When Their Suffering Is Less They Call It Enjoyment
The standard of enjoyment in this material world is pitiful. What people call enjoyment is simply when their suffering is less than usual. I was never satisfied with this pittance of happiness, which is nothing more than a shadow of the real thing. Real happiness must be pure, devoid of any kind of suffering. Therefore I embarked upon the ultimate journey, the journey of self discovery to discover genuine happiness. By the combined mercy of the two greatest discoveries of my life: Lord Sri Krishna and my most beloved spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada--I was unlimitedly blessed with the unfathomable bliss of Krishna consciousness. Now I must share my good fortune with the entire world. This is the order I have received from my spiritual master.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Srila Prabhupada's Compassionate Gaze
Bhaktivinoddas Chaitanya
(1) To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives for propagating
the holy name of the Lord.
(2) To consider the names of demigods like Lord Siva or Lord Brahma to be equal to, or independent of, the name of Lord Vishnu. (Sometimes the atheistic class of men take it that any demigod is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu. But one who is a devotee knows that no demigod, however great he may be, is independently as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, if someone thinks that he can chant "Kali, Kali!" or "Durga, Durga!" and it is the same as Hare Krishna, that is the greatest offense.)
(3) To disobey the orders of the spiritual master. (This means you must be fully surrendered to the spiritual master.)
(4) To blaspheme the Vedic literature or literature in pursuance of the Vedic version.
(5) To consider the glories of chanting Hare Krishna to be imagination.
(6) To give some interpretation on the holy name of the Lord.
(7) To commit sinful activities on the strength of the holy name of the Lord. (It should not be taken that because by chanting the holy name of the Lord one can be freed from all kinds of sinful reaction, one may continue to act sinfully and after that chant Hare Krishna to neutralize his sins. Such a dangerous mentality is very offensive and should be avoided.)
(8) To consider the chanting of Hare Krishna one of the auspicious ritualistic activities offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities (karma-kanda).
(9) To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name. (Anyone can take part in chanting the holy name of the Lord, but in the beginning one should not be instructed about the transcendental potency of the Lord. Those who are too sinful cannot appreciate the transcendental glories of the Lord, and therefore it is better not to instruct them in this matter.)
(10) To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy names and to maintain material attachments, even after understanding so many instructions on this matter. It's also offensive to be inattentive while chanting.
So now seriously try to chant avoid these offenses, and gradually as you advance in Krishna consciousness you will more and more feel the presence of the Lord.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Srila Prabhupada's Compassionate Gaze
New York City--1966
Answers by Citing the Vedic Version:
Question: How to Perceive Krishna's Presence When I Chant?
If I commit great offences, how do I perceive that Krishna is present when I chant His name?Bhaktivinoddas Chaitanya
Answer: Become Free From All Offenses
You cannot feel Krishna's presence when you chant if commit offenses. If you want to feel Krishna's presence when you chant, you must become free from the following offenses:(1) To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives for propagating
the holy name of the Lord.
(2) To consider the names of demigods like Lord Siva or Lord Brahma to be equal to, or independent of, the name of Lord Vishnu. (Sometimes the atheistic class of men take it that any demigod is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu. But one who is a devotee knows that no demigod, however great he may be, is independently as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, if someone thinks that he can chant "Kali, Kali!" or "Durga, Durga!" and it is the same as Hare Krishna, that is the greatest offense.)
(3) To disobey the orders of the spiritual master. (This means you must be fully surrendered to the spiritual master.)
(4) To blaspheme the Vedic literature or literature in pursuance of the Vedic version.
(5) To consider the glories of chanting Hare Krishna to be imagination.
(6) To give some interpretation on the holy name of the Lord.
(7) To commit sinful activities on the strength of the holy name of the Lord. (It should not be taken that because by chanting the holy name of the Lord one can be freed from all kinds of sinful reaction, one may continue to act sinfully and after that chant Hare Krishna to neutralize his sins. Such a dangerous mentality is very offensive and should be avoided.)
(8) To consider the chanting of Hare Krishna one of the auspicious ritualistic activities offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities (karma-kanda).
(9) To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name. (Anyone can take part in chanting the holy name of the Lord, but in the beginning one should not be instructed about the transcendental potency of the Lord. Those who are too sinful cannot appreciate the transcendental glories of the Lord, and therefore it is better not to instruct them in this matter.)
(10) To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy names and to maintain material attachments, even after understanding so many instructions on this matter. It's also offensive to be inattentive while chanting.
So now seriously try to chant avoid these offenses, and gradually as you advance in Krishna consciousness you will more and more feel the presence of the Lord.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
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