Japa Meditation Retreat

We are now gathered in sublime Govinda Valley, Australia for the most auspicious purpose of increasing our absorption in Krishna's holy names. Sometimes people inquire, "What does it mean to be absorbed in the holy names?" It is not difficult to understand. Just like someone may be so deeply absorbed in watching a movie that the imitation reality portrayed on the screen takes on a reality which seems more real than the actual reality which is going on outside of the movie theatre. Similarly the consciousness of the expert chanter of Krishna's holy names becomes so deeply absorbed in Krishna's names that the transcendental sound vibration takes on more significance than the entire material existence, which the chanter experiences as a mere manifestation of the Holy Names. The advanced chanter directly experiences the Holy Names as the Supreme Reality, the original source of everything in existence.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: How to Understand the Humility of the Pure Devotee?

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

How to understand the statement of one pure devote who said that he is most fallen and that he is more fallen than a worm in stool?

How can I understand this statement? The pure devote has many good qualities. How he can say that he is most fallen? I, for example, can't say that I'm the most fallen. I'm aware of my good and bad qualities, and I can't honestly say that I'm the worst person in the world.

Why does the pure devote think that all living beings are better than himself and that everyone is serving Sri Krishna except for him? This kind of humility is very difficult for me to understand. Is it possible to understand it at least theoretically?

Your servant,

Bhakta-pranadhana dasa

Answer: Only By Becoming a Pure Devotee

It is not possible to understand the inconceivable unlimited humility of the Mahabhagavat, the pure devotee. In his extreme humility he sees all living entities as pure devotees of Krishna except for himself, whom he sees as the wickedest demon. It is not objective reality, but yet he is fully absorbed in this mood. Such things can never be understood intellectually. The only way that we can really understand this mood is to taste it ourselves by becoming pure devotees. So my best advice to you, if you want to comprehend this advanced level of Krishna consciousness, is that you should strive diligently to attain pure Krishna bhakti. In this way, in due course of time, you will be able to fully comprehend this Vaisnava mood of perfect humility.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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