Newsletter March 2023

Festivals in our Sampradaya have such an amazing aspect to them. They occur on a yearly basis and thus provide a reality check to the sadhaka (if he or she allows it to be so). When we see that the appearance day of an incarnation of the Lord is approaching we get reminded of that personality and simultaneously of our relationship with that Person. Now is the time of the year when the appearance day of the most important incarnation in the age of Kali is approaching. Lord Gaurasundara’s birthday is very soon, and the question I am suggesting we ask ourselves is: Did my connection with Him deepen or improve since last year? Did I give my full endeavour to please Sriman Mahaprabhu, and thus attain the position to at least hope to receive a tiny amount of His mercy?

Srila Prabhupada says in a lecture on CC Adi-lila 1.4., given on March 28, 1975:

“We should pray to Rūpa Gosvāmī for his blessings so that we can understand what is the actual position of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the most merciful incarnation to bestow upon us Kṛṣṇa-prema.’’

Indeed we are guaranteed that Lord Gauranga is the most merciful. Nevertheless, I would like to imply that we cannot just rely on causeless mercy without endeavouring to attain it. In the same lecture Srila Prabhpada states the following: “Krsna personally says that it is very difficult to understand Him. Actually it is so. But Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy is so unlimited that He is helping not only to understand Krsna, but also He is giving directly love of Krsna, and the super-most platform of love, as it was experienced by the gopis.”

That means that the Lord is also ready to help. That is the reason He is here. But we have to show that we want His merciful help. Now is the time for extra reading, extra chanting, and extra seva. In Serbia people often call something which is really special “extra”, and I think that Lord Gaurahari is the most extra! So naturally He must like it, if we try extra to please Him.

jīv jāgo, jīv jāgo, gauracānda bole kota nidrā jāo māyā-piśācīra kole

“Lord Gauranga is calling, 'Wake up, sleeping souls! Wake up, sleeping souls! How long will you sleep in the lap of the witch called Maya?'’’

Even the Lord Himself is calling us, thus we might as well give in to the call, and declare: “Yes! I want to wake up my Lord! Please help this little soul in such a way that it can serve You and attain real love for You and Your qualities and associates.’’

We like to end this newsletter with a meditation on Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

The most extraordinary decorations gracing Lord Caitanya´s form were His ecstatic symptoms, unique to him alone. In the way that a king is dressed and ornamented one item after the other, Caitanya Mahaprabhu was adorned with successive ecstatic symptoms. Although Gauranga´s ecstasies could manifest at any time and at any place, they were guaranteed to appear in greatest abundance during sankirtana performances.

Those ecstasies would begin with the Lord singing the names of Krsna. Sometimes he would chant the Maha Mantra, at other times nama Kirtana, his beautiful lips tasting the words as if he was speaking directly to Krsna. And immediately his body would move in rhythmic ways that shamed the Gandharvas. He would place his left hand on his hip and raise his right hand as if waving to someone, or holding an imaginary pot of yoghurt. As the sound of drums, symbols, and devotees singing became dominant, he would ask Svarupa Damodara to sing, and feeling the rising current of ecstasy, bite his lips and roll his tear-drenched eyes. (description from Sri Vilap Kusumanjali by Sivarama Swami).

With our best wishes for an inspiring Gaura Purnima festival and our gratitude for your continual support.

On behalf of the community,

Your servant, Gaurahari dasa