The yogis equipped with transcendental knowledge and renunciation, and engaged in devotional service for their eternal benefit, take shelter of My lotus feet. And since I am the Lord, they are thus eligible to enter into the kingdom of Godhead without fear. Please repeat: The yogis... Audience: The yogis... ...equipped with transcendental knowledge... Audience: ...equipped with transcendental knowledge... ...and renunciation... Audience: ...and renunciation... ...and engaged in devotional service... Audience: ...and engaged in devotional service... ...for their eternal benefit... Audience: ...for their eternal benefit... ...take shelter of My lotus feet... Audience: ...take shelter of My lotus feet... ...And since I am the Lord... Audience: ...And since I am the Lord... ...they are thus eligible to enter into the kingdom of Godhead... Audience: ...they are thus eligible to enter into the kingdom of Godhead... ...without fear. Audience: ...without fear. One who actually wants to be liberated from the entanglement of this material world and go back home, back to Godhead, is actually a mystic yogi. The words explicitly used here are yuktena bhakti-yogena. Those yogis, or mystics, who engage in devotional service are the first-class yogis. The first-class yogis are described in Bhagavad-gita as those who are constantly thinking of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. These yogis are not without knowledge and renunciation. To become a bhakti-yogi means to automatically attain knowledge and renunciation. That is the consequent result of bhakti-yoga. In the Bhagavatam, First Canto, Second Chapter, it is also confirmed that one who engages in devotional service to Vasudeva, Krsna, has complete transcendental knowledge and renunciation, and there is no explanation for this attainment. Ahaituki—without reason—they come. Even if a person is completely illiterate, the transcendental knowledge of the scriptures is revealed unto him simply because of his engagement in devotional service. That is also stated in the Vedic literature: to anyone who has full faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the spiritual master, all the import of the Vedic literatures is revealed. It does not have to be sought separately. The yogi who is engaged in devotional service is full in knowledge and renunciation. If there is a lack of knowledge and renunciation, it is to be understood that one is not in full devotional service. The conclusion is that one cannot be sure of entrance into the spiritual realm, in either the impersonal brahma-jyoti effulgence of the Lord or the Vaikuntha planets within that Brahman effulgence, unless he is surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord. The surrendered souls are called akutobhaya. They are doubtless and fearless, and their entrance into the spiritual kingdom is guaranteed.
jñāna-vairāgya-yuktena
bhakti-yogena yoginaḥ
kṣemāya pāda-mūlaṁ me
praviśanty akuto-bhayām
The yogis equipped with transcendental knowledge and renunciation, and engaged in devotional service for their eternal benefit, take shelter of My lotus feet. And since I am the Lord, they are thus eligible to enter into the kingdom of Godhead without fear.
oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
śrī-caitanya-mano-'bhīṣṭaṁ sthāpitaṁ yena bhū-tale
svayaṁ rūpaḥ kadā dadāti sva-padāntikam
vande 'haṁ śrī-guroḥ śrī-yuta-pada-kamalaṁ śrī-gurūn vaiṣṇavāṁś ca
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
So bhakti-yoga is a mystical process. And how jñāna and vairāgya are manifested just by engaging oneself in devotional service. So Prabhupada refers here to a famous verse in First Canto, Second Chapter about renunciation and jñāna and vairāgya. Lakshman ji maybe know that sloka?
Q (Lakshman): vāsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogaḥ prayojitaḥ janayaty āśu vairāgyaṁ jñānaṁ ca yad ahaitukam
A: Yes, right. And translation?
Q (Lakshman): By rendering devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, one immediately acquires causeless knowledge and detachment from the world.
A: So bhakti-yogena. By just engaging in devotional service to the Supreme Lord, Vasudeva, āśu, āśu means very soon or immediately, one acquires, ahaitukī, without cause, jñānam and vairāgyam, knowledge and detachment from this world. So that's mystical. Just by being absorbed in devotional service. And Prabhupada is also quoting or speaking about this famous sloka:
yasya deve parā bhaktir
yathā deve tathā gurau
tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ
prakāśante mahātmanaḥ
Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic literature revealed. So it's like we spoke about yesterday, Aristaha Prabhu gave class and that the logic from the material point of view, that how is it that there are personalities behind the thunderbolt or different material energies, that there are personalities behind that. So from the material point of view, sometimes it seems to be naive. But it's revealed to the devotees who are engaged in devotional service, they are connecting, they are connecting to the Lord. And by just being connected to the Lord, and pleasing the Lord by one's service attitude, so then it's revealed, one can be free from doubt. So that is bhakti-yoga, it's a mystical process. Like when Prabhupada was in New York, 1965, 1966, those who were just coming to his classes and to his kirtana, they immediately, very soon, they got some experience. I remember Syamasundara Prabhu, he said that the experience was we're getting high by chanting Hare Krsna. It's something beyond material sound vibrations. So Bhagavatam is so special, and the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is so special. Today is Lord Vamanadeva's appearance day. I was reading a little about Lord Vamanadeva, and just try to say something about Him. So He is described in the Eighth Canto of Bhagavatam, chapter 18, 19, and 20. So chapter 18 is entitled 'Lord Vāmanadeva, the Dwarf Incarnation'. So Sukadeva Gosvami, who speaks to Maharaja Pariksit, so first he speaks about the parents. Do you know the parents of... who are the parents of Lord Vamanadeva?
Q: Aditi and Kasyapa.
A: Yes, Prajapati Kasyapa. So they are the parents of the Lord. And it's very wonderful described how He looked like. Srimad-Bhagavatam is revealing the different forms of the Lord. One can get a clear understanding about how that Supreme Personality of Godhead looks like. So that's unique. In the history of religion, it's there in the Bhagavatam, such intimate descriptions. So first of all, it's described about His blackish complexion. Syama, syama color, just like Krsna's color. And He appeared first in the Visnu form, with four hands decorated with sankha, cakra, gada, and padma—so conchshell, club, lotus, and disc. And He was dressed in yellow garments. So beautiful. And His eyes appeared like petals of a blooming lotus. And Prabhupada, he recommends that one should be very eager to understand the appearance and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His different incarnations. One should be very eager. Especially opportunity on this special days to develop this eagerness. Because His activities are divyam. Divyam means they are completely transcendental, they are not of this world. He has nothing to do with material activities. And this is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita 4.9. Do you know Bhagavad-gita 4.9?
Q: janma karma ca me divyam...
A: Mmm.
Q: ...evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti so 'rjuna
A: Translation?
Q: One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.
A: One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities, just by knowing that, and that means not like only theoretical, but one is engaging in service, devotional service. So then janma karma ca me divyam evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ, tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti. One can actually understand the Supreme in truth. And the effect of that is that one will not take birth again in this material world. That is Krsna's words. So it's described how He was decorated. He had earrings resembling sharks, and on His chest, on His bosom, was the mark of Srivatsa. And Srivatsa means the abode of Sri, Laksmi, or the Goddess of Fortune. So she is the consort, eternal consort of Lord Visnu. And it's described that this Srivatsa mark is located on the right side of His chest, near the heart. And He wore bangles on His wrists, armlets on His arms, He had a helmet, beautiful helmet on His head, a belt on His waist, and He had a sacred thread across His chest, and anklets decorating His lotus feet. And then it's described about the Kaustubha, Kaustubha gem, or Kaustubha-mani, it's also called. He was wearing the Kaustubha gem.
Q: Gem.
A: Gem.
Q: Gem.
A: Gem. Kaustubha gem is most famous and a precious jewel. So it's worn by both Visnu and Krsna, the Kaustubha gem. So it's described it's extraordinarily brilliant. It's pure. It's most valuable. It's most valuable gem, and it's hanging from the Lord's neck. And also it's described about His flower garland, decorated His chest. And it's described how the flowers were extremely fragrant. And because of being so extremely fragrant, many bees were humming around, and envied the flowers for getting honey, the nectar. It's also described about the Lord's effulgence vanquished all darkness in Aditi and Kasyapa's home. It became completely transcendentally illuminated. And then it's described at this moment when Lord Vamanadeva appeared, how happiness was all-pervading, everywhere in all directions. The demigods, the cows, the brahmanas, hills and mountains were filled with joy. Everything is personalized, everyone experienced joy. Also, it's described in the reservoir water, like the rivers and oceans, they all experienced joy. And in the core of everyone's heart, great joy. So the Lord appeared on Dvādāśī.
Q: Today is...
A: Vāmana-dvādāśī. So that's the twelfth day of the moon. And it's also described about sound, many different sounds when the Lord appeared. Conchshells were blown very beautiful, different kinds of drums, kettle drums, and other instruments vibrated, it says in the Bhagavatam. It was like a great concert. And the sound of all these instruments was tumultuous, was very loud and very, very impressive. So such a wonderful description about when Lord Vamanadeva appeared. And also it's describing about dancing was going on, and singing was going on, and prayers were uttered. The celestial dancing girls, apsaras, they danced in great, great jubilation. And the best of the Gandharvas, they were singing so beautifully. And many great sages, like it's mentioned that the demigods, Manus, Pitas, offered beautiful prayers with great devotion. And also, as described in many other places, there were showering of flowers also at this moment. It's described that the Siddhas, Vidyadharas, Kimpurusas, Kinnaras, Caranas, and many others shower flowers over Aditi's residence. And it was like covering the whole house. Like sometimes in the winter when we have a lot of snow, it's covering the whole house. And this house was covered by flowers coming from Svarga, from the heavenly planets. So how was then Aditi and Kasyapa's reaction? How did they feel, what did they experience? So when Lord Vamanadeva appeared from Aditi's womb, she was struck with transcendental wonder. She was extremely happy. Extremely happy. So it's explained that Prajapati Kasyapa, he exclaimed at this moment, again and again he said, "Jaya, jaya, jaya, jaya!" when Lord Vamanadeva appeared in great happiness and wonder. It was like a greatest mystery. It's also described what Lord Vamana, about His, how He appeared with ornaments and weapons in His hands. And then after this display, then suddenly Lord Vamanadeva, He changed form, from Lord Visnu and He became His human form of Lord Vamana, Lord Vamanadeva ki jaya! A brahmana dwarf, a brahmacari. He was a brahmacari. And Prabhupada, he says just like a theatrical actor. So a good player in the theater can play many, many different roles, but it's the same person. Same person can be very expert in illustrating different roles. Prabhupada says there in the purport, 'An actor changes dress, but he is the same.' And similarly described in the Brahma-samhita. Prabhupada says Brahma-samhita 5.33 and 5.39, the Lord assumes many millions of forms, like is described like the waves coming in from the ocean, unlimited waves. So also unlimited forms, millions of forms are appearing. So Lord Vamanadeva is one of them. But there are unlimited incarnations of the Lord. So He is:
advaitaṁ acyutaṁ anādim ananta-rūpaṁ
ādyaṁ purāṇa-puruṣaṁ nava-yauvanaṁ ca
So His advaitam. What advaitam means? He is...
Q: One.
A: One. Yes, there is no difference. He is, His, non-dual. There's no difference between the Lord and His form, His body. And His acyutam, that means He is...
Q: Infallible.
A: Infallible, yes. His anādim.
Q: Beginningless.
A: Yes, beginningless. Ananta-rūpam.
Q: Unlimited forms.
A: He possesses unlimited forms. Purāṇa-puruṣam.
Q: The oldest person.
A: Yes, He is the oldest person, the original, the ancient Supreme Personality of Godhead. But the wonderful thing is that although He is purāṇa-puruṣam, He is the oldest person, He is also nava-yauvanaṁ ca. He is always like a youth, yet eternally youthful. So in this way, the Lord is always present with innumerable incarnations, like is also explained in Brahma-samhita:
rāmādi-mūrtiṣu kalā-niyamena tiṣṭhan
nānāvatāram akarod bhuvaneṣu kintu
He exists in so many different forms, and we know some of them as Rama, Vamana, Nrsimha, etc. So they are not different from each other. The different incarnations, they display different powers. And Prabhupada gives one example about this in Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.3.28. Originally, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is full in six opulences. He has all riches, fame, beauty, knowledge, and renunciation. So Prabhupada said when they are partly manifested, it should be understood that certain manifestations are required for different particular functions. So they are displaying different kinds of opulences according to their particular functions. And Prabhupada gives an interesting example: in a room, like here we have electric bulbs in the temple room. So the bulbs show different powers. But it does not mean that the electric powerhouse is limited by these bulbs. The same powerhouse can supply, as you know, power to, for instance, a large-scale industrial complex which needs so much power. So in a similar way, the incarnation of the Lord displays limited powers because so much power is needed at that particular time. And also, it's explained how rituals were being performed. So when the sages saw Lord Vamanadeva, they were very pleased. And immediately they performed all kinds of ritualistic ceremonies. And it's also explained about how He got the sacred thread at this point. Prabhupada said according to the Vedic civilization, when a child is born, especially in a brahmana family, the birthday ceremony is called jata-karma is first performed. And then after that, so many other ceremonies when the child is growing. But this is the first ceremony, jata-karma, just when the child is born. So when Lord Vamanadeva appeared, there was also immediately the sacred thread ceremony, it was performed at that very moment. And it's explained how at that time, when He received the sacred thread, the ceremony was there, different mahatmas, great souls were present. And they were presenting different offerings to Lord Vamanadeva. Like the sun-god personally uttered the Gayatri mantra for Lord Vamanadeva. And Brhaspati, He offered the sacred thread. And Kasyapa Muni offered a straw belt to Lord Vamanadeva. And Mother Earth gave Him a deer skin. And the moon-god gave Him a brahma-danda, a rod for brahmacaris. Like a few years ago we had here, Janeshvara d, we had ceremony for, how many years ago was it? Seven, six, ten years? Ten years? Young brahmacaris, like here Laksman and Syama were present. And they got this, they were offered this brahma-danda, rod for brahmacari, from Bhrgu Muni.
Q: I think there is...
A: He still has it?
Q: ...Janeshvara d, Janeshvara d has the brahmacari danda.
A: Yes. So Lord Vamanadeva He received this rod of a brahmacari from the moon-god. And Mother Aditi gave Him cloth for underwear. King Indra offered Him an umbrella. And Lord Brahma offered Him a waterpot. And the seven sages offered Him kusa grass. Mother Sarasvati gave Him a japa-mala, string of rudraksa beads. And Kuvera gave Him a pot for begging alms. And Lord Siva's wife, Bhagavati, gave Him the first alms. It doesn't say which alms, but she was giving first alms. So in this way, being welcomed by everyone, Lord Vamanadeva exhibited a wonderful Brahman effulgence emanating from His body, transcendental body. And in this way, He surpassed the beauty of everyone present, He surpassed the beauty of the entire assembly. There were many great saintly brahmanas present, but when He showed His Brahman effulgence, He surpassed them all in beauty. And then it's described in the Bhagavatam how Lord Vamanadeva Himself performed a fire sacrifice, He was sitting down, and He offered worship. And then He decided He wanted to give special mercy to Bali Maharaja. And He heard that Bali Maharaja was performing a asvamedha sacrifice, asvamedha-yajna. So then Lord Vamanadeva proceeded there to show His special mercy to Bali Maharaja. And it's described at this point, when He was walking towards His sacrifice arena, by His weight, when He was walking, His weight, He pushed down the earth with every step in a most auspicious way. And when He came closer to the sacrificial arena where Bali Maharaja was present, the priests saw Lord Vamanadeva coming. And they saw Him like the sun. He was so effulgent. So because of this bright effulgence, the priests and Bali Maharaja were all, it's explained, robbed of their splendor. He was all-attractive, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So when He came, He was holding the rod. He was also holding the umbrella and the waterpot, and it was full with water. So in this way, He entered the arena of the asvamedha sacrifice. So in this way, He was appearing like a brahmana boy, brahmacari, wearing this belt of straw and an upper garment of deerskin. He also had matted locks of hair. So everyone stood up when He entered the sacrificial arena. Everyone stood up from the seats and welcomed the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vamanadeva, by offering obeisances. And how Bali Maharaja, He was the king of the demons. So how did he react? The Supreme Personality of Godhead is appearing, so He is chief of the demons. So how did he react? He was jubilant in seeing the Lord. And he offered Him immediately a seat with great devotion. And he was washing His lotus feet. So Bali Maharaja, He said, 'O My Lord, because You have kindly arrived at our home, our entire dynasty have now been sanctified. The sacrifice is now complete because of Your presence.'
So Bali Maharaja is a devotee. And He continued, 'O My Lord, by the touch of Your small lotus feet, the entire surface of the world has been sanctified.'
And then He starts speaks about charity. So He said, 'It appears that You have come here to ask me for something. Therefore, whatever You want, You may take from me. You can take whatever You desire.'
So then in the next chapter is described about Lord Vamanadeva begs charity from Bali Maharaja. So Sukadeva Gosvami says that when the Lord heard Bali Maharaja speaking in this way, He became very satisfied. So Vamanadeva said, He addressed the king, 'O King, you are exalted because your advisors are brahmanas.' So that is interesting. He has very qualified brahmanas who are advising him. So Vamanadeva said, 'You are exalted because you have good advisors.'
And then the Lord continues, He speaks about his dynasty, 'Never in your dynasty has a low-minded king been born. And your dynasty is even more glorious because of the presence of Prahlada Maharaja. He is like the beautiful moon in the sky, Prahlada Maharaja, who is a grandfather of Bali Maharaja.'
So Bali Maharaja, He was known for being very charitable. It's described in Bhagavad-gita about the qualities of the ksatriya. You maybe know that sloka? You know, Jayesha?
Q (Jayesha): śauryaṁ tejo dhṛtir dākṣyaṁ yuddhe cāpy apalāyanam dānam īśvara-bhāvaś ca kṣātraṁ karma svabhāvajam
A: Mmm. So one of these qualities are danam. Danam means He gives, He is happy to give in charity. That's one of the symptoms of a ksatriya. Sauryam means heroes, tejas, power, dhrtir, determination, daksyam, resourcefulness, danam, generosity, yuddhe capy apalayanam, not fleeing from the battlefield, and isvara-bhavas, the naturally is a leader. So that is the nature of ksatriya. So danam is one of the qualities, and Bali Maharaja, he was very, he loved to give charity to the brahmanas. And the Lord says, 'Your father, Virocana, the son of Maharaja Prahlada, was very affectionate toward brahmanas.'
So then He now requests charity, 'I ask only three paces of land to the measurement of My steps.' So very small. Little brahmacari, He is wanting very, very limited steps. So He says, 'O King, you are very munificent, but I do not want more than necessary. If a brahmana takes only what He needs in charity, He doesn't become entangled in sinful life.'
So this is also significant. One should not accept more than what He needs. A brahmana, a sannyasi, can receive charity, but if one takes more than what He needs, then that's sinful. So if He just takes what He needs, then it's explained, one doesn't become entangled, one becomes very happy and inspired. One is not, one doesn't become greedy. Takes only what He needs. It's explained in Bhagavad-gita, maybe you know this verse:
brahmaṇy ādhāya karmāṇi
saṅgaṁ tyaktvā karoti yaḥ
lipyate na sa pāpena
padma-patram ivāmbhasā
You know?
Q: One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water.
A: Very good. So Krsna said, one who performs His duty without attachment, and surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, lipyate na sa papena, He is unaffected by sinful reactions, padma-patram ivambhasa, just as a lotus leaf is untouched by water. So very beautifully described by Krsna like that. So Bali Maharaja, He addresses Vamanadeva, and He says, 'Your instructions are as good as those of a learned elderly person. Nonetheless, you are a boy, and your intelligence is insufficient. You are not very qualified to take care of your self-interest.' He thinks that it's why He only asks for three steps of land. He can give Him a planet, Bali Maharaja. But then the Lord is answering, 'Even the entirety of whatever there may be within the three worlds can't satisfy a person whose senses are uncontrolled.' So this is really true. If your senses are uncontrolled, one can never be satisfied, whatever there may be within the three worlds. 'If I were not satisfied with three paces of land, then surely I would not be satisfied even with possessing one of the seven islands consisting of nine varshas. Even if I possessed one island, I would hope to get others.' Like is explained, if you are a millionaire, you're not satisfied, you want have two millions. And if you have two millions, you want have three, and so on. That's the nature of this world, rajo-guna. So Sukracarya, He understood what was happening. And now it's 9:00, and I think we should stop here. So this is how far we got this morning. But it's very wonderful pastime.
Q: I have a question, when Vamanadeva came to the sacrificial arena, then Bali Maharaja welcomed Him. But is it so that he actually didn't understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but he received Him anyway?
A: Yes, it's interesting how His spiritual master, Sukracarya, He was, He understood that this is Supreme Personality of Godhead, and he was self-motivated. He thought that if He now will take away everything, and He was thinking about his position. He was thinking about himself and his family. 'What about us if Lord Visnu now takes away everything?' Although he knew He is the Supreme Lord, still he was attached. And then that's why he gave this advice which was really inauspicious, that he should just refuse to give this charity, although he already promised to give three steps of land. So Bali Maharaja also knew it from his spiritual master, that this is Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Q: Did Krsna have all opulences?
A: I think all the opulences are there, it's just it's manifested in different degrees.
Q: And also renunciation...
A: As a brahmacari.
Q: ...and He is famous all over the three worlds.
A: So today is...
Q: ...beauty is also there, it's to wake up the beauty in everyone.
A: He, Krsna Himself has all opulences to the full. And the others, He is of...
Q: Yes.
A: Yes. Yes. Syamasundara is going to have a school program in Linkoping, for a high school. Meet many pupils. Hope it goes very well.
Q: Thank you.
A: We are going to roll balls, so you get some prasada, or do you have another prasada?
Q: Yes.
A: Do you have some prasada? We have some balls we can roll, so we... Srimad-Bhagavatam ki jaya! Lord Vamanadeva ki jaya! Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!
Q: Jaya. Ja, precis, han... Gargamuni han pratar om att när Prabhupada började översätta... eller han översatte, och så gick han förbi en affär som hade en sån här diktafon. Och så han gick in där och frågade liksom, "Hur kan man använda den här? Kan man använda den så för att till exempel jag har en författare som talar in böcker." Han sa det, "Det är perfekt för det." Och då, då köpte han den. Och den här expediten då, han förklarade ganska... tog ganska lång tid att förklara hur maskinen fungerade, grundlig, tysk, tysk märke. Och så när han, när han kom till Prabhupada och presenterade den, Prabhupada var väldigt nöjd, han tänkte "det här kan ju användas på ett bra sätt". Och så då sa Gargamuni att det är ganska komplicerat det här, och jag kan förklara, det finns instruktionsbok och så där också. Och Prabhupada bara sa "nej men det... det... det... det... jag... jag klarar det". Och Prabhupada liksom, han bara satte igång den och bara liksom förstod hur den funkade, som Gargamuni hade svårt för att förstå. Så han var liksom materiellt sett, expert. Materiella verktyg. Ja. Syamasundar ska göra idag ett skolprogram i Linköping, för en gymnasieskola. Träffa många elever. Hoppas det går jättebra. Tack. Vi ska rulla bollar, så du får med dig lite prasada, eller har du en annan prasada? Ja. Har du någon prasada? Vi har lite bollar vi kan rulla hemma. Srimad-Bhagavatam ki jaya! Lord Vamanadeva ki jaya! Srila Prabhupada ki jaya! Jaya.