Illegal Happiness

On Thursday 29 March 2007 I gave a presentation on this sublime, ecstatic self-realization science to a classroom full of students at Sofia University. The students loved it and asked for further information. Many of them came out into the hallway after the lecture to inquire further about this liberating process. There was only one person who did not like it. This was the teacher. She was very disturbed that I made a presentation that was so appealing to the students. She told me, "You have made it too popular." 

I have to admit that it is very difficult for me to present Krishna consciousness as some dry boring academic pabulam. Every word of this philosophy is overflowing with unlimited oceans of nectar. To package it as some insipid trivia tolerable to the envious would be very, very difficult.

When I explained what had happened to Stanu Prabhu, one of our local devotees, he told me that during the communist era here in Bulgaria a group of devotees had gathered illegally in a house to have to a Krishna consciousness program. The neighbors complained to the police after the program. Their complaint was that all the people came out of the meeting looking so happy. This mood of happiness being illegal is still hovering over Bulgaria at Sofia University. We hope to change that.

College Lecture by Sankarshan Das, Sofia University, Bulgaria

Audience at Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria

Answers According to the Vedic Version

Question: What are the Qualities of a Pure Devotee?...

Honestly as a new comer into the Krishna Movement reading your "Thought for the Day" on a daily basis through the Internet gives me a great deal of joy and sense of belonging. It instructs me to strive and get closer to the Lord God Krishna, the greatest experience ever since I was born. My little question is: What are the good characteristics of a pure devotee(s)? I will be glad to know this from you my Lord.

Your Obedient Servant,

Nze

Answer: There are Twenty-six Qualities...

I am very happy that you are feeling inspired by my humble attempts to serve the mission of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. The 26 characteristics of the Krishna's pure devotee are described as follows in the Sri Caitanya Caritamrita (Madhya Lila 22. 78-80):

krpalu, akrta-droha, satya-sara sama
nidosa, vadanya, mrdu, suci, akincana
sarvopakaraka, santa, krsnaika-sarana
akama, aniha, sthira, vijita-sad-guna
mita-bhuk, apramatta, manada, amani
gambhira, karuna, maitra, kavi, daksa, mauni

(1) He is very kind to everyone.
(2) He does not make anyone his enemy.
(3) He is truthful.
(4) He is equal to everyone.
(5) No one can find any fault in him.
(6) He is magnanimous.
(7) He is mild.
(8) He is always clean.
(9) He is without possessions.
(10) He works for everyone's benefit.
(11) He is very peaceful.
(12) He is always surrendered to Krsna.
(13) He has no material desires.
(14) He is very meek.
(15) He is steady.
(16) He controls his senses.
(17) He does not eat more than required.
(18) He is not influenced by the Lord's illusory energy.
(19) He offers respect to everyone.
(20) He does not desire any respect for himself.
(21) He is very grave.
(22) He is merciful.
(23) He is friendly.
(24) He is poetic.
(25) He is expert.
(26) He is silent.

Silent means he only talks about Krishna and he does not advertise himself as a great devotee.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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