Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja
The Appearance Day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada
Singapore: on the evening of February 13, 2001

This is the appearance day of jagad-guru Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakura, and therefore we are discussing his glories. 

Namah om visnupadaya krsna-presthaya bhutale, srimate bhaktisiddhanta-sarasvatiti-namine. In this pranama mantra it is stated: bhaktisiddhanta sarasvati. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, the embodiment of bhakti-siddhanta, the personification of the conclusive doctrines of bhakti, manifested as the son of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. In Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakura there is all the knowledge that Krsna gave to Brahma, Brahma gave to Narada, Narada gave to Vyasa, and thus, by disciplic succession, came through the Rupanuga Vaisnavas down to Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji Maharaja. All the siddhantas, philosophical truths, of the Vedas, Upanisads, and all other scriptures, are embodied in Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Thakura. If any person came to argue philosophy with him, that person was at once defeated and was bound to accept his teachings. 

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati: There are two Sarasvatis. The power of Bramha is Sarasvati, but that Sarasvati is not the real Sarasvati of Goloka Vrndavana. This Siddhanta Sarasvati, however, is the embodiment of para-vidya, transcendental knowledge. Therefore, because of this transcendental knowledge, his name is Srila Bhakisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada. Why Prabhupada? He is Prabhupada in the real sense, because he preached throughout the world the glorification of his Prabhu. Who is his Prabhu? Radha-Krsna Conjugal, or Gauracandra, Gaura-Gadadhara, and Gaura-Nityananda. He preached Their glories everywhere, and therefore he is really Srila Prabhupada. 

Namah om visnupadaya krsna-presthaya bhutale: He is very near and dear to Krsna – very near and dear – in that male form. But who is he really? In the second sloka of his pranama mantra it is stated sri varsabhanavi-devi-dayitaya. He is really the eternal maidservant of Srimati Radhika. He is so very dear to Radhika in his form as Nayana-manjari. As Mahaprabhu’s associate he is Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, and as the associate of Radha-Krsna Conjugal he is Nayana-manjari. What is the meaning of the name Nayana-manjari? As one’s eyes are very dear to one, Nayana-manjari, who is the personification of the eyes of Srimati Radhika, is so near and dear to Her. She is always serving Srimati Radhika.

Thus, he has two forms. One form is as Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s associate, not only in this world but also in Goloka Vrindavana, in Svetadvipa. And, in Vrndavana also, as Nayana-manjari, she serves Srimati Radhika. You have seen in Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami’s Vilapa-kusumanjali how the manjaris serve Radha-Krsna Conjugal. Nayana-manjari serves Them in those same ways. 

Srila Sarasvati Thakura is krpabdhaye, an endless ocean of mercy. He is the first acarya in the four sampradayas to desire that all the people in the world, all those who have forgotten Krsna, should realize all the truths of bhakti, and they should be helped to become pure devotees. If Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Thakura had not sent his disciples here and there, none of you, in any country, would have met pure devotees. Now, by the mercy of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, through Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja and my Gurudeva, krsna-kirtana is everywhere in the world. Everyone knows Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Radha and Krsna only by their mercy. Srila Prabhupada had the wish, and then sent his arms here and there. Who are his arms? His disciples, his devotees. They are like arms, and they are preaching everywhere. 

We are very fortunate to come in their line, but we should try to be very strong. Sometimes, if you are not in good association, you become weak. It may be that when I return to India, you will become weak. Don’t be weak. Always realize that our whole guru-parampara, Radha-Krsna, Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Prabhu, and guru are always with you, and they will help you. Don’t give up chanting and remembering Krsna.       
                                           
Krpabhdaye. He is not called an ocean of mercy only because he gave us harinama. He gave so much more. He brought Goloka Vrndavana. He brought the love and affection of the gopis to this world. If he had not brought all these things, we would never have heard of them. He is therefore an ocean of mercy. 

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura taught that there are five kinds of knowledge: pratyeksa, paroksa, aparoksa, adhoksaja, and aprakrta. The knowledge of everything we see and realize by our direct experience is called pratyeksa. But this is false. 

Then, paroksa. We don’t see Svarga, but we believe in it. There is also a history of Svarga. We accept Svarga, although we don’t see it. We hear that if a man is a thief, a dacoit, a debauch, and so on, he will have to go to naraka, hell. On the other hand, if he is pious, he will go to Svarga and there he will be very happy. This knowledge is called paroksa. 

Then, aparoksa. This is the knowledge taught by Sankarcarya. One day we will have to die, and we will have to give up everything in this world. Our beauty will go, our body will go, whatever we are collecting will go, and everything else will go. We cannot take anything, neither our pennies nor our pens, from this world.  So why are we collecting all these bogus things? Why? An intelligent person thinks about this and becomes detached, but a bogus, foolish person remains attached to sense gratification. He desires only to make his body very beautiful and strong. Nowadays there is a competition for Miss India, Miss America, Miss World, and also Miss Universe. After one year, will Miss India again be selected as Miss India or Miss World? Rather, all will neglect her. 

Although engaged in chanting and remembering, many devotees are also engaged in sense gratification, and they cannot give up lust. This is Maya. Therefore, Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura sent his qualified devotees everywhere, to make those weak devotees strong. He wanted to encourage them and say, “You should remember Krsna.” It is for this reason that he has sent his arms. I am also coming. He has ordered me to do so. His disciple, Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, has ordered me. My Svamiji Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja has ordered me. So you should not be weak – never and never.

Then, adhoksaja. What is adhoksaja? Adhoksaja is Vaikuntha, that place where there is no kala, time. There is only the eternal present. There is no birth and death, and no suffering and sorrow. Nothing bad is there. In that abode there is so much opulence, and everyone there prays to Narayana.

There is something higher than this, however. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura has taught that this most superior truth is called aprakrta. Aprakrta is that realm where Vraja-lila is performed. Krsna is sometimes like a baby there. There He is controlled by His father and mother, He is controlled by His beloved gopis, and He is controlled by His friends. No one can ever imagine such very, very sweet pastimes. We should try to know this aprakrta. We should try to serve this aprakrta Krsna who is with so many gopis, with His father and mother, with His sakhas, and with all His cows and very sweet cowherding pastimes. This is the aim and object of our life: service to this Krsna. This is aprakrta-jnana.           

Krsna sambandha-vijnana dayine prabhave namah. In this world we have a relationship with our father and mother and our immediate family. We think, “She is my mother, he is my father, and he is my brother.” But we are not satisfied with that. We want to be a husband or wife, girlfriend or boyfriend, but still we are not satisfied. 

From where have these relationships come? They have come from Goloka Vrndavana. There is actually only one relationship – with Krsna. He is not a father there. He is like a friend, like a baby, or like a beloved. In the constitutional form of our soul there is a relationship with Krsna. We have now forgotten this due to Maya, but we have a relationship. All the relationships of these bodies are false and temporary. They remain only for some days, but the relationship in our constitutional form is eternal. 

We want love. We first loved our mother, then our father, then our brothers, then other relatives, and then our neighbors. But we were never satisfied. Then we collected wives or husbands, and when we were not satisfied, we got divorced and changed the old ones for new ones. But still we were not satisfied. You cannot be satisfied.  No one can ever be satisfied. When you meet with Krsna and serve Him, then you will be satisfied. This is a transcendental relationship, and this relationship is given by guru.  Prabhupada gave this, and this relationship will be forever. It was for this end that he gave the mantra klim krsnaya govindaya.                        

Madhuryojjvala premadya sri rupanuga bahaktida. He explained all these truths. He actually came only to give this madhuryojjvala-prema, this gopi-prema, which Srila Rupa Goswami has written about in his books and which Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to this world only to give – the relationship of Krsna as our beloved. He came only to give this and nothing else. Srila Prabhupada has written in his articles: “I came only to give this, but my whole time was spent in cutting jungles.” Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja also did this in Western countries. He came to this world to give love and affection for Krsna, but to whom could he give it?  He was preaching to unqualified people, and therefore he wanted to make a platform for this love, by cutting the jungles of atheist and mayavada misconceptions. He thus fertilized the field by ploughing and cutting jungles, and most of his time went into this. He could not preach as he wanted, but he stored so many deep truths about gopi-prema in his books. 

Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura also did this. In Radha kunda, in his last days, he said that if anyone is only cutting jungles, cutting the arguments of mayavadis and so on, and not accepting the mood of the gopis as taught by Rupa Gosvami, not doing worship of Radha-Krsna Conjugal, not following the line of Rupa Gosvami, then even their chanting will not be sufficient to help them. After some time they will become weak and give up all devotional practices. Then they will become nirvisesavadis and mayavadis, as so many are now becoming. 

Sri rupanuga bhaktida. Srila Prabhupada descended to this world, and all our disciplic acaryas also came, only for preaching this rupanuga Vaisnavism. But they had no time. From the beginning, therefore, I was very alert to avoid cutting jungles because our guru varga had already cut them down. I considered that I must do something affirmative. I therefore accepted this and I preached it from the beginning. Now, however, coming to the Western countries, I began to think, “To whom shall I tell?” Now I also have to cut down some jungles. When I am in Vrndavana or Navadvipa, however, I mainly speak about the high class of sweet pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Radha and Krsna. 

So, Srila Prabhupada was like an ocean of madhuryojjvala-prema. He wanted to distribute it, and he distributed it. If he did not, then from where have we collected these things? All glories to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada. All glories to all his associates. All glories to Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja. All glories to all of you devotees.

Gaura premanande, hari hari bol.                

SRI SRIMAD BHAKTIVEDANTA NARAYANA GOSVAMI MAHARAJA

Singapore, February 11, 2001

(At the home of Srimati Janaki devi dasi)

Today is the very sacred anniversary of the birth of my spiritual master, nitya-lila pravistha om visnupada Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja. He appeared in this world, on this day, to fulfill the needs of his dear-most Radha-Krsna Conjugal, Gaura-Nityananda Prabhu, and Gaura-Gadadhara. He came to help all the conditioned souls to come out of this jail. We are in jail – all of us. He came to save us from the jail of this world. 

Who is he? Our Gurudeva is the manifestation of jagad-guru Srila Vyasadeva. It may also be said that he is a manifestation of akanda-guru-tattva Baladeva Prabhu or Nityananda Prabhu. Since Vyasadeva is Narayana Himself, we can surely say that Sri Gurudeva is a manifestation of Vyasadeva. He sits on the vyasasana, the ‘vyasa seat’, the seat on which Vyasadeva used to sit. In other words, he sits on the seat from which 

Vyasadeva preached the glory of Radha and Krsna Conjugal all over the world.

Today we should glorify him. We will also glorify guru-tattva and explain how guru-tattva descends from Goloka Vrndavana. Although we do not have much time – only 2 hours – we will explain all these truths today. I request all the speakers to speak only 15 to 20 minutes, and glorify guru-tattva.

Don’t think that this bhakti philosophy is useless. Don’t think in this way, otherwise you will be very weak and give up the bhakti line. I am hearing about this problem – daily, daily, and daily. So many disciples of Parama-pujyapada Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja and other pure acaryas are giving up bhakti and becoming weak. They are leaving Krsna consciousness and accepting worldly family life. Why? It is because they don’t know this philosophy. 

Try to know all these truths. If you do not know them now, one day you will have to know them. It may be after thousands of lives, but one day you will have to know all these philosophical conclusive truths. Don’t think that it is useless to know them. If you don’t want to fall down, then know all the philosophical truths and arguments very, very deeply.

My Guru Maharaja rendered so many direct services to his Guru Maharaja Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada, like massaging him, and he was always with him for as long as Srila Prabhupada was present in this world. His glory is like an ocean. You have heard so many Prabhus glorify him, but we can never complete His glorification.

You should know that the backbone of krsna-bhakti is guru-nistha, unalloyed faith in Sri guru. If one has no guru-nistha, he has no bhakti at all. In Indian Vedic culture it is the tradition that one should accept a guru – a transcendental guru. If one has not accepted guru, no one will take any food that he has prepared.  No one will even drink the water that as been offered by him – not even his father or mother will drink it. 

Do you understand what I am telling? Even if a son or daughter is married, if he or she has not accepted a guru, his or her cooking or offering will not be accepted by that family.  First, one will have to accept a high class of guru. Then he or she can cook and perform all related services. In Indian tradition, in Vedic culture, from ancient times up to now, it was essential to accept a bona fide guru.  Nowadays, however, the Western breeze is also coming towards India, and thus India is rejecting all these principles. We are especially rejecting guru. Instead we think, “What is gurudeva? Gurudeva is nothing. There is no need of gurudeva.”

Minute by minute people are changing their wives and husbands. They are divorcing so many in one life, and therefore no one is happy. If you want to be happy, you must accept a qualified guru and guru-parampara. If you do not do so, you will have to experience the miseries of old age and death. When you die, whatever you have collected in your life cannot be taken with you. Always remember that death is sure. No one can save you from death. What, then, will become of the palatial buildings and the many other things you have collected? Try to understand this. By guru-bhakti our lives will be changed, and we will be happy forever. 

What is vyasa? The line that touches the opposite sides of the circumference of a circle by going through the central point is called the diameter or vyasa. What is the meaning? Krsna is the center of all.  Not only this one world, but so many universes – millions upon millions of universes are in this circle. Vyasa is touching Krsna and going to all the innumerable ends of material existence. Who is Vyasa? He who is preaching the glories of Krsna to all, teaching everyone: “You should serve Krsna; otherwise no one can save you from this endless chain of birth and suffering.” Vyasa is he who is always serving Krsna from one point to another – everywhere in this world.

Vyasa took birth between Mathura and Vrndavana, on an island in the Yamuna. Parasara Muni was his father, and his mother was Srimati Matsyodhari. Parasara was going somewhere and wanted to cross the Yamuna. He called the boatman, but that boatman was very tired and sent his adopted daughter instead. Because his daughter had been born from the womb of a fish, a fishy odor emanated from her, but at the same time she was very beautiful. He ordered her, “Oh, take the ferry boat and help that Rsi Parasara.” Ordered by her father, Matsyodari took the boat and told Parasara, “You can come. I will take you across.” When she reached the island in the middle of the Yamuna, Parasara looked upon her. At once she became pregnant, and in a moment she gave birth to a very tall, beautiful, blackish youth of sixteen years. Who was he? Vyasa. He had come by the mercy of Krsna through Parasara, but he was actually Narayana. He thus immediately renounced this world. 

After some time he divided the Vedas in four – Rg Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. After that he wrote the essence of all the Vedas, and that was called Brahma Sutra, Sariraka Sutra, or Vedanta Sutra. After that he wrote thirty-six kinds of Puranas: Puranas, Upa Puranas and Sakha Puranas.  Then, for all persons – for ladies, sudras, and all those who always lament and who are entangled in worldly intoxications – he wrote the Mahabharata, and in that he gave the jewel-like Gitopadesa, or Bhagavad-gita. Prior to this he gave the Catuh-sloki Bhagavatam, which Narada had taken from Brahma. There was yet no Srimad Bhagavatam, however, so he was not satisfied with his life.    

Narada came to Vyasa and asked, “Why you are so upset?”

Vyasadeva replied, “Gurudeva, I don’t know.”

Narada then told him, “You have not glorified Krsna and His pastimes of Vrndavana, and you have not discussed how the gopis and all the Vrajavasis serve Him. You should glorify Him, and especially His many devotees, His beloveds, the gopis, and His beloved Radhika.”

Vyasadeva then saw all the pastimes of Krsna and His associates in his trance, and thus he wrote Srimad-Bhagavatam and became happy. The essence, therefore, of all Vedic literature – Upanisads, Puranas, and Bhagavatam – is Vraja-prema, or gopi-prema, and especially the love and affection of Srimati Radhika, who controls Krsna and always keeps Him in Her heart.

A guru can give these truths, otherwise it is not possible to understand them. Otherwise we cannot know all these truths – all these mysterious truths. A guru gives all this to the sisya so that he can be happy. You know that Ravana had so much opulence, and so many millions of servants who lived in palaces made of gold and jewels. All kinds of opulences were present in Lanka; there were no poor people there. Ravana had ten mouths, ten heads, twenty eyes, and twenty ears, and he conquered the whole world. But he was not happy. He could not control his heart. He could not control his mind. He could not control his lust. Therefore, who is the greatest and strongest person? He who can control his six urges:

vaco vegam manasah krodha vega
jihva-vegam udaropastha-vega
etan vegan yo visaheta dhira
sarvam apimam prthivim sa sisyat

[“A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly, and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.”]              
  
If one cannot control his anger, his words, his tongue, and his mind, he cannot do anything to help himself. You know the ex-president of America, Clinton. He was so famous and he was a very strong personality, but he could not check his heart and he became entangled with an office girl. Such persons cannot do anything productive. Therefore, if you want to be happy in this world, try to follow Vyasadeva – try to follow a real guru.  

Before writing Srimad-Bhagavatam, Vyasa made four disciples: Paila, Sumanta, Jaimini, and Vaisampayana; and he trained each of them in one of the four Vedas. Especially in South India, the Vedas, Upanisads, and Sanskrit sastras are followed. Nowadays, however, especially those outside of India have gradually left their traditions. Something is in their blood; they believe in God, but they have given up all religious principals and instead take meat, eggs, wine, and so on. They cannot control the six urges. Understanding the future, therefore, Vyasa gave one Veda to each of these four disciples, and he gave the Mahabharata and Puranas to Ugrasrava Suta.  

Vyasa served his gurudeva. He followed the teachings of Narada and he preached the glory of Radha-Krsna Conjugal everywhere. This is guru-bhakti, the tradition of guru. He preached the supremacy of Krsna and Radha’s love and affection throughout the world. This is Vyasa.

A disciple is he who can serve his gurudeva as more dear to him than his own life and soul. He is not a disciple who is simply satisfied with the thought, “Oh, Gurudeva has given me a name;” but he does not chant, he does not realize anything, and especially he does not follow the principles of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, which is the essence of all the Vedas:

trnad api su-nicena taror iva sahisnuna
amanina manadena kirtaniya sada harih

[“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.”]

If you want to be a disciple of a bona fide guru, you should be tolerant. If you do not have this tolerance, then, when a mosquito comes, you will make a hydrogen bomb to kill it. You will think, “How shall I save myself from this?!” The whole day and night you will be thinking about this, and krsna-bhajana will disappear. To protect and maintain our life is essential, but why is it essential? Not for living like dogs, hogs, or pigs. If anyone is spending his whole time maintaining himself, he is like a dog and other nonsense animals. These animals can do more than you. You are very worried about one child, but dogs can have fifteen or sixteen. Two times in a year they can have so many children, and there are many other animals that can have still more than this. So don’t think you are more advanced than animals in this way, or that you are so intelligent. No, they are more intelligent than you.

If you want to be actually intelligent, then always remember your death and your old age. Always remember that you cannot take anything with you at death, and, if you are not doing bhajana, you will be crushed by maya – thoroughly crushed. At that time you will lament, “Why did I not do bhajana? I have failed.”

Vyasa writes: 
     
labdhva sudurlabham idam bahu-sambhavante
manusyam arthadam anityam apiha dhira
turnam yateta na pated anumrtyu yavan
nihsreyasaya visayah khalu sarvatah syat

 
[“After many births we have attained this human form. Therefore, before death comes, we should engage ourselves in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. That is the fulfillment of human life.”] 

The main object of this human life is to try at once, immediately, to realize who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We should realize, “Who am I? I am not this body.” This is the teaching of Vyasa.

sa vai punsam paro dharmo
yato bhaktir adhoksaje
ahaituky apratiha
yayatma suprasidati

[“The supreme occupation (dharma) for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.”]

The purpose of this life is to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, as stated in these two slokas which were preached widely by my Guru Maharaja:

aradhyo bhagavan vrajesa tanayas tad dhama vrndavanam
ramya kacid upasana vrajavadhu vargena va kalpita
srimad-bhagavatam puranam amalam prema pumartho mahan
sri caitanya mahaprabhor matam idam tatradarah na parah

[“The Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna, Who is known as the son of the King of Vrajadhama, Sri Nanda Maharaja, is the ultimate worshipful Lord of all Lords. Similarly His residential abode, the holy place of Vrndavana, is as worshipful as the Lord Himself. The ways of His worship may be various, but the one which was conceived by the damsels of Vrajadhama is unsurpassable by any other devotee. Srimad-Bhagavatam Purana is the unalloyed guidance for approaching the worshipful Lord, which is the ultimate goal of life. This is the sum total opinion of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We shall bow down our heads before His opinion, and not accept another.”]
   

[“The authoritative knowledge of Vedas received through the bona fide disciplic succession, establishes the following fundamental truths:

1. Hari is the supreme absolute truth.
2. He is omnipotent.
3. He is the reservoir of all mellows.
4. The living entities are His separated parts and parcels.
5. The conditioned souls are covered by Maya.
6. The liberated souls are beyond the influence of Maya.
7. The entire cosmic manifestation is simultaneously one and different from Him.
8. Suddha-bhakti is the only means to achieve love of Godhead.
9. The goal is to attain love of Godhead.
These teachings have been instructed by Gauracandra Himself.”]

If anyone is going on this path, he must be happy. No one will be able to check his happiness  

Hiranyakasipu was almost immortal. He had so much opulence. He used to control Vayu, the god of air, Indra, and all other gods and goddesses, but he could find no happiness. A new being – animal plus man – came to him, and in a moment He pulled out his intestines. If you do not follow this bhakti principal, then from the beginning of your life, day and night, you’ll only be thinking, “Money, money, money.” And, after death you will become money. Realize this. It is to give you this message that we have come here. We have come to tell you that you should always remember your death. And you should always remember Vyasadeva.

Especially those of you who are Indians should remember the place from which you have come. India was previously known as Bharata. What is the meaning of Bharata? ‘Bha’ means illumination, or light. What is that light? Tattva-jnana. You come from that land where Narada Rsi, Brahma, Sankara, and all the acaryas were present. Transcendental knowledge is everywhere in Bharata. I have come to help you.  And for those of you who are Indian, I have come to remind you that you are coming from Bharata. Don’t forget this knowledge. You can make some money for your maintenance, but what is the purpose of maintaining yourselves? It is to follow the teachings of Srila Vyasadeva.

In relation to Vyasa, there are four personalities who founded the four sampradayas: Brahma, Rudra, Sri, and Sanaka. From them came the four sampradaya-acaryas, Madhva, Visnusvami, Ramanuja, and Nimbaditya respectively, and they all made commentaries on Vedanta-sutra, or Brahma-sutra. Sri Sankaracarya wrote an explanation of Brahma-sutra called Sariraka-bhasya, or Brahma-sutra-bhasya, and his philosophy was known as advaita-vada, or kevaladvaita-vada. He claimed that brahma has no shape and is avyakta-anadi. He has no sakti, power. He has no visesa, special qualities, and therefore He is nirvisesa-brahma. Sankaracarya gave all these negative ideas, but he never gave any positive explanation. He said that brahma satya jagan mitya – this entire world is false, and only brahma is truth – but that brahma is powerless. There is nothing in Him. Sankaracarya’s philosophy was therefore called advaita-vada or mayavada.

After Sankaracarya, Ramanujacarya came and defeated all his arguments. He taught that these are not the ideas of Vedas. Rather, these ideas are against the Vedic principles. We should not follow this. Only demons can follow these ideas. No Vedic person will accept the theory that the Supreme Personality of Godhead has no shape, no attributes, and no power. Ramanujacarya defeated all of the arguments of Sankaracarya and called his philosophy visista-advaita-vada (specific monism). There are innumerable jivas and innumerable worlds. The Supreme Personality of Brahma has attributes. Innumerable jivas have come from Him, and this world also comes from Him. The Supreme Personality of Brahma exists along with this world and the jivas. What was the abhideya, practice, described in Ramanuja’s philosophy? It was bhakti. What was the prayojana, the goal? 

It was service to the lotus feet of Narayana. Ramanuja accepted the form of Narayana, His attributes, His power, and also His bhakti. He rejected the mayavadi philosophy of advaita-vada.

After Ramanuja came Madhvacarya.  He established a certain portion of the Vedas, and his philosophy is called visuddhadvaita or dvaitadvaitavada. In this philosophical understanding there are five differences. (To Prema-prayojana dasa) You should explain the five differences.

Prema-Prayojana dasa: Madhvacarya established the philosophy that there is a difference between brahma and maya, there is a difference between jiva and maya, there is difference between jiva and jiva, and between different manifestations of maya  and maya there are also differences. These five types of differences are called dvaitavada.

Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja: His practice was bhakti and his prayojana was the service of the Supreme Lord in the form of Vasudeva. Which Vasudeva? He who has a      churning rod in His hand. This form was also accepted by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

After Madhva came Nimbarka, or Nimbaditya, and his philosophy was visuddha- vedaveda, but svabhavika (natural). He preached that brahma has vikrit, transformation, and it is from brahma that the whole world is coming. Brahma is alone, but still there are so many jivas and so many associates, like His father and mother. His dhama is there, but advaita.  Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not like this. He took the essence of all the Vedas – not only part of the Vedas.  He fully took all the moods of the essence of the Vedas, and discovered acintya-bhedabheda-tattva. It is not directly from Krsna that this world and jivas have come, but rather from His energy. This is called sakti-parinama-vada, transformation of sakti, energy. Caitanya Mahaprabhu fully adopted this philosophy because it asserts that everything has not come from Krsna Himself, but from the power of Krsna. Thus, Mahaprabhu defeated the arguments of Nimbarka’s bhedabheda svabhavika and founded acintya-bhedabheda.

We cannot imagine this truth by our mental speculation. It can only be understood through the words of the Vedas – by amnaya, the Vedic literature which has been accepted by our guru–parampara. He established the service of Radha-Govinda, Radha-Gopinatha, and Radha-Madana-Mohana. What was the sadhana, practice? That practice begins with vaidhi-bhakti and then changes to raganuga- bhakti. By that practice one can achieve Vraja-prema, and this is the supreme goal of life.

If anyone accepts this practice or goal, he is truly in the line of Vyasa. We should try to realize all this. Somehow you should know the essence of krsna–bhakti, that bhakti which Caitanya Mahaprabhu brought from Goloka Vrndavana – gopi-prema. This is the goal of our life. If we accept this, then our Vyasa-puja is complete. The followers of Sankaracarya ‘worship’ Vyasa, but they don’t follow him. They say Vyasa was ignorant because he wrote that brahma is anandamaya-bhyasa, all-blissful. The followers of Sankaracarya reject this. They say that brahma is bliss, but He is not blissful. In other words He is not a person. This is not service to guru. A disciple must obey his gurudeva and serve his gurudeva. Serving gurudeva outwardly by worship, and at the same time cutting the arguments and teachings of gurudeva, is not the duty or service of a disciple – yet, Sankaracarya did that.

Why did he do so? It was because Narayana ordered him in that way, to save Himself from being disturbed by demons who came to Him in the name of bhakti but who really only wanted Him to fulfill their selfish desires. Narayana told Sankaracarya, “You should preach in this world, ‘You are brahma. Aham brahmasmi. Sarvam kalvidam brahma. Tat-tvam-asi.’”                
 
There are so many things to discuss, but somehow try to know this: If you want to be happy in this world, then accept a high class of transcendental guru, who knows Gita, Bhagavatam, the Puranas, and Veda sastra, who can remove all doubts, and who practically chants harinama sankirtana following trnad api sunicena taror iva sahisnuna. He practices bhakti as received from Vyasa, Narada, and all other bona fide spiritual masters. 

He serves and glorifies his gurudeva throughout the world, as we see in the lives of Srila Bhaktisiddanta Saraswati Gosvami, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja, my gurudeva, and so on. If you want to follow, you can be happy.   

 Gaura Premanande Hari Hari Bol!

Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja: Advaita Acarya, as Maha-Visnu, looks towards upadana-prakrti (also known as prakrti), the primordial power or ingredient cause of material nature. By His glance, prakrti transforms herself into the twenty four material elements. What are these? Five gross elements (panca-bhuta), five sense objects (tan-matra), five knowledge-acquiring senses (panca-jnanendriya), five working senses (panca-karmendriya), mind (mana), intelligence (buddhi), false ego (ahankara), and the unmanifested state of the three modes of material nature (avyakta). [This is also explained in Bhagavad-gita 13.6] By the glance of Advaita Acarya, Maha-Visnu, upadana-prakrti produces all these elements.

Maha-Visnu, also known as Karanodakasayi Visnu, needs only to wish that prakrti (the material energy) will create, and by this she begins to act. Both must be present: purusa and prakrti, the Supreme Controller (Maha-Visnu) and His material energy. Alone, prakrti cannot perform any function. It is only by the wish of Karanodakasayi Visnu that prakrti begins to mix the elements in their appropriate proportions. Then, from her, unlimited universes manifest.

What is sambhu-tattva? From where does Sambhu (a manifestation of Lord Siva) come? Sambhu manifests from the union of the Supreme Lord with a transforming agent in the form of the darkness aspect (tamo-guna) of Maya, the minuteness aspect of tatastha-sakti, and a slight degree of the mixture of the knowledge (samvit) and pleasure aspects (hladini) of the spiritual energy (cit-sakti). [This is also explained in the Sri Brahma-samhita 5.45 commentary (available at purebhakti.com).]

The original personality of Godhead is Lord Krsna. From Him comes Baladeva Prabhu, from Baladeva Prabhu comes Mula-Sankarsana in Dvaraka, from Mula-Sankarsana comes Maha-Sankarsana in Vaikuntha, and Maha-Sankarsana expands into Karanodakasayi Visnu. Only for the purpose of the creation of the material world does Karanodakasayi Visnu manifest. Karanodakasayi Visnu desires the creation of the material world: “Let there be a material world.” Maya is His desire potency (iccha-sakti), which is not pure because the desire is for material creation.

Neither Mula-Sankarsana, nor Maha-Sankarsana, nor any other incarnation desires for material creation. Not even by mind do they desire Maya. But Karanodakasayi Visnu desires it, and He therefore looks towards Maya. As visnu-tattva, Karanodakasayi Visnu is pure, but at the same time He is not pure tattva, eternal tattva, because He has some desire to create this world. Only for the creation of the material universes, as manifested from the Viraja River (the marginal area between the spiritual and material creation) is He needed; otherwise not. Only for the purpose of creation will that form manifest. So He is not nitya-tattva, eternal Truth. In the form of Maha-Sankarsana, visnu-tattva is eternal, but in the form of Karanodakasayi Visnu, He is not.

So He desired, or glanced over, Maya. ‘Desiring’ means ‘glancing.’ This desire to serve in the function of creation is the nimitta-karana, or the instrumental course, of this material world; and this desire, or glancing for the purpose of creation, is not completely pure. His desire to serve Krsna is pure, but the desire to create is called an abhasa, a semblance, of the original desire. This semblance is called Sambhu-linga, and the shadow of Maha-Visnu’s sakti in Vaikuntha, Rama-devi, is called prakrti. The shadow of Rama-devi and the shadow of Maha-Visnu unite, and in this way the creation takes place.

When Maha-Visnu (Karanodakasayi Visnu) desires this world to be created and thus unites by the semblance of His glance with Maya (the shadow of Rama-devi), then Brahma [pronounced Brahmaa, with long a] is born. Brahma can be of two types: One is Hiranyagarbha Brahma, who is a direct expansion of Garbhodakasayi Visnu and is like Visnu Himself, and the other is Vairaja-jiva (Brahma who is a jiva, a living entity), who is like our four-headed Brahma. [This is also explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.20.44, purport by Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja] Of the two, Hiranyagarbha Brahma is superior, and He is like Garbhodakasayi Visnu; He induces our Brahma to act and do his duty.

Maha-Vishnu is also of two kinds: One is upadana-karana and the other is nimitta-karana (the ingredient and the instrumental causes. Nimitta-karana is Karanodakasayi Visnu himself, and upadana-karana is Advaita Acarya, who looks towards the upadana-prakrti, the ingredient-energy (unmanifested material nature). In this way, the twenty-four ingredients of the material world assemble. Karanodakasayi Visnu desires that these elements combine, and therefore they combine and manifest unlimited universes.

Advaita Acarya is a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of Nityananda Prabhu. Nonetheless, in the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they quarrel with each other in jest. Advaita Acarya is visnu-tattva, and Nityananda Prabhu is the head of the visnu-tattva. Externally they quarrel with each other, but actually they are glorifying each other, revealing their respective tattvas, or positions.

Today is the birthday of Advaita Acarya. He is very powerful, as can be especially understood by the fact that He brought Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to this world. Otherwise, there was no certainty when Caitanya Mahaprabhu would come. Krsna, in the form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, wanted to come; but if He would have come by His own sweet will, perhaps He would have done so at the end of Kali-yuga.

Advaita Acarya called Him with Tulasi leaves, which are also very powerful. Along with offering Tulasi and Ganges water, Advaita Acarya called to Krsna: “Come at once; otherwise I will manifest My four arms and destroy the entire world.” He then heard an aerial voice: “Please don’t worry. Everything will be managed.”

Sripad Madhava Maharaja: Krsna had some fear that Advaita would destroy the world, so He came.

Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja: Very soon after that, Krsna appeared in the form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu to manifest His pastimes. It is for this reason that Advaita Acarya is called Gaura-ana Thakura, which means: “He who brought Caitanya Mahaprabhu.” He is also called Nada, which means: “He who can shake the throne of Krsna.” Advaita Acarya called, “Please come, Please come,” and Krsna came. Advaita Acarya Prabhu ki jaya! Jaya ho!

Syamarani dasi: Gurudeva, you said that Karanodakasayi Visnu’s desire to create the world was not pure, and therefore He is not purna-tattva or pure tattva.

Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja: He is not pure tattva like Narayana, Baladeva Prabhu, or Krsna. They are all visnu-tattva, but the three Visnus who are involved in creation, maintenance, and destruction of this world are not pure tattva. Actually, by tattva they are pure, but not by their action or desire. After the destruction of this world, Ksirodakasayi Visnu will enter into Garbhodakasayi Visnu, and Garbhodakasayi Visnu will enter into Maha-Visnu (Karanodakasayi Visnu). Advaita Acarya also will enter into Maha-Visnu. The whole creation will enter in Maha-Visnu, and Maha-Visnu will enter into Maha-Sankarsana.

Dhristadyumna dasa: Gurudeva, in your Prabandhavali lecture you explained that the efficient cause is compared to a judge who orders a policeman to capture a criminal. The policeman is likened to the upadana, the ingredient cause. But actually, the cause of the problem is the criminal’s actions. So, is it by the desire of the living entities to enjoy that Krsna manifests this creation, or does He desire to manifest the creation and then the living entities…

Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja: Loka-vat lila-kaivalyam (Brahma-sutra 2.1.34). This means: “Why should He not perform a pastime like this?” Nothing happens without His desire. He desires a pastime wherein the jivas have the choice to forget Him. Otherwise the eternal, pure jiva could never forget Him, even though in the tatastha position. Even in the tatastha position the jiva is pure; therefore how can he forget Krsna? Everything happens due to Krsna’s desire.

In Jaiva-dharma, Vrajanatha asks his gurudeva. “It seems that Krsna is not merciful. Why is He acting like this?” His guru answers: “Why not? This is one kind of pastime. Without this type of pastime Krsna would not be complete; so it must be there.”

When Sri Advaita Acarya was a young child, He was exceedingly beautiful, with eyes like lotus petals. One day His father took him to the king’s palace, where a large deity of goddess Durga was being worshiped, with many arms and wearing a garland of the demons’ skulls. Many people were present, including the king, who also honored and worshiped the goddess.

Advaita Acarya’s father prayed to the goddess with folded palms, but his son, Kamalaksa (Advaita Acarya’s childhood name), who was about five years old, would not pay pranamas. The king became upset and told Kamalaksa’s father, “Your child is an atheist. He is not giving proper respect to Durga-devi. Have you not trained Him properly?” Kamalaksa’s father requested Kamalaksa, “At least to please the king, You should pay pranamas. Why don’t You do it? What is the problem?” When they urged Him again and again, Kamalaksa finally explained: “If I pay My pranamas to her, she will burst like an atom bomb.” He was thinking to Himself: “I’m her husband; My wife will not tolerate my paying pranamas to her.” In this mood He said, “She will not be able to tolerate My pranamas.” His father argued: “At least do it one time.” Kamalaksa thus paid His pranamas, and at once the body of the Durga burst into pieces with a tremendous sound. Both the king and his father began thinking, “Who is He?” But even then, they could not understand.

In the Indian Vedic culture, brahmanas are honored as superior to all other castes. Mohammedans, Yavanas, on the other hand, are considered outcastes. Hindus consider Muslims to be low-class, because Muslims in general eat cow flesh and engage in other abominable activities. [In Vedic culture, the killing of cows and bulls are equated with killing one’s mother and father]. But Haridasa Thakura, although born in a Muslim family, always chanted and remembered the holy names of Krsna, and therefore Advaita Acarya held him in high esteem.

One day, Advaita Acarya observed the sraddha ceremony in honor of the demise of His father. In this ceremony it is customary to offer foodstuffs to Thakuraji, and afterwards to offer the first plate of prasada to the most prominent person of the community. This person should be learned, senior in age, and highly respected. Thousands of high-class brahmanas and learned scholars were present and waiting to see whom Advaita Acarya would invite to do this, and especially those who were usually honored at such functions expected that He would call on them.

Sripad Madhava Maharaja: They all thought, “He’ll call on me just now.” “He’ll call on me just now.” But He did not call on any of them.

Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja: He went outside the house and brought Srila Haridasa Thakura, but Haridasa Thakura could not understand why He was being pulled inside. Advaita Acarya forcefully pulled him inside and offered him the seat of honor and the first prasada. He told Haridasa in front of everyone else, “Feeding millions of highly qualified brahmanas cannot compare with the fruit that I will obtain by honoring and feeding you.” Haridasa Thakura was ashamed to accept this honor; he was weeping. But Advaita Acarya insisted. Therefore, only to please Advaita Acarya, Haridasa accepted the offering.

All the brahmanas became upset, thinking, “What silly thing is going on here? Advaita Acarya has become totally mad. He has no intelligence. Why is He bringing a Muslim, who takes cow flesh and is untouchable?” They told Advaita Acarya, “If You continue behaving like this, we will leave at once. We will reject You and expel You from our brahmana caste forever.” Advaita Acarya answered, “I don’t care. What I’m doing is right. He is a pure devotee. He is not Hindu, Muslim, brahmana, ksatriya, or vaisya.”

Mahaprabhu has taught us:

naham vipro na ca nara-patir napi vaisyo na sudro

naham varni na ca grha-patir no vanastho yatir va

kintu prodyan-nikhila-paramananda-purnamrtabdher

gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah

[“I am not a brahmana, I am not a ksatriya, I am not a vaisya or a sudra. Nor am I a brahmacari, a householder, a vanaprastha or a sannyasi. I identify Myself only as the servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna, the maintainer of the gopis. He is like an ocean of nectar, and He is the cause of universal transcendental bliss. He is always existing with brilliance.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila, 13.80)]

Advaita Acarya continued, “There is no one more pure in the world than the pure devotee who is always chanting and remembering Krsna’s names. I think that in this whole universe there is no one more qualified to receive this offering than Haridasa Thakura. Therefore, I have invited him. If you like, you can go; no harm.” As soon as the brahmanas left the house, they understood that actually Advaita Acarya was right. Therefore they returned and asked for forgiveness from Srila Haridasa Thakura.

Sripad Madhava Maharaja: When they came out, some persons told them, “Don’t you remember how Durga-devi vanished when He paid pranamas to her as a small boy? Who is He? He has no fault at all. If you turn against him, your whole dynasty will be ruined.”

Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja: One time, when Jagai and Madhai were doing nonsense in Navadvipa, Nityananda Prabhu tried to bring Haridasa Thakura to beg them to chant the holy name. Haridasa Thakura warned Nityananda Prabhu, “What are You doing?! They will come and beat us both, and we may die. By calling these demons, You are inviting death!”

“I want to test whether Nimai Pandita is really Krsna, and to see whether He is powerful or not,” answered Nitai. “He has ordered us to go and advise everyone to chant ‘Krsna.’ He told Me, ‘If anyone will not chant, or not follow Your advice, I will take My cakra and cut off his head.’ I want to see whether or not He is telling the truth. I think that these two persons are qualified candidates, most qualified, for this test.

With these words He approached them, while Haridasa Thakura stayed a little back, saying, “You can go. I will not go.” Nityananda Prabhu went very close, calling out, “Jagai, Madhai, chant Hare Krsna, at least one time.” The two looked at Nityananda Prabhu with eyes reddish from taking wine and liquor, and tried to attack Him.

Haridasa Thakura and Nityananda Prabhu ran away. Being stout, Haridasa Thakura could not run so fast. Nityananda Prabhu ran very fast, but Haridasa was breathing heavily, finding it difficult to keep up the pace. The two drunkards followed behind, until they finally came to a junction. They did not know which lane Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakura had taken, and therefore they went the wrong way. In this way, Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakura were somehow saved.

When they met Advaita Acarya, Advaita Acarya asked Haridasa Thakura: “Why are you breathing so heavily?” Haridasa replied, “Oh, our life was in danger. I told Sripad (Nityananda Prabhu) not to go close to Jagai and Madhai, but He selected them as most qualified to receive Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy. He did not listen to my warning. He went to them and told them, “Oh, you should chant ‘Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.’ They proceeded to quickly attack us, and we had to run for our lives. They wanted to kill us, but somehow by Krsna’s mercy we were saved. He ran quickly, but I could not, so I was more in danger than Him.”

Advaita Acarya then said, “Don’t remain always with Nityananda. Don’t trust Him. I know that these two are drunkards, and He is also a drunkard. And Nimai Pandita, oh, He is the topmost drunkard. I’m seeing that tomorrow these four drunkards will sit together and drink and dance. Don’t go with Him. Otherwise your life will be in danger.”

Haridasa Thakura began to smile, and replied, “O Prabhu, don’t cheat me. I know that simply by Nityananda Prabhu’s desire they are already liberated. The rest is only formality. Surely they are liberated – just as when a rope is burnt, it still looks like a rope, but only its ashes are remaining.”

The next day, Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa again went preaching together. In this way, Advaita Acarya was glorifying Nityananda Prabhu in a tricky way.

Advaita Acarya Prabhu ki jaya! Sitanatha, the husband of Sita-devi, ki jaya! Gaura-ana Thakura ki jaya! Kamalaksa Prabhu ki jaya! Advaita Acarya’s quarreling with Nityananda Prabhu ki jaya!

To hear this lecture:

http://sbnmcd.org/all_mp3/20010131PERTH%20ADVAITA%20%20AM%20%20T2T5.mp3

A lecture on the topics of 
1) Vasanta-Pancami 
2) The Appearance Day of Visnu-priya devi 
3) The Appearance Day of Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami

[This year, 2013, the anniversary of the holiday celebrating Vasanta-Pancami, the appearance days of Srimati Visnu-priya devi and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, and the disappearance day of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura takes place on February 15th. Please enjoy the following timeless lecture, given in Murwillumbah, Australia, on February 17, 2002, in honor of this holy day.] 

Vasanta Pancami

          In India, there are many festivals held for the worship of Lord Krsna. There the year is divided into six seasons, each lasting two months.  Among the six seasons, the most glorious is Vasanta, Spring. The Vasanta season is very pleasant, for the weather is neither too hot nor too cold at that time. An abundance of fragrant flowers, like beli, cameli, jui and others bloom everywhere, and flowers such as ratkerani (night queen) bloom even at night. Rivers like Ganges and Yamuna are especially clean and pure at that time, looking as though they are simply waiting for Sri Sri Radha and Krsna, and the lands in many places look like yellow carpets because they are full with varieties of yellow flowers. Krsna’s garments are also yellow, because His most beloved Srimati Radhika has a yellowish-golden complexion and He wants to be always vgjuiembraced by Her.

           Today is Vasanta-Pancami, the beginning of the Vasanta season, at which time the Rasa Dance of Krsna was performed in Govardhana, in the village of Parasauli, by the lake known as Candra Sarovara. At that time the gopis were dancing with Krsna for the duration of a night that became billions of years. It became as long as one entire day of Brahma. On that night the moon stood still, not moving from its best view of the sight of the dancing of Radhika and all Her sakhis with Lord Krsna. Such beautiful pastimes were born from an ocean of rasas (sweet, transcendental mellow tastes), saturated with unlimited happiness.

          In Saradiya, the autumn season, the Rasa Dance was performed in Vrndavana, under the shade of the Vamsivata tree, in the beginning of Kartika month. All classes of gopis participated in that Saradiya rasa-yatra, whereas in this Govardhana Vasanti-rasa, only the highest class of gopis were allowed to participate. In this Spring Rasa Dance, Lord Krsna openly demonstrated the prominence and superiority of Srimati Radhika. 

          Krsna disappeared in the midst of this Vasanti Rasa Dance, and all the gopis were bitterly crying, “Where is Krsna? Where is Krsna?”  The gopis searched for Him everywhere, and after some time they saw Him in His four-handed form, standing like a statue. Coming nearer, they said, “Oh, He looks like Krsna, but at the same time He is not Krsna. Our Krsna is not four-handed. Where has His flute, His peacock feather, and all His other apparel gone? He now carries a conch shell, disc, club, and lotus flower – in four hands!”  They prayed to him, “We are very attached to Krsna, and we are searching for Him. We will die without Him. If you are Narayana, please be merciful and tell us which way He went. Be merciful so that we may find Him.” Then, after praying in this way, they left and went on their way. 

         When Srimati Radhika was arriving after the other gopis had left that place, the breeze that had just touched Her veil carried so much fragrance from Her body that it entered the nostril of Krsna and He thought, “Oh, My most beloved is near.”  He forgot that He was supposed to maintain His four-handed form, and He could no longer hide His original form. Two hands disappeared at once, entering His body, and His original two-armed form reappeared – with His flute in His hands and His peacock feather atop His head. 

rasarambha-vidhau niliya vasata kunje mrgaksi-ganair
drstam gopayitum svam uddhura-dhiya ya susthu sandarsita
radhayah pranayasya hanta mahima yasya sriya raksitum
sa sakya prabhavisnunapi harina nasic catur-bahuta

[“At the beginning of the Rasa Dance, Lord Krsna hid Himself in a grove just to have fun. When the gopis came, their eyes resembling those of deer, by His sharp intelligence He exhibited His beautiful four-armed form to hide Himself. But when Srimati Radharani came there, He could not maintain His four arms. This is the wonderful glory of Her love.” (a quotation from the Ujjvala-nilamani by Srila Rupa Gosvami, as quoted in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 17.293)]

         When Krsna sees Radhika, His most beloved and the embodiment of all love and affection, He forgets everything else. She is no one other than Krsna. She is Krsna Himself, but in the body of Radhika.

        In this way, Krsna returned to His own form and quickly embraced Her. This occurred in vasanti-rasa-lila.

        In the chapter of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta called Raya Ramananda Samvad, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu questioned Sri Raya Ramananda Prabhu, “What is our sadhya (perfection) and our sadhana (the process to achieve that perfection)?” Raya Ramananda replied, beginning from varnasrama-dharma. He told Mahaprabhu, “According to the adherents of varnasrama-dharma, to be in family life and pursue varnasrama-dharma (the execution of the religious duties of the different castes and statuses of life), in order to please Krsna, is the best process to please Him.” Mahaprabhu rejected this and said, “In varnasrama there is no pure relationship between the soul and Krsna.” After that, Raya Ramananda suggested, “One should offer the fruits of all his activities to the lotus feet of Krsna,” but Mahaprabhu rejected this also, and said, “This is external; go further.” 

         After that Raya Ramananda said, “One should take shelter of the lotus feet of Krsna,” and he quoted a verse from Bhagavad-gita: “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” (Bhagavad-gita 18.66)] Krsna is saying here, “If you take the shelter of My lotus feet, you will be happy forever.”  People all over the world think that this is the essence of the Bhagavad-gita, but Mahaprabhu rejected it as external and therefore not the ultimate goal of life. He therefore told Raya Ramananda, “Please say something further.”

          Raya Ramananda then suggested karma-jnana-misra-bhakti (devotion contaminated by mental speculation and the desire to enjoy the fruits of one’s actions), and he uttered the verse: “One who is transcendentally situated by realizing the impersonal brahma never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. He has the opportunity to realize the Supreme Brahman and become fully joyful if he attains pure devotional service unto Me.”(Bhagavad-gita 18.54)]

          Sriman Mahaprabhu also rejected both concepts – karma-jnana-misra-bhakti and brahma-bhutah – because they are devoid of pure devotion, and after that Raya Ramananda gradually came to the topic of prema-bhakti. Mahaprabhu replied to this, “This may be the stage of perfection, but please go further.” Raya Ramananda then discussed dasya, sakya, and vatsalya-prema (love for Krsna in the moods of servant, friend, and parent) and Mahaprabhu said, “Oh, very good, very good! But please continue further.” In bhakti-rasa (intimate devotion to Krsna while thinking oneself in a relationship with Him as an ordinary cowherd boy), Krsna is not anyone’s father or mother. In the understanding of pure bhakti, the Supreme Lord cannot be anyone’s father or a mother – He may only be a son. We can serve Krsna in any of four relationships, but if we think that He is our father or mother, we cannot serve Him, because fathers and mothers serve their children.

          After hearing about these relationships, Caitanya Mahaprabhu told Raya Ramananda, “Please speak further,” and Raya Ramananda then said, “Gopi-prema (serving Krsna as a beloved) is the highest attainment, and among the gopis Srimati Radhika is the best. When Mahaprabhu asked Raya Ramananda to give an example of a pastime that reveals Radhika’s supremacy, Raya Ramananda first gave the example of Saradiya rasa-lila. He said, “All the gopis were dancing with Krsna, and it appeared that one gopi danced between each two Krsna’s and one Krsna danced between each two gopis.  Billions of gopis were dancing together with Krsna, but all of a sudden He disappeared.  Why did He disappear?  He did so to please Radhika. He took Her with Him, and no one knew where He or His beloved had gone.” 

         Mahaprabhu then expressed His doubt: “Because Krsna met with Radhika after His disappearance from the Rasa Dance, it seems that He was fearing all the other gopis. If He openly gives up all the gopis, leaving with Radhika in front of them all, then only it will be shown that the love of Radhika is the highest.”

         Sri Raya Ramananda then explained about this vasanti-rasa. He said, “Krsna was dancing with billions of gopis, and meanwhile Radhika thought, ‘Krsna always promises: “You are My most beloved.” But I see that He is dancing with Me and all the other gopis as well; so perhaps we are all equal in His eyes.’ At that time Radhika adopted a sulky mood and became somewhat angry. She thus left the Rasa Dance in front of all the other gopis, and Krsna followed Her. 

        “Krsna was thinking, ‘If Radhika is not here, there can be no Rasa. There can be no meaning to the Rasa. I am performing rasa-lila only for Radhika.  She is My half, My whole, My guru and My servant; She is everything to Me. She is My life and soul. In vasanti-rasa, Krsna declared this openly.”

        Mahaprabhu then said, “Oh, this is good!” and He questioned further, “I want to know about krsna-tattva, radha-tattva, prema-tattva, and rasa-tattva from you.”  When Raya Ramananda began to deeply describe these topics, however, Mahaprabhu stopped him and said, “Don’t say anymore. These subject matters are so elevated that there is no one in this world qualified to hear them.  If you continue to speak about them, I will at once enter the mood of Krsna and I will have to give up this form of Sacinandana Gaurahari.” Raya Ramananda then stopped speaking. 

        For us, today is the observance of the anniversary celebration of that very same vasanti-rasa, and for Krsna this rasa is going on eternally. All of His pastimes are eternally manifest in Goloka Vrndavana, and He also displays them throughout innumerable universes as He appears in one universe after another. Here in vasanti-rasa, Krsna declared openly, “My super-most beloved is Srimati Radhika.”

        There is no difference between Srimati Radhika and Krsna. Krsna manifested Radhika from His left side.  If we can make Radhika happy, then Krsna will be happy and He will be controlled quite easily; and this is the purpose of our observance of vasanti-rasa.

The Appearance Day of Srimati Visnupriya-devi
           Today is also the birthday of Srimati Visnu-priya devi – the wife – the power – the energy – of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. She is one of the manifestations of Srimati Radhika, she is especially a manifestation of Satyabhama, and she is the Supreme Lord’s Bhu-sakti.* She had great love and affection for Sacinandana Gaurahari and was married to Him for many years; but Mahaprabhu was always absorbed in Radha’s mood, calling out, “Alas, Krsna! Alas, Krsna!” and He had no time to talk with her. Though they were in one family, in one house, He was always absorbed in the ecstasies of Srimati Radhika. Thus, He was sometimes falling down and rolling on the earth, sometimes crying, and sometimes singing loudly like a mad person.

         “In the stage of love of Godhead, the devotee is fixed in his vow as an eternal servant of the Lord, and he becomes very much attached to a particular name and form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As his heart melts with ecstatic love, he laughs very loudly or cries or shouts. Sometimes he sings and dances like a madman, for he is indifferent to public opinion.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.2.40)]

        Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was always acting in this way, and continually weeping.  If you want to develop love for Krsna, you will have to follow Caitanya Mahaprabhu and always weep for Krsna.   We see that He was weeping throughout His life, from the beginning. This increased further when He took sannyasa and left everything to go to Jagannatha Puri, and it increased still further after He met with Raya Ramananda.

       Although Visnu-priya devi was married to Mahaprabhu in His family life, He hardly ever spoke with her, especially when He returned from Gaya, where He took harinama and diksa initiation from His Gurudeva, Sri Isvara-puripada. His personality changed at that time. He was no longer known as Nimai Pandita. Now He became known as Bhavuka Nimai, Nimai who is always absorbed in His ecstatic moods of krsna-prema.

          At this time, however, some of the inhabitants of Navadvipa, especially the students and His former teachers in the schools, became somewhat unfavorable towards Him and wanted to control Him. Mahaprabhu thought, “I came to give the supreme medicine for everyone’s material disease, but these persons quarrel with Me and insult Me. I should take sannyasa, the renounced order of life, for then they will weep for Me* [See Endnote 2], and thus I will immerse the whole world – including mayavadis like Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya and Prakasananda Sarasvati – in krsna-prema.” This is one of the reasons Caitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa.

          On the day He decided to take sannyasa, Visnu-priya devi went to bathe in the Ganges.  While she was on the way there, she accidentally stubbed her toe on a stone, injuring it, and it bled. Then, while she was in the midst of bathing there, the nose-ring she had received on her marriage day and which is very auspicious for a wife, fell in the Ganges. Although she searched for it with great endeavor, She could not find it.  She began to weep bitterly, “Why are all these things happening today?” Later, when She returned home, Saci Mata asked her, “Oh my daughter, why you are weeping so much?”  She replied, “Today I went to bathe in the Ganges, where I injured my foot and I lost the nose-ring of my marriage day. I don’t know what is to be my fate.” Saci Mata tried to console her.
  
         Although Caitanya Mahaprabhu had previously paid practically no attention to her, that night, after taking some prasadam, He decorated her hair and placed betel nuts in her mouth. That morning He had gone to visit and meet with all His associates. He had procured some milk and He had also received a loki vegetable from Sridhara, with whom He would always jokingly quarrel. When He returned home in the evening He told Saci Mata, “Mother, please make a lak-laki preparation from these, adding sugar, ghee, camphor and other ingredients, and offer it to Lord Krsna.” He later honored that prasada, after which He entered the room of Visnu-priya devi like a luxurious person, in royal dress, as one would dress for a wedding ceremony. Then, with love and affection He asked her, “O, how are you?” He decorated her, gave her a beautiful garland, placed betel nuts in her mouth, and engaged in loving conversation with her.

        Visnu-priya began thinking, “What am I seeing? A hurricane light, which burns with kerosene oil, burns brightly when it is just about to be extinguished. It makes the sounds ‘buk buk’, then ‘tuk’, and then it becomes dark; it’s finished.  I see now that my fate may be like this. Considering what happened this morning, and seeing how He is decorating me so lavishly, giving me betel nuts and saying with flattering words, ‘My dear-most beloved’, I wonder what is my fate. Why is He doing this?”

        In the meantime, Yogamaya came and entered Visnu-priya’s eyes in the form of sleepiness. She did not want to fall asleep, but by the power of Yogamaya she was forced to do so. Caitanya Mahaprabhu glanced at her once, and then stood up to leave home and take sannyasa.

        Without giving up everything in this world, how can one love Lord Krsna totally?  If your love and affection is divided between many persons, situations and objects, how can you love Krsna? We have seen that in India, exalted devotees like Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami and Srila Rupa Gosvami, and also Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself, quickly gave up their positions, wealth, reputation, father, mother, wife and children. Weeping for Krsna, they left their homes and took sannyasa, not remembering their homes or families at all, and always remembering, “Krsna! Krsna! Krsna!” 

        When Mahaprabhu was coming out of His home, He saw His mother standing like a dried-up statue, with no tears in her eyes. She couldn’t even think of what to do. Air was coming and going from her nostrils, but she had no external consciousness at all – for Mahaprabhu, by His power of Yogamaya, was controlling her. Mahaprabhu did parikrama of His mother three or four times, touched her lotus feet, and told her, “Mother I am going to search for My beloved Krsna.”  Then, in the middle of that cold and dark night, He jumped in the Ganges, calling out “Oh Krsna!” He came out on the other side of the river, in Kantaka Nagari, and there He went to see Kesava Bharati to take sannyasa from him. 

        After accepting the sannyasa order, Mahaprabhu went to Jagannatha Puri, and from Puri He returned to Navadvipa on the way to Vrndavana. While He was in Navadvipa, all the residents came by boat and other conveyances to see Sacinandana Gaurahari [Mahaprabhu’s name in his householder asrama]. Even dogs and blind persons came, and Saci Mata also came.

        Everyone was present except Visnu-priya. Why was she not allowed to come?  This is the symptom of love and affection for Krsna. If you will give up your dear-most object for Krsna, this is the symptom that you have some love and affection for Him. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu taught this by His own example, and for this reason Visnu-priya was not there. Everyone else was allowed to come, but she was not.

        What was she doing? She was weeping continuously. She was more attached to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu than anyone else was, and she was more detached from worldly things than even Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself. She maintained her life by taking some grains of rice, one by one, and using them as counting beads as she continually chanted, “Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.” Every time she completed the utterance of these sixteen words, she picked up one grain of rice and placed it on a pile. She would wash the rice grains, one by one, with the water of her tears as she chanted until midday, and then she would cook that rice with some vegetables.  She would then give the bhoga to Mother Saci, who would offer it to her Deity, Narayana. After that she would eat very little of it, remembering the pastimes of Sacinandana. Her life was totally absorbed in Lord Krsna and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and she chanted Hare Krsna day and night.  After some time Mahaprabhu somehow gave her a Deity of Himself, made from neem wood, and that Deity is being worshiped in Navadvipa up to the present day. Visnu-priya used to worship that Deity, weeping bitterly and talking with Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and He would also speak to her in the form of that Deity.

       Saci Mata also remembered Caitanya Mahaprabhu always. She used to offer Him prasadam, and He used to come to her house and eat it – although she thought His presence was only her imagination or only a vision. Actually He was bound to come – bound by the love and affection of Saci Mata and Visnu-priya devi.

        If one wants to serve Mahaprabhu or Radha-Krsna, he must be like Visnu-priya.  She was much more renounced than anyone else, including Mahaprabhu.  He was renounced, but not like her.  Also, He was always surrounded by so many bhaktas who consoled Him, but she had none to console her.

        Today is the birthday of Visnu-priya, who is the embodiment of prema-bhakti. She is prema-bhakti itself.

       Visnu-priya devi ki Jaya!
  
Question: Gurudeva, you said Visnu-priya devi is Bhu-sakti. So is she like Laxmi?

Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja: No, she is like Satyabhama.

Question: But we hear that Navadvipa-dhama is non-different from Vraja.

Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja: Yes

Question: How can Satyabhama be in Vraja-lila?

Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja:  Radhika has come as Gadadhara Pandita, and Sri Svarupa Damodara and Sri Raya Ramananda have come as Lalita and Visakha.  The associates of Nrsimhadeva, Ramacandra, and all other incarnations have also come to Navadvipa, because Sacinandana Gaurahari includes all incarnations. All incarnations are within Him. So Satyabhama may also come to Navadvipa-lila and have the association of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. 

Question: Is this also true in Svetadvipa (Navadvipa in Goloka Vrndavana?* [See Endnote 3] 

Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja: Yes, they all can be there also. Everything exists in Krsna, as stated in the Vedanta Sutra: Viruddha dharmam tasmin na cittram – all mutually contradictory characteristics exist harmoniously in Lord Krsna’s pastimes, and Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Krsna Himself.

Question: So we worship Visnu-priya devi and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the path of arcana – following the principles of sravanam kirtanam, visnu-smaranam, pada sevanam (hearing, chanting, remembering and praying, etc.) in a regulative way, in awe and reverence?

Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja:  Yes, one serves Visnu-priya devi and Mahaprabhu in arcana-marga (the path of regulative worship), and he serves Gaura-Gadadhara in bhava-marga, that is hearing, chanting, etc. in spontaneous love, following in the footsteps of the gopis.

The Appearance Day of Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami

Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami’s Samadhi Mandira at Sri Radha-kunda

Today is also the birthday of Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. If you want to become pure devotees, you will have to follow Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. You want to follow, but you are weak – as Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja says, “Mr. Dog, Mr. Hog, Mr. Pig” – and some are like camels, tigers or bears. We must try to follow Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami.  He was wealthy and he was situated in a high position, but he left everything for Krsna and continually cried, “O Krsna, O Sacinandana Gaurahari.”  By the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu he quickly received the shelter of Mahaprabhu. Eating hardly anything but somehow maintaining his life, He went to Vrndavana after Mahaprabhu departed, and he lived at Radha-kunda.

         Without the mercy of the guru you cannot have love and affection for Krsna or Caitanya Mahaprabhu.  Guru-krpa (guru’s mercy) is essential, and guru-nistha (faith in guru) is the backbone of all kinds of bhakti.  When Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami received the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu, all his problems and obstacles quickly disappeared, and he was able to leave home to be with Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Performance of bhajana in one’s house, while still living with one’s father, mother, wife, and husband, is one kind of bhajana, but that kind of bhajana cannot give the fruit of love and affection for Krsna.  One day you will have to thoroughly give this up. 

        The first symptom of real bhakti, achieved by the austerities of chanting and remembering Krsna, is causeless knowledge and detachment from this world. You will surely become renounced, whether you are in worldly life or in the renounced order. If you are chanting seriously and perfectly, renunciation is bound to come.  We have heard that when Guru Nanak (the saint in India who founded the Sikh religion) was young, his father told him, “Go to the market and bring back the ingredients we need to sell at our shop.” On the way to the market he came upon many Vaisnavas and sadhus. Seeing that there was no management of prasadam for them, he quickly went to the market and bought all the paraphernalia needed to make a festival for them, and for that purpose he spent all of his father’s money.  He later returned home empty-handed, and his father asked, “Where are the ingredients I told you to buy – the rice, dahl, ghee and other things?” 

        Guru Nanak replied, “I did the shopping, but I have given all the goods for the service of Vaisnavas. In this way I have done some very good shopping for my future life and for the benefit of my whole dynasty.”  He had so much strong belief in Krsna; he knew that if one serves Krsna, Krsna will give him everything he needs.  We do not have this same belief, and therefore it is very hard for us to give even a penny. Some persons can give some of their wealth, but he gave everything.

        Because Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami was chanting and remembering Krsna, having been spiritually brought up by Srila Haridasa Thakura and initiated by Sri Yadunandana Acarya, some good effect was bound to come. He became detached from the world, and he considered Krsna to be his father, his mother, and his everything. All tattvas (established philosophical truths) came in his heart, and he quickly left his home and beautiful wife. He was the only son of his father, who was as wealthy as a king, and his wife was as beautiful as Miss Universe. It would have been very hard for an ordinary person to give up such luxuries.

        After leaving home, Raghunatha dasa did not travel on the main road. Hiding, he went on the village route, not eating anything except some puffed rice and some milk, and a journey of one month passed quickly in 12 days.  At that time there were no trains or cars, but he ran quickly, without taking any time to bathe.

         When he arrived in Jagannatha Puri he did not go to see Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra.  He came directly to the assembly of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who was surrounded by many associates like Svarupa Damodara and Raya Ramananda.  Someone told Mahaprabhu, “Raghunatha has come,” and Mahaprabhu quickly embraced him and said, “O Raghunatha, you have just come from the ditch of stool.” Some time before, Mahaprabhu had told him to return home, but now He said, “All worldly life is like stool, and Krsna is so merciful that He delivered you and you have come out from that house.” Mahaprabhu then placed him in the hands of Sri Svarupa Damodara, and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami thus began a transcendental life; always hearing from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Svarupa Damodara, Srila Rupa Gosvami, Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi, Sri Vakresvara Pandita, Sri Gopal Guru, and Srila Haridasa Thakura. 

          The life history of Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami is one of the jewels in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, and moreover, much of what Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja wrote in Caitanya-caritamrta he had heard from the lotus mouth of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami.  Try to remember his life and character. If you do, a power will enter within you and you will be able to become a devotee like him – whether you are in worldly life or renounced life.  Try to be like him.  We cannot be like him without help, and therefore we pray to Nityananda Prabhu to help us.

Gaura premanande.

[Endnote 1– Bhagavan has three potencies – Sri (Laksmi), Bhu (the Goddess of the Earth), and Lila (the Goddess of pastimes). Bhu is the energy that creates the cosmic manifestation (Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 5.27-28 purp.). Bhu-sakti also assists in manifesting Krsna’s pastimes in Bhauma-Vrndavana, the place of His pastimes as they are displayed on the Earth planet in this universe and innumerable other universes. The goddess of this Earth, Pritivi devi, is also included within this potency. Without this Bhu potency, Krsna will have no place in which to perform His pastimes.]

[Endnote 2 – In Vedic culture, sannyasis are given honor]

[Endnote 3 – The confidential, innermost region of Goloka, Krsna’s own transcendental planet, is divided into two sections: Vrndavana (also known as Vraja and Gokula) and Navadvipa (also known as Svetadvipa).]
 

[This year, 2013, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja’s Appearance Day is on February 10th (in India). We have heard that by remembering pure devotees on their appearance and disappearance day, they give us special blessings for advancement in Krsna consciousness. We therefore give all our energy to glorify them on that day. 

But we do not only want to celebrate the anniversary of Srila Gurudeva’s appearance day. We want everyday to be his actual appearance day,  in the hearts of millions of human beings. Srila Gurudeva has told us that a powerful way to place him there is by distributing his books. He has said that his books are his greatest legacy. 

In the following passages taken from the Soul of Book Distribution, Srila Gurudeva shows how all the greatest personalities, God and His personal associates, also participate in this divine venture.

If you desire to read more such passages, please logon to: www.gvpbookdistribution.com]

Is Book Distribution Pure Bhakti?

It Depends On One’s Motive

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally distributed books to others, so don’t think that book distribution is aropa-siddha-bhakti .Never think like that; never. Srila Vyasadeva first compiled Srimad-Bhagavatam, and then he instructed Sri Sukadeva Gosvami to preach it everywhere. If book distri­bution is aropa-siddha bhakti, why, then, did Krsna give an order in the Bhagavad-gita that this knowledge should be given to everyone?

ya idam paramam guhyam mad bhaktesv abhidhasyati

        bhaktim mayi param krtva mam evaiayaty asamsayah

na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah

        bhavita na ca me tasmad anyah priyataro bhuvi

Bhagavad-gita (18.68–69)

[He who instructs this most confidential knowledge of the Bhagavad-gita to My devotees will attain the topmost transcen­dental devotion to Me. Thus becoming free from all doubts, he will finally attain Me. No one in human society is more dear to Me than one who explains this message of the Gita to others, nor will there ever be anyone more dear to Me than him.]

Without Bhagavad-gita in the form of a book, how can we preach? Don’t think that distributing that book is aropa-siddha-bhakti. Have strong belief in this. If the motive is other than to please Sri Krsna – if it is to earn money to maintain oneself for sense gratification – then it is bogus, aropa-siddha-bhakti. However, if a book is distributed to please Gurudeva and Krsna, for the benefit of all human beings and the entire universe, then it is not aropa-siddha-bhakti; it is svarupa-siddha-bhakti, or pure bhakti.

What to speak of book distribution, even a person who cleans away the stool of another devotee is much better situated than someone who is chanting and remembering but is criticizing others. Many Mayavadis (impersonalists) and sahajiyas (those who equate mundane sex life with Krsna’s transcendental loving pastimes) chant the holy name, which generally comes in the category of svarupa-siddha-bhakti, but what is the fruit they desire by their chanting? They want to merge in Krsna, and this is offensive. Please be clear in your mind; when the book is distributed for the benefit of humanity, to please Gurudeva, it is bhakti.

If Gurudeva tells a disciple to clean away the stool of any devotee, that sincere disciple runs immediately to do so.

There was once a very sincere devotee of our Guru Maharaja who rendered him so much service; playing mrdanga and singing excellently, cooking, and washing his cloths. When that young disciple became sick, Guru Maharaja became busy in serving and caring for him, even though that boy was his disciple. At that time I personally told Guru Maharaja, “I want to help you, so that you may have time to preach. I will look after my god-brother.” Every day I would wipe off the blood coming from his mouth, and clean up his urine and stool. As a result of this, my Guru Maharaja became very, very pleased with me, and that is why I have been blessed to come here to preach today.

Please do not have any doubt. Chant, remember, perform nagara-sankirtana and book distribution, and go through the books; learn the essence of these books and try to follow sincerely. Then it will not be aropa-siddha-bhakti. Otherwise, it must be.

Evening Discourse
Los Angeles, California: May 12, 2002

Caitanya Mahaprabhu Distributes Books

If book distribution is performed for one’s own purposes, such as personal material profit or reputation, then it is not purebhakti. A sincere devotee thinks, “I want people to have this book and read it thoroughly, so that they will be able to enter into a deep understanding of bhakti.” Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned from South India with Sri Brahma-samhita and Sri Krsna-karnamrta, and He requested His devotees to make a necklace of the teachings therein. Why? Because there is immense conclusive philosophical truth in those books. Without knowing all the subjects therein, one cannot enter the realm of bhakti.

When book distribution is performed on the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, to please guru and Krsna, then it is realbhakti, otherwise not. Be careful about this. While distributing Jaiva-dharma, for example, the devotee thinks, “I am doing this to please my Gurudeva and Krsna, so that everyone will know what is written in Jaiva-dharma.” You may tell people, “Jaiva-dharmaincludes everything from top to bottom, from basic philosophic truths to esoteric confidential truths, regarding how to develop your bhakti. If you want to read only one book, then you will have to read Jaiva-dharma by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. From the conclusions of Bhagavad-gita, beginning with saranagati (the six types of surrender to the principles of bhakti) and continuing tomaha-bhava (the highest ecstatic love of the gopis), everything has been explained in this book. You will benefit greatly to read and follow it.”

Know that book distribution is essential. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did it Himself, and we must follow His example. But always be careful that your book distribution is not sanga-siddha or aropa-siddha-bhakti.

Evening Discourse
Los Angeles, California: May 11, 2003 

Srimati Radhika Promotes Book Distribution

[On this morning walk, Srila Gurudeva is expressing the moods of Srimati Radhika and the left-wing gopis. By saying that the narrations of Krsna make one weep in miserable separation for Him and that the gopis are the evidence of this, Srimati Radhika is glorifying the dissemination of these narrations.]

Jayanta dasa: Srila Gurudeva, as we perform our service, how can we know in our hearts that we are actually pleasing you?

Srila Gurudeva: Your soul will be happy. You will realize, “I am happy.” If one truly renders service to Srila Gurudeva, he will realize this. By seeing Gurudeva’s face, you will feel his benediction and mercy. On the other hand, if guru or Vaia?avas are not satisfied with you, you will know it because you feel some unhappiness:

sa vai pumsam paro dharmo

        yato bhaktir adhoksaje

ahaituky apratihata

        yayatma suprasidati

Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.6)

[The supreme occupation (dharma) for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self. *]

The symptom of unmotivated service is that one will surely be happy.

[To Atula-krsna dasa] Why did Valmiki write the Ramayana, and why did he teach Ramayana to Lava and Kusa (the sons of Rama) in order for them to distribute Rama’s hari-katha everywhere? Valmiki could have simply meditated on the pastimes of Lord Rama in his mind. Why did he write the Ramayana?

Atula-krsna dasa: He did so by the order of his Gurudeva, Narada.

Srila Gurudeva: Why did Narada give such an order?

Atula-krsna dasa: Narada wanted everyone to hear this hari-katha for their benefit. Valmiki saw all of Rama’s pastimes in his trance, and manifested those pastimes to the world. Narada knew that it was the desire of Lord Sri Ramacandra that everyone would hear His hari-katha.

tava kathamrtam tapta-jivanam

        kavibhir iditam kalmasapaham

sravana-mangalam srimad atatam

        bhuvi grhanti ye bhuri-da janah

Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.31.9)

[Nectarean discussions about You are the life and soul of those who are tormented by separation from You, and greatly learned personalities, such as Brahma, Siva, and the four Kumaras, sing of them. Those narrations vanquish the distress of past sins [prarabdha (sinful reactions experienced in this body) and aprarabdha (sinful reactions to be experienced in future bodies)]. Immediately upon being heard, they bestow the highest auspiciousness, and especially the wealth of prema. The nectar of Your narrations is expanded by those who glorify Your pastimes, and therefore such narrators are truly the most generous benefactors in the world.]

Srila Gurudeva: Yes, that is why Srila Vyasadeva wrote the Srimad-Bhagavatam. That is why Srila Sukadeva Gosvami preached, and thus distributed that book everywhere.

Expressing the moods of Sri Radha and other left-wing gopis who were uttering this verse beginning tava kathamrtam, ouracaryas have commented thus: Some preachers carry Srimad-Bhagavatam here. [Srila Gurudeva was hold­ing his bead bag in his hand as he spoke. He put his bead bag under his armpit, as though he were tightly holding a book there]. They preach and distribute the hari-katha of that book. They preach that the book is the authority regarding that katha. In the mood of Srimati Radhika, our acaryas comment that such preachers are cheaters and murderers (bhuri-dah). Why are they murderers?

Atula-krsna dasa: They cut out all of one’s material desires, material entanglements, and material attachments. Thus, no one is able to stay in this world and be happy with family, friends, or home. They must leave and become like mad persons.

Srila Gurudeva: We should therefore distribute the books. Book distribution is not aropa-siddha-bhakti or sanga-siddha-bhakti. If it were either, then why did our predecessor acaryas, like Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura and Srila Rupa Gosvami, write books? Why did Srila Rupa Gosvami tell Srila Jiva Gosvami to print and distribute these books? And why did Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu do so? On His trip to south India, Mahaprabhu found Brahma-samhita and Krsna-karnamrta in the form of handwritten texts. Knowing them to be authoritative, He took them with Him to present to His devotees, and requested them to copy and distribute them.

We will thus have to reconcile any apparent contra­dic­tions regarding the category of bhakti within which book distribution falls. If one sells books for a selfish motive, to make profit and thereby manage his worldly affairs, his activities would be calledaropa-siddha; otherwise not.

Atula-krsna dasa: Srila Gurudeva, someone may say, “It is my Gurudeva’s desire that his books are distributed, so I will distribute books. But I have no need to hear hari-katha or read those books.”

Srila Gurudeva: This is aropa-siddha.

You must know what you are distributing, just as Srila Sukadeva Gosvami and Lava and Kusa knew what they were speaking and singing. You must know what you are giving to others.

[To Prema-prayojana dasa (at that time Aranya Maharaja)] Do you understand?

Prema-prayojana dasa: Yes.

Srila Gurudeva: Do not be so bold. Do not say anything against my teachings or the teachings of our guru-varga.

Prema-prayojana dasa: I only repeated what you have said many times, but not all of the details.

Srila Gurudeva: We must reconcile all apparent contradictory statements; otherwise, so many devotees will be discouraged and misguided. Why do you personally take books under your arm and act like a ‘murderer’?

Prema-prayojana dasa: For guru-seva.

Srila Gurudeva: In the past I have told what you told last night [that book distribution is aropa-siddha-bhakti], but that is only when it is performed for personal material profit. You will have to harmonize all my instructions on the matter.

Brajanath dasa: Is book distribution one of the sixty-four limbs of bhakti [as described in Bhakti-rasamtta-sindhu]?

Srila Gurudeva: Srila Narottama dasa Thakura cleaned away the stool passed by his gurudeva. Where is this written as a limb ofbhakti? Still, his service was the purest bhakti.

Prema-prayojana dasa: Does the category of bhakti one performs depend on the adhikara (qualification) of the person performing the activity? If such persons have no bhakti adhikara, no sambandha-jnana (realization of one’s relation­­ship with Krsna), how will their activity be called bhakti?

Srila Gurudeva: Even without your sambandha-jnana, the limbs of bhakti are so powerful that they will surely affect you, like fire. I heard that a child, despite the protest of his mother, put his hand into a fire, and his hand was burned; and after that he would not go near a fire. Similarly, the pure limbs of krsna-bhakti are so powerful that even a person like Ajamila was transformed by its performance. Ajamila was so sinful that there was no sin he had not committed. Valmiki also committed innumerable sins, but what became of him? He was touched by Narada and became perfect.

On the other hand, if one criticizes a Vaisnava or commits an offense against him, this will destroy his bhakti. Whether or not a person has sambandha-jnana, his bhakti will disappear. Of course, if one truly has sambandha-jnana, he would never commit such an offense. This is one of the symptoms of one who is blessed with sambandha-jnana.

Prema-prayojana dasa: When is one qualified to perform visrambhena-guru-seva (intimate service to guru)?

Srila Gurudeva: When one has sambandha-jnana of his relation­ship with gurudeva, he will be of this conviction: “I cannot serve Krsna now, but simply by serving my Gurudeva I will receive his mercy to attain Krsna’s service. There is no other way.” He serves his gurudeva with this conviction.

When I first joined the ma?ha, I had no sambandha-jnana at all; but I gave my heart, and all the attachment I’d had for my wife, children, father, mother, and all material possessions, unto my Gurudeva’s lotus feet. When I told him this, he began to weep, and after that he engaged me in his personal service. I would sit on his bed, massage him, wash his clothing, and prepare whatever he wanted prepared. At that time I had no sambandha-jnana, but I surrendered to him, and by his mercy, you are all now honoring me.

Devotee: Gurudeva, I have a question. When we distributed Srila Prabhupada’s books in the past, some people would immediately throw away the books because they couldn’t understand them. Are there certain books that you would like us to distribute to the public on a general basis?

Srila Gurudeva: Try to realize what you are distributing. If you are distributing Gita, you must know the purport of the Gita. Can you tell me its purport?

Devotee: The purpose of Gita is giving them Krsna; giving them contact with the spiritual master.

Srila Gurudeva: What is the purport of the Gita? What is the essence of Gita?

Devotee: To surrender to Krsna through the spiritual master, and to develop pure love of Krsna.

Srila Gurudeva: There is more. The purport is much, much higher than that; you cannot even imagine its true purport. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. What do you understand from this sloka? Have you read it?

Devotee: Just try to understand, and surrender to the spiritual master.

Srila Gurudeva: Have you heard this verse?

Devotee: Yes, I have, but I forgot it.

Srila Gurudeva: There are two important verses: The first begins man-mana bhava, and after that there is sarva-dharman parityajya.Which verse’s mood is superior? I know that you cannot say. Man-mana bhava is higher.

To chant harinama and to worship the Deity is svarupa-siddha-bhakti. If a person is thus engaged, but at the same time he is criticizing others and committing offences, and another person is not engaged in worship but is only clearing away the stool of his gurudeva and massaging him, who is superior?

Prema-prayojana dasa: The second personality.

Srila Gurudeva: One person is clearing away the stool of his gurudeva and washing his gurudeva’s clothes, and the other person is performing the activities of svarupa-siddha-bhakti such as sravana (hearing), kirtana (chanting), and smarana (remembering Krsna), but criticizing others and thinking, “I know more than anyone else in the world.” Who is superior? The first person.

Morning Walk
Los Angeles, California: May 13, 2003

Srila Gurudeva Distributes Books

[Srila Gurudeva often inspired his various audiences to collect and read his books. That was one of the ways he promoted and distributed them:]

purnah pulindya urugaya-padabja-raga-

        sri-kunkumena dayita-stana-manditena

tad-darsana-smara-rujas trna-rusitena

        limpantya anana-kucesu jahus tad-adhim

Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.21.17)

The gopis lament in separation from Krsna, “O, see the forest girls. They are born of very low caste, with black complexions. Although they are Pulinda, from the hilly tribes, still they are so fortunate. When Krsna goes to the forest, His footprints, mixed with some kunkuma powder, come on the grass. When the Pulinda girls see this, they take that kunkuma and smear it on their breasts. When they do this, they feel as if Krsna is meeting with them. But we cannot do even this.”

There are very good explanations of this sloka by Srila Jiva Gosvami, Srila Sanatana Gosvami, and Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. I’ve given only some hint. I’ve not explained so much. In India I have explained their commen­taries, and a book has been published called Venu-gita. If you want to know more, you can read that book.

I think that all my books can help you so much. The explanation of Gita by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura will help you more, more, more, and more. And the biography of my gurudeva will also help you so much. All my books – about forty books, such as Upadesamrta, Manah-siksa, Siksastakam, and Jaiva-dharma – will help you so much, so much. Try to read them; this will give you the association of Vaisn?avas.

Discourse on Venu-gita
Murwillumbah, Australia: January 21, 2001

Visakha dasi: We are returning to England. What should our specific service be? What should we do?

Srila Gurudeva: Chant in a very heartfelt way, remember what I have taught you, read bhakti books, and worship Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Giriraja. It is necessary to do something for your personal development; this is your duty.

Devote more and more time to devotional services, like chanting and hearing. When you are not hearing from me, you can hear each other; in other words you can read a book aloud and others will hear, and then you can all discuss the subject matter together. Now you have many books. You have Vilapa-kusumanjali, Harinama-cintamani, Caitanya-caritamrta, Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, and so many other books. Try to discuss all the topics therein, and if there are any questions, you can write to me and I will reply.

Darsana
Mathura, India: February 3, 1995

Gurudeva Has Done It

Syamarani dasi: Srila Gurudeva, you said in your class that Brahma thought he had stolen the cows, but actually it was Yogamaya who’d done it. And we think, “I am doing some­thing,” but our activities are actually done by maya. So, suppose I distribute a book and think, “Oh, I’ve distributed a book.” Who has really distributed the book?

Srila Gurudeva: Gurudeva has done it. How will you do it? You cannot do anything. You cannot even make one blade of dry grass. Guru gives this energy to a disciple, but sometimes a disciple becomes bewildered and thinks, “I am the doer.” This is wrong thinking, and it forces that disciple to fall down. All of you must be very careful.

Ramacandra dasa (Delhi): Guru gives opportunity and capacity.

Srila Gurudeva: He gives both. He gives both the meal and the power to digest it.

Evening Discourse
Badger, California: June 2, 2002

Srila Gurudeva Promotes Books

Sri Jayadeva Gosvami was a very high-class maha-bhagavata, and he wrote a book called Sri Gita-govinda, The Glories of Govinda. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw this book, He made a copy and instructed His followers to also obtain one. At that time there was no printing press, books were repro­duced by hand. Mahaprabhu therefore ordered His followers to copy it by hand, and then preach. In Jagannatha Puri, all the Vaisnavas and associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu copied that book by hand and thus crafted for themselves a necklace of the beautiful songs therein.

Manjari dasi has sung the first song in this book, namely Srita Kamala. The words and meaning of the song are so very near and dear to Krsna. A devi-dasi was once singing this song in the forest at night. Hearing this sweet kirtana, Krsna in the form of Jagannatha-deva opened His door. It may seem to some persons that He is a statue of wood, but He is not. He left the temple and began to run very quickly through the forest towards that singing, causing the many thorny bushes in that forest to scratch His body and tear His clothing. Before He reached that devi-dasi, she stopped her kirtana, but He had already become maddened.

He somehow returned to His temple and closed the door. In the morning, when the pujari came for mangala-arati, he found Jagannatha covered with scratches and His cloth torn. The pujari called the main priest and the king, who both became very anxious, wondering, “Who could have done this?” They wanted to arrest the culprit, but of course, Jagannatha Himself was the ‘culprit.’

Why did Jagannatha run after a lady? It was because of His intense attraction for that song. Jagannatha-deva appeared to the King in a dream. He explained to the King that He had heard His maidservant singing from very far away, and was so attracted that He was impelled to run to her. He told the King that it was the bushes and thorns of the forest that had scratched His body.

After this incident, it was mandated as a precaution that this song be sung only in the presence of Jagannatha-deva. Everyone was ordered to be very careful not to sing it in a distant place.

Once at night, when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was going to Cataka-parvata , a lady was sweetly singing Srita Kamala in a very beautiful tune. Mahaprabhu could not restrain Himself. He was oblivious to who was singing and began to run in the direction from which the song was coming. His servant, Govinda, knew that this song was coming from a lady – a very young lady. He chased after Mahaprabhu, calling, “Don’t go! Don’t go! Otherwise You will want to give up Your life for having embraced a lady!” He could not run like Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who was moving very swiftly, so he loudly shouted, “O Prabhu, what are You doing? This song is coming from a very beautiful young lady! Don’t go and embrace her!” Hearing this, Mahaprabhu became alert and came to His external senses. He then told Govinda, “If you had not stopped Me and I had touched that lady, I would have jumped into the ocean and given up My life.” This song is so full of rasa.

Gita-govinda is very famous, and we have now translated it from the original Sanskrit into Hindi, with good explana­tions. It will soon be ready for distribution all over India, and to Hindi speaking people around the world. The English edition will also be available very soon, and so many other books will be available as well.

I am working very hard, and my associates are helping. Sri Krsna and my parama-pujyapada Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja have sent me so many learned and qualified bhaktas. I’m very lucky. They have arranged everything; they are helping me. Sri Ujjvala-nilamani and other very good books will also be published soon. Sri Bhakti-rasamtta-sindhu of Srila Rupa Gosvami, and the Sri Brhad-bhagavatamrta of Srila Sanatana, the guru of even Srila Rupa Gosvami, will be printed soon. Studying these books will greatly help you in your understanding of bhakti.

Evening Discourse
Los Angeles, California: May 12, 2003

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Promotes Book Distribution

[The following two vignettes are not by Srila Gurudeva, but by his parama-gurudeva, Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada, who wrote the following in his Upadesavali (‘Garland of Instructions’):]

Establishing a printing press to print devotional books, and preaching by organising nama-hatta programmes, constitutes genuine service to Sri Mayapura.

Upadesavali (6)

* * *

[The following excerpt was spoken by Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada to a retired Deputy Collector, Sri Amarendranatha Pala Chaudhary, at Ca?aka-parvata in Jagannatha Puri, Sri Puruaottama-dhama. It was later published in his weekly Gaudiya (Year 14, No. 37), and a translation of this article appeared in the Rays of the Harmonist, which is published by Srila Gurudeva’s disciples under his direction.]

In Sri Gaudiya Matha, those who are preaching by compos­ing devotional books or writing articles for periodicals and journals are certainly performing krsna-kirtana. They are doing this through the medium of the brhad-mrdanga, which includes opening a ‘post-office’ and establishing a printing press. They are performing krsna-kirtana by organizing exhibitions. Some are engaged inkrsna-kirtana through their own ideal, exemplary behaviour. To ensure that this krsna-kirtana does not become lost in the ether, it is being recorded and presented as devotional literature. Thus, people in future epochs will also be able to hear this krsna-kirtana.

Krsna-kirtana: The Root of Successful Sadhana
Rays of the Harmonist, Karttika 2008

[Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada’s emphasis on book publication and distribution is also glorified in the aratisong, written for him by Srila Gurudeva’s Guru Maharaja, Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja. In the biography of his Guru Maharaja, Srila Gurudeva gave the following purport to Verse Six of this arati song:]

sarva-vadya-mayi ghanta baje sarva-kala

brhat-mrdanga vadhya parama rasala

Srila Prabhupada Arati (6)

[Krsna-kirtana, which is accompanied by karatalas, bells, and other instruments, resounds for all time in all directions, but really it is the printing press, known as the brhad-mrdanga, which distributes the supreme rasa.]

The bell is very important in the arcana of sri vigraha. It is essential to ring the bell, which is sarva-vadya-mayi (the sum total of all musical sounds), while offering incense, lamp, and other ingredients. The role of the bell, which keeps ringing eternally in this extraordinary arati, is also quite unique. This transcendental bell is powerful hari-katha. The whole life of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was permeated with hari-katha; in fact he is the embodiment of hari-katha. His hari-kathawould never stop, even for a moment. It would automatically start to flow, even when he saw innocent children or plants and bees. His hari-katha was so potent and effective that anyone who heard it would immediately become inspired with bhakti.

Kirtana is also essential during the performance of arcana. Srila Jiva Gosvami has written in his Bhakti-sandarbha, “Yadyapy anya bhakti kalau karttavya tada kirtanakhya bhakti samyogenaiva – If anyone executes other limbs of bhakti, he should performharinama–sankirtana at the same time. In Kali-yuga, performing any sadhana independent of sankirtana will not bear any fruits.” Thus it is essential to perform kirtana while doing arcana. Sankirtana is divided into different types such as nama-kirtana, rupa-kirtana, guna-kirtana, and lila-kirtana. Amongst these, nama-kirtana is the best of all: tara madhye sarva srea?ha nama-sankirtana.

The mrdanga is another essential part of sankirtana. The contribution of the brhad-mrdanga, the printing press, is of the utmost importance in the arati propagated by Srila Prabhupada. The sound of an ordinary mrdanga is very limited, but the bhaktiliteratures published by the brhad-mrdanga reach every corner of the world. They enter the hearts of sadhaka bhaktas, and make them dance in the ecstasy of harinama-sankirtana. The sound of this brhad-mrdanga never stops. It eternally arises in the hearts of the devotees, and keeps inspiring them. All glories and victory to the arati of Srila Prabhupada, who has established thisbrhad-mrdanga!

Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami – His Life and Teachings, Part 7, Srila Prabhupada Arati

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Distributed 
His Literature

In the year 1838, Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura auspiciously appeared in a well-educated and cultured family in the village of Vira-nagara, which is near Sri Navadvipa-dhama in West Bengal. By compiling approximately one hun­dred authoritative books on the science of bhakti in Sanskrit, Bengali, Hindi, English, and other languages, he ushered in a new era in the Gaudiya Vaisnava line and re-established its lost glory. For this great effort, the Gaudiya Vaisnavas will remain eternally indebted to him. In the modern age, Srila Bhaktivinoda ?hakura set in motion once again the bhakti-bhagirathi, the mighty, flowing river of pure devotion, and for this he is well known as the Seventh Gosvami.

Bhakti-tattva-viveka, Preface

* * *

Do you know what Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura did? Although he was a very high class of govern­ment officer, the district magistrate in Puri, he used to go to village after village with nagara-sankirtana. He established numerous nagara-sankirtanas and nama-hattas throughout the villages of Bengal, and he would personally say about himself, “Nama-hatta jhadu-dara – I am a sweeper of the nama-hatta market.”

He wrote more than one-hundred books. I used to think, “Where are there a hundred books?” But now I am seeing that he has written a thousand books. Why did he do this? He did this for us. All of his songs and literature is our wealth; if you have got such faith, then go on singing and reading. Even by singing one of his songs, our attachment to this world can very easily disappear.

Birmingham, U.K.: June 21, 2001

* * *

[The following quote is from Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja:]

Bhaktivinoda Thakura distributed his literature. In 1896 he sent his first book, Teachings of Lord Caitanya [Lord Caitanya – His Life and Precepts], to McGill University, and I saw that book. That was the year of my birth also, 1896.

Room Conversation
Vrndavana, India: October 15, 1972

Srinivasa Acarya Distributes Books

Srinivasa Acarya was the diksa disciple of Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, and he was mostly trained by his sikaa-guru, Srila Jiva Gosvami. He introduced many melodies for kirtanas, and he was such an exalted devotee that our Srila Rupa Gosvami and the other Gosvamis depended upon him. They directed him: “Go and preach in Bengal, and distribute all the literature written by us [Srila Rupa Gosvami, Srila Sanatana Gosvami, Srila Jiva Gosvami, and the other Gosvamis].” Along with his associates, Srila Narottama dasa Thakura and Srila Syamananda Prabhu, he took their order and books, bound for Bengal.

Along the way, some dacoits looted the cart that carried all the books. The dacoits thought they’d gained a trunk full of jewels, for an astrologer had told the dacoits’ leader, “This trunk is full of treasures.”

The three devotees became mad in separation from the manifest heart of the Gosvamis – their writings. Srinivasa Acarya then sent both of his associates to Bengal, telling them, “I will remain here until I discover the location of the books.”

The local king was the leader of the dacoits, but he was also a devotee. Though he used to loot, he would also hear scriptures, like Srimad-Bhagavatam especially. There was a bhagavata-pandita in his council who would read aloud and explainSrimad-Bhagavatam.

Srinivasa Acarya, in very simple dress, went there one day, when a Bhagavata discourse was taking place. He humbly sat in that assembly, hearing from the court pandita. After the discourse was completed for that day, Srinivasa requested, “May I comment on what the pandita explained?”

The king said, “Oh yes, very well; you may explain some­thing about these topics.” The pandita had been speaking on Gopi-gita, but he was not able to explain it very deeply.

Srinivasa Acarya then stood up and began to explain it, weeping and making the audience weep. He gave the same explanations given by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, Srila Sanatana Gosvami, and Srila Jiva Gosvami in their purports toSrimad-Bhagavatam.

The king at once approached Srinivasa Acarya and offered dandavat-pranama, begging, “I want to take diksa initiation from you, and I want to hear Srimad-Bhagavatam.”

Srinivasa accepted the king and gave him initiation. Then the king offered, “I want to give you some guru-daksina. As you like, I can give.”

Srinivasa replied, “Oh, is this a promise? If so, then please try to arrange for the return of our cart-full of books.”

The king immediately exclaimed, “Oh, it is with me! It is with me! My astrologers told me, ‘Three devotees from Vrndavana are coming, with lots of jewels – more than jewels.’ And that is why we took the trunk. When we opened the trunk we could not tell in what way they are jewels. But now, hearing from you, I know that they are so much more than jewels.”

Jewels cannot give krsna-bhakti. They cannot help us. Those books can help us thousands of times more than jewels. You are coming here only by the grace of those books.

In this way, Sri Caitanya-caritamtta, the books of Srila Jiva Gosvami, Srila Sanatana Gosvami, Srila Rupa Gosvami, and all the other Gosvami’s literature were saved.

This was Srinivasa Acarya, a highly elevated devotee.

Discourse on the Appearance Day of Srinivasa Acarya
Badger, California: May 15, 2003

Srila Jiva Gosvami Copied Books By Hand

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna Himself who has taken the beauty and in­trin­sic mood of Srimati Radhika, came to this world, but it was Srila Rupa Gosvami who established in this world His inner­most heart’s feelings. If Srila Rupa Gosvami had not come, perhaps we would not have known Mahaprabhu’s identity.

Srila Jiva Gosvami served Srila Rupa Gosvami, and the credit for all the publishing of Rupa Gosvami’s litera­tures belongs to him. By publishing Rupa Gosvami’s literatures, he established his innermost desire. At that time it was very difficult to publish books because the authors had to write all their books with their own pens, as there were no printing presses. Jiva Gosvami wrote down, in his own hand­writing, every copy of every book of Srila Rupa Gosvami.

Srila Jiva Gosvami was the topmost learned person at that time, and he preserved the legacy of Srila Rupa Gosvami. Because he was always with him, he was able to write many commentaries in pursuance of rupanuga-vaisnavism. If it were not for him, all of Srila Rupa Gosvami’s books would have been lost. He also preached, especially to Sri Syamananda Prabhu, Sri Narottama dasa  Thakura, and Sri Srinivasa Acarya. Try to practice serving the cause of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission as he did.

Discourse on the Disappearance Day 
of Srila Jiva Gosvami
Oahu, Hawaii: January 16, 2002

The Original Distributor, Srila Vyasadeva

What is vyasa? The line that touches the opposite sides of the circumference of a circle by going through the central point is called the diameter, or vyasa . What is the meaning? Krsna is the center of all.  Not only this one world, but so many universes, hundreds of millions of universes, are in this circle. Vyasa is touching Krsna and going to all the innumerable ends of material existence. Who is Vyasa? He who is preaching the glories of Krsna to all, and teaching everyone: “You should serve Krsna; otherwise no one will be able to save you from this endless chain of birth and suffering.” Vyasa is he who is always serving Krsna from one point to another, everywhere in this material world.

Singapore, February 11, 2001

* * *

Today we are going to observe guru-puja, or vyasa-puja. First of all, it is essential to know what is guru-puja and what isvyasa-puja. Actually, both are the same. Sri Krsna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa divided the one Veda into four. Then, because it would be difficult for people to extract the essence of the four Vedas, he wrote Brahma-sutra (Vedanta-sutra).

…The meaning of the gayatri-mantra has been clearly revealed by Srila Vyasadeva in the first verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Had he not come to this world, ‘everything would have been nothing.’ He revealed this gayatri-mantra, as well as the catu?-sloki(four essence verses) of Srimad-Bhagavatam and their explanation, and he especially revealed the highest love of the mahabhavaof Srimati Radhika. He revealed the meaning of Vedanta-sutra, which is Srimad-Bhagavatam, he manifested all the Pura?as, and especially the Mahabharata. The essence of all these scriptures is the same.

Srila Vyasadeva first taught his four disciples – Jaimini, Vaisampayana, Paila, and Angira – and he especially taught his dearest one, Srila Sukadeva Gosvami. Sukadeva Gosvami was not only his son, but also his dear-most disciple. Srila Vyasadeva manifested all his knowledge in the heart of Srila Sukadeva Gosvami, who then preached it everywhere. All acaryas, and also their disciples, in our entire guru-parampara are so much indebted to those who are in the line of Srila Vyasadeva.

It is therefore essential to know the meaning of vyasa. Suppose there is a circle. If from any point of the circum­ference a straight line is drawn, and that line passes through the center to the other end, this is called vyasa (diameter). The diameter is always straight, and it covers all 360 degrees of the circle. It always divides the circle in half, making that circle 180 degrees. This is vyasa.

Similarly this vyasa, Srila Vyasadeva, touches everywhere in the world. Srila Vyasadeva revealed the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he revealed Radhika, and he revealed all other knowledge. We are thus unlimitedly indebted to him. Our whole guru-parampara is indebted to him, and it is for this reason that the mantra of vyasa-puja is:

narayanam namaskrtya

        naram caiva narottamam

devim sarasvatim vyasam

        tato jayam udirayet

Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.4)

[Before reciting this Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the very means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, Narayana, unto Nara-narayana Rai, the supermost human being, unto mother Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, and unto Srila Vyasadeva, the author. *]

This is the mantra for worshiping Vyasa, who is the origin of vyasa-puja. Narayanam namaskrtya. We first offer pranama to Narayana, who is Krsna Himself. Then, naram caiva. Some say that in this connection naram ca means Arjuna, and there is no harm in that, but generally it means Nara-narayana Rai here. Then, devim sarasvatim, who is Sarasvati-devi, the goddess of learning. Vyasam tato jayam udirayet means ‘and then to Srila Vyasadeva.’ By offering pranama in this way, one can then read or explain Mahabharata, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Vedanta-sutra, and all the Pura?as.

A true disciple knows that his bona fide gurudeva is like Krsna, as it is written in all sastras. Srila Vyasadeva revealed Srila Suta Gosvami’s words in his Srimad-Bhagavatam:

yam pravrajantam anupetam apeta-krtyam

        dvaipayano viraha-katara ajuhava

putreti tan-mayataya taravo ’bhinedus

        tam sarva-bhuta-hrdayam munim anato ’smi

Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.2)

[I offer pranama to Sri Sukadeva Gosvami, who can enter within the hearts of all beings. When he left home without undergoing the purificatory processes such as accepting the sacred thread or performing prescribed duties such as serving his parents, his father Vyasa cried out, “O my son!” As if they were absorbed in that same feeling of separation, the trees echoed in response to his call.]

Gurudeva is sarva-bhuta-sthitam (situated in everyone’s heart), like Krsna. Krsna is everywhere, and similarly you can never hide anything from your gurudeva. You want to hide so many things, like your lust and worldly desires, but Gurudeva knows even more than Krsna, because he is so near to Krsna. You cannot cheat him. If you try to cheat him you will be cheating yourself – so do not try to do so. Reveal your heart to the lotus feet of your gurudeva. Then you can know how to please him.

Parama-pujyapada Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja knew and followed the order of his gurudeva, and he preached that mission throughout the world. He has gone everywhere in the world – in jungles, in the midst of oceans, on the top of mountains, and in dangerous places like the middle of swamps.

…On this day [vyasa-puja], a disciple or acarya bows down at the lotus feet of Sri Gurudeva, from where he has obtained all kinds of knowledge. You should especially know that tattva-jnana, knowledge of established philosophical truths, is not sufficient. From where will the mood come to weep, as the gopis used to weep? Srimati Radhika is always weeping, intoxicated in krsna-prema. Krsna laments and suffers for Her, but He does not become so maddened. There are many manifestations of Radha dancing with Krsna, but for Radhika there is only one Krsna.  Vyasadeva is Narayana Himself, and He has revealed all this.

Vyasa-puja Discourse
Alachua, Florida: February 1, 2003

YOU CANNOT BLUFF SRI GURU

Murwillumbah, Australia

24 January 2001

[The following is a lecture given on Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja’s Appearance Day. We learn from sadhu and sastra that there is no difference between the appearance and the disappearance days. Both are God-given opportunities for immersing in his glories and instructions, and our relationship with him:]

Be Sincere and Obey Sri Guru

I have previously explained about the duties of disciples.  I explained that guru-nishta is the backbone of bhakti. Without guru-nishta, no one can have any kind of devotion. One may have taken initiation, but if there is no nishta, he is inferior to a person who has not taken initiation and has not had a fire sacrifice, but is actually following guru.

I have seen and realized this. There was a disciple of Paramapujyapada Srauti Maharaja, named Narayana prabhu, who was totally surrendered to my Guru Maharaja. He was always serving by his mind, intelligence, and by all the limbs of his body. He was living with our Guru Maharaja, hearing hari-katha, and fully accepting all his instructions. We all had so much honor for him. I especially had so much love and honor for him, as did Paramapujyapada Vamana Maharaja, Paramapujyapada Trivikrama Maharaja, and all others. Why? He was not initiated, but he was more than initiated. He was a real diksa disciple. Sincerity and obedience were his main principles.

On the contrary, I see so many other disciples who are hiding things in their hearts from guru. * They think, “My guru doesn’t know anything. He is foolish, so I can cheat him.” They don’t say this directly, but they think in this way. They think they can bluff their guru or any pure devotee. But in reality, a pure devotee cannot be bluffed. He who can control Krsna—how can you bluff him? If he is really guru, he can never be cheated or bluffed.

You should know the identity of Sri Guru. Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami has written in the second verse of his Sri Manah-siksa prayers:

na dharmam nadharmam sruti-gana niruktam kila kuru

vraje radha-krsna pracura-paricaryam iha tanu

saci-sunum nandisvara-pati-sutatve guru-varam

mukunda-presthatve smara param ajasram nanu manah

“O my dear mind! Please do not perform either dharma or adharma mentioned in the Srutis or Vedas. Rather, you should render profuse loving service to Sri Sri Radha-Krsna Yugala here in Vraja, for the Srutis have ascertained Them to be the highest principle of supreme worship and the Supreme Absolute Truth. Always meditate on Sacinandana Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, richly endowed with the complexion and sentiments of Srimati Radhika, as non-different from Sri Nanda-nandana. And always remember Sri Guru as most dear to Sri Mukunda.” 

O mind, you should always consider that Sri Sacinandana, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, is actually Vrajendranandana Syamasundara, and He is actually Sri Guru. 

Srila Raya Ramananda told Mahaprabhu, “I am only your instrument. What I am speaking is only by Your inspiration. You are speaking. The mouth is mine, but actually, everything is being said by You.”

One may say, “I want to serve Mahaprabhu like the gopis. He is my beloved Mahaprabhu, and I am His beloved.”

Can we do this or not? This is sahajiya, deviation. This is called gauranga-nagara-bhava, and it is apasiddhanta, against conclusive philosophical truth. We should not think in this way. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Sri Guru, and we should do whatever He orders.

One day, Vallabha Bhatta asked Sri Advaita Acarya, “Why do you loudly chant ’Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare?’ Every living entity is female and considers Krsna as her husband. It is the duty of a chaste wife, devoted to her husband, not to utter her husband’s name, but all of you chant the name of Krsna. How can this be called a religious principle?”

True Religious Principles

Sri Advaita Acarya responded, “In front of you is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the personification of religious principles. You should ask Him, for He will give you the proper answer.”

Mahaprabhu said, “My dear Vallabha Bhatta, you do not know religious principles. Actually, the first duty of a chaste wife is to carry out the order of her husband. The order of Krsna is to chant His name incessantly. Therefore one who is chaste and adherent to the husband, Krsna, must chant the Lord’s name, for one cannot deny the husband’s order.  Following this religious principle, a pure devotee of Krsna always chants His holy name. As a result, he attains the fruit of ecstatic love for Krsna. My husband has ordered Me to chant His name. He has said, ‘You should do this, and that will make Me happy.’ Therefore, I must make Him happy and I should serve Him.”

Hearing this, Vallabha Bhatta was speechless.

Prior to this, Vallabha Bhatta had told Mahaprabhu, “I have tried to describe elaborately the meaning of Krsna’s holy name. Kindly hear the explanation.”

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, “I do not accept many different meanings for the holy name of Krsna. I only know that Krsna is Syamasundara and Yasodanandana. That’s all I know. The only purport of the holy name of Krsna is that He is dark blue like a tamala tree and is the son of Mother Yasoda. This is the conclusion of all the revealed scriptures. I conclusively know these two names, Syamasundara and Yasodanandana. I do not understand any other meanings, nor do I have the capacity to understand them.”

Whatever Vallabha Bhatta said, Mahaprabhu simply replied in such a way that he became speechless. Vallabha Bhatta wanted to defeat Mahaprabhu and show his own glory. He wanted to show, “How qualified I am. How learned I am.” But he was not able to defeat Mahaprabhu. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is jagad-guru, universal guru. Therefore, whatever He has ordered and whatever He has taught, we should try to follow totally.

Mahaprabhu has told us, “You should chant Krsna’s name. Hare Krsna.” Actually Krsna has ordered this in the shape of Mahaprabhu, and therefore we must follow. Understand that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Sri Guru. He is Krsna Himself, with the mood of Srimati Radhika. It is very important to know this. Does anyone know anything in this world that can cover the knowledge of Mahaprabhu? Can anything be hidden from Him? For those who have this guru, Mahaprabhu, their hearts cannot be cheated or bluffed. Never. Those who try to bluff guru will be bluffed instead. We should not try to cheat guru or Vaisnavas. All Vaisnavas are guru, and to do what they want is bhakti.

Be A Servant In The True Sense

We should try to know the desires of Sri Guru. One who understands guru’s desires both internally and externally, is called a sevaka, a true servant. One who is not a sevaka may receive an order from guru but has difficulty in obeying. 

When Sri Guru says, “Go and bring a glass of water.”

He will say, “Oh Gurudeva, how can I do this?”

“Go and bring a glass of water.”

“Gurudeva, if there is no water, what should I do? Should I wash the glass or not? Should I bring hot water or cold?”

This person is not a sevaka. Moreover, if one directly refuses to obey the order, he is not a sevaka, but a baka, crane. We should try to be sevakas in the real sense like Sri Govinda dasa, Srila Jiva Gosvami, Sri Syamananda prabhu, Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, and Srinivasa acarya. We should become a sevaka like Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada, who was the sevaka of Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji Maharaja. We should be a disciple like my Guru Maharaja. He took his life and soul in his hands to fulfill the desires of his Guru Maharaja, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada. In this way, if you want to have bhakti, you should have nishta, and then Krsna’s mercy will come to you.

Krsna’s Condensed Mercy is Sri Guru

All the sastras have given so much glorification of Sri Gurudeva. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has written Sri Guruvastakam. In these slokas, he has truly glorified Sri Guru, from the first verse to the last. I have explained about these slokas in Germany, especially ‘samsara davanala lidha loka tranaya karunya ghanaghanatvam.’ Krsna’s condensed mercy is Sri Guru. What is he doing? ‘sri vigraharadhana nitya nana’—he is always serving Sri Vigraha, Krsna Himself and Srimati Radhika Herself. He is always directly serving the Deity by making preparations and performing arcana, worship. He is always engaged in sravanam, hearing, kirtana, glorifying, smaranam, remembering and so on. He offers four kinds of naivedya bhoga, foodstuffs, to Krsna, and he honors that prasadam along with all the devotees. He does not take prasadam alone. ‘Sri radhika madhavayor apara’— he is always very lolu, greedy, to taste the entirety of the guna, rupa, nama—the qualities, form and names of Sri Radha and Krsna. Moreover, ’nikuñja yuno rati-keli-siddhai’— thissloka reveals the very confidential character of Sri Guru, and this is why it is said further, ‘saksad-dharitvena.’ He is not Hari, but he is ‘haritvena.’ All the qualities of Hari are embodied in him. He is not Krsna and he is not Mahaprabhu, but all the qualities of Krsna and Mahaprabhu are directly in him. He is the eternal, very high class confidential servant of Srimati Radhika?and Krsna.

A Bona fide Guru Will Remain The Same

Many devotees have asked, “If a guru has initiated a disciple, will that disciple receive the same guru in the next birth, or some other guru?” If the guru is not bona fide, if he has not realized his constitutional form, and if he is not an uttama-adhikari, then the guru may change. Krsna will arrange for that. 

If he is a kanistha-adhikari, like a vartma-pradarsaka-guru,[1] not realized, he will be changed. On the contrary, a bona fide guru will not be changed. He will help his sincere disciples anywhere and in any way, birth after birth.

A bona fide guru has so many ‘sets of clothing.’ He may sometimes change his garments, but his personality stays the same. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu came, but He was Lord Krsna. Sri Gadadhara Pandita was in that form, but he was Srimati Radhika. Similarly, guru is the same. Sri Guru is one. He may change—sometimes shaving, sometimes in a white garment, sometimes in a sannyasa garment, but the personality is the same.

Try to understand what I am telling you. One cannot serve Srimati Radhika in a male form. Therefore, when Sri Guru is serving Sri Radha-Krsna Conjugal, he will be in a gopi form. That is why it is stated in the guru-mantra, ‘krsnanandaya dhimahi’ and ‘pracodayat.’ The disciple is praying, “Be merciful and manifest how you are serving Krsna and Srimati Radhika.” Then he may reveal himself. Otherwise, it is very hard to know all these things.

Narada Muni sometimes comes as Madhumangala, but his soul is the same. He comes in so many forms, as Srivasa Pandita, as Naradi-gopi, and so many others. If anyone has realized who his guru is and if that guru has manifested himself to that disciple, then he will not change. That same guru will help you. Don’t be disturbed by the garments.

The Power of Krsna

If one is really Sri Guru, even if he is a madyama-uttama, then the power of Krsna or Mahaprabhu will act in him because he is a representative of Krsna. Krsna has sent him. If an ordinary person, like a kula-guru is not qualified, but his disciple has the idea that, “My guru is Krsna,” and that disciple has worldly desires, his worldly desires will be fulfilled. How? Because he is thinking that his guru is Krsna. If his desires are not fulfilled, the blame will come to Krsna. Krsna must therefore fulfill those desires. The disciple should be sincere even if he has a kula-guru. If there is no sincerity, he will achieve nothing. Srila Sanatana Gosvami has written that even if one worships a dry straw, thinking that it is Krsna, he will get some benefit. Somehow you should try to obey Sri Guru and Vaisnavas. Honor all Vaisnavas, otherwise you cannot serve Sri Guru. He will not be happy.

If Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada has so many disciples, and some may not have completed their progress to become self-realized, who will they be within their next life?

Srila Prabhupada will come. Somehow, in any form, he will come. This is explained in Sri Brhad-bhagavatamrta. Gopa-kumara’s guru kept coming back to him, here and there, in different lives. At last he said, “My heartly blessings to you. You should at once go to Goloka Vrndavana.” Gopa-kumara then had a vision of Goloka Vrndavana and said, “At once, I’m going. I’m going.”

[*Editorial Endnote: During Vraja Mandala parikrama, Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja told the visiting devotees: “I know which of you are writing ‘prema’ letters to each other. If you come to me and tell me about your problem of lust, then I will help you and save you from it. If you do not come and tell me, you will become more and more entangled in it, and you will go to hell. I know everything that is going on in your mind. If a Vaisnava does not know everything in your mind, he is not a Vaisnava.”

Another instance took place in France, in the next year. During a class on guru-tattva, Srila Maharaja said, “Srila Rupa Gosvami has written, “Visrambhena gurau-seva.” This means ‘service to gurudeva with intimacy.’ What is the meaning of intimacy? We can open our hearts to gurudeva. In the West, if one goes to the bathroom, he may become naked at the time of taking bath. In Indian culture we don’t do this, but now Indians are following the Westerners. Be that as it may, if you are seeing yourself in a mirror at that time, there is no harm if you are naked because there is no other person to see you. The mirror is not a person. Gurudeva should be seen in this way. He is like a mirror; meaning a bosom friend. We can open our heart fully and give it to Gurudeva so that he may read it. There is nothing to conceal from him. If you are concealing anything from him, it is duplicity: ‘How are you?’ ‘Okay.’ ‘Any problem?’ ‘Nothing’. The disciple is not revealing that he is making love with a girlfriend or anyone else. The effect of this will be an atom bomb, although in the beginning it seems like nothing. One may think, “Oh, Gurudeva should not know all these things. Otherwise he will chastise me and make some problem for me. This neglect of gurudeva will be like a hole in a needle that becomes large enough for an elephant to pass through. Don’t do this.”]