Today we are reading from Srimad Bhagvatam canto 9, chapter 15, entitled, “Lord’s warrior

incarnation”, text 16-21.

In text 16, the great king Parikshit, is inquiring form Shukadev goswami. The goswami, in previous to
this verse has explained that, Parashuram was a Brahman, was an incarnation of Supreme Lord Vishnu,
was very dissatisfied with the warrior class, kshatriyas. Because of their false pride due to their strength,
their wealth, and their influence over others. He annihilated their 21 generations.

Parikshit is asking, “why?”. If we look personally into this verse, Parikshit Maharaj was a great king and
he was also due to a mistake cursed to die by a Brahman. Traditionally, Brahman are the gurus, they are
saintly. They are giving nourishment of spiritual knowledge and example to the people in general. And
one of the foremost duties of a kshatriyas or those who have political powers is to protect the
Brahmans, protect the cows, protect the women, protect the old, and protect the children. Because,
without such protection society becomes degraded. If there is exploitation of the innocent sections of
society, then the karma of the whole society becomes disastrous. We have read how Parikshit Maharaj
was on excursion in the forest. He happened to come to the ashram of Shamik rshi and something
happened to him that never ever happened before. He became so inundated by thirst. He went to the
ashram of the rshi and asked for some water. But the rshi was in such deep trance of meditation that he
did not even acknowledge the external world. He didn’t know that the king had come. Now obviously
King Parikshit had been thirst before, but because he was a rajarshi a saintly king, whatever the
condition of the body and the world around him, he never lost his soberness. He always behaved
properly. This is the quality of the great soul. Srila Prabhupad, writes in Krsna Book that, “the greatness
of a person has to be evaluated by how that person is able to tolerate provoking situations”. its very rare
to be saintly in ones behavior, when things are going really nice in Kali yuga, but its quite possible. The
test of how deep our realization and our sincerity is provoking situations, temptations of lust,
provocative situations that can make one very angry, envious, greedy. When these obstacles come on
our path, when we resist with integrity, then not only do we get great strength and the grace of God, but
they also exhibit the quality of our sincerity. Now King Parikshit was a saint, why did he become so
disturbed when he was thirsty, it was totally out of his character? Because the Lord, knowing him to be
such an intimate devotee had something that He wanted to do through him. Krsna was staging through
this incident, the most exciting dynamic episode in which the Srimad Bhagvatm could be spoken. In such
a way that it will have a tremendous impact in the heart of all people for all time to come. And He also
wanted to teach many lessons on many levels.

Form a very external point of view, Krsna wanted to teach, “whoever you are, or however great you are
or even if you are the King of the entire planet, you are responsible for your activities. And if you
mistreat someone, you have to pay the consequence. Whether you are the husband mistreating your
wife or a wife mistreating husband or parent mistreating the children, an employer mistreating an
employee or a politician mistreating those under them. Whoever you are, if you are a guru mistreating
your disciple or disciple mistreating your guru, (trying to keep things balanced)(laughter) or the king
mistreating anyone even the animal, you are responsible.” Because the tendency in this world is that
when we take a certain position of authority we get blinded by that authority and we think we can do
whatever we like, but the reality is you cannot. If anyone mistreats anyone there is a consequence no
one is exempt. Very graphic illustration.

King Parikshit was disturbed by this Brahman, the sage. The king comes into his house and because, “ he
is such a great Brahman he has become proud, he doesn’t even give me reception, he doesn’t even
acknowledge. I am thirsty for water, he doesn’t give me a drop of water.” He did something very minor.
He happened to see a dead serpent lying on the ground and with the end of his bow, he lifted it and put
it like a garland a mala over the neck of the sage. It is not so bad, it is not good (laughter). If it was a live
snake it would be really bad (more laughter). Then Shamik rshi came out of his meditation, the king was
already gone and he saw the snake around his neck. He could care less, it meant nothing for him, he
didn’t felt insulted. Its not that he became venomous like a snake, “who has done this, I will destroy him,
who has humiliated my distinction by putting a snake on me.” He just took the snake, “who cares
doesn’t matter”, he was a great sage. But his son Sringi, he had the powers of Brahman but did not have
the maturity. To have power and position without maturity and realization is very dangerous, that is the
great lesson learnt here. And in our life if we are put in the position of power as a parent, as a leader,
spiritual leader, social leader, whatever it may be. Without maturity and realization, we could create
disaster. Shamik rshi was so much absorbed, didn’t care, just dusted of and went back into his
meditation. But Shringi when he heard, what had happened to his father, he cursed king Parikshit to die
in 7 days by the bite of snake. What goes around comes around, you were playing with a snake, now you
are going to die by a snake, not an ordinary snake. Now Parikshit heard this and he had no fear and he
had no anxiety. He felt nothing wrong against Shringi, he felt, I did something wrong, I am responsible.
This is an opportunity to fix my mind for next 7 days on Krsna. Then he went to the banks of Ganges and
there Shukadev Goswami came with all the other sages of the world to help him remember Krsna by
speaking Srimad Bhagvatam. And here in the 9th canto, it is several days hearing, he is been told,
Parashuram who was a Brahman annihilated not only one king but 21 generations of king all over the
world. This must have been very interesting to king Parikshit, because was just annihilated by a Brahman
too, when he was a king. He saw it as Krsna. But in this case, the Brahman was Krsna, Parashuram. So he
is was thinking, “what was the offense? I had put a snake on some body, what is this persons offense?”
And we are hearing about the offense in these verses.

Kartaviryarjuna who was a great king of higher dynasty, very powerful man. His guru was an incarnation
of the Lord, Dattatraya, the son of Atri muni, appeared in Chitrakut in the banks of Mandakini Ganga to
Anusuya, the most chaste women. So here is Kartaviryarjuna, taking guidance and receiving blessing
from an avatar Dattatryaya. And what benediction did he want, he wanted a thousand arms so that no
one could defeat him. And he was blessed with that. He was so powerful, he had conquered all 4
directions, amassed tremendous wealth, power, fame, everything a materialistic person wants, he had it
all. And because he had all of that he was surrounded by the most beautiful women in the world, who
were willing to do anything for him. He was travelling around and he came… And we are reading today a
person very similar to Kartavryarjuna, his name was Ravan. They were contemporaries, because we read
that Ram meet Parashuram after breaking the bow of Shiva. And as we read of Parshuram meeting with
Ram, here were are reading Ravana meeting with Kartaviryarjuna, who meet with Parshuram. So Ravana
was conquering all directions too. And he (Kartaviryarjuna) decided, whoever he was with, his armies
and ladies, they decided to take nice little holiday on the banks of Narmada river and take their bath.
And then Ravana who was a devotee of Lord Shiva, he had his Shiva Lingam and he set the Lingam on
the banks of the Narmada river to do his puja. And as he was doing his puja, the river flooded over, it
was just swelling higher and higher and higher. It was flooding over the Shiv Lingam and all of the puja
paraphernalia was floating around and flowers were floating around. And Ravan was outraged, whats
happened? Somebody is doing this. He sent some of his soldiers, “find out whats going on.” And they
saw Kartaviryarjuna just to show off to his girlfriends (laughter) he with his arms made a dam that
blocked the whole river, not a drop could get through. The whole river was backing up, backing up,
backing up and flooded up Ravana’s place. He wasn’t doing it to disturb Ravana, he was just doing it to
show off his powers. Ravana could not tolerate anyone disturbing him, so he attacked Kartaviryarjuna. It
was a great fight, they were fighting and fighting and fighting and ultimately Kartaviryarjuna mashed
Ravana on his head, Ravana fell on ground. Kartaviryarjuna tied him up, and brought him to his capital of
Mahispathi and put him in prison. As explained here he tied him up like a monkey. Now Ravana did not
like to be treated like a monkey but that what he deserved. So here he was in prison, according to
Brahmanda Purana for one year. The grandfather of Ravana, Pulatsya muni, he came to Kartaviryarjuna
and they know, if they please great saints…… he got his powers by pleasing Dattatraya. So he honoured
and worhsipped Pulatsya muni. These people don’t offer prayers and respects to sages as long as they
get what they want form them. But if they don’t then they become enemies. So Pulatsya muni said,
“give me my grandson. Free him” And like a monkey, he went down freed him from the prison and said
to him get out (laughter). But from that day on Ravana and Kartaviryarjuna became good friends.
Whatever that means (more laughter). And they would deal with each other and exploit each other
through their friendship, they were allies. So Shukadev Goswami wanted to show how strong and
influencial Kartaviryarjuna was. Should I tell the story? (Hari Bol)

KartaViryarjuna stealing Kamdhenu.

So one day Kartaviryarjuna along with his armies was travelling around to see how the kingdom was.
They came to the Ashram of Jamadagni, Jamadagni was a great Brahman and a great sage, very genuine.
He had no material possessions. He lived in a forest in a little hut . They came to the ashram of
Jamadagni. Jamadagni was a great Brahmin, and a great sage very genuine, no material possession. He
lived in a forest in a little hut with his wife Renuka. He did meditation and did yajna did puja for the
welfare of all the society. He has several sons, the youngest of the son was named Rama, Who later
known as Parasurama. Jamadagni was living very simple life with his family just studying Vedas, teaching
Vedas, engrossed in yoga meditation and performing sacrifices not for himself but for the whole world.
When ka came with his army of soldiers, ministers and well wishers, jamadagniwho is such a good host,
he welcomed the king. He wanted to give a feast to the king and all the soldiers. Within a matter of
minutes in the middle of forest, obviously they do not have stoves like Gauranga prabhu and his team
did during the south india yatra. We know how long it took for the buses to bring the pots, to make fire,
to get the fuel, took weeks and weeks of preparation. He is just living in forest, and Renuka was cooking
for few children, and husband on a little fire. Here the king with his thousands of soldiers who can eat a
lot. I do not whether they eat as much as Brahmacharis. But they do eat a lot, for Brahmacharis Prasad is
very important, they do not have anything else they have holy name and Prasad. So within minutes
there is an incredible feast, dozens and dozens of preparations and each one was cooked in most
aromatic delicious fresh ghee. They were really happy. All the soldiers and king they were eating and
eating however much they eat, jamadagni kept giving more and more, such beautiful hospitality. He
gave them gifts and so many things. Because he wanted to serve according to his capacity. A humble
person is grateful to anyone who does something for him . But a proud person one who is infatuated by
the false ego is unable to really be grateful, they want for themselves. karta asked how is it possible that
jamadagni cooked an incredible feast for us within a matter of minutes and he didn’t even know that we
were coming. Then he was told by his ministers that jamadagni has a cow which is a descendent of
Surabhis , Kamadhenu cow. With this Kamadhenu cow, he is getting ghee specifically for the
performance of yajna, for the pleasure of God and for the spiritual well being of all living beings. This
cow is such a supernatural powerful cow, whatever you desire she can give you. He just told the cow
provide a feast, immediately the feast was made. Srila Prabhupada writes kartaviryarjun is puffed up,
proud by his power, influence, his knowledge, his beauty. Not only that he is a great yogi from a material
perspective, he has mastered eight mystic siddhis anima, lagima, prapthi etc. He can [perform super
natural feats. If he was sitting in this temple room, and if he desired an apple from kulu valley in
Himalayas within seconds prapthi siddhi materializes it, what to speak of power he can conquer the
world. He had incredible knowledge, he has perfected yoga siddhis, he had unbelievable wealth, he was
beautiful. He had hundreds of people who can do anything he said without a question. He was proud,
false pride destroys all one’s good qualities in the eyes of God. So, instead of being grateful to
Jamadagni for doing this wonderful service for him and all of these people, he became, envious he
decided I must have that cow for myself.

Wrath of Lord Parasuram- Killing Kartaviryarjun

Meanwhile the youngest son of Jamadagni parsuram went out for doing some seva. At that time
kartaveeryarjun and his people forcibly stole kamadhenu cow. And Jamadagni could do nothing about
it. And the cow, she loved her master. She loved Jamadagni because he protected her, he cared for her,
he loved her and she loved him and it is reciprocal. She understood that cow kamadhenu she was
honoring her respecting her, protecting her to use the resources what she provided for the welfare of
everyone. She understood this Kartaveeryarjun, was going to steal her and force her to give what she
could give for his own nefarious envious purposes. One is selfless service and other is selfish ego.
Kamadhenu could not tolerate idea that she is going to be exploited rather than protected. For what
she is giving instead of good of everyone, was going just to satisfy the passion of one man. She was
crying, she was screaming out help! help !. And they stole her calf with her. Kartviryarjun and his soldiers
took away right with her calf to their capital Rama returned home and heard what happened. He was
very very disturbed. This cannot be. He was just living like Brahman with his father. But he decided
according to time place and circumastances to have to do the needful. So he was just wearing black dear
skin. He has matted hair. He was sadhu. But he picked up some shield, some bows and arrows and a
parasa, a chopper. He came running out. Went to the capital Mahismati and there he roared out to
kartaviryarjun “ return my fathers Kamadhenu cow and her calf, and we will be friends otherwise, you
will see my wrath”. Kartaviryarjun was so proud. He would not give that cow up. Infatuation. And Srila
Prabhupad explains this story is show us specially how false ego destroys lives . When we get some
material opulence, some knowledge, some strength, some sidhhis, some powers, if we become proud,
our lives are ruined. Lord Chaitanya taught Amanina manadena. Real quality of good person is to offer
all respects to others and they do not expect respects for themselves. Trinadapi sunichena tarorapi
sahisnuna… And to be humble like blade of grass and tolerant like a tree. This is downfall of this great
king. He sent his soldiers out to kill parasuram. He was not going to part with that cow. Then there are
hundreds and thousands of soldiers attacking one man. Parasuram he began to show his promise. It is
described in Srimath Bhagavatham that he was fighting with speed of mind. We all know the speed of
mind some extent. Just like, I came from Mayapur, if I think of Mayapur, I am in mayapur in my mind.
That’s how fast. If we look at moon and think, I want to be on the mooooo..n (laughs’), then you are on
the moon. That’s fast..that is speed of mind. He was fighting for hours at speed of mind. When he got
tired he slowed down to speed of wind. Not a ocean breeze but a cyclone . And he destroyed entire
army and kartaviryarjun was enraged and came out himself with all of his powers , all of his weapons
on a chariot. Parasuram with his chopper took of all of his arms and then his head. Collected
Kamadhenu cow and calf and back to his father.

Jamadagni correcting Lord Parasuram

And told his father this is what happened. Jamadagni is not happy at all. Rather he said to parasuram, “
My dear son, you have unnecessarily killed the king , who has such an important position for citizens of
the world. Thus you have committed great offence. He said my dear son we are all Brahmins. we have
become worshippable to people in general, because of our quality of forgiveness. It is because of this
quality of forgiveness, Lord Brahma the supreme spiritual master of universe, has achieved of his post.
Duty of Brahman is to cultivate the quality of forgiveness which is illuminating like son. Supreme
personality of Godhead Hari is pleased with one who is forgiving. These words have been reverberating
in the hearts of devotees for thousand’s and thousand’s of years. Srila prabhupad quotes chanakya
pandit , that different types of living beings, are considered beautiful because of particular qualities. The
cuckoo bird, is just little black bird. It is not a very pretty bird. But is considered beautiful because of the
song that cuckoo sings. And even a very physically ugly person considered beautiful if they are
knowledgeable. Of ladies quality that is beautiful is her chastity. And a Brahmans quality that makes and
brahman beautiful is his forgiveness. One of the most powerfull attributes that can change world . And
we see this as consistent universal principle in all the great spiritual paths throughout history. In
Christian religion Lord Jesus, he was asked by one of his disciple according to scriptures if someone
assage us seven times we are supposed to forgive them. What do you say? He said if someone offends
you seventy times/ seven times you must for give them. He never spoke it he practiced it. When he was
hanging from crucifix, after being beaten, lashed with whips, put thorn crown on his head, nailed
across his hands feet. Humiliated with harsh words he prayed God please forgive them they do not
know what they do. And in our vaishnav culture we find so many examples. Takur haridas. He was
beaten whipped, blasphemed , spit on dragged by his hair, at 22 market places with intent to kill him.
And whole time he was not praying God save me. He is not praying God punish him. He was praying to
Krishna forgive them. Give them pure love of God. Whatever happens to me is not important. If I have
done anything good for you in my life, then all the credits I have assumed let it all go to forgive them
and give them pure love. That was his prayer when he was beaten in harsh, cruel and violent way. Srila
Prabhupad he was going to forgive us everything and anything if we just open our hearts to receive
Krishna’s grace coming through him. Nityananda prabhu , Madhai tried to murder him by smashing his
head making him bleed but he prayed only to Lord Chaitanya to forgive them , give them you kindness.
And when we read things consistently .

And when we read these things consistently

i) Prahlad, even though is father was doing most horrible things to him he was forgiving to
him.
ii) Dhruva, after he became Krishna conscious, he forgaver all the trespasses.
iii) Ambarish Maharaj was praying for the forgiveness of Dhurvasa Muni.

Again and again why, it’s not just entertainment. When some thing is repeatedly emphasized in the
scriptures, in all scriptures, it means ‘it’s a prominent, important quality that we must cultivate
individually, personal selves, if we want to be dear to the lord.’

Jamadagni is saying here that the Supreme personality of Godhead is pleased with those who are
forgiving

“athah pumbir dvija stresta ……. Toshanam”.

The supreme perfection of our Varna, our ashram, whatever we do in the life, it is success to the degree
we please Krishna and Krishna is most pleased by forgiveness. Because it is the quality of love, it’s a
quality of compassion.

But here we are finding an interesting imbalance, because Parasuram was Lord Himself, and he was not
forgiving to Karthaviryarjuna. He was really taking action against injustice, the mother cow is offended
and He was not going to allow it to happen. So in one side He has taken action against the injustice to
protect the innocent and on the other hand He is been preached to forgiveness. Is it that confusing? It
is, unless we have the maturity to understand what’s happening here. Srila Prabhupada is explaining
through his purports. ’We should have a forgiving heart and at the same time we have to have the
maturity and the understanding to stop injustices, not with a vengeful heart but with a clean heart’.

Punishment is not for punishment sake, punishment is to protect the society, when that has to be done.
But the preference is always to forgive. To make this clear Jamadagnai told Parasuram, “Because you
have made this sin of not forgiving them, you must worship the supreme lord, by going to all the Holy
places” and Parasuram accepted it. He didn’t argue with his father. He didn’t start giving logical
explanation of why it was justified. He understood, “I did wrong. I could have got he cow back by other
means.” You know he could have said that.

So he went on pilgrimage to purify Himself. It is another great lesson

‘How ever great we are if we do wrong we have to rectify ourselves’ another words ‘we have to take
serious responsibility for what we do and what we say in our lives and no one is exempt from that’.

And higher our position and higher our realization spiritually, the more we have to take responsibility,
not the opposite, not that, “Now I have the position, I don’t have to worry about this”. No, you have to
be more responsible.

So Parasuram went on pilgrimage and what is about to happen you will hear in the future Bhagavatham
classes. I don’t want to go beyond this part of the story but it is really tempting. Because it is incredible
what is going to happen.

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Is there any questions

Queation and Answers

Q1) Maharaj regarding lust, even when we are in temple, when a beautiful mataji passes by us,
unintentionally the eyes have seen her, our mind gets disturbed and for the next two days our mind is
lingering over it or our mind is just becoming crazy about it. Is there anything that we can do so that our
mind is not disturbed to such an extent?

A) Hare Krishna, I forgive you for your question.

“vishaya vini …..nivarthathe”

When we see our failures we have to be very serious to take shelter of what will give us higher
experience.

“thani sarvani samyamya …..”. The Bhagavad Gita says us that we must restrain our senses like a
tortoise restrains his limbs into shell when we see ourselves violating the purity of our lives, and at
the same time we have t o fix our mind on Krishna. So we should understand

“dyayatho vishayan ….” The gita says when we contemplate the objects of senses, we develop
attachment for them from such attachment, kama, selfish passion, lust, awakens. When that selfish
passion is frustrated, which eventually it always is, then it becomes anger from anger we loose our
memory of what’s to be done and what’s not to be done. And our intelligence is lost we don’t know
what we are supposed to do anymore and we act in such a way that we fall down to the material
pool, so it begins with contemplation, we can’t change so much the reality of the world around us,
but we can change how we respond to us. This is where we have to train ourselves. Our mind is the
best friend when its is trained and it’s the worst enemy when it is not so when we see something if
we are regularly hearing Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatham associating with devotees. If we are
regularly doing our sadhana, our chating Gods names, doing seva, then we will have the spiritual
strength to resist. The strength may be there but we have to take shelter of the strength. If we are
proud we cannot take shelter. Bible says “Pride comes before the fall. If we are proud we are going
to fall, just a mater of time. We have to be humble and take God helps those who help themselves.
We understand that power of kamadev is beyond us, yes. Even, several examples of great rushis and
sages. So what ever it maybe, what ever type of anartha come us temptations, aversions that can
make us passionate, selfish, egoistic, greedy, angry. What ever provocative situation, we have to say
no. I am not going to give into this, because if I contemplate this it is going to become an attachment
and its going to consume me. So let me take shelter of the higher taste. Come and see the beautiful
form of the deity, take shelter of the beautiful sound of the Holy name, pray to Krishna for strength,
engage you mind in activities that purify your heart rather than in activities that degrade us. And we
have that choice and if we make that choice the situation will make you stronger but if you make
wrong choises that same situation could ruin your life. And that I that symptom of our sincerity that
we make he right choses and when sitautins come understand how small we are, and how much w
really need to take shelter of Krishna in the name in the devotees, in His service. Hare Krishna

Yes Parijata Mataji

Q2) in the SB the characters are outstanding and are usually staged by the lord to teach us some
thing, but in every day real life, in this age, if one is recipient of repeated wrong doings or some
kind of injustice, then what do we do, do we take a humble position and accept it or react, how
do we know what could be the course of our action?
A) The Bhagavatham does not tell us that we must accept the abuse. We have a right to
protect ourselves from abuse. But what he Bhagavatham teaches us is not with
vengefulness, its with a spirit of higher knowledge, we don’t hate the diseased we hate the
disease. If some body is abuseit is that their pure spirit soul is being puldered and exploited
by the disease of ignorance and selfishness. So we don’t have to be exploited by there
expoiltation. We can stand up and protect ourselves, tat is very much a pat of our scriptures.
Even little prahlad, he may not have fought, he may have forgiven for his father, but he took
shelter of Krishna in sucha a way that Krishna is always there to protect him. In the story of
druva maharaj, he was a self realized soul. But when there was a injustice to his brotre he
went out and punished the yakshas. He did the right thing, he had already seen God. Of
course he got little carried away, it jhappens some times even to the great souls, but he did
in the name of dharma not for the selfish reasons. And the pandavas. Arjuna wsa Ok
duryodhana expoilted us, let it be Krishna said no you have aright to fight but he spoke
whole BG so that when arjuna was fighting, he was fighting with compassion. He had no
selfishness he had no ege he was ightig in knowledge. So our Krishna Conciousness takes us
to the higher state of consciousness. But we should not stand for people who are exploiting
ourselves or other. Not necessary. But when the expolitain is resolved we should forgive.
That s the vaisnave standard .. that answer yu question.
That the balance betewwn Jamadagni and parasuram .

Q3) Hare Krishna Maharaj. This is the doubt that I gt about the varnasram I got from the
class. In ISKCON we are doing somuch to develop a class of brahmanas and wedo have also.
We do have vaisya we do business for Krishna and donating and we do have the woking
class who just likes to serve, but when it comes to kshtriya, when ever some passion is
shown, immediately that is stopped. Towards the development of the kshatriya class in pur
society, I don’t know how it should be done?
Secondly , each devotees is expected to act in four varnas, he should be Brahmin also he
shold be having service attitude also also he should be working for Krishan . so is it that the
single devotee has to fit into all the four varnas.

A) You are making such a simple thing into such a complicated. ‘jivera svarupa hoi
krishnera nitya das’. Being the servant of the servant is the essences of every varna and
every ashram. Yes we are all servant that is our eternal identity. The Brahman is suppose
to serve the whole society by giving spiritual direction. The kshatriya is suppose to serve
the society by ging protection. The vaisya is suppose to serve the society by providing
food and trade and the necessities of life. And sudra is supposed to serve the society by
assisting, whatever the way they have the capacity to do. Its lie a body there should be
no false ego that is he most important thing. And that means in the body you have legs
you he arms and you have a mouth you have ahead and yo have a eyes you have
stomach yes . is there any competition between them, who is better who has higher
right all the stuff of capitalism no communism and socialism, different sectors of society,
they want power. But in the healthy society everyone is co-operating for the body of the
whole society. Are the eyes thinking that these feet are so much low smelly creatures
who care for them. No, the eyes need the feet because you are seeing where o go but
the feet takes you there, they are working together. Is the mouth thinking “belly is the
lazy guy I am doing all the chewing and it enjoys it’ no. the mouth is providing for the
stomach and the stomach is providing for the mouth. Is the head thinking I am the
highest part of the body, I am giving direction, who care for the rest of the body let me
exploit’? Head is working with the arms with the legs with belly with everything.
According to the varnasrama dharma every responsibility is responsibility of the same
body, all working together without ego for body.

Not that one is better than the other. From a spiritual perspective, what’s better is what’s
done with love. Therefore Lord Chaitanya said

Naham vipro na ca nara patir na pi vaisyo na sudro

I am not a brahmana or a Ksatriya or a Vaisya or a Sudra, not a Brahmacari, Grhastha,

Vanaprastha or Sannyasi,
Gopi bhartur pada kamalayor, das das dasanudas

I am just a servant of the servant of the servant of Krsna, the lord of the Gopis. This is the
essence of Varnasrama Dharma, where everyone is feeling themselves as the servant of
the servant of the servant and according to their natural skills, their inclinations, they are
performing their service! Properly! Proper Training in that mood of the servant of the
servant.

So yes. There are Ksatriyas in our society also. Definitely. For all the varnas and the
ashrams, we all need to be trained how to perform them properly in the spirit of a
Vaishnava. Because Daivi Varnashram is what will make us properly purified. We are all
doing it for Krsna. And the service attitude is really the basis of the training. Because we
see in the story and so many other stories. Ravana was a Ksatriya. Yes? Hiranyakasipu.
They may have been born in Brahman families, but they were Ksatriyas. Yes?
Kartaviryarjuna was a Ksatriya. So the nature of people who have political power and
physical strength, the tendency is that they become very proud. They start thinking in
terms of I and mine. And that corrupt everyone.
So Parasurama was a great Brahmana who took the role of a Ksatriya wanted to teach
the world the lord cannot tolerate exploitative false ego from anyone, especially those
who are having power. So, Srila Prabhupada wanted Varnashrama Dharma to be
eshtablished on the foundation of Vaishnava Principles. That’s so important. So training
is there. Training should be there. In order for any society there has to be people who
protect. To know how to fight. To protect the innocent. There has to be people who know
how to administrate and to organize.these are Ksatriya qualities. So, those physical skills
are required. But there’s already so much that is going on in the world, even within our
society. The great need is that spiritual vision, the divine qualities that make a Ksatriya a
real a servant of God, a Brahman a servant of God. But it is true, we read this.
Mahabharata, Ramayana, Srimad Bhagavatam. Many of the greatest problems in the
histories of the world are proud Ksatriyas. Yes? Haribol! So I know you are a
Ksatriya(Laughter). Just be a humble servant of the servant. Don’t exploit anyone. Yes?
We know there’s many lessons. If Ravana would have listened to his wife Mandodari we
would have been worshipping him today!(Laughter). We are hating him. So, you have to
be humble. Does that answer your question?

We may have to be forceful but it should be with a humble heart. That’s Bhagavad-Gita’s
teaching. And when Ksatriyas are guided by those who have spiritual realization,
Brahamans, then their combination is for the social and spiritual welfare of everyone.
Once Srila Prabhupada was asked, if we take over the world, will you be our king?
And Prabhupada said “No. I will be the Guru for the King!”(Laughter). So, we need to
know our position how we can best serve. Not artificially trying to do something else.

One more question? Yes

Sri Chaitanya Charan Prabhu: Hare Krsna Maharaja.

Q. You are mentioning in connection with Srngi that having power and position without
maturity and realization can be dangerous. So sometimes Maharaja we may get a
responsible service because we have the material talents to do that. But we may not
have the necessary spiritual advancement and realization, maturity to be able to take up
that service. So, now if we don’t take up the service the mission doesn’t spread. But if we
take up the service, by our talents we may be able to do it, but because of the lack of
Maturity, advancement, we may create some problems also. So, in such situations, how
can we make a decision?

A : By being honest. To be honest means, my only qualification is that Srila Prabhupada

and those who are his loving servants are giving me this service. That’s my qualification.
Not that I am great. Not that I am a Brahman and I can guide. Or I am a Ksatriya and I
can be a leader. Or I am author and I can write. Or I am a garland maker and I can make
good garland. Krnsa doesn’t care about what you speak. He doesn’t care how beautiful
your garland is. When you are making he doesn’t care how beautifully you dress the
deity. He cares about our spirit of our respect to others. This is all important.
If you take the example of the garlands, if the garland makers are fighting over who gets
the best flowers, or not respecting each other, you may make a garland which is so
beautiful to the eyes, but for Krsna it’s like a snake that Pariksit Maharaja put on Samika
Rsi. If you have any envy in your heart or disrespect for anyone else when you are
making a garland, to Krsna it’s a venomous snake you are putting on him. He never see
the flowers. Of course he wants to see you make the garland the best you can because
that’s the worship. But what do we constantly hear about deity worship? A Kanista
adhikari is one who wants to please the deity, but does not respect the devotees or the
common people. It doesn’t please Krsna. Are we doing it for some ritualistic purpose or
we are doing it to please Krsna? Krsna is pleased by the environment of respect, of
humility, of appreciation and of love. Krsna is pleased by sharing our hearts and trying to
help each other by doing good, not being the best at the cost of someone else. Any
materialist is like that. Who cares? If you are chanting Hare Krsna and you are like that,
what is that you are really learning? It’s the culture of vaisnavism that makes a temple
wonderful. It’s the culture of Vaisnavism that pleases Krsna! Srila Prabhupada told a
story of two disciples massaging their Guru, and they had antagonism toward each other.
So, one was massaging, they were both massaging the guru the best they possibly can
from each side. One had one side, one had another. Every now and then a person will
secretly reach over the other person’s side and scratch. And another would secretly stab
the guru(Laughter). So, is the Guru happy? But that’s an example that is real in our life.
Srila Prabhupada Said you show your love for me by how you cooperate with one
another, and cooperation means respect. Cooperation means we are there for each
other. We want to help each other. Devotional service is not your Property. Devotional
service is a privilege been given to you by Krsna and the Vaishnavas.

Sarva Loka Maheswaram

Nothing is mine! If you think that this is my service, then you miss the whole point of
Bhakti. It’s a privilege, it’s an honor that you have to be grateful for. And that means we
accept it with humility and respect. We are supposed to be proud. It’s I am better than
you therefore I deserve the best. What kind of Bhakti is that? If I am better than you, then
I should be providing for you so you could do better! That’s Bhakti. And that should be in
every way. Whether it is cooking or making garlands whether we are dressing the deities
whether they are preaching. If you are preaching to ten thousand people eloquent katha
and you are thinking you are better than the person who is cleaning the pots, that means
that you do not understand a word that you are saying.
Not that he one is better than the other. From the spiritual perspective what is better is
what is done with love. Therefore chaitanya maha prabhu said “ naham vipro…….”