110902 Adi 17 Youth Lila.mp3 (47 minutes, 27.1 MB)

trnad api sunichena taror iva sahisnuna
amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih
(Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita: Adi-lila 17.31)

“I would say everybody associates this verse with Srila Govinda Maharaj, even though it is Mahaprabhu’s verse, because he always would mention it. I remember when he went to Columbia people asked, “What message do you have for the Columbian people?” He didn’t say “Chant the Holy Name.” No, he said, “Trnad api sunichena…You already have abundant fruits and vegetables and nice sunshine; you already have so much opulence in this country, now if you just take this principle of trnad api sunichena and utilize this principle, then everyone’s life will be enriched by that. Srila Govinda Maharaj preached that verse everywhere and showed by his example how to follow it.”

–Srila Janardan Maharaj

The following is an excerpt from Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita: Adi-lila 17, 26-33:

“To chant the Holy Name always, one should be humbler than the grass in the street and devoid of all desire for personal honor, but one should offer others all respectful obeisances.” A devotee engaged in chanting the Holy Name of the Lord should practice forbearance like that of a tree. Even if rebuked or chastised, he should not say anything to others to retaliate. “For even if one cuts a tree, it never protests, and even if it is drying up and dying, it does not ask anyone for water. “Thus a vaishnava should not ask anything from anyone else. If someone gives him something without being asked, he should accept it, but if nothing comes, a vaishnava should be satisfied to eat whatever vegetables and fruits are easily available. “One should strictly follow the principle of always chanting the Holy Name, and one should be satisfied with whatever he gets easily. Such devotional behavior solidly maintains one’s devotional service. “One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor yet is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the Holy Name of the Lord.” Raising my hands, I declare, “Everyone please hear me! String this verse on the thread of the holy name and wear it on your neck for continuous remembrance.” One must strictly follow the principles given by Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in this verse. If one simply follows in the footsteps of Lord Chaitanya and the Goswamis, certainly he will achieve the ultimate goal of life, the lotus feet of Sri Krishna.