Shri Gaudiya Kanthahara
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 23, 2020 — CANADA (SUN) — The Necklace of the Gaudiya Bhaktas" in 18 chapters, the instructions of HDG Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, compiled by his diksa disciple, Atulakrsna Datta.
THE FIRST JEWEL – GURU TATTVA
Chapter 1 - Guru-tattva
The Guru Principle – Part One
One Must Accept a Guru in Disciplic Succession.
1.1
tad vijñānārthaṃ sa gurum evābhigacchet
samit paniḥ śrotriyaṃ brahma-niṣṭham
One who wants to know the Absolute Truth scientifically must approach a bona fide spiritual master and offer him everything required for sacrifice. Such a spiritual master must be fixed in the truth, having heard it in disciplic succession. (Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 1.2.12)
1.2
ācāryavān puruṣo veda
Only one who has a guru can know the truth. (Chāndogya Upaniṣad 6.14.2)
1.3
uttiṣṭhata jāgrata prāpya varān nibodhata
kṣurasya dhārā niśitā duratyayā
durgaṃ pathas tat kavayo vadanti
Wake up and take advantage of the human form of life. Learned transcendentalists say that the path of spiritual life is difficult; it is sharp like a razor's edge. (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.3.14)
1.4
yasya deve parā bhaktir yathā deve tathā gurau
tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ prakāśante mahātmanaḥ
Only unto those great souls who serve guru and Kṛṣṇa with implicit faith is the import of the Vedas fully revealed. (Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.23)
1.5
nāyam ātmā pravacanena labhyo na medhayā na bahunā śrutena
yam evaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyas tasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanūṃ svām
The Supreme Self can never be known by any amount of argument, reasoning, intelligence, or by much hearing. To those whom He chooses, however, He may reveal His personal form. (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.23)
1.6
janana-maraṇādi-saṃsāranala-santapto dīpta-śirā
jala-rāśim iva upahāra-pāniḥ śrotriyaṃ
brahma-niṣṭhaṃ gurum upasṛtya tam anusarati
Just as a person whose head is afire runs towards water, one burning from the fire of material existence birth, death, old age, and disease must run to a guru for relief. Such a guru must be fixed in the Absolute Truth and well-versed in the scriptures. One should approach him with all that is needed for sacrifice, submit to him, and be ready to carry out his every instruction. (Vedānta-sāra 11)
1.7
'kṛṣṇa-nitya-dāsa', jīva tāhā bhuli' gela
ei doṣe māyā tāra galāya bāndhila
Because the soul has forgotten that he is the eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, Māyā has chained him by the neck. (Cc. Madhya 22.24)
1.8
kṛṣṇa bhuli' sei jīva anādi-bahirmukha
ataeva māyā tāre deya saṃsārādi-duḥkha
Forgetting Kṛṣṇa, the soul is attracted by the illusory energy since time immemorial, which gives him innumerable miseries in the material world. (Cc. Madhya 20.117)
1.9
kṛṣṇa-bahir-mukha haiyā bhoga vāñchā kare
nikaṭa-stha māyā tāre jāpaṭiyā dhare
piśācī pāile yena mati-chhanna haya
māyā-grasta jīvera haya se bhāva udaya
"āmi nitya kṛṣṇa-dāsa" —ei kathā bhule
māyāra naphara haiyā cira-dina bule
kabhu rājā, kabhu prajā, kabhu vipra, śudra
kabhu sukhī, kabhu duḥkhī, kabhu kīṭa, kṣudra
kabhu svarge, kabhu martye, narake vā kabhu
kabhu deva, kabhu daitya kabhu dāsa prabhu
Being averse to the service of the Supreme Lord, the living entity tries to satisfy his lusty desires for sense gratification, and thus the illusory energy keeps him tightly within her embrace. The living entity, captured by the illusory energy, becomes just like a madman under a witch's spell.
"I am the eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa" forgetting this, he becomes the slave of māyā and forever wanders through a succession of lives. Sometimes he is a king, sometimes a subject. Now a brāhmaṇa, now a śudra. Now an insignificant ant. Sometimes happy, sometimes sad. Now he goes to heaven, now to hell. Sometimes he is a god, sometimes a devil, now a servant, now a lord. (Prema-vivarta)
1.10
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
tāte kṛṣṇa bhaje, kare gurura sevana
māyā-jala chuṭe, pāya kṛṣṇera caraṇa
Wandering throughout the universe, by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, the living entity who is fortunate meets a bona fide spiritual master. By the mercy of the spiritual master, he gets the seed of the bhakti-latā. By worshiping Kṛṣṇa and rendering service to the spiritual master, one is liberated from the illusory world of māyā, and attains the lotus feet of the Lord. (Cc. Madhya 19.151, 22.25)
1.11
mūkaṃ karoti vācālaṃ paṅgum laṅghayate girim
yāt kṛpā tām ahaṃ vande paramānanda mādhavam
I offer my respectful obeisances unto transcendental bliss personified, Lord Mādhava, by whose mercy a dumb man can speak eloquently, a blind man can see the stars, and a lame man can cross mountains. (Bhavārtha Dipikā, Maṅgala Stotram 1)
1.12
caitanya līlā-amṛta-pūra, kṛṣṇa-līlā-sukarpūra,
duhe mili' haya sumādhurya
sādhu-guru-prasāde, tāhā yei āsvāde,
sei jāne mādhurya prācurya
The pastimes of Śrī Caitanya are the abode of nectarean love of Godhead. They are like thick condensed milk. The pastimes of Śrī Kṛṣṇa are like camphor. When these are combined they are very sweet. By the mercy of the guru one can taste that sweetness un-limitedly. (Cc. Madhya 25.277)
A Qualified Guru and Disciple are Hard to Find
1.13
śravaṇāyāpi bahubhir yo na labhyaḥ
śṛnvanto 'pi bahavo na vidyuḥ
āścaryo 'sya vaktā kuś lo 'sya labhdā
āścaryo jñātā kuśalānuśiṣṭaḥ
Many cannot hear about the soul, and even after hearing about it many cannot understand it, because it is hard to find a guru who is a genuine seer of the truth. Such a qualified guru is a great soul and is very rare. Only those who follow his teachings can realize the truth and become expert in the science of God. Such disciples are also very rare. (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.7)
A Genuine Guru Knows the Truth About Kṛṣṇa, is Surrendered to Him, and is Well-Versed in the Vedic Literature
1.14
tasmād guruṃ prapadyeta
jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam
śābde pare ca niṣṇātaṃ
brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam
One who is searching for the Ultimate Truth must surrender to a guru who knows the inner meaning of the Vedas, is fixed in the Absolute Truth and is expert in the śāstra. (Bhāg. 11.3.21)
1.15
kṛpā-sindhuḥ su-saṃpūrnaḥ
sarva-sattvopakārakaḥ
nispṛhaḥ sarvataḥ siddhaḥ
sarva-vidyā-viśāradaḥ
sarva-saṃśaya-saṃchettā
'nalaso gurur āḥṛtah
One who is an ocean of mercy, who is fulfilled in all respects, who has all good qualities, who works for the benefit of all souls, who is free from lust, who is perfect in all respects, who is well-versed in the scriptures, who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa, who can remove all the doubts of his disciples, and who is always alert in the service of Kṛṣṇa is known as a genuine guru. (Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 1.45,46 quoted from Viṣṇu-śmṛti Vacana)
A Guru is a Master of his Senses
1.16
vāco vegaṃ manasaḥ krodha vegaṃ
jihvā vegam udaropastha vegam
etān vegān yo viṣaheta dhīraḥ
sarvām apīmāṃ pṛthivīṃ sa śiṣyāt
A sober person who can control the urge to speak, the mind, the urges of anger, the tongue, belly, and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world. (Upadeśāmṛta 1)
1.17
ṣaṭ-karma nipuṇo vipro mantra-tantra-viśāradaḥ
avaiṣṇavo guru na syād vaiṣṇavaḥ śvapaco guruḥ
A brāhmaṇa may be expert in mantra, ritual, and the six kinds of brahminical work performing and teaching sacrifice, studying and teaching scripture, giving and receiving charity but if he is not a Vaiṣṇava he cannot be a guru. On the other hand, a Vaiṣṇava, even if born in a family of untouchables, may be a guru. (Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, quoting Pādma Purāṇa Vacana)
A Pure Devotee is the Guru of all Varṇas and Aśramas
1.18
vipra kṣatriya vaiśyās ca guravaḥ śūdra janmanām
śūdrāś ca guravas teṣāṃ trayāṇāṃ bhagavat-priyāḥ
A brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya or vaiśya can be guru for the śūdra class, but a Vaiṣṇava, even if born a śūdra, because he is dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can be the guru of these higher orders. (Pādma Purāṇa)
1.19
kibā vipra, kibā nyāsī , śūdra kene naya
yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei 'guru' haya
Whether a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī, or a śūdra, one who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa is to be accepted as guru. (Cc. Madhya 8.128)
1.20
kibā varṇī, kibā śramī, kibā varṇāśrama hīna
kṛṣṇa tattva yei, sei ācārya pravīṇa
āsala kathā chādi' bhāi varṇe ye kare ādara
asad-guru kari' tā 'ra vinaṣṭa pūrvāpara
One who is expert in the science of Kṛṣṇa, whatever social order he may belong to including śūdra and outcaste is to be accepted as an ācārya. Who ignores this principle and accepts a guru solely on the basis of social position will be ruined. (Prema-vivarta)
A Guru is an Ācārya of Sambandha-jñāna
1.21
vairāgya-yug bhakti-rasaṃ prayatnair
apāyayan mām anabhipsum andham
kṛpāmbudhir yaḥ para-duḥkha-dukhī
sanātanaṃ taṃ prabhum āśrayāmi
I surrender to Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī, the ācārya of sambandha jñāna. He is an ocean of mercy and always unhappy to see the suffering of others. Although I was blind and in the darkest ignorance he gave me the light of transcendental knowledge. He taught me the real meaning of detachment and made me drink the highest nectarean rasa that of divine love. (Vilāpa-kusumāñjali, 6)
Who is an ācārya?
1.22
upanīya tu yaḥ śisyaṃ veda-madhyāpayed dvijaḥ
saokalpaṃ sa-rahasyaṃ ca tam ācāryaṃ pracakṣate
An ācārya is not one who only confers the sacred thread. He trains his disciples in sacrifice and teaches them the confidential meaning of the Vedas. Such a spiritual master is an ācārya, according to saintly authorities. (Manu-saṃhitā 2.140)
1.23
ācinoti yaḥ śāstrārtham ācāre sthāpayaty api
svayam ācarate yasmād ācāryas tena kīrttitaḥ
An ācārya is one who fully understands the conclusions of the revealed scriptures and whose behavior reflects his deep realization. He is a living example for he teaches the meaning of the scriptures both by word and deed. (Vāyu Purāṇa)
Example Is Better Than Precept
1.24
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṃ kurute lokas tad anuvartate
Whatever a great man does, common men follow. Whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues. (Bhagavad-gītā 3.21)
1.25
āpane ācare keha, nā kare pracāra
pracāra karena keha, nā karena ācāra
'ācāra' 'pracāra' nāmera karaha 'dui' kārya
tumi sarva-guru, tumi jagatera ārya
Some practice but do not preach, others preach but do not practice, but one who is perfect in both preaching and practice is the guru of the entire universe. You are a real jagad-guru, for you practice what you preach. (Cc. Antya 4.102,103)
1.26
āpane karimu bhakta-bhāva aṅgīkāre
āpani ācari' bhakti śikhāmu sabāre
I shall accept the role of a devotee, and I shall teach bhakti to everyone by practicing it Myself. (Cc. Ādi 3.20)
1.27
āpani nā kaile dharma śikhāna nā yāya
If I do not do this Myself, then the principles of religion will not be taught. (Cc. Ādi 3.21)
Inconceivable Oneness and Difference of Guru, Vaiṣṇava, and Kṛṣṇa
1.28
ācāryaṃ māṃ vijānīyān nāvamanyeta karhicit
na martya-buddhyāsūyeta sarva-devamayo guruḥ
Know the ācārya to be as good as Myself. Never disrespect him. Never envy him or consider him an ordinary man for He is the sum total of all the demigods. (Bhāg. 11.17.27)
1.29
vande gurūn īśa-bhaktān īśam īśāvatārakān
tat-prakāśāṃś ca tac chaktīḥ kṛṣṇa caitanya saṃjñakam
I worship the Supreme Lord Śrī Caitanya, who appears in six features as: instructing and initiating gurus; the Lord's devotees, beginning with Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura; His avatāras such as Advaita Ācārya; His prakāśa, or full expansion, (Nityānanda Prabhu); and His śakti, (Gadādhara Paṇḍita). (Cc. Ādi 1.1 )
1.30
kṛṣṇa, guru, bhakta, śakti, avatāra, prakāśa
kṛṣṇa śakti ei chaya-rūpe karena vilāsa
The Supreme Lord appears in six features. As Śrī Kṛṣṇa; the two kinds of gurus; devotees; incarnations of Godhead; complete expansions of His own Self (puruṣas); and His divine energy. In these six features the Lord enjoys His transcendental pastimes. (Cc. Ādi 1.32)
1.31
yadyapi āmāra guru caitanyera dāsa
tathāpi jāniye āmi tāohāra prakāśa
Although I know my guru is a servitor of Śrī Caitanya, I know that He is a full manifestation (prakāśa) of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. (Cc. Ādi 1.44)
Śikṣā-guru; Caitya-guru and Mahānta (personal)-guru.
1.32
guru-kṛṣṇa-rūpa hana śāstrera pramāṇe
guru-rūpe kṛṣṇa kṛpā karena bhakta-gaṇe
According to śāstra the guru is nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa, because it is through the guru that Kṛṣṇa bestows mercy on His devotees. (Cc. Ādi 1.45)
1.33
śikṣā-guruke ta' jāni kṛṣṇera svarūpa
antaryāmī, bhakta-śreṣṭha, ei dui rūpa
One should know the śikṣā guru to be Kṛṣṇa Himself. As guru, Kṛṣṇa has two forms as the Supersoul and as the best of devotees. (Cc. Ādi 1.47)
1.34
jīve sākṣāt nāhi, tāte guru caittya-rūpe
śikṣā-guru haya kṛṣṇa mahānta-svārūpe
Since one cannot see the Supersoul directly, Kṛṣṇa appears as a liberated devotee. Such a śikṣā guru is none other than Kṛṣṇa Himself. (Cc. Ādi 1.58)
1.35
naivopayanty apacitiṃ kavayas taveśa
brahmāyuṣāpi kṛtam ṛddha-mudaḥ smarantaḥ
yo 'ntar bahis tanu-bhṛtām aśubhaṃ vidhunvann
ācārya-caittya-vapuṣā sva-gatiṃ vyanakti
O my Lord! Transcendental poets and experts in spiritual science cannot fully express their indebtedness to You, even if they had the lifetime of Brahmā, for You appear in two features externally as the ācārya and internally as the Supersoul to deliver the conditioned souls by revealing to them Your devotional service and teaching them how to approach You on the path of pure love. (Bhāg. 11.29.6)
By the Mercy of Kṛṣṇa, one Gets the Mercy of Guru
1.36
kṛṣṇa yadi kṛpā kare kona bhāgyavāne
guru-antaryāmi-rūpe śikhāya āpane
By the mercy of Kṛṣṇa a fortunate soul is guided by the Supersoul from within and from the guru without. (Cc. Madhya 22.47)
Guru Gives Scientific Knowledge About the Highest Spiritual Reality
1.37
ajñāna timirāndhasya jñānāñjana śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṃ yena tasmai śrī guruve namaḥ
I was born in the darkest ignorance, but my spiritual master opened my eyes with the salve of transcendental knowledge. I offer my humble obeisance's unto him. (Prema-bhakti-candrikā, Narottama dāsa)
1.38
śrī-caitanya-mano-'bhīṣṭaṃ sthāpitaṃ yena bhūtale
svayaṃ rūpaḥ kadā mahyaṃ dadāti sva-padāntikam
When will Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī Prabhupāda, who has established the mission to fulfill the desire of Lord Caitanya give me shelter at his lotus feet? (Prema-bhakti-candrikā, Narottama dāsa)
1.39
śrī-guru-caraṇa padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma,
bando muñi sāvadhāna mate
yāhāra prasāde bhāi, e bhava toriyā jāi,
kṛṣṇa-prāpti hoy jāhā ha'te
guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete koriyā aikya,
ār nā koriho mane āśā
śrī-guru caraṇe rati, ei se uttama gati,
je prasāde pūre sarva āśā
cakhu-dān dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei,
divya-jñān hṛde prokāśito
prema-bhakti jāhā hoite, avidyā vināśa jāte,
vede gāy yāhāra carito
The lotus feet of the spiritual master are the only way we can attain pure devotional service. I bow down to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his mercy, one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Kṛṣṇa.
My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfill all desires.
He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my lord, birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him, ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.
Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and lord and master of the devotees. O master! Be merciful to me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds. (Prema-bhakti-candrikā, Narottama dāsa)
