All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

Sri Krishna Janmastami
 

Excerpts from talks this day by His Divine Grace Srila
Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj


20 August 2003 in St. Petersburg, Russia,
on His Divine Grace's 20th World Tour


Early morning Darshan:
  Everyone will get the blessing of Lord Krishna today if they will serve His lotus feet. Willingly, the devotees are fasting. What you do I do not know, but I have no objection if you take some lemon juice with water and sugar. At this time it is very hot in India, so at noon we are giving the devotees lemon and water mixed with molasses. You follow what is possible according to your country. It is not a problem if Westerners do not follow some of the same rules as in India. After following the regular morning programme, we will start reading the Sri Chaitanya Charitamrta, alternating with kirttan throughout the whole day.

Srila Guru Maharaj read up to chapter thirteen. On this day Guru Maharaj taught me so much because there was no cooking, and I was sitting and hearing him read Chaitanya Charitamrta. That was 1947; in fifty-six years so much has changed. I cannot conceive that I shall be in the Temple of Radha Madhav in Russia. Last year I was in Govardhan, another year in Italy, another in Russia, and this year the lotus feet of Radha Madhav have given the opportunity to stay here.

Afternoon darshan
  spoken by His Divine Grace to a gathering including
several broadcast media representatives.
 
 
You have all assembled today to hear something about Lord Krishna because today is the Appearance Day of Lord Krishna. In the Sri Bramha-samhita, in the eighteen Puranas, in Srimad-Bhagavat, Srimad Bhagavad-gita, and Sri Mahabharat, Krishna is given as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Krishna Himself said it in the Bhagavad-gita. In the Bramha-samhita it is written about Lord Bramha, who is the creator of the whole universe by the power of Lord Krishna, before making the creation he prays to Lord Krishna. Through that we can see that He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Krishna appeared more than 5,000 years ago in the material world. We know by the Scriptures that the Lord Himself appeared with all His associates and the transcendental abode. In the highest part of Vaikuntha-loka is Krishna's abode, named Vrindavan. The material manifestation of Vrindavan is in Uttar Pradesh, India. Krishna came to that abode with His paraphernalia and associates. In Srimad Bhagavad-gita Krishna said that when there is irreligion of the jiva soul, when they are doing wrong and making trouble for the devotees, He cannot tolerate that. Krishna appeared to settle the religious path with piety; He is making everybody pious, re-establishing religion, and giving happiness to the hearts of the devotees and sadhus. That happened 5,000 years ago.

We understand through the Mahabharat that there was the Kuruksetra Battle. In a very diplomatic way Krishna made some fighting arrangement there. Thousands of soldiers, big fighters, assembled there to fight, and almost all died. Finally the power of religious authority was given to Yudhisthir Maharaj. Before fighting started, there was a discussion between Krishna and Arjuna — 700 slokas, which is the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. Arjuna did not want to fight, thinking, "How will peace come from this fighting?"

Krishna told Arjuna, "If there is no fighting there will be abuse. The fighting will not stop. I arranged everything to kill them because they are impious with asura mentalities. I appeared to kill the asuras and impious people. My wish will be successful." Finally, Krishna said, "Surrender to Me. That is your religion, then do what I tell you, and you will be successful." In this way Arjuna got answers to so many questions.

Arjuna also wanted to see the Universal Form, and Krishna showed that to him. After coming here He uplifted the full consciousness of the jiva souls by what He preached in the Bhagavad-gita. The whole of India is worshipping Lord Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and for that they are observing this day, the Appearance of Lord Krishna.

Krishna appeared from Vasudev and Devaki in the prison house of Kamsa. When He was born, Krishna showed His four hands, crown and ornaments, etc. He showed that form to Vasudev and Devaki. Krishna gave them His blessings and said, "I have become like a mundane child. Take Me out of this prison house and go to Nanda Maharaj's house. There, a daughter has appeared. Exchange Me with her and bring the daughter here. Everyone will sleep, and no one will pay attention." Vasudev kept Krishna in the bed of Yoga Maya and took Him, returning to Kamsa's afterwards.

You are all fasting to honour Lord Krishna. We pray to Lord Krishna: "We want Your incarnation to come again in this world." Krishna will bless you. Chant the Holy Names of the Lord, and you will get super-benefit in your spiritual life.
Transcribed by Vrndavanesvari Devi Dasi
in consultation with other devotees present

Pictures of this and later events this Sri Janmastami Day in St. Petersburg, Russia.
What's New? - World Tour Information

Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip:
http://scsmath.com