Sri K

Krr is
ishh n a K
Kaa t h amr
amrtta

Bi n du

Tav k- QaaMa*Ta& TaJaqvNaMa(

tava kathmta tapta-jvanam

Fortnightly email mini-magazine from Gopal Jiu Publications

CONTENTS

Issue No. 11

29 August 2001

r Prva Ekda, 25 Hrkea, 515 Gaurbda

MONEY AND PREACHING

HIS DIVINE GRACE A.C. BHAKTIVEDANT
A SWAMI PRABHUP
ADA
HAKTIVEDANTA
RABHUPADA

INTERNAL WORMS
FROM THE LIFE OF SRILA BHAKTISIDDHANT
A SARASW
ATI PRABHUP
ADA
HAKTISIDDHANTA
ARASWA
RABHUPADA

THE BRAHMACHARI AND THE CHASTE WIFE

ADAPTED FROM THE NSIHA PURA

MONEY AND PREACHING

Money that can help in spreading the Krishna consciousness
movement is not a part of the material world, and we should not
give it up, thinking that it is material. Srila Rupa Goswami advises:
ansaktasya viayn yathrham upayujata
nirbandha ka-sambandhe yukta vairgyam ucyate

When one is not attached to anything, but at

the same time accepts everything in relation to
Krishna, one is rightly situated above possessiveness. (Bhakti-rasmta-sindhu 1.2.255) Money is
undoubtedly coming in great quantities, but we
should not be attached to this money for sense gratification; every cent should be spent for spreading
the Krishna consciousness movement, not for sense
gratification. There is danger for a preacher when
he receives great quantities of money, for as soon as
he spends even a single cent of the collection for his
personal sense gratification, he becomes a fallen
victim. The preachers of the Krishna consciousness
movement should be extremely careful not to misuse the immense quantities of money needed to
spread this movement. Let us not make this money
the cause of our distress; it should be used for
Krishna, and that will cause our eternal happiness.
Money is Lakshmi, or the goddess of fortune, the
companion of Narayan. Lakshmiji must always
remain with Narayan, and then there need be no

fear of degradation.
From the purport to Bhag. 7.13.32

INTERNAL WORMS
FROM THE LIFE OF SRILA
BHAKTISIDDHANT
A SARASW
ATI
HAKTISIDDHANTA
ARASWA
T HAKUR PRABHUP
ADA
RABHUPADA
Once, the editor of Ananda Bazaar Patrika, a daily newspaper
of Calcutta, said to Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, I see that there
are many hypocrites in your mission, people who
are not very sincere. What they say and what they
do are not the same. Why dont you put them out?
Let them go home and get married or something.
Why keep them in your maha?
Srila Saraswati Thakur replied, What is a better
place than this maha? Is there any better place to
save them? Here they may be good or bad, but if their
fortune will allow, they will become good. If not, what
can I do? Is there any better place? No, there isnt.
On another occasion the headmaster of the
Thakur Bhaktivinode Institute asked Srila Saraswati
Thakur, So many devotees have given up everything, are staying in the maha, and are engaged in
devotional service. Why dont they improve to the
advanced stage? Saraswati Thakur answered,
They have internal worms. They are being eaten
up by worms inside. They are taking food but are
not getting nourishment because of worms. They
are engaging in devotional service, but the advancement is eaten by material desires and secret bad
behaviour. So they become weak.
Remembrance by Sripad Jatisekhar Das, disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Saraswati; from the upcoming biography of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta by Sri
Srimad Bhaktivikash Swami.

Page 2

[q k*- Z<ak- QaaMa*Ta ibNdu

THE BRAHMACHARI AND THE

CHASTE WIFE
A DAPTED FROM THE NSIHA PURA

As there are eighteen mah-puras, major

puras, similarly there are also eighteen minor
puras, also known as upa-puras. The
Nsiha or Narasiha Pura is an upa-pura,
but since it focuses on devotion to Vishnu, Nsiha
Pura is considered to be in the mode of goodness.
Nsiha Pura is a standard reference that has been
cited by many of our previous cryas. The famous prayer
from the Nsiha Pura that begins with the words,
namas te nara-sihya prahldhlda-dyine is
quoted by Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami in his r
Caitanya-caritmta [antya 16.52-53].
The following story from Nsiha Pura, chapter thirteen, illustrates the negative effects of pride
and the power of a chaste lady.

Special Power
There was once a righteous brhmaa named
Kasyapa. He had mastered all of the scriptures
and was expert in explaining them. Disinclined
to performing anothers duty, he was daily absorbed in the worship of Lord Narasimha and
was always engaged in performing yaja. Every morning and evening he would offer oblations into the sacred fire and he would always
show proper hospitality to the brhmaas and
guests at his residence.
His wife was named Savitri. She was a highminded lady, was honored for her virtue, and
she led a spotless life in service to her husband.
Due to her chastity and devotion she was endowed with the power of knowing things beyond the range of the senses.

Great Brahmacari
There was also a wise brhmaa named
Yajnasharman living in the land of Koshala. He
had a devoted and religious wife named Rohini
who was endowed with all auspicious features
and an unblemished character. After some time
Rohini gave birth to a son. Yajnasharman performed all of the recommended purificatory
ceremonies for his son as described in the Vedas.
The boy was named Devasharman. When he
was eight years old his father performed his sacred thread ceremony and engaged him in
study of the Vedas. After Devasharman had
mastered the Vedas his father died.

At the death of Yajnasharma, both the son and

the mother were grief-stricken. Devasharman
performed the funeral ceremonies for his father
according to the instructions of saintly persons,
and then he decided to travel to different places
of pilgrimage. Devasharmans fame as a great
brahmacr gradually spread far and wide. He
had no residence and was always wandering
from one place to another. Maintaining himself
by begging alms, he was always chanting Vedic
mantras and performing sacrifices. Meanwhile,
with her husband dead and her only son living
as an ascetic, Devasharmans mother Rohini had
no means of support and was suffering terribly.

Burnt to Ashes
In the course of his wanderings, one day
Devasharman came to the bank of a river, where he
took bath. Spreading his cloth on the ground to dry,
he sat in meditation. Just then, a crow and a crane
came and suddenly flew away with his cloth. Seeing this, Devasharman became angry and shouted
abuses at them. The birds then dropped the cloth on
the ground, passed stool on it, and flew away.
Devasharman looked at them with wrath, and immediately the birds burned to ashes. Surprised to
see this, Devasharman concluded that there was no
one in the world equal to him in penance.
Proud of the strength of his austerity, Devasharman
left the river to seek alms at a nearby village. He came
to the house where the devoted wife Savitri and her
husband Kasyapa lived. Devasharman came to their
door and requested Savitri to give him alms. However, Savitri was just then serving her husband his
mid-day meal. Although she saw Devasharman at
the door, she remained silent and attentive to her
husband. After her husband had eaten, she washed
his feet with warm water. Only then did she come
forward to offer alms to the brahmacr.
Having been made to wait for so long,
Devasharman was very angry. He glared at the
devoted housewife again and again with red-hot
eyes. Seeing his conduct, Savitri laughed and said,
O furious sage! I am not the crow or the crane
that fell down dead on the bank of the river by
the strength of your anger. If you want to accept
alms from me you will have to behave properly.
Collecting the alms given by Savitri,
Devasharman quietly left that place. Walking
back to the river, he again and again thought in
his mind, How it was that she had come to
know of the death of the crow and the crane?
Leaving his begging bowl by the river,

Sri K
Krr isishh na-k
-kaa t hamr
amrtta B
Bii n du
Devasharman returned to the village. After the
devoted Savitri had finished her meal and her
husband had gone out, the brahmacr came to
her residence and said, O blessed woman,
please tell me how you acquired this mystic
power of knowing things beyond the senses?

Sagacious Advice
That virtuous and devoted woman Savitri replied, O brhmaa, please listen attentively to
the answer to this question. The mystic power
that I possess is the result of careful and consistent observance of the prescribed duties of a
chaste wife. Service to ones husband is the established duty of women. O high-minded one,
I have always followed that duty. Indeed, I know
nothing else. I have acquired this power because
day and night, without questioning, I have
given complete satisfaction to my husband,
waiting upon him with love and devotion.
If you are interested to listen, I will tell you
something else. Your father was a brhmaa who
lived on alms. You took lessons from him on the
Vedas. When he died you performed his funeral
ceremonies. Then, ignoring your aged and widowed mother, you came here. That poor
wretched woman is now without any support
while your sole interest is only to feed yourself!
Your mother bore you in her womb. After you
were born she nurtured you and brought you
up with all love and affection. She did everything for you including cleaning your stool. You
have deserted her and have been practicing austerities in the forest. O brhmaa, arent you
ashamed? What do you hope to gain by wandering about in the forest?
Because of the suffering of your mother a
bad odor is coming from your mouth. Whatever strength and power you have is only due
to your father, who performed various
saskras in your life.
O evil-minded sinner! Just recently, for no
reason, you have burnt to death two innocent birds. As a result of this all of your sacred baths, your visits to different holy
places, and all your meditation and sacrifices
have been in vain. O brhmaa, that person
who sees their mother in a poor and wretched
condition lives in vain, whereas he who is
full of regard for his mother and who always
protects her with devotion gets all rewards
in this world and hereafter.

Page 3
You should immediately go to your mother
and save her life. Her protection is your highest penance. Give up your anger, for it destroys
all merits accumulated in this world and in the
next. You should atone for the sin of killing
the birds. O brahmacr, what I have spoken to
you is correct. If you are interested in ultimate
happiness you should follow my advice.
Having thus advised the son of the brhmaa,
the devoted wife fell silent.
Devasharman then said to Savitri, O blessed
lady, please forgive me for the harm I have done
to you by looking at you in anger. You have told
me what is good for me. O righteous lady, after
returning to take care of my mother, what duties shall I perform to attain the supreme goal?

Tridandi Sannyasa
The devoted wife Savitri replied, Listen carefully. I shall now tell you the duties that you
have to perform. You should maintain your
mother by begging, and you should also perform the prescribed atonement for the sin of
killing the two birds.
In the land of Kosala there is a girl born in
a brhmaa family who is destined to be your
wife. When you return home her father will
offer her to you. You should accept her at that
time. She will give birth to a baby boy who
will perpetuate your family.
punar-mty bhryy bhavit tva tridaaka
sa yaty rama dharmea yathoktynuhitena ca
narasiha-prasdena vaiava padappsyasi

With the passing away of your wife you

should take up the order of tridaisannysa. Provided you sincerely follow the
disciplines of the sannysa rama, then by
the grace of Lord Narasimhadeva you will
certainly attain the abode of Lord Vishnu.
Because you have inquired from me I
have prophesized all of these things. If you
do not have faith in my words then you may
do as you like.
The brhmaa Devasharman said, O devoted wife, I will immediately return to take
care of my mother. O auspicious one, when
I reach there I will do everything according
to your advice.
Having said this, Devasharman at once
started for his home. There, free from anger and
delusion, he maintained his mother with all

Page 4

[q k*- Z<ak- QaaMa*Ta ibNdu

care. He got married and was blessed with a

son. When his wife passed away he took up the
life of a wandering mendicant. He treated
pebbles, stones, and gold on an equal level and
by the grace of Lord Narasimhadeva he attained the spiritual abode of the Lord.

One may ask how it was that the brahmacr was

obliged to maintain his aged mother? Since he had
devoted himself to religious pursuits and was strictly
following the vows of brahmacarya, would he not
be free from this obligation as per the following
injunction of rmad Bhgavatam 11.5.41?
devari-bhtpta-n pit
na kikaro nyam ca rjan
sarvtman ya araa araya
gato mukunda parihtya kartam
Anyone who has completely given up all
worldly relationships and has taken absolute shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord, who gives us salvation and who alone is fit to be taken shelter of, is no
longer a debtor or servant of anyone, including the
demigods, forefathers, sages, other living entities,
relatives, and members of human society.

It should be noted, however, that this injunction

of the Bhgavatam applies only to those persons who
have taken full shelter of the Lord. Although the
brahmacr Devasharman appeared to be living a
highly pious life, his activities were still on the mateSRI KRISHNA KATHAMRITA BINDU
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Quotations from the books, letters, and lectures of His Divine
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rial platform. His objective was material piety

through performing religious activities and visiting
places of pilgrimage. He had not left home in pursuit of the Supreme Lord, nor had he sought out the
association of transcendentalists, nor had he taken
shelter of a bonafide spiritual master. Although he
considered himself to be free from obligations to this
world, because his pursuits were only external it was
improper for him to abandon his religious mother.
Since his activities were still on the material
platform, the only fruit he received from them
was an increase in his false prestige. This pride
developed into anger, which then impelled him
to kill the two birds.
Devasharman had some faith in pious religious
activities, thus he had karma-adhikra, or qualification for acting according to the Vedic system of religiosity. But he did not have faith in surrendering
to the Lord, thus he was devoid of bhakti-adhikra,
or qualification for performing ka-bhakti. If those
possessing karma-adhikra do not follow the principles of varrama-dharma then they become implicated in sin. For this reason the chaste and omniscient housewife advised him to return home.
Krishna has instructed Uddhava (11.20.9):
tvat karmi kurvta na nirvidyeta yvat
mat-kath-ravadau v raddh yvan na jyate

As long as one is not detached from fruitive

activity and material enjoyment, and as long as
one has no faith in devotion to Krishna, beginning with the process of hearing and chanting
His glories, one has to act according to the religious principles of karma or varrama.
In the next chapter of the eleventh canto
Krishna again says (11.21.2):
sve sve dhikre y nih sa gua parikrtita
viparyayas tu doa syd ubhayor ea nicaya

Being fixed in the position for which one is qualified is virtuous. The opposite, accepting a position
for which one is unqualified, is irresponsible and is
considered impious. This is the definite conclusion.
By acting according to his position in the Vedic
system of varrama dharma, Devasharman
gradually developed genuine detachment. He
then took to the order of sannysa and in the
end achieved the spiritual abode of the Lord.
Bibliography
Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami. r Caitanya-caritmta. English translation and commentary by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.
Los Angeles. 1975.
Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasadev. Nsiha Pura. Nag Publishers. Delhi, 1987.
Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasadev. rmad Bhgavatam. English translation and commentary by Hridayananda D as Goswami. Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. Los Angeles. 1983.