According to Syamasundara, Srila Prabhupada described the laughter urge as the sudden arrival of the unexpected, something like pratfalls (when people fall backward unexpectedly in a way that is usually considered comical or humiliating).

Of the many exalted Vaisnavas who have shuffled off this mortal coil, Bhakti-tirtha Swami was, and still is, known and greatly appreciated for emphasizing the importance of deepening relationships between devotees.

That the world is a dream is underscored by Sanatana Goswami in Chapter 4 of Brhad Bhagavatamrta and Dig Darsani, Text 182. Referring to the earth Naradi Muni says: “Only by transcending her does one attain liberation and pure devotional service. She has produced the material universe — a creation no more real than a magician’s trick. As a magician conjures up one illusion after another, Maya has countless ways to create false appearances.”

During one of the many evening kirtana parties at Srivasangam, Lord Caitanya was dancing ecstatically, living in the spiritual world. Suddenly, the young diseased son of Srivasa died. Srivasa forbade all present to lament or shed tears because he didn’t want to break Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s ecstasy. But the omniscient Lord eventually interrupted the kirtana and began to weep deeply, showing his deep attachment to Srivasa’s whole family and how subservient the Supreme Lord can become to His pure devotee.

One of Srila Prabhupada’s more esoteric teachings appears in the Bhagavad-gita. He writes. “Without the moonshine, the vegetables can neither grow nor taste succulent.” (purport to BGAII 15.13)

Like clear air, electricity and the mind, some things are unseen, but perceivable in other ways. When we lament that we don’t “see” Krsna we can remember this.

When Syamasundara and I played Prabhupada a recording of “Narada Muni Eternal Spaceman,” words and music by Hayagriva prabhu and yours truly, Srila Prabhupada encouraged us. He said, “Very nice. A song in your country tune.” He was, to say the least, being most charitable. It was probably one of the worst recordings ever made.

Mahanidhi Swami once referred to Vrindavana as a “Queendom,” implying it is the place of Radharani. On Radhastami in London Srila Prabhupada explained why Vraj residents call out to Radharani more than to Krsna: “Therefore in Vrindavana you’ll find all the devotees, they’re chanting more Radharani’s name than Krsna’s. Wherever you’ll go, you’ll find the devotees are addressing, “Jaya Radhe.” You’ll find still in Vrndavana. They are glorifying Radharani. They’re more interested, worshiping Radharani. Because however fallen I may be, if some way or other I can please Radharani, then it is very easy for me to understand Krsna.”

A Christian history writer finds that marriages break up for three principal reasons: 1) there is a cost-benefit analysis, in which each partner determines whether the benefits of the marriage outweigh the “costs” to them. If the costs are too high, say good-bye and move on; 2) there is the solve-all-problems concept in which either partner may think their hang-ups and personal problems will be automatically solved by the marriage. In other words the marriage partner is their full time counsellor; 3) there is the Hollywood component. This is the idea that romance with Mr. or Mrs. Right will make everything absolutely perfect. With these three concepts in mind, the parents’ needs come first. The rights and desires of any children born to the couple are not the first priority, and often not considered carefully, if at all. Of course, all this is supported by a legal system in the West where “no-fault” divorces have minimized the sanctity of marriage as an institution.

I don’t know to which nation he was referring, or whether he meant ‘government’ in a generic sense, but this is what Srila Prabhupada writes about official corruption: “At the present moment, however, there is no guarantee by the government of even the primary necessities of life in the state, namely, the protection of the lives and property of the citizens.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 4.12.12-purport)