In the last class we discussed up to Hanuman and he indicated to
the Pandavas.  The fifth chapter begins with the Pandavas.  This
incidence took place after the battle of Kuruksetra was over and
the Pandavas became the king and Krsna went back to Dwarka.  For
a long time the Pandavas did not get to see Krsnansa so when
Narada Muni arrived in the Pandavas palace in Hastinapur (today
is it known as Delhi) the Pandavas headed by Yudisthira how to
bring Krsna back to Hastinapur.  The bad times are over and Krsna
left for Dwarka and Krsna got absorbed.  Whenever the Pandavas
were in distress Krsna would be with them.  Even when the
Pandavas were in exile in the forest, Krsna went and met them. 
Once Durvasa which is near Kamyavan, the Pandavas were residing
there and Duryodhana wanted to create some misfortune for the
Pandavas, Duryodhana sent Durvasa.  He was accompanied by 64,000
disciples and they all arrived to see the Pandavas at lunch time
and naturally they were expecting to take some lunch.  But the
four Pandavas were living in the forest at that time it was not
easy to arrange for so many people.  Had they been kings they
could have easily arranged but they were living in the middle of
the forest.  ANd also Durvasa knew that Krsna had given Draupadi
a pot and that pot would provide for an unlimited number of
people every day until Draupadi ate.  She would be the last to
eat and after she ate, then the pot would be finished. 
Duryodhana knew about this so he sent Durvasa at a time when
Draupadi also finished her lunch.  Draupadi was in distress and
Durvasa is famous for cursing people.  For a little reason he
would curse someone.  In the history of India Durvasa is famous
for cursing and Draupadi was very afraid that if Durvasa cursed,
then the Pandavas would be finished and that's exactly what
Duryodhana wanted.  

The Pandavas very hospitably and warmly invited Durvasa to go to
the river and bathe and when he returned the prasadam would be
ready for him.  But then when they went Yudisthira asked Draupadi
but she told him that she had finished eating already so there
was no way they could provide for so many people.  Draupadi, in
great anxiety started to pray to Krsna and Krsna just arrived. 
Krsna said 'What happened?  Why are you calling me?'  Actually
Krsna was very fond of Draupadi.  Krsna used to call Draupadi
'sakhi' my friend.  Draupadi expressed to Krsna what actually
happened and He could understand that this was a conspiracy by
Duryodhana so Krsna said 'Give Me something to eat, just give me
anything that you have' and Dr said that everything is finished. 
But Krsna said see if there is anything left and then she found a
small little grain of rice sticking in one corner of the pot. 
Krsna took that one little grain and He felt satisfied.  And when
Krsna felt satisfied, the whole universe became satisfied
including Durvasa and all his disciples.  At that time they came
out of taking bath and they started to belch out of satisfaction
as if they had a very satisfying meal  They started to feel bad
that we are already so full and if we go to the Pandavas they
must have arranged some very nice prasadam for us, and if we go
there and don't eat, the Pandavas will feel very insulted.  To
save us from the Pandavas disfavor let me just run away.  Durvasa
just left the Pandavas with all his disciples. In this way Krsna
came time and time again and helped the Pandavas.  In this wayn     Pandavas were favored by Krsna and all of you know how Krsna
became the charioteer of Arjuna and saved Arjuna so many times. 
That is what Arjuna was praying, that the battle of Kuruksetra
was like being in an ocean infested with ferocious aquatics like
sharks, wheels, timingilla (a fish that eats whales).  They are
actually Bhisma, Drona, Krypa, they are all valiant maharatis and
Arjuna and the rest of the Pandavas were saved from being
defeated by the enemy and how did it happen? Because of Krsna. 
Krsna sa many times saved Arjuna in the battle of Kuruksetra and
Krsna also gave them very timely advise.  It is because of Krsna
advise that Arjuna killed Karana.  Once one very deadly weapon
was released for Arjuna.  In Kandarva forest one mahasharpa was
killed and his son took a vow to kill Arjuna and he was waiting
for that time to take revenge.  There was a time when Drona
released one weapon that was meant to kill Arjuna but Krsna made
the chariot sink right at that time and the weapon, the arrow,
the snake who was determined to kill Arjuna was in that arrow, as
the chariot sank right at that moment the arrow took off Arjuna
helmet from his head but couldn't hit Arjuna body.  

Then Dronacarya took a vow that he would kill Arjuna.  Dronacarya
was insulted by Duryodhana that Dronacarya was being partial to
the Pandavas, especially Arjuna, and that is why he was not
fighting with full power or vengeance and for Dronacarya that
insult was very very painful so he immediately took a vow that
tomorrow I will kill Arjuna.  Dronacarya started to fight in a
very valiant way and everyone felt that today Arjuna is finished,
no one can save Arjuna but then Krsna gave them advise that the
openly way we can stop Dronacarya is by announcing that his son
Ashatama is dead.  Dronacarya was very affectionate towards his
son and if Ashatama died then Dronacarya would have stopped
fighting.  The Pandavas spread the rumor that Ashatama is dead. 
Bhima went and told him but he told Bhima he didn't believe that. 
Ashatama had a boon that he would live until the end of the day
of Brahma.  He said the only one I would believe is Yudisthira
because Yudisthira was famous for his truthfulness.  Krsna told
Yudisthira that to save Arjuna you have to lie, Dronacarya is
coming so tell him that Ashvatama is dead but Yudisthira refused. 
Krsna said for the sake of Arjuna you lie but Yudisthira said let
Arjuna die, let everyone die, let me die but still I will not
tell a lie.  Krsna then told bhima to go and kill and elephant
who was named Ashvatama.  There was an elephant on the
Pandavasndavas side called Ashvatama.  Go and kill that elephant
and then our truthful brother will then be able to tell the truth
and Bhima immediately went and ripped the elephant to pieces and
right at that time Dronacarya arrived there and Krsna started to
poke Yudisthira saying 'Tell him' so Yudisthira said "Ashvatama
is dead the elephant'.  In sanskrit the structure goes this way
but as soon as Yudisthira said Ashvatama is dead, Krsna blew His
conchshell and Dronacarya could not hear 'the elephant' part of
it so he immediately dropped his weapons and at that time
Drystadumna, the son of Drupada, the brother of Draupadi, who
came out of the sacrificial fire just to kill Dronacarya, and who
was the general of the Pandavas army at that time, he just came
and beheaded Dronacarya.  In this way Krsna favored the Pandavas
in so many wonderful way.  But the Pandavas are lamenting nown     that all those difficulties are over.  They are situated in their
kingdom and they are ruling over practically the whole world and
Krsna is not with them because Krsna doesn't feel that they need
him anymore.  Similar feelings were expressed Mother Kunti when
Krsna was leaving right after the battle of Kuruksetra.  She
prayed that Krsna let there be more and more distresses so that
we can have you with us.  Here the Pandavas were planning how to
get Krsna back.  They were thinking of organizing some sacrifice
like ashvameda rajasurya because when Yudisthira performed this
sacrifice before their exile, Krsna came.  In this way when they
were planning the Narada Muni arrived there and they offered
Narada Muni a seat and they brought the paraphernalia to worship
him.  But Narada Muni took that paraphernalia and started to
worship the Pandavas.  When Narada Muni started to worship them
with the paraphernalia he said' Although some people receive pure
devotion during Ramachandra's incarnation, spontaneous devotional
service was unknown to this world.  That spontaneous love of
spiritual sentiment is manifest in you.  Therefore you are the
real recipient of the Lord's special mercy.'  points are given
here and note them as they are important.  It is not only out of
sentiment or whim that Parikshit Maharaj is telling that this
devotee is greater than another one but he is pointing out very
systematically with very sound and solid reasons why these
devotees are greater than the previous one.  Why the preceding
devotees are greater than the preceding one.  'Because Krsna
became their friend, charioteer....He even became their servant,
which we haven't found so far.  Hanuman at the most he got an
embrace from Ramachandra.  When Hanuman brought the news of Sita
to Ramachandra, He embraced him but otherwise Hanuman's position
is at the feet of Ramachandra with folded hands.  Hanuman's
mellow is servitorship but when does one embrace, in friendship. 
Hanuman gets a tinge of that friendship.  Also one time
Ramachandra asked Hanuman what he wanted and Hanuman replied, 'If
you please allow me, then please give me Your embrace'.  The
servitorship in Hanuman is turning into friendship to some
extent.  There is a habarsh, just a shadow of friendship in
Hanuman's `service to Ramachandra.  But with the Pandavas it is
fully manifest.  Krsna slept with Arjuna in the same bed, they
used to joke and laugh together.  They used to conspire.  Arjuna
wanted to marry Krsna's sister Subhadra.  She is actually
Balaram's sister and Krsna said OK.  Krsna got to know about it
because Arjuna confided in Him, He is his friend.  Krsna gave him
advise how to steal Subhadra and marry her.  He said 'It is very
difficult to marry Subhadra because Balaram has some other plan
and Balaram is very fond of her.  SO you have to steal her but
that is alright for a ksatriya to steal a woman is alright.'  Of
course a ksatriya doesn't steal, ksatriya claims.  .......... 
(story of Bhisma taking the brides for his younger brother). 
When Arjuna went to get Subhadra there was a big opposition. 
Balaram was coming with the army.  WHen the news reached Balaram
He became furious and then Krsna pacified Him, because if Balaram
went so one could save Arjuna.  (story of Balarama getting angry
when Bhima hit Duryodhana on the hip)  Duryodhana decided to
fight against Bhima and he chose the mace.  ALthough Bhima was
very powerful Duryodhana was more skilled with the mace and Bhima
could not defeat Duryodhana.  Then Krsna actually gave a sign ton     hit him on the left thigh

turn over of tape

Duryodhana directed Dushashana, his younger brother, that he
should strip her in the assembly.  And Bhima became so furious
that he took a vow that he would kill Duryodhana by breaking that
thigh and he took a vow that he would drink the blood of
Dushanshan.  He would pry open Dushansana's chest and drink his
blood.  It was a very bloody battle.  SO time and time again
Krsna saved and that's why Krsna name is Bhaktavasra.  Krsna goes
out of His way to save His devotees.  Then Narada Muni started to
glorify Krsna in the course of glorifying the Pandavas.  That
Krsna the Supreme Personality of Godhead is so merciful and the
Pandavas are so fortunate to receive His mercy.  But then Narada
Muni realized that he actually started to glorify the Lord
instead of His devotees so he checked his tongue by biting his
tongue with his teeth.  HE actually chastised his tongue saying '
My uncontrolled tongue.  I wanted to glorify the devotees but you
start to glorify Krsna'.  Then he started to glorify the Pandavas
(points read out).  Actually Vidura and Bhisma received special
favor from Krsna because they were very affectionate to the
Pandavas.  (continues reading until ....Sudharma assembly waiting
for Krsna arrival)  Sudharma assembly is the assembly in Dwarka
where Sudrashena is the king.  Ugrshena is the king of Dwarka and
for him Krsna forcibly brought the assembly to Dwarka although
Indra tried to resist Krsna just brought it to the earth planet.
(continues reading until Yadavas also sat on the ground around
him).  We can see how humble the devotees are.  Although the
Yadavas are great kings, relatives of Krsna and they are so
respectful to Narada Muni.  And when Narada Muni offered
obeisances to them they felt very embarrassed.  They said,
'Please do not offer obeisances to us, our worshipable Krsna even
offers obeisances to you so how can we take your obeisances.' 
From this statement we can understand that Krsna when he sees
Narada Muni He offers obeisances.  That is how the Supreme
Personality of Godhead and His devotees treat other devotees. 
The world of the devotee the spiritual sky is very sweet, very
wonderful mainly because the reciprocation between the devotees
there is so wonderful  And Narada Muni also was so overwhelmed
with his appreciation of the Yadavas that when they offered him a
elevated seat he did want to accept that, he sat on the ground,
because he felt that his position was much was much inferior to
the Yadavas.  But how did the yadavas reciprocate?  Yadavas also
they said 'Who cares about these golden thrones and jewelled
seats.'  They also sat around Narada Muni to have his
association.  Simply to relish his association.  When they
brought the paraphernalia for worshipping him Narada Muni got up
and spoke to them with folded hands, 'You are especially blessed
by Krsna.  Please be kind upon me and offer me the blessing that
I can always sing your glories throughout the world.  You can
always see Him, touch Him, east with Him and sleep with Him, thus
you are related to Him with a great bondage of love.  Therefore
the Lord has forgotten about Vaikuntha and constantly is
providing you with an indescribable joy.  These are the reasons
that the Pandavas gave, including Kunti Devi and Draupadi.  Thatn     the Yadavas are greater devotees because Krsna is always with
Him.  They are constantly enjoying Krsna's association.  They are
speaking with Him, they are touching Him, they are sitting with
Him, they are eating with Him because they are all related to Him
in the same family.  Hearing these words the Yadavas touched
Narada Muni's feet and told him, 'O most worshipable sage you are
even worshiped by out worshipable Lord Krsna, therefore why are
you offering obeisances to most fallen persons like ourselves. 
All our qualifications are simply due our relationship to the
supreme Lord Krsna ....... reading until....Samba and other
Kuruvas.  Samba actually went to get Duryodhana's daughter and at
that time the Kuruva army fought and captured Samba and at that
time Krsna sent Uddhava to mediate.  Uddhava is Krsna's minister
and he is very learned.  Uddhava is Krsna's cousin and Uddhava is
a disciple of Brhaspati the spiritual master of the demigods. 
Brhaspati taught Uddhava Vedic philosophy and different other
Vedic subjects.  In the commentary it has been mentioned that the
Yadavas did not mention Krsna sending Uddhava to Vrndavana
because that pastime is kept as a secret in Dwarka.  They do not
usually talk about Krsna's Vrndavana pastimes because it is such
a secret pastime.  But they indicated that in such special
missions, Krsna only sends Uddhava because Krsna's very intimate
dealings are known to Uddhava.  And Krsna reveals His heart to
Uddhava and that He never does to anyone else.  Uddhava always
remains with Krsna ....reading until ....he is so dear to Krsna
that he even looks exactly like Krsna.  Actually Uddhava's
original complexion was golden but due to complete absorption in
Krsna, or due to his Krsna consciousness, his complexion changed
from golden to bluish and became like Krsna's.  And then he
always used to wear Krsna's remnants.  HE would not wear anything
that has not been used by Krsna, therefore he used to dress also
like Krsna.  From a distance he used to also look like Krsna and
the Yadavas said by appearing like Uddhava gives up great
pleasure by reminding us of Krsna by making think of Krsna. 
Narada Muni was about to go and see Uddhava but ....reading until
....please go inside and meet with him.  Narada Muni wanted to
meet with Uddhava but Ugrashena reminded him that Uddhava was
actually in Krsna's inner chamber because Uddhava is always with
Krsna.  And then they asked it is already late and Krsna did not
come to the assembly so please tell him that we are all waiting
so Uddhava brings Krsna quickly into the assembly.  This ends the
fifth chapter

QUESTIONS

Question:  ..... described here as ......could not understand

Answer:  When Krsna comes then qualified devotees get a chance
to participate in Krsna's pastimes.  The demigods, because their
relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead is in awe
and reverence, they were asked to be born in the Yadhu dynasty
and became Krsna's associates in Dwarka.  During Krsna's pastimes
some associates come with Him from the spiritual sky and some
qualified living entities get a chance to participate in Krsna's
pastimes and thus become qualified and go back to the spiritual
sky.  We have to understand that the demigods are the qualifiedn     devotees who are almost eligible to  go back to the spiritual sky
and they got a chance to participate in Krsna's pastimes on the
earth planet.  But the demigods, their destiny will be Dwarka. 
They will not go to Vrndavana but the pure devotees from earth
planet, those who are related to the gopas of Vrndavana, they
will go back to Vrndavana.

Question:  In the 11th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam it is explained
that those members of the Yadhu dynasty, or at least men of the
Yadhu demigods, went to Krsnaavas with Krsna, and those who are
eternal associates remained in Dwarka.

Question:  In Ashvatama gave up his life, where was he?

Answer:  Ashvatama was on the battlefield fighting.  The
battlefield was huge but when some great warrior fell then there
would be some tumultuous uproar and then there would be an
announcement 'Oh he fell, he fell' so kind of encourage the
army.  I was thinking of giving an example like in a football
game when there is a score everyone gets excited and starts
shouting, so similarly in a battle when some warrior died, then
there would be some uproarious exclamation.

Question:  Back in the earthly chapter Narada Muni was sent to
the king because the king was worshipping Krsna even though it
was not part of his varnashrama duties and we described that as
spontaneous devotional service.  But here we see that the
Pandavas were recommended by Hanuman because before the Pandavas
there was no spontaneous devotional service, so there must be a
different meaning of spontaneous devotional service.

Answer:  That one is like he is going out of his varnashrama
requirements to render devotional service.  That is the statement
of the brahmana, I am doing it out of my varnaashrama
responsibilities, but he is doing it irrespective of his
varnashrama responsibilities.  Whereas here it is a spontaneous
love for Krsna which is of such great degree that Krsna Himself
reciprocates spontaneously to their love.  Its a kind of coming
onto the same platform.  That's what friendship means. 
Friendship is between equals so Krsna lowered Himself to their
level to offer then His friendship.

Question:  Maharaj you mentioned about relationships in the
spiritual world and I also took your course on Vaisnava
Etiquette, is that what relationships are based on by the eternal
associates of the Lord?

Answer:  Yes.  Actually the sanskrit word for vaisnava etiquette
is vaisnava shardarta.  Shot? means eternal the eternal dealings. 
The Vaisnavas are situated on the eternal platform and their
dealings are actually the standard that the other Vaisnavas
follow.  And vaisnava etiquette is actually the pure spiritual
etiquette.  It is not a formal etiquette, it is a spontaneous
etiquette.  Because when our hearts become purified, they way we
feel towards each other, that is vaisnava etiquette.  The basis
or foundation of vaisnava etiquette is love and that love isn     actually exclusively meant for Krsna.  But that prema is
projected onto different individuals in different ways.  For
example on the vaisnava platform to s senior it is projected in
a certain and to a junior it is projected in another way.  To the
senior it is respect, but to the junior it is mercy and among
equals it is friendship.  But the basis is love of Krsna.  Then
we have to come to the madhyam adikari platform, definition of a
madhyam devotee, but of course this is on the material plane but
the madhyam adikari is making the discrimination.  Love for
Krsna, friendship towards the devotees, compassion for the
innocent and neglect for the envious.  It is love for Krsna
which is reflected on the devotees in the form of friendship
because they have a common loving object.  Towards the innocent
it is "oh this person does not know about Krsna, let me give him
Krsna'. And towards the envious it is "Oh let me avoid him'
because if I glorify Krsna in front of him then he will become
more offensive'.  The main consideration is love for Krsna and
that is projected in different individuals in different ways.  SO
in the spiritual platform also it is the same.  The center of
love is krsna and that love is reflected on different individuals
in different ways.  He loves Krsna so I love him and of course
in Vrndavana that love has a very specific shape also.  Another
specified shape is love for Radharani.  The followers of
Radharani, their main concern is the love for Radha is the main
consideration.  For the followers of Nanda Maharaj, their love
for him.  So they are not directly loving Krsna, their love is
going via some medium of devotees of Krsna.  Once
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was doing the parikrama of
Radha Kund and at that time some devotees from Rajastana were
also doing the parikrama of Radha Kund so Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakura asked his disciples what was the different
between their parikrama and the Rajastani devotee's parikrama. 
He explained that they are doing the parikrama because their
understanding is because Radha is dear to Krsna, therefore they
are doing it but our parikrama is because Krsna is dear to Radha. 
For us our main concern is Srimate Radharani.  Radharani loves
Krsna, so we love Krsna.  That is the Gaudiya Vaisnava point.  

