Walking with a Saint - 2007

The scriptures tell us of the incalculable value of even a moment's association with a true saint, and Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja is exalted even among saints. With great sincerity, his disciples and followers thus availed themselves of any opportunity to accompany him on his morning walks and attend his morning darsanas. In those informal settings, they freely asked a variety of questions, his illuminating responses revealing a mere glimpse of the devotion radiating brilliantly within his heart. Sometimes personal, sometimes disciplinary, sometimes humorous and always loving, he would impart the deepest understandings of the scriptures for the benefit of all. It was on his repeated order that these walks and darsanas be transcribed and published. In this way, he has invited you, also, to walk with him and hear the jewel-like teachings he wants to share with you.

"Rama-tulasi dasa: Is Ekadasi-devi Srimati Radhika?
Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja: Ekadasi is not Radhika, but she may be considered a manifestation of Radhika. Krsna has personally become Ekadasi. Since Ekadasi and Krsna are the same, and Radha and Krsna are the same, it can be said that Ekadasi is a manifestation of Radhika. Srimati Radhika, who is the  personification of hladini-sakti (Krsna’s supreme pleasure potency), is more than Ekadasi. In Goloka Vrndavana there is no observance of Ekadasi. Ekadasi is only for those practicing sadhana (devotional practices) in this material world. There, in Goloka Vrndavana, Srimati Radhika is the supreme power of Krsna, so there are differences between Her and Ekadasi.
Rama-tulasi dasa: There is a story that when Krsna was sleeping in a cave, the Mura demon came to kill Him. At that time, a sakti (power) came out from Krsna’s body in the form of a devi (goddess) with many arms and killed that demon.
Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja: I think you are referring to Srimad-Bhagavatam’s narration of the demon Kalayavana. When Kalayavana was chasing Krsna, Krsna entered a cave where Maharaja Mucukunda was sleeping. Mucukunda had previously gone to heaven to fight against the demons on behalf of the demigods. After he had helped the demigods win the battle, their commander-in-chief, Kartikeya, told him, "We want to give you a benediction, so please ask for one." Mucukunda said, "I am very tired. I want to sleep, and I want the benediction that anyone who awakens me will at once be burned to ashes." He received that benediction by the blessing of Kartikeya. Kalayavana also had a benediction that he would not be killed by anyone in the Yadu dynasty, and Krsna knew this fact. As He was being chased by Kalayavana, Krsna saw Mucukunda sleeping in the cave, so He hid Himself there. Following Krsna, Kalayavana entered the cave and, thinking Mucukunda to be Krsna, said to him, "Now You are sleeping? Do not think I will let You go." He kicked Mucukunda, who awoke, looked towards him, and thus burned him to ashes. No sakti came out from Krsna’s body."

CONTENTS: Foreword,  Editors' Preface, Hilo, Hawaii [January 2007, darsana], Kona, Hawaii [January 2007, morning walk excerpt, darsanas], North Shore, Hawaii [January 2007, sloka class - Srlmad-Bhagavatam, Manah-siksa, Appearance day of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, darsanas, Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila], Navadvıpa, India [March 2007, darsana] Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [April 2007, darsana, airport darsana], Los Angeles, California [May 2007, airport darsana], Houston, Texas [May-June 2007, darsana, radio interview, copyright darsana, airport darsana], San Francisco, California [June 2007, darsana after the walk, morning walk], Badger, California [June 2007, morning walk], Frielendorf, Germany [July 2007, morning walk, before the walk, darsana after the walk, mass darsana], New Delhi, India [September 2007, darsana] Jammu, India [October 2007, radio interview], Vrndavana, India [October 2007, Lithuanian darsana, darsana], Govardhana, India [November 2007, darsana, morning walk] Bangalore, India [December 2007, darsana], Glossary.

TITLE: Walking with a Saint - 2007 - English
Morning Walks and Conversations with Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaj
PUBLISHER: Gaudiya Vedanta Publications
EDITION: First, 2013
ISBNs: 9781935428619 978-1-935428-61-9 1-935428-61-6 1935428616 
LCCN: 2012955947 2012-955947
PAGES: 360, Illustrated
SHIPPING WEIGHT: 700 grams