- Chapter 5 -
The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel
Long, long ago, the demigod in charge of rainfall, King Indra, fell from his heavenly position and took birth in a family of pigs. Due to his offensive behavior, his spiritual master Brihaspati (bree-hos-pot-ee) had cursed him into this hellish condition.
photo by: Mark Peters
(Wikipedia – License)
Just like the other pigs, King Indra loved eating the garbage thrown over the fence by the farmer and all the other nasty things that pigs relish. He enjoyed rolling in the thick mud; he especially loved to grunt; and he never complained about the millions of flies that landed everywhere.
After he grew up he fell in love with an especially fat sow and before long he was surrounded by dozens of little piglets. Life couldn’t have been happier for King Indra. He had his lovely “she-pig” with whom he enjoyed unlimited sex with, he had scores of squealing piglets to roll around in the mud with, and the farmer was very generous, always making sure to throw them large amounts of rotting garbage.
When Lord Brahma (Krishna’s representative in charge of the material world) heard of King Indra’s abominable situation, he immediately approached him, greatly saddened by the appalling condition of his close friend. “My dear King Indra, what has happened to you? Why are you living in such a filthy place? Don’t you remember your beautiful palace and all your friends who miss you? This is not at all befitting the King of Heaven!”
King Indra replied, “I’m sorry, but I do not know what you are talking about. Actually, I am very happy here, as you can see for yourself. I have my lovely 'she-pig,' surrounded by our many children, and we have so many nice things to eat. Please leave me alone. I do not know what you are talking about.”
Perceiving the enormous power of the material illusion that had fallen upon his beloved friend, with great compassion Lord Brahma drew his mighty sword, killing the pig and instantly restoring the King to his proper senses. (SHRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM, 3;30.5, © BBT-Int’l, 1972)
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The dramatic events which precipitated my full-time participation in the Hare Krishna Movement, each in their own unique way, took me by complete surprise. To begin with, one day, the relationship I had cherished with my girlfriend came to an unexpected and heart-crushing halt. From then on, everything in Saratoga Springs lost its sparkle and although I wanted to be happy, without her my life seemed ruined.
Secondly, receiving a letter from Charles Berner was about the last thing I would have expected to find in my mailbox. I didn’t think he even knew where I was living, but yet, there it was in my hand, an invitation to rejoin his staff at his recently opened ashram (OSH-rom – spiritual school) near San Francisco. I think receiving Charles’ letter helped to rekindle my interest in pursuing the answers to the questions I had asked when I was living in my forest cabin: What is MY message? What does God want me to do?
Deciding to accept Charles’ offer, I sold and gave away just about everything I owned and made plans for my departure. Eventually, the day I was to leave for California arrived. This was in early August. The year was 1976. The bus I was taking was almost ready to pull out.
Weighing upon me heavily at this last crucial hour were all the things I had experienced in Saratoga Springs over the past several years; the end of my first marriage; falling in love with Cathy; my forest cabin; enlightenment; the Adirondack Wheel Works; the chocolate chip cookies; and reading about Lord Krishna. Checking my watch, on a long shot I decided to take one last walk downtown and who knows, perhaps I would see Cathy. It had been months since I last saw her, but I knew that this would be like looking for a needle inside a hay stack. With the clock quickly ticking down, I had no idea where she might be but because I was still in love with her, naturally, in my heart, I wanted to say good-by.
With less than an hour to board the bus and hoping for a miracle, to my profound astonishment I saw her standing near the post office. At this critical moment, to be able to spend a few minutes with her meant a great deal, and Cathy was kind enough to talk with me. But in the back of my mind, far outweighing our final good-byes, was knowing the uncanny way in which I had found her in the first place. Then again, this one last coincidence seemed quite apropos, considering the other unusual events that Saratoga had blessed me with. We finally said goodbye to each other and I was ready to leave.
About thirty minutes before the large Greyhound bus pulled into New York City’s Port Authority Bus Terminal, I sat still, staring out the dirty window beside me.
Determined not to box myself in, I hadn’t even bothered to buy a ticket all the way to California. Instead, what I really desired was to embrace a new lifestyle and live like a falling leaf; simply going in the direction God chose to take me. I just needed to make it to New York City and then I would pay for the California part of my ticket, or so I thought.
Tired and hungry, for a few moments I even thought about spending the night in New York City. However, as soon as I saw its jagged skyline loom upon the horizon, I remembered the horrible cities I had envisioned, in the world with humans on it; not a pretty sight, at all. No, I needed to buy my next ticket and get the hell out of there as fast as possible. But first, before catching the next bus, I began think that “it would sure be nice to have dinner in a cozy vegetarian restaurant, listen to some Indian music and meet some spiritual people.” Just wishful thinking because I knew that this wasn’t going to happen; not in a bus station. No, I needed to concentrate on finding the ticket window.
About the fifteenth person to step off the bus, I held on tightly to my tenor guitar as I felt the full weight of my pack press down upon my shoulders. And just about fifteen steps later, a rather odd-looking man stopped me, asking if I would like to take a book with me, which he placed in my hand. Taking a quick glance I immediately recognized it as the "Bhagavad-gita As It Is." I told him that I already had that exact book in my backpack (which I did, although I hadn’t read it). He then showed me another book, one of the seventeen volumes from the Chaitanya-Charitamrita.
Of course, I had never even heard of this book, much less able to pronounce it (chay-ton-ya-cha-ree-TOM-ree-ta), but I remember looking at it and being immediately captivated by the beautiful picture on its cover. I wanted it. In the center of the picture, sitting on a slightly elevated cushion and surrounded by His loving disciples, for the first time in my life I saw a picture of Lord Chaitanya. Today this still remains one of the most beautiful picture I have ever seen.
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Chaitanya-Charitamrita, Madhya-lila,Vol.4
© BBT
Definitely wanting to read the book on my journey, I unsnapped my shirt pocket and gladly gave the man (Gopal Acharya dasa) a ten-dollar bill and said good-by. Yet, in barely the time it took me to take three more steps, I turned around. I just couldn’t deny the fact that only minutes before stepping off the bus I had been thinking of meeting someone spiritual, and this is exactly what had just happened. Twice in one day I had been blessed; first finding Cathy, against all odds, and now meeting this stranger. I could sense a divine winds blowing upon me. But how was I to know that a hurricane was about to sweep me off my feet?
Asking the young man if he knew of any vegetarian restaurants nearby where I could eat dinner and listen to some Indian music, he told me that his temple ran a very popular restaurant and that I would enjoy their Indian decor and entertainment. I didn’t know what kind of a temple he was talking about but if
I could get there without too much difficulty, I was game.
Just as he said, for only a few dollars a taxi took me right to the front door; a small skyscraper located near Central Park on West 55th street. What began, then, as an innocent bite to eat, instead turned into a lifetime commitment to Lord Krishna and Shrila Prabhupada.
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Jayananda (ja-YA-nun-da) was one of the older devotee in the Hare Krishna Movement whom Shrila Prabhupada was especially fond of. After entering the building I was told that he would show me the way to Govinda’s (the name of their vegetarian restaurant).
In spite of his bald head and odd looking clothes, it was impossible not to like Jayananda and his easygoing manner. He had a broad smile, a warm voice, and he was very friendly. Before I knew it I was accepting his invitation to spend the night at the temple. He even offered me a place in his room to bed down.
*** ** ***
My friend, Jayananda on a morning walk with Shrila Prabhupada
Although I only got a few hours sleep that first night, it was surprisingly easy to wake up when Jayananda called my name out at three-thirty in the morning. I was quite excited with my new surroundings, plus having spent my first night in any kind of temple, at all. Even the ice-cold shower didn’t kill me and soon he took me downstairs into a large temple room. Including both men, women and children, nearly seventy devotees stood standing before these beautiful teak doors, each one ornately carved. Led by the trumpet-like sound of a white conch shell and ringing bells, the 6 massive doors swung open, revealing a gorgeous altar and lots of fragrant smoke from at least 9 sticks of incense, and above all the most beautiful marble “statues,” one of them of Lord Krishna, shown here on the left.
The Deities of Sri Sri Radha Govinda
Another ceremony took place about 4 hours later, but this time everyone was encouraged to grab a handful of fresh rose petals that were being passed out in a large whicker basket. When the massive doors were swung open again, everyone threw their flowers toward the altar, creating a fantastic shower that carpeted everything in the most exquisite way. At that same moment, a beautiful song arranged by Beatle, George Harrison began to play. I remember thinking that even though I had no idea what these people were all about, one thing was certain: if there was such a thing as worshiping God, then this had to be it.
Because of the kind way in which Jayananda asked me, I kept taking him up on his invitations to spend, “just one more night.” After all, I wasn’t in that much of a rush to get to California. But it was just a matter of time before I would have to leave.
In my shirt pocket I had over a thousand dollars in cash and becoming a little concerned about losing it, I told Jayananda. He led me to a small office where I was given a receipt for the money. By showing them the note I could get my money back at any time. The next day, after the morning ceremonies, Jayananda walked over to me and in a childlike manner asked if I had seen all my money that he had placed on the altar: “all around Lord Krishna’s lotus feet.”
I now know (well, I’m pretty sure) that this was simply a transcendental bluff on his part, but at the time, as you might imagine, to have my entire savings suddenly given like that to God, without my permission, was inconceivable. I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say. Instantly my thoughts began to race like crazy. I just knew that something drastic was about to happen to me and I was totally caught by surprise.
In my mind, trying as fast as possible to comprehend what was going on, I felt that because my money had been given to God, how could I ask for it back, even if I hadn’t given permission? Desperately trying to cope with what Jayananda had just told me, my attention then turned to the real issue: how I wanted to behave (like a falling leaf).
Since this all had to be the Lord’s arrangement for me, I asked Jayananda to help me become a novice priest, or bhakta (bock-ta) in the Hare Krishna movement. Later that day he cut all my hair off (which at the time was over sixteen inches long). All at once I looked and felt ten years younger.
To be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t trade what I have learned about Lord Krishna for all the money in the world. With the same compassion as Lord Brahma, Jayananda also swung his mighty sword. For a split second I, too, felt the searing pain, exactly what Lord Indra and all illusioned souls experience when they come into contact with the Lord’s merciful devotee. Publicly, I want to say, “thank you” to this great saint for saving me.
This is the nature of divine love. It is ever-fresh, ever-increasing, and everyday this fact becomes increasingly clear. Jayananda wasn’t under any delusion. He had discovered for himself an extraordinary gift: "The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel."
When a person turns his attention to Lord Krishna for help, the Lord proceeds to kindly strip away his material attachments.
“Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma (pa-rom-OUGHT-MA: Supersoul) in everyone’s heart, and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.”
Shrila Prabhupada comments on this verse as follows: “The Lord is reciprocally respondent to His devotees. When He sees that a devotee is completely sincere in getting admittance to the transcendental service of the Lord and has thus become eager to hear about Him, the Lord acts from within the devotee in such a way that the devotee may easily go back to Him. The Lord is more anxious to take us back into His kingdom than we desire. Most of us do not desire at all to go back to Godhead. Only a very few men want to go back to Godhead. But anyone who desires to go back to Godhead, Lord Krishna helps in all respects.” (SHRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM , 1:2.17, © BBT-Int’l, 1972)
In her own way, repeating what Shrila Prabhupada has just said, many years ago Saint Therese of Lisieux wrote that: “He knows well that if He gave me a shadow of happiness I would cling to it with all my energy, all the strength in my heart. I believe Jesus’ work during this retreat has been to detach me from all that is not himself. I have no merit in not having given myself up to the love of creatures. I was preserved from it only through God’s great mercy. I know that without Him, I might have fallen as low as Magdalene.” (THE STORY OF A LIFE, ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX, Guy Gaucher, pp.98, 188-89, Harper & Row, 1987)
In spite of the forceful preaching emanating from many of today’s Christian theologians, Christianity and its “good news” is not as unique as they might claim. While it is true that the Holy Bible and its precious message can bestow all blessings, it is not true that Christianity has the only “good news” to offer mankind. This is an arrogant and misleading positionn that needs to be corrected. The fact that Christian ministers openly broadcast this false notion is very unchristian-like, to say the least, and simply breeds suspicion and irreligious doctrine.
This was perfectly illustrated to me one Sunday morning when I heard a Christian minister announced over the radio that the uniqueness of Christianity is found in four unshakable facts; a declaration, he said, that “no other single religion on the face of the earth can match.” First: No other religion can make the claim that its founder is God. Second: Only Christianity provides for the forgiveness of sins; third: the absolute assurance of eternal life and number four, that no other religion can say that their founder rose from the dead.
My intention, here, is not to discredit Christianity, but only to set the record straight along with providing the readers of this book some insight into, “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel.” I feel strongly that religious leaders should be very careful about criticizing other religions and thus establishing a certain “mind-set” within their followers which, unfortunately, leads people to reject anything that doesn’t fit into the neat little box that they have heard is the gospel truth.
Is there more about God for Christians to learn?
1 Corinthians 13:12:“We can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at His reflection in a poor mirror. Now all I know is hazy and blurred.”
JOHN 16:12:“Oh, there is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t understand it now.”
JOHN 16:25:“These things I have spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly the Father.”
“The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” receives its potency from the ancient Vedas of India, A.C. Bhaktivedanta’s vast knowledge of them, and the holy teachings found in the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. “The speaker of Bhagavad-gita is Lord Krishna—God Almighty. He is mentioned on every page of Bhagavad-gita as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
Lord Krishna & His Eternal Consort, Radha
painting by: B.G. Sharma
BHAGAVAD-GITA (9.11):“Fools deride Me when I descend in human form. They do not know My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord of all that be.”
SHRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM (1.1.20): "Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, along with Balarama (His brother), played like a human being, and so masked, He performed many superhuman acts.”
Balarama and Krishna
Because of these scriptural references (and hundreds more just like them), “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” is that its historical founder is in fact God, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The history of Lord Krishna speaking the Bhagavad-gita can be found in chapter four of this great book. (This history is also traced out in the Mahabharata (ma-HA-BHA-rot), Santi-parva, 348:51-52).
Of course, this is all ancient history and it has been said that the more recent architect of the Hare Krishna movement is Lord Chaitanya. But here again we find Almighty God. In the last chapter I have already discussed Lord Chaitanya’s absolute divinity. So either way, historically and factually, “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” has as its fountainhead our Blessed & Almighty Lord.
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“Forgiveness of sins” and “eternal life” are the two of the main pillars of the Christian gospel.
ACTS 13:38: “Brothers! Listen! In this man Jesus, there is forgiveness for your sins!”
LUKE 24:47: “There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.
JOHN 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Yes, indeed, the promise of redemption and eternal life is certainly good news. All glories to Lord Jesus Christ. But is Christianity the only religion that provides this unequivocal assurance of salvation? What does “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” say about these two fundamentals? What does Lord Krishna say?
BHAGAVAD-GITA (10.3): “He who knows Me as the unborn, as the beginningless, as the Supreme Lord of all worlds; he only, undiluted among men,is freed from all sins.”
BHAGAVAD-GITA (18.66): “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.”
Found in another Vaishnava Scripture (the Shrimad-Bhagavatam) we find this and many more references about the forgiveness of sins, lending more meaning to, The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel:
SHRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM (2.4.15):“Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the all-auspicious Lord Krishna, about whom glorification, remembrance, audience, prayers, hearing and worship can at once cleanse the effect of all sins of the performer.”
As you can see, “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” contains many wonderful promises, providing for the complete exculpation of sin, just as we find in the Holy Bible.
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The question of “eternal life,” however, is a little more tricky. Throughout the Bhagavad-gita the eternal nature of the soul has already been established by the Lord.
BHAGAVAD-GITA (15:7): The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts.
BHAGAVAD-GITA (2.12): Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.
BHAGAVAD-GITA (2.20): For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.
MATTHEW 10:28: Don’t be afraid of those who can kill only your bodies, but can’t touch your souls!
Since we are eternal by nature, what the scriptural promise of “eternal life” is referring to is the quality of our eternal existence. It is when we begin to understand this, that the real value of the “good news” blossoms forth. But let us first confirm that “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” delivers us to the realm of eternal life. Again, referring to the, BHAGAVAD-GITA (4.24): A person who is fully absorbed in Krishna Consciousness is sure to attain the spiritual kingdom.
In fact, as A.C. Bhaktivedanta said on more than one occasion, “This (appreciation) is the beginning of spiritual life and places the soul on the path leading to the spiritual kingdom . People are praising our activities and this APPRECIATION is a lift for such persons…even if he doesn’t hear; doesn’t come but simply says, ‘it is very nice.’ Yes!” Later on May 9th, 1975 during a morning walk in Perth Austrailia, again he said: “If they simply APPRECIATE …(if they say) ‘It is very nice,’ …then in their next life; human life is guaranteed; in a very nice family. Simply if he APPRECIATES.”
BHAGAVAD-GITA (7.23): My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet.
BHAGAVAD-GITA (8.28): Simply by performing devotional service he reaches the supreme eternal abode.
BHAGAVAD-GITA (18.55): When one is in full consciousness of Me (by devotional service), he can enter into the kingdom of God.
This is our supreme goal (the eternal kingdom of God), made accessible by the mercy (gift) of God and confirmed by the Lord’s dear servant, A.C. Bhaktivedanta.
Now I would like to set the record straight concerning the fourth point that the Christian minister said on the radio. This is actually a common misconception broadcast by many of our Christian friends. Question: Is the Holy Bible the only religious record which gives an historical account of its religious founder appearing again after his death?
After the departure of Lord Krishna from this world (5000 years ago), as stated by His Holiness Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami, Lord Krishna appeared again as Lord Chaitanya. Reference to this fact was introduced in the last chapter. However, since this reappearance spans such a long period of time, it can be noted that after the disappearance of Lord Chaitanya in 1534, He, too, miraculously appeared in the midst of His devotees, just as Lord Jesus Christ had appeared in the midst of his disciples.
JOHN 20:19: That evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors, in fear of the Jewish leaders, when suddenly Jesus was standing there among them.
Regarding Lord Chaitanya’s “after-death appearance” which occurred less than fifty years after he departed this world, a large festival to honor the anniversary of His birthday was being held at Kheturigram, India. Literally thousands of people were there and this is what happened:
“Gauranga das and the others were the most expert in the assembly…of all the different kinds of singing and kirtan (KEER-tawn: “congregational glorification of the Lord“), and understood perfectly the different classical modulations of voice, performing music by ear, as well as fixed and unfixed melodies. The sweet and wonderful kirtan of Narottama dasa thakura (na-row-tom DOS TA-coor: a great devotee of Lord Chaitanya) with its sweet tune and unique style of voice filled the four directions and the heavens above, causing all the men and women to weep tears of prema (pray-ma: “love of God”), and they all sported in the waves of spiritual ecstasy.
“At that time, Lord Chaitanya, along with His personal associates, appeared there and joined in the sankirtan (praising the Lord’s Holy Names in song and dance). Who can describe the wealth of happiness felt by the devotees when, in the midst of their kirtan (dance) appeared the munificent Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Himself.
“Like a flash of lightning in the midst of a mass of beautiful clouds, Lord Chaitanya, Himself, appeared within the crowd of devotees through divine manifestation.” (‘LIVES OF THE VAISHNAVA SAINTS,” by Bhakti Vidhan Mahayogi, p. 114, from the chapter, “Shri Narottama Dasa Thakura,” translated from: “SHRI GAURA-PRASADA-CHARITAVALI” by Hari-Kripa dasa, Gaudiya Mission of Calcutta, India.)
As I mentioned in chapter four, one of the most interesting things about Lord Chaitanya is that He appeared “just yesterday,” compared to Jesus Christ, and His entire life has been meticulously recorded. For example, in the same way as Jesus Christ (Luke 5:12), Lord Chaitanya miraculously cured a leper. He also brought the dead son of Shrivas Thakura back to life. The Chaitanya-Charitamrita recounts many more miracles in the life of Lord Chaitanya.
It is my sincere hope that Christians will find this book valuable. Part of “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” is that within the Maha Bhavishya Purana (ma-HA bha-vish-yah poo-RA-na) that was compiled long before the birth of Christ, the story of Jesus is fully predicted, mentioning among other things that he was born of a virgin, and that he was the Messiah. The history of his eventual crucifixion is predicted, even declaring his Name to be “Jesus.” (EAST-WEST DIALOGUES, REV. ALVIN V.P. HART & STEVEN ROSEN, p.76, Folk Books, 1989)
“The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” is that unlike “a poor mirror,” it bestows upon those fortunate enough to look into it a very clear and wonderful vision of God. Of course, what I am talking about is a collection of words (scripture), which for the most part were written in Sanskrit. As one begins to understand Sanskrit and its vast superiority to our other natural languages, one might ask, “What in the world were these ancient people in India doing with such a highly advanced language?”
In 1985, scientist Rick Briggs asked this very question while studying at NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffet Field, California. His answers were published in the article, “Knowledge Representation in Sanskrit and Artificial Intelligence.”
“If nothing else,” Mr. Briggs wrote, “Sanskrit represents man’s most perfect attempt for the clearest and most unambiguous means of communication ever devised.” (RICK BRIGGS, The A. I. Magazine, 1985)
Shrila Prabhupada echoes this same thing, referring to the Vedas as, “windows to the spiritual sky.”
“The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” is an ocean of mercy which has kindled in countless millions a new meaning to life; spirit-laden meaning which can fill the heart with hope and purpose, and give everyday actions new direction and value. But since this “good news” consists of a window of words, hearing these words is the first step.
It is very important to hear the word of God. We have to take the time and effort that this requires; activating our spiritual senses and awakening our love for God. This is true yoga.
PROVERBS 4:20-22: “My son, attend to My words; incline thine ear unto My sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart, for they are (eternal) life unto those that find them.”
To illustrate just how important this is, I once heard a true, but sad story. Years ago, in a large city, there lived an old lady who died in complete poverty. Right before she died, however, three ministers went to visit her, having been told that she was about to pass away. While in her dingy apartment trying to comfort her, one of the men noticed a framed document hanging on the kitchen wall. He took it down and asked the dying woman about it.
She told her three visitors that earlier in her life she had worked for an extremely wealthy lady, taking care of her every need and keeping her mansion spotless. But this wealthy lady gradually fell into poor health and died. After she passed away, all her employees had to be dismissed, leaving them without employment. Jobs were very scarce in those days. A few weeks before the rich woman died, she had given her that piece of paper, which the old lady had placed in the frame and hung on the kitchen wall.
When the minister asked her if she understood what it was, the old woman said that she had never learned to read and never bothered to find out. “Well,” the minister said, “this is a will. This is a legal document from that rich lady, leaving you everything she owned in consideration for your many years of dedicated service. My dear lady, don’t you realize that you are fabulously rich?”
Just see what can happen to a person (to any of us) because they didn’t take the time to find out. Obviously the way in which we find out is by hearing: “Incline thine ear; we must not neglect the transcendental sound.“ If we don’t bother to hear about “the good news” that is waiting for us, how are we going to claim it?
Another way of understanding the importance of this, is to compare the Word of God to a seed. Like any seed, if it isn’t planted, how is it expected to grow and produce fruit? Not until the seed is planted in the ground can anything happen. The seed is powerless to act until it is planted in the ground and this doesn’t happen until the farmer hears about it, receives it, and has faith that it will produce what the package claims. If we don’t trust the seeds, why bother with all the hard work to plant them? If we do not trust God, we will not pay Him any attention. We just won’t be interested in His gifts. Therefore, the words, themselves, are the keys to this faith; introducing us to: “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel.”
Surely, I wouldn’t have spent so many years, in a most peculiar religion if I didn’t trust the words of Lord Krishna and Shrila Prabhupada. As I mentioned in an earlier chapter, I had read, Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead while living in my bicycle shop in Saratoga Springs. When I read at the end of certain chapters that I was receiving a special blessing, just because I was hearing the story, this struck me as something most unusual. I had never read anything like that before and this intrigued me very much. Could this be true?
Now that I look back, from that time, forward, my life has not been the same. For me, “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” is that Lord Krishna has touched me many different times. I especially like how He has dealt with me in a very down-to-earth way. He knows perfectly well my mentality and the perfect manner in which to encourage me. In fact, today I consider Lord Krishna to be my very best friend. This is where “my message” has led me and has deeply shaped my prayer life and my devotional service.
Among other things, various moments in my life have been rather mystical. This is thrilling and makes my religion very personal. “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” is that Lord Krishna has continued blessing me in the most telling ways; especially within the realm of coincidences where I sense Him most easily. The Lord has also maintained my keen interest to read and write about God. You, too, can experience these same things!
To continue on with a bit of my story, before leaving Colorado I had been managing our Hare Krishna Food For Life program; feeding the homeless on the streets of Denver. Then in 1990 a tornado struck Limon, Colorado. This was my first experience responding to a disaster and realizing the enormous potential that this kind of service could mean to Shrila Prabhupada's mission, in 1990 I founded Krishna Disaster Relief. The reason I left Colorado and moved to Potomac, Maryland was to look into the possibility of establishing Krishna Disaster Relief in Washington, D.C., located only a few miles away.
Not having a car of my own, I decided to take a “drive-away car” to the east coast. These are cars that individuals leave with companies that specialize in arranging for people, like myself, to drive and deliver them to their owners. Many of the cars need to be driven long distances to accomplish this. The owners of the cars even pay for the gas.
I called the drive-away company that everyone recommended and sure enough, they had five cars going east: “Which one do you want?” Taking the information down on each car and getting out my road map, I quickly eliminated all but two of the five cars. The idea is that you select a car that gets you closest to your destination; deliver it; get your deposit back from the owner; and finish up the last few miles by other means.
Of the two cars left, one of them had to be delivered about a hundred miles from Washington, while the other had its owner located in Great Falls, Virginia. Looking at my detailed road atlas, I couldn’t even find this town on it and after twice checking with the drive-away company, all they could tell me was that Great Falls was located near Baltimore, Maryland. If you have a map, look at where Baltimore is, and where Virginia is, and you will see why I was so confused.
With a deadline to meet, I decided to take the car going to Great Falls since it appeared to be going somewhere near Washington. I would just have to inquire at a truck stop near Washington, and, surely, I thought, someone would know where the place was located.
When I went with my friend, Krishna-katha, to fill out the necessary paperwork, he looked at my drive-away agreement and pointed out that I had to deliver the car to an address on Peacock Street (Lord Krishna always wears a peacock feather in His hair). We both agreed this was a very auspicious beginning for my long trip
After a few days of driving, having made the trip with two days to spare before having to deliver the car to its owner, I decided to drive to our Potomac temple and find out from there where Great Falls was located. Besides, this way I could first unload my personal belongings, arrange for someone to follow me, and then bring me back to the temple. Making a phone call to the car’s owner, I was flabbergasted when he told me that Great Falls was located less than three miles away, and that, indeed, he lived on Peacock Street! Great Falls is just a tiny little village, and of all the cars for me to get, ending up with this one whose owner lived on Peacock Street (just next door) was simply too much of a coincidence to ignore its divine connection.
Due to various reasons, I was unable to start the Krishna Disaster Relief program in Washington. I had spent several months trying. Extremely frustrated, on a rainy Tuesday morning in March, I decided to abandon my efforts and instead go back to work. I had little choice because I was completely broke. Out of the blue, within minutes of this rather monumental decision, I received a phone call from the Food For Life director in Philadelphia, offering me the position as their kitchen manager; a job which I took, and another electrifying coincidence. The one day (within minutes) that I finally decided, “OK, this is it, I am going back to work,” without even applying for the job or having been to Philadelphia, or knowing that the position was open, I was offered a very good paying job, cooking for homeless veterans in a large Hare Krishna shelter on Broad Street.
I am only mentioning these events in my life to explain how these very real and down-to-earth episodes continue to happen in my life. When combined with the Vaishnava theology, they give me great faith in the words and existence of Lord Krishna: “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel.”
Not long after I started working, I went to the Philadelphia public library to see if I could find a copy of the book, The Story of a Life—St. Therese of Lisieux. I was in the midst of writing this book and was looking for more material.
written by: Guy Gaucher
Available on Amazon
The day before I had called several bookstores hoping to locate it, but each time I was unsuccessful. As it turned out, the book that the library had could not be checked out, so I sat down in the reference section and read most of it over the next five hours. It was easy to tell that I wanted my own copy, but like I said, I wasn’t having any luck finding one.
The following day was Sunday and I went downtown again and at one point, becoming turned around, asked directions to get back home. After a stranger pointed the way, I found myself walking down a narrow side street. Feeling completely out of place amidst the towering buildings and unfamiliar noise, I said two small prayers at the stop light, one to Lord Krishna and one to Jesus Christ.
Taking less than three dozen steps, I noticed that the store I was standing next to was a used bookstore. Perhaps, I thought, they would have the book I wanted: The Story of a Life.
Opening the door and entering, immediately to my left, behind a counter, I noticed the person in charge. Asking if he could help me, I said, “Yes, I am wondering if you have the book, “The Story of a Life.” The man didn’t even move, except to turn around, reach his hand straight out, less than thirteen inches away from where he stood, and pulling the book from the shelf. He told me that the book was his personal copy but that if I wanted it he would sell it to me for ten dollars. Then he said if I really wanted it he would sell it to me for five dollars. I pulled out a five-dollar bill and walked out of the store with the book in my hand, completely stunned by what had just happened.
Not only had less than five minutes gone by from my two short prayers at the intersection, just imagine all the millions of books in this world that could have been in that used bookstore, plus the other million books that could have been within arm’s reach, thirteen inches away. There is also this incredible fact that I later discovered about a month later: this particular bookstore only specialized and sold, do-it-yourself books, such as plumbing and car repair. Nothing else. So how was this possible? There was a sign on their storefront that said this, but I hadn’t notice it.
As I continued my journey home, I thanked Shrila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna. Besides ending up with the book that I wanted, this wonderful aspect of the Vaishnava Gospel again flooded my soul with faith. This says to me that my religion is real and that it’s not just something in my head. “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” isn’t just a bunch of lofty words in a book, but rather has entered my life in a most wonderful way, just as it can enter yours.
No different than you, I, too, appreciate wonderful thoughts and Krishna Consciousness has blessed me with the most incredible world of thinking imaginable. The Vedic Scriptures are immensely powerful, breathtakingly beautiful, highly detailed, and thrilling to read. Their sheer volume is nearly incomprehensible. Many devotees, such as Steven Rosen, are throughly researching the history of India’s ancient Vedas and publishing their findings.
In the beginning of my involvement with the Hare Krishna Movement, of course I was told about many of the great devotees who make up its rich history, but there was very little information written about them; not like there is today. Now there are many books about these great personalities who have also embraced “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel.” Reading about their incredible lives; hearing about the quality and character of these rare souls and that they, too, had unshakable faith in Lord Krishna, has sent my faith soaring; immensely sharpened my own confidence in God. You can also read these wonderful books (available from KrishnaCulture, KrishnaStore, and Amazon).
More “Good News” is that Shrila Prabhupada has left no room within my false ego for expansions of delusion. He was especially specific about sin and about proper behavior. I really appreciate that he spelled this out so clearly, but when I examine myself I have to hang my head in shame. If I’m not actually doing the wrong thing, like so many of us, I fall short of the mark. However, “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” is that it contains a special ingredient for the likes of me. It has to, or why else would I constantly see Lord Krishna dealing with me with such love and patience?
What I am speaking about is God's unconditional love and His mercy. If I had to say in just one word what “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” means to me the most, without hesitation I would say, “mercy;” easily available to everyone.
I am just an ordinary person and actually, for many years I was not even interested in God. I have no illusions of grandeur and as Shrila Prabhupada rightfully said, my heart consists of a large lump of black coal. I may say that I try; that I am sincere; or that I care, but what is the real depth of these so-called good qualities of mine? Hardly, I find, the depth of my thin skin. Yet, I marvel at how merciful Lord Krishna and His devotees have been to me. I offer Lord Krishna and Shrila Prabhupada my allegiance. But not perfectly, because I can’t. I am not perfect.
*** ** ***
I can only guess about other people, but as for myself, I have suffered so much in my life. Some years ago I fell in love with a very beautiful girl. We had a lovely daughter, Julia, followed by her baby brother, Patrick.
Here I am with Julia & Patrick,
Fischer, Texas – 1987
I have a very motherly disposition and absolutely cherished taking care of our children and being their father. I gave the very best that I had to my family and loved them dearly, but it was not enough. Their mother had a dark side to her that was very deceitful. One day she just decided to not come home, leaving me to raise the children by myself. Patrick was still crawling at the time. Needless to say, seeing my spouse unable to be a faithful wife and good mother devastated me.
Eight months slipped by and with the onslaught of winter approaching and not being able to give my business enough attention, I found myself having to borrow money to pay the rent. Although I worried constantly about my children’s welfare, Julia and Patrick always had the love from their daddy. They were my two best friends and I played with them and taught them nice things. I refused to give them anything but one-hundred percent of my time and affection, shunning baby sitters and daycare centers. It was only after I put them to bed in the evening that I would go out to my shop and work; often until two in the morning, hoping to make enough picture frames to sell. These extremely late hours began to take their toll on me.
My family is not from Texas and I didn’t have anyone to turn to for help. Since we had just moved to Fischer, I had not made any new friends. The three of us were really on our own. Out of desperation I was finally able to speak to their mother over the phone. She said she would take care of the children for me, while I tried to make things more secure for them. This, we both agreed, was only to be a temporary arrangement.
Soon after she drove off with them, I called her, wanting, of course, to visit the children. But I was told she had left with them, moving over 1,200 miles away. I called there and spoke briefly with her, unable to get over my disbelief that she had taken my two babies away like that, without even asking or consulting with me. Then I called again and the phone had been disconnected.
That was years ago and not a day goes by that I don’t think of my little girl and my son. Hardly a week goes by without this pain overwhelming me. Even in my dreams I find myself crying.
Where did all my suffering begin? I’ll be fifty-seven in a few days (I’m 79 now) and looking back over my life, it has been pretty intense. “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” tells me of a place where there is no suffering; a place free from anxiety. So this gives me great hope for the future because I believe I am going to this wonderful place. Lord Krishna has given me His word: “Simply by performing devotional service he reaches the supreme eternal abode.” We can all go there!
Especially meaningful to me is an added bonus: “The Lord gives special protection to the family members of a devotee. The Lord is so kind that He gives all protection to them.” This is the special solace I need in order to cope with having lost my children. Although I have no idea where they are, my life still has great meaning for them; more “Good News” for all of us who want to do the absolute best for the ones we love.
(Please note that what you just read about my children was written in the early 90s. Originally I mention that I am 57. Actually, today in 2025, I am 79. So some of these comments relate to how I was feeling many years ago. Yes, I have been working on this book a long time. In 2001 I finally reconnected with my children.)
*** ** ***
Both in the Holy Bible and in the Vedas, the kingdom of God is described.
JOHN 14:2: “In my Father’s house are many mansions.”
SHRI BRAHMA-SAMHITA (29 & 56): …”in abodes built with spiritual gems, surrounded by millions of purpose trees; all water is nectar, every word a song, every gait is a dance, where numberless milk cows always emit transcendental oceans of milk.”
So this should be our goal: the Lord’s magnificent abode. Although God has made our planet very beautiful, decorated with graceful waterfalls and majestic mountains, wrapped at times in blankets of wild flowers and white snow, even God admits that when compared to His eternal kingdom, what we see around us, “springs from but a spark of My splendor.” (BHAGAVAD-GITA AS IT IS, 10:41, © BBT-Int’l, 1989)
The Vedic description of the spiritual world is vastly different from what we know, here on earth; inconceivably more wonderful. This is “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel.” This is our Lord’s transcendental abode and home to all the great saints who love God with unflinching faith; a place more marvelous than we can even imagine.
I want to go there and I want all of the people I love to go there. I want you to go there, too. Written long before John Burke’s book, Imagine Heaven, I, too, wrote down some notes on how I imagined what Heaven would be like:
“It is a place completely free from suffering and heartbreak. Also, the weather is great. El Niño doesn’t exist. How could there possibly be any smog, acid-rain, droughts, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, excessive temperatures, or ozone holes?
“In God’s glorious kingdom you won’t find vicious dogs that tear little children apart. There are no germs or viruses that make you sick, or any rats, pesky flies, biting mosquitoes, bee stings, poisonous snakes, spiders, shark attacks, or cockroaches. Whatever is there is fabulous and naturally desirable. It is a place free from pain and terror. You won’t ever find animals being slaughtered, or death, or any killing, whatsoever. Buildings aren’t rotting away. The evening serenity isn’t shattered by loud sirens. The sweet fragrance of the air doesn’t suddenly become obnoxious. The lovely path isn’t spoiled by a huge pile of dog stool.
“Your joy is never shattered by bad news: a war, a fire, a horrible accident, old age, cancer, AIDS, boredom, confusion, dreadful feelings, envy, disappointment, apathy, terror, starvation, rumors, betrayals, nonsense, child molesting, rape, robbery, children being hurt, murders, ethnic cleansing, deformities, ugly discoveries, guilt, neuroses, bad habits, serial killers, cigarette smoke, bad breath, heartbreak, divorce, rejection, bad odors, infections, rudeness, dissatisfaction, discouragement, filth, prostitution, defeat, failure, dirt, riots, hunger, intoxication, hurt feelings, frustration, loneliness, harassment, prejudice, hatred, not being able to fit in, animosity, rejection, fear, perverseness, disobedience, mental illness, politics, a natural disaster, or people who are weird, scary, vicious, bitchy, moody, ugly, or who let you down.
“No, the spiritual world is a much different place. Instead, it’s the abode of eternity, bliss, knowledge and love.
“The more you look, the more beauty you find. You aren’t always searching for pleasure and satisfaction. Arriving in this spiritual domain, by the side of God, you never feel unfulfilled. The Lord is the fountainhead of unfathomable joy, mercy, and peace. You live within His world full of vibrant-spiritual health.
“You never discover ugly things or nasty secrets. You are never disappointed by what you experience in the spiritual world. It is more wonderful than you ever thought. And this wonder never dries up. Instead, you experience it forever, in an ever-increasing degree. Everything is delightful, beautiful, and fresh.
“In this transcendental world your body is spiritual, always youthful, and your knowledge is complete. You are eternally innocent, in all respects, never losing your childhood.
“Your spiritual body is never deformed, inadequate, or incapable of performing. Everything about it is perfect: your sight, hearing, smell, etc. Vision isn’t limited to certain colors. Hearing isn’t confined to certain frequencies or taste restricted to our earthly standard. You don’t get sick. Teeth don’t need to be pulled. The Coronavirus doesn’t exist there. Face masks aren’t required (*added for this edition).
“Here, on earth, we might go to the mountains, perhaps to visit Redwood National Park, which again, is “but a spark of our Lord’s splendor.” But the birds who live there have better eyesight than we do. Count all of our senses, which would be fully absorbed on such a vacation, yet they all have their limitations. Colors are only so bright, and then we don’t even see the complete spectrum. In the spiritual word, spiritual bodies are a million times more sensitive and perfect in every way. *If you have ever heard a Near Death Survivor (re: NDE) speak, they often mention all of this; such as magnificent colors they had never seen before and all their senses a hundred times more acute (*added for this edition).
“But wait, there is more to come because the most wonderful thing are the saints that you meet there. They are all so kind and gentle and you get along with everyone. You don’t meet people that you just can’t relate to. Everyone’s heart is simple, loving, never caustic or judgmental. They don’t turn into horrible adults, sniffing one another with their eyes like the dogs here on earth sniff one another with their noses. You have eternal friends, all sharing the same thing: love and service to God. The ones you love never grow old and die, or have other bad things happen to them.
“What will it be like meeting Lord Krishna? Beyond all comparisons! Meeting Him will melt your heart, setting it ablaze with love, kindled by the most irresistible beauty you have ever witnessed. It is said that, “His unique loveliness charms millions upon millions of Cupids.“
“When we meet our beloved Lord, He captures our heart, enchanting us forever with His charming loveliness.”
The Primeval Form of God Described in The Vedas
As I have tried to describe heaven, “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel”is that such a place does exist. However, unless we take the time and effort to hear about it, and hear that we can reach its transcendental realm, we will be like that old lady who died fabulously rich, not even knowing it.
God’s love for us is an established fact, just as that old lady’s inheritance was an established fact for her. This is why hearing the word of God is so strongly emphasized in all Scripture. Good News that will give your life and actions new meaning, hope, purpose, and value.
“The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” tells us that God lives and that we can live with Him. Finally there is historical and accurate information that we can trust, and which tells us about the person we are supposed to love and what His abode looks like. This “Good News” contains the highest conceptions of God. By embracing this “Good News” you transform your world into a life of joy, thus establishing a very real relationship between yourself and God. You are secure in your faith, protected, and in touch with positive feelings, coming from an atmosphere that constantly reminds you of God.
You have hope for a future beyond this life. This “Good News” gives you a lifestyle that you can put into daily practice; a lifestyle steeped with devotional service. It promotes individual responsibility and rings true within your heart. It is centered around the most wonderful person of all, Lord Krishna, the fountainhead of all ecstasy and pleasure. This “Good News” is my ace in the hole, my hope out of this mess called material life.
“The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel” is so wonderful that Lord Krishna has appeared in the form of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who has explained the “Good News” in a way that no other saint, guru, or sadhu has ever spoken. His words are like a light emanating form a very special lantern, whose rays illuminate a very special gift. This gift is the “The Good News of the Vaishnava Gospel.”
Please finish Krishna and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance by reading the final chapter: “My Message.” We are our blessings and there is a gift with your name on it, just waiting for you to take it.