Loving Renunciation. August 16, 2015. From Chile.

My dear devotees. Receive all my affection from Chile.

   We are celebrating this historic moment where Gurudeva Atulananda enters the renounced order of life. The fourth ashram, stage of life, which are brahmacari, grihasta, vanaprasta and finally sannyasa.
Srila Prabhupada said at one point reaching this stage of life is required for a human being. What to say about a spiritual master who is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada and has dedicated his life to preaching in Chile and the world. I am fortunate to be considered among his friends and brothers and give him the sacred order of sannyasa on behalf of Srila Prabhupada and my sannyasa guru Srila Bhakti Raskak Sridhar Deva Goswami Maharaj.

   It is an honor, a joy and also a formality because before Srila Prabhupada we are directly his sons, but he also wanted that we become sannyasis at some point. For Gurudeva Atulananda it is even more striking because there are several of his disciples who are sannyasis and are participating in this sacred delivery without envy, rather they are participating with all their desire and with all their soul. That allows us to experience the great joy of Krishna consciousness which up to now has been known as the Vrinda family in Chile. It is proliferating, growing prosperously and there is more service for all of you. This is one of the gifts that Krishna gives us in this life: He gives us service. Krishna Service is not mental service, it is service done wholeheartedly. Krishna Service is very essential because you can connect with the Supreme Personality of God from morning to night. It's great and glorious, life-changing.

 Today we are gathered here in this sacred site Ekachakra which is also a gift that Gurudeva Atulananda offered to Srila Prabhupada, one of the many gifts which he has given in his life. Gurudeva has always been giving away his love and everything that he can give, he gifted the world with three children: Pandit, Mohan and Harijan, children of Sarvakanti Devi who Krsna shortly came to get some time ago.

This is how the Lord works, when He someone to remain here, He maintains them in this world, and as He wishes, they are taken. Gurudeva Atulananda gifts to the world are many and in essence they are gifts of Srila Prabhupada because the devotee has nothing for himself, all that the devotee has is that which belongs to Sri Guru.

This is emphasized by Srila Bhakti Raskak Sridara Maharaja, who said that to save and heal this world one must always remember three things:

1. All beautiful women in the world belong to Krishna. He has the right to claim for His gopis. If by chance you marry one then you have received the permission to take care of Krsna's gopis and you have the extraordinary license to invite little souls to this world, very beautiful souls and important souls.

2. All the money in the world without exception, all the opulence, all lands, rivers, mountains, clouds, galaxies, etc., belong to Narayan. Even what you have in your pockets that too belongs to Narayan and should be used for Narayan.

And the third recommendation for great success in spiritual life:

3. All success, all the fame, all amenities, all powers, empowerment, success in conferences, in pujas, yagnas, everything you've done successfully in your life belongs to Srila Prabhupada, to Guru.Why? Because the guru is not an individual, the guru is the representative of tattva (truth). He is representative of the entire guru parampara, a representative of the Divine Will and in this way naturally he represents Srila Prabhupada.

Today is a very special sannyasa day of our Gurudeva. I was fortunate to be associated with Chile yatra as a witnessed by Mathura Mandal and Kalpa vriksha and some other former devotees, long time ago, even before the founding of the Vrinda family, so to speak. I stay always captivated by Chile. I do not say this just to get along with you, but I was captivated by the marathon of Puento Alto, by the affection, humor, art and the banner that devotees had at the time. Even then Gurudeva Atulanda was the banner and that continues today.

It has almost been like a marriage. Krishna brought us together, Srila Prabhupada brought us together. The desire of His divine providence so that we could put our oars in the boat of our spiritual master and begin rowing together on both sides so that the ship could move forward.
Over time the ship became bigger and bigger and people were getting into it. Today we are already a lot of people paddling, no? So we continue to paddle on the boat in hopes of going very far across the ocean of repeated birth and death. When one's arms begin to tire, the other person is still rowing and saying come on, come on, do not loosen here, rather paddle harder the road is very far to come out of the illusion! We appreciate the presence of those who have paddled with us such as Prabhu Kanka, Krishna Kirtan, Vrajapriti, Kadamba, the past, present and future because there are many people who have helped.

What to say about our sannyasis who are sitting here? Chileans (well no really Chileans, sannyasis do not belong to a country) they know no limits, no borders, they are the souls of the world. That's the nicest thing we are experiencing here today. I said something this morning and I'm going to repeat it because I consider it to be essential: the example of Srila Atulananda Acharya is symbolic because it really represents the resignation of all of us, Srila Prabhupada's resignation over the world.

Representing Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu himself by taking sannyas and leaving Vishnupriya Devi, who was completely rendered in love for Him. However, Mahaprabhu left because He felt the internal appeal to be so strong. So He went where Keshava Bharati was and accepted the renounced order that shook the world. In that very moment a sacrifice began. the sacrifice of our mission, the sacrifice of our path, a beautiful sacrifice began. That is why we say loving resignation, here we do not say hateful resignation, here it does not say give up because this world is so bad, no. It is renunciation based on the world of Krishna because it is so beautiful that we want to give him a substantial contribution, and this substantial contribution for all of you is called Chile yatra and for the world it is called the Vrinda Mission.

Because Vrinda Mission is a service or sacrifice that Gurudeva Atulananda has done, and I also want to remember the great devotee who has been one of the great inspirations on this path, our most beloved spiritual brother Srila Bhakti Bhimala Harijan Swami Maharaja of Colombia. He is part of this trio, because there were not two, but there were three of us pushing this effort. Actually, we do not feel qualified as spiritual masters, we take this challenge, this service because we feel that Srila Prabhupada deserved to have representatives here who are dedicated wholeheartedly to the people, the Mother Earth, rivers, etc. Our thinking at the time was: "Better a blind uncle than no uncle, so it will be up to us (the blind guys) because there is no choice." That was the origin, as for how Harijan Maharaj and I spoke about this when we started this task.

To assume the role of spiritual master is a great daring challenge, becoming a representative of the connection with the Infinite, because are we really that? No, but we hope to become good representatives, but Srila Prabhupada was and he gave us his example. I invite all of you to accompany us in this resignation today for Srila Prabhupada. There is much to give up, everyone knows what he/ she has to resign and if you do not know well then you can learn it in the company of devotees. The first form of renunciation is to accept the four regulative principles, which for us is not a renunciation but rather a release. Krishna is freeing us of things that are harmful.

The resignation of our family is the renunciation of personal gain and the gain of Krishna and His devotees, and for us, all souls are devotees in potency, our service is focused on keeping the Ashram open to everyone. The proof is that we now have a new home in the Brazil neighborhood where the doors of the temple of Sri Radha Govinda are open to everyone, so that everyone in Santiago can get to.

The same in La Serena, Concepción or wherever, even in Mexico, having the doors open to the service so people can contact the Holy Name, with prasadam, the essential spiritual literature, with courses on the essence of life and they can actively participate in Krishna Consciousness. A person who likes Krishna Consciousness but is not actively involved is exactly like a bee outside the honey jar. He is perceiving that something is there but can not enter and eventually flies away because one will not be able to maintain very long just by looking and not tasting the sweet nectar.

The service that our teachers have emphasized and given us is so extraordinary that it enables us to become Gurus. One must not forget that there is no difference between diksa and siksa guru. How many of you give lectures on Krishna Consciousness? All of you are siksa guru. Who has given spiritual advice in Krishna Consciousness to a person? This is also the work of siksa guru. Giving and receiving - dadati pratigrihnati-loving exchanges means fostering love, trust, security, shelter, participation. That makes a siksa guru. What to say of the presidents of the temples that are siksa gurus from morning until night, rather the presidents of temples and sannyasis are more important than us coming to visit occasionally. However, one needs the other, work together for the same cause there is no competition. The association of devotees is what brings joy.

The joy of renunciation. Renouncing means leaving everything behind which does not produce real joy, everything that does not produce ecstasy and spirituality. That is what we must resign. That is the example that we see today. With these words of happiness I take leave of you today and ask that everyone who can make an effort to meet at the Eco Truly Park for Maha Mela in October this year come so we can continue celebrating the renunciation of our dear Gurudeva Atulananda.
Goura Premanandi, Jay Srila Prabhupada!

Your always well-wisher,
BA Paramadvaiti Swami

The Gift of Union in Diversity 3/29/15 Pt 2

Dear Devotees,

Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur gave an instruction that comes to my heart. I think it is a wonderful occasion to discuss this issue in this day, where you can see the representatives of different Gaudiya Maths, celeberating today in this festival union of Sri Chaitanya Janmotsav (Appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu). It is said that on birthdays we give gifts to the birthday person, but in this case Mahaprabhu is the one who gives us gifts daily. If we can give Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu the gift of union in diversity on this day, then this will definitely become a historic event that will not be forgotten in the future. It will not be just an event with prasadam, no! But an event of union in diversity that makes a difference for the future of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, which is a real need for the world.

The scientists, medical discoveries, they are not sectarian. As soon as they are discovered these medicines are applied anywhere in the world, no matter if it is in Russia, China or South America. In addition, if a discovery is accepted that it can cure any disease, it no longer remains the property of a person instead it belongs to all humanity. But Kali Yuga disease has been cured only by the contribution of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore, the movement of Caitanya Mahaprabhu can not afford to have any sectarian element. Our dear Vaishnava acaryas and sannyasis have created diversity. This is very good. This diversity is the power that has been unknown in the past.

If Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, my Gurudev, has been in the Math of Srila Bhakti Saranga Goswami Maharaj driving his magazine, as he did for some time, he never would had founded ISKCON or even begun his travels around the world, as that was not the plan at the Math of Srila Goswami Maharaja. In a way he had to establish diversity.

 When Srila Swami Maharaja (Srila Prabhupada) came to India with his new Western disciples and white  followers, they called them "white elephants". Everyone in India was surprised: "What is this? How did they come here?  How is it possible that they dress in dhotis, wear tilaka and japa mala???" No, this is not possible they should be successful in the Western world," people said. Because, you know, crazy India follows the examples of the crazy West. By the way, Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur said: "This materialistic society of the West must be crushed. The concept of happiness with money, fame, name and enjoyment, or the idea that we should be successful and that America is Heaven, is all a big lie and we must wake up from it." Because the wealth we have received from the rishis is of much value that if we look at the enjoyment of the West, we lose those gems of rishis, and thus lose the scope and characteristics of our future children in the educational system.

On the other hand, union in diversity is not a luxury, it is a necessity.Yes, we have diversity, we have many fantastic missions, they are considered as pluralistic concepts of the approximation of Guru Tattva, siksa gurus, diksa gurus, the vartma pradaksaka gurus, pita gurus and sannyas  gurus, many gurus named in scripture. That is quite pluralistic. It is said that there is only one guru, there are many gurus, but only one is the supreme guru, and that is the Supreme Lord. The Supreme Lord is the final Guru of all. Therefore, in union, that's the time when we get together for a common cause, which can not be separated, because while we maintain diversity, we see that there are erudite scholars, doctors, musicians, peots, many great people who have come to have contact with the Gaudiya Math from different missions.

When we project ourselves in our social, educational, environmental and spiritual responsibility, we can see that we need each and every one of them. We need them all to face the current situation of the Ganges and Yamuna. These issues concern us because it is about our sacred rivers. We need everyone to address this situation in which health is in great danger due to environmental pollution. You know, many senior devotees have sugar related diseases. Many other problems also exist. The environment is drowned in plastic. For example in Radha Kunda, in Govardhan or Varsana. Personally I spend most of my time in Vrindavan and I could see it in the Yamuna, one can just go there. It's full of trash and pollution and most of the pollution comes from the pilgrims themselves, not the vrajavasi farmers. If you go to the fields of crop farmers you can see that they are completely clean, but when the pilgrims arrive they became a great environmental disaster.We as leaders in diversity, we have a social responsibility in these matters. Now we have to unite, the above is just one of many other issues."yena tena prakarena manah krsne nivesayet." First of all we must think of Sri Krishna. That is the supreme order of Mahaprabhu. But should we avoid thinking of the Yamuna and the Ganges who are in a condition of despair? Lord Shiva himself sent the answer to that question: Some time ago back in Kedarnath, all the tourism in that area, was hit by a flood. That was an answer from the sky. Do not do this! Do not turn this sacred place in a crowded tourist spot of rubbish! Such places are meant to be places of worship and sacred life. Just as Vrindavan Dham, Puri Dham, and Mayapur dham. And what is the situation now in Mayapur dham? Sadly it is full of illegal trade across the street from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Thakur, where they consume meat. We are not saying anything extreme. Meat!
While in Western countries people slowly become vegetarian in India more and more people started eating meat, even in holy places. It is our social responsibility to reverse these matters!And take action on them. Our children do not know the dangers of consuming meat, fish and all these products. 

We can see that all these problems are emerging and, by the grace of our guruvarga, we have the information on how to solve them.We can see that all these problems exist and, by the grace of our guruvarga, we have the information needed to address them. And thanks to the wealth of diversity we have there are many very capable scientists, PHD's, leaders of churches, sannyasis around the world, etc. When they all get together and establish unified statutes or join in a common effort, then it becomes something great. Just as the maha harinam sankirtan was done through the streets of Kolkata one day after the annual meeting of the World Vaishnava Association and one day before this same event. Or the decision taken by the sannyasis in the last meeting of the Vishva Vaishnava Raj Sabha, where they decided they would go to the streets with their followers to clean the streets in front of their temples, beautifying the sacred dham all around so it does not look like a dump. Those are some ideas where we have a lot of union in diversity, but we must not lose diversity; because diversity is the power of bhava (feeling) of the relationship, and that is where saranagati (surrender) takes place. That is very personal. 

Another issue is that our gurus have not taught man how the spiritual master must not have many disciples because it is impossible to properly care for everyone. However, we must all work together and establish the common ground to fight. A common cause. Scripture confirms this idea about the spiritual master and his disciples, however, at the same time, our guruvarga has shown us several examples at different times, places and circumstances. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Prabhupada himself said: "My Mission is to establish temples in the hearts of everyone." So, Gaudiya Math means love, Gaudiya Math means to love everyone, to love and care is what we crave today, this is what we are doing. To love and appreciate that we are all singing together today, including the company of people with whom we had never chanted with before. All of us together for hours for two days of joyous festival. This is a new feature and should not be stopped. Rather we must set the beginning of what Srila Jiva Goswami desired when he mentioned the Vishva Vaishnava Raj Sabha, or the ideals that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati embraced to deliver all of us the energy to come together. 

Today we have seen that in a very wonderful way.I appreciate all the posts of Vaishnava literature that have been assembled here on this day. We should reach the point of having these fairs where everyone can showcase what they have achieved for the preaching of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.We have a presence in movies, in art, in all different fields, and we should share the progress that other missions have achieved in different areas of social responsibility. For example, the initiative to keep the ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Hospice is something remarkable. One of my disciples left this world a few days ago there and was very fortunate to share their last moments with the association of devotees who looked after him very well and gave him constant access to hari katha and Krishna prasad. 

So, these initiatives have been established and have been great achievements in helping the devotees to create a wonderful future; who have come to the feet of Sri Caitanya seeking help and were able to become members of His Audarya Lila, the most magnanimous lila of all. The Supreme Lord Caitanya is Maha Vadanyaya, the most magnanimous of all and He has come here to give us what no one before has given us, and because of that it is our duty to make it a reality so that everyone who comes to this movement, to anyone that comes in contact with Gaudiya Vaishnava and Sanatan dharma. Therefore, I invite you all from the bottom of my heart, to be part of this union in diversity that comes from our common needs, especially considering the situation of Sri Vrindavan Dham. Where we need all people and the government to accept the importance of the sacred place and protect it as a world heritage site. Vrindavan is not a simple village, it is a global asset that was given to us by the Sri Krishna and Srimati Radharani. And it is to protect Their land that we need mercy and the participation of each of you.

Thank you,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur and all parsadas, among which can be found within each of you.

Your always well wisher,
B.A. Paramadvaiti Swami