Basically, I just want to mention the basic principles of the appearance of Mahaprabhu. Those who are in this Gaudiya vaishnava school descending from Mahaprabhu, from teacher to teacher, you are very fortunate. But you must take part of Mahaprabhu's mission. You must also serve Mahaprabhu that will be the most proper. Not just being part in the movement as a sort of member of a club, but one has to take part of the duty, carrying out the duty that we have towards Mahaprabhu. And that duty is:

prithivite ache yata nagaradi-grama
sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama

"To distribute his name in every town and village." Somehow rather talk to people about Mahaprabhu, talk about Mahaprabhu’s teachings, about Mahaprabhu's importance, Mahaprabhu's wish, Mahaprabhu's life. In that way, talking to people, engaging people in Gaura-katha, and then we will take part in his mission. Then, we will truly be doing something that Mahaprabhu is wishing us to do. In other words, if you really want to please Him, then we have to really take part in his Sankirtan mission and preachings. Pracar. Preaching means not doing something business activity and pull back something. But to spread those wonderful conceptions, those wonderful ideas to the people for free. To everybody; to the neighbour, to the Philippinos, the distance, to the religious, everywhere... somehow or other talk about him and his wonderful teachings. To help the people in general. Mahaprabhu's teachings are so wonderful that everybody can understand. Dhira adhira. To those who are educated and those who are non educated will all appreciate then think, it is something very wonderful, something very magnanimous... so in order to be on time with the yajna and all that other things... are there any questions regarding Mahaprabhu's appearance or what I have said?

Devotee: Is it possible for the outsiders to enter the circle of Mahaprabhu's associates?

Maharaja: We can, if we are very very fortunate by the grace of the vaishnavas. What may happen to us is that we enter its circle not as say, one of the eternal associates of him, but as a newcomer, it does not matter. The important thing is one is there. Do you understand?... In other words, we cannot become a Rupa Goswami or Sanatan Goswami or anybody like them. But we can - if you are very lucky and have the grace of Vaishnavas - we can become servants of Rupa and Sanatana. Do you understand? Servants... of something like that. But anyway, what I mean to say... it is nothing wrong to think to desire that, to join that circle. It is nothing wrong. That is the life's goal. But we should make differences to know that what can be done and what cannot be done.

Always keep in your mind that whatever desire is in your heart, you might get. So don't desire anything that is not good for devotional service. Only unalloyed, unselfish devotional service you please desire. Otherwise, you will get in trouble. Just like a story goes, there was once a woodchopper, collecting woods in the forest of Vrindavan. So one day, towards the end of the day, he came under a big tree, a nice tree. He was very tired."I would like to have a cup of nice freshwater." And "lo and behold!" Immediately in front of his eyes there was freshwater in a cup. And he has said, "This is a miracle! This tree must be a well-wishing tree, fulfilling desires." So then he thought, "Well, what if I would have a nice meal." Sabji, puri, chapatti, etc., immediately it was there. "This is very nice, well, since the evening is coming and now it is getting very dark, I would like to have a nice bed here." And immediately it was there. So he lays down on the bed about to take rest, but he thought, "In the forest, in the middle of the night, it is getting dark, night will come, what if a tiger will come?"

…This was his last wish (laughter). Do you understand?... because a tiger came. He's speaking of the tiger. So similarly, we shall not wish anything material because it will come and devour us. It will take us away from devotional service. Krishna consciousness is very rare, sudurlabha. It is very very rare. In this universe it is very rare to achieve so many millions and millions of living entities traveling from one planet to another, from one body to another. And even from coming to the human form of life it is very rare to find that one will take to Krishna consciousness. Out of many thousands. Out of many thousands maybe one will search for perfection. And out of those maybe one will come to take up devotional service. And even those who take up the devotional service, not everybody is sincere. Many will go away.

So, be so sincere take this chance. In every birth you might get father and mother but Guru and Krishna, only in this human birth, only you can have. But not only in this human birth but many people who have human birth but do not have. So it is very rare to get Guru, Krishna. Now that you have Guru and if you worship him very nicely and serve him, following his teachings, then, all your life will become successful and you will achieve the shelter of Krishna. Therefore, be always very obedient and faithful to the instructions of your Guru Maharaj. Keep the company of saddhus, of vaishnavas, and always do selfless devotional work. Chanting the holy name in a humble mood, then you life would become successful.

Second initiation means you have more duty, more bounds to the lotus feet of Guru Maharaj. Second initiation means:

samo damas tapah saucam
ksantir arjavam eva ca
jnanam vijnanam astikyam
brahma-karma svabhava-jam

This you must memorize. These words are in Sanskrit and in English from the Gita. Samo damas tapah saucam, meaning the qualifications of a brahmana. We are actually not brahmanas but we are spirit souls, servant of the servant of the servant of Mahaprabhu and of Guru Maharaj and of Krishna. But for certain functions it is necessary to take brahmin initiation for those who are seriously preaching Krishna consciousness and performing the duties of a brahmana. In the society, there must be a priestly class. Brahmana means priest. So there must be a priestly class. Now, I do not know any of you but I have heard that you recommended each other. So on the basis of that, I was not told actually, everything happened in a hurry. When I came from America, they told me that Gabriel needs initiation. Other names were not mentioned. But hearing from you how long you were in the movement and how nicely you are trying to preach and you are eager for the association of devotees and serving Guru Maharaj. So, I am taking the risk of giving this to you. Risk it is because if one gets it and one is not fulfilling, that is not good. But I'm hoping that by the blessings of the Vaishnavas, Goswami Maharaj, Yudhamanyu Prabhu, Vidagdha Madhava Prabhu those who know you and those who send me here. I cannot ask them because we are living in this small village and we are very far away from America. I think I cannot ask them... but I think that via the heart, telepathy, their sanction is secured.

So, I'm hoping in this way by the mercy of the Vaishnavas, Guru Maharaj is very pleased with you. He accepts you as second initiated brahmana disciples. In that way I shall tell him when I arrived in Navadvip what happened. And also if possible, all the initiated ones, first and second, it would be nice if you write something, meaning the little bit about you. Who you are and that you got initiation and that you would like to be engaged in his service. Something you can put in writing. Is that all right? And I can take it to Guru Maharaj...

So brahmana means samo damas. Samo. Samo means is not disturbed by material nature. Samo, because his mind is controlled. Equally disposed to all living entities, samo. Samo means equally... mind is not disturbed, it is controlled. How is it controlled? Mind is fixed on the lotus feet of Krishna, devotional service on the instructions of Srila Guru Maharaj.

bhaja hure mana sri-nanda-nandana
abhaya-caranaravinda re

In this world everybody is disturbed and fearful. Disturbed because of troubles and pains. And fearful because of the future which is unknown and could be much worse. Could be bringing something which is matters. But bhaja hure mana - if you worship with our mind and heart not just the hand. Is the body is doing service only that is not devotional service, that is called service. The military, they're doing service. They got their money. And cleaning the car, they are called service, car service. They got the money. Cleaning the building, they called service. Anything is called service. But it is for money or for something else which is material profit anyway... but devotional service means not doing for anything in return. It is done only selflessly to please the other. That's why we say devotional service. But then, only it can happen if in the heart we feel like that. To give in the heart. We feel to give to please that person, then it is devotional service.

So therefore, the mind must be engaged in devotional service, not just the body. If the body is engaged it this service, but when the body and the mind engaged then it is devotional service. Or even if just the mind is engaged. Sometimes devotee might not do, he is sick, lying. But in his mind he's serving Krishna. So mind is more important. Without the mind, without the heart... Mind and heart I'm speaking the same thing. Citta - the same thing. Hrda - the same thing in Sanskrit. So without that it is not devotional service. So the mind and heart has to put in that. So then one is not disturbed and one is not fearful of life. Do you understand?

And damah. Samo damas meaning mind is peaceful and also the senses are controlled. Senses must be controlled in Krishna consciousness. A brahmana is not interested in material sense gratification. He's controlling his senses, withdrawing like the tortoise. Kurmah 'nganiva. Kurmah means tortoise. Kurmah... the tortoise can withdraw his limbs when there is some problem. What does the tortoise do? Withdraw his limbs. So similarly, when some problem is approaching you, some material attraction or anything I did, you withdraw your senses. And there would be no connection. Withdrawing. That ability of withdrawing is that of a brahmana. Brahmana is also approached but he is able to say no. He's able to withdraw. Then tapah. Tapah means taking austerities for the sake of service. It might have troublesome, something to do for Krishna but you take and that is tapah. When concentrating on one thing while controlling the senses and the mind, that is called tapah according to srutis. Then, religiosity. Religiosity means one is meek and humble. Pious. Then jnanam, you must learn the sastras, the philosophy. What the philosophy speaking. To strengthen one's faith one must read and hear is more important than living. Hear from proper source or read. Then vijnanam. Whatever we have heard or learned put it into practice. Practical knowledge, practical understanding. In the school, first you have theory and then practice like medical students. So similarly Krishna consciousness goes that to hear that what is in the book is not enough. One must also practice it. Put it into practice, then it would be very nice.

jnanam vijnanam astikyam
brahma-karma svabhava-jam

In that way, tolerance also. All these things are brahminical qualifications and that must be practiced. If something is missing, must be very soon acquire. Brahmana means actually a teacher. But a teacher must be a very good example. That is why we spoke about this. And then when you are like this, you kindly teach others. Teach about Krishna. Whomever you meet, teach about Krishna. Brahmana is a teacher.

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