Posts
I'm writing today from a hotel just outside of Chicago where i'm visiting relatives. Yesterday was a day of travel from UK to the States. If anyone thinks this material world is nice, they should have seen all the police with machine guns standing around Heathrow Airport yesterday. I was lucky to fly out. All flights from Terminal 4 were cancelled for 6-24 hours due to a scare. While i was waiting for my flight on Air India in Terminal 3, all the unlucky passengers in Terminal 4 (BA, KLM) had to evacuate the terminal in a rainstorm and lose their flight connections. Many had to spend overnite in London because of a "suspicious" package that turned out to be harmless. Nice place, indeed, this material world.
Today is the 4th of July, celebrated as Independence Day in the USA. This so-called misconception of "independence" is not freedom, but is ironically, the cause of our bondage. How's that? Because we are never independent of nature's laws, which are God's laws. Everyone is under their rule. But due to our desire to compete with God, we imitate our "independence" in various ways. This is another good example of how imitation has no real value.
As defined, our independence is only an imitation of reality. Real independence means to take shelter and surrender to God, Lord Sri Krishna. That will free us from all our existential fears and karmic reactions. aham tvam sarva papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah
(Bhagavad gita 18.66)
How can we be "independent" when we are tied to the certainty of death which comes with the material body? No science, no ideology, no political system and no so-called progress can free us. Only Krishna, the giver of liberation to his devotees, can. But we don't want to pay the price for his mercy, which is to accept Him as the Master and Enjoyer, and accept ourselves as humble servant of his servant. Better to rein in hell, than serve in heaven. That's our independence.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Questions by a Young Devotee
Srila Prabhupada answers some questions in a letter to his disciple, Aniruddha prabhu. Aniruddha was a nice devotee who first joined Prabhupada on the West Coast of the US in 1967. I first met him in L.A. in 1972, then 25 years later in Honolulu. Recently Aniruddha passed away in Hawaii. This letter was written by Prabhupada when Aniruddha was still a new devotee. Although email had not been invented and Prabhupada needed to dictate or write and send each letter personally, he never failed to respond to his disciples, and to enlighten them with his pure vision. This is just one symptom of a great devotee.
Regarding your questions: Your first question, "Are great sages put under yogamaya or maya? Also are all the eternally liberated souls under yogamaya?"
Yogamaya means the mercy of the Supreme Lord which connects a devotee in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, and mahamaya means the external potency of the Lord which puts a conditioned soul into illusion that he will be happy by material adjustment. So great sages who are impersonalists are also under the spell of mahamaya, because a conditioned soul in the material world wants to improve his material position as exalted as possible, and the concept of becoming one with the Supreme Lord is the greatest illusion for them. Because it is a fact that nobody can be equal or greater than the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and as such, anyone desiring to become one with the Supreme means that he is still in the trap of maya.
On the other hand, a humble devotee who may not be a great sage, but simply by his implicit acceptance of the Lotus Feet of the Lord as the goal of his life means that he is under the protection of yogamaya. I think this will clear the idea.
Your next question, "Is there a difference between Arjuna's body and his soul, and how does this apply to all Krishna's eternally liberated souls described in the scriptures. Is Arjuna always the same in his appearances with Krishna or is a new soul taking his body each time?"
Yes, there is difference. Therefore he forgets his past activities. Just like we forget ourselves while dreaming because our subtle body acts at that time differently from the gross body. Similarly, by changing this body or transmigrating from one body to another, we forget all the activities of our previous body. The associates of the Lord, even though they have a different body, or even though they forget the activities of their past body, still they are associates of the Lord. These explanations are given in the Bhagavad-gita as it is.
Your next question, "Is a pure devotee eternally liberated and if so is he at any time a conditioned soul? We are eternally conditioned, but as soon as we surrender to Krishna do we then become eternally liberated? When Lord Christ appeared he seemed to be conditioned in his growth. Was he a specific incarnation or a conditioned soul who became liberated?"
You are not eternally conditioned. You are eternally liberated but since we have become conditioned on account of our desire to enjoy materialistic way of life, from time immemorial, therefore it appears that we are eternally conditioned. Because we cannot trace out the history or the date when we became conditioned, therefore it is technically called eternally conditioned. Otherwise the living entity is not actually conditioned.
A living entity is always pure. But he is prone to be attracted by material enjoyment and as soon as he agrees to place himself in material enjoyment, he becomes conditioned, but that is not permanent. Therefore a living entity is called on the marginal state, sometimes this side, sometimes that side.
These are very intelligent questions. And I am very glad that you are putting such intelligent questions and trying to understand it. It is very good. But best thing is that one should know he is in conditioned life and try to cure it. When a man is in diseased condition he should try to get out of diseased condition without harassing his brain when the disease has begun. But it is to be understood that the disease is not our constant companion, it is temporary.
So the best thing is to cure the disease, and not waste our time to find out the date when it began. Forgetfulness of Krishna is the disease, so let us keep ourselves always in Krishna Consciousness, and get out of the disease, that is healthy life. Yes, Lord Jesus was jivatattva. He is not Visnu tattva. When a jiva tattva becomes specifically empowered by the Lord, he is called saktyavesa avatara. Lord Buddha and Lord Jesus Christ were in this group of saktyavesa avatara.. But they were not in conditioned state when they appeared; they came to teach here.
Regarding your questions: Your first question, "Are great sages put under yogamaya or maya? Also are all the eternally liberated souls under yogamaya?"
Yogamaya means the mercy of the Supreme Lord which connects a devotee in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, and mahamaya means the external potency of the Lord which puts a conditioned soul into illusion that he will be happy by material adjustment. So great sages who are impersonalists are also under the spell of mahamaya, because a conditioned soul in the material world wants to improve his material position as exalted as possible, and the concept of becoming one with the Supreme Lord is the greatest illusion for them. Because it is a fact that nobody can be equal or greater than the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and as such, anyone desiring to become one with the Supreme means that he is still in the trap of maya.
On the other hand, a humble devotee who may not be a great sage, but simply by his implicit acceptance of the Lotus Feet of the Lord as the goal of his life means that he is under the protection of yogamaya. I think this will clear the idea.
Your next question, "Is there a difference between Arjuna's body and his soul, and how does this apply to all Krishna's eternally liberated souls described in the scriptures. Is Arjuna always the same in his appearances with Krishna or is a new soul taking his body each time?"
Yes, there is difference. Therefore he forgets his past activities. Just like we forget ourselves while dreaming because our subtle body acts at that time differently from the gross body. Similarly, by changing this body or transmigrating from one body to another, we forget all the activities of our previous body. The associates of the Lord, even though they have a different body, or even though they forget the activities of their past body, still they are associates of the Lord. These explanations are given in the Bhagavad-gita as it is.
Your next question, "Is a pure devotee eternally liberated and if so is he at any time a conditioned soul? We are eternally conditioned, but as soon as we surrender to Krishna do we then become eternally liberated? When Lord Christ appeared he seemed to be conditioned in his growth. Was he a specific incarnation or a conditioned soul who became liberated?"
You are not eternally conditioned. You are eternally liberated but since we have become conditioned on account of our desire to enjoy materialistic way of life, from time immemorial, therefore it appears that we are eternally conditioned. Because we cannot trace out the history or the date when we became conditioned, therefore it is technically called eternally conditioned. Otherwise the living entity is not actually conditioned.
A living entity is always pure. But he is prone to be attracted by material enjoyment and as soon as he agrees to place himself in material enjoyment, he becomes conditioned, but that is not permanent. Therefore a living entity is called on the marginal state, sometimes this side, sometimes that side.
These are very intelligent questions. And I am very glad that you are putting such intelligent questions and trying to understand it. It is very good. But best thing is that one should know he is in conditioned life and try to cure it. When a man is in diseased condition he should try to get out of diseased condition without harassing his brain when the disease has begun. But it is to be understood that the disease is not our constant companion, it is temporary.
So the best thing is to cure the disease, and not waste our time to find out the date when it began. Forgetfulness of Krishna is the disease, so let us keep ourselves always in Krishna Consciousness, and get out of the disease, that is healthy life. Yes, Lord Jesus was jivatattva. He is not Visnu tattva. When a jiva tattva becomes specifically empowered by the Lord, he is called saktyavesa avatara. Lord Buddha and Lord Jesus Christ were in this group of saktyavesa avatara.. But they were not in conditioned state when they appeared; they came to teach here.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
On the Road
Dear Reader,
I am travelling in the USA in July and August, and my blog entries may be less frequent. If you are a regular reader, i apologize for this. If you wish to comment on anything from the blog or share your own observations,
feel free to write me. Although i wrote in yesterday’s commentary that we should not complain, i have one complaint: hardly anyone makes comments on my entries.
There is a place at the bottom of each entry for you to comment. Please use it; this blog is meant for dialogue. Alternatively, if you wish to write me privately, send it to jauvana@gmail.com
I will respond to all comments/emails.
Looking forward to hearing from you and wishing you much inspiration on your inner journey.
Nitai Gaura Haribol,
jauvana
I am travelling in the USA in July and August, and my blog entries may be less frequent. If you are a regular reader, i apologize for this. If you wish to comment on anything from the blog or share your own observations,
feel free to write me. Although i wrote in yesterday’s commentary that we should not complain, i have one complaint: hardly anyone makes comments on my entries.
There is a place at the bottom of each entry for you to comment. Please use it; this blog is meant for dialogue. Alternatively, if you wish to write me privately, send it to jauvana@gmail.com
I will respond to all comments/emails.
Looking forward to hearing from you and wishing you much inspiration on your inner journey.
Nitai Gaura Haribol,
jauvana
Friday, June 29, 2007
No One Else!!!
Verse 8 of Sri Siksastakam
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
In the blog, i’ve been exploring these 8 Divine Instructions, one by one. These verses contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee. Today, the final verse:
Sanskrit, Verse 8:
aslisya va pada ratam pinastu mam
adarsanan marma hatam karotu va
yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato
mat prana nathas tu sa eva naparah
Translation & Commentary:
Krishna, You can embrace me with Your strong arms
or trample me under Your feet.
You may break my heart by disappearing from my sight.
You do whatever you like. All women belong to You.
But in agony or in ecstasy, i remain Yours.
You only are the lord of my life. No one else!!!
Sri Krishna is the divine autocrat. He is love, and love does not obey any law other than itself. Love is tied to mercy, to luck, to favor, not to justice. Krishna is independent of our efforts. He can appear, disappear, reward, punish or be indifferent to us. He can do anything at his whim. But he always acts from the position of love, because he is infinite love. He will never hurt us or destroy us with his love.
Pure love is above law and above rights. All rights reserved. Krishna’s love for us far exceeds our capacity to love him. Therefore he has all rights. We have only one right: the right to serve him. We cannot negotiate with him like a businessman. We are always looking for the fruit, the payoff, what’s in it for me? But true love offers us only sacrifice, self-forgetfulness, service. Why should we be attracted to such a proposition? We hesitate before such an extreme proposal.
If we want love that transcends life, love that takes us beyond this commercial world of win-lose, win-win, and lose-lose, then there is no alternative except to follow the path shown by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We will be happy when we realize our finite-ness in connection with the infinite. We will be joyful when we forget our self-importance and give all attention to Krishna. We will find ecstasy when we can feel exclusive devotion.
In our own journey there should be no complaint from our side. So many injustices will be seen by us, from the past and the present. We can observe them, comment on them and learn from them, but we should never take them too seriously. They are disturbances: some funny, some tragic, but merely distractions. Nothing is a catastrophe. The only disaster is our lack of love for Krishna.
How can we find our proper place in this world? It may not be possible, in a social sense. But if somehow or other, we can pass the exam and qualify for entering into that circle where everyone has real love for Krishna, then we shall be completely relieved of our restlessness.
mac-citta mad-gata-prana
bodhayantah parasparam
“The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are devoted to Me, they preach amongst themselves and enjoy transcendental bliss talking about Me.” (Bhagavad gita 10.9)
And Krishna gives us another hint at the end of the Gita:
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah
“I shall deliver you from all disturbances, all reactions. Do not fear.” (Bhagavad gita 18.66)
We are suffering from sinful reactions, from mixing with the modes of nature for an immeasurably long time. But Krishna says: don’t worry, I can deliver you. It’s not difficult for Me.
So we should not be afraid of what appears on the surface to be a frightening and terribly painful process of surrender. Externally it looks like that, but internally it is different. In Vrindavan, nothing is what it appears to be! We must be prepared to suspend our judgement and dive into the experience. It contains the greatest sweetness, beauty and pleasure.
This great experiment is being offered to us by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. With his words and with his life, he showed us the possibility. Of course, he is not a jiva soul; he is the original Personality of Godhead, in the role of a devotee. But he came to teach us, to demonstrate for us, the path to prema. It is our eternal benefit if we can learn to follow this path, not to imitate, but to very carefully and respectfully walk in the footprints of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his followers. Sri Sri Guru & Gauranga jayate!!
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
In the blog, i’ve been exploring these 8 Divine Instructions, one by one. These verses contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee. Today, the final verse:
Sanskrit, Verse 8:
aslisya va pada ratam pinastu mam
adarsanan marma hatam karotu va
yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato
mat prana nathas tu sa eva naparah
Translation & Commentary:
Krishna, You can embrace me with Your strong arms
or trample me under Your feet.
You may break my heart by disappearing from my sight.
You do whatever you like. All women belong to You.
But in agony or in ecstasy, i remain Yours.
You only are the lord of my life. No one else!!!
Sri Krishna is the divine autocrat. He is love, and love does not obey any law other than itself. Love is tied to mercy, to luck, to favor, not to justice. Krishna is independent of our efforts. He can appear, disappear, reward, punish or be indifferent to us. He can do anything at his whim. But he always acts from the position of love, because he is infinite love. He will never hurt us or destroy us with his love.
Pure love is above law and above rights. All rights reserved. Krishna’s love for us far exceeds our capacity to love him. Therefore he has all rights. We have only one right: the right to serve him. We cannot negotiate with him like a businessman. We are always looking for the fruit, the payoff, what’s in it for me? But true love offers us only sacrifice, self-forgetfulness, service. Why should we be attracted to such a proposition? We hesitate before such an extreme proposal.
If we want love that transcends life, love that takes us beyond this commercial world of win-lose, win-win, and lose-lose, then there is no alternative except to follow the path shown by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We will be happy when we realize our finite-ness in connection with the infinite. We will be joyful when we forget our self-importance and give all attention to Krishna. We will find ecstasy when we can feel exclusive devotion.
In our own journey there should be no complaint from our side. So many injustices will be seen by us, from the past and the present. We can observe them, comment on them and learn from them, but we should never take them too seriously. They are disturbances: some funny, some tragic, but merely distractions. Nothing is a catastrophe. The only disaster is our lack of love for Krishna.
How can we find our proper place in this world? It may not be possible, in a social sense. But if somehow or other, we can pass the exam and qualify for entering into that circle where everyone has real love for Krishna, then we shall be completely relieved of our restlessness.
mac-citta mad-gata-prana
bodhayantah parasparam
“The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are devoted to Me, they preach amongst themselves and enjoy transcendental bliss talking about Me.” (Bhagavad gita 10.9)
And Krishna gives us another hint at the end of the Gita:
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah
“I shall deliver you from all disturbances, all reactions. Do not fear.” (Bhagavad gita 18.66)
We are suffering from sinful reactions, from mixing with the modes of nature for an immeasurably long time. But Krishna says: don’t worry, I can deliver you. It’s not difficult for Me.
So we should not be afraid of what appears on the surface to be a frightening and terribly painful process of surrender. Externally it looks like that, but internally it is different. In Vrindavan, nothing is what it appears to be! We must be prepared to suspend our judgement and dive into the experience. It contains the greatest sweetness, beauty and pleasure.
This great experiment is being offered to us by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. With his words and with his life, he showed us the possibility. Of course, he is not a jiva soul; he is the original Personality of Godhead, in the role of a devotee. But he came to teach us, to demonstrate for us, the path to prema. It is our eternal benefit if we can learn to follow this path, not to imitate, but to very carefully and respectfully walk in the footprints of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his followers. Sri Sri Guru & Gauranga jayate!!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Burning in Separation
Verse 7 of Sri Siksastakam
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
Here in the blog, i’m exploring these 8 Divine Instructions, one by one. These verses contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee.
Sanskrit, Verse 7:
yugayitam nimesena
caksusa pravrsayitam
sunyayitam jagat sarvam
govinda virahena me
Translation & Commentary:
Now one moment has become a thousand years.
My eyes have become the monsoon.
The whole world has become zero.
I'm burning in separation from my Govinda.
In this verse, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is describing perhaps the most esoteric of emotional states in divine love: separation from the Beloved.
We all have mundane experiences of separation in our own existence, but they are never nice. They bring us pain, anxiety, sometimes terror that is repressed, feelings of abandonment, loss, shame and many other
negative emotions.
But the separation being described here is transcendental, not within the parameters of a temporary and vitiated nature. This separation is not based on the subjective reality of “I, me and mine.” The false identity of over-lordship is not in play here. Rather, super-subjective feelings and spiritual emotions generate a strong sense of possessing and being possessed by the Ista-Deva, the Lord of one's heart.
The soul's longing for meeting the all attractive reservoir of beauty, the Soul of his soul, is a most sublime and unique emotional state. In this condition, the elevated yet humble soul strongly feels the presence of his Beloved, but cannot see Him. The closer he comes, the more the devotee finds that his Beloved is just out of reach.
The competition between the devotee’s desire to see Krishna and Krishna’s desire to remain hidden becomes intense. It produces in the devotee an exclusive concentration on Krishna that feels like a hopelessly burning fever, or like time standing still.
While this mood of separation seems like an unbearable poison on the surface, it is actually the container of immortal nectar-like bliss. Simultaneously, the saddest tone produces the sweetest overtones.
Just as when you strike a string on the guitar, the main tone may be an “A,” but there are many overtones within that "A" note that the ear hears at the same time. The overtones of vipralambha, love in deep separation, produce the most dazzling visions and ecstatic experiences of spiritual revelation. It is in this mystical condition of the soul in its extreme need, reaching out for the Beloved, that prema, divine love, makes her grand entrance.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
Here in the blog, i’m exploring these 8 Divine Instructions, one by one. These verses contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee.
Sanskrit, Verse 7:
yugayitam nimesena
caksusa pravrsayitam
sunyayitam jagat sarvam
govinda virahena me
Translation & Commentary:
Now one moment has become a thousand years.
My eyes have become the monsoon.
The whole world has become zero.
I'm burning in separation from my Govinda.
In this verse, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is describing perhaps the most esoteric of emotional states in divine love: separation from the Beloved.
We all have mundane experiences of separation in our own existence, but they are never nice. They bring us pain, anxiety, sometimes terror that is repressed, feelings of abandonment, loss, shame and many other
negative emotions.
But the separation being described here is transcendental, not within the parameters of a temporary and vitiated nature. This separation is not based on the subjective reality of “I, me and mine.” The false identity of over-lordship is not in play here. Rather, super-subjective feelings and spiritual emotions generate a strong sense of possessing and being possessed by the Ista-Deva, the Lord of one's heart.
The soul's longing for meeting the all attractive reservoir of beauty, the Soul of his soul, is a most sublime and unique emotional state. In this condition, the elevated yet humble soul strongly feels the presence of his Beloved, but cannot see Him. The closer he comes, the more the devotee finds that his Beloved is just out of reach.
The competition between the devotee’s desire to see Krishna and Krishna’s desire to remain hidden becomes intense. It produces in the devotee an exclusive concentration on Krishna that feels like a hopelessly burning fever, or like time standing still.
While this mood of separation seems like an unbearable poison on the surface, it is actually the container of immortal nectar-like bliss. Simultaneously, the saddest tone produces the sweetest overtones.
Just as when you strike a string on the guitar, the main tone may be an “A,” but there are many overtones within that "A" note that the ear hears at the same time. The overtones of vipralambha, love in deep separation, produce the most dazzling visions and ecstatic experiences of spiritual revelation. It is in this mystical condition of the soul in its extreme need, reaching out for the Beloved, that prema, divine love, makes her grand entrance.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Tears of Love
Verse 6 of Sri Siksastakam
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
Here in the blog, i’m exploring these 8 Divine Instructions, one by one. These verses contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee.
Sanskrit, Verse 6:
nayanam galad asru dharaya
vadanam gadgada ruddhaya gira
pulakair nicitam vapuh kada
tava nama grahane bhavisyati
Translation & Commentary:
When will tears of love
run madly down my cheeks like waves of ecstasy?
When will my voice tremble,
my words getting chocked up in my throat?
When will the hairs on my body stand up in rapture
as i chant Your Names?
After a devotee prays (in verses 4 and 5) to let go of all material attachments and be accepted as a servitor of the Lord, he/she gets more association—directly or indirectly— with saintly persons. Not with ordinary devotees, but with sadhus of the highest order. Those who have no concern with any material ambition: uttamas, situated in transcendence, far beyond the charm of this world. Protected and encouraged by this association, new feelings arise in the devotee's heart. He/she is inspired to experience intense spiritual emotions.
Spiritual emotions are pure and uncommon. They come only from intimacy and spontaneous attraction for Krishna. Only toward Krishna can the heart feel such deep, natural, spontaneous attraction. This is when sadhana bhakti (the routine practice of devotional service) transforms itself into raghanuga bhakti (spontaneous loving service).
As the reservoir of pleasure, Krishna captures the heart of the devotee. As Hari, he can steal anyone’s mind. And as Krishna, he takes over the heart with love and affection. The beauty Krishna shows his devotee is unequalled.
As a devotee begins to experience these feelings of affection in his/her heart, their hope increases. They think: “I want to be in an intimate relationship with You, Krishna. Before i could only think of being somehow connected to You as a servant, in a distant way, but now, i want to feel intimacy with You at every moment. I want to sing and dance ecstatically. I want to cry, lose control, feel rapture when remembering You. Routine chanting is not enough. My aspiration has changed. Now i want to become mad when i chant your Names!”
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
Here in the blog, i’m exploring these 8 Divine Instructions, one by one. These verses contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee.
Sanskrit, Verse 6:
nayanam galad asru dharaya
vadanam gadgada ruddhaya gira
pulakair nicitam vapuh kada
tava nama grahane bhavisyati
Translation & Commentary:
When will tears of love
run madly down my cheeks like waves of ecstasy?
When will my voice tremble,
my words getting chocked up in my throat?
When will the hairs on my body stand up in rapture
as i chant Your Names?
After a devotee prays (in verses 4 and 5) to let go of all material attachments and be accepted as a servitor of the Lord, he/she gets more association—directly or indirectly— with saintly persons. Not with ordinary devotees, but with sadhus of the highest order. Those who have no concern with any material ambition: uttamas, situated in transcendence, far beyond the charm of this world. Protected and encouraged by this association, new feelings arise in the devotee's heart. He/she is inspired to experience intense spiritual emotions.
Spiritual emotions are pure and uncommon. They come only from intimacy and spontaneous attraction for Krishna. Only toward Krishna can the heart feel such deep, natural, spontaneous attraction. This is when sadhana bhakti (the routine practice of devotional service) transforms itself into raghanuga bhakti (spontaneous loving service).
As the reservoir of pleasure, Krishna captures the heart of the devotee. As Hari, he can steal anyone’s mind. And as Krishna, he takes over the heart with love and affection. The beauty Krishna shows his devotee is unequalled.
As a devotee begins to experience these feelings of affection in his/her heart, their hope increases. They think: “I want to be in an intimate relationship with You, Krishna. Before i could only think of being somehow connected to You as a servant, in a distant way, but now, i want to feel intimacy with You at every moment. I want to sing and dance ecstatically. I want to cry, lose control, feel rapture when remembering You. Routine chanting is not enough. My aspiration has changed. Now i want to become mad when i chant your Names!”
Sunday, June 24, 2007
"As One of Your Own"
Verse 5 of Sri Siksastakam
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
Here in the blog, i present one verse per day over the next eight days. Feel free to comment on these verses. They contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee.
ayi nanda tanuja kinkaram
patitam mam visame bhavambudhau
krpaya tava pada pankaja
sthita dhuli sadrsam vicintaya
Translation:
Dear son of Nanda, i am your insignificant follower.
Somehow i fell into this ferocious ocean of illusion
known as the 'material world.'
I can’t save myself, so please show your mercy and rescue me.
Think of me as a tiny speck of dust
on the bottom of your reddish lotus feet.
Commentary:
In great humility, a devotee feels practically helpless against the forces of nature. The strongest force in nature is the attraction of the jiva to enjoy matter while remaining in ignorance. It is the force of illusion covering the natural identity and bliss of the soul. Recognizing this almost insurmountable force, and his/her own vulnerability, the devotee asks the Lord to rescue him from the ocean of illusion with the rope of His mercy.
Addressing the Lord now as the son of Maharaj Nanda, the devotee no longer prays to Krishna as the universal controller. He/she wants to go beyond arguments and philosophy and wants to surrender directly to the transcendental youthful cowherd, Braj Kishore. He/she wishes to give up independence even as a great scholar or king and be accepted as a humble servant.
“If you consider me like a piece of dust and place me on the bottom of your lotus feet, then i can take my proper position and be peaceful and secure. There i will find freedom and joyfulness to the fullest degree. This is my prayer: Accept me in any position, but accept me as one of Your own.”
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
Here in the blog, i present one verse per day over the next eight days. Feel free to comment on these verses. They contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee.
ayi nanda tanuja kinkaram
patitam mam visame bhavambudhau
krpaya tava pada pankaja
sthita dhuli sadrsam vicintaya
Translation:
Dear son of Nanda, i am your insignificant follower.
Somehow i fell into this ferocious ocean of illusion
known as the 'material world.'
I can’t save myself, so please show your mercy and rescue me.
Think of me as a tiny speck of dust
on the bottom of your reddish lotus feet.
Commentary:
In great humility, a devotee feels practically helpless against the forces of nature. The strongest force in nature is the attraction of the jiva to enjoy matter while remaining in ignorance. It is the force of illusion covering the natural identity and bliss of the soul. Recognizing this almost insurmountable force, and his/her own vulnerability, the devotee asks the Lord to rescue him from the ocean of illusion with the rope of His mercy.
Addressing the Lord now as the son of Maharaj Nanda, the devotee no longer prays to Krishna as the universal controller. He/she wants to go beyond arguments and philosophy and wants to surrender directly to the transcendental youthful cowherd, Braj Kishore. He/she wishes to give up independence even as a great scholar or king and be accepted as a humble servant.
“If you consider me like a piece of dust and place me on the bottom of your lotus feet, then i can take my proper position and be peaceful and secure. There i will find freedom and joyfulness to the fullest degree. This is my prayer: Accept me in any position, but accept me as one of Your own.”
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Go Deeper
Verse 4 of Sri Siksastakam
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
Here in the blog, i present one verse per day over the next eight days. Feel free to comment on these verses. They contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee.
na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isa kamaye
mama janmani janmanisvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi
Dear Lord, as the controller of the universe you fulfill everyone's desires.
But i’m not asking you for any material desire.
I don’t want wealth, fame, followers, beautiful companions or heavenly surroundings.
I want only one thing:
let me serve you, Lord, with intense love,
in this life, and in all my lives, birth after birth.
Commentary:
As the universal Supersoul, Krishna stays with each jiva soul as they wander thru all species of life. He inspires and fulfills everyone’s needs in this karmic world. He also witnesses everyone’s actions and He is the subtle controller of the universe, directing His material energy and its administrators, the demigods. This is the reality behind the mask of maya, and this is how a devotee sees the world.
Desire is part of the intrinsic nature of the living being. To desire is to be; it's not false or illusory. Everyone wants to fulfill their desires. But a devotee gradually transforms their desires from selfish, material ones into pure, spiritual ones. In the beginning stage, a devotee approaches the Lord to fulfill his/her own desires, or to relieve himself or herself of distress. "God, please help me; i'm suffering." Or "God, give us our daily bread." And our iPods, laptops and other comforts of life.
In the middle stage, a devotee “dovetails” his/her desires and interests to do work on behalf of Krishna. A musician plays music and does kirtan for Krishna, a carpenter builds altars or renovates temples, a writer writes to enlighten his readers on how to connect with Krishna. However, a devotee is careful never to aspire for wealth or prestige. Sometimes these things may come to him, by his karma, or thru his service on behalf of Krishna. But he/she never collects money or followers by making himself look advanced. He/she sees material opulences like money and prestige as "weeds" growing alongside the beautiful creeper of bhakti, and is careful not to cultivate them, as they are potentially harmful to the growth of the tender bhakti creeper.
When a devotee reaches a high level of bhakti thru practice and the grace of a pure devotee, he/she no longer prays for anything material. Even liberation from the material world and oneness with God is seen as something without any value. The only desire that remains for the advanced devotee is for service and devotion — love itself— because the devotee experiences a taste from bhakti higher and more sublime than anything else. Motivation from this point forward is only to please the Lord and his pure devotees, and thus increase the sadhaka’s taste for bhakti.
This prayer by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu teaches us to deepen our serving mood to the extreme, by removing any kind of business exchange between us and the Lord. All material considerations are to be dropped. All self promotion is to be stopped. Now the only business remaining is service, sweetness and love between the devotee and Krishna. This is the standard of bhakti taught by Lord Caitanya and all His bona-fide followers. This standard was practiced by all the acaryas in the line coming from Sri Caitanya, including our own divine master, om visnupada paramhamsa A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Anyone who claims to be a follower must act according to this example.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
Here in the blog, i present one verse per day over the next eight days. Feel free to comment on these verses. They contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee.
na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isa kamaye
mama janmani janmanisvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi
Dear Lord, as the controller of the universe you fulfill everyone's desires.
But i’m not asking you for any material desire.
I don’t want wealth, fame, followers, beautiful companions or heavenly surroundings.
I want only one thing:
let me serve you, Lord, with intense love,
in this life, and in all my lives, birth after birth.
Commentary:
As the universal Supersoul, Krishna stays with each jiva soul as they wander thru all species of life. He inspires and fulfills everyone’s needs in this karmic world. He also witnesses everyone’s actions and He is the subtle controller of the universe, directing His material energy and its administrators, the demigods. This is the reality behind the mask of maya, and this is how a devotee sees the world.
Desire is part of the intrinsic nature of the living being. To desire is to be; it's not false or illusory. Everyone wants to fulfill their desires. But a devotee gradually transforms their desires from selfish, material ones into pure, spiritual ones. In the beginning stage, a devotee approaches the Lord to fulfill his/her own desires, or to relieve himself or herself of distress. "God, please help me; i'm suffering." Or "God, give us our daily bread." And our iPods, laptops and other comforts of life.
In the middle stage, a devotee “dovetails” his/her desires and interests to do work on behalf of Krishna. A musician plays music and does kirtan for Krishna, a carpenter builds altars or renovates temples, a writer writes to enlighten his readers on how to connect with Krishna. However, a devotee is careful never to aspire for wealth or prestige. Sometimes these things may come to him, by his karma, or thru his service on behalf of Krishna. But he/she never collects money or followers by making himself look advanced. He/she sees material opulences like money and prestige as "weeds" growing alongside the beautiful creeper of bhakti, and is careful not to cultivate them, as they are potentially harmful to the growth of the tender bhakti creeper.
When a devotee reaches a high level of bhakti thru practice and the grace of a pure devotee, he/she no longer prays for anything material. Even liberation from the material world and oneness with God is seen as something without any value. The only desire that remains for the advanced devotee is for service and devotion — love itself— because the devotee experiences a taste from bhakti higher and more sublime than anything else. Motivation from this point forward is only to please the Lord and his pure devotees, and thus increase the sadhaka’s taste for bhakti.
This prayer by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu teaches us to deepen our serving mood to the extreme, by removing any kind of business exchange between us and the Lord. All material considerations are to be dropped. All self promotion is to be stopped. Now the only business remaining is service, sweetness and love between the devotee and Krishna. This is the standard of bhakti taught by Lord Caitanya and all His bona-fide followers. This standard was practiced by all the acaryas in the line coming from Sri Caitanya, including our own divine master, om visnupada paramhamsa A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Anyone who claims to be a follower must act according to this example.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Secret Key to Perfection
Verse 3 of Sri Siksastakam
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
Here in the blog, i present one verse per day over the next eight days. Feel free to comment on these verses. They contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee.
trnad api sunicena
taror api sahisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniya sada harih
Translation:
When will i feel more humble than the grass?
When will i learn to be tolerant, just like a tree?
When will i not seek respect from others?
When will i offer respect to everyone?
When I can act like this, i shall constantly chant the names of Lord Hari!
Commentary:
Grass bends when you step on it, but then returns to its standing position. Real humility means to take shelter of sad-guru and never again become proud of our false self. A tree tolerates excess heat and cold, abuse and even its own destruction, without reacting or defending itself.
We wish to receive honor from others because it feeds the conceit of our false self’s importance. We judge others according to our exploitive mind, giving some respect, some indifference, and some hatred. If we see all living beings as spirit souls we can respect everyone as equal in quality.
When we acquire these qualities of humility, tolerance, detachment and respect for others, then we are free to chant the holy names of the Lord constantly.
This verse of Sri Siksastakam is said to be the "siddhi pranali mantra" -- the key to attaining a perfect spiritual body.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
Here in the blog, i present one verse per day over the next eight days. Feel free to comment on these verses. They contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee.
trnad api sunicena
taror api sahisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniya sada harih
Translation:
When will i feel more humble than the grass?
When will i learn to be tolerant, just like a tree?
When will i not seek respect from others?
When will i offer respect to everyone?
When I can act like this, i shall constantly chant the names of Lord Hari!
Commentary:
Grass bends when you step on it, but then returns to its standing position. Real humility means to take shelter of sad-guru and never again become proud of our false self. A tree tolerates excess heat and cold, abuse and even its own destruction, without reacting or defending itself.
We wish to receive honor from others because it feeds the conceit of our false self’s importance. We judge others according to our exploitive mind, giving some respect, some indifference, and some hatred. If we see all living beings as spirit souls we can respect everyone as equal in quality.
When we acquire these qualities of humility, tolerance, detachment and respect for others, then we are free to chant the holy names of the Lord constantly.
This verse of Sri Siksastakam is said to be the "siddhi pranali mantra" -- the key to attaining a perfect spiritual body.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Lamentation of a Devotee
Verse 2 of Sri Siksastakam
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
Here in the blog, i present one verse per day over the next eight days. Feel free to comment on these verses. They contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee.
namnam akari bahudha nija sarva saktis
tatrapita niyamitah smarane na kalah
etadrisi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah
Translation & Commentary:
Your holy names appear in a variety of forms and languages.
And you invest all your personal powers in them.
(Your names have infinite power to purify and attract the soul, because They are non-different from you, the all-attractive Supreme Soul.)
And my Lord, you make no restrictions of time or place
for remembering your divine names.
(There is no need for a priest or moderator, for qualification,
or for being a member of any caste or creed.)
Your mercy is unequalled, Bhagavan.
But my condition is most unfortunate!
Despite your generosity, I have not become attached to any of your names!!
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar of Lord Sri Krishna, appeared on this earth just 520 years ago, and displayed his pastimes as a devotee, one madly searching after Himself.
He instructed his disciples and followers to write hundreds of volumes of books on philosophy. But He Himself left only Eight Beautiful
Verses of Instruction.
Here in the blog, i present one verse per day over the next eight days. Feel free to comment on these verses. They contain the complete theory and practice of pure love for God, from the lips of Sri Krishna Caitanya, God in the role of His own devotee.
namnam akari bahudha nija sarva saktis
tatrapita niyamitah smarane na kalah
etadrisi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah
Translation & Commentary:
Your holy names appear in a variety of forms and languages.
And you invest all your personal powers in them.
(Your names have infinite power to purify and attract the soul, because They are non-different from you, the all-attractive Supreme Soul.)
And my Lord, you make no restrictions of time or place
for remembering your divine names.
(There is no need for a priest or moderator, for qualification,
or for being a member of any caste or creed.)
Your mercy is unequalled, Bhagavan.
But my condition is most unfortunate!
Despite your generosity, I have not become attached to any of your names!!
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