HG Acharya Prabhu Ji:
The Lord spoke Bhagavad Gita 5000 years ago to Arjuna, but he was just an instrument. It is actually for us. Srila Prabhupada further made it more accessible by translating it. It is said on the back that one who studies these 700 verses can become self-realized. We show that to many people and inspire them to take a Bhagavad Gita. My most favourite verse that I heard when I first came to Aravade was from Chapter 10: The Opulence of the Absolute.
BG 10.9:
mac-citta mad-gata-prana
bodhayantah parasparam
kathayantas ca mam nityam
tusyanti ca ramanti ca
Translation:
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me.
Yesterday I was reading Krishna Book, where the pastime of Banasura was writing in detail. We have heard this pastime many time that Srila Prabhupada would himself read his own books saying I have not written these, but krsna has written making me an instrument. I like to read when I get time which very little. Today’s quotation of Srila Prabhupada was ‘If One can please a pure devotee of the lord, such actions means immediate satisfaction to the lord, even though such a person is not officially qualified to receive the mercy of the lord.’ As we see we all are getting the divine association of our spiritual master every day.
Ei-baro karuna koro by Narottama Das Thakur:
gańgāra paraśa hoile paścate pāvan darśane pavitra koro-ei tomāra guṇ
Translation:
After bathing in the waters of the sacred Ganges many times, one becomes purified, but just by the sight of you, the fallen souls are purified. This is your great power.
Sometimes we feel oh every day we are hearing so what’s the big deal. So, we have ati-parichayat avajnaa attitude, which means excessive familiarity breeds contempt. If we are honour feast prasad every day, then feast will become normal, as we are honouring it every day. If we are getting after so many days,then we will be very excited for feast prasadam. We should not think like this but be enthusiastic. For every japa talk, Guru Maharaj instructed us to distribute Bhagavat Gita.
Guru Maharaj says that we have to do 1 lakh Bhagavad Gita for all padyatra this marathon. So, we have got 25000 Gita as our quota by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada. So, we were in parikrama at vraja mandal. At Chinta Haran Mahadev, HH Gopalkrishna Goswami Maharaj comes every year. Here mother yashoda was worried about Krishna’s well-being. But our worry is how to distribute more and more of Srila Prabhupada’s book.
We were given our target of 5000 books and we were thinking we wil achieve that. But now Guru Mharaj gave us a huge target. We came back to Janak Pur and on the way we met a ticket collector who was also a devotee. At night TC says that don’t worry you can travel easily. We don’t recognise him as ticket collector as he was not in his uniform. The next morning, he came in his uniform with applying tilak on his forehead, then we come to know that he was the ticket collector.
Gurumaharaj is also helping us complete our target by giving us his blessings and he always thinking about us that how will can achieve our target.
Krsna told Arjuna just be instrumental with bow and arrow. I have already killed all the soldiers.
BG 11.33:
tasmāt tvam uttiṣṭha yaśo labhasva jitvā śatrūn bhuṅkṣva rājyaṁ samṛddham mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvam eva nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savya-sācin
Translation:
Therefore get up. Prepare to fight and win glory. Conquer your enemies and enjoy a flourishing kingdom. They are already put to death by My arrangement, and you, O Savyasācī, can be but an instrument in the fight.
All this is done by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, we just have to go out and have to become an instrument.
Caitanya-bhāgavata, Antya 4.126:
pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma
sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma
Translation:
In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.
So, even if we have no devotion, but we follow the instructions, all will be good.
At Janak Puri, in Nepal, first day our score was not good. But next day we distributed 200 books and like this We are continuing. We will be going through a big market today.
This Padayatra is great. We go to distribute books and at the same time we do sankirtan and prasadam distribution. In evening, we do Gaura Aarti. Srila Prabhupada gave us a complete program. So, it’s more influential. We camp every night, but we have never faced any issue. A few days back we were out in the open, there was just a grill around us and there was a pond near us. There was a cold wind at night. But some Gaudiya devotees helped us get some covers.
We were in Virganj and it was Radhastami. HG Nitai Gaur prabhu came from Noida. But the lecture was not about Radharani, but about Bhagavad Gita. He asked who all went to go to Vaikuntha Dham? Everyone raised their hand. He said who all want to go to hell? No one raised their hand. So, he said take Bhagavad Gita. He distributed 70 books in that class.
There was a disciple of HH Bhakti Vikas Swami Maharaj, Named HG Balaram Bhagvan Prabhu ji. He would stop cars in the way and give 4 books and say take it. They would say no but finally he would end up distributing two books at least. He distributes 60-70 Books every day.
Once we are near Gorakhpur, the road was narrow and he stuck between Tata Sumo and a Laury. He felt unconscious and his back got injuries and doctor advised him to take bed rest. After some days, He was again distributing the books.
Some time he would say to people who would say they don’t have money. He would say how much you spent for intoxication? So, you can’t give 100 Rs. for Geeta today? We should pray to Lord and Srila Prabhupada before going. Lord is in the heart of everyone. So, he inspired them to take.
BG 10.10:
teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ yena mām upayānti te
Translation:
To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.
We even some times give to small temple. We were by the birth place of mother Sita. Janak Maharaj found Mother Sita in the ground and to feed her milk Mother Earth’s breast appeared and milk flowed from here. So, we went to many places in Nepal. We took the pass for one day but stayed for 30 days. They asked us to give 15000 Rs. For staying there. So, they caught us in the way back. They wouldn’t let us go and stopped our advance Jeep party. But when our bullock cart came, they released us saying you have walked from Vrindavan. We gave the officer Bhagavad Gita and a calendar. He let us go.
We go to temple and hear, but that doesn’t make many devotees, but these books make devotee. So always carry books. Many times, we see people who say, ‘oh I have been looking
for this book for so long.’ Keep at least one book of Bhagavat Gita or any other book of Srila Prabhupada to distribute.
I heard that Srila Prabhupada didn’t want to come to this world. But the Lord said please go to translate the books. So, he came. Many times, people say I have it in my phone. But you can’t worship the mobile. So, we should keep this auspicious book in your house.
Guru Maharaj gave all Padayatras a huge target. We have a nice Padayatra, Sri Ram Padayatra coming from Delhi to Ayodhya.
Many time people go dindi and when we interview how you like this padayatra? They say at home we have comfort, but no peace. Here we may have no comfort but we are peaceful.
In Padayatra, we have to do Mangala Aarti in open area every day, even in the winter season. We sometimes get shelter in the rooms, but our Gaur Nitai always stays outside in the open area. These Gaur Sundar Nitai are beloved of our Guru Maharaj.
Keep at least one book in your hand and approach everyone. Sometimes, Hindus refuses to take Bhagavad Gita, but a Muslims take Bhagavad Gita. Whoever have faith, he will take Bhagavad gita.
Guru Maharaj always thinks big like Srila Prabhupada Do. We will try to fulfil Guru Maharaj’s order. We can give at least one book in 30 days, So, we should all try.
These Padayatra devotees walk every day so many miles and they distribute books also. We are unable to see many of these wonderful book distributors, but Guru Maharaj brings them here to inspire us.
HG Ananta sesa prabhu Ji: We are fortunate that we are taking darshan of HG Acharya Prabhu ji. In the past, there has not been a disciple who has served so long since 2009 In the Padayatra. He is continually serving from 15 years and he is inspiring us so much. HG Acharya prabhu is also one of our senior most Godbrothers and a future Sanyas candidate.
HG Sahastranaam Prabhu Ji: HG Acharya Prabhu joined Aravade, in 2009 and then Padayatra leader was sick. So, Guru Maharaj asked for Acharya prabhu to lead. I said he is the only son and his parents live in a nearby village and also, he plays a pivotal role in Aravade temple. But Acharya Prabhu said I’ll follow whatever Guru Maharaj says.
HG Padma Mali Prabhu Ji:
Many devotees like to sponsor Bhagavad Gita for the Padayatra so they can distribute. You can help them give Bhagavad to distribute books at subsidised rates or even free. In a day or two, we will be sharing the link to contribute towards Padayatra book distribution.
HG Giriraj Govardhan Prabhu Ji: HG Acharya prabhu lives such a simple life and seeing him we started Padayatra in Alibagh. We saw how many difficulties come But, we are inspired by Prabhuji to carry on.
HG Raghav Ashraya Prabhu Ji: Many times, we get aggressive attitude, “Why are you selling books here! Go from here! You should distribute the constitution.” So how should we deal with them and with Muslims?
HG Acharya Prabhu Ji: Don’t waste too much time with people who are like this. So, we should learn how to know who is eager to take. So, we have to reach more and more people. So, we should not get into argument. Just take 2-3 min to each. And sometimes, they ask for free we say we need money to print more. They say oh we give Bible for free. So, we should tell them give us money and we will also distribute for free. You can sponsor.
HG Nitai Gauranga Prabhu Ji: We goes to distribute books on metro stations, Sometimes, people ignore us or try to run away. How to speak to them. Sometimes we feels demotivate.
HG Acharya Prabhu ji: We can speak some time bitter by saying all these wealth will go away. And sometimes, you talk sweet by saying you have all good fortune come and get a Bhagavad Gita.
Once we are in Gujarat, a person gave us 5000 Rs. Donation. We can pray to those whoignores and give books to those who are interested.
HG Mahadev Prabhu Ji: What is the best time to enter Vanaprasth Ashram.
HG Acharya prabhu ji: Come to Padayatra is best way. Sometimes, people in villages came and asks to join Padayatra and they say they are very tired of their Grihastha life. But in the morning, no one came to join us. You can discuss with your counsellor and authority to come in Vanprastha Ashrama.
HG Advaita Acharya Prabhu Ji: We are very inspired by your dedication to Guru Maharaj in such an odd situation. We also get a target and distribute Bhagavat Gita. We will sponsor a box of Bhagavad Gita for you.
HG Sita Nath Ram Prabhu Ji: We are distributing Bhagavad Gita in train, most of people ignores us and some take very easily. I can continue this service, please give me some tips.
HG Acharya Prabhu Ji: Read Srila Prabhupada Books daily and attend this zoom temple regularly. You will get the wisdom. You can pray to Lord also for being continue this service.
Hare Krishna!
