From an external point of view, Mysore in South India is maybe one of the most pleasant cities in India. With a population of less than one and half million people, it is not so congested and thus known for good air quality. Many parks make it into a very green and relaxed city, and being located at an altitude of 770 meters above sea level brings along a pleasant climate.
It was my first visit to Mysore, and the devotees of three smaller communities eagerly engaged me in offering programs in various homes. During my stay we also celebrated Srila Prabhupada's disappearance in one of the small preaching centers. It was a great pleasure for me to glorify Srila Prabhupada, giving insights into the meaning of him being our Founder Acarya, and sharing some of his heart-moving pastimes before he left this world.
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The devotees also took me to Melkote - a 60 minutes' drive - to visit an old temple of Lord Nrsimhadeva. Some say it was established by Prahlada Maharaja himself! We embarked on this pilgrimage early in the morning and spent time chanting at the beautiful temple on top of a rocky mountain. There is no running water on this hill, and every drop of water to perform the puja has to be carried up the steep steps. The pujaris were very welcoming and allowed a long darshan while coming very close to Lord Nrsimhadeva. The atmosphere was rather sweet and personal....
There is also a temple of Narayana in the village of Melkote where Ramanujacharya spent 12 years. Thus it has become an important place for the Sri Vaishnavas. We also briefly visited the little ISKCON center outside the village, which mainly serves to accommodate visiting devotees or offer them prasadam on their pilgrimage.
There is also a temple of Narayana in the village of Melkote where Ramanujacharya spent 12 years. Thus it has become an important place for the Sri Vaishnavas. We also briefly visited the little ISKCON center outside the village, which mainly serves to accommodate visiting devotees or offer them prasadam on their pilgrimage.
Lord Nrsimhadeva is very powerful in freeing us from our anarthas and thus prepares our hearts to one day approach the Divine couple - Radhe Syama...
To undergo this purifying process of transforming our patterns of behaviours involves internal work. Hearing about anarthas such as envy for example will awaken us from our unconsciousness — our spiritual coma. The more we are covered by the modes of material nature, the less we are aware of our
own shortcomings. As our heart becomes gradually purified, we will become more perceptive and sensitized to recognize our subtle anarthas. On a dirty piece of cloth we will not recognize a stain — it is already dirty. But on a white cloth every little stain will clearly show.
Hearing leads to the understanding that we have to become free from envy if we want to enter the spiritual world. As a result we will develop a strong desire to kick out this ugly quality from our heart.
In order to do so we have to be introspective and honest, reflecting what we are whispering within our heart. We have to continuously check our motives: ‘Why am I doing this? Why am I saying this? Am I trying to be a humble servant, or am I trying to control, enjoy and be master?’ Without honest introspection and reflection, we cannot really make spiritual progress. As it is so subtle, and as the contaminated intelligence will always find justifications and defense mechanisms, it can easily remain undetected for many years and even life times. We may always cheat ourselves, thinking that we are doing the right thing, and everybody else around us is in the wrong.
When introspecting, we will eventually catch ourselves doing the wrong thing when manifesting our envious behavior. This is already progress, since before we did not even recognize it to be an unwanted behavior.
As a result of catching ourselves doing the wrong thing, we will regret, repent and lament, crying out to Krishna for help. We will beg Him to enter our heart to kill this demoniac tendency.
Ultimately, only Krishna can kill this Aghasura demon who resides within our heart, causing cruelty, violence and trouble to others out of envy. Lord Nrsimhadeva is very expert in performing heart surgeries with His sharp nails. All we have to do is to urgently request Him to do so. However, our problem is that we hang on to our envy within our heart, hoping that it will give us some tasty fruits. We do not want to let go of it — instead we embrace and protect it, thinking it will offer us some enjoyment and satisfaction. We cling onto it. However, if we seriously pray to Krishna to remove it, lamenting: ‘Oh, Krishna, when will the day come when I can finally let go of it all?’, then Krishna will reciprocate and do what’s required....
On the 22nd of November I flew on to Hyderabad.....
Your servant, Devaki dd
Please visit www.theholynameretreat.net
www.therootsofspiritualculture.net
https://www.facebook.com/instituteforspiritualculture/
To undergo this purifying process of transforming our patterns of behaviours involves internal work. Hearing about anarthas such as envy for example will awaken us from our unconsciousness — our spiritual coma. The more we are covered by the modes of material nature, the less we are aware of our
own shortcomings. As our heart becomes gradually purified, we will become more perceptive and sensitized to recognize our subtle anarthas. On a dirty piece of cloth we will not recognize a stain — it is already dirty. But on a white cloth every little stain will clearly show.
Hearing leads to the understanding that we have to become free from envy if we want to enter the spiritual world. As a result we will develop a strong desire to kick out this ugly quality from our heart.
In order to do so we have to be introspective and honest, reflecting what we are whispering within our heart. We have to continuously check our motives: ‘Why am I doing this? Why am I saying this? Am I trying to be a humble servant, or am I trying to control, enjoy and be master?’ Without honest introspection and reflection, we cannot really make spiritual progress. As it is so subtle, and as the contaminated intelligence will always find justifications and defense mechanisms, it can easily remain undetected for many years and even life times. We may always cheat ourselves, thinking that we are doing the right thing, and everybody else around us is in the wrong.
When introspecting, we will eventually catch ourselves doing the wrong thing when manifesting our envious behavior. This is already progress, since before we did not even recognize it to be an unwanted behavior.
As a result of catching ourselves doing the wrong thing, we will regret, repent and lament, crying out to Krishna for help. We will beg Him to enter our heart to kill this demoniac tendency.
Ultimately, only Krishna can kill this Aghasura demon who resides within our heart, causing cruelty, violence and trouble to others out of envy. Lord Nrsimhadeva is very expert in performing heart surgeries with His sharp nails. All we have to do is to urgently request Him to do so. However, our problem is that we hang on to our envy within our heart, hoping that it will give us some tasty fruits. We do not want to let go of it — instead we embrace and protect it, thinking it will offer us some enjoyment and satisfaction. We cling onto it. However, if we seriously pray to Krishna to remove it, lamenting: ‘Oh, Krishna, when will the day come when I can finally let go of it all?’, then Krishna will reciprocate and do what’s required....
On the 22nd of November I flew on to Hyderabad.....
Your servant, Devaki dd
Please visit www.theholynameretreat.net
www.therootsofspiritualculture.net
https://www.facebook.com/instituteforspiritualculture/
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