to overflowing with a multi coloured array of exquisite silk flowers 
he continued: "Beautiful decorations are here". Srila Gurudeva then 
said to us that because Elangovan prabhu was hosting all of us so 
wonderfully, that he must be repayed ­ but not by money, by kirtan. 
When the kirtan had finished, Srila Gurudeva handed out bananas to 
all the devotees and guests present. A foot bathing ceremony was 
then carried out accompanied by kirtana. 

*******************************************************************

	The next day, Srila Gurudeva was taken by Elangovan prabhu to a 
nearby park for his morning walk. Although the surroundings were 
very beautiful, he found the uphill winding track to be somewhat 
taxing, preferring the Singaporean beach strolls of last year. As a 
man walking a dog passed by, Srila Gurudeva asked the devotees what 
the man would have done if someone attacked the dog. Elangovan 
prabhu then replied that he would protect the animal. Then Srila 
Gurudeva asked what a man with his dog would do if a larger man 
with a larger dog attacked them both. "They would run away" came 
the reply. Similarly, Srila Gurudeva replied, Krsna, Who can create 
or destroy unlimited universes in less than a second can and will 
most surely support, protect and nourish us in every way if we 
become His dog. 

	Later on that morning during a short class, Srila Gurudeva asked 
Prema prayojana prabhu to define saranagati, surrender. Quoting 
from the Caitanya caritamrta, Prema prayojana prabhu recited the 
verse:
			anukulyasya sankalpah
			pratikulyasya varjanam
			raksisyatiti visvaso
			goptrtve varanam tatha
			atma-niksepa-karpanye
			sad-vidha saranagatih
explaining what the six items of saranagati are. Firstly one must 
accept those things favourable to devotional service, and secondly 
one must reject those which are unfavouable. One should have the 
conviction that Krsna will give one full protection, one should 
accept Him as one's Lord and maintainer, and one should be meek and 
humble not craving for honour, in full self-surrender. Saranagati is 
the door to bhakti so one may be hearing and chanting but if he is 
not surrendered he cannot enter the realm of bhajana. Under the 
fifth item, accepting the Lord as one's maintainer, Srila Gurudeva 
returned to his morning walk example of the master and his dog. He 
explained that one of the parts of saranagati was to attack and 
defeat those who preached against bhakti such as sakhi-bekhis, 
sahajiyas and mayavadis, just as the faithful dog will attack one 
who acts against his master. Srila Gurudeva then asked Nanda kisora 
prabhu to speak about Srila Rupa gosvami. Being caught off guard, 
Nanda kisora prabhu spoke haltingly at first, looking at Srila 
Gurudeva all the while. 
	"Don't look at me like I am an examiner!" Srila Gurudeva chided 
him. "Speak to all, very strongly."
	"But I am very nervous" replied Nanda kisora prabhu.
	"Don't worry" said Srila Gurudeva, "just think that they are 
like trees or creepers and don't know anything."
	
	Srila Gurudeva proceeded to put the rest of us on the spot with 
the same question, going from person to person. Brajanath prabhu 
ultimately spoke at some length on the life and teachings of Srila 
Rupa gosvami to the satisfaction of Srila Gurudeva. Srila Gurudeva 
then insisted that a rather reluctant Vrndavana Vilasini didi speak 
about Srila Raghunath das gosvami. After a little arm-twisting from 
Srila Gurudeva, she then proceeded to give an eloquent and 
comprehensive explanation of his life story. When she reached the 
point in her account where Srila Raghunatha das gosvami left his 
family, Srila Gurudeva then pointed out that we know very little 
about Srila Raghunatha das gosvami's wife. Nowhere do we read that 
he ever spoke anything about her. He then said that if anyone enters 
renounced life, but then reminisces about his former wife, saying 
"she was so  beautiful", then he will surely fall down. However, if 
we must marry, then we should find someone who can help us in our 
spiritual lives. But, he went on, those who are a little more 
advanced will reject marriage like stool. Srila Gurudeva then asked 
what reaction would come to a person who committed suicide, to which 
the devotees replied that one would become a ghost. Then Srila 
Gurudeva mentioned that Srila Raghunatha das gosvami had also made 
a plan to commit suicide after the disappearance of Sri Caitanya 
Mahaprabhu, Sri Svarupa Damodara and Sri Gadadhara pandita, and 
asked us if that was wrong. He then gave the answer, saying that 
non-devotees plan to kill themselves because their material desires 
have become frustrated, but that in the case of  Srila Raghunatha 
das gosvami his desire was prompted by an intense mood of 
separation. Therefore, Srila Gurudeva said, one should not 
criticize a pure devotee on the grounds of a superficial 
interpretation of his words or actions, but rather understand the 
mood in which he is doing it. Srila Gurudeva then explained to us 
that bhajana begins when one starts to experience feelings of 
separation. Until then, one is merely performing sadhana, or not 
even that, rather an abhasa, a semblance of sadhana. He went on to 
explain that the six processes of saranagati are not bhakti 
themselves, but rather they are the negative injunctions without 
performing which bhakti cannot be attained. It is the door of 
bhakti.

	While we were in Singapore, we were honoured to have the 
presence of H.H. Hrsikesa Maharaja with us. He is a diksa disciple 
of Srila Prabhupada, and sannyasa disciple of Srila Bhakti Raksaka 
Sridhara Maharaja. H.H. Hrsikesa Maharaja had spent some time with 
us during our Vraja mandala parikrama, filming, and he now filmed 
the classes and darsanas which were being given by Srila Gurudeva. 
Since H.H. Hrsikesa Maharaja is very active in producing the 
magazine "Vishva Vaisnava Raja Sabha", Srila Gurudeva asked whether 
he would be willing to help him in producing his publications. "If 
you will order me" H.H. Hrsikesa Maharaja replied, to which Srila 
Gurudeva laughed, twisting his hand back and forth in a circular 
motion. In particular, Srila Gurudeva explained how he was anxious 
that his Bhagavad-gita be printed as soon as possible, because he 
knew that it would help many, many people very much. In his book he 
has translated the commentaries of Srila Visvanath Cakravarti 
Thakura and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and then given his own 
explanations of them too. Afterwards, H.H. Hrsikesa Maharaja told 
me that Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Maharaja had said that these 
commentaries of Srila Visvanath Cakravarti Thakura were the highest 
conceptual ones to be found among all Gaudiya vaisnavas. 

	That evening Srila Gurudeva spoke for some time. Returning again 
to the theme of saranagati, he explained how the devotee must depend 
upon Krsna for everything. If any danger comes, we should think, oh, 
Krsna has promised me all protection, so nothing to fear. He then 
told the story of how Srila Rupa and Sanatana gosvamis left worldly 
association to engage in pure devotional service. First of all, 
Srila Rupa gosvami and his brother Anupama went to their village and 
gave half of their wealth to the brahmanas there. Why? Because one 
should only keep that which is helpful for one's bhakti. Wealth is 
not, and nor is the association of those who are attached to 
worldly life. Even if the king is favourable, and loves us so much, 
still it is an obstacle, and should be given up. Even if our mother 
loves us, or even the whole nation, then still these are obstacles 
and must be renounced. So at first Srila Rupa gosvami gave up the 
nawab(king), then his family, and then he gave one quarter of his 
wealth to his family, especially so that it could be used for the 
education and care of Jiva, who was still a baby. After this, Srila 
Rupa gosvami entrusted the remaining quarter to a shop keeper, to be 
given secretly to Srila Sanatana gosvami, so that he would be able 
to bribe his way out of jail. We see that bribes are everywhere in 
India, Indonesia, and also in a very big form in England and 
America. When Srila Sanatana gosvami offered the jailer 7,000 gold 
coins, the jailer said, "Oh, I cannot go against the nawab", so 
Srila Sanatana gosvami increased the amount to 10,000 coins. When 
the jailer saw this big pile, water came from his mouth, and he 
took it at once. So Srila Sanatana gosvami was able to leave, and 
took one servant with him called Isana, who secretly kept 8 gold 
coins with him. After Srila Sanatana gosvami had given seven of them 
to the leader of some dacoits who then helped them to cross a dense 
forest on their way to Benares, Srila Sanatana gosvami told Isana 
to leave his association, and to take the one remaining gold coin 
with him. Although Isana was weeping to stay, Srila Sanatana 
gosvami refused to allow him to come, because he knew that it would 
cause further problems. This coin was bad association, and so was 
Isana, being attached to wealth, so he gave them both up. Later on, 
after he had met with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Sanatana 
gosvami gave up the fine blanket he had received from his uncle, and 
so Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became very pleased with him. 

	Tugging at his sleeve, Srila Gurudeva said that if it was a 
source of  attachment, then it should also be given up. Similarly, 
our families, even our bodies should be renounced. The gopis also 
say that they want to give up their bodies, because they have no 
attachment to Krsna. In the beginning we can worship devas like 
Durga, Ganesh or Kali, it may be useful, but one day we will have to 
give it up. We can do arcana of Rukmini, Rama, or Hanumana, but if 
you want Vraja prema, then you will have to give it up also. You can 
worship Gopisvara mahadeva, Girirajaj, and Yamuna but not others if 
you want one-pointed Vraja prema. You may have so much love for 
Krsna as your son, but if you want to love Him like gopis, then even 
this will have to be given up. There are so many things which Srila 
Rupa gosvami has given such as bhava virudha, bhava anukula etc. 
Bhakti is what? The essence of the hladini and samvit of svarupa 
sakti. Svarupa sakti is really only one sakti of Krsna, which is 
Radharani, para-sakti, but she is known in so many ways, in so many 
different manifestations. Hladini is the power or energy by which 
Krsna experiences so much joy, and how he gives pleasure to all 
others. And samvit, that is knowledge, which, when refined becomes 
mood, in the form of a relationship. 

	Then, to give an example, Srila Gurudeva pointed at a male 
devotee saying that he knew that this was a human male, which he 
compared to jnana. But if, by service, a relationship came, then the 
person would become one's husband. Srila Gurudeva then said that 
samvit sakti manifests its influence first in the form of jnana, and 
later in the mature stage manifests as a relationship in one of the 
five primary rasas, the peak of which is madhurya. This 
bhakti-lata-bija first manifests as a small particle of svarupa 
sakti in the heart of the jiva in the form of krsna-seva-basana, the 
desire to serve Krsna. When this happens, it is the symptom that our 
lives have become successful. Our constitutional spiritual form is 
eternally present in our heart, but in conditioned stage it is in 
latent position. But when the svarupa-sakti descends into the heart 
then one's constitutional form gradually becomes manifest. Srila 
Gurudeva then gave the following example. When it rains during svati 
naksatra(a certain stellar constellation) if the rain falls on 
oysters then at that time they will produce pearls, if it falls on a 
banana tree then camphor will come, if it falls on the hood of a 
black snake then a jewel manifests, if on the head of elephant then 
gaja mukta, a kind of precious pearl will grow, and if it falls on 
the hoof of a cow then gorucana is produced. It is very precious, 
and is used for sacrifice bamboo bamsalocana. So from the same water, 
a different effect comes. So what makes the pearl come from the 
oyster? 

	Devotee: A combination…

	Srila Gurudeva: Not combination! There is another example. In 
one garden there are so many seeds like tamarind or mango, but they 
all grow into different plants. Garden is same, water is same, 
conditions are the same, but still effect is different. Why? 
Because each seed has its own potency hidden in it. So from guru 
one svarupa-sakti is coming, but according to the different svarupa 
of the disciples, a different consititutional nature is manifesting. 
Some are in sakhya rasa, some are in vatsalya and some in 
madhurya ­ but that is very rare. In madhurya there are 360 parts 
and even each of those are divided into two further parts. jivera 
svarupa haya krsnera nitya dasa. All jivas are the eternal servants 
of Krsna. that svarupa is already there, male, female, the form, 
qualities, the seva, only it has to be illuminated. This is all 
explained by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is a very important and 
high thing, still I know so many even advanced gaudiya vaisnavas 
don't know it. The bhakti-lata-bija is Krsna-seva basana. Many such 
people think that it is sraddha but sraddha is the external symptom 
of bhakti-lata-bija. The mood, desire of one performing seva is 
that "even if anyone cuts me in lakhs of pieces, I'll never give up 
Krsna bhakti. I have a very strong belief in Krsna, guru's 
teachings, Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita." These are the 
symptoms of one serving Krsna. Sraddha is the external symptom of 
bhakti-lata-bija, but in reality the bhakti-lata-bija is the desire 
to serve Krsna in a particular rasa. For one who has good fortune, 
then from the seed already in his heart the bhakti-lata-bija will 
come out. This good fortune is gained by the good impressions one 
receives by association with vaisnavas, and hearing from them. The 
water that nourishes the bhakti-lata-bija is sravanam kirtanam. This 
water, bhakti, is the combination of the hladini and samvit of 
svarupa-sakti. Bhakti is not some imagination, it is composed of 
nine processes. This Srimad Bhagavatam came from Krsna to Brahma, 
from Brahma to Narada, from Narada to Vyasa, Vyasa to Sukadeva and 
so on. So it is coming down originally from Krsna. And bhakti, which 
is the samvit and hladini potencies of svarupa-sakti comes 
originally from Krsna, and down to us through parampara. If anyone 
has association with any qualified vaisnava, then, even though there 
may be so many obstacles of aparadhas and anarthas one can become a 
very good devotee. Just like Jagai and Madai, how they were changed 
by the touch of Haridasa and Nitai. Their tendency for seva was 
already there, but was not manifest until Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu 
sent Haridasa and Nitai. By the love and affection of Haridasa and 
Nitai the original constitutional forms of Jagai and Madai became 
uncovered, as Jaya and Vijaya. So this seed of bhakti as a mood to 
serve Krsna is a latent potency in the heart, but it is covered with 
maya. Why? Because we have accepted maya by the use of our free 
will, our very precious independence. But Krsna has the right to 
punish or bless us according to our activities.  

	Then, looking at one person in particular, he asked:  
	
	"You know in India we call mamsa ­ meat. Do you know the meaning 
of this "meat"? 

	Me ­ eat. To those who we are eating, they will eat me tomorrow. 
She-goats, fishes, if unfavourable you should give it up today! If 
you are blind, not seeing, still, we are seeing." Then Prema 
prayojana prabhu asked: "If a particular mood of seva does not come 
in the heart of the sadhaka, does it mean that the 
bhakti-lata-bija has not been established?

	Srila Gurudeva answered: "The seed is there, but covered. If 
luckily one has vaisnava sanga then one should think that maya is 
going or we should think it has gone, which is why a saint has come 
to me: 
		bhavapavargo bhramato yada bhavej
		janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samagamah
		sat-sangamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau
		paravarese tvayi jayate ratih
			(Srimad Bhagavatam 10.51.53, 	Caitanya caritamrta Madhya 22.84)

	Can you tell whether it is your first time in human body? No, 
the owner does not know. So any chance to remember Krsna should be 
taken or lakhs and lakhs of births will have to pass before another 
chance. That is why Srila Rupa gosvami and others left maya. Krsna's 
mercy comes through guru. Actually Krsna's mercy is the root, 
because it is there in vaisnava. Baladeva is akhanda-tattva guru, 
undivided guru, and He manifests as guru parampara, so mercy is all 
coming from Krsna, Who is jagat guru. Krsna is there as caitya guru 
in the heart, and then he comes as diksa and siksa gurus. Srimati 
Radharani told Krsna that "send someone to my devotee to help him" 
and Krsna, by order of Radha came to Gopa kumar, so Krsna was doing 
all. In guru parampara, those who are actually practising they can 
give their mercy to anyone. Like my guru. But we see so many gurus 
fall down, but how? Does Krsna fall down? No. Siksa and diksa gurus 
are the svarupa and rupa of Krsna, so guru can never fall down. So 
we have to see the symptoms of guru from Caitanya caritamrta, and 
then we will be able to receive the mercy of Krsna, from original 
source. First caitya guru tells a person, "Oh, go to this vaisnava", 
and then the vaisnava will tell him: "You should go to this guru". 
Then, caitya guru in the heart of the guru will say: "Oh, you should 
help him." For general persons these terms siksa and diksa are 
there, but really guru is a high level uttama like Narada muni or 
Sukadeva gosvami. The example for the first stage of uttama adhikari 
is Narada in his previous life. He had a darsana of Narayana, but 
only glimpse, because he was not yet perfected, mukta. Some trace of 
anartha was still there. So, he can be guru, but not fully. (This 
category is called murcita kasaya. Narada still possessed some very 
subtle material desires at this point) Second stage is Sukadeva 
gosvami. There is nothing unwanted in him. No desire for self gain, 
followers, wealth, nothing. (This second category is called nirdhuta 
kasaya, and is the stage of svarupa siddhi) But when Narada was 
moving everywhere in material or spiritual world, then he became 
actually guru. But it is very rare. (This third and highest category 
of uttama is called bhagavat parsada deha prapta. Here, Narada had 
become situated in his eternal spiritual body, at vastu siddhi) So 
Krsna may send one to madhyama guru, who will never fall down, 
although he is not yet parama mukta. But his bhakti sadhana is very 
high, like Bilvamangala, Citraketu, Bharata also. He was at the 
level of bhava bhakti but some unwanted thing was there, he was 
attached to baby deer, he did not fall down, but his bhakti was 
stopped for 3 births. But so many gurus who are not even madhyam 
are actually falling down. They are attached to the three 
w's… do you know? 

	Devotees: Wine, women and wealth.

	Srila Gurudeva: Yes. They think "we are pukka guru" but they're 
not. (to devotee) You want to ask anything?

	Devotee: The svarupa of the jiva is fixed, so who fixes it?

	Srila Gurudeva: It is fixed by svarupa sakti. Who created the 
jivas? Svarupa-sakti.

	Devotee: But it seems unfair.

	Srila Gurudeva: When you follow some vaisnava, and practice 
sincerely, then you will be able to understand it. Only hearing and 
discussing will not do. 

	So my thanks to all the devotees assembled here, but especially 
to the owner, (to Elangovan prabhu) you inspired me so much. I want 
to repay you, but how I don't know, it is very hard for me. So I 
want to give you my transcendental wealth, I think that you will 
soon be prepared for this, only Krsna harinama is my wealth. So in 
seven days we will return. There are so many unwanted obstacles to 
harinama (speaking to all the local devotees) so you should all 
help so that he will be very qualified. (to Elangovan prabhu) I 
think that it is enough time to repair your heart. At this point, 
Elangovan prabhu came forward, bearing a gift for Srila Gurudeva. 
Previously, Srila Gurudeva had remarked on the very fine and rare 
conchshell which Elangovan prabhu had on his altar. Its spiral opens 
on the left side which is very unusual. As he came close to Srila 
Gurudeva's vyasasana, we could see that he was carrying a fine red 
silk cushion with the conchshell on top of it. As he handed it to 
Srila Gurudeva we all spontaneously clapped and cheered. Srila 
Gurudeva then addressed us all, saying that he had had a desire to 
have a conch like this for some time, and had searched in Hawaii, 
Japan, Fiji and America. He then asked Elangovan where he had 
obtained it, and thanked him very graciously. We could see that he 
was very pleased with this devotee's act of surrender, and we were 
also touched to witness it.  

	Class now came to an end, soon after which evening prasada was 
served to all the devotees. Shortly after, most of us left for the 
train station, where we caught an overnight sleeper to Malaysia, the 
next part of the tour. Srila Gurudeva and his immediate party flew 
there early the next day.

--end--

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