Krishna Seva

[manish]

Jai Shri Krishna,

nice question. bad company in 2 ways

1) that can be avoided, going out with non vaishnavs, avoiding places as much as we can where there will be no satsang etc. but sometimes we even need to go there, then somewhere before Vasant Bhai had mentioned that we can keep smaran of Astakshar mantra and automatically the bad company wont have adverse effect on us.

2) bad company that cannot be avoided - at work/university/school i guess is the most common example. this is something that we cannot avoid and we have to pass this test everyday of our life. but without this we cannot accomplish our seva, so that is also indirect seva and we can try to avoid bad association and no go seeking for it.

jsk

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

Shikshapatra 16 has 10 shloks on chinta ko tyag (Never Worry)

This letter explains not to worry but always do bhagwad seva, smaran (remember Him) and sing His glories. (kirtans)

Always remember the beautiful son of Nandraiji, the most beloved of Yashoda, this Lord of Vraja who always resides in the hearts of His Bhaktas . He is the one who should be remembered, prayed and worshipped daily.

One must be in the company of Bhaktas and sing His glories always. He (The Lord Of Vraja) will gradually help us in forgetting the samsara and make us attach to Him and will contain us within His divine reality so don’t worry. He is full of Mercy.

All the Vraj Bhaktas who took His refuge were blessed by Him so don’t worry.

Do satsang daily and avoid bad company and have no fear as He is capable of uplifting all His Bhaktas so do not get disturbed.

Have full faith in Shri Mahaprabhuji’s Lotus feet without any fear or worry.

Because of Kal jug my mind is filled with worldly desires and faith keeps diminishing that is the fear one has in their minds.

Have no idea what merciful (Ocean of Grace) Shri Krishna has in store for us that is why I am worried.

Do not get distressed have full faith in Shri Krishna.

Balance all is enlightened in bhakta Premji’s letter which can ease our pain and refresh our heart.
_________________
Vasant Punjabi.

"Shri Vallabh Shri Vithal Sukh-kari naa-me nishpap thai nur-nari,
------Nitya Lila nitya nautam shruti na pame par."----

[unnati]

Jai jai shri gokulesh

Vasantji, Please continue.
_________________
Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....Shri Vitthala Nam Vina Mantra Kya Thi Paou......Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....
Unnati M. Kadakia

[palna]

Jai Shree Krishna,
Yes, please......
_________________
Prem Bandhan Ajab Gajab, Brahmaganth sami aa ganth, na tutai na chutai

Palna na Koti Koti Jai Shree Krishna

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Jai Shri Gokulesh Unnatiji, &
Jai Shri Krishna Palnaji,

Here it is ------!

Shikshapatra 17 has 13 shloks on Renunciation

This letter explains us to have complete faith in the lotus feet of Shri Mahaprabhuji and avoid bad company. (Dusang tyag)

Shri Mahaprabhuji has explained us in Sanyaas Nirnaya that there are two types of renunciations.
Leave your home and belongings (wealth) or sacrifice all by utilizing everything for Shri Krishna only.

Renounce all types of sensual pleasures and enjoyment but always be in the company of Bhaktas Do not avoid satsang but keep away from bad associations.

Hence what to renounce and what not to is also not in the hands of the jeev (soul) as it has no strength so one must therefore control the mind and make positive decisions.

One must be firm in the path of Grace, as only with firmness in the path, one can cherish the desire for the fruit.

Even if one is weak but has firm faith in Shri Mahaprabhuji’s lotus feet, then he can attain strength and necessary power to make positive decisions.

Even in bad times (Kal Jug, or in bad company) if one has total faith in Shri Mahaprabhuji’s lotus feet then one can easily escape all the calamities.

Shri Mahaprabhuji has said “Do not loose Faith at any moment” This will be an obstacle. Must have complete trust (Faith) and solely rely on God’s Refuge as this is the only way in Pushtimarg. As from refuge everything will be accomplished there is no doubt.

Shri Gusainji has given the name of “Puthak-sharan-margo-padeshta”

Who so ever has taken refuge in Shri Krishna’s lotus feet has accomplished everything.

Knowingly or unknowingly anyone who surrenders with total faith will benefit.

Always do seva and join the group of Bhagwadias who constantly engage in God’s service, avoiding all bad associations and follow this path (of Pushtimarg) according to your ability and focus on Shri Krishna’s seva/smaran constantly avoiding all doubts.

Avoid bad association as they are solely involved only in samsara (lokik sukh) and are away from their gurus, but indulge with Bhagwadias whose Guru is Shri Vallabh. !
_________________
Vasant Punjabi.

"Shri Vallabh Shri Vithal Sukh-kari naa-me nishpap thai nur-nari,
------Nitya Lila nitya nautam shruti na pame par."----

[unnati]

Jai jai shri gokulesh

Vasantji, Nice explaination. Please continue.........
_________________
Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....Shri Vitthala Nam Vina Mantra Kya Thi Paou......Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....
Unnati M. Kadakia

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Jai Shri Gokulesh,

Regret delay Unnaitji,

Jai Shri Krishna,

Shikshapatra 18 has 17 Shloks on Virah Bhavna.

Always have full faith in Shri Krishna, Shri Mahaprabhuji, Shri Gusainji, Shri Swaminiji and never stray away from them.

This Kal jug is very difficult to survive, since the time does not stop and keeps doing its work (like the waves of the ocean) but the soul does not realize that and becomes entangled in his own undertakings which is the reason why the body is apathetic to Shri Krishna’s worship.

Shri Krishna’s devotees do not have to be over concerned of their lively hood nor should they be stressed as Shri Krishna is merciful and definitely will do what is good for the Bhakta.

One should not even worry about it as Shri Krishna will definitely bless his bhakta who pray and do seva/smaran daily knowingly or unknowingly.

Those who are knowledgeable should always feel the pangs of separation and keep remembering Shri Krishna constantly and place Him in one’s heart.

Shri Krishna is the only one who is ever joyful and full of bliss, one who loves his bhaktas and must be established in our heart, one who is the most adorable child of Shri Yashoda and one who can destroy all lokik desires and impurities in a minute should be established in our heart.

The only one who can not only destroy all our desires but the whole samsara also, He always sleeps happily and comfortably on the bed like chest of sheshnag and plays with vraj bhaktas the one who is ever pitiful and most lovable and adorned with a peacock feather on His head.

One must always do seva/smaran and follow the path as taught by Shri Mahaprabhuji .

Also consider Shri Krishna as the supreme who is the son of Shri Yashoda and never consider Shri Swaminiji , Shri Mahaprabhuji or Shri Vithalnathji as worldly.

Teach this path only to the people who are spiritual and the one who enquire about it and not to all, as this way if the soul is properly focused, even Shri Krishna will automatically bless this soul like a lusty man is always pleased with his desires so in the same way is Shri Krishna very pleased with his devotees.
_________________
Vasant Punjabi.

"Shri Vallabh Shri Vithal Sukh-kari naa-me nishpap thai nur-nari,
------Nitya Lila nitya nautam shruti na pame par."----

[Sital]

Jai Shree Krishna

Vasantji, that was wonderful, thanks

JSK
_________________
Madhurkomalkant padavali namami
Sital

[unnati]

Jai jai shri gokulesh

Agreed with what Sitalji said very beautifully explained....
Please continue....
_________________
Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....Shri Vitthala Nam Vina Mantra Kya Thi Paou......Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....
Unnati M. Kadakia

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

Thanks Sitalji, I am happy you are enjoying it.

Jai Jai Shri Gokulesh,

Unnatiji, you are welcome ! well here goes the next one

Shikshapatra 19 has 10 shloks Power of Ashtakshar Mantra

This letter guides us to repeatedly keep reciting the Ashtakshar Mantra the only way to protect oneself from sins of Kal Jug.

Such a bad time of Kal Jug is come that everyone’s mind is being disturbed.
Satsang is becoming very difficult to get and Shri Krishna’s charitra (image, attributes, greatness etc) is getting hard to understand.

Also it is very difficult to find a Vaishnav who serves the lotus feet of Shri Mahaprabhuji and does seva of Shri Krishna.

Even Shri Hariraiji is having hard time finding such vaishnavs to do satsang and his mind is totally disturbed and there being no happiness at all but only sadness.

Being born and living on this earth is totally useless without seva/smaran and refuge of Shri Krishna. Shri Hariraiji’s heart feels such a terrible pain, so how can one find comfort. ?

Living in Vraj, or doing darshans of Shri Yamunaji, swaroop of Shri Yamunaji, swaroop of Shri Giriraj and darshans of Shri Goverdhan Nathji have all left me and gone away.

This effect of being away from all has effected my thinking which is driving my mind away from Shri Krishna.

Living in closeness with vaishnavs constantly reminds us of Shri Krishna and our mind should always be under His refuge.

Who knows what Shri Krishna has in store for us? But one must always have full faith in the lotus feet of Shri Mahaprabhuji.

Only Shri Premji’s letter has thus consoled my mind.
_________________
Vasant Punjabi.

"Shri Vallabh Shri Vithal Sukh-kari naa-me nishpap thai nur-nari,
------Nitya Lila nitya nautam shruti na pame par."----

[unnati]

Jai jai shri gokulesh

Vasantji, nice explanation but is it like "Karishyanti Vishvaso - Panch Shloki" having a strong faith in lotus feet of Shri Mahaprabhuji.
_________________
Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....Shri Vitthala Nam Vina Mantra Kya Thi Paou......Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....
Unnati M. Kadakia

[Pushtidas]

Jai Shree Krishna

Well done Vasantbhai, very good narration.

By the way we had lovely Satsang on Friday, your daughter Sarika also visited us and we had the pleasure of her company. She is well brought up and we all were very impressed by her. Vasantbhai you and Bhabhi have brought her up very well.
_________________
Dasa nu das
Pushtidas

[Sunita Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

Thank you very much Pushtidasji for helping my daughter Sarika.

She had lots of fun and enjoyed the satsang tremendously.
_________________
Sunita Punjabi

Mero to Aadhar Shri Vallabh ke Charnarvind
Mere gale ko haar Shri Vallabh ke Charnarvind
Mero to shinghar Shri Vithal ke Charnarvind
Ga-o Varamvar Shri Vallabh ke Charnarvind Shri Vithal ke Charnarvind --------!!!!!!!

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

Regret delay and thank you vaishnavs and Pushtidasji, Sitalji, Palnaji and all who helped Sarika and made her stay pleasant in London. She had a real good time and was very happy and enjoyed the satsang tremendously.

Well here is the next letter

Shikshapatra 20 has 19 shloks on always do satsang and avoid bad company.

It teaches us never to worry, but be in the company of vaishnavs and have full faith in Shri Mahaprabhuji and avoid bad company.

Getting news of your wellness pleased my heart as Shri Krishna will always bless the pushti soul. One must never worry about his faults as once love develops then everything can be attained.

Never worry about lokik desires but get involved in satsang then results will be favorable like good medicine will always do well so remain content.
Be very careful as bad association can destroy our bhava in a moment.

Vaishnavs should always keep away from bad people and their associations as they will always try to insult you but one must just be tolerable and always avoid them. Therefore Pushtimargiya Vaishnav should not have any attachment for lokik desires or bad association but indulge in satsang as God’s name can remove all false complications and pain.

Knowledge appeared from Shri Mahaprabhuji’s mouth specially the Ashtashar Mantra which should be recited constantly as it helps in getting rid of our sins. Even Brahmsamband removes all impurities and makes our body fit for seva. Singing the glories of God will increase our knowledge.

Knowledge may sometime even hinder us while doing bhakti so only having knowledge is not complete but one must also have Shri Mahaprabhuji’s grace to accomplish Bhakti.

Seeking for Shri Krishna’s darshans, feeling the pangs of separations makes one feel the Virah Bhav.

Once the burning desire for Shri Krishna increases automatically the impurities will disappear and love for Shri Krishna will rise but without faith there will be no victory So one must have total faith and bhav must be pure and unselfish then with clear mind one must have total trust and firm faith in Shri Krishna only.

In the company of vaishnavs one will automatically develop love for Shri Krishna that is without a doubt so why fear ?. The bewildered one is definitely ignorant and their association will always be hindrance so avoid by all means.

Keep the company of those vaishnavs who indulge in seva and satsang as they will always guide you the right path as they love to speak without contradiction and have no selfish motives.

Please put your total faith in those vaishnavs who read Shri Subhodhiniji, shodash granths and other granths written by Shri Mahaprabhuji as they are all liberated souls and those are the ones who will always keep away from all lokik desires and dusangs (bad company).
_________________
Vasant Punjabi.

"Shri Vallabh Shri Vithal Sukh-kari naa-me nishpap thai nur-nari,
------Nitya Lila nitya nautam shruti na pame par."----

[Sital]

Jai Shree Krishna

Thanks Vasantji, lovely translation and it was a pleasure to meet your daughter, she is lovely. Whilst reading the letter I was hoping if you or other vaishnav’s could elaborate on knowledge. In the letter it is mentioned that knowledge can hinder your bhakti but then on the contrary it can also enhance your bhakti. Is Shree Prabucharan Hariraiji discussing the drawbacks of aham?


Thanks

JSK
_________________
Madhurkomalkant padavali namami
Sital