Living For Krishna: Jan 23, 2012

Monday, January 23, 2012

Evening Aartis And First Class Bhakti

Lately I've found myself going to evening Aartis. There is something about seeing Krishna in the evening. I just don't know what it is. I love how they dress Him here. That could be it. Sometimes I feel hypnotized by Krishna's beauty with Him just standing there. This evening He has an extra flute in His waist, and His turban had six peacock feathers.

Another reason why I like coming to evening aartis is because I like to see what kind of night outfit the Deities are wearing. Last night They were wearing this beautiful white night outfit! I had to take several pictures of Their outfit. Krishna was absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to see tonight's evening outfit. Im sitting here in the temple waiting to see Krishna again.

I remember my guru Maharaj saying that going to evening aartis keeps Maya away. He's right about that. Evening aartis also help me to chant extra rounds while I am waiting for the aarti to start. I have one more extra round to chant. I've been trying to chant 20 rounds everyday. My guru Maharaj instructed me to chant 20 rounds if I have extra time. So I am trying to keep it at that number. And maybe later by Krishna's mercy I can maybe chant more rounds but I don't want to make a vow because it'd be hard to keep and I don't want to committ an offense.

This morning I was reading something in one of Prabhupada's lectures about first class bhakti. And there was a sloka with it that did not have the translation. I had to email my guru Maharaj about it. I had asked him how much deeper does first class bhakti get, and how can I reach that stage of first class bhakti. I know that I am practicing bhakti yoga (loving service to God) now but there is another stage of it. I guess it requires one to be an advanced devotee and Im not that advanced yet that I do know for sure. That is why I asked Maharaj how I can get there. He is a bhakti yoga instructor so I am sure he will give me good advice. I love practicing bhakti yoga because it makes you think of God more and not about yourself in what you have to do for yourself during the day. Today I was cleaning Lord Caitanya's room and thinking of Him. I did my best to keep His dressing room clean and was trying to think of His Lotus Feet at the same time hoping that I was pleasing Him.