ISKCON Salem had been conducting the Bhakti Sastri course from 15th October till 21st November 2009, being led by H.G. Sankirtan Prabhu.
H.G. Sankirtan Prabhu has been involved in teaching the Bhakti Sastri course for many ears but his main activity has been his involvement in preaching in China for more than twenty years now and has been actively involved there from the early days, assisting H.H. Tamal Krishna Maharaj. He is a disciple of H.H. Lokanath Maharaj.
During his stay here in Salem, while conducting the course he began to read Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava, in his free time and was so inspired by it that he would include sections of it in his lectures, examples and analogies and sometimes would stop the class and just speak about what part he was reading. Which was enlightening and inspiring for all of us, and
particularly so for 2 or 3 of the devotees in the class who were also reading the book.
Below are some comments I noted down which he made about the book, in chronological order. His permission was taken for posting this ;
- While discussing Bhagavad-gita, 10.9 (mac-citta mad-gata..), he mentioned that, here the translation for the verse includes Krsna's pure devotee glorifying/preaching about Him (Krsna), so what does that mean?
He said that it doesn't necessarily mean just narrating pastimes of Krsna. He then said that he was reading Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava and the whole book glorifies the absolute truth without narrating Krsna lila. So one could say a lot about the absolute truth (Krsna) without necessarily speaking about lilas.
- Another time we were discussing Bhagavad-gita and he spoke about the book again saying that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava speaks so clearly about what our philosophy is, including what is Bhakti, what is Jnana, what is covered (impure) Bhakti and what is Pure Bhakti. And he also said at that point that if someone was not so 'fixed', then this book 'fixes you' (in the philosophy and practice of Krsna Consciousness by making you more convinced), "without a doubt". And also while discussing so much philosophy it wasn't boring to read.
- "This book will create a revolution in ISKCON, it is powerful preaching and aside from Srila Prabhupada books, I don't think I have seen any other book as powerful as this in ISKCON."
- Another time he was explaining to us how he was reading on what a large scale Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur published newsletters and periodicals and in how many different languages. He said we in ISKCON don't really come close to it today, with the exception of BTG of course. "However at that time", he said all the elite and educated people were reading these publications and they really thought highly of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur." He also said how we should do this in ISKCON also, preach more by writing. Srila Prabhupada had set up BTG in such a way that only a small percentage comes from direct writings and transcribed recordings of Srila Prabhupada while most of it should come from writings from his followers.
H.G. Sankirtan Prabhu has been involved in teaching the Bhakti Sastri course for many ears but his main activity has been his involvement in preaching in China for more than twenty years now and has been actively involved there from the early days, assisting H.H. Tamal Krishna Maharaj. He is a disciple of H.H. Lokanath Maharaj.
During his stay here in Salem, while conducting the course he began to read Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava, in his free time and was so inspired by it that he would include sections of it in his lectures, examples and analogies and sometimes would stop the class and just speak about what part he was reading. Which was enlightening and inspiring for all of us, and
particularly so for 2 or 3 of the devotees in the class who were also reading the book.
Below are some comments I noted down which he made about the book, in chronological order. His permission was taken for posting this ;
- While discussing Bhagavad-gita, 10.9 (mac-citta mad-gata..), he mentioned that, here the translation for the verse includes Krsna's pure devotee glorifying/preaching about Him (Krsna), so what does that mean?
He said that it doesn't necessarily mean just narrating pastimes of Krsna. He then said that he was reading Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava and the whole book glorifies the absolute truth without narrating Krsna lila. So one could say a lot about the absolute truth (Krsna) without necessarily speaking about lilas.
- Another time we were discussing Bhagavad-gita and he spoke about the book again saying that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava speaks so clearly about what our philosophy is, including what is Bhakti, what is Jnana, what is covered (impure) Bhakti and what is Pure Bhakti. And he also said at that point that if someone was not so 'fixed', then this book 'fixes you' (in the philosophy and practice of Krsna Consciousness by making you more convinced), "without a doubt". And also while discussing so much philosophy it wasn't boring to read.
- "This book will create a revolution in ISKCON, it is powerful preaching and aside from Srila Prabhupada books, I don't think I have seen any other book as powerful as this in ISKCON."
- Another time he was explaining to us how he was reading on what a large scale Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur published newsletters and periodicals and in how many different languages. He said we in ISKCON don't really come close to it today, with the exception of BTG of course. "However at that time", he said all the elite and educated people were reading these publications and they really thought highly of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur." He also said how we should do this in ISKCON also, preach more by writing. Srila Prabhupada had set up BTG in such a way that only a small percentage comes from direct writings and transcribed recordings of Srila Prabhupada while most of it should come from writings from his followers.
- We were discussing the 'isa-vasya" principle from the first mantra in Sri Isopanisad and how one effect of applying this principle to the whole of society would be the gradual decline of false gurus. In that regard he began to speak about how in part 3 of the publication (SBV) there was a whole section on what a Guru is, what he is supposed to do and a whole explanation of Caste Goswami's and how they conduct their 'racket' in society. He said he had never read about it in such detail anywhere and was surprised about the scale of their involvement in society as well as the details about how they operate..
- When discussing the analogy of the material body being like a boat, the Guru the captain of the vessel and the wind, the Vedic instructions, he read out a section called 'deceitful disciples' from part 3 and suggested we discuss for a few minutes in groups about a sentence therein in which
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur speaks about not having anything to do with one who 'uses a Guru to get to the other side of the river and then abandons him".
- Another time he just brought the book (part 3) and read out the model Bhakti Sastri examination paper in it, while seeing if we could answer those questions. And he mentioned. "They knew so much philosophy, those days."
- In a discussion we had about text 11 of 'The Nectar Of Instruction' regarding the correct attitude towards bathing and residing in Radha Kunda, in which there was some mild differences in opinion among the class, he brought the book and read out a whole section (thereby declaring it as an authority on the subject) in which Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur discusses this point in detail thereby ending all differences among the class.
- He particularly spoke a lot about the Drg Drs vicara of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati and how it was something totally missing in the outlook of devotees generally, and therefore you have some people who are like 'half devotees'.
- Lastly, when we all had turns meeting with him in private regarding our performance and result he mentioned to me how he was once in China and was watching some people playing basketball and he was thinking; how foolish, to waste so much time in an activity totally not meant for Krishna. And then he commented that in order to totally eliminate the sex desire one has to detest any sort of activity which is even subtly gives enjoyment like for example moving your body here and there for no reason (as in sporting activities) and for that this Drg Drs vicara of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur is very instructive.
Of course, there is much more to mention but I just wrote a few of the major points.
In the Bhakti Sastri course all matter is strictly limited to the four books used and also some of Srila Prabhupada's quotes. However it seems that the H.G. Sankirtan Prabhu found this publication, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava to be not only so rich with instructions and teachings relevant for devotees who want to clearly understand/learn the philosophy, but also so authoritative, that he had no qualms about reading out from it and drawing from it certain sections to elaborate on Gaudiya Vaisnava Siddhanta. We even did some discussions in groups on certain issues mentioned in the book to try to understands certain aspects of our philosophy (like; The Spiritual Master).
Thus Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava had a big impact on our Bhakti Sastri course and the learning and solidifying aspects of our Gaudiya Vaisnava philosophy.
The distribution and study of this publication should be encouraged among the devotees especially for the purposes of clearly understanding our philosophy and how it is the highest.
H.D.G. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Goswami Maharaj Prabhupada Ki Jay!
H.D.G. Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Ki Jay!
H.H. Bhakti Vikas Maharaj Ki Jay!
"Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava" ki Jay!
H.G. Sankirtan Prabhu Ki Jay!
Next year, H.G. Sankirtan Prabhu will return to ISKCON Salem to conduct the Bhakti Vaibhava course after Janmasthmi, Krishna willing.
Your servant
Murari Das
http://www.iskconsalem.com/
"Chant Hare Krishna and be happy"
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे
- When discussing the analogy of the material body being like a boat, the Guru the captain of the vessel and the wind, the Vedic instructions, he read out a section called 'deceitful disciples' from part 3 and suggested we discuss for a few minutes in groups about a sentence therein in which
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur speaks about not having anything to do with one who 'uses a Guru to get to the other side of the river and then abandons him".
- Another time he just brought the book (part 3) and read out the model Bhakti Sastri examination paper in it, while seeing if we could answer those questions. And he mentioned. "They knew so much philosophy, those days."
- In a discussion we had about text 11 of 'The Nectar Of Instruction' regarding the correct attitude towards bathing and residing in Radha Kunda, in which there was some mild differences in opinion among the class, he brought the book and read out a whole section (thereby declaring it as an authority on the subject) in which Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur discusses this point in detail thereby ending all differences among the class.
- He particularly spoke a lot about the Drg Drs vicara of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati and how it was something totally missing in the outlook of devotees generally, and therefore you have some people who are like 'half devotees'.
- Lastly, when we all had turns meeting with him in private regarding our performance and result he mentioned to me how he was once in China and was watching some people playing basketball and he was thinking; how foolish, to waste so much time in an activity totally not meant for Krishna. And then he commented that in order to totally eliminate the sex desire one has to detest any sort of activity which is even subtly gives enjoyment like for example moving your body here and there for no reason (as in sporting activities) and for that this Drg Drs vicara of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur is very instructive.
Of course, there is much more to mention but I just wrote a few of the major points.
In the Bhakti Sastri course all matter is strictly limited to the four books used and also some of Srila Prabhupada's quotes. However it seems that the H.G. Sankirtan Prabhu found this publication, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava to be not only so rich with instructions and teachings relevant for devotees who want to clearly understand/learn the philosophy, but also so authoritative, that he had no qualms about reading out from it and drawing from it certain sections to elaborate on Gaudiya Vaisnava Siddhanta. We even did some discussions in groups on certain issues mentioned in the book to try to understands certain aspects of our philosophy (like; The Spiritual Master).
Thus Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava had a big impact on our Bhakti Sastri course and the learning and solidifying aspects of our Gaudiya Vaisnava philosophy.
The distribution and study of this publication should be encouraged among the devotees especially for the purposes of clearly understanding our philosophy and how it is the highest.
H.D.G. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Goswami Maharaj Prabhupada Ki Jay!
H.D.G. Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Ki Jay!
H.H. Bhakti Vikas Maharaj Ki Jay!
"Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava" ki Jay!
H.G. Sankirtan Prabhu Ki Jay!
Next year, H.G. Sankirtan Prabhu will return to ISKCON Salem to conduct the Bhakti Vaibhava course after Janmasthmi, Krishna willing.
Your servant
Murari Das
http://www.iskconsalem.com/
"Chant Hare Krishna and be happy"
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे
No comments:
Post a Comment