Prabhu: We see, in the society of neophytes offense is unavoidable. But then sometimes offense happens and we just tolerate. But sometimes offense happens, and we are just waiting, as you mentioned before, when the other party gets the reaction and then we...
HH Bhaktividyā Pūrṇa Svāmī Mahārāja: [Laughter] Hariiibol! [Laughter]
Prabhu: Not exactly, but inside we are happy.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Yeah, yeah. Means, it's, it's... Let's say, it happens. It's not ideal, it's not actually an advanced position. Because like Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, in a discussion, he made 25 different points. One of them was about that when will he have that standard of desiring the best welfare for those who are his enemies. So it is mentioned, the first level is, someone does something to you, you do something back. The second level is, they do something to you, you don't do something back. The third level is, they do something to you, but you actually are hoping for their benefit. Because they give you problem because they are not... Due to lack of God consciousness, due to some impurity. But if they become God conscious then those things go away.
Mātājī: But if they are devotees?
HH BVPS Mahārāja: No, no, but it's still, that area will be... That will be an area that is weak in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Mātājī: So, you wish them well in the next life? [Laughter]
HH BVPS Mahārāja: No, you wish them well now. Means, the lower, if we are worried about retribution then that's there, but then that means everything also we do is also based on those principles. So that means then we will be also judged within that kind of environment.
Mātājī: But we will be judged...
HH BVPS Mahārāja: [Looking for the quote] That's strange... Ahh... 'Let me not desire anything but the highest good for my worst enemies.'
Mātājī: Who is saying?
HH BVPS Mahārāja: This is Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. He is saying,
Reading from the Instructions of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura:
1. We are put to test and trial in this world. Only those who attend the kīrtana of the devotees can succeed.
2. Every spot on earth where discourses on God are held is a place of pilgrimage.
3. Possession of objects not related to Kṛṣṇa is our main malady.
4. Let me not desire anything but the highest good for my worst enemies.
5. As dalliance with the body in luxury increases, so wanes the spirit of service of the Lord.
6. Those favored by God find their paths set by thorns.
7. There is no peace or happiness in our worldly life. Circumstances create turmoil and annoyance.
8. Chant the Mahā-mantra loudly and with attachment. This will drive away inertia, worldly evils and pests.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Pests means those who are materialistic. [Laughter]
Reading from the Instructions of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura:
9. Be indifferent to bazaar gossips, stick firmly to your cherished goals, no lack or impediments of the world will ever stand in your way.
10. Pay due respects to the extroverts of the world, but do not be appreciative of their manners and conduct. They are to be shaken off from your mind.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: So, means, those in the world who go out and what happens outside is what they get absorbed in it, the people that are successful in the world - you respect them because they are applying themselves to the laws of nature, they are getting their thing. But we don't appreciate their manners because it is all about themselves. It's not about Kṛṣṇa consciousness, so therefore... So we can't, we should not create some lofty ideal about considering them, like that.
Reading from the Instructions of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura:
11. A devotee feels the presence of God everywhere, but one averse to the Lord denies His existence anywhere.
12. You cannot appreciate transcendental matters with the reasoning of the world. It is sheer nonsense to decry them with the measuring stick of your own intelligence.
13. To recite the name of Śrī Kṛṣṇa is bhakti.
14. Life is for the glorification of topics on Hari. If that is stopped, then what need is there to carry on life?
15. Physical illness with Hari-bhajana is preferred to physical fitness without Hari-bhajana.
16. Our span of life on earth is short. Our life will be crowned with success if the body wears out with constant discourses on Hari.
17. We are here on earth not to work as artisans for making big buildings with wood and stone, but to work only as messengers for the teachings of Śrī Caitanya Deva.
18. A sycophant is neither a guru or a preacher.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: I think sycophant means someone who is self-centered.
Reading from the Instructions of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura:
19. To transform the adverse desires of the jīva is the supreme duty of the most merciful. To rescue one person from the stronghold of Mahāmāyā is an act of superb benevolence, far superior to opening innumerable hospitals.
20. Unless we are devoted to God, secularism shall not leave us.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: That was that discussion in the morning, about groups.
Reading from the Instructions of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura:
21. Look within. Amend yourself, rather than pry into the frailties of others.
22. In this world of Māyā, averse to the Lord, full of trials and tribulations, only patience, humility and respect for others are our friends for Hari-bhajana.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: So these other things aren't going to actually make the bhajana. These are what make the bhajana.
Prabhu (1): Yeah, that's directly tṛnād api sunīcenā.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Yes, that's, that's... Yes, yes, that's the whole point. Making so many arrangements and management, that's not going to make the Hari-bhajana. Having these moods, like that. Now, if we use these moods in making arrangements for Hari-bhajana, yes, then we will get something very nice.
Reading from the Instructions of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura:
23. The Lord, Gaurasundara, puts His devotees in various difficulties and associations to test their patience and strength of mind. Success depends upon their good fortune.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: So, that means, they are that independent, means that they are applying their independence for Kṛṣṇa.
Reading from the Instructions of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura:
24. When faults in others misguide and delude you – have patience, introspect, find faults in yourself. Know that others cannot harm you unless you harm yourself.
Prabhu (2): That's a good one.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: But it kind-of goes against the whole retribution kind-of thing.
Mātājī: [indistinct] [Laughter]
HH BVPS Mahārāja: So that one with the original one, so they can... And then you have the best...
Mātājī: But you have to have patience, it can go with the retribution.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Yeah, patience...
Mātājī: Patience for the results... [Laughter]
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Yes. You go back to Godhead, what do you care what happens?
Mātājī: That's true.
Reading from the Instructions of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura:
25. I wish that every selfless, tender-hearted person of the Gaudīya Matha will be prepared to shed two hundred gallons of blood for the nourishment of the spiritual corpus of every individual of this world.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: So this was his notes for the members of the preaching mission.
Prabhu (1): Almost like a mission statement.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Yes, yes.