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In 1885, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura took Bimalā along with other sons to visit a few places of Lord Caitanya's pastimes in Bengal. Arriving late one evening on the outskirts of Kulīna-grāma, a settlement whose former inhabitants were very dear to Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the father and sons were accorded repose in a temple.
Next morning, upon entering the hamlet, they were asked by some local residents where they had come from and where they had spent the night. Upon hearing the answer the village men amazedly asked, “How could you have slept? No one can stay there peacefully, for it's haunted by a brahma-rākṣasa who pitches stones and brickbats at anyone passing by after dusk.”
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura replied, “Yes, that ghost did try to disturb us, but I loudly chanted the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and he went away.” Learning that he was Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, whom they already knew of, some having read his books, the villagers became most obedient and further questioned, “How did you quell that ghost by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa? Previously he was the priest of that temple, and he chanted Hare Kṛṣṇa throughout his life. How did he become a ghost, and how could your chanting expel him?”
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura told them that the priest must have vibrated only the syllables of the name, thus producing a physical, lip-deep sound lacking spiritual essence. When Bhaktivinoda asked about his character, they replied, “He was not good. He committed many sinful acts. But he used to recite harināma almost constantly.”
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura further explained why the priest could not have been truly chanting: “Sinful people, with the intention of acquiring wealth and reputation, make a show of kīrtana, but that is merely cheating. As stated in Śrīla Jagadānanda Paṇḍita's Prema-vivarta: asādhu-saṅge bhāi “kṛṣṇa nāma” nāhi haya “nāmākṣara” bāhirāya baṭe nāma kabhu naya -- Those not in the association of authentic devotees cannot actually utter the holy names. Even though they may externally vibrate the sound kṛṣṇa, that is not actually the name of Kṛṣṇa.
“The name of Kṛṣṇa is nondifferent from Him and thus completely pure and spiritual. Kṛṣṇa- nāma does not allow Himself to be plundered by materialists. This man never actually chanted Hare Kṛṣṇa, only nāmāparādha. Because of severe offenses to the holy name he became a ghost. The men then asked, “Can he ever be released from that wretched condition?”
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said, “If he hears the real name, or the proper explanation of Bhagavad- gītā or Bhāgavatam from a bona fide sadhu who has a genuine connection with Kṛṣṇa, then he can be liberated from ghostly existence.”
Henceforth all troubles caused by the specter ceased. The villagers then realized that Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was himself that caliber of exalted sadhu whose pure kīrtana had the power not only to exorcise unyielding ghosts, but to deliver the entire universe from the maelstrom of material life.
Henceforth all troubles caused by the specter ceased. The villagers then realized that Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was himself that caliber of exalted sadhu whose pure kīrtana had the power not only to exorcise unyielding ghosts, but to deliver the entire universe from the maelstrom of material life.
Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava
PADA: Yep pilgrims, people who chant, but they desire to have name, fame, guru post, mundane opulence, guru bhoghi, kama, lobha, pooja, pratistha etc. do not go back to Krishna. They have to stay here and continue to suffer.
Chanting alone does not fix everything, the chanting requires the proper mood of surrendering to Krishna -- and when people try to cheat, it just makes them more culpable and alienated from Krishna, and thus, more punishable, even more punishable that the ordinary mundane man who at least knows it is forbidden to pose as a sadhu artificially. I feel bad for these guru God brothers, their fate is very dark indeed. ys pd
angel108b@yahoo.com
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TAKE SHELTER OF PRABHUPADA
BD: I was initiated by His Divine Grace 56 years back and I have thought a lot on this subject. You can read not only what he wrote on the face, but between the lines. If you wish to take initiation that is fine, But a proper guru in the line from Prabhupada should be nothing more than a friend and a guide and a sign post to Prabhupada.
Even the greatest sadhus and acharyas of India are amazed at his potency. Anyone who tries to supersede the Founder-Acharya or erect a throne for himself in the ashram of Shri Guru is a certified nut case. Just see the examples of what has happened to each of the pirate gurus who claimed to be his successors.
They are all tragic one after another. Such posers must be avoided as they will lead you and their other followers to hell. Becoming re-initiatied over and over is no solution. Prabhupada is right there for you. You can obtain a nice deity of His Divine Grace and keep him on your altar and just surrender to Radha and Krishna through him as your guru. We should understand the difference between regular guru and the Paramhamsa pure devotee who is on the level of Shrila Rupa and Raghunatha. Make your life perfect through Prabhupada's mercy. He is still here for us -- and for you.
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