SAMKIRTAN RASA.

For the last two years, I did not perform at the very top of my capabilities for Krishna. This is perhaps an understatement. I was exhausted from a life time of exertion in Krishna’s service, because for Krishna I never hold back. He is the top most object of sacrifice as He confirms in His book, the Bhagavad Gita As It Is 9.27: 

Roman transliteration from original Devanagari script.

yat karoshi yad ashnashi

yaj juhoshi dadasi yat

yat tapasyasi kaunteya

tat kurushva mad-arpanam

Translations

Version 3. Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer, whatever you give away, and whatever austerities you perform—do that, O Arjuna, as an offering unto Me.

Version 2. Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform–do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me.

Version 1. O son of Kunti, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me.

One thing I could have perhaps done better, is to approach the whole thing with more balance and I beg to apologise herewith to all prabhus (including female “prabhus”) that I may have upset in the process. Instead of passionately engaging in Krishna’s service and getting burned out over an over again, I could have perhaps acted more in the mode of goodness and in a more steady and energy conserving pace.

These are however, retrospective remarks after the events. And Bhagavad Gita 3.5 clearly states: 

na hi kashcit ksanam api

jatu tishthaty akarma-krit

karyate hy avashah karma

sarvah prakriti-jair gunaih

Version 2. Everyone is forced to act helplessly according to the qualities he has acquired from the modes of material nature; therefore no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment.

Version 1. All men are forced to act helplessly according to the impulses born of the modes of material nature; therefore no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment.

Srila Prabhupada’s Original Transcript (OT) is not available at this point of time and we hope this will change in the future.

But above all, and as I am now hovering around the seventies: one illusory thought started creeping sneakily into my mind as follows: “I am now getting old.” My dear reader, please note that this is an absolutely illusory and dangerous thought and the reality is that, yes, the body is getting old and we are emphatically not these bodies. We are conclusively spirit souls instead: “Aham Brahmasmi”. Perhaps we should chant this mantra more often and reflect upon its meaning and implications. Srila Prabhupada sometimes use to challenge His disciples: “Are you really convinced of this philosophy?” Or are we just paying lip service?

And what helped me again to deepen this essential realization? It is further absorption in the study of Bhagavad Gita As It Is by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada that helped me to turn the tide. Instead of foolishly thinking:”I am getting older”, I am now productively thinking “I am getting younger.” I am also thinking: “Old body just after some little time, means brand new body”, either material or spiritual. Is this not a bright future for everyone and an encouraging perspective? It definitely is! Srila Prabhupada confirms this in BGAII, 2.20, purport. I am quoting version 3:

“The soul is not born, but because he takes shelter of the material body, the body takes its birth, on account of the soul. The soul does not take birth, therefore the soul does not die. Anything which has birth has also death. And because the soul has no birth, therefore he has no past, present and future. He is eternal and ever existing, although being the oldest, there is no trace in history of his coming into being. Under the impression of the body, we seek the history of birth, etc. of the soul. Denial of his future means the soul does not at any time become old, as the body does. The so-called old man, therefore, feels in the same spirit as he felt in his childhood or youth. The changes of the body do not affect the soul. The soul does not deteriorate like a tree, or anything material.  The soul has no by-product either.” 

Just see the very great power of thought and controlled mind lead by authority! 

As I implied, I interrupted my Prabhupada-given-travelling-samkirtan-book-distribution-mission for 2 years. And now since the 2^nd of September 2024, I am back on the road again. And what a blissful experience it is indeed. Externally, the weather is very inviting, not too hot not too cold as in BGAII 6.16:

Versions 1, 2 and 3: There is no possibility of one’s becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, if one eats too much or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough.

The yogi will prefer the middle grounds to both extremes. Walking on the Byron Bay beach while chanting one’s rounds is just wonderful! I just could not resists the pull and remain locked up in the big city of Brisbane, the 2024 Olympic City. And The Australian people and visitors are just soooooooo friendly!

I come across all kinds of people and memorable experiences too numerous to relate here. But let me give some:

Because I had forgotten my own blanket and because in September it still can get cold at night in the van, I had to quickly find some suitable blankets. Charities can help and do such a wonderful job in giving a second life to all sorts of items. Some blankets are slightly damaged, are clean and a meant for dogs because of the damage. They cost one dollars per blanket. To save Krishna’s money this is what I bought on September 2nd in Murwimlumbah. Their body warmth retaining function is not affected at all. In olden days, surplus riches were directly donated by the rich to the poor. Nowadays, this function is perfectly carried out by charities and one can only encourage people to donate their surplus goods to bona fide charities. Many practice this type of charity already.

On 3 Sept. 2024, I met a male drunk in the main street of Lismore. Of course, he totally denied being drunk. His girlfriend was in Brisbane, 150 km away. They were taking a brake from each other. Which sane woman will want to associate with such a fellow? But he started chanting the Hare Krishna Maha mantra a bit in hideous way and squatting way. He was jumping like a frog. He wanted me to drink from his so-called water bottle, which I absolutely declined. But he was chanting and I went along for some time because he will be benefited. Devotees from Iskcon New Govardhana come here regularly for Hari Nam. That was perhaps the source of his inspiration. Under Srila Prabhupada’s inspiration, devotees from Iskcon New Govardhana also exhibited their mercy by distributing much needed prasadam during the 2022 floods. So the Hare Krishnas enjoy a good reputation in the town of Lismore, NSW. That was the flood of the century and according to a Lismore man I met yesterday, many people died as well. The flood was alarmingly several meters high, more than enough to drown. I was staying at ISKCON New Govardhana at the time. Krishna had by force dropped me there.

That was in the afternoon of September 3rd 2024. In the morning and in the previous town, I met a martial art teacher of good stature. Some of the men here and in Brisbane are bulky and could really be heroes of the Maha Bharata; an awe inspiring sight. He was just taking his brunch in a popular cafe. He paused and paid attention to my words. When promoting BGAII, I generally mention that Srila Prabhupada states that the Japanese word “ju jitsu” comes from the Sanskrit “yuyutsava” as in BGAII 1.1 “dharma-ksetre kuru-ksetr samaveta yuyutsavah.”

These words by Srila Prabhupada also struck me and prove perhaps that the Japanese language also comes from Sanskrit, the mother of all languages. What about Chinese anyway? Does Chinese come from Sanskrit as well? I have not found yet a conclusive reply to this question. He very calmly accepted a copy of BGAII. I also asked him what happen if two fighters actually hit each other. He replied that he has to personally intervene and cool things down. This is not my kind of entertainment for sure.:)

And an hour or so previously, I had a very wonderful experience with a lady in her forties. People think that times are tough and are therefore very reluctant to donate away money. So I tried to engage her, especially I tried to get her to give a donation. But none of it worked. So I gave her my printed Hare Krishna mantra business-card-size-sheet and led her through the chanting. Before we finished she grabbed a box, searching for something. I thought she was looking for a counter mantra for my attention. But actually she was looking for Laksmi and donated. I congratulated her for enthusiastic chanting and asked her to chant more in my absence also.

Morning of the 5th of September 2024: It was 2AM and I had just woken and was driving down the main street of Ballina, New South Wales town in search for a public toilet to pass water. When I passed the town’s police station, two officers were exiting the station and entering their service police vehicle. I quickly approached and asked: “Officers please, where can I find a public toilet now.” He replied quickly and courteously: “Just use the toilet in the entrance lobby.” It took me a few instants to realise that he was giving permission and enjoining me to use the police station’s toilet. I did not expect such friendliness and fraternity. But I was really flattered. Thanks very much, officer, for making my life a little easier! And that’s not all. Inside the station there was a graceful female police officer. When I offered her a complimentary copy of “Reservoir of Pleasure” by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, my illustrious Guru, she gladly accepted. She sounded like she knows Hare Krishna a bit and likes it.

Later in the morning I met a real demon, hard and deadly. As I approached him for book distribution, he literally ordered me in no uncertain terms to clear his space. I counter-asked him who he was and what authority he had order me in this way. We were both trembling. I received an incoming phone call at that very moment, which I missed. He went to get the drink he was waiting for and I shouted loudly: “Have a nice day, Sir”, courtesy being most important in such situations and in all other situations. That was a somewhat tense situation.

The idea is that to deal with people in general on behalf of Sri Caitanya Mahapabhu, and especially to try to get them to take a Prabhupada book, carries a very special taste or Rasa.

Srila Prabhupada emphatically declares that:

“Sankirtana means preaching, so for some time try in other ways to spread our Krishna philosophy anywhere and everywhere, by selling books, as many as possible, by holding kirtana and classes in schools and college — wherever there is preaching, that is Sankirtana. You have an American brain, now use it to think of new ways to preach in Japan”. Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Sudama — Delhi 20 November, 1971

and

“My dear Bhakta das,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of January 28, 1972, and I am pleased to note that everything is progressing nicely in San Diego center. I especially appreciate your attitude toward increasing more and more the sales of our books, that will sanctify all other activities of preaching because preaching means selling books.“Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Bhakta dasa — Calcutta 21 February, 1972

and there is of course, His now famous Los Angeles class:

Srimad-Bhagavatam class 1.16.8.

Los Angeles, 5 January 1974

There is no comparison. There is no literature throughout the universe like Srimad-Bhagavatam. There is no comparison. There is no competition. Every word is for the good of the human society, every word, each and every word. Therefore we stress so much in the book distribution. Somehow or other, if the book goes in one’s hand, he will be benefited. At least he will see, “Oh, I have taken so much price. Let me see what is there.” If he reads one shloka, his life will be successful, if one shloka, one word. This is such nice things. Therefore we are stressing so much, 

“PLEASE DISTRIBUTE BOOKS, DISTRIBUTE BOOKS, DISTRIBUTE BOOKS!

The simple definition of Rasa is the taste we experience from carrying out a particular activity. Rasa is not just between Krishna and the gopis. When we observe the world, we can see mostly material Rasas everywhere. The smiling mother lovingly holding her new born baby is Rasa. And have you observed how happy the dog is when the master throws the ball and the dog fetches it? Some dogs will perform this activity all day, I assume. So we could say Rasa, not money, makes the world go round, because we are pleasure seeking entities: “Ananda mayo ‘bhyasat.”

“When we mention the name Krsna, we do not refer to any sectarian name. Krsna means the highest pleasure, and it is confirmed that the Supreme Lord is the reservoir or storehouse of all pleasure. We are all hankering after pleasure. Ananda-mayo ‘bhyasat (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12). The living entities, like the Lord, are full of consciousness, and they are after happiness. The Lord is perpetually happy, and if the living entities associate with the Lord, cooperate with Him and take part in His association, then they also become happy.” Ref. VedaBase => Bg Introduction

My apologies to Mayapur Sasi Prabhu and others: I do not take the trouble any longer to report to the World Samkirtan Newsletter in Los Angeles, USA, for various reasons, one of which being that time is extremely precious and one is always looking to claw back again a few minutes here and there, which will ultimately amount to a serious saving of time. Besides that, my personal scores at WSN are substantially understated, as in the beginning we never reported our scores. In some European countries, we did not even know of the existence of WSN. Mayapur Sasi Prabhu and myself talked about this some years backs and we estimated that my score was underestimated by 50%. But no corrective action was taken. Besides that it may be argued that collecting Samkirtan results just for the sake of it, comes under the heading “niyamagraha” as in Nectar of Instruction, verse 2. If that is the case, collecting scores will be a hindrance to the execution of devotional service. This is what I am experiencing, and time spent collecting scores would be more wisely used in actually distributing books. But I shall be happy to send you one kg of New South Wales macadamia nuts, as a token of appreciation for your steady services over the years. Just send me your address please.

atyaharah prayasash ca
prajalpo niyamagrahah
jana-sangash ca laulyam ca
shadbhir bhaktir vinashyati

“One’s devotional service is spoiled when he becomes too entangled in the following six activities: (1) eating more than necessary or collecting more funds than required; (2) overendeavoring for mundane things that are very difficult to obtain; (3) talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters; (4) practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following them and not for the sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically; (5) associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Krsna consciousness; and (6) being greedy for mundane achievements.”Ref. VedaBase => NoI: verse 2

Travelling book distribution Sankirtan adventure requires good physical energy and careful planning and organization. I did the 3600 km Cairns round trip, plus extra kms for side trips, every single year from 1997 to 2021, that’s 25 years or a quarter of a century of book distribution between Brisbane and Cairns in the sunny and glorious Queensland. And if you ask about my identity, I shall reply that I am simply a beggar with a “Village Natural Pot Set Yogurt 2 kg. From the heart” plastic container in the guise of a kamandalu.

Which brings to mind the following. Yesterday I also saw a man who had artificial legs from both knees down. I enquired about his predicament. He replied “Crocodile attack in Darwin, Northern Territory”. He did not allow me to take pictures even of his legs only, sorry. What did he do in his previous life to be so mangled in this life?

For the time being, I shall restrict my travels to 150 km north and south of Brisbane. Krishna willing I shall, in due course, resume my trip to Cairns as well. 

While arriving in the Holy Land of Byron Bay on the 6th of September, I FIRST paid my obeisances, as one should when arriving in a Holy Place. A place is made holy by the activities of the Lord Himself. In the past, Lord Jaganath, Lord Balaram and their sister Lady Subhadra paraded many, many times in Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia, in what we call the Ratha Yatra parade. That definitely makes Byron Bay a “Tirtha”, or Holy Place. We may also ask: “Why was this most important event, in such an important, cosmopolitan, internationally visited and most easterly town of Byron Bay stopped ?” WHY WAS IT STOPPED??? Perhaps the correct policy would be to resume the yearly Byron Bay Ratha Yatra. Brisbane City Ratha Yatra cannot replace Byron Bay Ratha Yatra.

On one prestigious and mercyfull occasion, the Supreme Lord Jaganath, chose even this humble self to be His carrier, as He travelled in my book-distribution-Samkirtan-van from New Govardhana, Murwillumbah to Byron Bay and back. Hard copy pictures are available. I shall have to transform them into e-pictures and publish them. Under the original inspiration of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the very founder of the International Hare Krishna Movement, the Ratha Yatra parade happens now yearly in many great cities of the world, including New York, Tokyo and Brisbane, the 2032 Olympic City.

I would have liked to mention exactly the number of times Lord Jaganath paraded in Byron Bay. I can remember probably about 8 times, two times per year, so 4 years. But the person who detains this information is Ajita Prabhu, the organiser or the 2 yearly Ratha Yatras and CEO of ISKCON New Govardhana, Murwillumbah. I have sent him an e-letter of request. But he is not replying. It seems that Ajita Prabhu is sulking. But the more pin-pointed question will be: WHAT IS AJITA PRABHU HIDING behind HIS PERSISTENT SILENCE. That is the real question. We know how badly Ajita treated my God brother Gopinath Acharya, who has now passed away. The neighbour farm owner in his humanitarian kindness gave shelter to Gopinath Acharya. It just seems that sometimes so-called ISKCON devotees or PSEUDO DEVOTEES exhibit inhuman behaviour. There was a case in ISKCON France where a disabled lady committed suicide out of despair and also cases of inhuman exploitation of older defenceless people. Krishna consciousness does not mean to re-install the darkest of ages. Did you see how kindly the so-called non-devotees treat their disabled individuals? We have a lot to learn from them in that regard and other regards as well.

From personal experience, I know that Ajita is an ice cold, feelingness, ruthless business person. That is unfortunately a trait of his character. He will stir up your feelings for Krishna and get you to make a donation for his temple. And if you subsequently ask him for a favor, he will just ignore you. If you will try to stir up his feelings for your cause, you will find that Ajita just has no feelings, he is as cold as an iceberg in Antartica.

I prescribe the best cure for this disease: Please get out on the front line and please distribute books, please distribute books, please distribute books. Get smashed in confrontation with adversity of the real world, instead of taking shelter in your soft cushioned temple. “Do-or-die” is the motto. And then later, please become a rasika-Samkirtan-book-distribution bhakta!

Australia is such an amazingly dynamic and efficient place! That means good brains are overseeing things, and if we can engage such good brains in Lord Krishna’s service, the result will exceed our wildest expectations. I have an inkling that one of the reason of this state of affairs is that there are still many Britishers involved in the management of Australia. This was confirmed by a former Canberra public servant I met in the Ballina swimming pool. (Not that I have time to go swimming. But I do need a shower possibly mornings and evenings at any possible location.) This gentleman informed me that up to the point of Gough Whitlam, the 21 Prime Minister of Australia, the public service was the exclusive domain of Britishers or something like that. Srila Prabhupada also had high esteem for the Britisher and how they managed Kolkata. I believe in one letter He writes that He Himself is Britisher by education.

I have also noticed that even the co-CEO of Iskcon Australia His Holiness Rama Swami has blocked me from reaching him by email. And the question again will be: “WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM. CAN THEY BE TRUSTED ??? There is no openness here. There is no glasnost, here. We do not know what they are scheming behind the scenes. Therefore EMPHATICALLY WE DONT TRUST THEM!!! UN POINT C EST TOUT. WE JUST DON’T TRUST THEM!

Instead OF LEADING A POLICY OF UNION for ISKCON, THEY SEEM INSTEAD TO LEAD A NONSENSE POLICY of ISKCON DIVISION and RESENTMENT.

I prefer by far the association of so-called karmis, especially when they are prepared to buy a Prabhupada book, to the association of PSEUDO DEVOTEES.

All glories to Lord Caitanya’s world wide Samkirtan movement, and all glories to its Commander in Chief, His Divine Grace A.C. Baktivedanta Swami Prabhupada!!! 

BYRON BAY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA, September 7th 2024, 4.30 AM.

PS. I want to put this down for the record. On the evening of the 7th of September 2024, at about 10.15 PM, Krishna got me to fetch a nice branch of an unknown tree. Oddly enough, I was then situated in the town’s cemetery. The reason I did this is that a have a somewhat stiff back and I was seeking a method to counter this situation. That same morning on the Byron Bay beach a kayaker, was warming himself up with some exercises using a paddle. I talked to him and decided that’s what I need to do to improve my back situation. Whence the fetching of the branch. The next morning, through some manipulation I transformed the branch into a nice stick about 2 meters high and of red-brownish collar, diameter: 2.5 cm at bottom at 3.7 cm at the top. There is a lingering suspicion that Krishna has another purpose in mind and gives me advance warning. In the past 24 years I had intense and decreasing lingering for this. And now I am totally indifferent to it. One way or another my preaching will go on. Let us see what the future will bring. Hare Krishna .

“Preaching is our real business, not getting big, big buildings and doing business for money just to maintain them, no. We shall live under a tree, that is not difficult, but we must go on preaching every moment, that will make us happy.” Letter to Chayavana Nov 11 1972.

“Regarding general state of affairs at Amsterdam temple, I can understand there is some disturbance among you, but that is not to be taken very seriously. Real business is preaching work, and if there is full attention on this matter only, all other businesses will be automatically successful. Fighting amongst ourselves is not at all good, but if our preaching work is neglected, or if we fall down in following the regulative principles such as rising before four, chanting 16 rounds, like that, if these things are not strictly observed then maya will enter and spoil everything. So my best advice to you is to strictly observe these things yourself and be the example so that all others may follow.” Letter to Madhumangala Nov 18th, 1972

PPS After having my ears pierced on September 12th 2024, at Sharkys Tattoo & Body Piercing, 1/103 Jonson st. Byron Bay 2481 NSW, Australia, phone 02 66808234, and after a full day of Samkirtan book distribution—they are an very excellent and long established business venture and I recommend them for their expertise and care— I have decided today at 8 AM of 16 September 2024 to go to the local pharmacy to buy nail polish. This is not a question of effemination. It is simply a matter of putting some color into one’s life. Color has a psychological influence on the individual. Yesterday three ladies in a row wore 1) red 2) black and 3) blue nail polish. It looked very good on these respectable ladies. Number 3 lady was from Norway in exchange from her own University in Norway with Gold Coat University and she was very straight forward in her dealings. I tell you later why I say this. No need to say she was also a very smart lady. If my memory is correct, her name was Elena. This is the first time I meet a lady from Norway on book distribution Samkirtan in Byron Bay. She mentioned how Norway has a very sound health system. But I meet so many people from South America, and especially from Argentina, incredible!

I think I shall start with blue, which at least for me is the colour of hope, just like the vast cloudless sky. After due consideration I may choose the tricolour, red, white and blue. After all, I was born in France and France is the land of the REVOLUTION. Please refer to the year 1789 for more information.

Today, Sept 16th, is another anniversary, the anniversary of my half year, in other words today I am XX and a half years old. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, the attorney general of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and my splendid Spiritual Master. May I ever hold tighter and tighter to His lotus feet.