(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 26 April 2015, Radhadesh, Belgium, Vyasa Puja Morning Lecture, Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya Lila 24.124)
I was thinking if I should give any special message today. Should I maybe go through the Caitanya Caritamrta and select a special verse? But then I thought, “No! Every verse in the Caitanya Caritamrta is special so why would I select one as special, when every single verse is special?” Or to expand that principle, why highlight anything when everything about Krsna consciousness is special!? Then I realized that perhaps that should be my message – every aspect of Krsna consciousness is special and therefore every aspect of Krsna consciousness should be given special attention and special respect, as everything has a special importance.
It is no doubt that the chanting of Hare Krsna is especially important but hearing Srimad Bhagavatam is also especially important. Taking Krsna prasadam is especially important, as well as offering obeisances. Visiting Krsna’s temples is especially important, and when it comes to bowing down to the vaisnavas – one should pay special attention to it! Marking one’s body in twelve places with tilak is especially important. All these things are especially important!
When it comes to tilak, in the early days, I always used to put it during the day but in the night sometimes not. In India, because it is very hot, you take a shower at night and sometimes just crash and sleep. But now, I always put it, even before taking rest because it is very important.
We should know that every detail is important because it is all these small things together that actually offer us strength. It is all these seemingly trivial things – whether you put the tilak, and whether you put it in all twelve places or just on your face. But by that, we are actually invoking the presence of the Lord. As we are placing the tilak and chanting the various mantras, the various deities of the Lord are present so the blessings are there. And collecting blessings is a theme I want all of us to focus on.
