Notes - Response to position paper re: Srila Narayana Maharaja (8 of 8)
Rasaraja dasa
39. "In further reference to your question about the form of the
spirit soul of the conditioned living entity, there is a spiritual
form always, but it develops fully only when the living entity goes
back to Vaikuntha. This form develops according to the desire of the
living entity. Until this perfectional stage is reached, the form is
lying dormant like the form of the tree is lying dormant in the seed."
(letter to Rupanuga, August 8, 1969)
40. In Krishna Book, Chapter 28, Prabhupada writes, "Mature
devotees, who have completely executed Krishna consciousness, are
immediately transferred to the universe where Krishna is appearing. In
that universe the devotees get their first opportunity to associate
with Krishna personally and directly."
Prabhupada often quotes Lord Chaitanya's opinion that "aradyo bhagavan
tad dhama Vrindavanam -- Vrindavan is non-different from Krishna and
is as worshippable as Him". Therefore there can be no maya, no
material desire, no envy in Vrindavan. So no resident of that place,
no associate of Krishna could fall into maya and thus fall from there.
SB 1.1.1. states: dharmnasvena sada nirasta kuhakam satyam param
dhimahi. 'I therefore meditate on Him, Lord Sri Krishna, who is
eternally existent in the transcendental abode, which is forever free
from the illusory representations of the material world.' The
conclusion is that no one falls from the spiritual world, or Vaikuntha
planet, for it is the eternal abode." (SB 3.16.26 purport)
In speaking on this issue Srila Narayana Maharaja quotes from the two
main parts of Srimad-Bhagavatam which deal with the story of Jaya and
Vijaya. There Prabhupada writes that Jaya and Vijaya wanted to fulfil
the desire of Lord Narayana to enjoy in a rasa, or a chivalrous mood.
So in order to fulfil Jaya and Vijaya's desire to please Him, the Lord
called for yoga-maya to arrange the pastime. Prabhupada concludes both
these sections by saying that the associates of the Lord, who all have
sat-cit-ananda bodies can never fall down from Vaikuntha.
"The bodies of the inhabitants of Vaikuntha are completely spiritual,
having nothing to do with the material body, senses or life air.
Therefore, kindly explain how associates of the Personality of Godhead
were cursed to descend in material bodies like ordinary persons."
PURPORT
"Therefore it is to be understood that when Jaya and Vijaya descended
to this material world, they came because there was something to be
done for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Otherwise it is a fact
that no one falls from Vaikuntha." (SB 7.1.35)
"From Vedic scriptures it is understood that sometimes even Brahma and
Indra fall down, but a devotee in the transcendental abode of the Lord
never falls." (SB 3.15.48 Purport)
"This ordinary living being is of two kinds-nitya-baddha or
nitya-mukta. One is eternally conditioned and the other eternally
liberated. The eternally liberated living being; are in the Vaikuntha
jagat, the spiritual world, and they never fall into the material
world." (SB 5.11.12 Purport)
"Pure devotional service is so spiritually relishable that a devotee
becomes automatically uninterested in material enjoyment. That is the
sign of perfection in progressive devotional service. A pure devotee
continuously remembers the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna and does not
forget Him even for a moment, not even in exchange for all the
opulence of the three worlds." (SB 1.5.19 purport)
"Sometimes it is asked how the living entity falls down from the
spiritual world to the material world. Here is the answer. Unless one
is elevated to the Vaikuntha planets, directly in touch with the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is prone to fall down, either from
the impersonal Brahman realisation or from an ecstatic trance of
meditation." (SB 3.25.29 purport)
"The living entities are divided into two categories-the eternally
liberated and eternally conditioned. Those who are ever-liberated
never come in contact with maya, the external energy. The
ever-conditioned are always under the clutches of the external energy.
This is described in Bhagavad-gita: 'This divine energy of Mine,
consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to
overcome.' (Bg. 7.14). The nitya-baddhas are always conditioned by the
external energy, and the nitya-muktas never come in contact with the
external energy." (Madhya-lila 22.14-15 purport)
"False devotees, lacking the conclusion of transcendental knowledge,
think that artificially shedding tears will deliver them. Similarly,
other false devotees think that studying books of the previous acaryas
is inadvisable, like studying dry empiric philosophies. Srila Jiva
Goswami following the previous acaryas, has inculcated the conclusions
of the scriptures in the six theses called the Sat-Sandarbhas.. False
devotees who have very little knowledge of such conclusions fail to
achieve pure devotion for want of zeal in accepting the favourable
directions for devotional service given by self-realised devotees.
Such false devotees are like impersonalists, who also consider
devotional service no better than ordinary fruitive actions."
(Adi-lila 2.117 Purport)
"The mature devotees, who have completely executed Krishna
consciousness, are immediately transferred to the universe where
Krishna is appearing. In that universe the devotees get their first
opportunity to associate with Krishna personally and directly."
(Krishna Book, Chapter 28, Releasing Nanda Maharaja from the clutches
of Varuna, p. 186)
"Maharaja Yudhisthira inquired: What kind of great curse could affect
even liberated Vishnu-bhaktas, and what sort of person could curse
even the Lord's associates? For unflinching devotees of the Lord to
fall again to this material world is impossible. I cannot believe
this.
PURPORT
In Bhagavad-gita(8.16) the Lord clearly states, mam upetya tu kaunteya
punar janma na vidyate: one who is purified of material contamination
and returns home, back to Godhead, does not return to this material
world. Elsewhere in Bhagavad-gita(4.9) Krishna says: 'One who knows
the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not,
upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world,
but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.' Srila Yudhisthira, therefore,
was surprised that a pure devotee could return to this material world.
This is certainly a very important question." (SB 7.1.34)
"The bodies of the inhabitants of Vaikuntha are completely spiritual,
having nothing to do with the material body, senses or life air.
Therefore, kindly explain how associates of the Personality of Godhead
were cursed to descend in material bodies like ordinary persons.
PURPORT
Therefore it is to be understood that when Jaya and Vijaya descended
to this material world, they came because there was something to be
done for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Otherwise it is a fact
that no one falls from Vaikuntha." (SB 7.1.35)
41. siddhantatas tv abhede 'pi
srisa-krsna-svarupayoh
rasenotkrsyate krsna-
rupam esa rasa-sthitih
"According to transcendental realization, there is no difference
between the forms of Narayana and Krsna. Yet in Krsna there is a
special transcendental attraction due to the conjugal mellow, and
consequently He surpasses Narayana. This is the conclusion of
transcendental mellows." (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.59, quoted in
Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 9.117,146)
42. "A devotee of the Personality of Godhead Narayana cannot
actually understand the transcendental attractive features of Krishna.
On the other hand, the devotee of Krishna who is attached to the
sublime attractive feature of the Lord does not consider Narayana very
important. When the gopis sometimes saw Krishna in the form of
Narayana, they were not very attracted to Him. The gopis never
addressed Krishna as Rukmini-ramana. Krishna's devotes in Vrindavan
address Him as Radharamana, Nandanandana and Yasodanandana, but not as
Vasudeva-nandana or Devaki-nandana. Although according to the material
conception, Narayana, Rukmini-ramana and Krishna are one and the same,
in the spiritual world one cannot use the name of Krishna in the place
of Rukmini-ramana or Narayana. If one does so out of a poor fund of
knowledge, his mellow with the Lord becomes spiritually faulty and is
called rasabhasa, an overlapping of transcendental mellows. The
advanced devotee who has actually realised the transcendental features
of the Lord will not commit the mistake of creating a rasabhasa
situation by using one name for another. Because of the influence of
Kali-yuga, there is much rasabhasa in the name of extravagance and
liberal-mindedness. Such fanaticism is not very much appreciated by
pure devotees." (Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 8.90, purport)
43. "Iskcon (the International Society of Krishna Consciousness)
is a non-lucrative organisation, whose purpose is to promote the
well-being of human society by drawing its attention to God. We are a
non-sectarian society, and our members include people from Christian,
Jewish and Moslem as well as Hindu faiths. The aim of Iskcon is not to
found a new religious sect, but to invoke the living entity's dormant
love of God, and thus provide the human society of all faiths with a
common platform of clear theistic knowledge and practice. Members of
Iskcon may retain their own respective religious faiths, as Iskcon is
meant to establish a clear, practical common formulation of the common
ideal of all theists, and to defeat the unnecessary dogmatic
wranglings that now divide and invalidate the theistic camp. This
common ideal of theism is to develop love of God." (Srila Prabhupada,
letter 24/8/68)
"There are many societies and associations of pure devotees, and if
someone with just a little faith begins to associate with such
societies, his advancement to pure devotional service is rapid."
(Nectar of Devotion, Chapter Nineteen, p.14)
45. "So I am feeling now very much obliged to my, this Godbrother,
that he carried out the wish of my spiritual master and forced me to
accept this sannyasa order. So this Godbrother, His Holiness Kesava
Maharaja, is no more. He has entered Krishna's abode. So I wish to
pass a resolution of bereavement and send them. So I have composed one
verse also in this connection in Sanskrit. So you all present, you
sign this. I shall send it tomorrow. The verse I have composed, it is
in Sanskrit. Vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti-yogam. This Krsna
consciousness is vairagya-vidya. Vairagya-vidya means to become
detestful to this material world. That is called vairagya-vidya. And
that is possible simply by this bhakti-yoga.
Vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti-yogam apayayan mam. So this... Just like
medicine. The child is afraid of taking medicine. That also I have
experienced. In my childhood, when I became ill, I was very stubborn.
I won't accept any medicine. So my mother used to force medicine
within my mouth with a spoon. I was so obstinate. So anyway,
similarly, I did not want to accept this sannyasa order, but this
Godbrother forced me.
"'You must.' Apayayan mam, he forcefully made me to drink this
medicine. Anabhipsu andham. Why I was unwilling? Anabhipsu means
unwilling. Andham, andham means one who is blind, who cannot see his
future. The Spiritual life is the brightest future, but the
materialists cannot see to it. You see? But the Vaishnavas, the
Spiritual master, they forcefully, "You drink this medicine." You see.
Apayayan mam anabhipsu andham sri-kesava-bhakti-prajnana-nama. So this
my Godbrother, his name is Kesava, bhaktiprajnan Kesava. Krpambudhi.
So he did this favour upon me because he was ocean of mercy. So we
offer our obeisance's to Vaishnava, krpambudhi. Vancha-kalpa-tarubhyas
ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca. The Vaishnavas, the representatives of the
Lord, they are so kind. They bring the ocean of mercy for distributing
to the suffering humanity. Krpambudhir yas tam aham prapadye. So I am
offering my respectful obeisance's unto this His Holiness, because he
forcefully made me adopt this sannyasa order.
"So he is no more in this world. He has entered Krishna's abode. So I
am offering my respectful obeisance's along with my disciples. On the
first day of my sannyasa, I never thought, but I remembered that I'll
have to speak in English. So I remember on that sannyasa day, when
there was a reception, so I, first of all, I spoke in English. So it
is all arrangement of Krsna, higher authority. We are writing like
this, 'Resolved that we the undersigned members and devotees of
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Incorporated, in a
condolence meeting under the presidency of His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami, today the 21st of October, 1968, at our Seattle
branch, express our profound bereavement on hearing the passing of His
Divine Grace Om Vishnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktiprajnan Kesava Gosvami
Maharaja, the sannyasa guru, preceptor of our Spiritual master, and on
October 6th, 1968, at his headquarters residence in Nabadwip, West
Bengal. We offer our Respectful obeisance's unto the lotus feet of Sri
Srimad bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja with the following
verse composed on this occasion by our Spiritual master.' This verse I
have already explained to you. So I wish that you all sign this and
I'll send it tomorrow by air mail." (lecture, Seattle 1968)
46. "I am prepared to co-operate with the Gaudiya Mission
wholeheartedly. I am prepared also to be amalgamated, and they have
invited me to go to India to talk frankly, face to face. But unless we
have come to some definite understanding, how I can risk the journey
which will involve more or less Rs. 25,000? But I am sure if Gaudiya
Mission and I combine together, it will be very nice thing to preach
the cult of Lord Caitanya all over the world. I can reorganise all the
branches of the Gaudiya Math in India, and if there is any financial
question, it will be not difficult for our society to help in that way
also. So if you can negotiate about our amalgamation on a co-operative
basis, it will be great service to Srila Prabhupada." (letter, Dr
Syamasundardas Brahmacari, 5/9/69)
47. Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 9.18
48. SB 4.28.31
49. "I am very glad to know that Ananda Prabhu is staying with
you. Please offer my dandavats. He is my old god brother. Sincere
Vaishnava. Please treat him like your father. Do remain in full
co-operation". (letter to Gurudasa, 73-05-06, Los Angeles)
50. "So if you are actually serious to take instructions from a
siksha guru, I can refer you to one who is most highly competent of
all my god-brothers. This is B.R. Sridhara Maharaja, whom I consider
to be even my siksha guru, so what to speak of the benefit that you
can have from his association." (letter to Hrsikesa 9/1/69)
51. "Regarding Srila Prabhupada's asking his Godbrothers for
forgiveness, Srila Narayana Maharaja said, 'They are all trivial
things. In this world-wide preaching, if some little things go wrong
here and there, what difference does it make? It is all right.
Whatever you have done, you have done for the well-being of the entire
human society. There is no individual interest. Everything was done in
the interest of God.'"
...[Later in the conversation Srila Narayana Maharaja says,] "'
Maharaja, you didn't commit any offence. We never thought that you did
anything wrong. On the other hand, you bless us. We need it. You never
did any wrong. If someone is offended by your actions, that is his
fault.'" (Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta, Vol. 6, p.399-401)
52 "Prabhupada: How do you think the idea?
Jayapataka: All of your ideas, Srila Prabhupada, are perfect. I am not
someone to offer opinion. But if you ask, I think that actually,
especially the yoga-pitha, natha-mandira, that's a very dynamic idea,
and in general it must do good.
Prabhupada: We want co-operation." (room conversation, Vrindavan
6/11/77)
"Tamala Krishna: Yes, I think the general is already covered by this
Mayapura-Vrindavan Trust committee. That's for all of India. And
Gauda-mandala-bhumi is especially for encouraging the development of
Gaudiya Vaishnavism in that area--Sridhara Maharaja's natha-mandira,
this Yoga-pitha Bhaktivedanta Hall. Different buildings. Supposing one
of your Godbrothers may have written some manuscript, he has no money.
We can print some books for him so he can sell them, like that, works
within the Mayapura area.
Prabhupada: That we shall fix up, what to spend.
Tamala Krishna: The Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity trustees would fix
that up?
Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krishna: Yes.
Prabhupada: All right." (conversation, Vrindavan 30/10/77)
53. "Anyone who preaches the message of God, he is guru. So they
very much appreciated, and actually it is so. Vaishnava who is
preaching, it may be in a different way, according to time and place
and the party. They have to change something, desa-kala-patra. But we
have to see the essence." (Srimad-Bhagavatam lecture, Mayapura,
8/10/74)
54. "This personal grudge is not inhuman and as I have told many
times, that individualism is the cause of personal misunderstanding.
When such individualism is employed in the center of Krishna there is
no harm even if there is personal misunderstanding. Personal
misunderstanding exists even in the higher levels. There is
competition of loving Krishna even in the party of Srimati
Radharani.... (Even amongst our God-brothers we have misunderstanding
but none of us is astray from the service of Krishna. My guru Maharaja
ordered us to execute his mission combinedly. Unfortunately we are now
separated. But none of us have stopped preaching Krishna
Consciousness. Even if there was misunderstanding amongst the
God-brothers of my guru Maharaja none of them deviated from the
transcendental loving service of Krishna. The idea is that provocation
and misunderstanding may remain between one man and another. But our
staunch faith in Krishna Consciousness may not allow any material
disruption. Please therefore try to be sympathetic with any person
even if they differ. The only qualification we have to scrutinise is
if one is acting in Krishna Consciousness as far as one is able to do
it." (letter to Brahmananda 18.11.67)
"But this controversy is not material. Just like in a national
program, different political parties are sometimes in conflict and
make propaganda against each other, but their central point is always
service to the country. Similarly, amongst the disciples of
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati there may be some controversy, but the
central point is how to preach the mission of His Divine Grace. If the
central point is fixed up then there is no harm in such controversy.
Every individual being must have his opinion; that is the significance
of individuality, but all such differences of opinions must coincide
in Krishna." (letter to Mandalibhadra 28/7/69)
"Among Vaishnavas there may be some difference of opinion due to
everyone's personal identity, but despite all personal differences,
the cult of Krishna consciousness must go on. We can see that under
the instructions of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja began preaching the Krishna consciousness
movement in an organised way within the past hundred years. The
disciples of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja are all
Godbrothers, and although there are some differences of opinion, and
although we are not acting conjointly, every one of us is spreading
this Krishna consciousness movement according to his own capacity and
producing many disciples to spread it all over the world." (SB
4.28.31)
"Disunity between individual souls is so strong within this material
world that even in a society of Krishna consciousness, members
sometimes appear disunited due to their having different opinions and
leaning toward material things. Actually, in Krishna consciousness
there cannot be two opinions. There is only one goal: to serve Krishna
to one's best ability. If there is some disagreement over service,
such disagreement is to be taken as spiritual. Those who are actually
engaged in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be
disunited in any circumstance." (SB 4.30.8)
55. Srila Prabhupada describes this in the purport of
Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila 12.8.
56. "The Hare Krsna movement is meant for those who are serious...
There's no question of our being some sectarian group. No. Anyone can
join. Students in college can be admitted. You may be a Christian, you
may be a Hindu, you may be a Muhammadan--it doesn't matter. The Krsna
consciousness movement admits anyone who wants to understand the
science of God." (SSR, Chapter 1)
57. "Just by pouring water on the root of a tree, one nourishes its
trunk and all of its branches, fruits and flowers, and just by
supplying food to the stomach, one satisfies all the limbs of the
body. Similarly, by worshipping Lord Vishnu one can satisfy everyone.'
Krsna consciousness is not a sectarian religious movement. Rather, it
is meant for all-embracing welfare activities for the world. One can
enter this movement without discrimination in terms of caste, creed,
religion or nationality. If one is trained to worship the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Krsna, who is the origin of Vishnu-tattva, one
can become fully satisfied and perfect in all respects." (SB 8.5.49)
58. punah krsna-rati haya duita prakara
aisvarya-jnana-misra, kevala-bheda ara
gokule 'kevala' rati--aisvarya-jnana-hina
puri-dvaye, vaikunthadye--aisvarya-pravina
aisvarya-jnana-pradhanye sankucita priti
dekhiya na mane aisvarya--kevalara riti
santa-dasya-rase aisvarya kahan uddipana
vatsalya-sakhya-madhure ta' kare sankocana
"Attachment for Krsna is divided into two categories. One is
attachment with awe and reverence, and the other is pure attachment
without reverence. Pure attachment without reverence is found in
Goloka Vrndavana. Attachment in which awe and reverence are prominent
is found in the two cities Mathura and Dvaraka and in Vaikuntha. When
opulence is very prominent, love of Godhead is somewhat crippled.
According to kevala devotion, however, even though the devotee sees
the unlimited potency of Krsna, he considers himself equal with Him.
On the transcendental platform of neutrality and service, sometimes
the opulence of the Lord is prominent. However, in the transcendental
mellows of fraternal, paternal and conjugal love, the opulence is
minimized." (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 19.192-195)
59. "Thus devotional life is divided into two stages --
sadhana-bhakti and bhava-bhakti. Sadhana-bhakti refers to the
development of devotional service through the regulative principles.
The basic principle for the execution of devotional service is faith.
Above that, there is association with devotees, and after that there
is initiation by a bona fide spiritual master. After initiation, when
one follows the regulative principles of devotional service, one
becomes freed from all unwanted things. In this way one becomes firmly
fixed and gradually develops a taste for devotional service. The more
the taste grows, the more one desires to render service to the Lord.
In this way one becomes attached to a particular mellow in the Lord's
service -- santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya and madhura. As a result of
such attachment, bhava develops. Bhava-bhakti is the platform of
purified goodness. By such purified goodness, one's heart melts in
devotional service. Bhava-bhakti is the first seed of love of Godhead.
This emotional stage is there before one attains pure love. When that
emotional stage intensifies, it is called prema-bhakti, or
transcendental love of Godhead. This gradual process is also described
in the following two verses found in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1.4.15-16)." (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 23.13, purport)
60. See Caitanya-caritamrta Adi lila Chapter 3
61. "Conjugal love (madhurya-rasa) is also known as srngara-rasa."
(Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 8.88)
62. "So far as I know, my Guru Maharaja's position was one of the
assistants of the manjaris." (letter to Hamsaduta, January 16,1969)
63. madhuryojjvala-premadhya-sri-rupanuga-bhaktida-
sri-gaura-karuna-sakti-vigrahaya namo 'stu te
namas te gaura-vani-sri-murtaye dina-tarine
rupanuga-viruddhapasiddhanta-dhvanta-harine
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, the personified energy of
Sri Caitanya's mercy, who delivers devotional service which is
enriched with conjugal love of Radha and Krsna, coming exactly in the
line of revelation of Srila Rupa Goswami. I offer my respectful
obeisances unto you, who are the personified teachings of Lord
Caitanya. You are the deliverer of the fallen souls. You do not
tolerate any statement which is against the teachings of devotional
service enunciated by Srila Rupa Goswami." (Srila Bhaktisdhanta
Sarasvati Pranati)
namo bhaktivinodaya sac-cid-ananda-namine
gaura-sakti-svarupaya rupanuga-varaya te
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda, who
is transcendental energy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is a strict
follower of the Goswamis, headed by Srila Rupa." (Sri Bhaktivinoda
Pranati)
64. In Goloka Vrindavan, where these rasika devotees serve Krishna in
their spiritual forms, neutral rasa is not present.
65. mor ei abhilas, bilas kunje dio vas
nayane heribo sada jugala-rupa-rasi
ei nivedana dharo, sakhir anugata koro
seva-adhikara diye koro nija dasi
"My desire is that you will also grant me a residence in the pleasure
groves of Sri Vrindavan-dhama. Thus, within my vision I will always
behold the beautiful pastimes of Radha and Krishna. I beg you to make
me a follower of the cowherd damsels of Vraja. Please give me the
privilege of devotional service and make me your own maidservant".
(Sri Tulasi-kirtana, verses 3-4)
66. This was confirmed by Srimati Kaumadaki dasi who was in Los
Angeles at the time.
67. This is a verbatim quote from Srila Puri Maharaja to Ramesha das.
68. "Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.2) gives the following information
about sadhana-bhakti:
krti-sadhya bhavet sadhya-
bhava sa sadhanabhidha
nitya-siddhasya bhavasya
prakatyam hrdi sadhyata
The process of devotional service -- beginning with chanting and
hearing -- is called sadhana-bhakti. This includes the regulative
principles that are intended to awaken one to devotional service.
Devotional service is always dormant in everyone's heart, and by the
offenseless chanting of the holy names of the Lord, one's original
dormant Krsna consciousness is awakened. This awakening to Krsna
consciousness is the beginning of sadhana-bhakti. This can be divided
into many different parts, including faith, association with devotees,
initiation by the spiritual master, engagement in devotional service
under the instructions of a spiritual master, steadiness in devotional
service and the awakening of a taste for devotional service. In this
way, one can become attached to Krsna and His service, and when this
attachment is intensified, it results in ecstatic love for Krsna."
(Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 19.177)
69. krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih
kriyatam yadi kuto 'pi labhyate
tatra laulyam api mulyam ekalam
janma-koti-sukrtair na labhyate
"Pure devotional service in Krsna consciousness cannot be had even by
pious activity in hundreds and thousands of lives. It can be attained
only by paying one price-that is, intense greed to obtain it. If it is
available somewhere, one must purchase it without delay." (Srila Rupa
Goswami, Padyavali 14, quoted in Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila
8.70)
In the purport Srila Prabhupada says, "Henceforward the basic
principle underlying the talks between Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and
Ramananda Raya will be spontaneous loving service to the Lord. The
regulative principles according to the injunctions of the Sastras are
necessary insofar as one's original dormant Krsna consciousness is not
spontaneously awakened. An example of spontaneous action is the
flowing of rivers into the ocean. Nothing can stop this flow of water.
Similarly, when one's dormant Krsna consciousness is awakened, it
spontaneously flows to the lotus feet of Krsna without impediment."
70. kanthavarodha-romaSrubhih parasparam lapamanah pavayanti
kulani prthivim ca
"Conversing among one another with throats choked, hair standing on
end, and tears flowing, the Lord's intimate servants purify their own
followers and the whole world."
PURPORT
"One may ask, 'Does Narada expect me to also become a great devotee
and experience such ecstasy?' The answer is yes, the ecstasy of
devotional service is open to all. But a humble devotee may think
himself unfit to experience the advanced stages of Krsna consciousness
for many lifetimes. We may respond best to a sutra like this by trying
to appreciate, at least slightly, the wonderful influence of the great
souls who have come to this earth. This will inspire us to seek the
association of the servants of the servants of such great souls, to
assist them in their mission, and to receive shelter from them against
the world of maya.
The symptoms of ecstasy should not be imitated, but it is not wrong to
aspire to experience them. In The Nectar of Devotion, Rupa Gosvami
encourages us to develop a spontaneous attachment for serving the Lord
without any desire for profit. Srila Prabhupada writes, 'In other
words, one should learn how to cry for the Lord. One should learn this
small technique, and one should be very eager and actually cry to
become engaged in some particular type of service. This is called
laulyam, and such tears are the price for the highest perfection.'
[The Nectar of Devotion, p. 84]
...At least on an individual basis every sane person should save
himself by coming forward to render service and to hear from Vaisnavas
of the caliber Narada describes in this sutra.... Lord Krsna praises
the influence of Narada: 'If someone is able, by chance, to see face
to face a great saintly person like Narada, who is always serene and
merciful to everyone, then immediately that conditioned soul becomes
liberated. This is exactly like being situated in the full light of
the sun; there cannot be any visionary impediment.' [Krsna, p. 97]"
(Narada-bhakti-sutra 4.68, purported by Satasvarupa Goswami)
"Therefore, if we do not associate with the advanced devotees,
uttama-adhikari, if we simply want to remain in the lowest stage of
devotional service, then we are not making progress."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.33, Vrndavana, November 12, 1972)
71. Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.33 lecture, Vrindavan, November 12, 1972
72. "But without viddhi-bhakti, you cannot reach to the platform
of raga-bhakti, although that is our aim. Raganuga, raga-bhakti is
executed following the footprints of the devotees in Vrndavana. That
is called raga-bhakti. Krsna's personal associates. Not to become
directly Krsna's personal associate, but following the footprints of
Krsna's eternal associates, we can come to the stage of raga-bhakti.
That is called para-bhakti. That para-bhakti is required."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.35-36, Bombay, January 12, 1975)
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