Jan 20, 2016 — MULBERRY, TENNESSEE, USA (SUN) — Now this word has entered the scene… and is very dangerously bantered about.
There must be proper understanding of this easily misused, and potentially dangerously slanderous term/word. If one is not properly educated as to its proper definition and understanding, then one should not use the word. Don't be a half educated fool.
As Bhaktivinode Prabhupada has said, a devotee should read a work completely… not just gather a little here and a little there… otherwise one will become uselessly opinionated… and argue for arguing sake….
Basically, sahajya means to express artificial devotion… that is devotional symptoms that are not in line with one's personal habits or private behavior, which can be quite abominable and in complete contrast to true devotion. That is, one cannot fake true devotion or emotions… if someone is pretending, undoubtedly they will be exposed. If someone has true devotion, then he or she will be in perfect line with guru, sadhu and shastra. True devotion should be most earnestly aspired for.
Taking Radha and Krsna's dealings cheaply would be the cover definition… and there are many examples of these cheap imitations given by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada and Bhaktivinode Prabhupada. They were faced with the daunting task of exposing them and giving the true path. They had to deal with many of these deviations. Here are some quotes by Srila Prabhupada and the acaryas:
Not only Visvanath Cakravarti Thakur, but also Srila Rupa Gosvami treated them very critically. ---
1. SOMETIMES all the eight symptoms of ecstasy are imitated by the mundane devotees, (prakrta-sahajiyas), but the pseudo symptoms are at once detected when one sees the pseudo devotee addicted to so many forbidden things. Even though decorated with the signs of a devotee, a person addicted to smoking, drinking, or illegitimate sex with women cannot have all the above-mentioned ecstatic symptoms. But it is seen that sometimes these symptoms are willfully imitated, and for this reason Srila Visvanath Cadravarti accuses the imitators of being stonehearted men. They are sometimes even affected by the reflection of such transcendental symptoms, yet if they still do not give up the forbidden habits, then they are hopeless cases for transcendental realization.
2. Letter to Bhurijana, april 29, 1974:
Those who think they have already attained such perfection and give up the regulative principles are called sahajiya, or those who take things cheaply and simply imitate. This early rising, holding classes, going out regularly for sankitana, worshiping the deity are the very substance of devotional life.
3. Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 8.204-205:
Some material sahajiyas who cannot actually understand the pastimes of Radha and Krsna manufacture their own lifestyles without referring to authority. Such sahajiyas are called sakhi-bheki, and sometimes they are called gaura-nagari. They believe that the material body, which is fit to be eaten by jackals and dogs is enjoyable for Krsna, consequently hey artificially decorate the material body to attract Krsna, thinking themselves sakhis. But Krsna is never attracted by artificial grooming of the material body. As far as Srimate Radharani and her gopis are concerned, their bodies, dresses, ornaments, endeavors and activities are all spiritual.
4. Nectar of Instruction 5:
This is the way to cultivate devotional service properly, therefore in this verse Srila Rupa Gosvami has advised us how to treat various devotees. We can see from practical experience that there are different types of Vaisnavas. The prakrta-sahajiyas generally chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, yet they are attached to women, money, and intoxication. Although such persons may chant the holy name of the Lord, they are not yet properly purified. Such people should be respected within one's mind, but their association should be avoided.
5. Srila Narottama dasa Thakur says: rupa-raghunatha-pade haibe akuti kabe hama bujhaba se' yugala piriti. The sahajiya's understanding of the love affairs between Radha and Krsna is not bonafide because thay do not follow the principles laid down by the six Gosvamis. Their illicit connection and their imitation of the dress of Rupa Gosvami as well as their avoidance of the prescribed methods of revealed scriptures will lead them to the lowest region of hell. These imitative sahajiya are cheated and unfortunate. They are not equal to the same level.
Back to essay:
Even today this actual sahajiya tendency is easily found… for instance, take the Sunday feast for instance…well… I've been to a few alrighty… and the place is full of potential sahajias... full of sweating and red faces… after an hour or so the Holy Name is taking effect…. The feasters are starting to get ecstatic… more sweat… the tempo rising and falling… the volume hard to measure… then the end..the pranams…. more sweat …dripping onto the floor… Wow prabhu, that was a great kirtan… yea great… ecstatic… and rightly so…the Holy Names can give mountains of bliss… and then the bliss subsides… now a memory…after feast…Hey I'm heading off to bhakta_________ so and so's… he's got some great weed..and then heading over to my girlfriends place to chill… ummmmm pretty cheap I'd say….….
Somehow, by taking a very deep and serious process and cheapening it, or watering it down, to exploit the natural faith of sincere devotional aspirants, to gain financially or in some other way exploit their sentiments would be one type of sahajiya behavior.
This was directly observed by me not long ago, where the fundraising was brought to such a cheap and deplorable level, exclusively for monetary gain. Not necessary to say who, where or when… but the bargain price for entering Krsna lila was around $300. A bargain in any ones unlearned estimation. Anyway, when money becomes the driving force, not mentioning pure unconditional surrender, these sahajiya deviations will make their appearance.
In truth the price is extremely high, very costly….and as Ramananda Roy urges … whatever the price you must pay it… The price is of course unconditional loving surrender unto Krsna… then one truly becomes eligible for entrance into Krsna Lila.
The price is not measured in money…please…it is measured by your personal sacrifice.
There is only one sure way to gain entrance to Krsna Lila or Krsna prema… and that of course is the extraordinary chanting process given so compassionately by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Krsna prema is real and I believe attainable, but it requires full surrender to Sri Krsna through the chanting of His holy names, which by the way there are not even hard and fast rules for. Only sincerity is required to get the result.
So those who so easily banter about the sahajiya word, and make loose jokes and accusations of others regarding this holy process…may take some advice by becoming educated on this matter. Serious offences can be avoided and great opportunities can be had.
Such quick uneducated condemnation and use of the sahajiya word is so easily used on anyone showing a little emotion… we should internally praise such souls and regard them as most fortunate… it may or may not be even technically genuine, or accurate, but is only safe to regard all other devotees as more advanced anyway… Having genuine happiness from the chanting and feeling the natural emotions that arise is exactly what Lord Caitanya is expecting and hoping from us. A taste…ruci …is the beginning of what is a wonderful, mystical journey leading one to full surrender at Krsna's lotus feet. Lord Chaitanya, our line of previous acaryas and of course Srila Prabhupada are hoping and patiently waiting for some fortunate ones to use their refined intelligence to recognize the goal and pursue it with great enthusiasm. Hare Krsna… my obeisances to all the devotees of the Lord…. May you all become desire trees of true Krishna prema.….
Your servant, Gadi das
gadi@pamho.net
