Gaura Vani 5/2013 - Sri Sri Radha Govinda Gaudiya Math

5/2013
Sri Sri R adha Govinda Gaudiya Math
All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!
Sri Guru Mahima
Glories of the Spiritual Master
śrī-guru karuņā-sindhu, adhama janāra bandhu,
lokanāth lokera jīvana
hā hā prabhu koro doyā, deho more pada-chāyā,
ebe jaśa ghuşuk tribhuvana (4)
O Gurudeva, you are the ocean of mercy, friend of
the fallen souls, teacher and life of everyone. O master,
be gracious unto me and give me shade of your feet.
I have surrendered at your feet. May your glories now
spread throughout the three worlds.
(Sri Prema Bhakti-candrika - Srila Narottam Das Thakur)
Editorial
Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur
To surrender to the Supreme Lord
in happiness and distress is the only path
of auspiciousness. Krsna will certainly protect
us. If we give up this security and try to protect
ourselves, we are doomed. Our fortune lies
in fully depending on Krsna. Otherwise, we
will have to suffer misery birth after birth. The affectionate
Lord takes all responsibility for His surrendered devotees.
One who has firm faith that “Krsna will certainly
protect me” will surely attain perfection. To be qualified for
such protection, we must take complete shelter at the lotus
feet of those who are already fully dependent on the Lord and
who constantly discuss krsna-katha. These souls deliver other
souls. Simply by taking shelter of them, we will be delivered.
Only the surrendered souls are saved, not those who maintain
their independence, because full surrender attracts Krsna’s full
mercy.
There is no way to attain freedom or peace other than
to take shelter at the Supreme Lord’s lotus feet. Surrender,
under the Guru’s guidance, is the proper use of our
independence. Surrender is complete independence or real
independence because it leaves us free to act according to our
eternal constitutional position.
•1•
What Gaudiya Math is Doing
T
here are many hypocrite sects who counterfeit bhakti
(devotion) by assuming the paraphernalia of the false
devotee but are not aware that bhakti is an impulse
of the soul. Of these, some for the purpose of filling their
bellies, some for fame, some again by simulating for some
other purpose, practise deception on men.
The Gaudiya Math
says, that in the name
of dharma it is not proper
to practise trade. Not
using Hari to serve our
own pleasures, our duty is
only to serve Sri Hari.
The Gaudiya Math says
that imitating the devotee
of Hari or putting on the
dress of Narada as in a theatrical performance is far from
walking after the devotee of Hari or following Narada.
The delightful tune, time, cadence alone do not constitute
the hari-kirtan of the Gaudiya Math; those are found even
in the performances of the gramophone or harlots. Cetanata,
‘consciousness’ is necessary, the fiery life is necessary,
simultaneous practice and preaching is necessary. The Gaudiya
Math says that he who does not possess a pure character is
not fit even to be styled ‘man’ not to speak of being regarded
•2•
as religious (dharmik). The Gaudiya Math keeps at a distance
from the five kali-sthanas (abodes of quarrel). The kali-sthanas
according to the opinion of the Bhagavata are the following:
1) dissipating games such as cards, dice etc.; trade or the
profession of a trader in the name of dharma; 2) indulgence
in luxuries such as betel, tobacco, wines, etc.; 3) improper
association with women or unusual addiction to one’s own
wife; 4) animal slaughter; not to proclaim the truth to people
but to deceive them by lies; not to preach hari-katha ‘the word
of God’ to jiva; in lieu of hari-katha to give other kinds
of advice; 5) by cheating people or by accepting money that
is earned by their labour from the people in general, to apply
such wealth to the maintenance of wife and children, or
increasing the scope of one’s own enjoyments; not to employ
everything—the body, mind and speech of the jiva, life, wealth
and intellect—in the service of Sri Visnu Who is the proprietor
of all things and the Lord of all wealth.
The sastra says, of all things the human body is the
dearest to God; the human body is the giver of the paramartha
(highest good) and is very difficult to obtain; and therefore,
while this body lasts, without being immersed in any other
thing, not being deceived by supposing that any other method
except sorrow-stupor-fear-killing bhakti is productive of good,
it is our duty unceasingly to practise devotion. Other forms
of devotion to God are weak, the devotion denoted by kirtana
is strong. Once the protection of the strong bhakti is secured,
it gives to jivas the highest good with little effort on their part.
•3•
Therefore, by preaching kirtana at all times to
induce, by right of the highest kinship, the whole of the jiva
to turn Homeward is true universal love, true help of others,
true kindness and the true duty of life. The Gaudiya Math
“The delightful tune, time, cadence alone do not constitute
the hari-kirtan of the Gaudiya Math; those are found
even in the performances of the gramophone or harlots.
Cetanata, ‘consciousness’ is necessary,
the fiery life is necessary,
simultaneous practice and preaching is necessary.”
•4•
embracing all the inhabitants of the universe without exception,
in sadness calling upon all to turn their face towards God to be
preachers of this bhakti denoted by kirtana, say:
he sādhavaģ sakalam eva vihāyā dūrāt
caitanya-candra-caraņe kurutānurāgam
Ye, the righteous, bidding good-bye to everything
from a distance, offer the devotion of your hearts to the feet
of Caitanyacandra.
(Caitanya-candramrtam 90)
Saranagati - Surrender
Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur
Dainyatmika - Humility
(Fourth Prayer)
with
Sri Laghu-candrika-bhasya
Gentle Moonlight Commentary
Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Gosvami Maharaj
āmāra jīvana, sadā pāpe rata,
nāhika puņyera leśa
parere udvega, diyāchhi ye kata,
diyāchhi jīvere kleśa [1]
My life is always engrossed in sin; there is not a trace of piety
within it. I have caused others so much anxiety and trouble.
•5•
nija sukha lāgi’, pāpe nāhi ďari,
dayā-hīna svārtha-para
para-sukhe duģkhī, sadā mithyā-bhāşī,
para-duģkha sukha-kara [2]
I am never afraid to engage in sinful activities
for the sake of my own happiness. I am merciless
and selfish. I am distressed by the happiness of others,
I am a perpetual liar, and the distress of others pleases me.
aśeşa kāmanā, hŗdi mājhe mora,
krodhī, dambha-parāyaņa
mada-matta sadā, vişaye mohita,
hińsā-garva vibhūşaņa [3]
There are unlimited sinful desires within the core
of my heart. I am angry and arrogant, always maddened
with vanity, infatuated with mundanity, and ornamented
with malice and pride.
nidrālasya-hata, sukārye virata,
akārye udyogī āmi
pratişţhā lāgiyā, śāţhya-ācharaņa,
lobha-hata sadā kāmī [4]
I am subdued by laziness and sleep, averse to performing
good deeds, and eager to perform sinful deeds. I engage
in deceitful behaviour in pursuit of prestige. I am ruined
by greed and constantly covetous.
e hena durjana, sajjana-varjita,
aparādhī nirantara
śubha-kārya-śūnya, sadānartha-manā,
•6•
nānā duģkhe jara jara [5]
Such a sinner as I is shunned by devotees, and is a constant
offender. I am devoid of virtuous motives, always intent
upon evil, and racked by various miseries.
vārddhakye ekhana, upāya-vihīna,
tā’te dīna akiñchana
bhakati-vinoda, prabhura charaņe,
kare duģkha nivedana [6]
Now aged, I am devoid of any means of deliverance,
and thus destitute and distressed. Bhakti Vinod submits
this remorseful confession at the feet of the Lord.
Commentary by Srila BR Sridhar Maharaj
(1) sadā pāpe rata: “Always engrossed in sin.” As Śaňkar
Āchārya expresses in his Mohā-mudgara-stotram:
pāpo’hań pāpa-karmāhań pāpātmā pāpa-sambhavaģ
“I am sinful, my actions are sinful, my soul is sinful,
and my birth is sinful.”
(3) dambha-parāyaņa: “Arrogant.” This refers to
a dharma-dhvajī, a hypocrite who makes a show of being
religious for mundane purposes (lit. one who waves the flag
of dharma but does not practise it).
(5) sadānartha-manā: “Always intent upon evil.”
This means incessantly malevolent.
•7•
In Praise of Saranagati
Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj
W
e have heard from Srila Guru
Maharaj (Srila Bhakti Raksak
Sridhar Dev-Gosvami Maharaj)
many times that Prabhupad Srila Sarasvati
Thakur would tell his disciples that some
of the songs are very important to realise. He would say
especially that the song Āmāra jīvana sadā pāpe rata is very
important for practitioners to realise. Srila Guru Maharaj
told us that he would say that we must realise the position
of our own self. What are we doing? What are we eating?
How are our activities going on? We must have some
realisation about these things.
I am thinking it is no doubt difficult for everyone to go
on living every day without worldly forms of enjoyment. I am
always thinking so much about the situation of the conditioned
souls in this mundane world. It is unpalatable and very hard,
no doubt. But Srila Sarasvati Thakur’s advice is that we must
clean our mind every day by singing the songs of Saranagati,
and especially this song, Āmāra jīvana sadā pāpe rata. Just as we
clean our home when we awaken in the morning by sweeping
with a broom, so we should clean our mind by sweeping it
with this song. By sweeping our mind with this song, the dirt
within it is removed, it becomes cleaned, and our activities are
•8•
redirected in the proper way. Srila Guru Maharaj told us this
many times: it is necessary to sweep clean our minds every day
through sankirtan.
It is very good that the devotees are patiently trying to
follow this. I am getting inspiration by seeing their activities.
Maya, the illusory environment of Lord Krsna, is always living
beside us and trying to attract us. But by the grace of the mood
of surrender and devotion to Lord Krsna, under the direction of
Guru-Vaisnava, we must cross over the illusory environment.
Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur, Srila Prabhupad
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, and Srila Guru Maharaj
have tried to give the conditioned souls inspiration to surrender.
This is the primary purpose of their teachings. I have seen that
it is not necessary to know so many things. If you know how
to swim then you can cross a river. You do not need to know
where the river is coming from, where it is going, what is inside
the river, or which way the river is flowing. You do not need
to check the speed at which the river is flowing or analyse the
river with a barometer, temperature gauge, or anything else.
You only need to know how to swim and in which direction
you need to swim. That is sufficient for swimming across
a river. The knowledge presented in Saranagati by Bhaktivinod
Thakur is like that. It is clear, simple knowledge which by itself
is sufficient for us to cross over this illusory environment and
reach the divine abode of the Lord.
Saranagati is a small book, but all wealth is present
within it in a glorious way. Through the songs of Srila
•9•
Bhaktivinod Thakur we get the gist of all the scriptures.
If all the scriptures disappeared from this mundane world
but Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur’s songs remained, we would still
have everything. We can get everything through his songs.
Amrta Vani
Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur
How can we understand the Absolute Truth?
T
he Absolute Truth is the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. He is the cause of all causes. The Absolute
Truth is self-manifest. He is not dead matter. He is
fully cognizant. He manifests before us out of His own sweet
will. It is impossible to know Him by mundane experience or
the ascending path. The Absolute is not an object belonging
to the third dimension. We can measure objects belonging
to the third dimension. Anything that can be measured with
our material senses belongs to the world of Maya.
As we have to open our eyes if we wish to see the sun,
we have to wait until our internal spiritual consciousness is
revived before we can realize the Absolute. As we cannot see
the sun at night even if we illuminate the sky with thousands
of electric lights - and as there is no need of artificial lighting
once the sun rises in the morning - so the Absolute Truth
cannot be illuminated by sensually acquired knowledge.
• 10 •
“As long as we are materially conditioned,
we cannot understand the Absolute Truth’s identity.
We must hear about Him from our spiritual master.
Thus there is no way to know the Absolute Truth
except to surrender at our spiritual master’s lotus feet.”
Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur
• 11 •
As long as we are materially conditioned, we cannot understand
the Absolute Truth’s identity. We must hear about Him from
our spiritual master. Thus there is no way to know the Absolute
Truth except to surrender at our spiritual master’s lotus feet.
The Standard
for Nama Sankirtana
Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Gosvami Maharaj
A
connection with divinity must always be there.
Bhaktivinod Thakur has said that the leader of the
congregational sankirtan party must be a suddhabhakta (pure devotee) – the kirtan party must be guided
by such a person. Otherwise it will be dancing and jumping
on the mundane plane. A divine connection must be there.
If the congregational chanting is not under the guidance
of a man of a higher plane, then it should be discarded. We
should not mix with that. Bhaktivinod Thakur has written –
suddha-bhakta anugati, kirtana haile sekhana yaya.
If it is under the guidance of a suddha-bhakta, then
we may attend that function, otherwise not. There will be
nama-aparadha – offences committed against the Holy Name.
We should not participate there. It will be namakara (imitation
of the Name) – only the sound of the Name will be there,
but the inner realization is missing and that is the main thing.
• 12 •
What sort of vibration is being created? That is all-important.
We do not care for the sweet tone nor the expertise in the
pronunciation. We must try to improve the quality. So there
must be a connection with the divine, a connection with
“We do not care for the sweet tone nor the expertise
in the pronunciation. We must try to improve the quality.
So there must be a connection with the divine,
a connection with a descending agent.
One who has the eye can perceive that connection.”
Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Gosvami Maharaj
• 13 •
a descending agent. One who has the eye can perceive that
connection. Oń ajñāna timirāndhaysa jñānāñjana śalākayā.
Our own realization will be the guarantee, our own knowledge.
That perception is given by Gurudev. He removes the cataract
of ignorance and gives divya-darsan – the divine eye. Divyacaksu diksa – diksa means that he imparts transcendental
knowledge. As much as one has that knowledge they will
impart it to the disciple. Guru will teach the disciple how
to exclusively connect with Krsna – exclusive identification
with the interest of Krsna. And Krsna is not seen, therefore
the connection is through Guru, or Vaisnava. In this way,
we must develop self-abnegation to the extreme and according
to our degree of surrender, we will be benefited.
Pure Devotion
(Fourth Part)
Om Visnupad Sri Srimad
Bhakti Vaibhav Puri Gosvami Maharaj
C
omplete surrender. Ātma-nikşepa means
surrender. Just like Bali Cakravarti
surrendered, we must surrender.
Complete surrender means, “Nothing goes
into my account. Everything is in the account
of Lord Krsna.“ “Am I sincerely following the teachings?”
I must ask myself. Nobody knows my heart except Lord
• 14 •
Krsna. I must always remember Him, and accept Him as my
protector. Nothing else will protect me except His mercy.
What is that karpanyam? Karpanya means that you
must not think, “I have surrendered everything.” You have
surrendered everything, except for your ego. This ego, this
ahankāram, you must also surrender. You say, “I have offered
my belongings to Lord Krsna. I have given everything - my
wealth, my wife and children, my house and my possessions,
my body.” However, you have not given that ahankāram
because you are always using “I and my”. Have you really
given Him everything? As long as ahankāram is there, it will
bind you. In this way, Bali Cakravarti, was tied with a rope
of false ego. That ahankāram was destroyed only when Bali
Cakravarti surrendered. He said, “I have given all. Let me give
my ahankāram immediately. Please accept this body.” So the
third footstep was placed on his head.
Now we also must surrender like Bali Maharaj. When
surrender is complete, then we will be happy. Language,
lectures, and outward qualifications are not necessary. The only
thing necessary is surrender.
sthāne sthitāģ śruti-gatāń tanu-vāń-manobhir
ye prāyaśo 'jita jito 'py asi tais tri-lokyām
(Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.3)
Wherever we may be, in whatever position we may be
in, with whatever faith we may have, and whatever condition
we may be in - we must surrender from there. If we surrender,
• 15 •
then He will come and accept us. Always remember Him. How
to remember?
ananyāś cintayanto māń
ye janāģ paryupāsate
teşāń nityābhiyuktānāń
yoga-kşemań vahāmy aham
Those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion,
meditating on My transcendental form - to them I carry what
they lack, and I preserve what they have.
(Bhagavad-gita 9.22)
You must understand Gita with your heart. If you
submit at the feet of Gita, that transcendental sound will be
revealed to you. Then you can realize the teachings of Gita.
So surrender is the only means. First we have to surrender. Give
up this ego, “I and mine”. These two should go. Unless they
are gone, we cannot enter into the spiritual world and we will
have to stay in this material world. With this ego we can go up
to Satyaloka, or even Brahmaloka, but we cannot go further.
We will remain in this universe.
ā-brahma-bhuvanāl lokāģ, punar āvartino 'rjuna
(Bhagavad-gita 8.16)
Even if we go to Brahmaloka, we still have to come back
again. We need to go to such a lokam, from where we will not
return. That is, yad gatvā na nivartante, tad dhāma paramam
mama. Those who reach it never return to this material world
• 16 •
“Give up this ego, ‘I and mine.’ These two should go.
Unless they are gone, we cannot enter into the spiritual
world and we will have to stay in this material world.”
Om Visnupad Sri Srimad Bhakti Vaibhav Puri Gosvami Maharaj
• 17 •
(Bhagavad-gita 15.6). That parama-dhāma, the supermost
dhāma, is the place from where we don’t need to return to this
world. We must always consider, and do, what’s required so
that we must not come back again. Whatever we give up in
this world, we again intensely desire. We are running after it.
No!! You must give it up. You have given it up externally, but
now you must give it up internally. You should not worship the
Lord only to get material benefit. Search for spiritual benefit
and that can be attained through the teachings of Caitanya
Mahaprabhu. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said:
tŗņād api su-nīcena taror api sahişņunā
amāninā māna-dena kīrtanīyaģ sadā hariģ
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 respects to others. In such a state of mind one
can chant the Holy Name of the Lord constantly.
(Sri Siksastaka 3)
You must give respect to all, because Krsna dwells
everywhere.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------jñāne prayāsam udapāsya namanta eva
jīvanti san-mukharitāń bhavadīya-vārtām
sthāne sthitāģ śruti-gatāń tanu-vāń-manobhir
ye prāyaśo 'jita jito 'py asi tais tri-lokyām
Those who, even while remaining situated in their
• 18 •
established social positions, throw away the process
of speculative knowledge and with their body, words and
mind offer all respects to descriptions of Your personality and
activities, dedicating their lives to these narrations, which
are vibrated by You personally and by Your pure devotees,
certainly conquer Your Lordship, although You are otherwise
unconquerable by anyone within the three worlds.
(Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.3)
ānukūlyasya sańkalpaģ
prātikūlyasya varjanam
rakşişyatīti viśvāso
goptŗtve varaņań tathā
ātma-nikşepa-kārpaņye
şaď-vidhā śaraņāgatiģ
The six divisions of surrender are the acceptance
of those things favorable to devotional service, the rejection
of unfavorable things, the conviction that Krsna will give
protection, the acceptance of the Lord as one’s guardian or
master, full self-surrender, and humility.
(Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya 22.100)
ā-brahma-bhuvanāl lokāģ
punar āvartino 'rjuna
mām upetya tu kaunteya
punar janma na vidyate
From the highest planet in the material world down
• 19 •
to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth
and death take place. But one who attains to My abode,
O son of Kunti, never takes birth again.
(Bhagavad-gita 8.16)
na tad bhāsayate sūryo
na śaśāńko na pāvakaģ
yad gatvā na nivartante
tad dhāma paramań mama
That supreme abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun
or moon, nor by fire or electricity. Those who reach it never
return to this material world.
(Bhagavad-gita 15.6)
Sri Caitanya Bhagavata
Adi-khanda 2nd Chapter (17-22)
by Vyasa Avatar Srila Vrndavan Das Thakur
Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious
practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise
of irreligion-at that time I descend Myself.
Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur: The only
injunction governing My appearance is that I am independent,
so I appear whenever I desire. Whenever there is a decline
in religious principles and a predominant rise of irreligion,
• 20 •
at that time I descend by My own sweet will. The regulations
that govern the entire universe are beginningless. But when
in due course of time these regulations become defective
by some undetermined cause, irreligiousity becomes prominent.
No one is able to counteract this situation other than Me.
Therefore I appear in this material world along with My internal
potencies in order to destroy irreligious principles. It is not that
I appear only in the land of Bharata-varsa, but according to the
need I also appear amongst the demigods and lower species.
So do not think that I do not appear amongst the mlecchas
and other low-born human beings. I also appear among them
as a saktiavesa-avatara, or empowered incarnation, to protect
them and whatever little religious principles those impure
persons follow. Yet I am more anxious to appear amongst
My dependents in India, because varnasrama-dharma is
followed there without obstruction. Therefore all the pleasing
yuga-avataras and avesa-avataras are found only in the land
of Bharata-varsa. Activities performed without fruitive desire
(niskama-karma-yoga), philosophical speculation (jnanayoga), and the ultimate process of devotional service (bhaktiyoga) are not properly practiced where there is no practice
of varnasrama-dharma. But know for certain that the traces
of devotion found amongst the low-born humans are due
to the mercy of the devotees.
To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants,
as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself
• 21 •
appear, millenium after millenium. Whenever there is a decline
in religious principles and irreligion becomes more prominent
day by day, at that time the demigods headed by Brahma pray
at the feet of the Lord to protect the sadhus (saints) and destroy
the miscreants.
Commentary by Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati:
When the living entities who are averse to the Lord remain
in the midst of temporary sense enjoyment, their material
conceptions gradually increase. From Satya to Treta to
Dvapara-yuga, religious principles gradually diminish and
the propensity for material enjoyment gradually increases.
At the same time, due to a lack of religious activities,
irreligious activities become more prominent. The ascending
process is a form of irreligion, because in this process there
is no service attitude towards Sri Adhoksaja. The pure devotees
of the Lord who are engaged in the service of Adhoksaja are
always disturbed by the conditioned living entitie’s irreligious
endeavors. The mental speculators consider themselves rich
and powerful by five opulences: (1) gambling, (2) drinking,
(3) illicit sex, (4) animal slaughter, and (5) gold. They thus
attempt to attack the Absolute Truth, who descends for the
eternal benefit of the living entities. In order to check such
endeavors of the mental speculators and make them slip from
their path, the unlimitedly powerful destroyer of nescience and
bewilderer of the demons, the Supreme Absolute Truth, Lord
Visnu, incarnates. In this way Lord Brahma offers prayers at the
lotus feet of the Lord in every millenium.
• 22 •
The Lord then appears in this material world with
His associates and paraphernalia in order to reestablish the
principles of religion. The religious principle for the age
of Kali is the congregational chanting of the Holy Names
of the Lord. Sri Sacinandana incarnates to establish this
principle.
Commentary by Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati:
The living entities are delivered by the process of meditation
in Satya-yuga, fire sacrifice in Treta-yuga, worship of the Lord
in Dvapara-yuga, and congregational chanting of Lord Hari’s
Names in Kali-yuga. Lord Sri Sacinandana appeared in this
world to propagate this congregational chanting.
• 23 •
Srimad Bhagavatam
Sarartha-Darsini-tika
Commentary by
Srila Visvanath Cakravarti Thakur
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.48
gŗhītvāpīndriyair arthān
yo na dveşţi na hŗşyati
vişņor māyām idań paśyan
sa vai bhāgavatottamaģ
Even while engaging his senses in contact with
their objects, one who sees this whole world as the energy
of Lord Visnu and is neither repelled nor elated is the
greatest among devotees.
Srila Visvanath Cakravarti Thakur: Other qualities of the
uttama devotees are now mentioned in eight verses according
to differing dispositions of those devotees.
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.49
dehendriya-prāņa-mano-dhiyāń yo
janmāpyaya-kşud-bhaya-tarşa-kŗcchraiģ
sańsāra-dharmair avimuhyamānaģ
• 24 •
smŗtyā harer bhāgavata-pradhānaģ
A person who, by remembering the Lord, is not
bewildered by the qualities of samsara, such as birth and
death of the body, hunger of the pranas, fear in the mind,
longing in the intelligence and fatigue in the senses, is the
best among the devotees.
Srila Visvanath Cakravarti Thakur: One who is not
bewildered by the qualities of samsara such as birth in different
bodies is the best of devotees. He is not bewildered by birth and
death concerning the body, by hunger and thirst concerning
the pranas (life airs), by fear in the mind, by longing in the
intelligence and by fatigue (krcchram) of the senses.
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.50
na kāma-karma-bījānāń
yasya cetasi sambhavaģ
vāsudevaika-nilayaģ
sa vai bhāgavatottamaģ
The person completely surrendered to the Lord,
in whose mind no impressions, desires or actions arise,
is considered to be the best of devotees.
Srila Visvanath Cakravarti Thakur: Impressions do not arise
in his mind. Furthermore desires for women etc, and actions
• 25 •
by the senses do not arise. These three do not occur in his mind.
The three verses starting from verse 48 answer the question
about the conduct of the devotee. He is free from hatred, joy,
illusion and lust in his actions. The rest of the chapter mentions
more qualities of the devotees.
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.51
na yasya janma-karmabhyāń
na varņāśrama-jātibhiģ
sajjate 'sminn ahań-bhāvo
dehe vai sa hareģ priyaģ
He whose body does not give rise to false identity with
good family, pious actions, or caste considerations is dear
to the Lord.
Srila Visvanath Cakravarti Thakur: Janma refers to being
born in a good family. Karma means activities like japa and
meditation. Jatibhih means “by castes such as ambastha
(mixture of brahmana man and vaisya woman.)” He in whose
body there is no ahankara (false ego) is dear to the Lord.
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.52
na yasya svaģ para iti vitteşv ātmani vā bhidā
sarva-bhūta-samaģ śāntaģ sa vai bhāgavatottamaģ
• 26 •
He who does not think that wealth is his, who does
not think in terms of self and other, who is equal to all beings
and peaceful, is the best devotee.
Srila Visvanath Cakravarti Thakur: Svah means one’s own
group and para means an enemy. He does not consider wealth
to be his. He does not show affection for his body and hatred
for other bodies.
Guru Tattva (Second Part)
Srila Bhakti Sadhak Muni Maharaj
cakșu-dāna dilā jei, janme janme prabhu sei,
divya-jnāna hŗde prakāśita
“He is my master birth after birth, as he has given me the
gift of transcendental vision.” *
What does “Guru” mean? Who is Guru? It is said that
there is actually only one Guru. Who is the original Guru?
Do you know? Sri Krsna, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Whoever
calls himself Guru must be a tool of Krsna, he must speak for
Krsna. He is not different from Krsna.
sākşād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair
uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiģ
(Gurvastakam - Srila Visvanath Cakravarti Thakur)
The Guru is not different from Krsna. Why is he not
different? Can he create the whole universe? No. He is not
• 27 •
different because he is moving according to Krsna’s desire. How
can one move according to Krsna’s desire? This is possible only
when one becomes a tool of Krsna, or a member of Krsna’s
family. The necessary qualification for this is surrender.
If Krsna wants something from me, I cannot say, “Sorry,
I have a very important email to write. I have no time now.
I must do this, or that.” I also cannot say, “No, this gives me too
much trouble.” No! One becomes qualified when one becomes
pure in heart. And “pure in heart” means, when one doesn’t
desire anything from this world anymore. All desire for the
things of this world become secondary- not really important.
What you desire in the first place should be Krsna’s
satisfaction. This is the qualification. If Krsna calls, or wants
something from me, then I cannot say, “But I have some very
important thing to do. You wait until later. You are in the
second or third place.”
Someone who wants to become a transparent medium
must have this qualification. He must give up pleasure seeking
and interest in this material world. It doesn’t matter if one is
brahmacari, sannyasi, grhastha or vanaprastha. These are external
designations. What matters is how much importance is given to
Krsna. When Krsna has first place I must think, “Is He satisfied
when I do this?” This is qualification. Someone who has given
up material desire and enjoyment becomes qualified.
“Let him be my master birth after birth, as he has given
me the gift of transcendental knowledge. By his mercy, divine
knowledge is revealed in the heart; installing prema-bhakti and
• 28 •
destroying ignorance.” *
By knowledge, divya-jnana, our ignorance will be
destroyed- depending on how much we let this knowledge in,
and how seriously we take the instructions. This is the point.
Nowadays we see that some Vaisnava missions have
many disciples. Most of them, however, have so many obstacles
that they cannot allow this knowledge, divya-jnana, to enter
into their hearts. They are afraid to lose all of their external
possessions and pleasure- what they think is pleasure. If you
want to get prema-bhakti you have to allow this knowledge
to enter. Then ignorance, which is coming to us through
the influence of the three gunas in this material world,
is destroyed.
Vede gay jahara carito. “The Vedic scriptures sing about
Guru’s character.” *
There is only one Guru, and the original Guru is Krsna.
So one who speaks, should speak only what he has heard, and
realized, from his spiritual master. He should speak what he
understood. As well as what he has heard from the sastras:
Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Sri Caitanya Caritamrta,
and all the sastras in the line of Rupa Gosvami. He should have
understood these properly, by the teachings of Gurudev.
Otherwise it is dangerous if we independently read
the sastras. Without the guidance of an advanced devotee we
will only speculate. We will just hear and see what we want
to hear and see. This is a common problem nowadays. Many
have lost physical association of their spiritual master and
• 29 •
“One becomes qualified (to be Guru) when one becomes
pure in heart. And ‘pure in heart’ means, when one doesn’t
desire anything from this world anymore.”
Srila Bhakti Sadhak Muni Maharaj
• 30 •
then do not accept guide anymore. They like to say, “He has
given everything in his books.” He has given everything, true.
The Caitanya Caritamrta and Srimad Bhagavatam are there.
However, they cannot understand it, this is the problem. You
have no one from the realized platform to teach the Bhagavadgita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Sri Caitanya Caritamrta. And
because of this, many offenses, aparadhas, appear. In this way,
the spiritual progress of many is stunted, stuck. They cannot
go further. Many of them fall back. We always have to follow
a qualified spiritual guide.
If you know that there is only one Guru, Krsna, you
won’t differentiate between one Guru and another. Of course
there is a difference, because everyone has a different character,
a different mood. But the truth that they present must be the
same. It must come purely, uncontaminated. We may accept or
not accept the truth, but the truth must not be changed. Guru
Maharaj also said that many times.
We have to tell the truth. Why should I flatter anyone?
Nowadays many Gurus come just to flatter people. They
are nice, they smile, talk about love. They give this feeling
of being a father. But actually they just flatter and cheat.
I have seen many of this type. The problem is that they want
the disciple to feel happy and enjoy life. But actually Guru
Maharaj wants that you attain a real happiness, that you
become eternally happy.
* (Sri Prema Bhakti-candrika – Srila Narottam Das Thakur)
• 31 •
Wherever we may be,
in whatever position we may be in,
with whatever faith we may have,
and whatever condition we may be in
we must surrender from there.
If we surrender,
then He will come and accept us.
Always remember Him.
Om Visnupad Sri Srimad Bhakti Vaibhav Puri Gosvami Maharaj
• 32 •
Permanent Temple Program
Sunday Festival
17.00 Bhajan • 18.00 Lecture • 19.00 Sandhya Arati
•19.15 Tulasi Parikrama • 19.30 Prasadam
• 20.25 Sayan Arati
Morning Program (daily)
4.30 Mangala Arati • 4.45 Tulasi Parikrama
• 5.00 Bhajan follows Japa • 7.45 Sringara Arati, follows
Bhajan • 8.25 Bhagavad-gita-patha, follows lecture from Sri
Caitanya Caritamrta • 9.15 Guru-Puja, follows Bhoga Arati
• 9.30 Prasadam
Evening Program (daily except Sunday)
19.00 Sandhya Arati • 19.15 Tulasi Parikrama, follows Bhajan
• 19.55 Lecture • 20.30 Sayan Arati, follows Prasadam
Bhajan – spiritual songs • Arati – temple ceremony
• Prasadam – spiritual vegetarian food
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Acarya Nitya-lila-pravista Om Visnupad 108 Sri Srimad
Bhakti Vaibhav Puri Gosvami Maharaj
Sri Sri R adha Govinda Gaudiya Math
Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mission
Wienerbergstrasse 29A/Top3 • 1120 Vienna
Tel. +43 18 120 574 • www.radha-govinda.org