Shri Gaudiya Kanthahara, Part 29
BY: SUN STAFF
May 18, 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 THIRTEENTH JEWEL – SADHANA-BHAKTI-TATTVA
The Principle of Devotional Practice – Part Five
Materialistic Persons and their Reading of Bhagavatam are Condemned
13.128
yeba bhattacarya, cakravarti, misra saba
tahara o na janaye grantha-anubhava
sastra padaiya sabe ei karma kare
srotara sahita yama-pase dubi' mare
gita-bhagavata ye ye jane va padaya
bhaktira vyakhyana nahi tahara jihvaya
ei mata visnu-maya-mohita saṃsara
dekhi' bhakta saba duhkha bhavena apara
kemate e saba jiva paibe uddhara
visaya-sukhete saba majila saṃsara
balile o keha nahi laya "krsna-nama"
niravadhi vidya-kula karena vyakhyana
The so-called Bhattacaryas, Cakravartis, Misras, and others who make a business out of the scriptures have no realization of the scriptures at all. All their study of scripture is simply fruitive activity. Whoever hears from them will be bound by the ropes of Yamaraja and dragged down to hell at the time of death. Although they study the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, no explanations of bhakti ever issue forth from their lips. Vaisnavas can see no worse misery than the sufferings of these wretched souls who are bewildered by the illusions of maya and who wander within the worlds of repeated birth and death.
The Vaisnavas think of how all souls can be delivered from drowning in the ocean of material existence. The devotees tell everyone to chant, but some people simply cannot take the holy name, especially the so-called learned professors, who, being proud of their academic education endlessly boast of their knowledge [but who cannot be saved]. (Cb. Adi 1.39)
Fake, Show-bottle, and Professional Bhagavatam Reciters
13.129
vedair-vihinas ca pathanti sastraṃ sastrena hinas ca purana-pathah
purana-hinah krsino bhavanti bhrastaste bhagavata bhavanti
Those who are unable to understand the Vedas go on to study the dharma-sastras. Failing to understand the dharma-sastras, they turn to the Puranas. Unable to grasp the real purport of the Puranas, they become farmers. Those who can not do anything else become professional Bhagavatam reciters, although they have no real understanding of the Bhagavatam . (Atri Saṃhita 375)
Attempts at Liberation Beginning With Vows of Silence Austerity, Sastric Study, and so on, Will Not Lead to Bhakti
13.130
mauna-vrata-sruta-tapo-'dhyayana-sva-dharma-
vyakhya-raho-japa-samadhaya apavargyah
prayah paraṃ purusa te tv ajitendriyanaṃ
varta bhavanty uta na vatra tu dambhikanam
O Supreme Personality of Godhead, there are ten prescribed methods on the path of liberation to remain silent, not to speak to anyone, to observe vows, to amass all kinds of Vedic knowledge, to undergo austerities, to study the Vedas and other Vedic literature, to execute the duties of varnasrama-dharma, to explain the sastras, to stay in a solitary place, to chant mantras silently, and to be absorbed in trance.
These different methods of liberation are generally only a professional practice and means of livelihood for those who have not conquered the senses. Because such persons are falsely proud, these procedures may not be successful. (Bhag. 7.9.46)
Desires of Enjoyment and Liberation Destroy Bhakti
13.131
ajnana-tamera nama kahiye 'kaitava'
dharma-artha-kama-moksa-vancha adi saba
tara madhye moksa-vancha kaitava-pradhana
yaha haite krsna-bhakti haya antardhana
krsna-bhaktira badhaka—yata subhasubha karma
seha eka jivera ajnana-tamo-dharma
The darkness of ignorance is called kaitava, the way of cheating, which begins with religiosity, economic development, sense gratification, and liberation. The foremost process of cheating is to desire liberation by merging into the Supreme, for this causes the permanent disappearance of loving service to Krsna. All kinds of activities, both auspicious and inauspicious, that are detrimental to the discharge of transcendental loving service to Lord Sri Krsna are actions of the darkness of ignorance. (Cc. Adi 1.90,92,94)
The Senses are Useless if Not Used in Krsna's Service
13.132
taravah kiṃ na jivanti bhastrah kiṃ na svasanty uta
na khadanti na mehanti kiṃ grame pasavo 'pare
Do the trees not live? Do the bellows of the blacksmith not breathe? All around us, do the beasts not eat and discharge semen? (Bhag. 2.3.18)
13.133
sva-vid-varahostra-kharaih saṃstutah purusah pasuh
na yat-karna-pathopeto jatu nama gadagrajah
Men who live like dogs, hogs, camels, and asses praise those men who never listen to the transcendental pastimes of Lord Sri Krsna, the deliverer from all evils. (Bhag. 2.3.19)
13.134
bile batorukrama-vikraman ye na srnvatah karna-pute narasya
jihvasati dardurikeva suta na copagayaty urugaya-gathah
One who has not listened to the messages about the prowess and marvelous acts of the Supreme Person and has not sung or chanted loudly the worthy songs about Him is considered to possess earholes like the holes of snakes and a tongue like the tongue of a frog. (Bhag. 2.3.20)
13.135
bharah paraṃ patta-kirita-justam
apy uttamangaṃ na namen mukundam
savau karau no kurute saparyaṃ
harer lasat-kancana-kaokanau va
The upper portion of the body, though crowned with a silk turban, is only a heavy burden if not bowed down before the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can award liberation. And the hands, although decorated with glittering bangles, are like those of a dead man if not engaged in the service of Sri Hari. (Bhag. 2.3.21)
13.136
barhayite te nayane naranaṃ
liogani visnor na niriksato ye
padau nrnaṃ tau druma-janma-bhajau
ksetrani nanuvrajato harer yau
Those eyes that do not look at the form of the Supreme Lord are like those printed on the plumes of a peacock, and the legs which do not move to the holy places are like tree trunks. (Bhag. 2.3.22)
13.137
jivan chavo bhagavatanghri-renuṃ
na jatu martyo 'bhilabheta yas tu
sri-visnu-padya manujas tulasyah
svasan chavo yas tu na veda gandham
The person who has not received the dust of the feet of the Lord's pure devotee upon his head is certainly a dead body. And, although breathing, the person who has never experienced the aroma of the Tulasi leaves from the lotus feet of the Lord is also a dead body. (Bhag. 2.3.23)
Without the Mercy of Gauranga it is Impossible
to Control the Senses or Practice Bhakti
13.138
kalah kalir balina indriya-vairivargah
sri bhakti-marga iha kaotaka-koti-ruddhah
ha ha kva yami vikalah kimahaṃ karomi
caitanyacandra yadi nadya krpaṃ karosi
Now it is the age of Kali. My enemies, the senses, are very strong. The beautiful path of bhakti is spiked with countless thorns. My spirit is weak. My senses are powerful and agitated. O what shall I do? Where shall I go? O Lord Caitanya-candra, if you do not grant me Your mercy, what shall I do to save myself? (Caitanya-candamrta 125)
The Six Kinds of Saranagati
13.139
anukulyasya saokalpah pratikulyasya varjanam
raksisyatiti visvaso goptrtve varanaṃ tatha
atma-niksepa-karpanye sad-vidha saranagatih
The six divisions of surrender are to accept those things favorable for devotional service, to reject unfavorable things, the conviction that Krsna will give all protection, to accept the Lord as one's guardian or master, full self-surrender, and humility. (Cc. Madhya 22.100, from Vaisnava Tantra)
Without Saranagati There Can be no Auspiciousness
13.140
tavad bhayaṃ dravina-deha-suhrn-nimittaṃ
sokah sprha paribhavo vipulas ca lobhah
tavan mamety asad-avagraha arti-mulaṃ
yavan na te 'oghrim abhayaṃ pravrnita lokah
O my Lord, the people of the world are embarrassed by material anxieties they are always afraid. They always try to protect wealth, body, and friends. They are filled with lamentation and unlawful desires and paraphernalia; and they avariciously base their undertakings on the perishable conceptions of "my" and "mine". As long as they do not take shelter of Your safe lotus feet, they are full of such anxieties. (Bhag. 3.9.6)
13.141
karpanya-dosopahata-svabhavah
prcchami tvaṃ dharma-sammudha-cetah
yac chreyah syan niscitaṃ bruhi tan me
sisyas te 'haṃ sadhi maṃ tvaṃ prapannam
Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure due to weakness. In that condition I am asking You to tell me clearly what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple and soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me. (Bhagavad-gita 2.7)
13.142
daivi hy esa guna-mayi
mama maya duratyaya
mam eva ye prapadyante
mayam etaṃ taranti te
This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of nature, is difficult to overcome, but those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it. (Bhagavad-gita 7.14)
13.143
yesaṃ sa esa bhagavan dayayed anantah
sarvatmanasrita-pado yadi nirvyalikam
te dustaraṃ atitaranti ca deva-mayaṃ
naisaṃ mamaham iti dhih sva-srgala-bhaksye
Anyone who is specifically favored by the Supreme Lord, due to unalloyed surrender to the service of the Lord, can overcome the insurmountable ocean of illusion and can understand the Lord. But those who are attached to the body, which is meant to be eaten by dogs and jackals cannot do so. (Bhag. 2.7.42)
13.144
ananyas cintayanto maṃ ye janah paryupasate
tesaṃ nityabhiyuktanaṃ yoga-ksemaṃ vahamy aham
But those who are always attached to Me, who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My transcendental form to them I carry what they have and preserve what they lack. (Bhagavad-gita 9.22)
13.145
krsna-bhakti-sudhapanad deha-daihika-vismrteh
tesaṃ bhautikadehe'pi sac-cid-ananda-rupata
Drinking the nectar of Krsna-bhakti-rasa, the living being forgets the gross and subtle material bodies and becomes absorbed in transcendence. The body of such a devotee, although material, attains the qualities sat, cit, and ananda, or eternity, knowledge, and bliss. (Brhad-bhagavatamrta 2.3.45)
13.146
sarana lana kare krsne atma-samarpana
krsna tare kare tat-kale atma-sama
When a devotee fully surrenders to Krsna, offering his very self, at that time Krsna accepts the devotee to be as good as His very self. (That is, the Lord accepts Him as one of his own personal associates.) (Cc. Madhya 22.102)
13.147
prabhu kahe,--"vaisnava-deha 'prakrta' kabhu naya
'aprakrta' deha bhaktera 'cid-ananda-maya'
diksa-kale bhakta kare atma-samarpana
sei-kale krsna tare kare atma-sama
sei deha kare tara cid-ananda-maya
aprakrta-dehe taora carana bhajaya
Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "The body of a devotee is never material. It is considered transcendental, full of spiritual bliss. At the time of initiation, when a devotee fully surrenders unto the service of the Lord, Krsna accepts him to be as good as Himself. When the devotee's body is thus transformed into spiritual existence, the devotee, in that transcendental body, renders service to the lotus feet of the Lord. (Cc. Antya 4.191-193)
13.148
dante nidhaya trnakaṃ padayor-nipatya
krtva ca kakusatam etad ahaṃ bravimi
he sadhavah sakalam eva vihaya durad-
gauranga-candra-carane kurutanuragam
Taking a straw in my teeth I fall at your feet hundreds of times and implore you with sweet words, saying, "O noble soul! Please throw out everything you have learned and cultivate attachment to the lotus feet of the moonlike Sri Gauranga. (Caitanya-candamrta 120)
Humility
13.149
na prema-gandho 'sti darapi me harau
krandami saubhagya-bharaṃ prakasitum
vaṃsi-vilasy-anana-lokanaṃ vina
vibharmi yat prana-patangakan vrtha
My dear friends, I have not the slightest tinge of love of Godhead within my heart. When you see me crying in separation, I am only making a false show of devotion. The proof that I have no love for Krsna is the fact that while not seeing His beautiful face as He plays His flute I continue to maintain My fly like existence. (Cc. Madhya 2.45)
The Value of Association With a Pure Devotee
13.150
ata atyantikaṃ ksemaṃ prcchamo bhavato 'naghah
saṃsare 'smin ksanardho 'pi sat-sangah sevadhir nrnam
O sinless ones! We therefore inquire from you about that which is supremely auspicious for all living beings, for in this world association with saints even for a half a moment is the most valuable treasure in human society. (Bhag. 11.2.30)
13.151
tulayama lavenapi na svargaṃ napunar-bhavam
bhagavat-sangi-sangasya martyanaṃ kim utasisah
Elevation to the heavenly planets and liberation from material existence cannot be compared to even a moment's association with a pure devotee of Krsna. What then can be said of material benedictions, which are for those who are destined to die? (Bhag. 1.18.13)
13.152
bhayaṃ dvitiyabhinivesatah syad isad apetasya viparyayo 'smrtih
tan-mayayato budha abhajet taṃ bhaktyaikayesaṃ guru-devatatma
Fear arises when a living entity misidentifies himself as the material body because of absorption in the external, illusory energy of the Lord. When the living entity thus turns away from the Supreme Lord, he also forgets his own constitutional position as a servant of the Lord. This bewildering, fearful condition is effected by the potency for illusion, called maya. Therefore, an itelligent person should engage unflinchingly in the unalloyed devotional service of the Lord, under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master, whom he should accept as his worshipable deity and as his very life and soul. (Bhag. 11.2.37)
The Srutis Identify the Worship of Devotees and Association
with Saints as the Only Thing Worth Doing
13.153
tasmad-atmajnaṃ hyarcayed-bhutikamah
A person wishing to attain divine opulence should worship one who is atmajna, self-realized. That is, he should worship a devotee of Sri Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Mundaka Upanisad 3.1.10)
Sadhu-sanga is the Only Way
13.154
rahuganaitat tapasa na yati na cejyaya nirvapanad grhad va
na cchandasa naiva jalagni-suryair vina mahat-pada-rajo-'bhisekam
My dear King Rahugana, unless one has the opportunity to smear his body with the dust of the lotus feet of great devotees, one cannot realize the Absolute Truth. One cannot realize the Absolute Truth simply by observing celibacy, by worshiping the Deity, by taking sannyasa, by perfectly following the rules of the grhastha asrama, nor can one attain the truth by accepting severe penances and austerities, by studying the Vedas, nor by worshiping the gods of water and sun. Only by bathing in the dust of the lotus feet of a pure devotee is the Absolute Truth revealed. (Bhag. 5.12.12)
Those Who Have Few Pious Credits
Cannot Get the Association of Great Souls
13.155
durapa hy alpa-tapasah seva vaikuntha-vartmasu
yatropagiyate nityaṃ deva-devo janardanah
Those whose austerity is meager can hardly obtain the service of the pure devotees, who are progressing on the path back to the kingdom of God, Vaikuntha. Pure devotees engage one hundred percent in glorifying the Supreme Lord, who is the Lord of the demigods and the controller of all living entities. (Bhag. 3.7.20)
13.156
naisaṃ matis tavad urukramanghriṃ
sprsaty anarthapagamo yad-arthah
mahiyasaṃ pada-rajo-'bhisekaṃ
niskincananaṃ na vrnita yavat
Unless they smear upon their bodies the dust of the lotus feet of a Vaisnava completely free from material contamination, persons very much inclined toward materialistic life cannot be attached to the lotus feet of the Lord. Only in this way can one be free from material contamination. (Bhag. 7.5.32)
A Devotee Has all Good Qualities; a Non-devotee Has None
13.157
yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana
sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah
harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna
manorathenasati dhavato bahih
All demigods and their exalted qualities, such as religious knowledge and renunciation, become manifest in the body of one who has developed unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva. On the other hand, a person devoid of devotional service and engaged in material activities has no good qualities. Even if he is adept at the practice of mystic yoga, or the honest endeavor of maintaining his family and relatives, he must be driven by his own mental speculations and must engage in serving the Lord's external energy. How can there be any good qualities in such a person? (Bhag. 5.18.12)
From Sadhu-sanga Comes Faith, Devotional Attachment, and Prema-bhakti
13.158
sataṃ prasangan mama virya-saṃvido
bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah
taj-josanad asv apavarga-vartmani
sraddha ratir bhaktir anukramisyati
In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart. By cultivating such knowledge one gradually becomes advanced on the path of liberation. Thereafter he is freed, and his attraction is fixed. Then real devotion and devotional service begin. (Bhag. 3.25.25)
With Humility and Hankering for Krsna,
a Devotee Prays as Follows
13.159
na dhanaṃ na janaṃ na sundariṃ kavitaṃ va jagadisa kamaye
mama janmani janmanisvare bhavatad-bhaktir-ahaituki tvayi
O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers, nor do I care for the fame of a poet, or the poetically glorified position of impersonal liberation I only want Your causeless devotional service birth after birth. (Siksastakam 4)
Thus ends the Thirteenth Jewel of the Gaudiya Kanthahara, entitled Sadhana-bhakti-tattva.
