Narada-bhakfi-sufra

Infroducfion
In 1967, His Divinc Giacc A. C. llaliivcdania Swami Piablupada iianslaicd and
wioic puipoiis loi iliiiccn ol ilc cigliy-loui aploiisms (Siïla Piablupada callcd
ilcm codcs`) ol ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra. In 19S9, ai ilcii annual mcciing, ilc
Govcining lody Commission ol ilc Inicinaiional Sociciy loi Kiislna
Consciousncss (ISKCON) suggcsicd ilai I complcic ilc bool. I was plcascd io
acccpi ilc assignmcni, cspccially bccausc ol my involvcmcni wiil Siïla
Piablupada's iniiial wiiiing ol ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra.
I was paii ol ilc small gioup ol scclcis wlo joincd Siïla Piablupada in ilc laiici
paii ol 1966 ai lis sioiclioni icmplc ai 26 Sccond Avcnuc, in Ncw Yoil Ciiy. Ai
onc poini wc bcgan passing aiound a Giia Picss cdiiion ol Naiada's PníIosopny oj
Lovc-Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra. Somc ol us wcic aiiiacicd io ilc ncciai and simpliciiy
ol ilc aploiisms. In ilosc days ii wasn'i unusual loi us naivc lollowcis io picl up
all soiis ol iianslaiions ol Sansliii Indian bools. Wc icndcd io ilinl ilai anyiling
Hindu was saluiaiy and wiilin Kisna consciousncss. Ii wasn'i long bcloic Siïla
Piablupada madc ii clcai io us ilai wc lad io disciiminaic. Many bools, wc
lcaincd, wcic ilc woils ol Mayavadïs, a biand ol ailcisis in ilc guisc ol svamis,
gurus, and sclolais. Ii was laid io bical oui aiiaclmcnis io somc ol ilcsc bools,
bui wc always did so oncc Siïla Piablupada cxplaincd ilai a paiiiculai bool oi
guru was noi bona lidc.
lui wlcn I slowcd Siïla Piablupada ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra and iold lim I lilcd
ii, lc cncouiagcd mc and said lc migli iianslaic ii.
In oui cdiiion ol ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra was a bcauiilul coloi illusiiaiion ol Siï Siï
Radla and Kisna. Tlcy loolcd young, aboui cigli ycais old, and siood giacclully
by ilc cdgc ol ilc Yamuna Rivci wiil a cow bclind Tlcm. I iool ilc illusiiaiion
io a ploiogiaply slop and lad a dozcn coloi copics madc. Wiil Siïla
Piablupada's appioval, I gavc a ploio io cacl ol lis iniiiaicd disciplcs. Ii bccamc
lilc an ISKCON mcmbcislip ploio and was uscd by dcvoiccs on ilcii pcisonal
aliais.
Wlcn Siïla Piablupada lcli oui Ncw Yoil lomc caily in 1967 and wcni io San
Iiancisco, I wioic lim io asl il lc would iianslaic ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra. Hcic is
Siïla Piablupada's icply, daicd Icbiuaiy 10, 1967:
Ycs, plcasc scnd mc immcdiaicly onc copy ol Pnahtí Sutra (wiil oiiginal Sansliii
icxi). I slall immcdiaicly bcgin ilc commcniaiy.
Ai liisi Siïla Piablupada's iianslaiion ol ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra wcni quiclly. Hc
scni iapcs ol lis diciaiion in ilc mail, and I iiansciibcd ilcm along wiil ilc iapcs
lc scni loi lis majoi woil, 1cacníngs oj Lorá Caítanya. Iiom ilc bcginning ii was
undcisiood ilai Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra was a lind ol cxiia` loi Siïla Piablupada.
lui ii lad iis own claim, and Piablupada appioaclcd ii in lis own inimiiablc
way. I was suipiiscd, on iccciving ilc iianslaiion loi ilc liisi aploiism, io scc low
Siïla Piablupada iianslaicd ilc woid bnahtí. Tlc cdiiion lc was using iianslaicd
bnahtí as dcvoiion` oi Divinc Lovc.` lui Siïla Piablupada iianslaicd bnahtí as
dcvoiional scivicc.` Lvcn by ilis onc pliasc lc indicaicd ilai bnahtí was aciivc
and pcisonal. Hc would noi iolciaic any lini ilai bnahtí was a siaic ol impcisonal
Lovc.`
Ii was signilicani ilai Siïla Piablupada bcgan lis liisi puipoii wiil a iclcicncc io
Pnagavaá-gita, ilc loicmosi sciipiuic loi icacling bnahtí-yoga. Tlc Naraáa-bnahtí-
sutra, oi any oilci iicaiisc on dcvoiion io God, slould bc suppoiicd by Loid
Kisna's diicci icaclings in Pnagavaá-gita. ly ilcii naiuic, sutras icquiic
cxplanaiion. As Loid Caiianya cxplaincd wlilc discussing ilc Vcáanta-sutra, ilc
aploiisms lavc a diicci mcaning, bui ilcii bicviiy allows dcvious commcniaiois
io disioii ilc mcaning iliougl misinicipiciaiion. How salc wc wcic wlcn icading
ilc llaliivcdania puipoiis io ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra, and low dangcious ii is io
icad ilcsc aploiisms wlcn inicipicicd by ilosc wlo lacl puic dcvoiion io ilc
Supicmc Pcison!
As wiil lis oilci woils, Siïla Piablupada's puipoiis io ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra
wcic complcicly in linc wiil ilc icaclings ol ilc param-para, oi disciplic
succcssion, and ai ilc samc iimc lull ol lis own icalizaiions.
Onc paiiiculai siaicmcni ilai aiiiacicd mc was lis iclcicncc io cnilusiasm in
bnahtí. Commcniing on Suiia 5, Siïla Piablupada compaicd cnilusiasm io a
powcilul cnginc ilai las io bc uscd piopcily. Hc wioic, Il onc, lowcvci, bccomcs
disappoinicd in lis cnilusiasm loi sciving ilc Supicmc Loid, ilai disappoinimcni
musi also bc icjccicd.` As a ncoplyic dcvoicc, I was wcll awaic ol ilc dangci ol
dcpicssion, wlicl wc somciimcs iclci io in ISKCON as bcing liicd.` lui jusi as a
sciious piaciiiionci icsiiains lis ionguc and oilci scnscs, so onc slould noi
indulgc in ioo mucl dcpicssion oi disappoinimcni. Ii was comloiiing io lcai ilis
liom Siïla Piablupada and io gain conviciion ilai ii ís wiilin oui coniiol-wc aic
noi lclplcss bcloic unlimiicd wavcs ol dcpicssion.
Onc simply las io lollow ilc iulcs and icgulaiions paiicnily so ilai ilc day will
comc wlcn lc will aclicvc, all ol a suddcn, all ilc pcilcciion ol dcvoiional
scivicc.`
I lavc io admii ilai I acquiicd a pcisonal aiiaclmcni loi Siïla Piablupada's
Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra as I lappily waiclcd iis piogicss. I noiiccd ilai somc ol ilc
samc maiciial Siïla Piablupada was puiiing inio 1cacníngs oj Lorá Caítanya also
appcaicd in ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra, bui I didn'i ilinl anyiling was wiong in ilai.
Yci ai somc poini Siïla Piablupada bcgan io ilinl ilai pcilaps Naraáa-bnahtí-
sutra was a bii icdundani, ai lcasi wlilc lc was also woiling on 1cacníngs oj Lorá
Caítanya. I migli lavc suspccicd ilis wlcn lc wioic in lis puipoii io Suiia 12,
Tlcic aic many auiloiiiaiivc bools ol spiiiiual lnowlcdgc, bui all ol ilcm aic
moic oi lcss supplcmcnis io ilc Pnagavaá-gita and Srimaá-Pnagavatam. Lvcn ilc
Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra is a summaiy ol ilc Pnagavaá-gita and ilc Srimaá-
Pnagavatam. Tlcicloic ilc bcginning ol dcvoiional scivicc is io lcai ilcsc iwo
impoiiani iiansccndcnial bools ol lnowlcdgc.`
Tlcn, in Maicl ol 1967, wlilc Siïla Piablupada was siill icsiding in San
Iiancisco, lc wioic mc ilis lciici:
Plcasc acccpi my blcssings. I lavc sccn ilc iypcd copics ol Naraáa Pnahtí Sutras as
wcll as 1cacníngs oj Lorá Caítanya. loil ol ilcm aic niccly madc. I ilinl lci us
linisl liisi 1cacníngs oj Lorá Caítanya and ilcn wc may ialc again Naraáa Pnahtí
Sutras. Tlc subjcci maiici discusscd wiil Naraáa Sutras is alicady ilcic in ilc
1cacníngs oj Lorá Caítanya.
I lavc scni you maiici loi ilc sccond paii ol ilc 1cacníngs and plcasc go on
scnding mc a copy ol youi iypcwiiiicn maiici. I slall bc glad io lcai liom you.
And so Siïla Piablupada's woil on ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra sioppcd, and ii was
ncvci icsumcd. Ii was a pcisonal cloicc by ilc auiloi, wlo wanicd io conccniiaic
on 1cacníngs oj Lorá Caítanya. lui wc slould noi scc ii as a icjcciion ol ilc
Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra. Siïla Piablupada inicndcd io ialc again Naraáa Pnahtí
Sutras.` And so moic ilan iwcniy ycais laici wc aic ialing up ilc woil again, on
ilc auiloiiiy ol Siïla Piablupada. Wlaicvci wc lavc wiiiicn io complcic ilc woil
wc lavc donc as Siïla Piablupada's siudcni, using lis commcniaicd iianslaiions ol
ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam, ilc Pnagavaá-gita, and ilc Caítanya-carítamrta, and lis
summaiy siudics ol ilc Pnahtí-rasamrta-sínánu (1nc Ncctar oj Dcvotíon) and ilc
Pnagavatam`s Tcnil Canio (Krsna, tnc Suprcmc PcrsonaIíty oj Goáncaá).
Tlcic is a paiiiculai claim io ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra in iis bicviiy, univcisaliiy,
and cmplasis on ioial suiicndci io Loid Kisna. Tlc aploiisms aic siiong and can
bc casily icmcmbcicd and conlidcnily quoicd in dcvoiional discussions and
picacling. Siïla Piablupada iclcis io ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra scvcial iimcs in lis
wiiiings, as in ilis siaicmcni liom 1cacníngs oj Lorá Caítanya (p. 53-+): In ilc
Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra ii is said ilai onc wlo is vciy sciious aboui dcvcloping Kisna
consciousncss las lis dcsiic io undcisiand Kisna lullillcd vciy soon by ilc giacc
ol ilc Loid.`
Tlc majoi impoiiancc ol ilc picscni publicaiion is ilai anoilci ol Siïla
Piablupada's liiciaiy woils is now availablc in bool loim loi lis giowing icading
audicncc. Tlc GlC's icqucsi io Gopipaianadlana Piablu and mc io complcic ilc
Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra is ilcii mcicy upon us. Wc piay ilai wc lavc noi dcviaicd
liom Siïla Piablupada's inicniions and ilai ilis cdiiion ol ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra
will biing plcasuic and cnliglicnmcni io ilc lcaiis ol cvciyonc wlo icads ii.
Saisvaiupa dasa Goswami
Ldiioi's noic: Ciiaiions liom Krsna, tnc Suprcmc PcrsonaIíty oj Goáncaá and
1cacníngs oj Lorá Caítanya aic liom Tlc Gicai Classics ol India` cdiiions (19S5).
Ciiaiions liom 1nc Ncctar oj Dcvotíon aic liom ilc 19S2 cdiiion.
Chapfer 1
The VaIue of Devofion
iTEXT 1'
atnato bnahtím vyahnyasyaman
SYNONYMS
atna-now; atan-ilcicloic; bnahtím-dcvoiional scivicc; vyahnyasyaman-wc
slall iiy io cxplain.
TRANSLATION
Now, fherefore, I wiII fry fo expIain fhe process of devofionaI service.
PURPORT
Dcvoiional scivicc io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is cxplaincd in ilc
Pnagavaá-gita, wlcic ilc Loid says ilai a scll-icalizcd pcison is always in ilc
iiansccndcnial siaic lnown as branma-bnuta, wlicl is claiaciciizcd by joylulncss.
Wlcn onc is scll-icalizcd lc bccomcs joylul. In oilci woids, lc is licc liom ilc
maiciial coniaminaiion ol lamcniaiion and lanlciing. As long as wc aic in
maiciial cxisicncc, wc lamcni loi ilc losscs in oui lilc and lanlci loi ilai wlicl
wc do noi lavc. A scll-icalizcd pcison is joylul bccausc lc is licc liom maiciial
lamcniaiion and lanlciing.
A scll-icalizcd pcison also sccs all living cniiiics cqually. Ioi lim, ilcic is no
disiinciion bciwccn ilc liglci and lowci spccics ol lilc. Ii is also siaicd ilai a
lcaincd man docs noi disiinguisl bciwccn a wisc branmana and a dog bccausc lc
sccs ilc soul wiilin ilc body, noi ilc cxicinal bodily lcaiuics. Sucl a pcilccicd,
scll-icalizcd pcison bccomcs cligiblc io undcisiand bnahtí, oi dcvoiional scivicc io
ilc Loid.
Pnahtí is so sublimc ilai only iliougl bnahtí can onc undcisiand ilc
consiiiuiional posiiion ol ilc Loid. Tlai is clcaily siaicd in ilc 8hagavad-gïta
(1S.55): bnahtya mam abníjanatí. Onc can undcisiand ilc Supicmc Loid iliougl
dcvoiional scivicc, and by no oilci pioccss.` Tlcic aic dillcicni pioccsscs ol
undcisianding ilc Absoluic Tiuil, bui il a pcison wanis io undcisiand ilc
Supicmc Loid as Hc is, lc las io ialc io ilc pioccss ol bnahtí-yoga. Tlcic aic
oilci mysiic pioccsscs, sucl as harma-yoga, jnana-yoga, and ányana-yoga, bui ii is
noi possiblc io undcisiand ilc Supicmc Loid, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, cxccpi
iliougl His dcvoiional scivicc. Tlis is conliimcd in ilc Iouiil Clapici ol ilc
8hagavad-gïta (+.3), wlcic wc lcain ilai Kisna spolc ilc Pnagavaá-gita io Aijuna
simply bccausc lc was ilc Loid's dcvoicc and liicnd. Tlc Pnagavaá-gita icaclcs
ilc pioccss ol bnahtí-yoga, and ilcicloic Loid Kisna cxplaincd ii io Aijuna
bccausc lc was a gicai dcvoicc. As lai as spiiiiual lilc is conccincd, bccoming a
dcvoicc ol ilc Loid is ilc ligl-csi pcilcciion.
Pcoplc aic gcncially mislcd by ilc spcll ol ilc illusoiy cncigy ol maiciial naiuic.
Tlcic aic innumciablc living cniiiics wiilin ilc maiciial naiuic, and only somc ol
ilcm aic luman bcings. Accoiding io ilc Vcdic liiciaiuic, ilcic aic S,+00,000
spccics ol lilc. In ilc Paáma Purana ii is said ilai ilcic aic 900,000 spccics ol lilc
in ilc waici, 2,000,000 spccics ol planis, 1,100,000 spccics ol insccis and icpiilcs,
1,000,000 spccics ol biids, 3,000,000 spccics ol bcasis, and only +00,000 spccics ol
luman bcings. So ilc lumans aic ilc lcasi numcious spccics ol all.
All living cniiiics can bc dividcd inio iwo divisions: ilosc ilai can movc and ilosc
ilai aic siaiionaiy, sucl as iiccs. lui ilcic aic also many luiilci divisions. Somc
spccics lly in ilc aii, somc livc in ilc waici, and somc livc on ilc giound. Among
ilc living cniiiics wlo livc on ilc giound, only +00,000 aic luman spccics, and
oui ol ilcsc +00,000 luman spccics, many aic uncivilizcd oi unclcan; ilcy aic noi
up io ilc siandaid ol piopci civilizaiion. Iiom ilc lisioiical poini ol vicw, ilc
Ãiyans aic ilc mosi civilizcd scciion ol luman bcings, and among ilc Ãiyans, ilc
Indians aic cspccially liglly culiuicd. And among ilc Indians, ilc branmanas aic
ilc mosi cxpcii in lnowlcdgc ol ilc Vcáas.
Tlc Vcdic culiuic is icspccicd all ovci ilc woild, and ilcic aic pcoplc cvciywlcic
cagci io undcisiand ii. Tlc liglcsi pcilcciional siagc ol undcisianding Vcdic
culiuic is cxplaincd in ilc Pnagavaá-gita, in ilc Iiliccnil Clapici (15.15), wlcic
ilc Loid says ilai ilc puiposc ol all ilc Vcáas is io undcisiand Him (Loid Kisna).
Ioiiunaic aic ilosc wlo aic aiiiacicd io ilc Vcdic culiuial lilc.
Tlc Hindus call ilcmsclvcs lollowcis ol ilc Vcáas. Somc say ilcy lollow ilc Sama
Vcáa, and somc say ilcy lollow ilc Pg Vcáa. Dillcicni pcoplc claim io lollow
dillcicni scciions ol ilc Vcáas, bui in laci loi ilc mosi paii ilcy aic noi lollowcis
ol ilc Vcáas bccausc ilcy do noi lollow ilc iulcs and icgulaiions ol ilc Vcáas.
Tlcicloic Loid Caiianya says ilai sincc ilc so-callcd lollowcis ol ilc Vcáas
pciloim all linds ol sinlul aciiviiics, ilc numbci ol aciual lollowcis ol ilc Vcáas is
vciy small; and cvcn among ilis small, cxclusivc numbci, mosi aic addicicd io ilc
pioccsscs dcsciibcd in ilc Vcáas` harma-hanáa scciion, by wlicl onc can clcvaic
oncscll io ilc pcilcciional siagc ol cconomic dcvclopmcni.
Tlc siiici lollowcis ol ilc harma-hanáa poiiions ol ilc Vcáas pciloim vaiious
saciiliccs loi woislip ol dillcicni dcmigods in oidci io aclicvc paiiiculai maiciial
icsulis. Oui ol many millions ol sucl woislipcis, somc may aciually cngagc in ilc
pioccss ol undcisianding ilc Supicmc, ilc Absoluic Tiuil. Tlcy aic callcd jnanis.
Pcilcciion loi a jnani lics in aiiaining ilc siagc ol branma-bnuta, oi scll-icalizaiion.
Only alici scll-icalizaiion is aiiaincd docs ilc siagc ol undcisianding dcvoiional
scivicc bcgin. Tlc conclusion is ilai onc can bcgin ilc pioccss ol dcvoiional
scivicc, oi bnahtí, wlcn onc is aciually scll-icalizcd. Onc wlo is in ilc bodily
conccpi ol cxisicncc cannoi undcisiand ilc pioccss ol dcvoiional scivicc.
Ii is loi ilis icason ilai ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra bcgins, Now, ilcicloic, I slall iiy
io cxplain ilc pioccss ol dcvoiional scivicc.` Tlc woid ilcicloic` indicaics ilai
ilis pioccss ol dcvoiional scivicc is loi ilc scll-icalizcd soul, onc wlo is alicady
libciaicd. Similaily, ilc Vcáanta-sutra bcgins atnato branma jíjnasa. Tlc woid
branma-jíjnasa iclcis io inquiiy inio ilc Supicmc Absoluic Tiuil, and ii is
iccommcndcd loi ilosc wlo lavc bccn clcvaicd liom ilc lowci siagc ol addiciion
io ilc harma-hanáa poiiion ol ilc Vcáas io ilc posiiion ol inicicsi in ilc jnana-
hanáa poiiion. Only wlcn a pcison is pcilccily siiuaicd in ilc icalizaiion ilai lc is
noi ilc body bui a spiiii soul can lc bcgin ilc pioccss ol bnahtí, oi dcvoiional
scivicc.
iiTEXT 2'
sa tv asmín parama-prcma-rupa
SYNONYMS
sa-ii; tu-and; asmín-loi Him (ilc Supicmc Loid); parama-liglcsi; prcma-
puic lovc; rupa-laving as iis loim.
TRANSLATION
DevofionaI service manifesfs as fhe mosf eIevafed, pure Iove for God.
PURPORT
As siaicd bcloic, alici aiiaining ilc liglcsi siagc ol scll-icalizaiion, onc bccomcs
siiuaicd in dcvoiional scivicc io ilc Loid. Tlc pcilcciion ol dcvoiional scivicc is io
aiiain lovc ol God. Lovc ol God involvcs ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc
dcvoicc, and ilc pioccss ol dcvoiional scivicc. Scll-icalizaiion, ilc branma-bnuta
siagc, is ilc bcginning ol spiiiiual lilc; ii is noi ilc pcilcciional siagc. Il a pcison
undcisiands ilai lc is noi lis body and ilai lc las noiling io do wiil ilis
maiciial woild, lc bccomcs licc liom maiciial cnianglcmcni. lui ilai icalizaiion is
noi ilc pcilcciional siagc. Tlc pcilcciional siagc bcgins wiil aciiviiy in ilc scll-
icalizcd posiiion, and ilai aciiviiy is bascd on ilc undcisianding ilai a living
cniiiy is cicinally ilc suboidinaic sciviioi ol ilc Supicmc Loid. Oilciwisc, ilcic
is no mcaning io scll-icalizaiion. Il onc is pullcd up wiil ilc idca ilai lc is ilc
Supicmc lialman, oi ilai lc las bccomc onc wiil Naiayana, oi ilai lc las
mcigcd inio ilc branmajyotí cllulgcncc, ilcn lc las noi giaspcd ilc pcilcciion ol
lilc. As ilc Srïmad-8hagavatam (10.2.32) siaics,
yc `nyc `ravínáahsa vímuhta-manínas
tvayy asta-bnavaá avísuáána-buáánayan
arunya hrccnrcna param paáam tatan
patanty aáno `naárta-yusmaá-angnrayan
Pcisons wlo aic lalscly pullcd up, ilinling ilcy lavc bccomc libciaicd simply by
undcisianding ilcii consiiiuiional posiiion as lialman, oi spiiii soul, aic laciually
siill coniaminaicd. Tlcii iniclligcncc is impuic bccausc ilcy lavc no
undcisianding ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and uliimaicly ilcy lall down liom
ilcii pullcd-up posiiion.
Accoiding io ilc 8hagavatam (1.2.11) ilcic aic ilicc lcvcls ol iiansccndcnialisis:
ilc scll-icalizcd lnowcis ol ilc impcisonal lialman lcaiuic ol ilc Absoluic Tiuil;
ilc lnowcis ol ilc Paiamaima, ilc localizcd aspcci ol ilc Supicmc, wlicl is
undcisiood by ilc pioccss ol mysiic yoga, and ilc bnahtas, wlo aic in lnowlcdgc
ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and cngagc in His dcvoiional scivicc.
Tlosc wlo undcisiand simply ilai ilc living bcing is noi maiici bui spiiii soul
and wlo dcsiic io mcigc inio ilc Supicmc Spiiii Soul aic in ilc lowcsi
iiansccndcnial posiiion. Abovc ilcm aic ilc mysiic yogis, wlo by mcdiiaiion scc
wiilin ilcii lcaiis ilc loui-landcd Visnu loim ol ilc Paiamaima, oi Supcisoul.
lui pcisons wlo aciually associaic wiil ilc Supicmc Loid, Kisna, aic ilc liglcsi
among all iiansccndcnialisis. In ilc Sixil Clapici ol ilc 8hagavad-gïta (6.+7) ilc
Loid conliims ilis:
yogínam apí sarvcsam maá-gatcnantar-atmana
sraáánavan bnajatc yo mam sa mc yuhta-tamo matan
And ol all yogis, ilc onc wiil gicai laiil wlo always abidcs in Mc, ilinls ol Mc
wiilin limscll, and icndcis iiansccndcnial loving scivicc io Mc-lc is ilc mosi
iniimaicly uniicd wiil Mc in yoga and is ilc liglcsi ol all. Tlai is My opinion.`
Tlis is ilc liglcsi pcilcciional siagc, lnown as prcma, oi lovc ol God.
In ilc 8hahtí-rasamrta-síndhu (1.+.15-16), Siïla Rupa Gosvamï, a gicai auiloiiiy
in ilc dcvoiional linc, dcsciibcs ilc dillcicni siagcs in coming io ilc poini ol lovc
ol Godlcad:
aáau sraáána tatan saánu-sango `tna bnajana-hríya
tato `nartna-nívrttín syat tato nístna rucís tatan
atnasahtís tato bnavas tatan prcmabnyuáancatí
saánahanam ayam prcmnan praáurbnavc bnavct hraman
Tlc liisi icquiicmcni is ilai onc slould lavc sullicicni laiil ilai ilc only pioccss
loi aiiaining lovc ol Godlcad is bnahtí, dcvoiional scivicc io ilc Loid. Tliougloui
ilc Pnagavaá-gita Loid Kisna icaclcs ilai onc slould givc up all oilci pioccsscs
ol scll-icalizaiion and lully suiicndci unio Him. Tlai is laiil. Onc wlo las lull
laiil in Kisna (sraáána) and suiicndcis unio Him is cligiblc loi bcing iaiscd io ilc
lcvcl ol prcma, wlicl Loid Caiianya iaugli as ilc liglcsi pcilcciional siagc ol
luman lilc.
Somc pcisons aic addicicd io maiciially moiivaicd icligion, wlilc oilcis aic
addicicd io cconomic dcvclopmcni, scnsc giaiilicaiion, oi ilc idca ol salvaiion
liom maiciial cxisicncc. lui prcma, lovc ol God, is abovc all ilcsc. Tlis liglcsi
siagc ol lovc is abovc mundanc icligiosiiy, abovc cconomic dcvclopmcni, abovc
scnsc giaiilicaiion, and abovc cvcn libciaiion, oi salvaiion. Tlus lovc ol God
bcgins wiil ilc liim laiil ilai onc wlo cngagcs in lull dcvoiional scivicc las
aiiaincd pcilcciion in all ilcsc pioccsscs.
Tlc ncxi siagc in ilc pioccss ol clcvaiion io lovc ol God is saánu-sanga,
associaiion wiil pcisons alicady in ilc liglcsi siagc ol lovc ol God. Onc wlo
avoids sucl associaiion and simply cngagcs in mcnial spcculaiion oi so-callcd
mcdiiaiion cannoi bc iaiscd io ilc pcilcciional plailoim. lui onc wlo associaics
wiil puic dcvoiccs oi an clcvaicd dcvoiional sociciy gocs io ilc ncxi siagc-
bnajana-hríya, oi acccpiancc ol ilc icgulaiivc piinciplcs ol woisliping ilc
Supicmc Loid. Onc wlo associaics wiil a puic dcvoicc ol ilc Loid naiuially
acccpis ilai pcison as lis spiiiiual masici, and wlcn ilc ncoplyic dcvoicc acccpis
a puic dcvoicc as lis spiiiiual masici, ilc duiy ol ilc spiiiiual masici is io iiain
ilc ncoplyic in ilc piinciplcs ol icgulaicd dcvoiional scivicc, oi vaíání-bnahtí. Ai
ilis siagc ilc dcvoicc's scivicc is bascd on lis capaciiy io scivc ilc Loid. Tlc
cxpcii spiiiiual masici cngagcs lis lollowcis in woil ilai will giadually dcvclop
ilcii consciousncss ol scivicc io ilc Loid. Tlcicloic ilc picliminaiy siagc ol
undcisianding prcma, lovc ol God, is io appioacl a piopci puic dcvoicc, acccpi
lim as onc's spiiiiual masici, and cxccuic icgulaicd dcvoiional scivicc undci lis
guidancc.
Tlc ncxi siagc is callcd anartna-nívrttí, in wlicl all ilc misgivings ol maiciial lilc
aic vanquislcd. A pcison giadually icaclcs ilis siagc by icgulaily pciloiming ilc
piimaiy piinciplcs ol dcvoiional scivicc undci ilc guidancc ol ilc spiiiiual masici.
Tlcic aic many bad labiis wc acquiic in ilc associaiion ol maiciial coniaminaiion,
clicl ol wlicl aic illicii scxual iclaiionslips, caiing animal lood, indulging in
inioxicaiion, and gambling. Tlc liisi iling ilc cxpcii spiiiiual masici docs wlcn
lc cngagcs lis disciplc in icgulaicd dcvoiional scivicc is io insiiuci lim io absiain
liom ilcsc loui piinciplcs ol sinlul lilc.
Sincc God is supicmcly puic, onc cannoi iisc io ilc liglcsi pcilcciional siagc ol
lovc ol God wiiloui bcing puiilicd. In ilc 8hagavad-gïta (10.12), wlcn Aijuna
acccpicd Kisna as ilc Supicmc Loid, lc said, pavítram paramam bnavan. You aic
ilc puicsi ol ilc puic.` Tlc Loid is ilc puicsi, and ilus anyonc wlo wanis io
scivc ilc Supicmc Loid musi also bc puic. Unlcss a pcison is puic, lc can nciilci
undcisiand wlai ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is noi cngagc in His scivicc in lovc,
loi dcvoiional scivicc, as siaicd bcloic, bcgins liom ilc poini ol scll-icalizaiion,
wlcn all misgivings ol maiciialisiic lilc aic vanquislcd.
Alici lollowing ilc icgulaiivc piinciplcs and puiilying ilc maiciial scnscs, onc
aiiains ilc siagc ol nístna, liim laiil in ilc Loid. Wlcn a pcison las aiiaincd ilis
siagc, no onc can dcviaic lim liom ilc conccpiion ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad. No onc can pcisuadc lim ilai God is impcisonal, wiiloui a loim, oi
ilai any loim cicaicd by imaginaiion can bc acccpicd as God. Tlosc wlo cspousc
ilcsc moic oi lcss nonscnsical conccpiions ol ilc Supicmc Loid cannoi dissuadc
lim liom liim laiil in ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Kisna.
In ilc Pnagavaá-gita Loid Kisna siicsscs in many vciscs ilai Hc is ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. lui dcspiic Loid Kisna's siicssing ilis poini, many so-
callcd sclolais and commcniaiois siill dcny ilc pcisonal conccpiion ol ilc Loid.
Onc lamous sclolai wioic in lis commcniaiy on ilc Pnagavaá-gita ilai onc docs
noi lavc io suiicndci io Loid Kisna oi cvcn acccpi Him as ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, bui ilai onc slould iailci suiicndci io ilc Supicmc
wiilin Kisna.` Sucl lools do noi lnow wlai is wiilin and wlai is wiiloui. Tlcy
commcni on ilc Pnagavaá-gita accoiding io ilcii own wlims. Sucl pcisons
cannoi bc clcvaicd io ilc liglcsi siagc ol lovc ol Godlcad. Tlc may bc sclolaily,
and ilcy may bc clcvaicd in oilci dcpaiimcnis ol lnowlcdgc, bui ilcy aic noi
cvcn ncoplyics in ilc pioccss ol aiiaining ilc liglcsi siagc ol pcilcciion, lovc ol
Godlcad. Nístna implics ilai onc slould acccpi ilc woids ol Pnagavaá-gita, ilc
woids ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, as ilcy aic, wiiloui any dcviaiion
oi nonscnsical commcniaiy.
Il a pcison is loiiunaic cnougl io vanquisl all misgivings causcd by maiciial
cxisicncc and iisc up io ilc siagc ol nístna, lc can ilcn iisc io ilc siagcs ol rucí
(iasic) and asahtí (aiiaclmcni loi ilc Loid). Asahtí is ilc bcginning ol lovc ol
Godlcad. ly piogicssing, onc ilcn advanccs io ilc siagc ol iclisling a iccipiocal
cxclangc wiil ilc Loid in ccsiasy (bnava). Lvciy living cniiiy is cicinally iclaicd
io ilc Supicmc Loid, and ilis iclaiionslip may bc in any onc ol many
iiansccndcnial lumois. Ai ilc siagc callcd asahtí, aiiaclmcni, a pcison can
undcisiand lis iclaiionslip wiil ilc Supicmc Loid. Wlcn lc undcisiands lis
posiiion, lc bcgins iccipiocaiing wiil ilc Loid. ly consiani iccipiocaiion wiil ilc
Loid, ilc dcvoicc is clcvaicd io ilc liglcsi siagc ol lovc ol Godlcad, prcma.
iiiTEXT 3'
amrta-svarupa ca
SYNONYMS
amrta-immoiialiiy; svarupa-laving as iis csscncc; ca-and.
TRANSLATION
This pure Iove for God is efernaI.
PURPORT
Wlcn a pcison aiiains io ilc pcilcciional siagc ol lovc ol Godlcad, lc bccomcs
libciaicd cvcn in lis picscni body and icalizcs lis consiiiuiional posiiion ol
immoiialiiy. In ilc 8hagavad-gïta (+.9), ilc Loid says,
janma harma ca mc áívyam cvam yo vcttí tattvatan
tyahtva ácnam punar janma naítí mam ctí so `rjuna
Hcic ilc Loid says ilai any pcison wlo simply undcisiands His iiansccndcnial
aciiviiics and His appcaiancc and disappcaiancc in ilis maiciial woild bccomcs
libciaicd, and ilai alici quiiiing lis picscni body lc ai oncc icaclcs His abodc.
Tlcicloic ii is io bc undcisiood ilai onc wlo las aiiaincd ilc siagc ol lovc ol God
las pcilcci lnowlcdgc, and cvcn il lc may lall sloii ol pcilcci lnowlcdgc, lc las
ilc picliminaiy pcilcciion ol lilc ilai a living cniiiy can aiiain.
To conccivc ol oncscll as bcing onc wiil ilc Supicmc is ilc gicaicsi
misconccpiion ol scll-icalizaiion, and ilis misconccpiion picvcnis onc liom iising
io ilc liglcsi siagc ol lovc ol God. lui a pcison wlo undcisiands lis suboidinaic
posiiion can aiiain ilc liglcsi siagc ol loving scivicc io ilc Loid. Alilougl ilc
Loid and ilc living cniiiics aic qualiiaiivcly onc, ilc living cniiiics aic limiicd,
wlilc ilc Loid is unlimiicd. Tlis undcisianding, callcd amrta-svarupa, malcs onc
cligiblc loi bcing cicinally siiuaicd.
In ilc Srïmad-8hagavatam (10.S7.30) ilc pcisonilicd Vcáas piay io ilc Loid, O
supicmc cicinal, il ilc living cniiiics wcic cqual wiil You and ilus all-pcivading
and all-powcilul lilc You, ilcic would bc no possibiliiy ol ilcii bcing coniiollcd
by Youi cxicinal cncigy, maya.` Tlcicloic, ilc living cniiiics slould bc acccpicd
as liagmcnial poiiions ol ilc Supicmc. Tlis is conliimcd in 8hagavad-gïta (15.7)
wlcn ilc Loid says, mamaívamso jiva-Iohc jiva-bnutan sanatanan. Tlc living
cniiiics aic My liagmcnial poiiions, cicinally.` As liagmcnial poiiions, ilcy aic
qualiiaiivcly onc wiil ilc Supicmc, bui ilcy aic noi unlimiicd.
Onc wlo is convinccd ilai lc is cicinally a sciviioi ol ilc Supicmc Loid is callcd
immoiial bccausc lc las icalizcd lis consiiiuiional posiiion ol immoiialiiy. Unlcss
onc can undcisiand lis posiiion as a living cniiiy and an cicinal sciviioi ol ilc
Loid, ilcic is no qucsiion ol immoiialiiy. lui onc wlo acccpis ilcsc lacis bccomcs
immoiial. In oilci woids, ilosc wlo aic undci ilc misconccpiion ilai ilc living
cniiiy and ilc Supicmc Loid aic cqual in all icspccis, boil qualiiaiivcly and
quaniiiaiivcly, aic misialcn, and ilcy aic siill bound io icmain in ilc maiciial
woild. Tlcy cannoi iisc io ilc posiiion ol immoiialiiy.
Upon aiiaining lovc ol God, a pcison immcdiaicly bccomcs immoiial and no
longci las io clangc lis maiciial body. lui cvcn il a dcvoicc ol ilc Loid las noi
yci icaclcd ilc pcilcciional siagc ol lovc ol Godlcad, lis dcvoiional scivicc is
considcicd immoiial. Any aciion in ilc siagc ol harma oi jnana will bc linislcd
wiil ilc clangc ol body, bui dcvoiional scivicc, cvcn il noi cxccuicd pcilccily, will
coniinuc inio ilc ncxi lilc, and ilc living cniiiy will bc allowcd io malc luiilci
piogicss.
Tlc consiiiuiional posiiion ol ilc living cniiiy as a liagmcni ol ilc Supicmc Loid
is conliimcd in ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam and ilc Lpanísaás. Tlc Svctasvatara
Upanísad (5.9) siaics,
baIagra-sata-bnagasya sataána haIpítasya ca
bnago jivan sa víjncyan sa canantyaya haIpatc
Il ilc iip ol a laii wcic dividcd inio onc lundicd paiis, and il onc ol ilosc paiis
wcic again dividcd inio a lundicd paiis, ilai onc icn-ilousandil paii ol ilc iip ol
ilc laii would bc ilc dimcnsion ol ilc living cniiiy.` As alicady mcniioncd, ilis
posiiion ol ilc living cniiiy as a liagmcni ol ilc Supicmc Loid is dcclaicd in ilc
8hagavad-gïta (15.7) io bc cicinal; ii cannoi bc clangcd. A pcison wlo
undcisiands lis consiiiuiional posiiion as a liagmcni ol ilc Supicmc Loid and
cngagcs limscll in dcvoiional scivicc wiil all sciiousncss ai oncc bccomcs
immoiial.
ivTEXT +'
yaI Iabánva puman síááno bnavaty amrto bnavatí trpto bnavatí
SYNONYMS
yat-wlicl; Iabánva-laving gaincd; puman-a pcison; síáánan-pcilcci;
bnavatí-bccomcs; amrtan-immoiial; bnavatí-bccomcs; trptan-pcacclul;
bnavatí-bccomcs.
TRANSLATION
Upon achieving fhaf sfage of franscendenfaI devofionaI service in pure Iove of
God, a person becomes perfecf, immorfaI, and peacefuI.
PURPORT
Tlc paii-and-paiccl living cniiiics aic cnianglcd in ilc condiiioncd lilc ol maiciial
cxisicncc. lccausc ol ilcii divcisc aciiviiics ilcy aic wandciing all ovci ilc
univcisc, iiansmigiaiing liom onc body io anoilci and undcigoing vaiious
misciics. lui wlcn a loiiunaic living cniiiy somclow comcs in coniaci wiil a puic
dcvoicc ol ilc Loid and cngagcs in dcvoiional scivicc, lc cnicis upon ilc pail ol
pcilcciion. Il somconc cngagcs in dcvoiional scivicc in all sciiousncss, ilc Loid
insiiucis lim in iwo ways-iliougl ilc puic dcvoicc and liom wiilin-so ilai lc
can advancc in dcvoiional scivicc. ly culiivaiing sucl dcvoiional scivicc, lc
bccomcs pcilcci.
Loid Kisna dcsciibcs ilis loim ol complcic pcilcciion in ilc 8hagavad-gïta (S.15):
mam upctya punar janma áunhnaIayam asasvatam
napnuvantí manatmanan samsíááním paramam gatan
Tlc gicai souls wlo cngagc in My dcvoiional scivicc aiiain Mc, ilc Supicmc
Loid, and do noi comc bacl io ilis misciablc maiciial lilc, loi ilcy lavc aiiaincd
ilc liglcsi pcilcciion.` loil wlilc in ilc maiciial body and alici giving ii up, a
dcvoicc aiiains ilc liglcsi pcilcciion in scivicc io ilc Loid. As long as a dcvoicc is
in lis maiciial body, lis piobaiional aciiviiics in dcvoiional scivicc picpaic lim
loi bcing iianslciicd io ilc Loid's supicmc abodc. Only ilosc wlo aic onc
lundicd pciccni cngagcd in dcvoiional scivicc can aclicvc ilis pcilcciion.
In maiciial, condiiioncd lilc a pcison always lccls ilc lull misciics causcd by ilc
iiansmigiaiion ol ilc soul liom body io body. lcloic ialing biiil, lc undcigocs
ilc misciics ol living in ilc womb ol lis moilci, and wlcn lc comcs oui lc livcs
loi a cciiain pciiod and ilcn again las io dic and cnici a moilci's womb. lui onc
wlo aiiains ilc liglcsi pcilcciion gocs bacl io Godlcad alici lcaving lis picscni
body. Oncc ilcic, lc docsn'i lavc io comc bacl io ilis maiciial woild and
iiansmigiaic liom onc body io anoilci. Tlai iianslci io ilc spiiiiual woild is ilc
liglcsi pcilcciion ol lilc. In oilci woids, ilc dcvoicc aclicvcs lis consiiiuiional
posiiion ol immoiialiiy and ilus bccomcs complcicly pcacclul.
Uniil a pcison aclicvcs ilis pcilcciion, lc cannoi bc pcacclul. Hc may aiiilicially
ilinl lc is onc wiil ilc Supicmc, bui aciually lc is noi; ilcicloic, lc las no
pcacc. Similaily, somconc may aspiic loi onc ol ilc cigli yogic pcilcciions in ilc
mysiic yoga pioccss, sucl as io bccomc ilc smallcsi, io bccomc ilc lcavicsi, oi io
acquiic anyiling lc dcsiics, bui ilcsc aclicvcmcnis aic maiciial; ilcy aic noi
pcilcciion. Pcilcciion mcans io icgain onc's oiiginal spiiiiual loim and cngagc in
ilc loving scivicc ol ilc Loid. Tlc living cniiiy is paii and paiccl ol ilc Supicmc
Loid, and il lc pciloims ilc duiics ol ilc paii and paiccl, wiiloui pioudly
ilinling lc is onc in all icspccis wiil ilc Supicmc Loid, lc aiiains ical pcilcciion
and bccomcs pcacclul.
vTEXT 5'
yat prapya na híncíá vancnatí na socatí na ávcstí na ramatc notsani bnavatí
SYNONYMS
yat-wlicl; prapya-laving aiiaincd; na híncít-noiling; vancnatí-lanlcis loi;
na socatí-docs noi lamcni; na ávcstí-docs noi laic; na ramatc-docs noi icjoicc;
na-noi; utsani-maiciially cnilusiasiic; bnavatí-bccomcs.
TRANSLATION
A person engaged in such pure devofionaI service neifher desires anyfhing for
sense grafificafion, nor Iamenfs for any Ioss, nor hafes anyfhing, nor enjoys
anyfhing on his personaI accounf, nor becomes very enfhusiasfic in maferiaI
acfivify.
PURPORT
Accoiding io Siïla Rupa Gosvamï, ilcic aic six impcdimcnis io ilc disclaigc ol
dcvoiional scivicc, and also six aciiviiics lavoiablc io piogicss in dcvoiional
scivicc.
Tlc liisi impcdimcni is atyanara, ovcicaiing oi accumulaiing moic wcalil ilan wc
nccd. Wlcn wc givc licc icin io ilc scnscs in an clloii io cnjoy io ilc liglcsi
dcgicc, wc bccomc dcgiadcd. A dcvoicc slould ilcicloic cai only cnougl io
mainiain lis body and soul iogcilci; lc slould noi allow lis ionguc unicsiiicicd
liccnsc io cai anyiling and cvciyiling ii lilcs. Tlc Pnagavaá-gita and ilc gicai
acaryas, oi spiiiiual masicis, lavc picsciibcd cciiain loods loi luman bcings, and
onc wlo cais ilcsc loods cais in ilc modc ol goodncss. Tlcsc loods includc giains,
liuiis, vcgciablcs, mill pioducis, and sugai-and noiling moic. A dcvoicc docs
noi cai cxiiavaganily; lc simply cais wlai lc ollcis io ilc Supicmc Loid, Kisna.
Hc is inicicsicd in hrsna-prasaáam (lood ollcicd io ilc Loid) and noi in saiislying
lis ionguc. Tlcicloic lc docs noi dcsiic anyiling cxiiaoidinaiy io cai.
Similaily, a dcvoicc docs noi wisl io accumulaic a laigc banl balancc: lc simply
cains as mucl as lc icquiics. Tlis is callcd yavaá-artna oi yuhtanara. In ilc
maiciial woild cvciyonc is vciy aciivc in caining moic and moic moncy and in
incicasing caiing and slccping and giaiilying ilc scnscs; sucl is ilc mission ol
mosi pcoplc's livcs. lui ilcsc aciiviiics slould bc abscni liom ilc lilc ol a dcvoicc.
Tlc ncxi impcdimcni Siïla Rupa Gosvamï mcniions is prayasa, cndcavoiing vciy
laid loi maiciial ilings. A dcvoicc slould noi bc vciy cnilusiasiic aboui aiiaining
any maiciial goal. Hc slould noi bc lilc pcisons wlo cngagc in liuiiivc aciiviiics,
wlo woil vciy laid day and nigli io aiiain maiciial icwaids. All sucl pcisons
lavc somc ambiiion-io bccomc a vciy big busincssman, io bccomc a gicai
indusiiialisi, io bccomc a gicai poci oi plilosoplci. lui ilcy do noi lnow ilai
cvcn il ilcii ambiiion is lullillcd, ilc icsuli is icmpoiaiy. As soon as ilc body is
linislcd, all maiciial aclicvcmcnis aic also linislcd. No onc ialcs wiil lim
anyiling lc las aclicvcd maiciially in ilis woild. Tlc only iling lc can caiiy
wiil lim is lis assci ol dcvoiional scivicc; ilai alonc is ncvci vanquislcd.
Tlc ncxi impcdimcni io dcvoiional scivicc is prajaIpa, ialling ol mundanc subjcci
maiici. Many pcoplc unncccssaiily iall ol ilc daily lappcnings in ilc ncwspapcis
and pass ilc iimc wiiloui any piolii. A dcvoicc, lowcvci, docs noi indulgc in
unncccssaiy ialls ol poliiics oi cconomics. Noi is a dcvoicc vciy siiici in lollowing
iiiualisiic iulcs and icgulaiions mcniioncd in ilc Vcáas. lccoming cnamoicd ol
ilcsc iiiuals is ilc ncxi impcdimcni, callcd níyamagrana. lccausc a dcvoicc lully
cngagcs in ilc supicmc scivicc ol ilc Loid, lc auiomaiically lullills all oilci
obligaiions and docsn'i lavc io cxccuic all ilc dciails ol Vcdic iiiuals. As ilc
Srïmad-8hagavatam (11.5.+1) says,
ácvarsí-bnutapta-nrnam pítrnam
na hínharo nayam rni ca rajan
sarvatmana yan saranam saranyam
gato muhunáam parínrtya hartam
Lvciy luman bcing boin in ilis woild is immcdiaicly indcbicd io ilc dcmigods,
ilc gicai sagcs, oidinaiy living cniiiics, ilc lamily, sociciy, and so on. lui a pcison
wlo suiicndcis unio ilc loius lcci ol ilc Loid and cngagcs lully in His scivicc is
no longci indcbicd io anyonc. In oilci woids, lc las no obligaiions io lullill
cxccpi cxccuiing dcvoiional scivicc.`
Iinally, a dcvoicc slould noi bc giccdy (IauIyam), noi slould lc mix wiil
oidinaiy maiciialisiic mcn (jana-sanga).
Tlcsc aic six ncgaiivcs, oi do-nois,` loi ilc dcvoicc; ilcicloic onc wlo wanis io
aiiain ilc pcilcciional siagc ol lovc ol Godlcad icliains liom ilcsc ilings.
Similaily, ilcic aic six posiiivc iicms loi advancing in dcvoiional scivicc. Iiisi,
wlilc onc slould noi bc cnilusiasiic io aiiain maiciial aclicvcmcnis, onc slould
bc vciy cnilusiasiic io aiiain ilc pcilcciional siagc ol dcvoiional scivicc. Tlis
cnilusiasm is callcd utsana. A living cniiiy cannoi siop aciing. So wlcn lc is
loibiddcn io bccomc cnilusiasiic aboui maiciial aclicvcmcnis, lc slould ai oncc
bc cncouiagcd io bc cnilusiasiic aboui spiiiiual aclicvcmcnis. Lnilusiasm is a
sympiom ol ilc living cniiiy; ii cannoi bc sioppcd. Ii is jusi lilc a powcilul cnginc:
il you uiilizc ii piopcily, ii will givc immcnsc pioduciion. Tlcicloic cnilusiasm
slould bc puiilicd. Insicad ol cmploying cnilusiasm loi aiiaining maiciial goals,
onc slould bc cnilusiasiic aboui aclicving ilc pcilcciional siagc ol dcvoiional
scivicc. Indccd, cnilusing His dcvoiccs in dcvoiional scivicc is ilc puiposc loi
wlicl Kisna dcsccnds io ilis maiciial woild.
Tlc ncxi iicm lavoiablc loi dcvoiional scivicc is níscaya, conlidcncc. Wlcn onc
bccomcs disappoinicd in lis scivicc io ilc Supicmc Loid, ilai disappoinimcni
musi bc icjccicd and icplaccd wiil conlidcncc in aiiaining ilc uliimaic goal, lovc
ol Godlcad. Tlc dcvoicc slould paiicnily lollow ilc iulcs and icgulaiions ol
dcvoiional scivicc so ilai ilc day will comc wlcn lc will aclicvc, all ol a suddcn,
all ilc pcilcciion ol dcvoiional scivicc. Hc slould noi lamcni loi any loss oi any
icvcisc in lis advanccmcni in spiiiiual lilc. Tlis paiicncc (ánaírya) is ilc iliid
posiiivc iicm loi advancing in dcvoiional scivicc.
Iuiilcimoic, a puic dcvoicc is noi cnvious, laiclul, oi lazy in ilc disclaigc ol
dcvoiional scivicc. Conlidcni ol lis advanccmcni, lc coniinually pciloims lis
picsciibcd dcvoiional duiics. Tlis is callcd tat-tat-harma-pravartana.
Tlc lasi iwo iicms aic sanga-tyaga, giving up ilc associaiion ol nondcvoiccs, and
sato-vrttí, lollowing in ilc looisicps ol ilc picvious acaryas. Tlcsc piaciiccs gicaily
lclp ilc dcvoicc icmain lixcd on ilc pail ol dcvoiional scivicc and avoid ilc
icndcncy io cnjoy icmpoiaiy, maiciial ilings. Tlus ilc aciiviiics ol a dcvoicc
icmain always puic and wiiloui any coniaminaiion ol ilc maiciial woild.
viTEXT 6'
yaj jnatva matto bnavatí stabáno bnavaty atmaramo bnavatí
SYNONYMS
yat-wlicl; jnatva-laving lnown; mattan-inioxicaicd; bnavatí-bccomcs;
stabánan-siunncd (in ccsiasy); bnavatí-bccomcs; atma-araman-scll-conicni
(bccausc ol bcing cngagcd in ilc scivicc ol ilc Loid); bnavatí-bccomcs.
TRANSLATION
One who undersfands perfecfIy fhe process of devofionaI service in Iove of
Godhead becomes infoxicafed in ifs discharge. Somefimes he becomes sfunned
in ecsfasy and fhus enjoys his whoIe seIf, being engaged in fhe service of fhe
Supreme SeIf.
PURPORT
Tlc Srïmad-8hagavatam (1.7.10) siaics,
atmaramas ca munayo nírgrantna apy uruhramc
hurvanty anaítuhim bnahtím íttnam-bnuta-guno narín
Alilougl ilosc wlo aic atmarama, scll-saiislicd, aic libciaicd liom all maiciial
coniaminaiion, ilcy aic siill aiiiacicd by ilc pasiimcs ol ilc Supicmc Loid, and
ilus ilcy cngagc ilcmsclvcs in His iiansccndcnial scivicc.` Wlcn Loid Caiianya
cxplaincd ilis atmarama vcisc io Siïla Sanaiana Gosvamï, Hc dcsciibcd sixiy-onc
mcanings, and all ol ilcm poini iowaid ilc dcvoiional scivicc ol ilc Loid.
How onc bccomcs inioxicaicd in dcvoiional scivicc is vciy niccly dcsciibcd in ilc
Srïmad-8hagavatam (11.2.+0):
cvam-vratan sva-príya-nama-hirtya
jatanurago áruta-cítta uccaín
nasaty atno roáítí rautí gayaty
unmaáa-van nrtyatí Ioha-banyan
A pcison cngagcd in ilc dcvoiional scivicc ol ilc Loid in lull Kisna
consciousncss auiomaiically bccomcs caiiicd away by ccsiasy wlcn lc clanis and
lcais ilc loly namc ol Kisna. His lcaii bccomcs slaclcncd wlilc claniing ilc
loly namc, lc bccomcs almosi lilc a madman, and lc docs noi caic loi any
ouiwaid social convcniions. Tlus somciimcs lc laugls, somciimcs lc wccps,
somciimcs lc ciics oui vciy loudly, somciimcs lc sings, and somciimcs lc danccs
and loigcis limscll.` Tlcsc aic ilc signs ol bccoming inioxicaicd in dcvoiional
scivicc. Tlis siagc, callcd ilc atmarama siagc, is possiblc wlcn ilc Loid bcsiows
His mcicy upon a dcvoicc loi lis advanccd dcvoiional aciiviiy. Ii is ilc liglcsi
pcilcciional siagc bccausc onc cannoi icacl ii unlcss onc las aiiaincd puic lovc ol
God.
Nciilci loimal icligious iiiuals, cconomic dcvclopmcni, scnsc giaiilicaiion, noi
libciaiion can compaic wiil ilis swcci siagc ol pcilcciion ol lovc ol Kisna, lovc ol
ilc Supicmc Loid. Tlc Caítanya-carítamrta (Adí-IïIa 7.97) dcsciibcs ilis siagc ol
ccsiasy and inioxicaiion as bcing lai abovc ilc ccsiasy ol icalizing oncscll as
lialman, oi ilc supicmc spiiii. Loid Caiianya says ilai ilc ccsiasy ol bnahtí (lovc
ol Godlcad) is so vasi ilai ii is lilc an occan compaicd io ilc diop ol plcasuic
dciivcd liom undcisianding oncscll as onc wiil lialman. In all Vcdic liiciaiuic,
ilc liglcsi pcilcciional siagc is said io bc ilc siaic ol inioxicaiion ol dcvoiional
scivicc. Ii is noi aclicvcd by oidinaiy pcisons, ilc nondcvoiccs.
In ilc siagc ol pcilcciion, onc's lcaii bccomcs slaclcncd and onc bccomcs moic
and moic aiiaclcd io aiiaining ilc loius lcci ol ilc Loid. Siïla Rupa Gosvamï, a
gicai acarya in ilc linc ol dcvoiional scivicc, las dcsciibcd ilis siagc as lollows:
Alilougl appcaiing jusi lilc a madman, a pcison in ilc ccsiasy ol dcvoiional
scivicc is noi mad in ilc maiciial conccpiion ol ilc icim; ilis ccsiasy is ilc
manilcsiaiion ol ilc plcasuic poicncy ol ilc Supicmc Loid.` Tlc Loid las vaiious
poicncics, onc ol wlicl is callcd anIaáíni-sahtí, His inicinal plcasuic poicncy. Only
onc wlo bccomcs a liiilc convcisani wiil ilis poicncy can iasic sucl ccsiasy. Tlc
Vcdanta-sutra (1.1.12) siaics, ananáa-mayo `bnyasat. ly naiuic ilc Loid is always
joylul.` Tlis joylulncss ol ilc Loid is duc io His plcasuic poicncy.
Onc wlo bccomcs allccicd by ilc plcasuic poicncy ol ilc Supicmc Loid manilcsis
vaiious sympioms ol ccsiasy, sucl as slaclcning ol ilc lcaii, laugling, ciying,
slivciing, and dancing. Tlcsc sympioms aic noi maiciial. Howcvci, cxlibiiing
sucl ccsiaiic sympioms jusi io gci cicdii liom ilc public is noi appiovcd by puic
dcvoiccs. Siïla llaliisiddlania Saiasvaiï Piablupada says, Pcisons wiiloui
aiiainmcni ol ilc liglcsi pcilcciional siagc ol loving scivicc cannoi aclicvc any
auspiciousncss simply by aiiilicially laugling, ciying, oi dancing wiiloui any
spiiiiual undcisianding. Aiiilicial movcmcni ol ilc body... musi always bc
icjccicd. Onc slould waii loi ilc naiuial scqucncc wiilin dcvoiional scivicc, and
ai ilai iimc, wlcn onc ciics oi danccs oi sings, ii is appiovcd. A pcison aiiilicially
slowing sympioms ol ilc plcasuic poicncy cicaics many disiuibanccs in ilc
oidinaiy way ol lilc.`
Onc wlo aiiains ilc pcilcciional siagc ol dcvoiional scivicc undci ilc guidancc ol
a bona lidc spiiiiual masici may picacl ilc scicncc ol dcvoiion as Loid Caiianya
did. Wlcn Loid Caiianya picaclcd, Hc danccd and slowcd oilci sympioms ol
ccsiasy. Oncc, in lcnaics, a Mayavadï sannyasi namcd Pialasananda Saiasvaiï
objccicd io ilcsc aciiviiics. Hc said ilai sincc Loid Caiianya lad ialcn sannyasa,
ilc icnounccd oidci ol lilc, Hc slould noi aci in sucl an inioxicaicd way.
Tlc Loid cxplaincd ilai ilcsc sympioms ol inioxicaiion lad auiomaiically aiiscn
wlcn Hc lad clanicd ilc Haic Kisna mantra, and ilai upon sccing ilis His
spiiiiual masici lad oidcicd Him io picacl dcvoiional scivicc all ovci ilc woild.
Wlilc spcaling wiil Pialasananda, Loid Caiianya quoicd an impoiiani vcisc liom
ilc Harí-bhahtí-sudhodaya (1+.36):
tvat-sahsat-harananIaáa-vísuáánabání-stnítasya mc
suhnaní gospaáayantc branmany apí jagaá-guro
My dcai Loid, O masici ol ilc univcisc, sincc I lavc diiccily sccn You, my
iiansccndcnial bliss las ialcn ilc slapc ol a gicai occan. Tlus I now icgaid ilc
lappincss dciivcd liom undcisianding impcisonal lialman io bc lilc ilc waici
coniaincd in a call's loolpiini.`.`
In ilis way, onc wlo icaclcs ilc pcilcciional siagc ol dcvoiional scivicc bccomcs
so saiislicd ilai lc docs noi wani anyiling moic, and ilus lc always cngagcs in
puic dcvoiional scivicc.
viiTEXT 7'
sa na hamayamana níroána-rupatvat
SYNONYMS
sa-ilai dcvoiional scivicc in puic lovc ol God; na-noi; hamayamana-lilc
oidinaiy lusi; níroána-icnunciaiion; rupatvat-bccausc ol laving as iis loim.
TRANSLATION
There is no quesfion of Iusf in fhe execufion of pure devofionaI service,
because in if aII maferiaI acfivifies are renounced.
PURPORT
In puic dcvoiional scivicc ilcic is no qucsiion ol scnsc giaiilicaiion. Somc pcoplc
misialc ilc loving allaiis bciwccn Kisna and ilc gopis (cowlcid giils) loi
aciiviiics ol oidinaiy scnsc giaiilicaiion, bui ilcsc allaiis aic noi lusilul bccausc
ilcic is no maiciial coniaminaiion. As Rupa Gosvamï siaics in lis 8hahtí-
rasamrta-síndhu (1.2.2S5),
prcmaíva gopa-ramanam hama íty agamat pratnam
íty uáánavaáayo `py ctam vancnantí bnagavat-príyan
Alilougl ilc dcalings ol ilc gopis wiil Kisna aic wiongly cclcbiaicd by many as
lusi, gicai sagcs and sainily pcisons lilc Uddlava lanlci loi sucl loving allaiis
wiil Kisna.` Siïla Kisnadasa Kaviiaja, ilc auiloi ol Caítanya-carítamrta, las
ilcicloic said,
hama, prcma,-áonnahara víbnínna Iahsana
Iauna ara ncma yaícnc svarupc víIahsana
As ilcic is a dillcicncc bciwccn iion and gold, so ilcic is a dillcicncc bciwccn
maiciial lusi and Kisna's loving allaiis wiil ilc gopis` (Cc. Adí +.16+). Alilougl
sucl loving allaiis may somciimcs icscmblc maiciial lusi, ilc dillcicncc is as
lollows:
atmcnáríya-prití-vancna-tarc baIí hama`
hrsncnáríya-prití-íccna ánarc prcma` nama
Tlc dcsiic io saiisly onc's own scnscs is callcd lusi, wlilc ilc dcsiic io saiisly ilc
scnscs ol Kisna is callcd prcma, lovc ol God` (Cc. Adí +.165).
Tlc impcisonalisis cannoi undcisiand ilc piinciplc ol saiislying Kisna's scnscs
bccausc ilcy icjcci ilc pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlus ilcy ilinl God las no scnscs
and ilcicloic no scnsc saiislaciion. lui ilc dcvoiccs simply wani io saiisly ilc
scnscs ol ilc Supicmc Loid, and so ilcy ialc paii in ilc puic aciiviiics ol lovc ol
Godlcad. Tlcic is no qucsiion ol lusi in ilai caicgoiy ol puic iiansccndcnial lovc.
Lusi lcads io liuiiivc aciiviiy loi scnsc giaiilicaiion. Tlcic aic dillcicni linds ol
duiics loi ilc luman bcing, sucl as poliiical obligaiions, pciloimancc ol Vcdic
iiiuals, obligaiions loi mainiaining ilc body, and social loimaliiics and
convcniions, bui all sucl aciiviiics aic diiccicd iowaid saiislying onc's own scnscs.
Tlc gopis, lowcvci, simply wanicd io saiisly Kisna's scnscs, and ilus ilcy
complcicly gavc up ilc convcniional pail ol social icsiiiciion, noi caiing loi ilcii
iclaiivcs oi ilc clasiiscmcni ol ilcii lusbands. Tlcy gavc up cvciyiling loi ilc
saiislaciion ol Kisna, slowing ilcii siiong aiiaclmcni io Kisna io bc as spoilcss as
waslcd wliic cloil.
Ii is said ilai wlcn conjugal allcciion bciwccn a lovci and bclovcd comcs io ilc
poini ol bcing dcsiioycd and yci is noi dcsiioycd, sucl a iclaiionslip is puic lovc,
oi prcma. In ilc maiciial woild ii is noi possiblc io lind ilis lind ol lovc, loi ii
cxisis only bciwccn Kisna and His iniimaic dcvoiccs, sucl as ilc gopis. Tlc
scniimcni bciwccn ilc gopis and Kisna was so siiong ilai ii could noi bc
dcsiioycd undci any ciicumsianccs. Kisna piaiscs ilc gopis' puic lovc in ilc
Srïmad-8hagavatam (10.32.22):
na parayc `nam níravaáya-samyujam
sva-saánu-hrtyam víbuánayusapí van
ya mabnajan áurjaya-gcna-srnhnaIan
samvrscya taá van pratíyatu saánuna
My dcai gopis, I am noi ablc io icpay My dcbi loi youi spoilcss scivicc, cvcn
wiilin a lilciimc ol lialma. Youi conncciion wiil Mc is bcyond icpioacl. You
lavc woislipcd Mc, cuiiing oll all domcsiic iics, wlicl aic dilliculi io bical.
Tlcicloic plcasc lci youi own gloiious dccds bc youi compcnsaiion.`
viiiTEXT 8'
níroánas tu Ioha-vcáa-vyapara-nyasan
SYNONYMS
níroánan-icnunciaiion; tu-moicovci; Ioha-ol social cusiom; vcáa-and ol ilc
icvcalcd sciipiuic; vyapara-ol ilc cngagcmcnis; nyasa-icnunciaiion.
TRANSLATION
Such renunciafion in devofionaI service means fo give up aII kinds of sociaI
cusfoms and reIigious rifuaIs governed by Vedic injuncfion.
PURPORT
In a vcisc in ilc IaIíta-madhava (5.2), Siïla Rupa Gosvamï dcsciibcs icnunciaiion
in dcvoiional scivicc:
ráána síáání-vraja-víjayíta satya-ánarma samaánír
branmananáo gurur apí camatharayaty cva tavat
yavat prcmnam maánu-rípu-vasihara-síáánausaáninam
ganáno `py antan-harana-sarani-pantnatam na prayatí
Aciiviiics sucl as mysiic iiancc, bccoming onc wiil ilc Supicmc, and ilc
icligious piinciplcs ol bialminism, sucl as spcaling ilc iiuil and iolciancc, lavc
ilcii own icspcciivc aiiiaciions, bui wlcn onc bccomcs capiivaicd by lovc ol
Kisna, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, all aiiiaciion loi mysiic powci,
monisiic plcasuic, and mundanc icligious piinciplcs bccomcs insignilicani.`
In oilci woids, by disclaiging puic dcvoiional scivicc onc aiiains ilc liglcsi
siagc ol lovc ol Godlcad and is liccd liom all oilci obligaiions, sucl as ilosc
mcniioncd in ilc harma-hanáa, jnana-hanáa, and yoga-hanáa scciions ol ilc Vcáas.
Onc wlo cngagcs in puic dcvoiional scivicc las no dcsiic io impiovc limscll-
cxccpi in ilc scivicc ol ilc Loid. In sucl dcvoiional scivicc ilcic cannoi bc any
woislip ol ilc impcisonal oi localizcd lcaiuics ol ilc Supicmc Loid. Tlc dcvoicc
simply pciloims aciiviiics ilai saiisly ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and
ilus aiiains puic lovc loi ilc Loid.
Only by ilc combincd mcicy ol ilc puic dcvoicc-ilc bona lidc spiiiiual masici-
and ilc Supicmc Loid Himscll can onc aiiain puic dcvoiional scivicc io ilc Loid.
Il somconc is loiiunaic cnougl io lind a puic dcvoicc and acccpi lim as lis
spiiiiual masici, ilcn ilis spiiiiual masici, oui ol lis causclcss mcicy, will impaii
ilc lnowlcdgc ol puic dcvoiional scivicc. And ii is ilc Loid, oui ol Hís causclcss
mcicy, wlo scnds His mosi conlidcniial sciviioi io ilis woild io insiiuci puic
dcvoiional scivicc.
ly ilc divinc giacc ol ilc spiiiiual masici, ilc sccd ol puic dcvoiional scivicc,
wlicl is complcicly dillcicni liom ilc sccd ol liuiiivc aciiviiics and spcculaiivc
lnowlcdgc, is sown in ilc lcaii ol ilc dcvoicc. Tlcn, wlcn ilc dcvoicc saiislics
ilc spiiiiual masici and Kisna, ilis sccd ol dcvoiional scivicc giows inio a plani
ilai giadually icaclcs up io ilc spiiiiual woild. An oidinaiy plani icquiics slclici
loi giowing. Similaily, ilc dcvoiional plani giows and giows uniil ii ialcs slclici
in ilc spiiiiual woild, wiiloui ialing slclici on any planci in ilc maiciial woild.
In oilci woids, ilosc wlo aic capiivaicd by puic dcvoiional scivicc lavc no dcsiic
io clcvaic ilcmsclvcs io any maiciial planci. Tlc liglcsi planci in ilc spiiiiual
woild is Kisna-lola, oi Golola Vindavana, and ilcic ilc dcvoiional plani ialcs
slclici.
Tlc Naraáa Pancaratra dclincs puic dcvoiional scivicc as lollows:
sarvopaání-vínírmuhtam tat-paratvcna nírmaIam
nrsihcna nrsihcsa-scvanam bnahtír ucyatc
¦Cc. Madlya 19.170]
Dcvoiional scivicc io ilc Supicmc Loid mcans cngagcmcni ol all ilc scnscs in
His scivicc. In sucl scivicc ilcic aic iwo impoiiani lcaiuics: Iiisi, onc musi bc
puiilicd ol all dcsignaiions, and sccond, ilc scnscs slould bc cngagcd only in ilc
scivicc ol ilc Supicmc Loid, ilc masici ol ilc scnscs. Tlai is puic dcvoiional
scivicc.`
Lvciyonc is now coniaminaicd by vaiious dcsignaiions in iclaiion io ilc body.
Lvciyonc is ilinling, I bclong io sucl-and-sucl couniiy; I bclong io a cciiain
sociciy; I bclong io a cciiain lamily.` lui wlcn a pcison comcs io ilc siagc ol puic
dcvoiional scivicc, lc lnows ilai lc docs noi bclong io anyiling cxccpi ilc
scivicc ol ilc Loid.
Tlc sympiom ol unllincling laiil in puic dcvoiional scivicc is ilai onc las
ovcicomc ilc many disiupiivc dcsiics ilai impcdc puic dcvoiional scivicc, sucl as
(1) ilc dcsiic io woislip ilc dcmigods, (2) ilc dcsiic io scivc somconc oilci ilan
Kisna, (3) ilc dcsiic io woil loi scnsc giaiilicaiion, wiiloui undcisianding onc's
iclaiionslip wiil Kisna, (+) ilc dcsiic io culiivaic impcisonal lnowlcdgc and
ilcicby loigci ilc Supicmc Loid, and (5) ilc dcsiic io csiablisl oncscll as ilc
Supicmc, in wlicl cndcavoi ilcic is no iiacc ol ilc bliss ol dcvoiional scivicc.
Onc slould givc up all ilcsc dcsiics and cngagc cxclusivcly in ilc loving
dcvoiional scivicc ol ilc Loid. Lxccpi loi ilc scivicc ol ilc Loid, anyiling donc is
in ilc scivicc ol illusion, oi maya.
Onc slould iiy io gci oui ol illusion and bc cngagcd in ilc laciual scivicc ol Kisna.
Scivicc io Kisna uiilizcs all ilc scnscs, and wlcn ilc scnscs aic cngagcd in ilc
scivicc ol Kisna, ilcy bccomc puiilicd. Tlcic aic icn scnscs-livc aciivc scnscs
and livc lnowlcdgc-acquiiing scnscs. Tlc aciivc scnscs aic ilc powci ol ialling,
ilc lands, ilc lcgs, ilc cvacuaiing ouilci, and ilc gcnciaiing oigan. Tlc
lnowlcdgc-acquiiing scnscs aic ilc cycs, ilc cais, ilc nosc, ilc ionguc, and ilc
scnsc ol ioucl. Tlc mind, ilc ccnici ol all ilc scnscs, is somciimcs considcicd ilc
clcvcnil scnsc.
Onc cannoi cngagc in ilc iiansccndcnial loving scivicc ol ilc Loid wiil ilcsc
scnscs in ilcii picscni maiciially covcicd siaic. Tlcicloic onc slould ialc up ilc
pioccss ol dcvoiional scivicc io puiily ilcm. Tlcic aic sixiy-loui iicms ol
icgulaiivc dcvoiional scivicc loi puiilying ilc scnscs, and onc slould siicnuously
undcigo sucl icgulaiivc scivicc. Tlcn onc can cnici inio ilc iiansccndcnial loving
scivicc ol ilc Loid. (Scc TLXT 12 loi a lull discussion ol ilcsc sixiy-loui iicms ol
dcvoiional scivicc.)
TEXT 9
tasmínn ananyata taá-víroánísuáasinata ca
SYNONYMS
tasmín-loi Him; ananyata-cxclusivc dcdicaiion; tat-io Him; víroánísu-loi
ilosc ilings wlicl aic opposcd; uáasinata-indillcicncc; ca-and.
TRANSLATION
Renunciafion aIso means being excIusiveIy dedicafed fo fhe Lord and
indifferenf fo whaf sfands in fhe way of His service.
PURPORT
Tlc cxclusivc naiuic ol dcvoiional scivicc las also bccn dcsciibcd by Siïla Rupa
Gosvamï in ilc 8hahtí-rasamrta-síndhu (1.1.11):
anyabníIasíta-sunyam jnana-harmaáy-anavrtam
anuhuIycna hrsnanu-siIanam bnahtír uttama
¦Madlya 19.167]
Wlcn liisi-class dcvoiional scivicc dcvclops, onc musi bc dcvoid ol all maiciial
dcsiics, lnowlcdgc obiaincd by monisiic plilosoply, and liuiiivc aciion. Tlc
dcvoicc musi consianily scivc Kisna lavoiably, as Kisna dcsiics.`
Puic dcvoiccs aic so cxclusivc in ilcii inicni io scivc ilc Supicmc Loid wiiloui
any icwaid ilai ilcy do noi acccpi any lind ol libciaiion, cvcn ilougl ii may bc
ollcicd by ilc Supicmc Loid. Tlis is conliimcd in ilc Srïmad-8hagavatam
(3.29.13).
Tlcic is also somciling callcd mixcd bnahtí,` wlicl occuis bcloic ilc siagc ol
puic dcvoiional scivicc. Ii is somciimcs callcd prahrta-bnahtí, oi dcvoiional scivicc
mixcd wiil maiciial dcsiics. Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Wlcn onc las cvcn a iingc
ol pcisonal inicicsi, lis dcvoiion is mixcd wiil ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial
naiuic` (Pnag. 3.29.9, puipoii). Tlus mixcd dcvoiion can occui in vaiious
combinaiions wiilin ilc modcs ol ignoiancc, passion, and goodncss. Siïla
Piablupada claboiaicly cxplains mixcd dcvoiion as lollows:
Dcvoiional scivicc in ilc modcs ol ignoiancc, passion, and goodncss can bc
dividcd inio cigliy-onc caicgoiics. Tlcic aic dillcicni dcvoiional aciiviiics,
sucl as lcaiing, claniing, icmcmbciing, woisliping, ollciing piaycis,
icndciing scivicc, and suiicndciing cvciyiling, and cacl ol ilcm can bc
dividcd inio ilicc caicgoiics. Tlcic is lcaiing in ilc modc ol passion, in
ilc modc ol ignoiancc, and in ilc modc ol goodncss. Similaily, ilcic is
claniing in ilc modc ol ignoiancc, passion, and goodncss, cic.... Onc las
io iiansccnd all sucl mixcd maiciialisiic dcvoiional scivicc in oidci io
icacl ilc siandaid ol puic dcvoiional scivicc. ¦Pnag. 3.29.10, puipoii]
Onc lind ol mixcd dcvoiional scivicc is lnown as jnana-mísra-bnahtí, oi
dcvoiional scivicc mixcd wiil cmpiiic lnowlcdgc. Siïla Piablupada wiiics,
Pcoplc in gcncial, wlo aic undci ilc inllucncc ol avíáya-sahtí, oi maya, lavc
nciilci lnowlcdgc noi dcvoiion. lui wlcn a pcison wlo is a liiilc advanccd and is
ilcicloic callcd a jnani advanccs cvcn moic, lc is in ilc caicgoiy ol a jnana-mísra-
bnahta, oi a dcvoicc wlosc lovc is mixcd wiil cmpiiic lnowlcdgc` (Pnag. +.9.16,
puipoii).
Naiada's dcliniiion ol bnahtí, bcing cxclusivcly dcdicaicd io ilc Loid,` iclcis io
puic dcvoiional scivicc in ilc libciaicd siagc. Tlis las also bccn noicd by Siïla
Piablupada in lis commcniaiy on ilc liisi sutra ol ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra,
wlcicin lc says ilai puic dcvoiional scivicc bcgins alici ilc branma-bnuta, oi
libciaicd, siagc.
A puic dcvoicc is ahama, licc ol maiciial dcsiic. Hc is conscious ol lis aciual
posiiion and dciivcs saiislaciion only liom sciving ilc Supicmc Loid. Siïla
Piablupada wiiics, Siïla Jïva Gosvamï las cxplaincd ilis dcsiiclcssncss as
bnajaniya-parama-purusa-suhna-matra-sva-suhnatvam in lis Sanáarbnas. Tlis
mcans ilai onc slould lccl lappy only by cxpciicncing ilc lappincss ol ilc
Supicmc Loid` (Pnag. 2.3.10, puipoii).
In ilc picscni sutra Naiada Muni siaics ilai a puic dcvoicc is indillcicni iowaid
wlai siands in ilc way ol ¦ilc Loid's] scivicc.` Il a dcvoicc cncounicis somc
lindiancc in lis scivicc io ilc Loid, lc piays io ilc Loid io plcasc icmovc ii. A
good cxamplc is Quccn Kuniï:
atna vísvcsa vísvatman vísva-murtc svahcsu mc
sncna-pasam ímam cnínání áránam panáusu vrsnísu
tvayí mc `nanya-vísaya matír maánu-patc `sahrt
ratím uávanataá aáána gangcvaugnam uáanvatí
O Loid ol ilc univcisc, soul ol ilc univcisc, O pcisonaliiy ol ilc loim ol ilc
univcisc, plcasc, ilcicloic, scvci my iic ol allcciion loi my linsmcn, ilc Pandavas
and ilc Visnis. O Loid ol Madlu, as ilc Gangcs loicvci llows io ilc sca wiiloui
lindiancc, lci my aiiiaciion bc consianily diawn unio You wiiloui bcing divciicd
io anyonc clsc` (8hag. 1.S.+1-+2).
Tlc supicmc cxamplcs ol dcvoiccs wlo lci noiling siand in ilc way ol ilcii
scivicc io Kisna aic ilc gopis ol Vindavana. And among all ilc gopis, ilc bcsi is
Siïmaiï Radlaianï. Hci dciciminaiion io scivc Kisna is bcauiilully dcsciibcd in
ilis vcisc liom Siïla Rupa Gosvamï's Vídagdha-madhava (3.9):
nítva áurc patní ánava-taror antíham ánarma-sctor
bnangoáagra guru-síhnarínam ramnasa Iangnayanti
Icbnc hrsnarnava-nava-rasa raáníha-vaníni tvam
vag-vicibnín hím íva vímuhni-bnavam asyas tanosí
O Loid Kisna, You aic jusi lilc an occan. Tlc iivci ol Siïmaiï Radlaianï las
icaclcd You liom a long disiancc-lcaving lai bclind ilc iicc ol Hci lusband,
bicaling iliougl ilc biidgc ol social convcniion, and loicibly ciossing ilc lills ol
cldci iclaiivcs.`
Alilougl puic dcvoiion io Loid Kisna is cxclusivc, ii is noi a naiiow-mindcd,
scciaiian dcvoiion. Loid Kisna is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc souicc
ol all cmanaiions; ilcicloic lovc loi Kisna includcs wiilin ii lovc loi all living
cniiiics. Siïla Piablupada cxplaincd ilis by ilc lomcly cxamplc ol a giil wlo
maiiics and joins wiil lci lusband's lamily. Jusi by ilc aci ol maiiying onc man,
slc auiomaiically bccomcs iniimaicly iclaicd wiil lis lamily mcmbcis, wlo now
bccomc lci bioilcis-in-law, lailci-in-law, moilci-in-law, and so on. Similaily,
wlcn wc join wiil Kisna by icndciing Him loving scivicc, wc cnici inio His
lamily, wlicl includcs aII Iívíng bcíngs. Siïla Piablupada dcsciibcs ilis in ilc
piclacc io 1nc Ncctar oj Dcvotíon.
Tlc basic piinciplc ol ilc living condiiion is ilai wc lavc a gcncial piopcnsiiy io
lovc somconc. No onc can livc wiiloui loving somconc clsc.... Tlc missing poini,
lowcvci, is wlcic io icposc oui lovc so ilai cvciyonc can bccomc lappy.... 1nc
Ncctar oj Dcvotíon icaclcs us ilc scicncc ol loving cvciy onc ol ilc living cniiiics
pcilccily by ilc casy mcilod ol loving Kisna. Wc lavc lailcd io cicaic pcacc and
laimony in luman sociciy, cvcn by sucl gicai aiicmpis as ilc Uniicd Naiions,
bccausc wc do noi lnow ilc iigli mcilod.
Ai ilc conclusion ol ilc 8hagavad-gïta (1S.66), Loid Kisna siaics,
sarva-ánarman parítyajya mam cham saranam vraja
anam tvam sarva-papcbnyo mohsayísyamí ma sucan
Abandon all vaiiciics ol icligion and jusi suiicndci unio Mc. I slall dclivci you
liom all sinlul icaciions. Do noi lcai.` Il onc lcsiiaics io ialc up cxclusivc
dcvoiion io ilc Loid bccausc ol obsiaclcs oi lcai ol bcing lax in oilci obligaiions,
Kisna assuics us ilai ilcic is noiling io lcai. Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Tlc
paiiiculai woids uscd lcic, ma sucan, 'Don'i lcai, don'i lcsiiaic, don'i woiiy,' aic
vciy signilicani. Onc may bc pciplcxcd as io low onc can givc up all linds ol
icligious loims and simply suiicndci unio Kisna, bui sucl woiiy is usclcss.`
TEXT 10
anyasrayanam tyago `nanyata
SYNONYMS
anya-oilci; asrayanam-ol slclicis; tyagan-ilc giving up; an-anyata-
cxclusivcncss.
TRANSLATION
ExcIusive dedicafion fo fhe Lord means giving up aII sheIfers ofher fhan Him.
PURPORT
As mcniioncd abovc, in ilc 8hagavad-gïta (1S.66) Loid Kisna adviscs Aijuna io
givc up all pioccsscs ol scll-icalizaiion and suiicndci unio Him only. Knowlcdgc
ol ilc scll, lnowlcdgc ol ilc localizcd Supcisoul, lnowlcdgc ol cxccuiing ilc woil
picsciibcd loi ilc loui divisions ol luman sociciy, lnowlcdgc ol icnunciaiion,
lnowlcdgc ol dciaclmcni, lnowlcdgc ol coniiolling ilc scnscs and ilc mind,
lnowlcdgc ol mcdiiaiion, and lnowlcdgc ol low io acquiic maiciial powci by
mysiic pcilcciion-all ilcsc aic dillcicni linds ol slclicis` lcading io vaiious
dcgiccs ol spiiiiual pcilcciion. lui ilc Loid's lasi insiiuciion in ilc Pnagavaá-gita
is ilai onc slould givc up all ilcsc dillcicni slclicis and simply ialc io His loving
dcvoiional scivicc, and ilis suiicndci io ilc Loid will savc onc liom all linds ol
sinlul icaciion. In oilci woids, diicci aiiaclmcni loi ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, Kisna, and cngagcmcni in His iiansccndcnial scivicc aic ilc iopmosi
pcilcciions ol spiiiiual lilc.
TEXT 11
Ioha-vcácsu taá-anuhuIacaranam taá-víroánísuáasinata
SYNONYMS
Ioha-in sociciy and poliiics; vcácsu-and in ilc Vcdic iiiuals; tat-loi ilai;
anuhuIa-ol wlai is lavoiablc; acaranam-pciloimancc; tat-loi ilai; víroánísu-
loi wlai is opposcd; uáasinata-indillcicncc.
TRANSLATION
Indifference foward whaf sfands in fhe way of devofionaI service means fo
accepf onIy fhose acfivifies of sociaI cusfom and Vedic injuncfion fhaf are
favorabIe fo devofionaI service.
PURPORT
Maiciial cxisicncc is a lilc ol icvoli againsi ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Tlcic aic many ways in wlicl ilc living cniiiics can manilcsi ilis spiiii ol icvoli,
sucl as cngaging in liuiiivc aciiviiics, mcnial spcculaiion, oi mysiic yoga io
aclicvc maiciial pcilcciions. Gcncially, all condiiioncd souls dcsiic io loid ii ovci
ilc maiciial naiuic. Lvciyonc wanis io bccomc a dcmiloid, ciilci by social oi
poliiical aciiviiics oi by Vcdic iiiuals. Lvciyonc wanis io clcvaic limscll io a
liglci siaius ol cxisicncc oi, oui ol liusiiaiion, bccomc onc wiil ilc Supicmc. All
ilcsc dcsiics aic dillcicni iypcs ol maiciialism; ilcy aic noi lavoiablc loi
dcvoiional scivicc.
A puic dcvoicc icjccis dcmigod woislip and woislips only Loid Kisna oi His
Visnu cxpansions. Uniil a pcison is complcicly licc ol maiciial coniaminaiion, lc
migli wani io woislip God in lopc ol lullilling maiciial dcsiics. lui cvcn il a
pcison las maiciial dcsiics, il lc sciupulously woislips ilc Supicmc Loid lc will
vciy soon bccomc puiilicd ol all sucl dcsiics. On ilc oilci land, pcisons wlosc
aciiviiics aic diciaicd by maiciial dcsiics and wlo aic also addicicd io woisliping
ilc dcmigods cannoi bccomc puic dcvoiccs ai any siagc ol ilcii livcs. Tlc Loid,
siiuaicd wiilin cvciyonc's lcaii, lullills ilc dcsiics ol ilc dcmigod-woislipcis-
bui in ilc Pnagavaá-gita ilc Loid says ilai sucl dcmigod-woislipcis aic ol small
iniclligcncc (aIpa-mcánasan). In oilci woids, as long as onc is coniiollcd by ilc
modcs ol naiuic, onc will bc pionc io woislip ilc dcmigods loi maiciial puiposcs,
bui onc wlo cuibs ilis icndcncy and woislips Kisna cxclusivcly can iisc abovc
ilc modcs and aiiain puic dcvoiional scivicc.
Onc cannoi bc siiuaicd on ilc plailoim ol puic dcvoiional scivicc, lowcvci, unlcss
onc is liccd liom all linds ol sinlul icaciions. To couniciaci vaiious sinlul
icaciions, ilcic aic picsciibcd duiics in ilc iiiualisiic scciion ol ilc Vcáas, and
ilosc in ilc lowci siagc ol lilc can bccomc liccd liom all sinlul icaciions by siiicily
lollowing ilc Vcdic iiiualisiic pioccsscs. Tlcn ilcy can bccomc siiuaicd in puic
dcvoiional scivicc. Tlus ii slould bc undcisiood ilai a pcison wlo is siiuaicd in
puic dcvoiional scivicc musi lavc in lis pasi lilc alicady cxccuicd all ilc Vcdic
iiiuals wiil gicai dciciminaiion. In oilci woids, alici icacling ilc siagc ol
dcvoiional scivicc, a pcison docs noi lavc io cxccuic any pioccss ol aioncmcni
mcniioncd in ilc iiiualisiic scciion ol ilc Vcáas. Hc is alicady sinlcss.
TEXT 12
bnavatu níscaya-áarányaá uránvam sastra-rahsanam
SYNONYMS
bnavatu-lci ilcic bc; níscaya-ol cciiainiy; áarányat-ilc liim lixing; uránvam-
alici; sastra-ol sciipiuic; rahsanam-ilc obscivancc.
TRANSLATION
One musf confinue fo foIIow scripfuraI injuncfions even affer one is fixed up
in defermined cerfainfy fhaf devofionaI service is fhe onIy means for reaching
fhe perfecfion of Iife.
PURPORT
Wlcn a pcison bccomcs liimly convinccd aboui ilc impoiiancc ol dcvoiional
scivicc, lc suiicndcis unio ilc Supicmc Loid. Tlcic aic six sympioms ol
suiicndci: (1) Onc slould pciloim only ilosc aciions lavoiablc loi dcvoiional
scivicc io Kisna. (2) Onc slould givc up cvciyiling unlavoiablc loi disclaiging
dcvoiional scivicc. (3) Onc slould liimly bclicvc ilai Kisna will pioicci onc in all
ciicumsianccs and ilai no onc is a bciici pioiccioi ilan Kisna. Tlis conviciion
slould bc disiinci liom ilc monisiic plilosoply ilai onc is as good as Kisna.
Railci, onc slould always ilinl ilai Kisna, oi God, is gicai and ilai onc is always
pioiccicd by Him. (+) Onc slould lavc ilc conviciion ilai Kisna is onc's
mainiainci, and onc slould noi ialc slclici ol any dcmigod loi mainicnancc. (5)
Onc slould always icmcmbci ilai onc's aciiviiics and dcsiics aic noi indcpcndcni.
In oilci woids, ilc dcvoicc slould lccl complcicly dcpcndcni on Kisna, and ilus
lc slould aci and ilinl as Kisna dcsiics. (6) Onc slould always ilinl limscll ilc
pooicsi ol ilc pooi and lccl ioially dcpcndcni on ilc mcicy ol Kisna.
A dcvoicc wlo lollows ilcsc six piinciplcs ol suiicndci always ilinls, O Loid, I
am Youis in cvciy icspcci; I am Youi cicinal scivani.` In ilis way a puic dcvoicc
bccomcs clcanscd. Tlcic is a nicc vcisc in ilis conncciion in ilc Srïmad-
8hagavatam (11.29.3+):
martyo yaáa tyahta-samasta-harma
nívcáítatma vícíhirsíto mc
taáamrtatvam pratípaáyamano
mayatma-bnuyaya ca haIpatc vaí
A pcison wlo givcs up all liuiiivc aciiviiics and ollcis limscll cniiicly unio Mc,
cagcily dcsiiing io icndci scivicc unio Mc, aclicvcs libciaiion liom biiil and
dcail and is piomoicd io ilc siaius ol slaiing My own opulcnccs.` To bc clcvaicd
io sucl a poini ol dcvoiional lilc, onc las io cxccuic ilc diicciions ol ilc
sciipiuics. lui cvcn alici bccoming clcvaicd in dcvoiional lilc, onc slould noi
ilinl, Ol, I am alicady clcvaicd io ilc liglcsi siagc; ilcicloic I may violaic ilc
sciipiuial icgulaiions loi cxccuiing dcvoiional scivicc.`
Dcvoiional scivicc is doimani in cvciy living bcing, loi by naiuic cvciy living
bcing is paii and paiccl ol ilc Supicmc Loid and ii is ilc lcalily condiiion ol ilc
paii io scivc ilc wlolc. Ii is jusi lilc ilc siiuaiion ol ilc paiis ol ilc body. Tlc
land and ilc lcg scivc ilc body; similaily, as paii and paiccl ol ilc Supicmc Loid,
cvciy living cniiiy is bound io scivc ilc Supicmc Loid in lis lcalily condiiion.
Wlcn lc is noi ilus cngagcd, lc is in a discascd condiiion, bui as soon as lc
cngagcs all lis scnscs in ilc iiansccndcnial loving scivicc ol ilc Loid, lc is in lis
noimal, lcalily condiiion.
Tlc dcvoicc slould cngagc lis scnscs in ilc Loid's scivicc accoiding io ilc
diicciions ol ilc auiloiiiaiivc sciipiuics and undci ilc guidancc ol a bona lidc
spiiiiual masici. Tlc bcginning ol onc's dcvoiional iiaining is io cngagc ilc cai in
auial icccpiion ol ilc icaclings ol ilc Pnagavaá-gita and ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam.
Tlcic aic many auiloiiiaiivc bools ol spiiiiual lnowlcdgc, bui all ol ilcm aic
moic oi lcss supplcmcnis io ilc Pnagavaá-gita and Srimaá-Pnagavatam. Lvcn ilc
Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra is a summaiy ol ilc Pnagavaá-gita and ilc Srimaá-
Pnagavatam. Tlcicloic ilc bcginning ol dcvoiional scivicc is io lcai ilcsc iwo
impoiiani iiansccndcnial bools ol lnowlcdgc. Simply by auial icccpiion ol ilcsc
iwo bools liom ilc bona lidc spiiiiual masici, onc bccomcs cnliglicncd aboui
dcvoiional scivicc, wlicl is doimani wiilin ilc lcaii.
Dcvoiional scivicc cxccuicd undci ilc guidancc ol ilc spiiiiual masici and
accoiding io sciipiuial injunciions is callcd vaíání-bnahtí, a paii ol saánana-bnahtí,
oi dcvoiional scivicc in piaciicc. Tlc oilci division ol saánana-bnahtí is raganuga-
bnahtí, sponiancous dcvoiional scivicc.
Onc wlo wislcs io advancc io ilc plailoim ol raganuga-bnahtí musi lollow ilc
injunciions ol ilc auiloiiiaiivc sciipiuics undci ilc diicciion ol ilc spiiiiual
masici. Accoiding io Suiia 12, cvcn a pcison on a liglly clcvaicd plailoim ol
dcvoiional scivicc musi cxccuic ilc iulcs and icgulaiions ol ilc sciipiuic, wlai io
spcal ol pcisons wlo aic noi clcvaicd. In oilci woids, ncoplyics in dcvoiional
scivicc musi siiicily and sciupulously lollow ilc iulcs and icgulaiions ol ilc
sciipiuics io iisc io ilc plailoim ol unalloycd dcvoiional scivicc.
As mcniioncd abovc, a dcvoicc wlo siiicily piaciiccs icgulaiivc dcvoiional scivicc,
oi vaíání-bnahtí. Tlc piimc piinciplc ol vaíání-bnahtí is siaicd in ilc Srïmad-
8hagavatam (2.1.5):
tasmaá bnarata sarvatma bnagavan isvaro narín
srotavyan hirtítavyas ca smartavyas ccccnatabnayam
A pcison sciious aboui maling piogicss in dcvoiional scivicc musi always ilinl
ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, musi always clani His gloiics, and musi
always lcai aboui His aciiviiics.` Tlcsc aic ilc picliminaiy piinciplcs ol lollowing
ilc sciipiuial iulcs and icgulaiions.
Tlc Srïmad-8hagavatam (11.5.2) siaics,
muhna-banuru-paácbnyan purusasyasramaín sana
catvaro jajnírc varna gunaír vípraáayan prtnah
Lvciy pcison, wlaicvci lc may bc, cmanaics liom somc paii ol ilc univcisal loim
ol ilc Supicmc Loid, ilc vírat-purusa. Tlc branmanas (iniclligcnisia) cmanaic
liom ilc lacc, ilc hsatríyas (waiiiois and adminisiiaiois) cmanaic liom ilc aims,
ilc vaísyas (laimcis and mciclanis) cmanaic liom ilc iligls, and ilc suáras
(laboicis) cmanaic liom ilc lcci. lui wlcicvci wc may bc siiuaicd, wc lavc somc
paiiiculai lunciion io cxccuic in ilc scivicc ol ilc Supicmc Wlolc, ilc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad. Il wc do noi, ilcicloic, cngagc oui paiiiculai piopcnsiiics in ilc
scivicc ol ilc Loid, ilcn wc aic lallcn, jusi lilc a usclcss limb ampuiaicd liom ilc
body.
Accoiding io ilc Paáma Purana, ilc sum and subsiancc ol all ilc icgulaiivc
piinciplcs ol ilc sciipiuic is ilai Loid Visnu, oi Kisna, slould always bc
icmcmbcicd and slould ncvci bc loigoiicn. Wc slould ilcicloic mold oui livcs in
sucl a way ilai in cvciy aciiviiy wc slall bc ablc io icmcmbci ilc Supicmc Loid.
Any aciiviiy ilai icminds onc ol ilc Supicmc Loid is a icgulaiivc piinciplc in
dcvoiional scivicc, and any aciiviiy ilai malcs onc loigci ilc Supicmc Loid is a
loibiddcn aciiviiy loi a dcvoicc.
In ilc Caítanya-carítamrta (Madhya 22.115-2S), Loid Caiianya lisis sixiy-loui
icgulaiivc piinciplcs onc musi lollow io bc clcvaicd io ilc liglcsi plailoim ol
dcvoiional scivicc. And, as siicsscd lcic in Suiia 12, cvcn alici bcing clcvaicd io
ilc liglcsi plailoim ol dcvoiional scivicc, onc musi coniinuc lollowing ilc
sciipiuial injunciions loi dcvoiional lilc. Tlc sixiy-loui icgulaiivc piinciplcs aic as
lollows:
(1) To acccpi a bona lidc spiiiiual masici. (2) To bccomc iniiiaicd by ilc spiiiiual
masici. (3) To cngagc oncscll in ilc scivicc ol ilc spiiiiual masici. (+) To icccivc
insiiuciions liom ilc spiiiiual masici and inquiic aboui advancing on ilc pail ol
dcvoiional scivicc. (5) To lollow in ilc looisicps ol picvious acaryas and lollow
ilc diicciions givcn by ilc spiiiiual masici. (6) To givc up anyiling loi ilc
saiislaciion ol Kisna, and io acccpi anyiling loi ilc saiislaciion ol Kisna. (7) To
livc in a placc wlcic Kisna is picscni-a ciiy lilc Vindavana oi Mailuia, oi a
Kisna icmplc. (S) To minimizc onc's mcans ol living as mucl as onc can, wlilc
living comloiiably io cxccuic dcvoiional scivicc. (9) To obscivc lasiing days, sucl
as Lladasï. (10) To woislip cows, branmanas, Vaisnavas, and sacicd iiccs lilc ilc
banyan.
Tlcsc icn piinciplcs ol dcvoiional scivicc aic ilc bcginning. Addiiional piinciplcs
aic as lollows: (11) Onc slould avoid commiiiing ollcnscs againsi ilc loly namc,
ilc Dciiy, cic. (12) Onc slould avoid associaiing wiil nondcvoiccs. (13) Onc
slould noi aspiic io lavc many disciplcs. (1+) Onc slould noi unncccssaiily
divcii lis aiicniion by paiiially siudying many bools so as io appcai vciy lcaincd.
Ioi dcvoiional scivicc, ii is sullicicni io sciuiinizingly siudy bools lilc ilc
Pnagavaá-gita, ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam, and ilc Caítanya-carítamrta. (15) Onc
slould noi bc disiuibcd in ciilci loss oi gain. (16) Onc slould noi allow oncscll
io bc ovciwlclmcd by lamcniaiion loi any icason. (17) Onc slould noi blasplcmc
ilc dcmigods, alilougl onc slould noi woislip ilcm. Similaily, onc slould noi
ciiiicizc oilci sciipiuics, alilougl onc slould noi lollow ilc piinciplcs ilcicin.
(1S) Onc slould noi iolciaic blasplcmy ol ilc Supicmc Loid oi His dcvoiccs. (19)
Onc slould noi indulgc in idlc ialls, sucl as ilosc aboui iclaiionslips bciwccn
mcn and womcn. (20) Onc slould noi unncccssaiily disiuib any living bcing,
wlaicvci lc may bc.
Tlc abovc-mcniioncd iwcniy iicms aic ilc dooiway io dcvoiional scivicc. And
among ilcm, ilc liisi ilicc-namcly, acccpiancc ol ilc spiiiiual masici, iniiiaiion
by ilc spiiiiual masici, and scivicc io ilc spiiiiual masici-aic ilc mosi
impoiiani. Tlcn comc ilc lollowing iicms: (21) To lcai aboui ilc Loid. (22) To
clani His gloiics. (23) To icmcmbci Him. (2+) To scivc and mcdiiaic upon ilc
loius lcci ol ilc Loid and His dcvoiccs. (25) To woislip Him. (26) To piay io
Him. (27) To ilinl ol oncscll as ilc Loid's cicinal scivani. (2S) To bccomc ilc
Loid's liicnd. (29) To ollci cvciyiling io ilc Loid. (30) To dancc bcloic ilc Dciiy.
(31) To sing bcloic ilc Dciiy. (32) To inloim ilc Loid ol cvciyiling aboui onc's
lilc. (33) To bow down io ilc Loid. (3+) To ollci icspcci io ilc spiiiiual masici
and ilc Supicmc Loid by sianding up ai ilc appiopiiaic iimc. (35) To lollow ilc
spiiiiual masici oi ilc Supicmc Loid in pioccssion. (36) To visii placcs ol
pilgiimagc and icmplcs ol ilc Supicmc Loid. (37) To ciicumambulaic ilc icmplc.
(3S) To icciic piaycis. (39) To clani ilc Loid's namc solily io oncscll. (+0) To
clani ilc Loid's namc loudly in congicgaiion. (+1) To smcll inccnsc and llowcis
ollcicd io ilc Dciiy. (+2) To cai ilc icmnanis ol lood ollcicd io ilc Dciiy. (+3) To
icgulaily aiicnd ilc aratí ollcicd io ilc Dciiy, as wcll as spccial lcsiivals. (++) To
icgulaily lool upon ilc Dciiy. (+5) To ollci onc's dcaimosi posscssions io ilc
Supicmc Loid. (+6) To mcdiiaic on ilc Loid's namc, loim, pasiimcs, cic. (+7) To
waici ilc tuIasi plani. (+S) To scivc ilc Loid's dcvoiccs. (+9) To iiy io livc in
Vindavana oi Mailuia. (50) To iclisl ilc iopics ol ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam. (51)
To ialc all linds ol iisls loi Kisna. (52) To always cxpcci ilc mcicy ol Kisna.
(53) To obscivc ccicmonics lilc Janmasiamï (ilc appcaiancc day ol Loid Kisna)
and Rama-navamï (ilc appcaiancc day ol Loid Ramacandia) wiil dcvoiccs. (5+)
To lully suiicndci io Kisna. (55) To obscivc spccial icgulaiions lilc ilosc
lollowcd duiing ilc monil ol Kaiiila (Oci.-Nov.). (56) To mail ilc body wiil
Vaisnava tíIaha (clay mailings). (57) To mail ilc body wiil ilc loly namcs ol
God. (5S) To acccpi ilc icmnanis ol gailands ilai lavc bccn ollcicd io ilc
Supicmc Loid. (59) To diinl caranamrta, ilc waici ilai las waslcd ilc loius lcci
ol ilc Dciiy.
Among ilcsc liliy-ninc iicms, livc aic considcicd so impoiiani ilai ilcy aic
mcniioncd again scpaiaicly, ilus complciing ilc sixiy-loui iicms ol dcvoiional
scivicc. Tlcsc livc aic (60) associaiing wiil dcvoiccs, (61) claniing ilc loly namc
ol ilc Loid, (62) lcaiing ilc Srïmad-8hagavatam, (63) icsiding ai a placc ol
pilgiimagc lilc Mailuia, and (6+) woisliping ilc Dciiy wiil laiil and vcnciaiion.
TEXT 13
anyatna patítya-sanhaya
SYNONYMS
anyatna-oilciwisc; patítya-ol lalling down; sanhaya-bccausc ol aniicipaiing
ilc possibiliiy.
TRANSLATION
Ofherwise fhere is every possibiIify of faIIing down.
PURPORT
Il a discascd pcison is bcing cuicd ol ilc sympioms ol lis discasc bui docs noi caic
loi ilc piinciplcs ol lcalily living, ilcic is cvciy possibiliiy ol a iclapsc. Similaily,
ilc ncoplyic dcvoicc sciious aboui advancing in dcvoiional scivicc musi caiclully
lollow ilc piinciplcs ol icgulaiivc dcvoiional scivicc; oilciwisc ilcic is cvciy
possibiliiy ol lis lalling down. Siiicily spcaling, il a dcvoicc ignoics ilc icgulaiivc
piinciplcs and acis accoiding io lis wlims-il, loi cxamplc, lc docs noi cai hrsna-
prasaáam bui cais anywlcic and cvciywlcic, sucl as in icsiauianis-ilcic is cvciy
possibiliiy ol lis lalling down. Il lc accumulaics moncy wiiloui spcnding ii loi
dcvoiional scivicc, ilcic is cvciy possibiliiy ol lis lalling down. Il lc applics lis
cncigy noi in ilc scivicc ol ilc Loid bui in somc maiciial aciiviiy, ilcic is cvciy
possibiliiy ol lis lalling down. Il ilc dcvoicc docs noi cngagc limscll always in
lcaiing and claniing ilc iopics ol Kisna and His aciiviiics bui insicad indulgcs in
idlc iall, ilcic is cvciy clancc ol lis lalling down. Il a ncoplyic dcvoicc docs noi
lollow ilc oidcis ol ilc spiiiiual masici and simply ollicially siicls io ilc
piinciplcs, oi il lc docs noi siiicily lollow ilc piinciplcs, ilcic is cvciy possibiliiy
ol lis lalling down. To bccomc giccdy is anoilci causc ol lalldown. And io
associaic wiil pcisons wlo aic noi in dcvoiional scivicc is ilc lasi woid in maya`s
alluicmcnis loi causing a dcvoicc io lall down.
In ilc 8hagavad-gïta (1S.5), Kisna clcaily siaics ilai saciilicc, claiiiy, and
pcnancc aic ncvci io bc givcn up by a iiansccndcnialisi. Il lc is ai all iniclligcni lc
musi coniinuc ilcsc ilicc aciiviiics, cvcn il lc is liglly clcvaicd. A dcvoicc is
naiuially vciy lumblc, and cvcn il lc is liglly clcvaicd lc docs noi considci
limscll io bc so. A piaciical cxamplc is lound in ilc lilc ol ilc auiloi ol ilc
Caítanya-carítamrta, Kisnadasa Kaviiaja Gosvamï. Hc was a vasily lcaincd sclolai
and a liisi-class dcvoicc, yci lc siill iclciicd io limscll as ilc lowcsi ol manlind,
lowci ilan ilc baciciia in ilc siool. Hc wioic ilai lc was so sinlul ilai no onc
slould cvcn uiici lis namc, lcsi ilai pcison lall down! Ol couisc, wlcn a gicai
dcvoicc spcals ilis way, wc slould noi bclicvc ilai lc is aciually in ilc lowci
siaius ol lilc; wc slould iailci ialc ii as cvidcncc ilai oui ol lumiliiy a puic
dcvoicc ncvci ilinls lc is clcvaicd. Hc always ilinls lc is in ilc lowcsi siaius ol
spiiiiual lilc.
As siaicd abovc, in ilc Pnagavaá-gita Kisna siaics ilai no onc slould givc up ilc
saciilicial poiiion ol spiiiiual lilc. And ilc sciipiuics iccommcnd ilai ilc bcsi
saciilicc in ilis Agc ol Kali is io clani Haic Kisna, Haic Kisna, Kisna Kisna, Haic
Haic/ Haic Rama, Haic Rama, Rama Rama, Haic Haic. Tlcicloic, a dcvoicc's piimc
duiy is io coniinuc claniing ilis mana-mantra, cvcn il lc is liglly clcvaicd.
Oilciwisc, ai any siagc onc can lall down.
TEXT 1+
Iohc `pí tavaá cva bnojanaáí-vyaparas tv a-sarira-ánaranavaání
SYNONYMS
Iohc-in social bclavioi; apí-also; tavat-loi ilai long; cva-indccd; bnojana-
caiing; aáí-and so on; vyaparan-ilc aciiviiy; tu-and; a-sarira-ánarana-avaání-
loi as long as onc siill las ilis body.
TRANSLATION
For as Iong as fhe body Iasfs, one shouId engage minimaIIy in sociaI and
poIificaI acfivifies and in such maffers as eafing.
PURPORT
Spiiiiual lilc bcgins wlcn a pcison undcisiands ilai lc is noi ilc body. In ilc
maiciial woild, all oui conncciions-wlcilci social oi poliiical oi in ilc licld ol
caiing, slccping, dclcnding, and maiing-aic duc only io ilc maiciial body. Unlcss
onc is complcicly convcisani wiil ilc laci ilai onc is noi ilc body, ii is noi
possiblc io bccomc scll-icalizcd.
In ilc 8hagavad-gïta (1S.5+), Loid Kisna dcsciibcs scll-icalizaiion as lollows:
branma-bnutan prasannatma na socatí na hanhsatí
saman sarvcsu bnutcsu maá-bnahtím Iabnatc param
Scll-icalizaiion ¦ilc branma-bnuta siagc] is sympiomizcd by joylulncss. Onc
ncvci lamcnis loi any loss, noi is onc vciy cnilusiasiic wlcn ilcic is somc gain.
Onc sccs cvciyonc on an cqual lcvcl iliougl spiiiiual undcisianding. Tlcsc
qualiiics aic picliminaiy io cniciing inio puic dcvoiional scivicc.`
Puic dcvoiional scivicc is so powcilul, lowcvci, ilai onc may ai oncc ialc io ii
wiiloui acquiiing ilc picvious qualilicaiion ol branma-bnuta lilc. A sinccic
dcvoicc wlo cngagcs in ilc scivicc ol ilc Loid auiomaiically bccomcs siiuaicd in
ilc branma-bnuta siagc. Tlc dcvoicc's duiy is only io siiicily lollow ilc piinciplcs
ol icgulaicd dcvoiional scivicc, as picviously mcniioncd. Tlcicloic a dcvoicc
slould noi bc ioo conccincd aboui social and poliiical obligaiions, sincc all sucl
aciiviiics bclong io ilc body. Hc slould similaily icsiiici lis caiing; ilis is
csscniial io ilc cxccuiion ol dcvoiional scivicc. A dcvoicc cannoi cai anyiling and
cvciyiling lc lilcs; lc musi cai only loods ilai lavc bccn ollcicd io ilc Loid. Tlc
Loid clcaily says (8hagavad-gïta 9.26) ilai Hc will acccpi a llowci, a liuii, a lcal,
oi a liiilc waici il ilcy aic ollcicd io Him wiil dcvoiional lovc. (Onc slould noic
ilai ilc Supicmc Loid acccpis only loods liom ilc vcgciablc lingdom, as wcll as
mill pioducis. Waici` includcs mill and iis pioducis.) Tlc Loid is noi lungiy oi
pooi, in nccd ol oui ollciing. Aciually, ii is io oui advaniagc io ollci Him
somciling io cai. Il ilc Supicmc Loid lindly acccpis oui ollciing, ilcn wc aic
bcncliicd. Tlc Loid is lull, bui io csiablisl ilc univcisal piinciplc ilai cvciyonc
can ollci somciling io ilc Loid, Hc acccpis cvcn ilc mosi mcagci ollciing-wlcn
ii is picscnicd wiil lovc. Lvcn ilc pooicsi ol ilc pooi can collcci a llowci, a lcal,
and a liiilc waici and ollci ilcm io ilc Supicmc Loid.
Ii is incumbcni upon all dcvoiccs ol Kisna io avoid caiing anyiling ilai las noi
bccn ollcicd io ilc Supicmc Loid. A dcvoicc wlo docs noi siiicily lollow ilis
piinciplc is suic io lall down. Similaily, onc wlo icluscs io acccpi prasaáam, ilc
icmnanis ol lood ollcicd io Kisna, cannoi bccomc a dcvoicc.
In ilc Srïmad-8hagavatam (5.5.3) Loid Rsabladcva siaics ilai onc wlo is
dcicimincd io bccomc a puic dcvoicc avoids associaiing wiil ilc gcncial mass ol
pcoplc, wlo aic simply cngagcd in ilc animal piopcnsiiics ol caiing, slccping,
dclcnding, and maiing. Tlc gcncial mass ol pcoplc misialc ilc body loi ilc scll,
and ilcicloic ilcy aic always busy iiying io mainiain ilc body vciy niccly. A
dcvoicc slould noi associaic wiil sucl pcoplc. Noi slould lc bc ovcily aiiaclcd
io lis lamily mcmbcis, lnowing ilai lc las bccn accidcnially iliown iogcilci
wiil lis wilc, clildicn, and so on. Spiiiiually, no onc is a wilc, clild, lusband, oi
lailci ol anyonc clsc. Lvciyonc comcs inio ilis woild accoiding io lis pasi dccds
and ialcs slclici ol a lailci and a moilci, bui aciually no onc is anyonc's lailci oi
moilci. Wlilc a dcvoicc musi lnow ilis, ilai docs noi mcan lc slould ncglcci lis
lamily. As a maiici ol duiy lc slould mainiain lis lamily mcmbcis wiiloui
aiiaclmcni and insiiuci ilcm in Kisna consciousncss.
So, wlcilci in social lilc oi poliiical lilc, oi in ilc maiici ol caiing, slccping,
maiing, and dclcnding, a dcvoicc slould avoid pciloiming any aciion iainicd by
maiciial aiiaclmcni. Tlc woid uscd lcic is bnojanaáí, wlicl indicaics ilc loui
piopcnsiiics ol caiing, slccping, dclcnding, and maiing. As ilc dcvoicc docs noi
cai anyiling ilai las noi bccn ollcicd io Kisna, so lc docs noi slccp moic ilan is
absoluicly ncccssaiy. In ilc livcs ol ilc gicai dcvoiccs Sanaiana Gosvamï and Rupa
Gosvamï, wc scc ilai ilcy did noi slccp moic ilan onc and a lall louis a day, and
ilcy wcic icluciani cvcn io acccpi ilai. So slccping is also icsiiicicd. Naiuially onc
wlo is always cngagcd in dcvoiional scivicc ol ilc Loid las vciy liiilc iimc io
slccp. Slccp is a ncccssiiy ol ilc body, noi ilc spiiii soul, and ilcicloic as onc
advanccs in dcvoiional scivicc onc's piopcnsiiy io slccp dccicascs.
Similaily, a dcvoicc minimizcs lis dclcnding piopcnsiiy. A puic dcvoicc lnows lc
is undci ilc slclici ol ilc all-powcilul Supicmc Loid, and so lc is noi vciy
anxious aboui dclcnding limscll. Alilougl lc slould usc lis common scnsc in
ilc maiici ol dclcnding, lc is suic ilai wiiloui bcing pioiccicd by Loid Kisna no
onc can dclcnd limscll, lowcvci cxpcii lc may bc in ilc aii ol dclcnsc.
In ilc samc way, a dcvoicc minimizcs oi climinaics scx. Hc docs noi indulgc
indisciiminaicly in scx, bcgciiing ollspiing as ilc cais and dogs do. Il lc bcgcis
any clildicn ai all, lc ialcs claigc ol ilcm io clcvaic ilcm io Kisna consciousncss
so ilai ilcy may noi lavc io sullci in maiciial lilc again, in luiuic livcs. Tlai is ilc
duiy ol a dcvoicc.
In ilis maiciial woild, pcoplc in gcncial cngagc in scnsc-giaiilicaioiy aciiviiics,
wlicl lccp ilcm bound up by ilc laws ol ilc maiciial modcs ol naiuic. Indccd,
ilc moic a pcison cngagcs in sucl aciiviiics, ilc moic lc cxpands lis lilc in
maiciial cxisicncc. A dcvoicc acis dillcicnily: lc lnows lc is noi ilc body and ilai
as long as lc is in lis body lc will lavc io sullci ilc ilicclold maiciial misciics.
Tlcicloic io dccicasc lis maiciial cnianglcmcni and lclp lis advanccmcni in
spiiiiual lilc, lc always minimizcs lis social and poliiical aciiviiics and lis caiing,
slccping, dclcnding, and maiing.
Chapfer 2
Defining Bhakfi
TEXT 15
taI-Iahsananí vacyantc nana-mata-bncáat
SYNONYMS
tat-ol ii (dcvoiional scivicc); Iahsananí-ilc claiaciciisiics; vacyantc-aic
cnunciaicd; nana-vaiious; mata-ol ilcoiics; bncáat-accoiding io ilc
dillcicnccs.
TRANSLATION
Now fhe characferisfics of devofionaI service wiII be described according fo
various aufhorifafive opinions.
PURPORT
In ilc Srïmad-8hagavatam (7.5.23), Piallada Malaiaja vciy clcaily siaics wlai ilc
csscniial aciiviiics ol dcvoiional scivicc aic:
sravanam hirtanam vísnon smaranam paáa-scvanam
arcanam vanáanam áasyam sahnyam atma-nívcáanam
Dcvoiional scivicc consisis ol (1) lcaiing aboui ilc Loid, (2) claniing His
gloiics, (3) icmcmbciing Him, (+) sciving and mcdiiaiing upon His loius lcci, (5)
woisliping Him, (6) piaying io Him, (7) ilinling oncscll His cicinal scivani, (S)
bccoming His liicnd, and (9) suiicndciing cvciyiling io Him.`
Onc slould suiicndci io ilc Loid as mucl as an animal puiclascd liom ilc
mailci suiicndcis io iis masici. Sucl an animal ncvci ilinls ol lis mainicnancc
bccausc lc lnows ilai lis masici will lool alici lim. A soul ioially suiicndcicd io
ilc Supicmc Loid is similaily ncvci anxious loi lis mainicnancc. Siïla Sanaiana
Gosvamï givcs luiilci sympioms ol lull suiicndci in lis Harí-bhahtí-víIasa
(11.+17):
anuhuIyasya sanhaIpan pratíhuIyasya varjanam
rahsísyatití vísvaso goptrtvc varanam tatna
atma-níhscpa-harpanyc saá-víána saranagatín
Tlc six divisions ol suiicndci aic: acccpiing ilosc ilings lavoiablc io dcvoiional
scivicc, icjcciing unlavoiablc ilings, ilc conviciion ilai Kisna will givc
pioicciion, acccpiing ilc Loid as onc's guaidian oi masici, lull scll-suiicndci, and
lumiliiy.` Naiada will giadually cxplain ilcsc piinciplcs ol dcvoiion in ilc
icmaining sutras.
TEXT 16
pujaáísv anuraga ítí parasaryan
SYNONYMS
puja-aáísu-loi woislip and so on; anuragan-londncss; ítí-so ilinls;
parasaryan-Vyasadcva, ilc son ol Paiasaia.
TRANSLATION
SrïIa Vyasadeva, fhe son of Parasara Muni, says fhaf bhahtí is fond affachmenf
for worshiping fhe Lord in various ways.
PURPORT
In ilc picvious sutra, Naiada Muni piomiscd ilai lc would icll us somc ol ilc
sympioms ol dcvoiional scivicc accoiding io vaiious auiloiiiaiivc opinions. Tlc
Srïmad-8hagavatam (6.3.20) mcniions iwclvc mana-janas, oi Kisna conscious
auiloiiiics, and among ilcm, onc mana-jana may cmplasizc a dillcicni aspcci ol
bnahtí ilan anoilci. Tlc Supicmc Loid posscsscs an unlimiicd vaiiciy ol qualiiics
and pasiimcs, and ii is naiuial ilai dcvoiccs lavoi paiiiculai modcs ol scivicc. All
dcvoiccs, lowcvci, agicc on ilc síáánanta, oi acccpicd conclusion. Pnahtí is noi
opcn io coniinual spcculaiion, sucl as ilc lind Wcsicin plilosoplcis indulgc in.
Tlc liisi opinion Naiada ollcis is ilai ol Siïla Vyasadcva, onc ol Naiada's many
cxalicd disciplcs. lcsidcs bcing a laiillul disciplc ol Naiada's, Vyasadcva is ilc
compilci ol ilc Vcáas, and so lis opinions aic noi coniiaiy io Naiada's.
Tlc woids Vyasa uscs io dcsciibc bnahtí aic puja and anuraga. Tlcsc iclci io
woislip ol ilc Loid pciloimcd wiil sinccic lovc and gicai aiiaclmcni.
Nondcvoiccs may pciloim puja, bui ilcy ilinl ol ii as an cxicinal iiiual. Tlc
Mayavadï, loi cxamplc, las an ollcnsivc conccpi ol woislip. Hc sccs ii as a gicai
aid in lixing onc's mind on ilc Supicmc.` lui wlai ilc Mayavadï ically las in
mind is ilai lis puja will lcad lim io scc God and lialman and ilc Ãiman, oi scll,
as onc. In oilci woids, lc ilinls ilai by woisliping God lc will bccomc God. Tlc
Mayavadïs plainly advocaic ilai wlilc a pcison woislips ilc Dciiy lis liisi and
loicmosi mcdiiaiion slould bc on lis uniiy wiil lialman. Tlis is a laiillcss and
dupliciious loim ol woislip.` Tlc Mayavadï may cvcn ollci a liuii oi llowci io
ilc Dciiy, bui lis moiivaiion is noi io dcvclop lovc loi God bui io aiiain absoluic
oncncss wiil ilc Supicmc, wlicl lc ilinls lc can do by imiiaiing ilc aciiviiics ol
a dcvoicc. Kisna dcclaics in ilc 8hagavad-gïta (+.11), yc yatna mam prapaáyantc
tams tatnaíva bnajamy anam. As ilcy appioacl Mc, I icwaid ilcm.` And so ilosc
wlo dcsiic io mcigc inio ilc cllulgcncc ol ilc Supicmc Pcison aic awaidcd ilai
impcisonal siaius.
Somc say ilai mcnial woislip ol ilc Loid is supciioi io cxicinal woislip. lui Siïla
Piablupada did noi malc sucl disiinciions. In 1nc Ncctar oj Dcvotíon wc icad ol a
branmana in Souil India wlo woislipcd ilc Dciiy wiilin lis mind. Tlc branmana
was pooi and could noi alloid paiaplcinalia loi puja, bui in lis mcnial woislip lc
imagincd ilai lc was lcicling goldcn and silvci pois, lilling ilcm wiil waici, and
pciloiming vciy opulcni Dciiy woislip. An iniimaic dcvoicc ol Loid Caiianya's,
Nisimlananda lialmacaiï, also pciloimcd mcnial woislip. Oncc lc mcnially
dccoiaicd a ioad wiil llowcis and gcms in aniicipaiion ilai Loid Caiianya would
wall ilcic. So mcnial woislip ol ilc Loid is cciiainly bona lidc. lui wlilc
dcvoiccs may pciloim mcnial woislip accoiding io iimc and ciicumsianccs, wlcn
ilc oppoiiuniiy aiiscs ilcy do noi avoid ollciing llaming lamps, inccnsc, and
so on, as picsciibcd loi icmplc woislip. Moicovci, wlcilci mcnially oi cxicinally,
ilcy always woislip ilc spiiiiual jor m ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
A sinccic dcvoicc's puja is ncvci mcicly mcclanical bui is ollcicd wiil anuraga,
siiong lcclings ol aiiaclmcni loi ilc Loid. Tiuc woislip is pciloimcd wiil ilc
mind, ilc scnscs, and all ilc bodily limbs. Tlcicloic ilc mcaning ol woislip is noi
limiicd; ii includcs ilc cngagcmcni ol all onc's scnsoiy and mcnial lunciions in
scivicc io ilc Supicmc. As Loid Kisna says,
anam sarvasya prabnavo mattan sarvam pravartatc
ítí matva bnajantc mam buána bnava-samanvítan
I am ilc souicc ol all spiiiiual and maiciial woilds. Lvciyiling cmanaics liom
Mc. Tlc wisc wlo pcilccily lnow ilis cngagc in My dcvoiional scivicc and
woislip Mc wiil all ilcii lcaiis` (lg. 10.S). Loid Kisna also dcsciibcs ilc
manatmas as gicai souls ¦wlo] pcipciually woislip Mc wiil dcvoiion` (lg. 9.1+).
Woislip may includc many aciiviiics, bui ilc woid puja paiiiculaily iclcis io ilc
woislip ol ilc arca-vígrana, ilc loim ol ilc Dciiy in ilc icmplc. Alilougl Loid
Caiianya was Siï Kisna Himscll, Hc woislipcd Loid Jagannaila ai ilc icmplc in
Puiï. Loid Caiianya wcni io scc ilc Dciiy cvciy day and cxpciicnccd gicai
iiansccndcnial bliss. Wlcn Loid Jagannaila was abscni liom ilc icmplc duiing
His icnovaiion bcloic Raila-yaiia, Loid Caiianya acuicly lcli ilc pain ol His
abscncc and wcni inio soliiudc ai Ãlalanaila.
Tlus Dciiy woislip is noi jusi loi bcginncis, noi is ii mcicly an aid io impcisonal
mcdiiaiion. Ii is a ncccssaiy paii ol dcvoiional scivicc. Alilougl in ilis agc ilc
claniing ol ilc loly namcs is ilc loicmosi mcilod ol dcvoiional scivicc, ilc
bnahta slould also woislip ilc arca-vígrana io couniciaci lis icndcncics loi
coniaminaiion, wlicl aic so siiong in ilc Kali-yuga. Tlis is ilc opinion ol Siïla
Jïva Gosvamï.
Wc lnow liom icading Vyasadcva's Srimaá-Pnagavatam ilai lis undcisianding ol
wlai consiiiuics woislip ol ilc Loid is noi conlincd io icmplc woislip ol ilc
arca-vígrana. In ilc Scvcnil Canio ol ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam, Piallada Malaiaja
mcniions ninc pioccsscs ol dcvoiional scivicc. Siïla Vyasadcva-and Siïla
Piablupada-olicn siicsscd ilc liisi iwo iicms, lcaiing and claniing ilc gloiics ol
ilc Loid, as ilc mosi impoiiani, cspccially in ilc picscni agc. lui by laiillully
cxccuiing any ol ilc ninc pioccsscs ol bnahtí, onc can aclicvc lond aiiaclmcni io
woisliping ilc Loid.
TEXT 17
hatnaáísv ítí gargan
SYNONYMS
hatna-aáísu-loi naiiaiions and so on; ítí-so; garga-Gaiga Muni.
TRANSLATION
Garga Muni says fhaf bhahtí is fondness for narrafions abouf fhe Lord, by fhe
Lord, and so on.
PURPORT
As Gaiga Muni iaugli ilc impoiiancc ol aiiaclmcni loi lcaiing hrsna-hatna, so
Siïla Piablupada also siicsscd hrsna-hatna. Onc iypc ol hrsna-hatna consisis ol
woids diiccily spolcn liom ilc mouil ol ilc Loid, sucl as ilc Pnagavaá-gita.
Loid Caiianya advocaicd ilai wc icpcai ilc woids spolcn by Kisna (hrsna-
upaácsa) io wlomcvci wc mcci. Anoilci lind ol hrsna-hatna consisis ol woids
spolcn aboui Kisna, sucl as ilosc spolcn by Suladcva Gosvamï io Malaiaja
Paiïlsii in Srimaá-Pnagavatam. Suladcva spcals iliougloui all iwclvc canios
aboui ilc wondcilul pasiimcs ol ilc Loid in His vaiious incainaiions. In ilc Tcnil
Canio lc dcsciibcs ilc oiiginal loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Loid Kisna in
Vindavana, Mailuia, and Dvaiala. All ol ilis is hrsna-hatna.
Ii is a claiaciciisiic ol puic dcvoiccs ilai ilcy spcal only on iiansccndcnial
subjccis. A dcvoicc piaciiccs mauna, oi silcncc, by icliaining liom all mundanc
iall, bui lc is always plcascd io spcal hrsna-hatna. As Kisna siaics in ilc
8hagavad-gïta (10.9),
mac-cítta maá-gata-prana boánayantan parasparam
hatnayantas ca mam nítyam tusyantí ca ramantí ca
Tlc ilouglis ol My puic dcvoiccs dwcll in Mc, ilcii livcs aic lully dcvoicd io
My scivicc, and ilcy dciivc gicai saiislaciion and bliss liom always cnliglicning
onc anoilci and convcising aboui Mc.` lcloic bcginning lis Tcnil Canio
dcsciipiions ol Loid Kisna, Suladcva iclls Malaiaja Paiïlsii,
nívrtta-tarsaír upagiyamanaá
bnavausaánac cnrotra-mano-`bníramat
ha uttamasIoha-gunanuvaáat
puman vírajycta vína pasu-gnnat
Dcsciipiions ol ilc Loid spolcn by ilosc wlo aic licc ol maiciial dcsiics aic ilc
iigli mcdicinc loi ilc condiiioncd soul undcigoing icpcaicd biiil and dcail, and
ilcy dcligli ilc cai and ilc mind. Tlcicloic wlo will ccasc lcaiing sucl
gloiilicaiion ol ilc Loid cxccpi a buiclci oi onc wlo is lilling lis own scll'`
(8hag. 10.1.+).
Naiada Muni aiiiibuicd lis own Kisna consciousncss io ilc puic dcvoiccs (bnahtí-
vcáantas) wlom lc lad scivcd and lcaid spcaling hrsna-hatna wlcn lc was only a
livc-ycai-old boy: O Vyasadcva, in ilai associaiion and by ilc mcicy ol ilosc
gicai Vcdaniisis, I could lcai ilcm dcsciibc ilc aiiiaciivc aciiviiics ol Loid Kisna.
And ilus lisicning aiicniivcly, my iasic loi lcaiing ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
incicascd ai cvciy sicp` (8hag. 1.5.26). And so ilc opinion ol Gaiga Muni-ilai
bnahtí consisis ol aiiiaciion loi hrsna-hatna-is appiovcd and piaciiccd by ilc
mana-janas.
TEXT 18
atma-raty-avíroáncnctí sanáíIyan
SYNONYMS
atma-in iclaiion wiil ilc Supicmc Soul; ratí-ol plcasuic; avíroáncna-by
liccdom liom obsiiuciion; ítí-so; sanáíIyan-Sandilya.
TRANSLATION
SandiIya says fhaf bhahtí resuIfs from one`s removing aII obsfrucfions fo faking
pIeasure in fhe Supreme SeIf.
PURPORT
Sandilya spcals ol atma-ratí, ialing dcligli in ilc scll.` lui wlai docs ialing
dcligli in ilc scll` mcan' Accoiding io ilc scicncc ol bnahtí, ilai wlicl dcliglis
ilc individual scll (jivatma) is dcvoiional scivicc unio ilc Supicmc Scll, ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Siïla Piablupada commcnis in 1nc Ncctar oj Dcvotíon (p.
2SS), Tlc dcvoiccs and scll-icalizcd pcisons wlo aic cngagcd in picacling ilc
gloiics ol ilc Loid always mainiain an ccsiaiic lovc loi ilc Loid wiilin ilcii
lcaiis. Tlus ilcy aic bcncliicd by ilc iays ol ilc ccsiaiic moon, and ilcy aic
callcd sainily pcisons.` Tlc siaic ol branma-bnuta, oi ilc joy ol discovciing onc's
cicinal naiuic, is only ilc bcginning ol spiiiiual lilc. Muhtí, oi libciaiion, wlcn
conccivcd ol as impcisonal libciaiion liom biiil and dcail, is also noi ilc uliimaic
goal. As siaicd in ilc Aáí Purana, A pcison wlo is consianily cngagcd in claniing
ilc loly namc and wlo lccls iiansccndcnial plcasuic, bcing cngagcd in dcvoiional
scivicc, is cciiainly awaidcd ilc laciliiics ol dcvoiional scivicc, and ncvci givcn
jusi muhtí` (1nc Ncctar oj Dcvotíon, p. 10+). Tlcic aic many oilci siaicmcnis in
ilc Vcdic sciipiuics ilai piovc dcvoiional scivicc suipasscs all oilci loims ol
libciaiion. In ilc Damoáarastaha, paii ol ilc Paáma Purana, a dcvoicc piays,
varam ácva mohsam na mohsavaáním va
na canyam vrnc `nam varcsaá apina
íáam tc vapur natna gopaIa-baIam
saáa mc manasy avírastam hím anyaín
O Loid Damodaia, alilougl You aic ablc io givc all linds ol bcncdiciions, I do
noi piay io You loi ilc boon ol impcisonal libciaiion, noi loi ilc liglcsi
libciaiion ol cicinal lilc in Vailunila, noi loi any oilci, similai boon. O Loid, I
simply wisl ilai ilis loim ol Youis as baby Gopala in Vindavana may cvci bc
manilcsi in my lcaii, loi wlai is ilc usc io mc ol any oilci boon bcsidcs ilis'`
(Damodarastaha +).
A iiansccndcnialisi may sccl atma-ratí in impcisonal icalizaiion bcloic lc lcais
ilc gloiics ol dcvoiional scivicc liom puic dcvoiccs. Ioi cxamplc, ilc loui
Kumaias and Suladcva Gosvamï wcic all lialman-icalizcd-bui ilcy wcic ncvci
ollcnsivc io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. As soon as ilc Kumaias and
Suladcva wcic iniioduccd io puic Kisna consciousncss, ilcy ai oncc gavc up ilcii
impcisonal conccpiions and bccamc cagci io icndci dcvoiional scivicc io ilc Loid.
lui siubboin Mayavadïs wlo dciidc dcvoiional scivicc aic in a dillcicni caicgoiy.
Loid Caiianya dcclaicd ilai ilc Mayavadïs aic gicai ollcndcis io ilc Loid and ilai
onc slould avoid ilcii associaiion.
A iypical cxamplc ol Mayavadï poison is ilcii inicipiciaiion ol ilc woid atma-ratí
in ilis sutra. Tlc Mayavadï claims ilai ilc woislip (puja) and ialling ol ilc Loid
(hrsna-hatna) mcniioncd in ilc iwo picvious sutras aic mcani io lcad onc bcyond
ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad io ilc atma. Tlis is ilc impcisonalisi's iimcsciving
aiiiiudc iowaid bnahtí. Hc will woislip ilc Loid and lcai His IiIa, bui wiil ilc
aim ol linally dcnying ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Hc misialcnly ilinls lis
mcdiiaiion will lcad lim io icalizc ilai lc is ilc all-pcivading lialman: I am
cvciyiling.`
lui il, as ilc Mayavadïs claim, ilc uliimaic bliss is io lnow ilai I am God,` ilcn
wly las ilai bliss bccn missing up uniil now' Il my idcniiiy is aciually onc in all
icspccis wiil ilc all-pcivading Godlcad, ilcn low did ilai idcniiiy bccomc
covcicd' Wlai loicc las ovcicomc ilc supicmc atma' Tlc laci is ilai ilc
individual atmas, bcing iiny, aic pionc io bc covcicd by maya, wlilc ilc supicmc
atma, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, is ncvci covcicd by maya oi scpaiaicd liom His
sac-cíá-ananáa-vígrana ;Ps. 5.1], His spiiiiual loim ol ciciniiy, bliss, and
lnowlcdgc. So wlilc ilc individual soul can ncvci bccomc God-bccausc lc ncvci
vas God-lc can siiivc loi lis consiiiuiional pcilcciion as ilc cicinal loving
scivani ol God.
Tlc Mayavadïs aic consisicnily dclcaicd by ilc diicci siaicmcnis ol Vcdic
sciipiuics. In ilc bcginning ol ilc 8hagavad-gïta (2.12), Loid Kisna malcs ii clcai
ilai boil Hc and ilc individual atmas cicinally cxisi as disiinci cniiiics. On ilc
laiilclicld ol Kuiulsciia, wlcic iwo lugc aimics lad masscd loi wai, Kisna said
io Aijuna,
na tv cvanam jatu nasam na tvam ncmc janaánípan
na caíva na bnavísyaman sarvc vayam atan param
Ncvci was ilcic a iimc wlcn I did noi cxisi, noi you, noi all ilcsc lings, noi in
ilc luiuic slall any ol us ccasc io bc.` Kisna iciiciaics ilis idca laici in ilc
8hagavad-gïta (15.7): mamaívamso jiva-Iohc jiva-bnutan sanatanan. Tlc living
cniiiics in ilis condiiioncd woild aic My cicinal liagmcnial paiis.` Also, ilc Pg
Vcáa and ilc Lpanísaás siaic ilai ilc individual atma and ilc Paiamaima boil
icsidc in ilc lcaii ol ilc living bcing, jusi as iwo biids sii in a iicc. ly ilc mcicy
ol ilc Paiamaima, oi God in ilc lcaii,` ilc individual atma may comc io icalizc
lis cicinal, blisslul siaic ol loving scivicc io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Aiicmpis ai concociing a bnahtí dcvoid ol cicinal scivicc io ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic ilc woils ol dcmoniac minds. Ioi gcnuinc bnahtí io
cxisi, ilcic musi always bc ilicc laciois: llagavan (ilc Supicmc Loid), ilc bnahta
(ilc cicinal, suboidinaic sciviioi), and bnahtí (loving cxclangcs bciwccn
llagavan and ilc bnahta).
Tlc Mayavadïs ignoic oi disioii ilc diicci siaicmcnis ol ilc sciipiuics, as wcll as
ilc woids ol ilc mana-janas. Wc nccd noi discuss ilcii inicipiciaiions lcic,
cxccpi io noic ilai ilc Mayavadïs aic olicn aiiiacicd io ilc bnahtí-sastras bccausc
ilcy lind ilcii own mcdiiaiions ioo diy. Tlus ilcy appioacl bools lilc ilc
Pnagavaá-gita, ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam, and ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra, bui wiil an
inicniion opposcd io ilc aims ol bnahtí. ly picacling ilai ilc loims ol Loid Visnu
and His incainaiions aic maiciial, ilc Mayavadï commiis a scvcic ollcnsc againsi
ilc Loid. As Loid Kisna says in ilc 8hagavad-gïta (9.11-12),
avajanantí mam muána manusim tanum asrítam
param bnavam ajananto mama bnuta-mancsvaram
mognasa mogna-harmano mogna-jnana vícctasan
rahsasim asurim caíva prahrtím monínim srítan
Iools dciidc Mc wlcn I dcsccnd in ilc luman loim. Tlcy do noi lnow My
iiansccndcnial naiuic as ilc Supicmc Loid ol all ilai bc. Tlosc wlo aic ilus
bcwildcicd aic aiiiacicd by dcmoniac and ailcisiic vicws. In ilai dcludcd
condiiion, ilcii lopcs loi libciaiion, ilcii liuiiivc aciiviiics, and ilcii culiuic ol
lnowlcdgc aic all dclcaicd.`
Wc can cxpciicncc iiuc atma-ratí only in ilc conicxi ol oui cicinal loving
iclaiionslip wiil Kisna, ilc icscivoii ol all plcasuic. Lvcn wlcn wc sccl
lappincss wiil oui maiciial scnscs, wc aic indiiccily sccling atma-ratí. Wc dciivc
plcasuic wiil ilc cycs oi ionguc oi cais only bccausc ilc atma is picscni wiilin
ilc living body. Tlcicloic bodily plcasuic dcpcnds on ilc cxisicncc ol ilc atma.
Iuiilcimoic, ilc atma`s plcasuic is dcpcndcni on ilc Paiamaima. And ilc
Paiamaima is an cxpansion ol Siï Kisna, ilc oiiginal loim ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad. So in all ciicumsianccs wc aic looling loi oui blisslul iclaiionslip wiil
Kisna. Scll-saiislaciion aciually mcans ilc saiislaciion ol sciving and loving Kisna,
ilc Supicmc Scll.
TEXT 19
naraáas tu taá-arpítahníIacarata taá-vísmaranc parama-vyahuIatctí
SYNONYMS
naraáan-Naiada; tu-bui; tat-io Him; arpíta-ollcicd; ahníIa-all; acarata-
laving onc's aciiviiics; tat-Him; vísmaranc-in loigciiing; parama-supicmc;
vyahuIata-disiicss; ítí-so.
TRANSLATION
Narada, however, says fhaf bhahtí consisfs of offering one`s every acf fo fhe
Supreme Lord and feeIing exfreme disfress in forgeffing Him.
PURPORT
Naiada picviously gavc ilicc dcliniiions ol bnahtí, accoiding io ilicc sagcs: (1)
londncss loi woisliping ilc Loid in vaiious ways, (2) londncss loi lcaiing
naiiaiions by oi aboui ilc Loid, and (3) icmoving all obsiaclcs io cnjoying
plcasuic in ilc Scll. Now Naiada givcs lis own opinion, wlicl docs noi coniiadici
ilcsc vicws bui is ilcii culminaiion.
Among all loims ol ilc Supicmc Loid, Siï Kisna is ilc oiiginal and mosi aiiiaciivc.
Similaily, among all Vaisnavas, ilc puic dcvoiccs ol Kisna in Vindavana aic ilc
bcsi. Loid Caiianya dcclaicd ilai ilcic is no bciici mcilod ol woisliping Kisna
ilan ilai piaciiccd by ilc gopis ol Vindavana. Hcic Naiada says ilai a puic
dcvoicc lccls gicai disiicss upon loigciiing ilc Loid cvcn loi a momcni-bui in
ilc casc ol ilc gopis ilcic was ncvci any qucsiion ol loigciiing Kisna. Tlcy wcic
so absoibcd in ilinling ol Him ilai ilcy could noi cvcn pciloim ilcii lousclold
duiics. In ilcii inicnsc loving dcalings, ilc gopis somciimcs accuscd Kisna ol
unlaiillulncss, and ilcy cxpicsscd a wisl ilai ilcy couIá loigci Him. lui ilcy
could noi. As siaicd by Siïmaiï Radlaianï, ilc clicl ol all ilc gopis.
Wc lnow all aboui Kisna and low ungiaiclul Hc is. lui lcic is ilc
dilliculiy: In spiic ol His bcing so ciucl and laidlcaiicd, ii is vciy dilliculi
loi us io givc up ialling aboui Him. Noi only aic wc unablc io givc up ilis
iall, bui gicai sagcs and sainily pcisons also cngagc in ialling aboui Him.
Wc gopis ol Vindavana do noi wani io malc any moic liicndslips wiil ilis
blaclisl boy, bui wc do noi lnow low wc slall bc ablc io givc up
icmcmbciing and ialling aboui His aciiviiics. ¦Krsna, p. 377)
Oui ol inicnsc lumiliiy Loid Caiianya oncc said ilai Hc did noi lavc cvcn a diop
ol lovc loi Kisna. lc claimcd ilai il Hc aciually lovcd Kisna, ilcn low could Hc
livc in His abscncc' Iai liom pioving a lacl ol lovc, ol couisc, ilis lind ol
scniimcni piovcs jusi ilc opposiic-ilai Loid Caiianya was lillcd wiil ilc mosi
cxalicd puic lovc loi Kisna. Alilougl ii was noi possiblc loi Loid Caiianya oi ilc
gopis io loigci Kisna ai any iimc, ilcy siill cxpciicnccd ilc pain ol scpaiaiion liom
Him. In His Síhsastaha (7), Loid Caiianya piays,
yugayítam nímcscna cahsusa pravrsayítam
sunyayítam jagat sarvam govínáa-vírancna mc
O Govinda! lccausc ol scpaiaiion liom You, I considci cvcn a momcni a gicai
millcnnium. Tcais llow liom my cycs lilc ioiicnis ol iain, and I scc ilc cniiic
woild as void.`
Hcic Naiada says ilai an csscniial ingicdicni ol bnahtí is dcdicaiing onc's cvciy aci
io ilc scivicc ol ilc Loid. Unlilc wlai passcs loi commiimcni io a causc in ilc
maiciial woild, sucl dcdicaiion io Kisna is all-cncompassing. lccausc Loid Kisna
is ilc summum bonum ol cxisicncc, ilc puic dcvoicc can bc wiil Him in cvciy
ciicumsiancc. And bccausc ilc Loid is all-aiiiaciivc, ilc dcvoicc bccomcs
incicasingly aiiaclcd io lis bclovcd. As Kisna dcclaics in ilc 8hagavad-gïta
(6.30),
yo mam pasyatí sarvatra sarvam ca mayí pasyatí
tasyanam na pranasyamí sa ca mc na pranasyatí
Ioi onc wlo sccs Mc cvciywlcic and sccs cvciyiling in Mc, I am ncvci losi, noi
is lc cvci losi io Mc.` To ilc maiciialisis, wiil ilcii splaycd inicicsis in scnsc
giaiilicaiion, ilc dcvoicc's lovc may appcai io bc obscssivc madncss. lui lovc loi
Kisna aciually biings onc in ioucl wiil ilc iiuil, ilai Krsna ís cvcrytníng.
Onc may asl wlcilci ilc dcvoiccs' inicnsc anguisl cxpciicnccd in scpaiaiion
liom Kisna coniiadicis Suiia 1S, wlcicin Sandilya dclincd bnahtí as ilc bliss ol
scll-icalizaiion. Tlcic is no coniiadiciion, bccausc ilc pain ol scpaiaiion lcli by
Loid Caiianya and oilci puic dcvoiccs is a vaiiciy ol iiansccndcnial bliss. In ilc
icalm ol spiiiiual cmoiions cxpciicnccd by ilosc ai ilc siagc ol prcma, lovc ol
God, boil sadncss and lappincss aic absoluic and blisslul. Spcculaiivc
plilosoplcis and lcss advanccd dcvoiccs cannoi lnow ilis, bui wc may lcai aboui
ii liom ilc sciipiuics and scc ii in ilc livcs ol scll-icalizcd sainis.
A dcvoicc's scll-suiicndci mcans ilai lc wanis noiling in iciuin loi lis loving
scivicc. Hc only wanis Kisna io bc plcascd. Sclllcssncss docs noi mcan a complcic
loss ol cgo. Toial scll-annililaiion is impossiblc (dcspiic ilc wislcs ol ilc
voidisis), bui ananhara, oi lalsc cgo, is dissolvcd by dcvoiional scivicc and
icplaccd by iiuc cgo, ilc undcisianding ilai I am an cicinal scivani ol ilc Loid.`
Tlc iiuc scll-inicicsi ol ilc living bcing lics in liccdom liom scllislncss and, as
Naiada says lcic, ilc ollciing ol onc's cvciy aci io ilc Supicmc Loid.` Wc aic all
cicinally paii and paiccl ol ilc Supicmc lcing, Kisna; as sucl, wc can cxpciicncc
lull saiislaciion only iliougl giving Him plcasuic. Krsnc tustc jagat tustam. Wlcn
Kisna is saiislicd, cvciyonc is saiislicd.`
Tlc bcginnci in dcvoiional scivicc can piaciicc sclllcssncss by suiicndciing io ilc
bona lidc spiiiiual masici. Tlc dcvoicc is adviscd io givc all lc las io ilc scivicc ol
lis guru and io always considci lis guru lis wcll-wislci. Dcvoiccs wlo piaciicc
sucl sclllcss scivicc ol ilc guru and ilc Supicmc Loid ncvci wani anyiling in
iciuin, yci ilcy cvcniually icccivc ilc gicaicsi icwaid-ilc Loid's iniimaic
associaiion. As Kisna says,
man-mana bnava maá-bnahto maá-yaji mam namas-huru
mam cvaísyasí satyam tc pratíjanc príyo `sí mc
Always ilinl ol Mc, bccomc My dcvoicc, woislip Mc, and ollci youi lomagc
unio Mc. Tlus you will comc io Mc wiiloui lail. I piomisc you ilis bccausc you
aic My vciy dcai liicnd` (lg. 1S.65).
TEXT 20
asty cvam cvam
SYNONYMS
astí-ii is; cvam cvam-lilc cacl ol ilcsc.
TRANSLATION
8hahtí is, in facf, correcfIy described in each of fhese ways.
PURPORT
Tlc dcliniiions ol bnahtí givcn abovc-by Siïla Vyasadcva, Gaiga Muni, Sandilya,
and Naiada Muni-aic noi in conllici. Wlilc Naiada las givcn us lis own
dcliniiion, lcic lc says ilai ilc oilcis aic also valid. Pnahtí is in laci a univcisal
piinciplc picscni ai lcasi paiiially in all ilcisiic icligions. Indccd, wiilin many
icligions onc could lind a dcliniiion ol lovc ol God ilai would noi coniiadici ilc
conclusions ol Naiada Muni and ilc piinciplcs ol Kisna consciousncss iaugli by
ilc lollowcis ol Loid Caiianya.
Naiada las dclincd ilc liglcsi loim ol bnahtí. lui is sucl a pcilcci siaic possiblc'
Tlc answci is ycs. Unlcss dcvoiccs liom iimc io iimc manilcsi puic bnahtí,
aspiianis on ilc spiiiiual pail would lavc noiling io cmulaic and siiivc loi, and
ilcy migli concludc ilai parama-bnahtí is only an imaginaiy idcal. As Loid
Caiianya says, ánarma-stnapana-nctu saánura vyavanara. A dcvoicc's bclavioi
csiablislcs ilc iiuc puiposc ol icligious piinciplcs` (Cc. Madhya 17.1S5).
Oncc Sanaiana Gosvamï picicndcd io bc dcvoicd io a sannyasi namcd Mulunda
Saiasvaiï, iailci ilan io Loid Caiianya. Wlcn Loid Caiianya's iniimaic scivani
Jagadananda Pandiia saw Sanaiana's bclavioi, lc bccamc vciy angiy and
ilicaicncd io bcai Sanaiana. Sanaiana ilcn icvcalcd lis puiposc: My dcai
Jagadananda Pandiia, you aic a gicaily lcaincd saini. No onc is dcaici io Siï
Caiianya Malapiablu ilan you. Tlis laiil in Loid Caiianya bcliis you quiic wcll.
Unlcss you dcmonsiiaic ii, low could I lcain sucl laiil'` (Cc. Antya 13.59).
Wc lavc sccn ilc cxamplc ol complcic scll-suiicndci and dcdicaiion ol onc's
aciiviiics io Kisna in ilc lilc ol His Divinc Giacc
A. C. llaliivcdania Swami Piablupada. Siïla Piablupada's sanciiiy was noi a
piivaic allaii: lc gavc ol limscll pioluscly and was cmpowcicd io biing ilousands
ol pcoplc io Kisna consciousncss. Tlus lc pcilccily lullillcd ilc ciiiciion givcn by
Siïla llaliivinoda Tlaluia-ilai onc can icll ilc qualiiy ol a Vaisnava by low
many pcisons lc convinccs io bccomc Vaisnavas. ly lis pcisonal picacling, by lis
bools, and by ilc Kisna consciousncss movcmcni lc cicaicd and nuiiuicd, Siïla
Piablupada slowcd ilc cxamplc ol a lilc dcdicaicd puicly io plcasing Kisna. Tlc
poicncy ol lis acis coniinucs as an ongoing lcgacy, acccssiblc io anyonc inicicsicd
in ialing up ilc pail ol bnahtí-yoga. Wc aic assuicd, ilcicloic, ol linding
cxamplcs ol pcilcci bnahtí in ilc pasi, ai picscni, and in ilc luiuic.
Hcic Naiada siaics ilai cacl auiloiiiy lc las quoicd las dcsciibcd bnahtí in lis
own auilcniic way. lui in ilc ncxi sutra Naiada will say ilai ilc gopis ol Viaja aic
cxcmplais ol bnahtí. Ol ilc biicl dcliniiions ol bnahtí givcn in Suiias 16 iliougl
19, wc lind ilai Naiada's own dcliniiion bcsi liis ilc gopis. Pnahtí consisis ol
ollciing onc's cvciy aci io ilc Supicmc Loid and lccling cxiicmc disiicss in
loigciiing Him.`
TEXT 21
yatna vraja-gopíhanam
SYNONYMS
yatna-as; vraja-ol Viaja; gopíhanam-ol ilc cowlcid womcn.
TRANSLATION
The cowherd women of Vraja are an exampIe of pure bhahtí.
PURPORT
In Suiia 19, Naiada gavc ilc uliimaic dcliniiion ol bnahtí. Tlis las lcd lim
incviiably io mcniion ilc iopmosi ol all dcvoiccs, ilc gopis ol Viaja. Naiada migli
lavc mcniioncd oilci icnowncd bnahtas, sucl as Uddlava, Aijuna, Piallada
Malaiaja, oi moilci Yasoda, bui lc las closcn io givc ilc singulai cxamplc ol ilc
gopis. Naiada's opinion is slaicd by all icalizcd Vaisnavas, bccausc ilc gopis aic
icnowncd as ilc bcsi lovcis ol Loid Kisna. Tlc gopis aic mosi cxalicd bccausc ilcy
gavc cvciyiling, and saciiliccd cvciyiling, loi ilcii bclovcd. As Siïla Kisnadasa
Kaviiaja wiiics in ilc Caítanya-carítamrta (Adí +.167-69),
Social cusioms, sciipiuial injunciions, bodily dcmands, liuiiivc aciion,
slyncss, paiicncc, bodily plcasuics, scll-giaiilicaiion on ilc pail ol
varnasrama-ánarma, wlicl is dilliculi io givc up-ilc gopis lavc loisalcn
all ilcsc, along wiil ilcii lamilics, and sullcicd ilcii iclaiivcs' punislmcni
and scolding, all loi ilc salc ol sciving Loid Kisna. Tlcy icndci loving
scivicc io Him loi ilc salc ol His cnjoymcni.
Tlc gopis` rasa wiil Kisna is maánurya, oi conjugal lovc. lui cvcn bnahtas wlo
woislip ilc Loid in oilci rasas aclnowlcdgc ilc supcimosi placc ol ilc gopis in
ilc lingdom ol bnahtí. Naiada Muni, loi cxamplc, usually associaics wiil Loid
Kisna in His opulcni lcaiuics in Vailunila oi Dvaiala. In lis cxclangcs wiil Loid
Kisna, Naiada olicn piaiscs ilc Loid's inconccivablc opulcncc. Ioi cxamplc, oncc
wlcn Naiada visiicd Kisna in many ol His sixiccn ilousand palaccs, lc was
asionislcd io scc low ilc Loid lad cxpandcd Himscll so Hc could bc alonc wiil
cacl ol His quccns. Youi iiansccndcnial posiiion is always inconccivablc io
cvciyonc,` said Naiada. As lai as I am conccincd, I can simply ollci my icspccilul
obcisanccs io You again and again` (Krsna, p. 603). Sincc Naiada is onc ol ilc
Loid's lcaincd and iniimaic dcvoiccs, lc is awaic ilai ilc gopis cxcmplily ilc
iopmosi cxpicssion ol lovc loi Kisna. Similaily, dcvoiccs sucl as Suladcva
Gosvamï, llïsmadcva, and Vyasadcva appicciaic ilc gopis' cxalicd posiiion.
Lvcn ilc impcisonalisis aic aiiiacicd io Kisna's loving allaiis wiil ilc gopis,
alilougl ilcy cannoi undcisiand ilcm. Aiicmpiing io piaisc ilc gopis ol
Vindavana, onc impcisonalisi Swami` said, Gopi-IiIa is ilc acmc ol ilc icligion
ol lovc, in wlicl individualiiy vanislcs and ilcic is communion.` lui ii's noi a
laci ilai individualiiy vanislcs,` ciilci loi ilc gopis oi loi any oilci living cniiiy.
As wc lavc poinicd oui abovc, Loid Kisna clcaily and icpcaicdly siaics ilai boil
His individualiiy and ilc living cniiiics' aic cicinal. Tlc gopis did, lowcvci,
complcicly losc ilcii scllisl inicicsi-ilcii inicicsi bccamc cniiicly onc wiil Loid
Kisna's. To considci ilc gopis` rasa dancc wiil Kisna mcicly a siagc lcading io
mciging inio ilc impcisonal lialman is a gicai insuli io ilc gopis and io gopi-IiIa,
cvcn ilougl onc's inicni is io piaisc. Wlcn ilcy appcaicd bcloic Kisna in ilc
moonlii loicsi ol Vindavana, ilc gopis cciiainly did noi wani Him io insiiuci ilcm
aboui mciging` wiil Him iliougl jnana-yoga, noi did ilcy scc ilc rasa dancc in
ilai way. Spcaling in ilc mood ol Siïmaiï Radlaianï as Slc mci wiil Kisna ai
Kuiulsciia, Loid Caiianya oncc complaincd io Him aboui His aiicmpi io icacl
yoga and mcdiiaiion io ilc gopis.
My dcai Kisna, loimcily, wlcn You wcic siaying ai Mailuia, You scni
Uddlava io icacl Mc spcculaiivc lnowlcdgc and mysiic yoga. Now You
Youiscll aic spcaling ilc samc iling, bui My mind docs noi acccpi ii.
Tlcic is no placc in My mind loi jnana-yoga oi ányana-yoga. Alilougl You
lnow Mc vciy wcll, You aic siill insiiuciing Mc in ányana-yoga and jnana-
yoga. Ii is noi iigli loi You io do so. I would lilc io wiildiaw My
consciousncss liom You and cngagc ii in maiciial aciiviiics, bui cvcn
ilougl I iiy, I cannoi do so. I am naiuially inclincd io You only. Tlcicloic
Youi insiiuciions loi Mc io mcdiiaic on You aic simply ludicious..... Ii is
noi vciy good loi You io ilinl ol Mc as a candidaic loi Youi insiiuciions.
¦Cc. Maánya 13.139-+0]
TEXT 22
tatrapí na manatmya-jnana-vísmrty-apavaáan
SYNONYMS
tatra-in ilai casc; apí-cvcn; na-ilcic is noi; manatmya-ol gicaincss; jnana-
ol awaicncss; vísmrtí-ol loigciiing; apavaáan-ciiiicism.
TRANSLATION
Even in fhe case of fhe gopïs, one cannof crificize fhem for forgeffing fhe Lord`s
greafness.
PURPORT
Naiada is icplying io a possiblc ciiiicism: Alilougl all Vaisnavas piaisc ilc gopis,
and ilougl cvcn ilc impcisonalisis join in ilc cloius, somc plilosoplcis ilinl
ilc gopis' lovc is uninloimcd. lccausc ilc gopis wcic aiiiacicd io Kisna as a
bcauiilul young boy, and bccausc ilcy ian liom ilcii lomcs in ilc dcad ol nigli
io dancc wiil Him in ilc moonlii Vindavana loicsi, loolisl ciiiics ilinl ilc gopis
did noi lnow ilai Kisna is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Tlc accusaiion againsi ilc gopis is lalsc, says Naiada. Tlc gopis lncw ilai Siï
Kisna is ilc Supicmc Pcison, bui in ilcii iniimaic rasa wiil Him ilcy pui asidc
ilc awc and icvcicncc usually ollcicd io ilc Supicmc Loid. Tlc Loid's inicinal
poicncy, Yogamaya, allows loving iniimacy io ovcisladow God's majcsiy. lui ilis
docs noi mcan ilai puic dcvoiccs lilc ilc gopis lacl spiiiiual advanccmcni. Lxccpi
loi ilc gopis Kisna biougli wiil Him liom ilc spiiiiual woild, all ilc gopis camc
io ilcii posiiion ol maánurya-rasa only alici many lilciimcs ol ausiciiiy and
spiiiiual culiivaiion. Rcgaiding ilc cowlcid boys (gopas) wlo play wiil Kisna, ilc
Srimaá-Pnagavatam siaics ilai ilcy aiiaincd ilcii posiiion only alici
accumulaiing lcaps ol pious aciiviiics` in many livcs. So alilougl ii may
somciimcs appcai ilai ilc libciaicd dcvoiccs lavc loigoiicn ilai Loid Kisna is
God, ilis is aciually an aiiangcmcni by Yogamaya loi incicasing ilc plcasuic ol
ilc Loid and His dcvoiccs.
Ioi cxamplc, as Vasudcva caiiicd lis baby son Kisna acioss ilc Yamuna Rivci, ilc
baby lcll inio ilc iivci. Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Jusi io icsi ilc inicnsc lovc ol
Vasudcva, Loid Kisna lcll down inio ilc waicis ol ilc Yamuna wlilc His lailci
was ciossing ilc iivci. Vasudcva bccamc mad alici lis clild as lc iiicd io iccovci
Him in ilc midsi ol ilc iising iivci` (Pnag. 3.2.17, puipoii). Loid Kisna did noi
wani Vasudcva io ilinl, Ol, Kisna will savc Himscll; Hc's God,` bui Hc wanicd
io cvolc ilc paicinal rasa in lull inicnsiiy. In a similai way, moilci Yasoda
somciimcs cxpicsscd lci maicinal lovc loi baby Kisna by punisling Him. And
wlcn His moilci camc io punisl Him, Kisna iccipiocaicd by iunning away in
lcai. Siïla Piablupada dcsciibcs ilis appaicni coniiadiciion as lollows:
Tlc Loid's puic dcvoicc icndcis scivicc unio ilc Loid oui ol unalloycd
lovc only, and wlilc disclaiging sucl dcvoiional scivicc ilc puic dcvoicc
loigcis ilc posiiion ol ilc Supicmc Loid. Tlc Supicmc Loid also acccpis
ilc loving scivicc ol His dcvoiccs moic iclislably wlcn ilc scivicc is
icndcicd sponiancously oui ol puic allcciion, wiiloui any icvcicniial
admiiaiion.... Il moilci Yasoda lad bccn conscious ol ilc cxalicd posiiion
ol ilc Loid, slc would cciiainly lavc lcsiiaicd io punisl ilc Loid. lui slc
was madc io loigci ilis siiuaiion bccausc ilc Loid wanicd io malc a
complcic gcsiuic ol clildislncss bcloic ilc allcciionaic Yasoda.... Moilci
Yasoda is piaiscd loi lci uniquc posiiion ol lovc, loi slc could coniiol cvcn
ilc all-powcilul Loid as lci bclovcd clild. ¦Pnag. 1.S.31, puipoii]
Anoilci piomincni cxamplc is Aijuna, Kisna's liicnd, wlo acccpicd ilc inlalliblc
Loid as lis claiioi diivci.
As loi ilc gopis ol Viaja, ilcy olicn manilcsicd dccp lnowlcdgc ol Kisna's diviniiy.
lui ilcy ncvci diminislcd ilcii conjugal mood in oidci io bccomc sclolais oi
mcdiiaiois. Kisna wanicd io dancc wiil ilc mosi bcauiilul giils in ilc univcisc,
and so ilc gopis, His complcicly suiicndcicd scivanis, lappily complicd. Wlcn
Kisna callcd ilc gopis io Him in ilc dcad ol nigli, Hc liisi bcgan io lcciuic ilcm
on moialiiy. Tlc gopis complaincd io Him aboui ilis aiiiiudc, and yci ilcii
siaicmcnis indicaic ilai ilcy lncw vciy wcll wlo Hc was. Tlc gopis said io Kisna,
Wiilin ilcsc ilicc woilds ilcic is no disiinciion bciwccn mcn and womcn
in iclaiion io You bccausc boil mcn and womcn bclong io ilc maiginal
poicncy, oi prahrtí. No onc is aciually ilc cnjoyci, oi malc; cvciyonc is
mcani io bc cnjoycd by You. Tlcic is no woman wiilin ilcsc ilicc woilds
wlo cannoi bui dcviaic liom lci pail ol clasiiiy wlcn slc is aiiiacicd io
You bccausc Youi bcauiy is so sublimc ilai noi only mcn and womcn, bui
cows, biids, bcasis, and cvcn iiccs, liuiis, and llowcis-cvciyonc and
cvciyiling-bccomc cnclanicd, and wlai io spcal ol ouisclvcs' ¦Krsna, p.
252]
Alici Loid Kisna lcli Vindavana, Hc scni Uddlava io dclivci a mcssagc io ilc
gopis. Wlcn Uddlava saw ilc gopis' undying dcvoiion loi Siï Kisna, lc piaiscd
ilcii iiansccndcnial pcilcciion:
My dcai gopis, ilc mcnialiiy you lavc dcvclopcd in iclaiionslip io Kisna is
vciy, vciy dilliculi io aiiain, cvcn loi gicai sagcs and sainily pcisons. You
lavc aiiaincd ilc liglcsi pcilcciional siagc ol lilc. Ii is a gicai boon loi you
ilai you lavc lixcd youi minds upon Kisna and lavc dccidcd io lavc Kisna
only, giving up youi lamily, lomcs, iclaiivcs, lusbands, and clildicn loi
ilc salc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy. lccausc youi minds aic now lully
absoibcd in Kisna, ilc Supicmc Soul, univcisal lovc las auiomaiically
dcvclopcd in you. I ilinl myscll vciy loiiunaic ilai I lavc bccn lavoicd, by
youi giacc, io scc you in ilis siiuaiion. ¦Krsna, p. 3S0]
Tlc gopis wcic always impaiicni wlcn ciilci Uddlava oi Kisna spolc plilosoply
io ilcm, bccausc all ilcy wanicd was io bc alonc wiil Kisna in ilc Vindavana
mood. So wlcn Uddlava piaiscd ilcm, ilcy did noi lind ii vciy plcasing.
Somciimcs ilcy cvcn dcnounccd Kisna's bclavioi, and yci ilcy icmaincd awaic ol
His supicmc and indcpcndcni posiiion. As onc gopi said, Kisna is ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc lusband ol ilc goddcss ol loiiunc, and Hc is scll-
sullicicni. Hc las no busincss ciilci wiil us-ilc giils ol Vindavana loicsi-oi
wiil ilc ciiy giils in Mailuia. Hc is ilc gicai Supcisoul; Hc las noiling io do wiil
any ol us, ciilci lcic oi ilcic` (Krsna, p. 3S6).
Ii is ollcnsivc io judgc ilc gopis accoiding io oidinaiy siandaids ol luman
bclavioi. Tlc iniimacy Kisna allowcd ilcm is inconccivablc, and no onc can
undcisiand ii cxccpi ilosc wlo aic complcicly licc ol maiciial dcsiics. Tlc gopis'
lovc is cciiainly bcyond awc and icvcicncc, and yci ii is ncvci mundanc.
Tlc impcisonalisi somciimcs iiics io jump on ilc bandwagon ol piaisc loi ilc
gopis. Hc says ilai ilc gopis cannoi bc undcisiood by pcoplc inlccicd wiil woildly
lusi, bui ilcn lc limscll commiis an cvcn woisc ollcnsc: lc ilinls Kisna's allaiis
wiil ilc gopis aic allcgoiics ilai coniain piolound spiiiiual iiuils.` lclind ilc
Mayavadï's admiiaiion ol gopi-bnava is ilc dcsiic io commii spiiiiual annililaiion,
io bccomc onc wiil God. In oilci woids, ilc impcisonalisi ilinls ilai ai ilc lasi
siagc ol pcilcciion, a gopi will icalizc ilai lci bclovcd Kisna is lci vciy scll. Wc
lavc alicady poinicd oui ilc loolislncss ol ilcsc claims, bui wc do so again jusi io
cxposc ilc impcisonalisi's so-callcd piaisc ol hrsna-IiIa.
ly coniiasi, Naiada Muni's piaisc ol ilc gopis' dcvoiion io Loid Kisna is uplcld by
all sastras and sagcs.
TEXT 23
taá-víninam jaranam íva
SYNONYMS
tat-ol ii (awaicncss ol ilc Loid's gicaincss); víninam-dcvoid; jaranam-ol illicii
lovcis; íva-lilc.
TRANSLATION
On fhe ofher hand, dispIays of devofion wifhouf knowIedge of God`s greafness
are no beffer fhan fhe affairs of iIIicif Iovers.
PURPORT
Tlc gopis' loving cxclangcs wiil Kisna lavc noiling io do wiil mundanc passion,
bui bccausc ilcy icscmblc lusiy aciiviiics in ilc maiciial woild, ilosc wiil impuic
minds misialc ilcm loi sucl. Siïla Piablupada was ilcicloic always vciy cauiious
in picscniing Loid Kisna's rasa-IiIa. Loid Caiianya was also vciy cauiious in
discussing sucl iopics. Alilougl Hc was always mcigcd in gopi-bnava, Hc
discusscd Kisna's loving allaiis wiil ilc gopis only wiil a lcw iniimaic disciplcs.
Ioi ilc mass ol pcoplc, Loid Caiianya disiiibuicd lovc ol God by piopagaiing ilc
congicgaiional claniing ol ilc loly namc.
Siïla Piablupada would somciimcs icll a sioiy io slow low mosi pcoplc misialc
ilc iiansccndcnial loving allaiis ol Radla and Kisna as mundanc dcalings bciwccn
an oidinaiy boy and giil. Oncc ilcic was a liic in a bain, and onc ol ilc cows
almosi dicd ol liigli. Aliciwaid, wlcncvci ilai cow saw ilc coloi icd, slc would
ilinl a liic was buining and bccomc panic-siiiclcn. Similaily, as soon as an
oidinaiy man oi woman sccs a piciuic ol Radla and Kisna, lc oi slc immcdiaicly
ilinls Tlcii iclaiionslip is jusi lilc ilai bciwccn an oidinaiy boyliicnd and
giilliicnd oi lusband and wilc. Unloiiunaicly, piolcssional icciicis ol ilc
Pnagavatam piomoic ilis misconccpiion by jumping inio Loid Kisna's conjugal
pasiimcs in ilc Tcnil Canio, alilougl nciilci ilcy noi ilcii audicncc aic lii io
lcai ilcm. Tlc auiloiizcd appioacl io ilc Pnagavatam is io liisi caiclully icad ilc
liisi ninc canios, wlicl csiablisl ilc gicaincss ol ilc Supicmc Loid, His univcisal
loim, His maiciial and spiiiiual cncigics, His cicaiion ol ilc cosmos, His
incainaiions, and so on. Rcading ilc liisi iwo canios is lilc conicmplaiing ilc
loius lcci ol ilc Loid, and as onc giadually piogicsscs, onc lools upon ilc Loid's
vaiious bodily limbs, uniil linally onc sccs His smiling lacc in ilc Tcnil Canio's
accouni ol His pasiimcs wiil ilc gopis.
Il Kisna's pasiimcs wiil ilc gopis' wcic lusiy allaiis, nciilci puic branmacaris lilc
Naiada and Suladcva noi libciaicd sagcs lilc Uddlava and Vyasadcva would lavc
piaiscd ilcm so liglly. Sucl gicai dcvoiccs aic licc liom all mundanc passion; so
low could ilcy bc inicicsicd in Radla and Kisna il Tlcii lovc wcic a woildly scx
allaii'
Iiom ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam wc lcain ilai all ilc gopis lad spiiiiual bodics. Tlis
is anoilci piool ilai Kisna's pasiimcs wiil ilc gopis aic supiamundanc. Wlcn
Kisna playcd His lluic in Vindavana on ilc lull-moon nigli ol ilc auiumn scason,
ilc gopis wcni io Him in ilcii spiiiiual bodics. Many ol ilcsc gopis aic cicinal
companions ol Kisna, and wlcn Hc cxlibiis His iiansccndcnial pasiimcs wiilin
ilc maiciial woild, ilcy comc wiil Him. lui somc ol ilc gopis wlo joincd Kisna's
pasiimcs wiilin ilis maiciial woild camc liom ilc siaius ol oidinaiy luman
bcings. ly always ilinling ol Kisna as ilcii bclovcd, ilcy bccamc puiilicd ol all
maiciial coniaminaiion and clcvaicd io ilc samc siaius as ilc cicinally libciaicd
gopis. Siïla Piablupada wiiics, All ilc gopis wlo conccniiaicd ilcii minds on
Kisna in ilc spiiii ol paiamoui lovc bccamc lully unconiaminaicd liom all ilc
liuiiivc icaciions ol maiciial naiuic, and somc ol ilcm immcdiaicly gavc up ilcii
maiciial bodics dcvclopcd undci ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic` (Krsna, p.
2+2). Siïla Visvanaila Caliavaiiï Tlaluia cxplains in lis commcniaiy on ilc
Srimaá-Pnagavatam ilai lcic giving up ilc maiciial body` docs noi mcan dying
bui iailci puiilicaiion ol all maiciial coniaminaiion and aiiainmcni ol a puicly
spiiiiual body.
Wlcn Suladcva Gosvamï bcgan icciiing Kisna's rasa-IiIa pasiimcs, Malaiaja
Paiïlsii iaiscd a doubi similai io ilai addicsscd in ilis sutra. Hc aslcd, How
could ilc gopis aiiain libciaiion by ilinling ol a paiamoui'` Suladcva icplicd ilai
cvcn il onc ilinls ilai ilc gopis wcic moiivaicd by lusi, any associaiion wiil
Kisna will puiily onc ol all maiciial dcsiics. lccausc Hc is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad, cvcn somconc lilc Sisupala, wlo was absoibcd in ilinling ol Kisna
oui ol cnvy, gaincd salvaiion. As Siïla Piablupada cxplains in Krsna (p. 2+5):
Tlc conclusion is ilai il onc somclow oi oilci bccomcs aiiaclcd io Kisna
oi aiiiacicd io Him, ciilci bccausc ol His bcauiy, qualiiy, opulcncc, lamc,
siicngil, icnunciaiion, oi lnowlcdgc, oi cvcn iliougl lusi, angci, oi lcai,
oi iliougl allcciion oi liicndslip, ilcn onc's salvaiion and liccdom liom
maiciial coniaminaiion aic assuicd.
Tlc sociciy giil Kubja is an cxamplc ol low cvcn lusiy aiiiaciion io Kisna liccs
onc liom maiciial coniaminaiion. Slc appioaclcd Kisna wiil lusiy dcsiic, bui lci
lusi was iclicvcd jusi by smclling ilc liagiancc ol Kisna's loius lcci.
Wlilc ilc woid hama (lusi) is uscd io dcsciibc ilc gopis' lcclings iowaid Kisna, in
ilcii casc ii is aciually a iiansccndcnial cmoiion. Tlc gopis wanicd Kisna io bc
ilcii lusband, bui ilcic was no possibiliiy ol His maiiying all ol ilcm in ilc usual
scnsc. So ilcy maiiicd icgulai lusbands (ilougl somc wcic unmaiiicd ai ilc iimc
ol ilc rasa dancc) bui iciaincd ilcii lovc loi Kisna. Tlcicloic Kisna's loving
iclaiionslip wiil ilc gopis is lnown as parahiya-rasa (paiamoui lovc). lui
wlcicas in ilc maiciial woild ilc iclaiionslip ol a maiiicd woman wiil a
paiamoui is abominablc, in ilc spiiiiual woild ii is ilc mosi cxalicd iclaiionslip
onc can lavc wiil Kisna. Jusi as a iicc icllccicd in ilc waici appcais upsidc down,
so ilai wlicl is iopmosi in ilc spiiiiual woild-Kisna's loving dcalings wiil ilc
gopis-bccomcs abominablc wlcn icllccicd in ilc maiciial woild as illicii scxual
allaiis. Wlcn pcoplc imiiaic Kisna's rasa dancc wiil ilc gopis, ilcy cnjoy only ilc
pcivciicd icllcciion ol ilc iiansccndcnial parahiya-rasa. Siïla Piablupada wiiics in
Krsna (p. 2+0), Ii is siaicd in ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam ilai onc slould noi imiiaic
ilis parahiya-rasa cvcn in dicam oi imaginaiion. Tlosc wlo do so diinl ilc mosi
dcadly poison.`
Anoilci claiaciciisiic ol mundanc paiamoui lovc is ilai ii is unsicady. As soon as
onc's scx plcasuic is disiupicd, onc sccls oui a ncw paiinci. Tlc Srimaá-
Pnagavatam picdicis ilai in ilc Agc ol Kali maiiiagc will bccomc dcgiadcd io a
mcic convcnicncc loi scx plcasuic and will bical apaii as soon as ilai plcasuic
abaics. lui oncc onc icvivcs onc's loving iclaiionslip wiil Kisna, ilai iclaiionslip
will icmain sicady and cvci licsl.
Tlc gopis' lovc loi Kisna is wiilin Siï Kisna's nIaáíni-sahtí, oi inicinal plcasuic
poicncy. Wlcn Siï Kisna wanis io cnjoy, Hc associaics wiil ilc gopis, noi wiil
womcn ol ilc maiciial woild. Tlis is anoilci indicaiion ol ilc gopis'
supcicxccllcni spiiiiual posiiion. In Kisna's cxclangcs wiil ilc gopis iliougl ilc
nIaáíni-sahtí, ilcic is unlimiicd and uncnding ccsiasy; ilis plcasuic is lai dillcicni
liom ilc quiclly saiiaicd lusis ol scxual allaiis, wlicl aic soon lollowcd by painlul
cnianglcmcnis and laimic icaciions.
Lvcn alici Suladcva Gosvamï lad cxplaincd ilc spiiiiual naiuic ol ilc lovc ilai
Kisna and ilc gopis cxclangcd duiing ilc rasa dancc, Malaiaja Paiïlsii
qucsiioncd Suladcva as io wly Kisna would aci in a way ilai would malc
oidinaiy pcoplc scc Him as immoial. Suladcva icplicd ilai bccausc Loid Kisna is
ilc supicmc isvara, oi coniiollci, Hc is indcpcndcni ol all social and icligious
piinciplcs. Tlis is simply moic cvidcncc ol His gicaincss. As ilc supicmc isvara,
Loid Kisna may somciimcs violaic His own insiiuciions wiil impuniiy, bui ilai is
possiblc only loi ilc supicmc coniiollci, noi loi us. Sincc no onc can imiiaic sucl
asiounding aciiviiics ol Loid Kisna's
as cicaiing ilc univcisc oi liliing Govaidlana Hill, no onc slould iiy io imiiaic
His rasa dancc, ciilci. To luiilci clcai up all doubis aboui Kisna and ilc gopis,
onc may icad Clapici Tliiiy-iwo ol Krsna, tnc Suprcmc PcrsonaIíty oj Goáncaá.
TEXT 2+
nasty cva tasmíms tat-suhna-suhnítvam
SYNONYMS
na-ilcic is noi; cva-indccd; tasmín-in ii; tat-His; suhna-in ilc lappincss;
suhnítvam-linding lappincss.
TRANSLATION
In such faIse devofion one does nof find pIeasure excIusiveIy in fhe Lord`s
pIeasure.
PURPORT
As alicady cxplaincd, lusi is as dillcicni liom lovc as iion is liom gold. Siïla
Kisnadasa Kaviiaja siaics,
atmcnáríya-prití-vancna-tarc baIí hama`
hrsncnáríya-prití-íccna ánarc prcma` nama
Tlc dcsiic io giaiily onc's own scnscs is hama ¦lusi], bui ilc dcsiic io plcasc ilc
scnscs ol Loid Kisna is prcma ¦lovc]` (Cc. Adí +.165). Siïmaiï Radlaianï cxpicsscs
Hci puic lovc loi Kisna in ilis way:
I do noi mind My pcisonal disiicss. I only wisl loi ilc lappincss ol Kisna, loi
His lappincss is ilc goal ol My lilc. Howcvci, il Hc lccls gicai lappincss in giving
Mc disiicss, ilai disiicss is ilc bcsi ol My lappincss` (Cc. Antya 20.52).
Kisnadasa Kaviiaja inloims us, Tlc gopis lavc no inclinaiion loi ilcii own
cnjoymcni, and yci ilcii joy incicascs. Tlai is indccd a coniiadiciion.` Tlc
soluiion io ilis coniiadiciion is ilai ilc joy ol ilc gopis lics in ilc joy ol ilcii
bclovcd Kisna` (Cc. Adí +.1SS-S9). Alilougl ilc gopis aic ilc lcadcis in ilis
sclllcss lovc loi ilc Loid, all Vaisnavas slaic in ilis scniimcni. Wlcn Loid
Nisimladcva wanicd io ollci a bcncdiciion io Piallada Malaiaja, wlo lad
undcigonc so mucl sullciing on ilc Loid's accouni, Piallada dcclincd. Hc said lc
lad noi pciloimcd lis dcvoiional scivicc in ilc mood ol a mciclani sccling piolii
in cxclangc loi scivicc: O my Loid, I am Youi unmoiivaicd scivani, and You aic
my cicinal masici. Tlcic is no nccd loi oui bcing anyiling oilci ilan masici and
scivani. You aic naiuially my masici, and I am naiuially Youi scivani. Wc lavc no
oilci iclaiionslip` (8hag. 7.10.6).
In a similai mood, Madlavcndia Puiï undciwcni dilliculi ausiciiiics in oidci io
caiiy a load ol sandalwood loi ilc salc ol lis bclovcd Gopala Dciiy. Madlavcndia
wallcd ilousands ol milcs iliougl iciiiioiy govcincd by Mulammadans and
lillcd wiil ilicvcs and waiclmcn. Dcsciibing Madlavcndia's scivicc, Loid
Caiianya said, Tlis is ilc naiuial icsuli ol inicnsc lovc ol Godlcad. Tlc dcvoicc
docs noi considci pcisonal inconvcnicnccs oi impcdimcnis. In all ciicumsianccs
lc wanis io scivc ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad` (Cc. Madhya +.1S6).
Lilc ilc gopis, all puic dcvoiccs lccl gicai lappincss wlcn sciving Kisna, cvcn
wlcn ilai scivicc cniails scvcic ausiciiiy. Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Ii is said ilai
wlcn onc sccs appaicni unlappincss oi disiicss in a pcilcci Vaisnava, ii is noi ai
all unlappincss loi lim; iailci ii is iiansccndcnial bliss` (Cc. Maánya +.1S6,
puipoii).
Wc may asl, Wly docs a dcvoicc appioacl Loid Kisna wiil puic sclllcss lovc,
sccling only io plcasc Him' To undcisiand ilc answci io ilis qucsiion, onc las io
pcisonally cxpciicncc sucl lovc. Tlcic aic glimmcis ol sucl lovc cvcn in ilc
maiciial woild, as in ilc lovc a moilci lccls loi lci clild. Lvcn wiilin ilc animal
lingdom a moilci somciimcs iisls lci lilc io pioicci lci ollspiing. lui purc
sclllcss lovc cxisis only in iclaiion io ilc all-aiiiaciivc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Onc
cannoi picciscly analyzc ilis lovc in inicllcciual icims, bui onc can cxpciicncc ii
wiil a puiilicd lcaii.
Tlc sccici diiving loicc loi ilc dcvoiccs is ilc all-aiiiaciivc naiuic ol Kisna and
ilc laci ilai Hc is ilc Scll ol all sclvcs. Suladcva Gosvamï cxplains ilis in ilc
Srïmad-8hagavatam (10.1+.50-57), alici lc iclaics low Kisna cxpandcd Himscll
inio all ilc calvcs and cowlcid boys ol Vindavana. Wlcn Kisna cxpandcd Himscll
in ilis way, ilc paicnis ol ilc boys and calvcs lcli incicascd lovc loi ilcii
ollspiing. Upon lcaiing ilc accouni ol ilis miiaculous pasiimc, Malaiaja Paiïlsii
aslcd, Wlcn Kisna cxpandcd Himscll, wly is ii ilai ilc boys' paicnis bccamc
moic loving iowaid Him ilan iowaid ilcii own sons' Also, wly did ilc cows
bccomc so loving iowaid ilc calvcs, moic so ilan iowaid ilcii own calvcs'`
Suladcva icplicd ilai sincc wlai is mosi aiiiaciivc io ilc living bcing is lis own
scll, and sincc Kisna, as ilc Supcisoul, is ilc Scll ol all sclvcs, Hc is ilc all-
aiiiaciivc ccnici loi cvciyonc. Tlcicloic, wlcn Hc cxpandcd Himscll as ilc calvcs
and boys ol Vindavana, ilc calvcs' and boys' paicnis wcic moic allcciionaic
iowaid Kisna's cxpansions ilan iowaid ilcii own ollspiing.
ly loving Kisna, a pcison icalizcs lis lovc loi all living bcings. In oilci woids,
univcisal lovc is a paii ol God consciousncss. Tlis is cxpicsscd in iwo gicai
commandmcnis ol ilc liblc: Tlou slali lovc ilc Loid ily God wiil all ilinc
lcaii, and wiil all ily soul, and wiil all ily migli` (Dcuicionomy 6:5); and
Tlou slali lovc ilcy nciglboi as ilyscll` (Maiilcw 19:19). Piablupada would
givc a lomcly cxamplc io slow low lovc ol God implics univcisal lovc: Wlcn a
man maiiics a woman, lc also gains a iclaiionslip wiil lci wlolc lamily and may
quiclly dcvclop allcciion loi lis ncw in-laws. Similaily, il onc dcvclops lovc loi
Kisna, ilc lailci ol all living bcings, onc immcdiaicly bccomcs awaic ol onc's
loving iclaiionslip wiil all Kisna's clildicn. A dcvoicc wlo cvcn paiiially icalizcs
lis lovc loi Kisna wanis io woil io lullill Kisna's mission in ilis woild, wlicl is
io lclp all living bcings cnd ilcii sullciing and go bacl io Godlcad. Wlcn onc
docs ilis noi loi lamc as a picaclci and noi as a piolcssional busincss-bui as a
lumblc scivani mcciing all dilliculiics loi ilc salc ol spicading Kisna
consciousncss-lc bccomcs ilc dcaimosi scivani ol ilc Loid. Tlis is ilc
pcilcciion ol lappincss in spiiiiual lovc, and ii is complcicly unlilc lusi, ilc dcsiic
loi onc's own plcasuic.
TEXT 25
sa tu harma-jnana-yogcbnyo `py aáníhatara
SYNONYMS
sa-ii; tu-bui; harma-io liuiiivc woil; jnana-spcculaiivc lnowlcdgc;
yogcbnyan-and mysiic mcdiiaiion; apí-indccd; aáníhatara-supciioi.
TRANSLATION
Pure devofionaI service, on fhe ofher hand, is far superior fo fruifive work,
phiIosophicaI specuIafion, and mysfic medifafion.
PURPORT
Having dcsciibcd ilc gopis ol Viaja as ilc iopmosi cxamplc ol para bnahtí, Naiada
now iuins lis aiicniion io bnahtí-yoga in gcncial. Hcic Naiada assciis ilai all
bnahtas aic caicgoiically supciioi io oilci Vcdic piaciiiioncis. Tlc classilicaiion ol
luman bcings inio harmis, jnanis, yogis, and bnahtas is iiscll a biilliani gili ol Vcdic
lnowlcdgc. Lci us scc wly, oui ol ilc lull iangc ol possiblc aciiviiics, bnahtí is ilc
liglcsi.
Karma iclcis in ilc bioadcsi scnsc io any aciiviiy, bui ii olicn mcans aciiviiics
pciloimcd wiilin ilc bounds ol Vcdic injunciions wiil ilc inicniion ol cnjoying
ilc icsulis. (Anoilci icim, víharma, is uscd loi aciiviiy loibiddcn by ilc Vcáas.) So
harma, alilougl laving icligious siaiuic, is siill maiciial. Tlc harmi is inicicsicd
in icwaids lilc moncy, scnsc plcasuic, and lamc in ilis lilc, and lc also sccls
piomoiion io liglci plancis in ilc ncxi lilc. Tlc gicai dclcci ol harma is ilai ii
always icsulis in icaciions, wlicl loicc ilc harmi io ialc anoilci maiciial biiil by
ilc pioccss ol iiansmigiaiion ol ilc soul. Tlcicloic, wlcilci good` oi bad,`
pious oi impious, all harma lccps onc bound wiilin ilc cyclc ol biiil and dcail.
jnana iclcis io ilc culiivaiion ol lnowlcdgc. Tlc jnani sccs ilc sloiicomings ol
harma and bcgins io inquiic inio liglci iiuil. jnanis aic gcncially plilosoplcis
and mcdiiaiois. Tlcy aic noi inicicsicd mcicly in maiciial icsulis, bui in
lnowlcdgc loi iis own salc. ly culiivaiing jnana iliougl ilc siudy ol Vcdic sastras
oi iliougl mcdiiaiion, ilc jnani can comc io ilc biinl ol spiiiiual lnowlcdgc,
awaicncss ol cicinal lialman. lui unlcss lc gocs luiilci and undcisiands lis
iclaiionslip wiil ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, lc will sullci ilc samc
dclcai as ilc harmi-conlincmcni wiilin ilc cyclc ol biiil and dcail. A piayci io
Kisna by ilc dcmigods poinis up ilc jnanis' sloiicoming:
O loius-cycd Loid, alilougl nondcvoiccs wlo acccpi scvcic ausiciiiics and
pcnanccs io aclicvc ilc liglcsi posiiion may ilinl ilcmsclvcs libciaicd,
ilcii iniclligcncc is impuic. Tlcy lall down liom ilcii posiiion ol imagincd
supciioiiiy bccausc ilcy lavc no icgaid loi Youi loius lcci. ¦Pnag. 10.2.32]
Tlc iliid caicgoiy ol luman cndcavoi is yoga. Loid Kisna dcsciibcs ilc yogi as
lollows: A yogi is gicaici ilan ilc ascciic, gicaici ilan ilc cmpiiicisi, and gicaici
ilan ilc liuiiivc woilci. Tlcicloic, O Aijuna, in all ciicumsianccs bc a yogi` (lg.
6.+6). Tlcic aic many iypcs ol yoga, sucl as natna-yoga, astanga-yoga, raja-yoga,
ányana-yoga, and bnahtí-yoga. Rudimcniaiy natna-yoga las bccomc vciy populai as
a loim ol cxcicisc and iclaxaiion, bui ical yoga-as iaugli by Paianjali in lis Yoga-
sutra oi by Kisna in ilc Sixil Clapici ol Pnagavaá-gita-is an ciglilold sysicm ol
mcdiiaiion loi aiiaining samaání, oi complcic absoipiion ol ilc mind in ilc
Supicmc. Tlc ciglilold yoga pioccss is vciy dilliculi io pciloim, and cvcn Aijuna
dccidcd ii was ioo dilliculi loi lim. And ilosc lcw wlo can piaciicc ii olicn
bccomc capiivaicd by ilc síáánís, oi pcilcciions, ilai onc can gain iliougl ilis
yoga, sucl as ilc abiliiy io wall on waici, bccomc cxiicmcly small, and coniiol
oilci pcoplc's minds. So ilc mysiic yoga pioccss, bcing vciy dilliculi and lull ol
many possiblc disiiaciions, is noi iccommcndcd in ilis agc.
Aciiviiics ol harma, jnana, and yoga aic noi condcmncd as sucl by ilosc piaciicing
bnahtí, dcvoiional scivicc. Railci, wlcn ilcsc lcssci aciiviiics aic dovciailcd in ilc
scivicc ol ilc Supicmc Loid, ilcy aic lavoiablc mcilods ol dcvoiional scivicc. Ioi
cxamplc, wlcn harma, oi aciiviiy, is joincd wiil dcvoiional scivicc, ii bccomcs
harma-yoga, aciion in Kisna consciousncss. Loid Kisna iccommcnds ilis in ilc
8hagavad-gïta (9.27):
yat harosí yaá asnasí yaj junosí áaáasí yat
yat tapasyasí hauntcya tat hurusva maá-arpanam
Wlaicvci you do, wlaicvci you cai, wlaicvci you ollci oi givc away, and
wlaicvci ausiciiiics you pciloim-do ilai, O son ol Kuniï, as an ollciing io Mc`
(lg. 9.27).
Tlosc wlo culiivaic lnowlcdgc (jnana) aic olicn vciy pioud and considci
ilcmsclvcs supciioi io dcvoiccs. lui ilc pcilcciion ol lnowlcdgc is io suiicndci io
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and icalizc ilai Hc is cvciyiling. Tlcn jnana
bccomcs jnana-yoga and is puiilicd ol mcnial spcculaiion. As Kisna says in ilc
8hagavad-gïta (7.19),
banunam janmanam antc jnanavan mam prapaáyatc
vasuácvan sarvam ítí sa manatma su-áurIabnan
Alici many biiils and dcails, lc wlo is aciually in lnowlcdgc suiicndcis unio
Mc, lnowing Mc io bc ilc causc ol all causcs and all ilai is. Sucl a gicai soul is
vciy iaic` (lg. 7.19).
Similaily, Kisna iclls Aijuna ai ilc cnd ol ilc Sixil Clapici ol ilc Gita ilai
absoipiion in Kisna consciousncss is ilc uliimaic yoga.
yogínam apí sarvcsam maá-gatcnantar atmana
sraáánavan bnajatc yo mam sa mc yuhtatamo matan
And ol all yogis, ilc onc wiil gicai laiil wlo always abidcs in Mc, ilinls ol Mc
wiilin limscll, and icndcis iiansccndcnial loving scivicc io Mc-lc is ilc mosi
iniimaicly uniicd wiil Mc in yoga and is ilc liglcsi ol all. Tlai is My opinion`
(lg. 6.+7).
So harma, jnana, and yoga can bccomc lavoiablc loi Kisna consciousncss. lui
diicci para bnahtí is ilc conclusion ol Loid Kisna's icaclings in ilc Pnagavaá-gita.
man-mana bnava maá-bnahto maá-yaji mam namas-huru
mam cvaísyasí satyam tc pratíjanc príyo `sí mc
sarva-ánarman parítyajya mam cham saranam vraja
anam tvam sarva-papcbnyo mohsayísyamí ma sucan
¦lg. 18.66]
Always ilinl ol Mc, bccomc My dcvoicc, woislip Mc, and ollci youi lomagc
unio Mc. Tlus you will comc io Mc wiiloui lail. I piomisc you ilis bccausc you
aic My vciy dcai liicnd. Abandon all vaiiciics ol icligion and jusi suiicndci unio
Mc. I slall dclivci you liom all sinlul icaciions. Do noi lcai` (lg. 1S.65-66).
Tlus in ilc Pnagavaá-gita Loid Kisna conliims Naiada's assciiion lcic ilai bnahtí
is supicmc.
TEXT 26
pnaIa-rupatvat
SYNONYMS
pnaIa-ol ilc liuii; rupatvat-bccausc ol bcing ilc loim.
TRANSLATION
Affer aII, bhahtí is fhe fruif of aII endeavor.
PURPORT
Pnahtí is moic ilan a pioccss lcading io a icsuli: ii is ilc consiiiuiional naiuic ol
ilc living bcing. As Loid Caiianya siaics in ilc Caítanya-carítamrta (Madhya
20.10S), jivcra svarupa` naya-hrsncra nítya-áasa`. Ii is ilc living cniiiy's
consiiiuiional posiiion io bc an cicinal scivani ol Kisna.` Lvcn in ilc bcginning
siagcs, bnahtí is boil ilc mcans and ilc cnd. To cxplain ilis, Siïla Piablupada
givcs ilc cxamplc ol a mango. In iis uniipc siagc, a mango is a mango, and wlcn ii
bccomcs iipc and iclislablc, ii is siill a mango. So cvcn ncoplyic aciiviiics ol
bnahtí aic wiilin ilc icalm ol lovc ol God and aic plcasing io Kisna. lui aciiviiics
ol harma, jnana, and yoga aic noi plcasing io Kisna unlcss ilcy aic dovciailcd wiil
bnahtí.
Wlcn onc bcgins dcvoiional scivicc, ilc cmplasis is on pciloiming obligaioiy
piaciiccs oidcicd by ilc spiiiiual masici. lui cvcn ai ilis siagc bnahtí-yoga is bascd
on ilc soul's doimani inclinaiions. Siïla Piablupada cxplains in 1nc Ncctar oj
Dcvotíon (p. 20):
¦Tlc piaciicc ol dcvoiional scivicc] is noi loi dcvcloping somciling
aiiilicial. Ioi cxamplc, a clild lcains oi piaciiccs io wall. Tlis walling is
noi unnaiuial. Tlc walling capaciiy is ilcic oiiginally in ilc clild, and
simply by a liiilc piaciicc lc walls vciy niccly. Similaily, dcvoiional scivicc
io ilc Supicmc Loid is ilc naiuial insiinci ol cvciy living cniiiy.
Naiada las dclincd bnahtí as supciioi io oilci pioccsscs bccausc ii is boil ilc
mcans and ilc cnd, wlcicas oilci pioccsscs musi uliimaicly lcad io bnahtí io lavc
any valuc. Tlis is onc impoiiani icason wly bnahtí is supciioi, and now Naiada
will ollci luiilci cvidcncc.
TEXT 27
isvarasyapy abnímaní-ávcsítvaá áaínya-príyatvac ca
SYNONYMS
isvarasya-ol ilc Supicmc Loid; apí-also; abnímaní-ol ilosc wlo aic pioud;
ávcsítvat-bccausc ol bcing onc wlo dislilcs; áaínya-ol lumiliiy; príyatvat-
bccausc ol bcing lond; ca-and.
TRANSLATION
Furfhermore, fhe Lord disIikes fhe proud buf is pIeased wifh fhe humbIe.
PURPORT
Tlc lumiliiy Naiada piaiscs lcic is noi oidinaiy modcsiy bui is in iclaiionslip io
ilc Supicmc Loid. Tlc wlolc poini is ilai ilc bnahta docs wlai Kisna lilcs. In ilc
Harí-bnahtí-víIasa (11.+17), Sanaiana Gosvamï dcsciibcs six sympioms ol a
suiicndcicd soul, and cacl ol ilcm involvcs lumiliiy bcloic ilc Loid:
anuhuIyasya sanhaIpan pratíhuIyasya varjanam
rahsísyatití vísvaso goptrtvc varanam tatna
atma-níhscpa-harpanyc saá-víána saranagatín
Tlc six aspccis ol lull suiicndci io Kisna aic (1) acccpiing ilings lavoiablc loi
dcvoiional scivicc, (2) icjcciing ilings unlavoiablc loi dcvoiional scivicc, (3)
bclicving liimly in ilc Loid's pioicciion, (+) lccling cxclusivcly dcpcndcni on ilc
mcicy ol ilc Loid loi onc's mainicnancc, (5) laving no inicicsi scpaiaic liom ilai
ol ilc Loid, and (6) always lccling mccl and lumblc bcloic ilc Loid.`
Humiliiy is plcasing io Kisna, and ilcicloic ilc dcvoicc is lumblc. Il Loid Kisna
lad said Hc piclciicd piidc, ilc dcvoicc would bc pioud. In laci, somciimcs ilc
Loid lilcs His iniimaic liicnds io slow a lind ol iiansccndcnial piidc and
icpiimand Him. ly ilc inllucncc ol ilc Loid's yogamaya poicncy, Kisna's cowlcid
boyliicnds ilinl ilcmsclvcs His cquals and somciimcs clallcngc Him. A boy will
climb on His bacl and say, Wlai lind ol a big man aic You'` Similaily, wlcn
moilci Yasoda oi Siïmaiï Radlaianï clidcs Kisna, Hc lilcs ii. Tlcsc aic cxamplcs
ol pioud bclavioi in prcma-bnahtí, bui Naiada is discussing a moic basic
insiiuciion-ilai piidc in onc's scll and onc's aciiviiics is noi plcasing io ilc Loid.
Lvciyonc slould aclnowlcdgc ilai ilc Supicmc Loid las givcn lim wlaicvci
opulcncc lc las. Wlaicvci piowcss, wcalil, bcauiy, lamc, oi lcaining wc posscss
is noiling io bc pioud ol bccausc ii is all boiiowcd plumcs.` Lvcn wlcn wc
icccivc Kisna's lavoi in dcvoiional scivicc, wc slould lnow ilai ii is duc io His
mcicy and noi oui own gicaincss. Somciimcs wlcn a dcvoicc displays piidc, Kisna
pcisonally ciuslcs ii, as ai ilc bcginning ol ilc rasa dancc:
Tlc gopis. .. soon bcgan io lccl vciy pioud, ilinling ilcmsclvcs io bc ilc
mosi loiiunaic womcn in ilc univcisc by bcing lavoicd by ilc company ol
Kisna. Loid Kisna, wlo is lnown as Kcsava, could immcdiaicly undcisiand
ilcii piidc causcd by ilcii loiiunc ol cnjoying Him pcisonally, and in oidci
io slow ilcm His causclcss mcicy and io cuib ilcii lalsc piidc, Hc
immcdiaicly disappcaicd liom ilc sccnc, cxlibiiing His opulcncc ol
icnunciaiion. ¦Krsna, p. 253]
Tlc moic powci onc las, ilc moic onc is liablc io bccomc pullcd up. Dcmigods
lilc lialma and India somciimcs bccomc pioud and loigci Kisna's supicmc
posiiion. Oncc wlcn India bccamc cnvious ol Kisna, lc iiicd io punisl ilc
icsidcnis ol Vindavana by scnding ioiicniial iainlall, bui Kisna pioiccicd ilc
Viaja-vasïs by liliing Govaidlana Hill. India ilcn appioaclcd Kisna and sougli
loigivcncss:
¦India said,] Wiilin ilis maiciial woild ilcic aic many lools lilc myscll
wlo considci ilcmsclvcs io bc ilc Supicmc Loid oi ilc all-in-all wiilin ilc
univcisc. You aic so mcicilul ilai wiiloui punisling ilcii ollcnscs, You
dcvisc mcans so ilai ilcii lalsc picsiigc is subducd and ilcy can lnow ilai
You, and no onc clsc, aic ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.` ¦Krsna, p.
226]
Loid Caiianya considcicd lumiliiy csscniial loi onc wlo is aspiiing io clani ilc
loly namcs ol God. Hc wioic in His Síhsastaha (3),
trnaá apí su-niccna taror íva sanísnuna
amanína mana-ácna hirtaniyan saáa narín
¦Cc. adi 17.31]
Onc wlo ilinls limscll lowci ilan ilc giass, wlo is moic iolciani ilan a iicc,
and wlo docs noi cxpcci lonoi bui is always picpaicd io givc all icspcci io oilcis
can vciy casily always clani ilc loly namc ol ilc Loid.` Vaisnavas ollci icspcci
noi only io ilc Supicmc Loid and His diicci icpicscniaiivcs, bui io all living
bcings. Tlc moic onc advanccs spiiiiually, ilc moic lumblc onc bccomcs. Tlc
gicaicsi dcvoicc, ilc mana-bnagavata, sccs cvciyonc cxccpi limscll as a scivani ol
Loid Kisna. As said in ilc Caítanya-carítamrta (Antya 20.25), Alilougl a
Vaisnava is ilc mosi cxalicd pcison, lc is piidclcss and givcs all icspcci io
cvciyonc, lnowing cvciyonc io bc ilc icsiing placc ol Kisna.`
Il ai any poini a dcvoicc bccomcs pioud ol bcing a disiinguislcd Vaisnava, ilcn lc
las dcvclopcd an anartna (unwanicd iling). Tlis is conliimcd in ilc Caítanya-
carítamrta (Antya 20.2S): Wlcicvci ilcic is a iclaiionslip ol lovc ol Godlcad, iis
naiuial sympiom is ilai ilc dcvoicc docs noi ilinl limscll a dcvoicc. Insicad, lc
always ilinls ilai lc las noi cvcn a diop ol lovc loi Kisna` (Cc. Antya 20.2S).
Alilougl all iiansccndcnialisis may aspiic io lumiliiy, bnahtí-yoga is ilc bcsi way
io culiivaic ii. In bnahtí-yoga onc cannoi advancc wiiloui plcasing Loid Kisna by
acis ol lumiliiy, wlcicas harma, jnana, and yoga do noi diiccily culiuic lumiliiy.
Tlcicloic a pcison wlo lollows ilcsc oilci pioccsscs is moic lilcly io ilinl lc is
advancing by lis own clloii. Tlc harmi may ilinl lc is accumulaiing wcalil by
lis laid cndcavoi, ilc jnani ilai lc is gaining lnowlcdgc by lis icdious siudy, and
ilc yogi ilai lc las aiiaincd mysiic powcis by long ycais ol ausiciiiy. ly coniiasi,
ilc puic bnahta lnows ilai ilc bliss lc lccls in ilc couisc ol lis dcvoiional scivicc
is duc simply io ilc mcicy ol ilc Supicmc Loid. Tlus ilc dcvoicc alonc is always
awaic ilai lis advanccmcni dcpcnds on lis lumiliiy bcloic Kisna. Onc cannoi bc
pullcd up and ai ilc samc iimc bc a dcvoicc.
Loid Kisna is aiiiacicd io ilc lumblc. Ioi cxamplc, Hc was vciy plcascd by ilc
unpicicniious bclavioi ol Sudama Vipia, and Hc blcsscd lim in many ways.
Similaily, Loid Caiianya slowcd spccial mcicy io a dcvoicc namcd Kalidasa, wlo
woislipcd all Vaisnavas wiil gicai icspcci and lovc. lui Loid Caiianya was noi
plcascd by ilc pioud sclolaislip ol Vallabla llaiia.
Naiada's siaicmcni lcic-ilai ilc Supicmc Loid is plcascd wiil ilc lumblc and
displcascd wiil ilc pioud-docs noi mcan Kisna is paiiial. Loid Kisna docs noi
wiillold His lovc liom anyonc; iailci, ii is wc wlo wiillold oui lovc liom Him
oui ol piidc and ignoiancc and ilus bccomc unqualilicd io cxpciicncc His
picscncc and iccipiocaic His lovc. Tlc sun slincs loi ilc bcnclii ol all living
bcings, bui cicaiuics lilc owls lidc ilcmsclvcs liom iis iays. Tlc gicai dcvoicc
Piallada Malaiaja puis ii ilis way in ilc Srïmad-8hagavatam (7.9.27):
Unlilc an oidinaiy living cniiiy, my Loid, You do noi disciiminaic bciwccn
liicnds and cncmics, ilc lavoiablc and ilc unlavoiablc, bccausc loi You
ilcic is no conccpiion ol liglci and lowci. Noncilclcss, You ollci Youi
bcncdiciions accoiding io ilc lcvcl ol onc's scivicc, cxacily as a dcsiic iicc
dclivcis liuiis accoiding io onc's dcsiics and malcs no disiinciion bciwccn
lowci and liglci.
TEXT 28
tasya jnanam cva saánanam íty chc
SYNONYMS
tasyan-ol ii (bnahtí); jnanam-lnowlcdgc; cva-alonc; saánanam-ilc mcans;
ítí-ilus; chc-somc.
TRANSLATION
Some say fhaf knowIedge is fhe means for deveIoping devofion.
PURPORT
In ilis and ilc lollowing iwo sutras Naiada discusscs ilc iclaiion bciwccn
lnowlcdgc and bnahtí.
Is bnahtí bascd on lnowlcdgc' Acquiiing lnowlcdgc is cciiainly an impoiiani paii
ol Kisna consciousncss. In ilc bcginning ol ilc Pnagavaá-gita, Kisna icpiimands
Aijuna loi spcaling lcaincd woids` bui aciing lilc onc in ignoiancc. Kisna ilus
bccomcs ilc guru ol Aijuna and bcgins by icacling lim aboui ilc immoiialiiy ol
ilc soul. Indccd, iliougloui ilc Pnagavaá-gita Kisna givcs Aijuna csscniial
lnowlcdgc conccining dcvoiional scivicc. Loid Caiianya also iool ilc iolc ol
icaclci in His pasiimcs wiil Saivablauma llaiiacaiya, Pialasananda Saiasvaiï,
and Rupa and Sanaiana Gosvamïs.
Kisna conscious lnowlcdgc is noi jnana in ilc impcisonal scnsc bui is iailci
lnowlcdgc ol ilc soul, God, and God's cncigics, wiil a bnahtí conclusion. Ii is
obvious, ilcicloic, ilai lnowlcdgc lclps onc piaciicc bnahtí. Somciimcs Siïla
Piablupada was aslcd, How can a pcison wiiloui lnowlcdgc lnow il a spiiiiual
masici is bona lidc'` Siïla Piablupada icplicd ilai io lnow wlo a bona jíác
spiiiiual masici is, onc musi liisi lavc somc idca ol wlai a spírítuaI mastcr is. Hc
gavc ilc cxamplc ilai il somconc wanis io buy gold, lc lad bciici lcain aboui gold
and ilc gold mailci. Oilciwisc, lc will bc casily clcaicd. Oi il somconc wanis io
aiicnd a collcgc, lc las io icscaicl ilc qualilicaiions ol vaiious univcisiiics, ilcii
cniiancc icquiicmcnis, and so on. So lnowlcdgc is cciiainly an impoiiani
componcni ol bnahtí. Siïla Piablupada wioic lis bools wiil ilc aim ol
disiiibuiing iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc, and in lis Pnagavaá-gita lc wioic,
Rcligion wiiloui plilosoply is scniimcni, oi somciimcs lanaiicism, wlilc
plilosoply wiiloui icligion is mcnial spcculaiion.`
Yci alilougl lnowlcdgc is impoiiani, ii is noi an absoluic icquisiic loi bnahtí. Il
Kisna lilcs, Hc can immcdiaicly bcsiow cnliglicnmcni upon any pcison,
icgaidlcss ol lis cducaiion. And in ilc Srïmad-8hagavatam (1.2.7), Suia Gosvamï
dcclaics,
vasuácvc bnagavatí bnahtí-yogan prayojítan
janayaty asu vaíragyam jnanam ca yaá anaítuham
ly icndciing dcvoiional scivicc unio ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Kisna, onc
immcdiaicly acquiics causclcss lnowlcdgc and dciaclmcni.`
Tlcicloic, wlilc lnowlcdgc may lclp onc io ialc up and piosccuic bnahtí, ilc
conicniion ilai lnowlcdgc is ilc souicc ol bnahtí is lalsc.
TEXT 29
anyonyasrayatvam íty chc
SYNONYMS
anyonya-muiual; asrayatvam-dcpcndcncy; ítí-ilus; chc-somc.
TRANSLATION
Ofhers consider bhahtí and knowIedge inferdependenf.
PURPORT
Tlc spiiiiual laimony ol lnowlcdgc and dcvoiion is wcll cxpicsscd in ilc pliasc
bnahtí-vcáanta. Somc obscivcis ilinl ol bnahtí and jnana as scpaiaic oi in
opposiiion io cacl oilci. Tlc Advaiiins claim a monopoly on jnana iliougl ilc
siudy ol ilc Vcáanta-sutra accoiding io ilc commcniaiy ol Sanlaia. lui Vcdaniic
siudy is noi in opposiiion io bnahtí-yoga. Tlc auiloi ol ilc Vcáanta-sutra is Siïla
Vyasadcva, wlo also compilcd ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam, wlicl is a masicipiccc ol
bnahtí as wcll as ilc naiuial commcniaiy on ilc Vcáanta-sutra. Tlc Vaisnava
acaryas Ramanuja, Madlva, and laladcva Vidyablusana all wioic commcniaiics
on ilc Vcáanta-sutra and piovcd Vcdania io bc laimonious wiil dcvoiional
scivicc. So wlcn a Vaisnava siudics ilc Vcáanta-sutra and oilci Vcdic liiciaiuics
in oidci io undcisiand ilc gloiics ol ilc Supicmc Loid, ilcn wc lavc bnahtí-
vcáanta.
Knowlcdgc is cspccially icquiicd by ilc Kisna conscious picaclci, wlo las io
mcci opposing aigumcnis. Tlc Vaisnava acaryas wcic all liglly lcaincd in
Sansliii, plilosoply, and logic, bui ilcy wcic ncvci diy spcculaiois lilc ilc
acadcmic oi impcisonalisi sclolais. Tlcy lncw ilai Kisna is ilc conclusion ol ilc
Vcáas. As Siï Kisna says in ilc 8hagavad-gïta (15.15), vcáaís ca sarvaír anam cva
vcáyan/ vcáanta-hrá vcáa-víá cva canam. ly all ilc Vcáas, I am io bc lnown.
Indccd, I am ilc compilci ol Vcáanta, and I am ilc lnowci ol ilc Vcáas.`
Knowlcdgc and dcvoiion aic laimonious, bui io say ilai ilcy aic inicidcpcndcni
is ioo siiong. Lovc ol Kisna olicn aiiscs wiiloui a
long dcvclopmcni ol jnana. Naiada Muni oncc blcsscd a sadisiic lunici wiil puic
dcvoiion io Kisna. Tlis iypc ol sponiancous dcvclopmcni ol bnahtí is lnown as
hrpa-síáání, pcilcciion via ilc good giaccs ol ilc Loid and ilc Vaisnavas.
In ilc cicinal plcasuic pasiimcs ol ilc Loid, Yogamaya somciimcs covcis ilc
dcvoicc's lnowlcdgc ilai Kisna is God. Tlis is anoilci cxamplc ol low lnowlcdgc
and bnahtí aic noi always inicidcpcndcni. Somciimcs ilc cicinal associaics ol
Kisna icmcmbci ilai Hc is ilc Supicmc Loid, and somciimcs ilcy loigci,
dcpcnding on ilc icquiicmcnis ol ilcii paiiiculai dcvoiional mood, oi rasa. Ai
Kisna's namc-giving ccicmony, ilc sagc Gaiga said, Tlis clild will giow in
powci, bcauiy, opulcncc-cvciyiling-on ilc lcvcl ol Naiayana, ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.` Siill, moilci Yasoda iicaicd Kisna as lci dcpcndcni
clild. Oncc Yasoda oidcicd Kisna io opcn His mouil so slc could scc il Hc lad
caicn diii. Kisna obcycd, and wlcn moilci Yasoda loolcd inio lci clild's mouil,
slc saw ilc univcisal loim, including all iimc, spacc, and plancis. Rcalizing ilai
Kisna was ilc Supicmc Pcison, slc piaycd,
Lci mc ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad,... undci wlosc illusoiy cncigy I am ilinling ilai Nanda
Malaiaja is my lusband and Kisna is my son, ilai all ilc piopciiics ol
Nanda Malaiaja bclong io mc, and ilai all ilc cowlcid mcn and womcn
aic my subjccis. ¦Krsna, p. S+]
lui ilcn Loid Kisna cxpandcd His inicinal cncigy io covci moilci Yasoda's scnsc
ol awc and icvcicncc wiil maicinal allcciion. Slc immcdiaicly loigoi ilai Kisna
was God and again acccpicd Him as lci clild. In cascs lilc ilcsc, in ilc cicinal
pasiimcs ol ilc Loid, lnowlcdgc ol Kisna's diviniiy comcs and gocs, bui always in
ilc scivicc ol bnahtí.
TEXT 30
svayam pnaIa-rupctí branma-humaran
SYNONYMS
svayam-iiscll; pnaIa-rupa-manilcsiing as iis liuii; ítí-ilus; branma-humaran-
ilc son ol lialma (Naiada).
TRANSLATION
Buf fhe son of Brahma says fhaf bhahtí is ifs own fruif.
PURPORT
Naiada now givcs lis opinion-ilai bnahtí is noi dcpcndcni on anyiling clsc loi
nouiislmcni. In oilci woids, Kisna consciousncss is ilc naiuial, iiansccndcnial
siaic ol ilc living bcing, and ilis siaic manilcsis auiomaiically wlcn wc ialc up
ilc pioccss ol bnahtí-yoga. As Siïla Piablupada puis ii in lis lcciuic cniiilcd On
Claniing Haic Kisna,` Kisna consciousncss is noi an aiiilicial imposiiion on ilc
mind. Tlis consciousncss is ilc oiiginal cncigy ol ilc living cniiiy.` Tlc claniing
ol Haic Kisna, Siïla Piablupada says, is diiccily cnacicd liom ilc spiiiiual
plailoim, suipassing all lowci siagcs ol consciousncss-namcly, scnsual, mcnial,
and inicllcciual.`
In His Síhsastaha (1), Loid Caiianya dcclaics ilai ilc claniing ol ilc loly namc ol
Kisna clcans ilc miiioi ol ilc mind. Wlcn ilc miiioi ol ilc mind is clcan, onc
can scc onc's oiiginal, spiiiiual scll along wiil ilc Supicmc Loid. Tlc iniiial
aciiviiics ol bnahtí, ilcicloic, clcai away ignoiancc and lalsc cgo and icvcal io ilc
living cniiiy lis cicinal siaic ol dcvoiional scivicc. So bnahtí is noi pioduccd by
somciling clsc; iailci, ilc piaciiccs ol saánana-bnahtí icmovc ilc obsiaclcs io oui
oiiginal loving iclaiionslip wiil ilc Loid.
Siïla Piablupada would somciimcs say ilai Kisna consciousncss is causclcss. Ioi
cxamplc, Rcvival ol ilc doimani allcciion oi lovc ol Godlcad docs noi dcpcnd on
ilc mcclanical sysicm ol lcaiing and claniing, bui ii solcly and wlolly dcpcnds
on ilc causclcss mcicy ol ilc Loid` (Pnag. 1.7.6, puipoii). Tlis mcans ilai ilc
Loid liccly bcsiows bnahtí upon ilc dcvoicc. Tlc Supicmc Loid is noi bound io
icspond io any icligious aci oi ausiciiiy wc may pciloim, as il in mcclanical
obcdicncc io law. Tlis ilcoiy, pui loiwaid by ilc Kaima-mïmamsalas, is icjccicd
in bnahtí-yoga. Kisna is svarat, supicmcly indcpcndcni, and so is bnahtí. In oilci
woids, onc's advanccmcni in dcvoiional scivicc docs noi dcpcnd on any ol ilc
vaiious dcpaiimcnis ol luman accomplislmcni, sucl as harma, jnana, oi yoga. Il a
pcison lappcns io bc lacling in any dcpaiimcni-cvcn in dcvoiion iiscll-Loid
Kisna can supply ilc icquiicmcnis as Hc lilcs.
In a puipoii dcsciibing ilc licc wandciing ol Naiada Muni, Siïla Piablupada givcs
an cloqucni cxpicssion ol ilc indcpcndcncc ol bnahtí-yoga.
Tlcic is no icason oi obligaiion loi ¦Naiada's] iiavcling, and no onc can
siop lim liom lis licc movcmcni. Similaily, ilc iiansccndcnial sysicm ol
dcvoiional scivicc is also licc. Ii may oi may noi dcvclop in a paiiiculai
pcison cvcn alici lc undcigocs all ilc dciailcd loimulas. Similaily, ilc
associaiion ol ilc dcvoicc is also licc. Onc may bc loiiunaic io lavc ii, oi
onc may noi lavc ii cvcn alici ilousands ol cndcavois. Tlcicloic, in all
splcics ol dcvoiional scivicc, liccdom is ilc main pivoi. ¦Pnag. 1.6.37,
puipoii]
Tlc Mayavadïs somciimcs iwisi a sutra lilc ilis onc in an aiicmpi io piovc ilai ilc
individual atma nccds no assisiancc io aiiain scll-icalizaiion. Tlcy say ilai ilc
sciipiuics and gurus and cvcn God Himscll aic jusi invcniions ilai may lclp us
aclicvc scll-icalizaiion bui ilai ilcn musi bc iliown away, jusi as onc may
icmovc a iloin in lis llcsl wiil anoilci iloin and ilcn iliow ilcm boil away.
Tlc misconccpiion lcic is ilai ilc bnahtí-sastras and puic dcvoiccs aic liniic
pioducis ol ilc maiciial woild. In iiuil, ilc sastras aic cicinal manilcsiaiions ol
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, as siaicd in ilc 8hagavad-gïta (3.15):
branmahsara-samuábnavam. Llscwlcic ii is siaicd ilai ilc Vcáas aic ilc bicailing
ol Naiayana.` Tlc Vcdic sciipiuics aic somciimcs manilcsi and somciimcs noi, bui
ilcy cxisi cicinally. Similaily, ilc Supicmc Loid and His cicinal associaics
somciimcs appcai wiilin ilc maiciial woild, and alici a iimc ilcy disappcai, bui
ilcy aic always manilcsi in ilc spiiiiual woild, wlcic ilcy cngagc in unlimiicd
vaiiciics ol pasiimcs. Siïla Piablupada wiiics,
Pcisons wiil a pooi lund ol lnowlcdgc concludc ilai a placc dcvoid ol
maiciial qualiiics musi bc somc soii ol loimlcss noilingncss. In icaliiy,
lowcvci, ilcic aic qualiiics in ilc spiiiiual woild, bui ilcy aic dillcicni
liom ilc maiciial qualiiics bccausc cvciyiling ilcic is cicinal, unlimiicd,
and puic. ¦Cc. Ãdi 5.22, puipoii]
Loid Kisna, His cxpansions, and His dcvoiccs aic noi dispcnsablc,` as ilc
Mayavadïs conicnd. On ilc coniiaiy, ii is ilc Mayavada dociiinc ilai is a
icmpoiaiy cicaiion, iniioduccd ai a cciiain iimc loi a spccial puiposc bui inicndcd
io bc discaidcd laici. Siïla Kisnadasa Kaviiaja wiiics,
Sanlaia, wlo was an incainaiion ol Loid Siva, is laulilcss bccausc lc is a
scivani caiiying oui ilc oidcis ol ilc Loid. lui ilosc wlo lollow lis
Mayavada plilosoply aic doomcd. Tlcy will losc all ilcii advanccmcni in
spiiiiual lnowlcdgc. Onc wlo considcis ilc iiansccndcnial body ol Loid
Visnu io bc madc ol maiciial naiuic is ilc gicaicsi ollcndci ai ilc loius lcci
ol ilc Loid. Tlcic is no gicaici blasplcmy againsi ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad. ¦Cc. Aáí 7.11+-15]
Tlc opinion ol Naiada Muni, lcic dcsciibing limscll as ilc son ol Loid lialma,`
is ilai bnahtí is cicinal and scll-manilcsicd, noi dcpcndcni on any lcssci pioccss.
Wlcn sucl dcvoiional scivicc is icvcalcd io a sinccic dcvoicc, lc icalizcs ilai iis
naiuic is lilc ilc Loid's-sac-cíá-ananáa, lull ol ciciniiy, bliss, and lnowlcdgc.
SÜTRAS 31-32
raja-grna-bnojanaáísu tatnaíva árstatvat.
na tcna raja-parítosan hsuc-cnantír va
SYNONYMS
raja-ioyal; grna-in a icsidcncc; bnojana-in a mcal: aáísu-and so on; tatna
cva-jusi lilc ilis; árstatvat-bccausc ol iis bcing sccn; na-noi; tcna-by ilai;
raja-ol ilc ling; parítosan-saiislaciion; hsut-ol lungci; santín-pacilicaiion;
va-oi.
TRANSLATION
This is iIIusfrafed by fhe exampIes of a royaI paIace, a meaI, and so on. A king
is nof reaIIy safisfied jusf by seeing a paIace, nor can someone pIacafe his
hunger jusf by Iooking af a meaI.
PURPORT
ly ilcsc woildly cxamplcs, Naiada lclps us undcisiand ilc aciual cxpciicncc ol
bnahtí. Naiada las said ilai somc plilosoplcis ilinl lnowlcdgc is ilc mcans loi
dcvcloping bnahtí, wlcicas oilcis say ilai lnowlcdgc and bnahtí aic
inicidcpcndcni. lui Naiada's conclusion is ilai bnahtí is iis own liuii. Tlis mcans
ilai bnahtí, bcing an iniimaic cxclangc bciwccn ilc Loid and His dcvoiccs, docs
noi dcpcnd on any oilci pioccss. Only ilc Loid's puic dcvoiccs can cnici inio and
undcisiand sucl an cxclangc.
Tlc cxamplcs Naiada givcs illusiiaic ilc dillcicncc bciwccn jnana (ilcoiciical
lnowlcdgc) and víjnana (icalizcd lnowlcdgc). Ii is cspccially impoiiani io lcai
liom a spiiiiual masici wlo las víjnana. Wc will lavc io cxpciicncc víjnana loi
ouisclvcs, bui il ilc spiiiiual masici is noi scll-icalizcd, low can lc guidc us'
Only ilosc wlo lavc conlidcniial lnowlcdgc can convcy ii io oilcis. Ioi cxamplc,
Loid lialma, ilc liisi cnliglicncd living bcing, icccivcd Vcdic lnowlcdgc diiccily
liom Loid Kisna. Il onc lcais lialma's icalizcd lnowlcdgc liom somconc in
disciplic succcssion wlo las also icalizcd ii, ilcn onc is in a posiiion io icccivc
víjnana.
Mucl dcpcnds on ilc qualiiy ol submissivc lcaiing. Tlcsc sutras ol ilc Naraáa-
bnahtí-sutra dcaling wiil ilc cxamplcs ol a ling's palacc and a lcasi givc us a
icmailablc insidc lool ai spiiiiual lilc. Il wc lisicn wiil scnsiiiviiy and laiil, ilcn
cvcn bcloic ilc siagc ol lull icalizaiion wc can bcgin io gci an inlling ol wlai ii is
lilc. Wc lcai ilai spiiiiual pcilcciion will bc lilc going lomc, and oui aiiiaciion
loi ilis dcvclops. Onc ilinls, Ycs I ioo would lilc io go lomc, bacl io Godlcad.`
Iaiillul lcaiing can pioducc icalizaiion. Siïla Piablupada wiiics,
Ioi iopics conccining Uiiama-slola, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,
ilc spiiiiual masici spcals, and ilc disciplc lcais wiil aiicniion.... Tlc
spiiiiual masici and disciplc do noi nccd io undcisiand moic ilan Kisna
bccausc simply by undcisianding Kisna and ialling aboui Kisna, onc
bccomcs a pcilccily lcaincd pcison. ¦Pnag. 10.1.+, puipoii]
Tliougloui ilc Vcdic liiciaiuic wc lind a siiong cmplasis on lcaiing aboui
Kisna. Siïla Piablupada siaics, Wlcncvci ollcnsclcss lcaiing and gloiilicaiion ol
God aic undciialcn, ii is io bc undcisiood ilai Loid Kisna is picscni ilcic in ilc
loim ol iiansccndcnial sound, wlicl is as powcilul as ilc Loid pcisonally` (Pnag.
1.2.17, puipoii). Unlcss onc cxpciicnccs ii, onc cannoi undcisiand ilc powcilul
puiilicaiion cngcndcicd by lcaiing liom a bona lidc spiiiiual masici. As Siïla
Piablupada luiilci wiiics:
Human icason lails io undcisiand low by sciving ilc dcvoicc bnagavata oi
ilc bool bnagavata onc gcis giadual piomoiion on ilc pail ol dcvoiion.
lui aciually ilcsc aic lacis cxplaincd by Siïla Naiadadcva, wlo lappcncd io
bc a maidscivani's son in lis picvious lilc. ¦Pnag. 1.2.1S, puipoii]
Lllcciivc lcaiing musi bc accompanicd by suiicndci io ilc Loid and ilc Loid's
dcvoicc. Ii is noi idlc aimclaii iall. Onc las io bc sciious aboui inquiiing inio ilc
Absoluic Tiuil, picpaicd io lcai submissivcly, and icady io scivc ilc lcaincd
spiiiiual masici.
Hcic Naiada's analogics ol a ling looling ai a palacc and a lungiy man looling ai
a mcal poini up ilc laci ilai bnahtí las io bc piaciiccd wlolclcaiicdly il onc wanis
io lully appicciaic ii. Tlc oilci pioccsscs-harma, jnana, and yoga-cvcn il
piaciiccd wcll, cannoi biing ilc iasic ol hrsna-bnahtí. Tlcy aic compaicd io ilc
nipplcs on a goai's nccl, wlicl lool piomising bui wlicl cannoi yicld mill, no
maiici low mucl you iiy io mill ilcm. Noi can mcic acadcmic lnowlcdgc ol
bnahtí pioducc any ical undcisianding ol ii. Piablupada lilcd io compaic
acadcmics wlo siudy bnahtí io bccs wlo licl ilc ouisidc ol a boiilc ol loncy: a loi
ol cncigy cxpcndcd, bui all loi naugli.
Tlc cxamplc ol caiing is also a mciaploi io lclp us undcisiand wlai ii is lilc io
aiiain Kisna consciousncss:
bnahtín parcsanubnavo vírahtír
anyatra caísa tríha cha-haIan
prapaáyamanasya yatnasnatan syus
tustín pustín hsuá-apayo `nu-gnasam
Dcvoiion, diicci cxpciicncc ol ilc Supicmc Loid, and dciaclmcni liom oilci
ilings-ilcsc ilicc occui simuliancously loi onc wlo las ialcn slclici ol ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, in ilc samc way ilai plcasuic, nouiislmcni, and
iclicl liom lungci comc simuliancously and incicasingly wiil cacl biic loi a
pcison cngagcd in caiing` (8hag. 11.2.+2).
Siïla Piablupada uscd io say ilai no onc las io givc you a cciiilicaic io siaic ilai
you aic now Kisna conscious. You will lnow ii loi youiscll, and in laci, onIy you
can lnow ii loi youiscll. Similaily, il you aic lungiy and you bcgin io appcasc
youi lungci by caiing, no onc las io icll you, Now you'ic saiislicd.` So, cvcn ilc
mosi vivid analogics cannoi cnliglicn us bcyond oui icalizaiion. Uliimaicly, wc
lavc io go io ilc spiiiiual woild io scc ii loi ouisclvcs. Duiing ilc 1960's in
Amciica, ai ilc iimc ol ilc Vicinam Wai, a ncw dcvoicc aslcd Siïla Piablupada,
Wlai is ii lilc in Kisnalola'` Siïla Piablupada icplicd, You won'i bc boilcicd
by ilc diali boaid.` Tlai was a suiiablc (and lumoious) icply loi a pcison
plagucd wiil ilai paiiiculai lcai, bui ilcic is ol couisc mucl moic io Kisnalola
ilan no diali boaid.` Somciimcs wlcn Piablupada was picsscd wiil inquiiics
aboui ilc spiiiiual woild, lc would icply, You will lnow wlcn you go ilcic.`
Tlc conclusion is ilai Naiada and ilc acaryas aic inviiing us io gci oll ilc mcnial
plailoim and io aciually paiiicipaic in bnahtí-yoga-il wc wani io lnow wlai ii
ically is and iasic iis liuii, going bacl io Godlcad.
TEXT 33
asmat saíva granya mumuhsubnín
SYNONYMS
asmat-ilcicloic; sa-ii; cva-only; granya-slould bc acccpicd; mumuhsubnín-
by pcisons dcsiiing libciaiion.
TRANSLATION
Therefore seekers of Iiberafion shouId fake fo devofionaI service aIone.
PURPORT
As siaicd in ilc Srïmad-8hagavatam (10.2.32), ilosc wlo puisuc libciaiion bui do
noi ialc slclici ol ilc Supicmc Loid in dcvoiional scivicc may ilinl ilai ilcy
lavc aiiaincd ilc liglcsi posiiion and bccn libciaicd, bui cvcniually ilcy lall
down io maiciialisiic aciiviiics. lccausc ilc impcisonalisi mcdiiaioi lails io
dcvclop lis loving iclaiionslip wiil ilc Supicmc Pcison, lc musi iciuin liom lis
sojouin in lialman and comc bacl inio ilc maiciial woild io lullill lis pcisonal
dcsiics. Tlcicloic cicinal libciaiion, liccdom liom icpcaicd biiil and dcail, is
aclicvcd only in ilc spiiiiual woild, wlcn onc is lixcd in onc's cicinal iclaiionslip
ol loving dcvoiional scivicc io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. In picvious
sutras Naiada mcniioncd ilai puic dcvoiional scivicc is noi pciloimcd loi any
icwaid, including iclcasc liom biiil and dcail. Loid Caiianya also cxpicsscd ilis
idca in His Síhsastaha (+):
na ánanam na janam na sunáarim
havítam va jagaá-isa hamayc
mama janmaní janmanisvarc
bnavataá bnahtír anaítuhi tvayí
O almigliy Loid, I lavc no dcsiic loi accumulaiing wcalil, noi do I lavc any
dcsiic io cnjoy bcauiilul womcn, noi do I wani many lollowcis. All I wani is Youi
causclcss dcvoiional scivicc in my lilc, biiil alici biiil.` ly saying biiil alici
biiil,` Loid Caiianya implics ilai Hc docs noi sccl libciaiion, ciilci. All Hc
dcsiics is coniinuous scivicc and icmcmbiancc ol ilc Loid, in any splcic ol lilc.
And yci alilougl a puic dcvoicc ncvci aspiics loi muhtí, lc auiomaiically aclicvcs
ii. ly Kisna's dcsiic, lc is piomoicd io Kisnalola oi io a Vailunila planci,
dcpcnding on lis rasa wiil ilc Loid. Oi, lilc Naiada, lc may icmain in ilc
maiciial woild io picacl Kisna consciousncss. Siïla Piablupada uscd io say ilai
libciaiion docsn'i mcan onc las io dcvclop loui aims and loui lcads. Il onc is
puicly Kisna conscious onc may coniinuc io livc in ilc maiciial woild and bc lully
libciaicd. As Siïla Rupa Gosvamï says in lis 8hahtí-rasamrta-síndhu (1.2.1S7):
ina yasya narcr áasyc harmana manasa gíra
níhníIasv apy avastnasu jivan-muhtan sa ucyatc
A pcison aciing in ilc scivicc ol Kisna wiil lis body, mind, iniclligcncc, and
woids is a libciaicd pcison cvcn wiilin ilc maiciial woild, alilougl lc may
cngagc in many appaicnily maiciial aciiviiics.`
Chapfer 3
The Means of Achievemenf
TEXT 3+
tasyan saánananí gayanty acaryan
SYNONYMS
tasyan-ol ii; saánananí-ilc mcans ol dcvclopmcni; gayantí-sing; acaryan-ilc
gicai icaclcis.
TRANSLATION
Sfandard aufhorifies have described fhe mefhods for achieving devofionaI
service.
PURPORT
Having dcsciibcd ilc csscncc ol para bnahtí, ilc liglcsi siagc ol dcvoiional
scivicc, Naiada now iuins io ilc piaciiccs onc musi pciloim io icacl ilai siagc.
Tlc piaciicc siagc ol bnahtí is callcd saánana-bnahtí. Naiada picviously siaicd ilai
bnahtí was iis own mcans, ilai ii docs noi dcpcnd on anyiling clsc-spccilically
jnana, oi lnowlcdgc. And as Siïla Piablupada poinis oui, bnahtí docsn'i cvcn
dcpcnd on ilc dcvoicc's piaciicc:
Kisna consciousncss cannoi bc aiouscd simply by piaciicc. Aciually ilcic is no
sucl piaciicc. Wlcn wc wisl io dcvclop oui innaic capaciiy loi dcvoiional scivicc,
ilcic aic cciiain pioccsscs wlicl, by oui acccpiing and cxccuiing ilcm, will causc
ilai doimani capaciiy io bc involcd. Sucl piaciicc is callcd saánana-bnahtí. ¦1nc
Ncctar oj Dcvotíon, p. 20]
Tlc iulcs and icgulaiions ol bnahtí aic mcani io cuic a condiiioncd soul ol ilc
madncss ilai causcs lis bondagc and sullciing. Siïla Piablupada wiiics (1nc
Ncctar oj Dcvotíon, p. 21), As a man's mcnial discasc is cuicd by ilc diicciions ol
a psycliaiiisi, so ilis saánana-bnahtí cuics ilc condiiioncd soul ol lis madncss
undci ilc spcll ol maya, maiciial illusion.`
Naiada says ilai ilc mcilods lc will icacl lavc bccn givcn by ilc acaryas, ilosc
wlo icacl by boil woid and dccd. Pnahtí can bc iaugli only by Vaisnava acaryas
and ilcii icpicscniaiivcs, noi by icaclcis ol compaiaiivc icligion oi impcisonalisis
in ilc guisc ol bnahtas. Naiada limscll is onc ol ilc gicaicsi acaryas, and so lis
own sayings aic sullicicni. Siill, lollowing ilc parampara iiadiiion, lc quoics
picvious acaryas and also givcs lis own insiglis. Tlus lis icaclings aic acccpiablc
io all, icgaidlcss ol sampraáaya oi paiiiculai loundci-acarya. Hcic Naiada uscs ilc
woid gayantí, ilcy sing,` bccausc ilc acaryas joylully icacl ilc piinciplcs ol
bnahtí.
TEXT 35
tat tu vísaya-tyagat sanga-tyagac ca
SYNONYMS
tat-ilai; tu-and; vísaya-ol scnsc giaiilicaiion; tyagat-by icjcciion; sanga-ol
(maiciial) associaiion; tyagat-by icjcciion; ca-and.
TRANSLATION
One achieves bhahtí by giving up sense grafificafion and mundane associafion.
PURPORT
Vísaya iclcis io ilc objccis ol scnsc cnjoymcni, and onc wlo indulgcs in scnsc
cnjoymcni is callcd a vísayi. A vísayi cannoi succccd in dcvoiional scivicc. Tlc
acaryas ilcicloic sci down icgulaiions loi caiing, maiing, and so on. Naiada siaics
ilai onc slould noi only givc up gioss piaciiccs ol scnsc indulgcncc bui slould
cvcn siop ilinling ol scnsc giaiilicaiion. Tlc woid sanga-tyaga indicaics ilai onc
slould icliain liom associaiing wiil scnsc objccis cvcn wiilin ilc mind and lcaii.
Tlc acaryas ol all icligions so consisicnily iccommcnd sucl icnunciaiion ol scnsc
plcasuic ilai ilc nccd loi ii may sccm a iiuism. lui io piaciicc ii is noi casy. And
yci il wc wani io advancc in bnahtí-yoga, piaciicc ii wc musi. As Loid Kisna says,
Wlai is callcd icnunciaiion you slould lnow io bc ilc samc as yoga, oi linling
oncscll wiil ilc Supicmc, O son ol Pandu, loi onc can ncvci bccomc a yogi unlcss
lc icnounccs ilc dcsiic loi scnsc giaiilicaiion` (lg. 6.2).
Tlc Kisna conscious mcilod ol icnunciaiion is io cngagc ilc mind and scnscs in
dcvoiional scivicc. As Siïla Rupa Gosvamï says in lis 8hahtí-rasamrta-síndhu
(2.255),
anasahtasya vísayan yatnarnam upayunjatan
nírbanánan hrsna-sambanánc yuhtam vaíragyam ucyatc
Wlcn onc is noi aiiaclcd io anyiling bui simuliancously acccpis cvciyiling in
iclaiion io Kisna, onc is siiuaicd abovc posscssivcncss.`
An aciivc dcvoicc is moic complcic in lis icnunciaiion ilan onc wlo icjccis
maiciial ilings wiiloui lnowlcdgc ol ilcii iclaiionslip io Kisna. Tlis mcilod ol
yuhta-vaíragya givcs onc gicai liccdom, bui ii musi bc donc iiglily. Siïla
Piablupada wiiics, Onc slould, lowcvci, noic ilai alici doing somciling
wlimsically lc slould noi ollci ilc icsulis io ilc Supicmc Loid. Tlai soii ol duiy
is noi in ilc dcvoiional scivicc ol Kisna consciousncss. Onc slould aci accoiding
io ilc oidci ol Kisna, ¦wlicl] comcs iliougl disciplic succcssion liom ilc bona
lidc spiiiiual masici` (lg. 1S.57, puipoii). In sloii, sinlul aciiviiy cannoi bc
biougli undci ilc puivicw ol ollciing cvciyiling io Kisna.` Indccd, Siïla
Piablupada would noi acccpi disciplcs unlcss ilcy agiccd io lollow ilc loui
icgulaiivc piinciplcs-no illicii scx, no inioxicaiion, no gambling, and no mcai-
caiing.
Rcnunciaiion is possiblc bccausc ol ilc liglci plcasuic aiiainablc in spiiiiual lilc.
As Kisna siaics in ilc 8hagavad-gïta (2.59),
vísaya vínívartantc níranarasya ácnínan
rasa-varjam raso `py asya param árstva nívartatc
Alilougl ilc cmbodicd soul may bc icsiiicicd liom scnsc cnjoymcni, ilc iasic
loi scnsc objccis icmains. lui ccasing sucl cngagcmcnis by cxpciicncing a liglci
iasic, lc is lixcd in consciousncss.` In lis puipoii io ilis vcisc, Siïla Piablupada
compaics ilc icsiiiciion liom scnsc cnjoymcni mysiic yogis obscivc io ilc
icsiiiciions a docioi placcs upon a paiicni ilai loibid lim liom ialing cciiain
iypcs ol lood. In nciilci insiancc is ilc iasic loi ilc loibiddcn plcasuics losi.
lui,` Siïla Piablupada wiiics, onc wlo las iasicd ilc bcauiy ol ilc Supicmc
Loid, Kisna, in ilc couisc ol lis advanccmcni in Kisna consciousncss no longci
las a iasic loi dcad, maiciial ilings. Tlcicloic, icsiiiciions aic ilcic loi ilc lcss
iniclligcni ncoplyics in ilc spiiiiual advanccmcni ol lilc, bui sucl icsiiiciions aic
good only uniil onc aciually las a iasic loi Kisna consciousncss.`
Picviously Naiada las siaicd ilai ii is noi sullicicni mcicly io lcai aboui spiiiiual
lilc oi io icll oilcis aboui ii wiiloui aciually piaciicing ii and icalizing iis liuiis
oncscll. And so ilc saánana-bnahta aciually piaciiccs-lc avoids lusiy aiiaclmcnis
on ilc siicngil ol lis vows, and Kisna lclps lim liom wiilin. Lvcniually lc
iclislcs a liglci iasic and loscs ilc dcsiic loi scnsc giaiilicaiion. Pnahtí-yoga,
bcing a iiansccndcnial scicncc, yiclds ilc cxpccicd icsulis wlcn caiclully lollowcd.
Tlc pliasc sanga-tyagat, wlicl Naiada uscs lcic, also appcais in Siïla Rupa
Gosvamï's Upadcsamrta (3). Accoiding io Rupa Gosvamï, sanga-tyaga, by wlicl
lc mcans abandoning ilc associaiion ol nondcvoiccs,` is onc ol ilc mosi
impoiiani icquiicmcnis loi ilc cxccuiion ol puic dcvoiional scivicc. Wlcn Loid
Caiianya was aslcd io dclinc a Vaisnava, Hc icplicd, asat-sanga-tyaga-cí vaísnava
acara. Claiaciciisiically, a Vaisnava is onc wlo givcs up ilc associaiion ol
woildly pcoplc, oi nondcvoiccs` (Cc. Madhya 22.S7). Jusi as asat-sanga incicascs
oui maiciial aiiaclmcni and impcdcs oui dcvoiional scivicc, so saánu-sanga
luiilcis oui dcvoiional scivicc by lclping us bccomc aiiaclcd io Loid Kisna and
dciaclcd liom ilc piaciiccs ol nondcvoiccs.
In ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam Loid Kapila adviscs His moilci, Dcvaluii, ilai wlilc
maiciial aiiaclmcni is ilc gicaicsi cnianglcmcni loi ilc spiiii soul, ilai samc
aiiaclmcni, wlcn applicd io ilc scll-icalizcd dcvoiccs, opcns ilc dooi ol
libciaiion` (8hag. 3.25.20). In lis puipoii, Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Tlis
indicaics ilai ilc piopcnsiiy loi aiiaclmcni cannoi bc sioppcd; ii musi bc uiilizcd
loi ilc bcsi puiposc. Oui aiiaclmcni loi maiciial ilings pcipciuaics oui
condiiioncd siaic, bui ilc samc aiiaclmcni, wlcn iianslciicd io ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad oi His dcvoicc, is ilc souicc ol libciaiion.`
Tlis sutra coniains a sicin oidci loi ilc aspiiing dcvoicc: Il you wani io piogicss
in bnahtí, you musi givc up scnsc giaiilicaiion and maiciial associaiion.` In lis
Pnagavaá-gita puipoiis, Siïla Piablupada iclls us low wc slould appioacl sucl
oidcis: Tlc Loid insiiucis ilai onc las io bccomc lully Kisna conscious io
disclaigc duiics, as il in miliiaiy disciplinc. Sucl an injunciion may malc ilings a
liiilc dilliculi; siill, duiics musi bc caiiicd oui, wiil dcpcndcncc on Kisna, bccausc
ilai is ilc consiiiuiional posiiion ol ilc living cniiiy` (lg. 3.30, puipoii). Lcilaigy
in ilc lacc ol ilcsc oidcis slould bc iliown oll. Tlc alicinaiivc is gicai
unlappincss, moic ilan wc can imaginc, as ilc soul lalls down inio lowci spccics
ol lilc, biiil alici biiil.
TEXT 36
avyavrtta-bnajanat
SYNONYMS
avyavrtta-uniniciiupicd; bnajanat-by woislip.
TRANSLATION
One achieves bhahtí by worshiping fhe Lord ceaseIessIy.
PURPORT
Naiada las givcn a ncgaiivc oidci-io icsiiain ilc mind and scnscs; lc now givcs
ilc posiiivc mcilod loi cngaging ilc mind and scnscs in Kisna consciousncss.
Siïla Piablupada compaicd Kisna conscious aciiviiy io placing an iion iod in liic.
As ilc iod siays sicadily wiilin ilc llamcs, ii bccomcs loiici and loiici, uniil
cvcniually ii bccomcs liciy. In ilc samc way, ilc dcvoicc wlo sicadily cngagcs in
Kisna consciousncss giadually bccomcs iiansloimcd, uniil cvcniually lc bccomcs
lully Kisna conscious. Il onc is complcicly absoibcd in Kisna's scivicc, ilcic is no
scopc loi ilc aciiviiics ol maya.
Tlc Srïmad-8hagavatam (1.2.6) also iccommcnds uniniciiupicd dcvoiional
scivicc:
sa vaí pumsam paro ánarmo yato bnahtír aánohsajc
anaítuhy apratínata yayatma suprasiáatí
Tlc supicmc occupaiion loi all lumaniiy is ilai by wlicl onc can aiiain io
loving dcvoiional scivicc unio ilc iiansccndcnial Loid. Sucl dcvoiional scivicc
musi bc unmoiivaicd and uniniciiupicd io complcicly saiisly ilc scll.`
In ilis sutra Naiada uscs ilc woid bnajana, wlicl also appcais, in a sliglily
dillcicni loim, in ilc 8hagavad-gïta (6.+7). In concluding His insiiuciions on
astanga-yoga in ilc Sixil Clapici ol ilc Gita, Loid Kisna says ilai onc wlo scivcs
Him wiil dcvoiion and laiil (sraáánavan bnajatc yo mam) is ilc liglcsi yogi. Siïla
Piablupada cxplains ilai ilc woid bnaj mcans scivicc`:
Scivicc wiil lovc and laiil is cspccially mcani loi ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad. Onc can avoid woisliping a icspcciablc man oi dcmigod and
may bc callcd discouiicous, bui onc cannoi avoid sciving ilc Supicmc Loid
wiiloui bcing iloiouglly condcmncd. ¦lg. 6.+7, puipoii]
Tlis passagc indicaics ilai bnahtí is noi a spiiiiual iccicaiion loi a lcw pcoplc bui
is inicndcd loi all, and ii cannoi bc avoidcd wiiloui diic conscqucnccs.
Naiada says bnahtí is aiiaincd by uniniciiupicd loving scivicc. lui docs lc mcan
ilai onc musi bc llawlcss, ilai onc musi ncvci slip' No, Loid Kisna allows loi
misialcs, piovidcd onc is dcicimincd io scivc Him. Hc says in ilc Ninil Clapici
ol ilc Gita,
apí cct su-áuracaro bnajatc mam ananya-bnah
saánur cva sa mantavyan samyag vyavasíto ní san
Lvcn il onc commiis ilc mosi abominablc aciion, il lc is cngagcd in dcvoiional
scivicc lc is io bc considcicd sainily bccausc lc is piopcily siiuaicd in lis
dciciminaiion` (lg. 9.30). Siïla Piablupada wains us, lowcvci, noi io ialc
advaniagc ol ilis siaicmcni and ilinl wc can inicniionally violaic ilc iulcs ol
dcvoiional lilc and siill bc a dcvoicc. Tlc blcssing liom ilc Loid cxpicsscd lcic is
ilai il wc go on sciving ilc spiiiiual masici and Kisna wiil dciciminaiion-
cspccially by claniing Haic Kisna, Haic Kisna, Kisna Kisna, Haic Haic/ Haic
Rama, Haic Rama, Rama Rama, Haic Haic-ilcn Loid Kisna will acccpi us as His
dcvoicc, dcspiic oui impcilcciions.
lui cxacily wlai docs onc do io always lccp busy in Kisna consciousncss and
avoid bccoming boicd oi icsilcss' Piallada Malaiaja iaugli a ninclold pioccss ol
bnahtí loi mainiaining lull cngagcmcni in ilc Loid's scivicc: (1) lcaiing aboui ilc
Loid, (2) claniing His namc and gloiics, (3) icmcmbciing Him, (+) sciving His
loius lcci, (5) woisliping ilc Dciiy, (6) ollciing piaycis io ilc Loid, (7) bccoming
His scivani, (S) bccoming His liicnd, and (9) ollciing Him cvciyiling. Wlilc ilc
liisi iwo ol ilcsc pioccsscs aic cxiicmcly impoiiani, any onc ol ilcm is sullicicni
loi aclicving pcilcciion. Siïla Piablupada wiiics:
Tlc ninc dillcicni pioccsscs cnunciaicd by Piallada Malaiaja, wlo lcaincd
ilcm liom Naiada Muni, may noi all bc icquiicd loi ilc cxccuiion ol
dcvoiional scivicc; il a dcvoicc pciloims only onc ol ilcsc ninc wiiloui
dcviaiion, lc can aiiain ilc mcicy ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
¦Pnag. 7.5.2+, puipoii]
In caily 196S I wioic a lciici io Siïla Piablupada saying ilai somciimcs I couldn'i
dccidc wlicl scivicc I slould do ai a givcn momcni. Slould I wasl ilc dislcs oi
clani Haic Kisna' Piablupada icplicd:
Tlcic isn'i any dillcicncc bciwccn claniing ilc Holy Namc ¦and] wasling
ilc dislcs ol ilc Tcmplc. So do noi bc woiiicd wlcn you aic aiiiacicd loi
doing oilci woil in ilc Tcmplc. Tlcic is vaiicgaicdncss in iiansccndcnial
aciiviiics. Somciimcs wc lilc io clani, somciimcs wc lilc io wasl dislcs.
Tlcic is no dillcicncc on ilc Absoluic planc.
TEXT 37
Iohc `pí bnagavaá-guna-sravana-hirtanat
SYNONYMS
Iohc-in ilc woild; apí-cvcn; bnagavat-ol ilc Supicmc Loid; guna-aboui ilc
qualiiics; sravana-by lcaiing; hirtanat-and claniing.
TRANSLATION
One achieves bhahtí by hearing and chanfing abouf fhe Supreme Lord`s speciaI
quaIifies, even whiIe engaged in fhe ordinary acfivifies of Iife in fhis worId.
PURPORT
Somconc migli say ilai Naiada is bcing unicasonablc in advocaiing
uniniciiupicd loving scivicc.` How can ilosc wlo aic busy wiil duiics in ilc
woild mainiain consiani bnajana' lui Naiada, lilc all acaryas, is wcll awaic ol ilc
woildly siiuaiion and ilc jiva`s picdicamcni. Tlus lc iccommcnds sravanam
hirtanam, lcaiing and claniing aboui ilc Loid, loi all pcisons ai all iimcs. An
ouisianding cxamplc ol a Kisna conscious dcvoicc wlo was busy in ilc woild is
Aijuna, Kisna's liicnd. And ii was Loid Kisna Himscll wlo insisicd ilai Aijuna
noi icnouncc ilc baiilclicld in lavoi ol mcdiiaiion:
tasmat sarvcsu haIcsu mam anusmara yuánya ca
mayy arpíta-mano-buáánír mam cvaísyasy asamsayan
Tlcicloic, Aijuna, you slould always ilinl ol Mc in ilc loim ol Kisna and ai
ilc samc iimc caiiy oui youi picsciibcd duiy ol ligliing. Wiil youi aciiviiics
dcdicaicd io Mc and youi mind and iniclligcncc lixcd on Mc, you will aiiain Mc
wiiloui doubi` (lg. S.7).
Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Tlc Loid ncvci suggcsis anyiling impiaciical.... Il lc
¦Aijuna] docsn'i piaciicc icmcmbciing Kisna wlilc lc is siiuggling loi cxisicncc,
ilcn ii will noi bc possiblc loi lim io icmcmbci Kisna ai ilc iimc ol dcail` (lg.
Iniioduciion). Loid Caiianya also adviscs, hirtaniyan saáa narín. ¦Cc. adi 17.31]
Onc slould always clani ilc namcs ol ilc Loid.`
Siill ilc qucsiion icmains, How can an aciivc pcison pciloim doublc duiy-woil
and clani ai ilc samc iimc' lui ii is possiblc, iliougl lovc. Piablupada gavc ilc
cxamplc ol a man wlo gocs io woil in an ollicc wlilc lis young son is vciy ill ai
lomc. Oui ol naiuial allcciion, ilc lailci is always ilinling, How is ilc boy'`
Anoilci cxamplc, givcn by ilc acaryas, conccins a maiiicd woman's aiiaclmcni
loi lci paiamoui. Tlc wilc always ilinls ol lci lovci, cvcn wlilc doing lci
lousclold cloics. In laci, slc docs lci louscwoil cvcn moic caiclully so ilai lci
lusband will noi suspcci lci. In ilc samc way, wc slould always icmcmbci ilc
supicmc lovci, Siï Kisna, cvcn wlilc mciiculously disclaiging oui maiciial duiics.
Il wc say, lui I lacl siiong lovc loi Kisna,` ilc only icmcdy is vaíání-bnahtí. Tlc
vciy puiposc ol ilis iiaining siagc ol bnahtí is io biing oui oui oiiginal lovc loi
God, jusi as siiiling a maicl biings oui a llamc. And among all ilc dcvoiional
piaciiccs, ilc loicmosi aic sravanam hirtanam vísnon ¦Sl 7.5.23], lcaiing and
claniing ilc gloiics ol ilc Loid.
No onc can loncsily say lc las absoluicly no iimc io dcvoic io sravanam hirtanam.
Lvcn ilc busicsi pcoplc lind iimc daily io go iliougl ncwspapcis oi magazincs,
and almosi cvciyonc linds somc iimc loi iclcvision, as wcll as loi idlc iall. Mucl
ol ilis iimc could bc spaicd loi bnahtí-yoga. And cvcn wlcn wc aic woiling ai ilc
ollicc oi lacioiy, il wc aic donaiing a poiiion ol oui cainings io Kisna wc may
ilinl, Kisna las assigncd mc ilis paiiiculai duiy.`
Il dcspiic lis bcsi clloiis a dcvoicc linds lis social and occupaiional duiics
ovciwlclming, lc slould considci living in a dillcicni way. Onc slould avoid
ugra-harma, woil ilai complcicly saps onc ol all liglci cncigy and pious
inclinaiion. In ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam, Naiada Muni adviscd Malaiaja Yudlisiliia
ilai onc slould woil io cain lis livclilood as mucl as ncccssaiy io mainiain
body and soul iogcilci.
... An iniclligcni man in luman sociciy slould malc lis piogiam ol aciiviiics vciy
simplc` (8hag. 7.1+.5-6).
Siïla Piablupada, wlo woilcd loi many ycais as a Kisna conscious busincssman,
addicsscd ilc pioblcm icalisiically. Hc said ilai ilcic was no qucsiion ol siopping
all aciiviiics, jusi as ilcic is no qucsiion ol wiping oui onc's icmpciaiuic aliogcilci
wlcn iiying io iccovci liom a lcvci. Il onc las a lcvci ol 105°I, onc slould
caiclully dccicasc ii io ilc noimal icmpciaiuic, 9S.6°, and mainiain ii ilcic. Siïla
Piablupada wiiics, Tlc gicai sagcs and sainis ol India wanicd io mainiain ilc
noimal icmpciaiuic by a balanccd piogiam ol maiciial and spiiiiual lnowlcdgc.
Tlcy ncvci allowcd ilc misusc ol luman iniclligcncc loi discascd scnsc
giaiilicaiion` (|sopanísaá 11, puipoii). Mosi pcoplc givc ilc liglcsi piioiiiy io
cconomic dcvclopmcni and scnsc giaiilicaiion, iclcgaiing icligion io a suppoii
aciiviiy. lui aciual icligion-scll-icalizaiion-slould comc liisi. Lconomic
dcvclopmcni is icquiicd only io mainiain ilc body in a sound, lcalily condiiion.
Undcisianding ilc awlwaid posiiion ol pcoplc in ilc Kali-yuga, ilc Supicmc Loid
las givcn us ilc claniing ol ilc loly namcs as ilc yuga-ánarma, ilc icligion ol ilc
agc:
narcr nama narcr nama narcr namaíva hcvaIam
haIau nasty cva nasty cva nasty cva gatír anyatna
¦Adi 17.21]
In ilis agc ol quaiicl and lypociisy, ilc only mcans ol dclivciancc is ilc
claniing ol ilc loly namcs ol ilc Loid. Tlcic is no oilci way. Tlcic is no oilci
way. Tlcic is no oilci way` (Prnan-naraáiya Purana).
Siïla Piablupada loimcd ilc Inicinaiional Sociciy loi Kiislna Consciousncss on
ilc basis ol ilc yuga-ánarma and Naiada Muni's insiiuciions in ilis sutra.
Tliougloui ilc woild, many ol Piablupada's lollowcis clani sixiccn iounds ol
ilc Haic Kisna mantra daily, aiicnd a moining and cvcning piogiam ol hirtana and
sciipiuial discouisc, and lollow ilc loui iulcs piolibiiing sinlul lilc-cvcn wlilc
puisuing aciivc piolcssional caiccis. Loid Kisna las pcisonally piomiscd Naiada
Muni ilai wlocvci clanis His gloiics will aiiain ilc Loid's mcicy, dcspiic social oi
occupaiional siaius:
nanam tístnamí vaíhuntnc yogínam nráaycsu va
yatra gayantí maá-bnahtan tatra tístnamí naraáa
My dcai Naiada, I do noi dwcll in Vailunila oi in ilc lcaiis ol ilc yogi, bui
wlcicvci My dcvoiccs sing My gloiics` (Paáma Purana).
TEXT 38
muhnyatas tu manat-hrpayaíva bnagavat-hrpa-Icsaá va
SYNONYMS
muhnyatan-piimaiily; tu-bui; manat-ol gicai souls; hrpaya-by ilc mcicy;
cva-indccd; bnagavat-ol ilc Supicmc Loid; hrpa-ol ilc mcicy; Icsat-by a
iiacc; va-oi.
TRANSLATION
PrimariIy, however, one deveIops bhahtí by fhe mercy of greaf souIs, or by a
smaII drop of fhe Lord`s mercy.
PURPORT
Naiada las ouilincd ilc main piaciiccs loi a dcvoicc-in-iiaining (saánaha). Now
lc cmplasizcs ilai ilc dcvoicc cannoi succccd simply on ilc siicngil ol lis own
cndcavoi, bui only wlcn lc icccivcs ilc mcicy ol Kisna's icpicscniaiivc oi a diop
ol ilc Loid's diicci mcicy.
Unlcss onc sccls oui ilc associaiion ol a saánu, bnahtí will icmain disiani. lui
wlo is a saánu' Siïla Piablupada cxplains:
A saánu is noi jusi an oidinaiy man wiil a sallion iobc oi long bcaid. A
saánu is dcsciibcd in Pnagavaá-gita as onc wlo unllinclingly cngagcs in
dcvoiional scivicc. Lvcn ilougl onc is lound noi io bc lollowing ilc siiici
iulcs and icgulaiions ol dcvoiional scivicc, il onc simply las unllincling
laiil in Kisna, ilc Supicmc Pcison, lc is undcisiood io bc a saánu. ... Il onc
associaics wiil a saánu, ilc icsuli will bc ilai ilc saánu will icacl lim low
io bccomc a dcvoicc, a woislipci and sinccic sciviioi ol ilc Loid. Tlcsc
aic ilc gilis ol a saánu. ¦Pnag. 3.25.20, puipoii]
Tlc Caítanya-carítamrta and ilc Pnahtí-rasamrta-sínánu siaic ilai ilc acccpiancc
ol a spiiiiual masici is absoluicly csscniial loi advanccmcni in dcvoiional scivicc.
Siïla Piablupada wiiics:
Wiiloui ilc aiicniivc scivicc ol lis paicnis, a clild cannoi giow io
manlood; similaily, wiiloui ilc caic ol ilc spiiiiual masici onc cannoi iisc
io ilc planc ol iiansccndcnial scivicc.... Onc slould always icmcmbci ilai
a pcison wlo is icluciani io acccpi a spiiiiual masici and bc iniiiaicd is
suic io bc balllcd in lis cndcavoi io go bacl io Godlcad. ¦Cc. Aáí 1.+6,
puipoii, and 1.35, puipoii]
And so by ilc giacc ol ilc spiiiiual masicis, all ilc aloicmcniioncd piaciiccs
iaugli by Naiada-ilc claniing and lcaiing ol ilc loly namcs, avoiding scnsc
giaiilicaiion, and so on-will comc naiuially io onc wlo scivcs and inquiics liom
dcvoiccs.
Condiiioncd souls aic biougli io ilc pail ol bnahtí by ilc lclp ol ilc Vaisnavas,
and also by ilc diicci guidancc ol ilc Supicmc Loid. Harím vína naíva srtím
tarantí. Wiiloui ilc blcssings ol Haii, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, onc
cannoi siop ilc coniinuous clain ol biiil and dcail wiilin ilis maiciial woild.`
Loid Kisna, as ilc Supcisoul wiilin cvciyonc's lcaii, diiccily givcs us guidancc.
Wlcn a soul ciics oui loi spiiiiual guidancc, ilc Loid as ilc caítya-guru, oi ilc
spiiiiual masici in ilc lcaii, givcs diicci inspiiaiion. Kisna siaics,
tcsam cvanuhampartnam anam ajnana-jam taman
nasayamy atma-bnava-stno jnana-áipcna bnasvata
To slow ilcm spccial mcicy, I, dwclling in ilcii lcaiis, dcsiioy wiil ilc slining
lamp ol lnowlcdgc ilc dailncss boin ol ignoiancc` (lg. 10.11).
In ilc puipoii io ilc picvious vcisc (lg. 10.10), Siïla Piablupada cxplains, A
pcison may lavc a bona lidc spiiiiual masici and may bc aiiaclcd io a spiiiiual
oiganizaiion, bui siill, il lc is noi iniclligcni cnougl io malc piogicss, ilcn Kisna
liom wiilin givcs lim insiiuciions so ilai lc may uliimaicly comc io Him wiiloui
dilliculiy.`
Tlc Loid's mcicy is ilcicloic availablc boil in ilc loim ol ilc insiiuciing spiiiiual
masicis and ilc Supcisoul wiilin ilc lcaii. Tlc appcaiancc ol ilc spiiiiual masici
wiilin ilc lilc ol ilc condiiioncd soul is ilc diicci mcicy ol ilc Loid. Piablupada
wiiics ilai ilc gicai sagc Suladcva Gosvamï was cciiainly inspiicd by Loid Kisna
io appcai voluniaiily bcloic Malaiaja Paiïlsii, ilc gicai dcvoicc ol ilc Loid, jusi
io givc lim ilc icaclings ol Srimaá-Pnagavatam` (8hag. 1.19.36).
Ii is iiuly a sign ol ilc Loid's mcicy wlcn onc mccis His puic icpicscniaiivc, ilc
bona lidc spiiiiual masici. lui low cllcciivc ilis mcicy is dcpcnds on onc's
sincciiiy. As soon as ilc Loid linds ilai a soul las dcvclopcd cagcincss io go bacl
io Godlcad, ilc Loid scnds a bona lidc spiiiiual masici, and il onc ialcs lull
advaniagc ol ilc insiiuciions ol sucl a spiiiiual masici, onc is guaianiccd succcss.
Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Tlc conclusion is ilai io gci ilc... lclp ol a bona lidc
spiiiiual masici mcans to rcccívc tnc áírcct ncIp oj tnc Lorá HímscIj` (Pnag. 1.19.36,
puipoii; iialics in oiiginal).
TEXT 39
manat-sangas tu áurIabno `gamyo `mognas ca
SYNONYMS
manat-ol gicai souls; sangan-ilc associaiion; tu-bui; áurIabnan-dilliculi io
aclicvc; agamyan-dilliculi io undcisiand; amognan-inlalliblc; ca-also.
TRANSLATION
The associafion of greaf souIs is rareIy obfained, difficuIf fo undersfand, and
infaIIibIe.
PURPORT
In His insiiuciions io Siïla Rupa Gosvamï (Cc. Madhya 19.13S-+S), Loid Caiianya
giaplically dcsciibcs ilc iaiiiy ol gaining ilc associaiion ol a puic dcvoicc. Tlc
Loid iclls Rupa Gosvamï ilai ilcic aic unlimiicd living cniiiics among S,+00,000
spccics, and all ilcsc living cniiiics aic wandciing liom body io body, planci io
planci, wiilin ilis univcisc. Tlc lcw living cniiiics in luman bodics may bc
dividcd inio ilc unculiuicd and ilc culiuicd-ilosc wlo aic ignoiani ol ilc Vcdic
piinciplcs and ilosc wlo lnow ilcm. Among ilosc wlo lnow ilc Vcdic
piinciplcs, iouglly lall simply givc lip scivicc io ilcsc piinciplcs wlilc
commiiiing all linds ol sins in violaiion ol ilcsc piinciplcs. Oui ol ilosc wlo
aciually lollow ilc Vcdic piinciplcs, mosi sccl maiciial icwaids lilc wcalil, good
biiil, oi clcvaiion io lcavcn. Among millions ol pious lollowcis ol ilc Vcdic
injunciions, onc may bc aciually wisc (a jnani). Oui ol many millions ol sucl
jnanis, Loid Caiianya says, onc may aciually bccomc libciaicd liom biiil and
dcail, and oui ol many millions ol sucl libciaicd pcisons, a dcvoicc ol ilc Loid is
vciy dilliculi io lind.
Loid Kisna malcs ilc samc poini:
manusyanam sanasrcsu hascíá yatatí síáánayc
yatatam apí síáánanam hascín mam vcttí tattvatan
Oui ol many ilousands ol mcn, onc may cndcavoi loi pcilcciion, and ol ilosc
wlo lavc aclicvcd pcilcciion, laidly onc lnows Mc in iiuil` (lg. 7.3). Tlis
indicaics ilai cvcn onc wlo las aiiaincd lialman icalizaiion lalls lai sloii ol
lnowlcdgc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Wc slould noi bc mislcd,
ilcicloic, aboui wlo is a gicai soul` oi ilinl ilai any swami` oi guru` will bc
ablc io dclivci us liom maiciial cnianglcmcni. As ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam says
(6.1+.5),
muhtanam apí síáánanam narayana-parayanan
su-áurIabnan prasantatma hotísv apí mana-munc
O gicai sagc, oui ol many millions ol maiciially libciaicd pcoplc wlo aic licc
liom ignoiancc, and oui ol many millions ol síáánas wlo lavc ncaily aiiaincd
pcilcciion, ilcic is laidly onc puic dcvoicc ol Naiayana. Only sucl a dcvoicc is
aciually complcicly saiislicd and pcacclul.`
Lvcn wlcn manatmas do appcai in luman sociciy, ilcy aic olicn noi appicciaicd
oi undcisiood. Siïla Piablupada wiiics,
Somciimcs dcvoiccs aic pcisonally aiiaclcd wiil violcncc. Loid Jcsus
Cliisi was ciucilicd, Haiidasa Tlaluia was cancd in iwcniy-iwo
mailciplaccs, and Loid Caiianya's piincipal assisiani, Niiyananda, was
violcnily aiiaclcd by Jagai and Madlai.... Alilougl a saánu is noi inimical
iowaid anyonc, ilc woild is so ungiaiclul ilai cvcn a saánu las many
cncmics. ¦Pnag. 3.25.21, puipoii]
lui il onc gcis ilc associaiion ol a manatma and is icccpiivc io lis blcssings, onc
will inlallibly bc bcncliicd. Naiada is an cxccllcni cxamplc ol a manatma wlo
iiansloimcd ilc livcs ol many. Hc oncc iuincd a lunici inio a puic Vaisnava. Tlc
lunici was so ciucl ilai lc uscd io lall lill animals bccausc lc cnjoycd ilcii pain.
lui as soon as lc mci Naiada and bcgan io lcai liom lim, ilc lunici bccamc
aliaid ol lis sins. Naiada assuicd lim, Il you lollow my insiiuciions, you can bc
libciaicd.` Naiada ilcn insiiucicd ilc lunici io woislip Loid Kisna by claniing
ilc Haic Kisna mantra. A manatma ncvci says, Suiicndci io mc,` bui lc adviscs
cvciyonc io suiicndci io Loid Kisna, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Tlis is
lis inlallibiliiy.
Tlc powci ol ilc Vaisnavas is cxpicsscd in a lcngali song bcginning gaurangcra
bnahta-ganí janí janí sahtí ánarc. Tlc dcvoiccs ol Loid Caiianya aic vciy powcilul,
and cvciy onc ol ilcm can dclivci ilc wlolc woild.` lui ilc disciplc las io do lis
paii also. On iccciving ilc giacc ol a Vaisnava, onc musi agicc io givc up lis sinlul
aciiviiics. Tlcn ilc spiiiiual masici can ialc caic ol lim and clcvaic lim io
spiiiiual cmancipaiion. Dcvoiccs wlo may noi bc on ilc lcvcl ol a paramanamsa
lilc Naiada Muni, bui wlo siiicily lollow in lis disciplic succcssion, can also
dclivci inlalliblc lnowlcdgc. Siïla Piablupada wiiics:
Tlc spiiiiual masici, bcing in ilc disciplic succcssion sicmming liom
Naiada Muni, is in ilc samc caicgoiy wiil Naiada Muni. A pcison can bc
iclicvcd ol lis sinlul aciiviiy il lc suiicndcis io ilc loius lcci ol a pcison
wlo aciually icpicscnis Naiada Muni. ¦Cc. Maánya 2+.25S, puipoii]
Anoilci piool ol ilc powci ol ilc manatma is lis abiliiy io convcii nondcvoiccs
inio sainily pcisons. Siïla llaliivinoda Tlaluia siaicd ilai a Vaisnava can bc
icsicd by sccing low good a iouclsionc` lc is-by sccing low many Vaisnavas
lc las madc duiing lis lilc. Loid Caiianya dcsiicd ilai as many pcisons as
possiblc slould icpcai ilc mcssagc ol Kisna and convincc oilcis io ialc up Kisna
consciousncss, lollowing in ilc looisicps ol Naiada Muni and oilci gicai acaryas.
In conclusion, ilc associaiion ol a manatma is vciy iaic, and yci ii is availablc io a
sinccic scclci. Upon coniaciing a gicai soul, onc slould icalizc onc's good
loiiunc, and wiil a joylul bui sciious aiiiiudc onc slould suiicndci unio lis loius
lcci. How onc slould icgaid a manatma upon mcciing lim is cxcmplilicd in ilis
quoic liom ilc Harí-bhahtí-sudhodaya (13.2), spolcn by Loid Caiianya io
Sanaiana Gosvamï:
My dcai Vaisnava, sccing a pcison lilc you is ilc pcilcciion ol onc's
cycsigli, ioucling youi loius lcci is ilc pcilcciion ol ilc scnsc ol ioucl,
and gloiilying youi good qualiiics is ilc ionguc's ical aciiviiy, loi in ilc
maiciial woild ii is vciy dilliculi io lind a puic dcvoicc ol ilc Loid.
TEXT +0
Iabnyatc `pí tat-hrpayaíva
SYNONYMS
Iabnyatc-ii is gaincd; apí-yci; tat-ol Him (ilc Supicmc Loid); hrpaya-by ilc
mcicy; cva-only.
TRANSLATION
The associafion of greaf souIs can be affained-buf onIy by fhe Lord`s mercy.
PURPORT
Alilougl ilc puic dcvoicc is iaicly lound in ilc woild, ilc Supicmc Loid diiccily
lclps a sinccic scclci ol ilc iiuil. As Loid Caiianya dcclaicd io Siïla Rupa
Gosvamï:
branmanáa bnramítc hona bnagyavan jiva
guru-hrsna-prasaác paya bnahtí-Iata-bija
Accoiding io ilcii harma, all living cniiiics aic wandciing iliougloui ilc cniiic
univcisc. Somc ol ilcm aic bcing clcvaicd io ilc uppci planciaiy sysicms, and
somc aic going down io ilc lowci planciaiy sysicms. Oui ol many millions ol
wandciing living cniiiics, onc wlo is vciy loiiunaic gcis an oppoiiuniiy io
associaic wiil a bona lidc spiiiiual masici by ilc giacc ol Kisna. ly ilc mcicy ol
boil Kisna and ilc spiiiiual masici, sucl a pcison icccivcs ilc sccd ol ilc ciccpci
ol dcvoiional scivicc` (Cc. Madhya 19.151).
In His Paiamaima lcaiuic, Loid Kisna is siiuaicd in cvciyonc's lcaii, and Hc
lullills oui dcsiics in accoidancc wiil wlai wc dcscivc, wlicl is bascd on oui
picvious aciiviiics. (Lvcn sinlul dcsiics musi bc sanciioncd by Kisna bcloic onc
can lullill ilcm.) Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Il ilc living cniiiy by clancc oi loiiunc
comcs in coniaci wiil ilc Kisna consciousncss movcmcni and wislcs io associaic
wiil ilai movcmcni, Kisna, wlo is siiuaicd in cvciyonc's lcaii, givcs lim ilc
clancc io mcci a bona lidc spiiiiual masici` (Cc. Madhya 19.151, puipoii). Il onc
docsn'i lnow cxacily wlai oi wlo lc is looling loi, bui lc calls oui io God and
asls io bc dclivcicd, ilc Loid will bcsiow His mcicy-ilc clancc io suiicndci io a
gicai soul.
Naiada's disciplc Dliuva Malaiaja is an cxamplc ol onc wlo was lclpcd by God.
Dliuva was insulicd by lis sicpmoilci, and on ilc advicc ol lis moilci lc wcni
io sccl God in ilc loicsi. Alilougl ilc boy dcsiicd an cxalicd posiiion and
icvcngc, lis dciciminaiion appcalcd io ilc Supicmc Loid. Dliuva wandcicd in ilc
loicsi asling ilc animals, Wlcic is God' Aic you God'`-and suddcnly ilc gicai
sagc Naiada appcaicd bcloic lim. Siïla Piablupada cxplains,
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is picscni in cvciyonc's lcaii, and as
soon as Hc undcisiands ilai ilc living cniiiy is sciious aboui cniciing
dcvoiional scivicc, Hc scnds His icpicscniaiivc. In ilis way Naiada was
scni io Dliuva Malaiaja. ¦Pnag. +.S.25, puipoii]
TEXT +1
tasmíms taj-janc bncáabnavat
SYNONYMS
tasmín-in Him; tat-His; janc-in ilc pcoplc; bncáa-ol dillcicncc; abnavat-
bccausc ol ilc abscncc.
TRANSLATION
[One can affain bhahtí eifher by fhe associafion of fhe Lord`s pure devofees or
direcfIy by fhe Lord`s mercy because| fhe Lord and His pure devofees are
nondifferenf.
PURPORT
Tlc mcicy ol ilc Loid and ilai ol His puic dcvoiccs aic cqually poicni bccausc ilc
dcvoicc and ilc Supicmc Loid impaii ilc samc icaclings. Siï Kisna says,
Suiicndci io Mc,` and ilc puic dcvoicc says, Ycs, I suiicndci io You,` and iclls
oilcis, Suiicndci io Kisna.` Tlus ilc mcicy ol ilc Loid and ilai ol His loving
scivanis lavc ilc samc cllcci: ilc sccd ol dcvoiion is planicd in ilc lcaiis ol
icccpiivc condiiioncd souls.
Tlc Mayavadïs aic always sccling an oppoiiuniiy io annililaic God's pcisonal
idcniiiy, and so ilcy inicipici ilis sutra in ilc lollowing way: Jusi as a iivci loscs
iis namc and loim alici ii cnicis ilc occan, so a dcvoicc loscs lis individualiiy
wlcn lc mcigcs limscll in ilc Loid.` Impcisonalisis considci annililaiion ol ilc
scll and mciging wiil ilc Loid as ilc lasi woid in divinc lovc. As loi ilc mcaning
inicndcd by Naiada and ilc sciipiuics, ilc Mayavadïs say ilai ilis is a conccssion
loi ilc oidinaiy dcvoiccs.`
Vaisnavas, lowcvci, do noi iolciaic sucl blasplcmous woid jugglciy. Tlc oncncss
ol God and guru (oi God and all living bcings) is a oncncss in qualiiy. Tlc living
cniiiics aic small samplcs ol ilc oiiginal Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is
lull, powcilul, and opulcni. Tlc living bcings icnd io loigci ilcii qualiiaiivc
oncncss wiil ilc Loid, and so Hc appcais in ilc loim ol sciipiuics, gicai souls,
and ilc caítya-guru (Supcisoul) io icmind us ol oui spiiiiual idcniiiy. Tlc
Supcisoul docsn'i lavc io bc icmindcd ol His own diviniiy, bccausc Hc is ncvci
dcsignaicd by a maiciial body. Tlis is anoilci dillcicncc bciwccn ilc jivas and ilc
Loid: Tlc Loid is always scll-cnliglicncd in His spiiiiual loim, wlilc ilc jivas aic
always pionc io comc undci ilc inllucncc ol maya. Anoilci dillcicncc bciwccn ilc
iwo is ilai ilc Supcisoul is picscni in cvciyonc's body, wlcicas ilc individual
condiiioncd soul is picscni in onc paiiiculai body.
Tlc sac-cíá-ananáa loim ol Godlcad is dillcicni liom ilai ol ilc living cniiiy in
boil lis condiiioncd and libciaicd siaics. Alilougl ilc Mayavadïs will coniinuc io
misundcisiand ilc plilosoply ol spiiiiual oncncss, a haví, oi lcaincd pcison,
docsn'i commii sucl misialcs. Siïla Piablupada dcsciibcs ilc posiiion ol ilc
Mayavadïs and ilosc ilcy inllucncc:
Only ailcisis considci ilc living cniiiy and ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
cqual in all icspccis. Caiianya Malapiablu ilcicloic says, mayavaáí-bnasya
suníIc naya sarva-nasa. Il onc lollows ilc insiiuciions ol Mayavadï
plilosoplcis and bclicvcs ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and ilc
individual soul aic onc, lis undcisianding ol ical plilosoply is loicvci
doomcd.` ¦Pnag. +.2S.63, puipoii]
TEXT +2
taá cva saányatam taá cva saányatam
SYNONYMS
tat-ilai; cva-only; saányatam-slould bc siiivcd loi; tat-ilai; cva-only;
saányatam-slould bc siiivcd loi.
TRANSLATION
Sfrive, sfrive onIy for fhe associafion of pure devofees.
PURPORT
Naiadadcva blcsscs ilc lcaicis ol ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra wiil lis advicc, icpcaicd
iwicc lcic loi cmplasis-siiivc, siiivc loi aiiaining ilc loius lcci ol guru and
Kisna via ilc associaiion ol puic dcvoiccs. Wlcn ilc Loid and His dcvoiccs scc
oui sinccic clloiis, ilcy will givc us all icquiicd assisiancc.
Tlc bcsi cxpicssion ol singlc-mindcd dcvoiion io Kisna was givcn by Siï Caiianya
Malapiablu. Lci us siiivc io lollow in His looisicps, always asling loi diicciion
liom His wcll-wisling lollowcis and always piaying as Hc slowcd us in His
Síhsastaha (+):
na ánanam na janam na sunáarim
havítam va jagaá-isa hamayc
mama janmaní janmanisvarc
bnavataá bnahtír anaítuhi tvayí
O almigliy Loid, I lavc no dcsiic io accumulaic wcalil, noi do I dcsiic bcauiilul
womcn, noi do I wani any numbci ol lollowcis. I only wani Youi causclcss
dcvoiional scivicc, biiil alici biiil.`
TEXT +3
áunsangam sarvatnaíva tyajyan
SYNONYMS
áunsangam-bad associaiion; sarvatna-in all iis aspccis; cva-indccd; tyajyan-io
bc givcn up.
TRANSLATION
One shouId give up aII kinds of degrading associafion.
PURPORT
Alici siaiing ilai ilc associaiion ol puic dcvoiccs is as good as bcing wiil ilc
Supicmc Loid, Naiada inloims us ol ilc dcsiiuciivc cllccis ol bad company. As wc
mcniioncd picviously, Loid Caiianya oncc dclincd a Vaisnava as onc wlo givcs up
ilc associaiion ol woildly pcoplc and nondcvoiccs: asat-sanga-tyaga-cí vaísnava
acara. Caiianya Malapiablu spccilically cnumciaicd dillcicni iypcs ol asat-sanga.
stri-sangi, cha asaánu hrsnabnahta ara (Cc. Madhya 22.S7). A Vaisnava slould
avoid stri-sangi, ilosc wlo associaic looscly wiil womcn, and lc slould also slun
ilc hrsna-abnahtas, ilosc wlo aic noi dcvoiccs ol Kisna. Tlis cspccially iclcis io
Mayavadïs.
Loid Kapila siaics, Tlc inlaiuaiion and bondagc ilai acciuc io a man liom
aiiaclmcni io any oilci objcci is noi as complcic as ilai icsuliing liom an
aiiaclmcni io a woman oi io ilc lcllowslip ol mcn wlo aic lond ol womcn`
(8hag. 3.31.35). In ilc Kali-yuga, wc aic consianily inviicd io paiialc in illicii scx
iliougl advciiising and iclcvision. Unicsiiicicd social mixing bciwccn mcn and
womcn is a majoi disiiaciion liom ilc spiiiiual pail.
Tlc siaicmcnis aboui womcn slould noi bc ialcn as a ciiiicism ol womcn as a
class. Jusi as woman is olicn ilc symbol ol maya loi a man, so aiiaclmcni io mcn
is also ilc main cnianglcmcni loi a woman. As Loid Kapila siaics, A woman,
ilcicloic, slould considci lci lusband, lci lousc, and lci clildicn io bc ilc
aiiangcmcni ol ilc cxicinal cncigy ol ilc Loid loi lci dcail, jusi as ilc swcci
singing ol ilc lunici is dcail loi ilc dcci` (8hag. 3.31.+2). Ol couisc, ii is noi
possiblc io complcicly icsiiici ilc scxcs liom associaiing wiil cacl oilci, and so
ilc posiiivc appioacl is io pui Kisna in ilc ccnici ol onc's lilc. Il a man and a
woman livc in a Kisna conscious maiiiagc, iianslciiing ilcii main aiiaclmcni io
Kisna, ilcn ilcii iclaiionslip may bccomc a souicc ol spiiiiual icjuvcnaiion.
Wlcn Loid Caiianya says ilai onc slould avoid ilc non-saánus, lc mcans pcisons
wlo don'i lollow basic piinciplcs ol icligious lilc. Ioi cxamplc, cvciy Kisna
conscious dcvoicc lollows ilc loui iulcs, bui ilc non-saánus always indulgc in
illicii scx, mcai-caiing, inioxicaiion, and gambling. Il a dcvoicc bcgins io
inicnsivcly associaic wiil non-saánus, lc will cvcniually picl up ilcii labiis,
dcspiic all lis lnowlcdgc and iiaining. As siaicd in ilc Harí-bnahtí-suánoáaya,
Associaiion is vciy impoiiani. Ii acis jusi lilc a ciysial sionc, wlicl will icllcci
anyiling pui bcloic ii` (1nc Ncctar oj Dcvotíon, p. 106). And as Loid Caiianya
iaugli Sanaiana Gosvamï, Onc slould noi cvcn scc ilosc wlo aic bcicli ol
dcvoiional scivicc in Kisna consciousncss and wlo aic ilcicloic dcvoid ol pious
aciiviiics` (Cc. Madhya 22.92).
Wlcn ilc dcmon Hiianyalasipu saicasiically inquiicd liom lis son aboui Kisna
consciousncss, Piallada cxplaincd wly ilc dcmons cannoi possibly lnow aboui
Kisna:
matír na hrsnc paratan svato va
mítno `bnipaáycta grna-vratanam
aáanta-gobnír vísatam tamísram
punan-punas-carvíta-carvananam
¦Piallada Malaiaja said:] lccausc ol ilcii unconiiollcd scnscs, pcisons ioo
addicicd io maiciialisiic lilc malc piogicss iowaid lcllisl condiiions and
icpcaicdly clcw ilai wlicl las alicady bccn clcwcd. Tlcii inclinaiions iowaid
Kisna aic ncvci aiouscd, ciilci by ilc insiiuciions ol oilcis, by ilcii own clloiis,
oi by a combinaiion ol boil` (8hag. 7.5.30).
Tlosc wiil unconiiollcd scnscs can ncvci lnow Kisna ilcmsclvcs, and il an
aspiiing dcvoicc associaics wiil ilcm, lc will also losc lis abiliiy io lnow Kisna.
Associaiion wiil nondcvoiccs ialcs placc in many ways, asidc liom lacc-io-lacc
cncounicis. Tliougl bools, movics, gailciing placcs-ilc possibiliiics ol coniaci
aic unlimiicd. Lspccially nowadays, a pcison may appaicnily livc alonc in a ciiy
apaiimcni and yci bc complcicly immciscd in bad associaiion iliougl mass mcdia
and icclnological cniciiainmcni. Ii ialcs dclibciaic culiivaiion, and a ligli, io
icmovc oncscll liom bad inllucnccs.
Onc may objcci io ilcsc injunciions and claim, God is cvciywlcic! Wly say ilai
cciiain pcoplc aic bad'` Tlc iopmosi dcvoicc, ilc mana-bnagavata, can scc all
pcisons as pcilcci scivanis ol God. Hc lumbly ilinls ilai cvciyonc is a scivani ol
ilc Loid cxccpi limscll. lui anoilci qualilicaiion ol a mana-bnagavata is ilai lc
always ilinls ol Kisna and ncvci loigcis Him loi a momcni. Onc slould noi
imiiaic onc aspcci ol ilc mana-bnagavata`s aciiviiics wlilc lacling lis
qualilicaiions. In oilci woids, on ilc plca ol lollowing ilc cxamplc ol ilc gicai
dcvoiccs, onc slould noi indulgc in bad associaiion and claim, Ii's all Kisna.`
Tlc gicai majoiiiy ol dcvoiccs lavc io malc an clloii io comc up liom ilc lowci
(hanístna) siagc ol dcvoiion, wlcic onc sccs God only in ilc icmplc. Tlcy lavc io
siiivc io icacl ilc sccond siagc (maányama), wlcic onc aclnowlcdgcs ilai God is
in cvciyonc's lcaii and yci disciiminaics in lis iclaiionslips. Tlc maányama-
bnahta savcs lis lovc loi ilc Supicmc Loid, malcs liicndslips wiil lilc-mindcd
dcvoiccs, slows compassion io innoccni pcisons, and avoids ilc dcmons. Hc ialcs
sciiously ilc lollowing injunciion liom ilc Katyayana-samníta. Ii is bciici io
acccpi ilc misciics ol bcing cncagcd wiilin bais and suiioundcd by buining
llamcs ilan io associaic wiil ilosc bcicli ol Kisna consciousncss. Sucl associaiion
is a vciy gicai laidslip` (Cc. Madhya 22.91).
TEXT ++
hama-hroána-mona-smrtí-bnramsa-buáání-nasa-sarva-nasa-haranatvat
SYNONYMS
hama-ol lusi; hroána-angci; mona-bcwildcimcni; smrtí-bnramsa-lailuic ol
mcmoiy; buáání-nasa-loss ol iniclligcncc; sarva-nasa-and ioial loss;
haranatvat-bccausc ol bcing ilc causc.
TRANSLATION
MaferiaI associafion is fhe cause of Iusf, anger, confusion, forgeffuIness, Ioss
of infeIIigence, and fofaI caIamify.
PURPORT
Onc may wondci wly Naiada is dwclling on ilc cllccis ol bad associaiion alici
laving discusscd advanccd subjccis in bnahtí-yoga. lui wlo clsc will lccd ilc
wainings cxccpi ilosc wlo aic sciious aboui ciossing ilc occan ol biiil and
dcail' Lvcn onc wlo is piaciicing dcvoiional scivicc in ilc icnounccd oidci can
lall down. As siaicd in Caítanya-candrodaya-nataha (S.23),
níshíncanasya bnagavaá-bnajanonmuhnasya
param param jígamísor bnava-sagarasya
sanáarsanam vísayínam atna yosítam ca
na nanta nanta vísa-bnahsanato `py asaánu
Alas, loi a pcison wlo is sciiously dcsiiing io cioss ilc maiciial occan and
cngagc in ilc iiansccndcnial loving scivicc wiiloui maiciial moiivcs, sccing a
maiciialisi cngagcd in scnsc giaiilicaiion and sccing a woman wlo is similaily
inicicsicd aic moic abominablc ilan diinling poison willingly.` And so ilc advicc
againsi bad associaiion is inicndcd loi all, including ilosc iiansccndcnialisis wlo
wisl io piogicss wiiloui impcdimcni.
In ilc 8hagavad-gïta (2.62-63), Loid Kisna analyzcs ilc soul's downlall duc io
bad associaiion:
ányayato vísayan pumsan sangas tcsupajayatc
sangat sanjayatc haman hamat hroáno `bníjayatc
hroánaá bnavatí sammonan sammonat smrtí-víbnraman
smrtí-bnramsaá buáání-naso buáání-nasat pranasyatí
Wlilc conicmplaiing ilc objccis ol ilc scnscs, a pcison dcvclops aiiaclmcni loi
ilcm, and liom sucl aiiaclmcni lusi dcvclops, and liom lusi angci aiiscs. Iiom
angci complcic dclusion aiiscs, and liom dclusion bcwildcimcni ol mcmoiy.
Wlcn mcmoiy is bcwildcicd, iniclligcncc is losi, and wlcn iniclligcncc is losi onc
lalls down again inio ilc maiciial pool.`
lad associaiion (áunsanga) biings oui ilc sioicd laimic icndcncics loi sin, ilus
aciivaiing onc's lowci piopcnsiiics. Il an aspiiing dcvoicc lcais ilc lcdonisis iall
ol lusiy cnjoymcnis, lc may casily bccomc agiiaicd, sincc uniil lc bccomcs puic
lc las many icndcncics io cnjoy woildly plcasuics. As soon as lc bcgins io ilinl
aboui ilc objccis ol plcasuic, lc will bcgin io dcsiic ilcm. Tlcn lc will aiicmpi io
lullill lis dcsiics, and on bcing liusiiaicd lc will bccomc angiy. Tlcicalici lc will
losc lis disciiminaiion, bccomc dcludcd, and so on. ly lccping company wiil
nondcvoiccs, ilcicloic, bad labiis ciop up onc alici anoilci, and good qualiiics
bccomc iuincd. As Loid Kapiladcva siaics (8hag. 3.31.32-33):
Il, ilcicloic, ilc living cniiiy again associaics wiil ilc pail ol
uniiglicousncss, inllucnccd by scnsually-mindcd pcoplc cngagcd in ilc
puisuii ol scxual cnjoymcni and ilc giaiilicaiion ol ilc palaic, lc again
gocs io lcll as bcloic. Hc bccomcs dcvoid ol iiuillulncss, clcanlincss,
mcicy, giaviiy, spiiiiual iniclligcncc, slyncss, ausiciiiy, lamc, loigivcncss,
coniiol ol ilc mind, coniiol ol ilc scnscs, loiiunc, and all sucl
oppoiiuniiics.
Noi only coaisc lools` bui cvcn ausicic ascciics-il ilcy aic noi dcvoiccs-aic
considcicd áunsanga. Mcnial spcculaiois, impcisonal yogis, jnanis, and voidisis
may all advciscly inllucncc a dcvoicc and iuin lim iowaid nondcvoiional pails.
llagavan Ãcaiya, a lollowci ol Loid Caiianya's, insisicd ilai lc was immunc io
coniaminaiion bccausc lc was a lixcd-up dcvoicc ol ilc Loid. lui Svaiupa
Damodaia Gosvamï icplicd ilai lcaiing ialls on Mayavada plilosoply bicals ilc
lcaii and lilc ol a dcvoicc` and slould noi bc indulgcd in. Siïla Piablupada
wiiics:
Tlc Mayavadï plilosoplcis lavc picscnicd ilcii aigumcnis in sucl
aiiiaciivc, llowciy languagc ilai lcaiing Mayavada plilosoply may
somciimcs clangc ilc mind ol cvcn a mana-bnagavata, oi vciy advanccd
dcvoicc. An aciual Vaisnava cannoi iolciaic any plilosoply ilai claims
God and ilc living bcing io bc onc and ilc samc. ¦Cc. Aáí 7.110, puipoii]
Considciing ilc dangcis ol áunsanga, cvcn loi a lully cngagcd saánaha, wc can scc
ilai Naiada las noi cxaggciaicd ilcsc dangcis oi givcn a waining only loi
ncoplyics.
TEXT +5
tarangíta apimc sangat samuárayantí
SYNONYMS
tarangítan-loiming wavcs; apí-indccd; ímc-ilcsc; sangat-liom maiciial
associaiion; samuárayantí-cicaic an occan.
TRANSLATION
Rising Iike waves from maferiaI associafion, fhese bad effecfs mass info a greaf
ocean of misery.
PURPORT
Tlc dcluding poicncy, maya, is ilc Loid's own cncigy and can ilus ovcicomc cvcn
a powcilul sagc. As Loid Kapila dcclaics, Among all linds ol living cniiiics
bcgoiicn by lialma, namcly mcn, dcmigods, and animals, nonc bui ilc sagc
Naiayana is immunc io ilc aiiiaciion ol maya in ilc loim ol a woman` (8hag.
3.31.37). Onc slould noi lliii wiil maya, ilinling ilai onc can iiansgicss a liiilc
and ilcn pull bacl laici il ii gcis ioo iougl. Uniil wc aic complcicly libciaicd wc
mainiain sccds ol dcsiiuciion wiilin us, and wc slould noi allow ilcm io giow by
bad associaiion.
Oncc Siïla Piablupada lcaincd ilai somc ol lis iniiiaicd disciplcs lad indulgcd in
ilcii loimci labiis ol smoling maiijuana. Piablupada said ilai ilis was duc io
bad associaiion, and lc gavc ilc cxamplc ol bcdbugs. Duiing winici, bcdbugs
sccm io disappcai liom youi bcd, bui in duc iimc ilcy cmcigc and again biic you
and giow lai on youi blood. Similaily, a iiansccndcnialisi's hama may sccm io bc
cniiicly subducd, bui ii is aciually picscni in a vciy icduccd siaic. Il givcn a licsl
oppoiiuniiy, lis maiciial dcsiics will siiilc again. On anoilci occasion, Siïla
Piablupada iclciicd io lippy sccds.` Having noiiccd onc ol lis branmacari
disciplcs wiil long laii, lc said ilc disciplc's old lippy icndcncics wcic now
spiouiing in ilc loim ol long laii.
So ii is good io bc aliaid ol cvcn a liiilc bad associaiion and avoid ii ai all cosis. lui
onc may qucsiion wlcilci ilis aiiiiudc is ai odds wiil ilc compassionaic mood ol
ilc picaclci. Il ilc picaclci associaics wiil maiciialisis, won'i lc bccomc lilc
ilcm' Tlc answci is ilai a picaclci musi bc siiong in lis Kisna consciousncss io
picvcni bccoming coniaminaicd. Il lc lollows ilc iulcs and icgulaiions ol bnahtí-
yoga-including associaiion wiil dcvoiccs, claniing and lcaiing ilc Loid's
gloiics, avoiding scnsc giaiilicaiion, and so on-ilcn lc will bc ablc io picacl
wiiloui lalling down. Aciing as ilc spiiiiual masici ol Loid Caiianya, Ïsvaia Puiï
gavc lim insiiuciions ilai in iiuil aic diiccicd ai us: My dcai clild, coniinuc
dancing, claniing, and pciloiming sanhirtana in associaiion wiil dcvoiccs.
Iuiilcimoic, go oui and picacl ilc valuc ol claniing hrsna-nama, loi by ilis
pioccss You will bc ablc io dclivci all lallcn souls` (Cc. Adí 7.92). Similaily, Siïla
Piablupada insiiucicd lis disciplcs io bc compassionaic picaclcis:
Onc wlo is noi vciy cxpcii in picacling may clani in a sccludcd placc,
avoiding bad associaiion, bui loi onc wlo is aciually advanccd, picacling
and mcciing pcoplc wlo aic noi cngagcd in dcvoiional scivicc aic noi
disadvaniagcs. A dcvoicc givcs ilc nondcvoiccs lis associaiion bui is noi
allccicd by ilcii misbclavioi. Tlus by ilc aciiviiics ol a puic dcvoicc cvcn
ilosc wlo aic bcicli ol lovc ol Godlcad gci a clancc io bccomc dcvoiccs ol
ilc Loid onc day. ¦Cc. Aáí 7.92, puipoii]
Siïla Piablupada somciimcs iold ilc lollowing sioiy io illusiiaic low onc may mix
wiil nondcvoiccs and yci lccp onc's dcvoiional inicgiiiy:
Oncc a ciocodilc inviicd a monlcy in a iicc io comc and iidc on lis bacl. Tlc
loolisl monlcy jumpcd down liom ilc iicc and soon lound limscll clinging io
ilc ciocodilc's bacl in ilc middlc ol ilc iivci.
Tlc monlcy aslcd ilc ciocodilc, Wlcic aic wc going'`
Tlc ciocodilc icplicd, I'm going io ialc you lomc, wlcic my wilc will cui oui
youi lcaii and wc will cai you loi luncl!`
Tlc monlcy icplicd, lui I lcli my lcaii bacl on sloic in ilc iicc. Will you plcasc
lci mc gci ii'`
Tlc ciocodilc ilougli ilis was a good pioposal and allowcd ilc monlcy io ioucl
sloic. lui ilc monlcy jumpcd inio lis iicc and icluscd io acccpi luiilci
inviiaiions liom ilc ciocodilc.
Tlc moial ol ilis sioiy: You may associaic wiil ilc nondcvoicc, bui don'i givc
lim youi lcaii.
Picaclcis living in ISKCON icmplcs lollow ilis advicc daily. Tlcy iisc caily and
gailci loi mangaIa-aratí bcloic ilc icmplc Dciiics, clani hirtana and japa, lcai
Srimaá-Pnagavatam class, and lonoi prasaáam in ilc associaiion ol dcvoiccs.
Siicngilcncd by ilis moining piogiam, ilcy go oui io picacl in ilc mosi
maiciialisiic placcs in ilc woild, ollciing pcoplc a clancc io icccivc Kisna's mcicy
in ilc loim ol liiciaiuic, prasaáam, oi narí-nama. In ilc caily cvcning ilc
picaclcis iciuin io ilc icmplc loi moic claniing and lcaiing. Wlilc ilcy aic wiil
ilc nondcvoiccs, ilcy do noi compiomisc ilcii dcvoiional piinciplcs, and ilus
ilcy lccp ilcii lcaiis alool liom ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic and bad associaiion.
Ol couisc, il a picaclci linds limscll bcing ovciwlclmcd by ilc maiciial cncigy,
lc slould savc limscll insicad ol allowing maya io swallow lim up wlilc lc's
iiying io savc oilcis. lui Naiada's advicc againsi bad associaiion docs noi mcan
ilai ilosc wlo aic siiong cnougl io picacl slould noi appioacl ilc Jagais and
Madlais ol ilis woild and lumbly ollci ilcm ilc loly namc and iiansccndcnial
liiciaiuic. Il dcvoiccs don'i appioacl ilcm, low will ilc lools and iascals bc
savcd'
TEXT +6
has taratí has taratí mayam yan sangam tyajatí yo mananubnavam scvatc nírmamo
bnavatí
SYNONYMS
han-wlo; taratí-ciosscs bcyond; han-wlo; taratí-ciosscs bcyond; mayam-
illusion; yan-lc wlo; sangam-maiciial associaiion; tyajatí-abandons; yan-
wlo; mana-anubnavam-ilc wisc pcison; scvatc-scivcs; nírmaman-licc liom
lalsc piopiicioislip; bnavatí-bccomcs.
TRANSLATION
Who can cross beyond iIIusion: One who abandons maferiaI associafion,
serves fhe sages, and becomes seIfIess.
PURPORT
Ciossing ovci maya is somciimcs compaicd io ciossing an occan. Ai ilc iimc ol
dcail ilc condiiioncd soul las io iiansmigiaic io anoilci maiciial body, and cvcn
il lc is boin in a liglci planci, lc siill las io sullci icpcaicd biiil and dcail. To
cioss ilc limiis ol ilis occan ol samsara, lc las io go bacl io Godlcad. lui ilis is
vciy dilliculi, bccausc any maiciial dcsiics, wlcilci sinlul oi pious, will plungc
ilc condiiioncd soul bacl inio samsara.
Howcvci, Loid Kisna malcs ilc pioccss casy. In ilc 8hagavad-gïta (7.1+) Hc
siaics,
áaívi ny csa guna-mayi mama maya áuratyaya
mam cva yc prapaáyantc mayam ctam tarantí tc
Tlis divinc cncigy ol minc, consisiing ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic, is
dilliculi io ovcicomc. lui ilosc wlo lavc suiicndcicd unio Mc can casily cioss
bcyond ii.`
Naiada is now giving dciailcd inloimaiion on low io suiicndci io Kisna and cioss
ovci ilc powcilul occan ol illusion. In ilis sutra lc mcniions icnouncing
aiiaclmcni, associaiing wiil gicai souls, and bccoming licc ol posscssivcncss. Onc
las io aiicmpi all ilcsc and oilci lavoiablc mcilods, bui ai ilc samc iimc onc
musi undcisiand ilai lc cannoi swim acioss ilc occan on lis own. ly onc's
sinccic acis ol dcvoiion, Kisna is movcd io comc io ilc icscuc. Loid Kisna iclls
Aijuna, lui ilosc wlo woislip Mc, giving up all ilcii aciiviiics unio Mc and
bcing dcvoicd io Mc wiiloui dcviaiion, cngagcd in dcvoiional scivicc-loi ilcm I
am ilc swili dclivcici liom ilc occan ol biiil and dcail` (lg. 12.6-7). In lis
puipoii Siïla Piablupada siaics, Simply by claniing ilc loly namc ol Kisna-
Haic Kisna, Haic Kisna, Kisna Kisna, Haic Haic/ Haic Rama, Haic Rama, Rama
Rama, Haic Haic-a dcvoicc ol ilc Loid can appioacl ilc supicmc dcsiinaiion
casily and lappily, bui ilis dcsiinaiion cannoi bc appioaclcd by any oilci pioccss
ol icligion.`
As alicady siaicd, ilc mcicy ol ilc Loid is bcsi obiaincd liom His puic dcvoiccs.
Tlcy cnablc onc io ialc slclici ol ilc Loid's loius lcci, wlicl aci lilc a boai io
caiiy onc acioss ilc vasi occan ol maya.
O loius-cycd Loid, by conccniiaiing onc's mcdiiaiion on Youi loius lcci,
wlicl aic ilc icscivoii ol all cxisicncc, and by acccpiing ilosc loius lcci as
ilc boai by wlicl io cioss ilc occan ol ncscicncc, onc lollows in ilc
looisicps ol mana-janas ¦gicai sainis, sagcs, and dcvoiccs]. ly ilis simplc
pioccss, onc can cioss ilc occan ol ncscicncc as casily as onc sicps ovci ilc
loolpiini ol a call. ¦Pnag. 10.2.30]
TEXT +7
yo vívíhta-stnanam scvatc yo Ioha-banánam unmuIayatí nístraígunyo bnavatí yo yoga-
hscmam tyajatí
SYNONYMS
yan-wlo; vívíhta-sccludcd; stnanam-a placc; scvatc-scivcs; yan-wlo; Ioha-
ol mundanc sociciy; banánam-ilc bondagc; unmuIayatí-upioois; nístraí-
gunyan-licc liom ilc inllucncc ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic; bnavatí-
bccomcs; yan-wlo; yoga-(dcsiic loi) gain; hscmam-and sccuiiiy; tyajatí-givcs
up.
TRANSLATION
[Who can cross beyond iIIusion:| Thaf person who sfays in a secIuded pIace,
cufs off af fhe roof his affachmenf fo mundane sociefy, becomes free from fhe
infIuence of fhe fhree modes of nafure, and gives up hankering for maferiaI gain
and securify.
PURPORT
Naiada is giving moic ways io cioss bcyond maya. Tlc liisi is soliiudc (vívíhta-
stnanam scvatc). Scvcial iimcs in ilc Pnagavaá-gita Loid Kisna adviscs ilai onc
piaciicc spiiiiual lilc alonc. Soliiudc is paiiiculaily siicsscd in mcdiiaiivc yoga,
wlicl icquiics ilai onc livc alonc in a sccludcd placc (ranasí stnítan chahi) (lg.
6.10). And in ilc Tliiiccnil Clapici, wlcn lisiing ilc iicms ol lnowlcdgc, Loid
Kisna includcs vívíhta-ácsa-scvítvam, aspiiing io livc in a soliiaiy placc` (lg.
13.11). Again, in ilc Ligliccnil Clapici, wlcn dcsciibing a pcison wlo las bccn
clcvaicd io ilc posiiion ol scll-icalizaiion, Loid Kisna says ilai lc livcs in a
soliiaiy placc` (vívíhta-scvi) (lg. 1S.52).
Ncoplyic dcvoiccs, lowcvci, aic noi adviscd io livc alonc. Alilougl soliiaiy
bnajana was piaciiccd by Namacaiya Haiidasa Tlaluia, and somciimcs by Loid
Caiianya, llaliisiddlania Saiasvaiï Tlaluia ciiiicizcd dcvoiccs wlo picmaiuicly
wanicd io clani in a soliiaiy placc. Hc wioic, My dcai mind, wly aic you so
pioud ol bcing a Vaisnava' Youi soliiaiy woislip and claniing ol ilc loly namc ol
ilc Loid aic bascd on a dcsiic loi clcap populaiiiy, and ilcicloic youi claniing ol
ilc loly namc is only a picicnsion` (quoicd in Krsna, p. SS2).
A sacicd and soliiaiy placc, as mcniioncd in ilc Gita, also iclcis io a placc ol
pilgiimagc. Siïla Piablupada wiiics, In India ilc yogis-ilc iiansccndcnialisis oi
ilc dcvoiccs-all lcavc lomc and icsidc in sacicd placcs sucl as Piayaga, Mailuia,
Vindavana, Hisïlcsa, and Haidwai and in soliiudc piaciicc yoga wlcic ilc sacicd
iivcis lilc ilc Yamuna and Gangcs llow` (lg. 6.11-12, puipoii). Ioi dcvoiccs ol
Kisna, ilc mosi sacicd placc ol pilgiimagc is Mailuia-mandala, ilc disiiici ilai
includcs Mailuia and Vindavana. Rupa Gosvamï iccommcnds living in Mailuia-
mandala as onc ol ilc livc main piinciplcs ol bnahtí-yoga, and Siïla Piablupada
piaiscs Mailuia-mandala as lollows in lis summaiy siudy ol Rupa Gosvamï's
Pnahtí-rasamrta-sínánu.
A puic dcvoicc ol Loid Kisna icsidcs in ilc disiiici ol Mailuia oi
Vindavana and visiis all ilc placcs wlcic Kisna's pasiimcs wcic
pciloimcd.... Aciually, il somconc gocs io Vindavana, lc will immcdiaicly
lccl scpaiaiion liom Kisna, wlo pciloimcd sucl nicc aciiviiics wlcn Hc
was picscni ilcic. ¦1nc Ncctar oj Dcvotíon, p. 139]
Siïla Piablupada woilcd laid loi many ycais io csiablisl icmplcs in Vindavana
and in Mayapuia, ilc biiilplacc ol Loid Caiianya, so ilai Wcsicincis could comc
and bc puiilicd by living in ilc ánama. Ol Vindavana Siïla Piablupada siaics, Tlc
placcs in ilc cigliy-loui-squaic-milc disiiici ol Mailuia aic so bcauiilully siiuaicd
on ilc banls ol ilc iivci Yamuna ilai anyonc wlo gocs ilcic will ncvci wani io
iciuin io ilis maiciial woild.... Tiansccndcnial lcclings aic aiouscd immcdiaicly
wiiloui lail alici onc aiiivcs in Mailuia oi Vindavana` (1nc Ncctar oj Dcvotíon, p.
111). Tlc csscniial bcnclii ol a soliiaiy placc is ilai ii piovidcs liccdom liom
woildly pcoplc and passions. Ioi dcvoiccs, ilis can bcsi bc aiiaincd in ilc ánama,
in ilc associaiion ol lilc-mindcd souls.
Naiada also says ilai onc wlo wanis io ovcicomc maya musi bical ilc bonds ol
maiciial aiiaclmcni and livc abovc ilc modcs ol naiuic. Tlcsc aic somc ol ilc
naiuial icsulis ol Kisna conscious lilc. In ilc Iouiiccnil Clapici ol ilc Pnagavaá-
gita Loid Kisna dcsciibcs low ilc ilicc modcs ol naiuic-goodncss, passion, and
ignoiancc-bind ilc living cniiiy in samsara. To bccomc licc ol ilc modcs, onc
las io lcai ilc iiuil liom ilc spiiiiual masici. Tlcn onc will giadually undcisiand
lis oiiginal spiiiiual naiuic and low onc is cniiappcd by ilc modcs. Il onc livcs in
ilc associaiion ol iiansccndcnialisis and scivcs Loid Kisna along wiil ilcm, onc
will noi bc coniiollcd by ilc modcs ol goodncss, passion, and ignoiancc. Tlc
acaryas icll us ilai living in ilc loicsi is in ilc modc ol goodncss, living in a iown
is in ilc modc ol passion, and living in a bioilcl is in ilc modc ol ignoiancc-bui
io livc in a icmplc ol Visnu, in ilc sociciy ol dcvoiccs, is Vailunila. Indccd,
anoilci mcaning ol sccludcd and sacicd placc` is ilc icmplc ol ilc Loid. Siïla
Piablupada wiiics, In ilis bnahtí-yoga sysicm, ilc icmplc is considcicd ilc
sacicd placc. Tlc icmplc is nírguna, iiansccndcnial` (1nc Patn oj Pcrjcctíon, p. 3S).
Naiada also iccommcnds icnouncing anxiciics loi acquisiiion and mainicnancc:
yoga-hscmam tyajatí. Loid Kisna also mcniions yoga-hscma in ilc 8hagavad-gïta
(9.22):
ananyas cíntayanto mam yc janan paryupasatc
tcsam nítyabníyuhtanam yoga-hscmam vanamy anam
lui ilosc wlo always woislip Mc wiil cxclusivc dcvoiion, mcdiiaiing on My
iiansccndcnial loim-io ilcm I caiiy wlai ilcy lacl, and I picscivc wlai ilcy
lavc.`
Dcpcndcncc on ilc Loid loi mainicnancc is an advanccd siagc ol spiiiiual lilc, bui
ii is noi bascd on imaginaiion. Tlc piinciplc is ilai onc slould noi wani moic
ilan wlai is absoluicly ncccssaiy. Waniing anyiling bcyond ilai will simply causc
anxiciy. In any casc, wlcilci onc is a pooi branmana, a mcndicani sannyasi, a
busincssman, oi an adminisiiaioi in a icligious insiiiuiion, lc oi slc slould
icalizc ilai ilc Supicmc Loid is ilc aciual mainiainci. Il wc livc simply, cngaging
in Kisna's scivicc and noi cicaiing unncccssaiy dcmands, wc will bc ablc io icducc
conccins loi mainicnancc and cnici ilc spiiii ol yoga-hscmam tyajatí, as
iccommcndcd by Naiada Muni.
TEXT +8
yan harma-pnaIam harmaní sanyasyatí tato nírávanávo bnavatí
SYNONYMS
yan-wlo; harma-pnaIam-ilc liuii ol maiciial woil; harmaní-lis maiciial
aciiviiics; sanyasatí-icsigns; tatan-ilus; nírávanávan-un-allccicd by dualiiics;
bnavatí-bccomcs.
TRANSLATION
[Who can cross beyond iIIusion:| Thaf person who renounces maferiaI dufies
and fheir profifs, fhus franscending duaIify.
PURPORT
A dcvoicc las laiil ilai Loid Kisna will supply lis nccds. lui ilis docs noi mcan
ilai lc bccomcs lazy oi inaciivc. Hc woils loi Kisna. ly dcdicaiing all acis io ilc
Loid, ilc dcvoicc bccomcs licc liom laimic icaciions. As long as onc coniinucs io
woil undci ilc inllucncc ol ilc modcs ol naiuic, onc musi cxpciicncc dualiiy-
good and bad, loi and cold, iicl and pooi, plcasuic and pain, and so on. As Loid
Kisna siaics in 8hagavad-gïta (7.27),
íccna-ávcsa-samuttncna ávanáva-moncna bnarata
sarva-bnutaní sammonam sargc yantí parantapa
O scion ol llaiaia, O conqucioi ol locs, all living cniiiics aic boin inio dclusion,
bcwildcicd by dualiiics aiiscn liom dcsiic and laic.` And in lis puipoii,
Piablupada cxplains,
Dcludcd pcisons, sympiomaiically, dwcll in dualiiics ol dislonoi and
lonoi, misciy and lappincss, woman and man, good and bad, plcasuic and
pain, cic., ilinling, Tlis is my wilc; ilis is my lousc; I am ilc masici ol
ilis lousc; I am ilc lusband ol ilis wilc.` Tlcsc aic ilc dualiiics ol
dclusion. Tlosc wlo aic so dcludcd by dualiiics aic complcicly loolisl and
ilcicloic cannoi undcisiand ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Tlc dclusion ol dualiiy sicms liom idcniilying ilc scll wiil ilc body. Wlcn a
pcison undcisiands ilai lc is noi ilc body bui an cicinal scivani ol Kisna, ilc
dclusion ol dualiiy ccascs loi lim. A dcvoicc can bical ilc bonds ol dualiiy cvcn
wlilc living in ilc maiciial woild. Wlcn a dcvoicc lccls bodily lcai oi cold,
plcasuic oi pain, lc sccs ii in icims ol ilc body, and lc coniinucs io pciloim lis
scivicc wiiloui disiiaciion. Laily in ilc Pnagavaá-gita, Loid Kisna adviscs Aijuna
io icmain cquipoiscd in boil lappincss and disiicss. Laici, Kisna cxpicsscs His
plcasuic wiil ilc dcvoicc wlo iiansccnds dualiiy: Onc wlo nciilci icjoiccs noi
giicvcs, wlo nciilci lamcnis noi dcsiics, and wlo icnounccs boil auspicious and
inauspicious ilings-sucl a dcvoicc is vciy dcai io Mc` (lg. 12.17).
Ii slould bc obvious by now ilai bnahtí is noi mcicly pious ilouglis ol lovc` bui
iailci lcailcss aciion. Naiada asls noiling lcss ol ilc bnahta ilan complcic
suiicndci and complcic dcdicaiion unio ilc will ol llagavan. lui il ai any poini
onc lccls limscll unablc io icacl ilc idcals iaugli by Naiada, lc is noi
condcmncd. Loid Kisna also says ilai il wc cannoi aclicvc ilc iopmosi suiicndci,
ilcn wc slould do wlai wc can and iiy io piogicss giadually (scc 8hagavad-gïta
12.S-12). lui wc slould bc lumblc aboui oui inabiliiy io lully suiicndci io Loid
Kisna. Wc slould noi aiicmpi io clangc ilc uncompiomising icaclings in oidci
io jusiily oui wcalncss. Naiada and ilc Vaisnava acaryas aic asling us io clangc
oui livcs in oidci io bccomc bnahtas, bccausc ilai alonc will malc us cicinally
lappy. Tlc dilliculiics wc lccl in maling ilcsc clangcs aic duc io oui maiciial
aiiaclmcnis.
Loid Kisna givcs a sicin oidci in 8hagavad-gïta (3.30):
mayí sarvaní harmaní sannyasyaányatma-cctasa
nírasir nírmamo bnutva yuányasva vígata-jvaran
O Aijuna, suiicndciing all youi woils unio Mc, wiil lull lnowlcdgc ol Mc,
wiiloui dcsiics loi piolii, wiil no claims io piopiicioislip, and licc liom lcilaigy,
ligli.` And Siïla Piablupada was also sicin, cauiioning lis lollowcis, An casy-
going lilc and Kisna consciousncss go ill iogcilci.` Maya diciaics io us io ialc ii
casy and siay in ilc maiciial woild, bui lci suggcsiions aic only a dcccpiion. Slc
will icll us noi io pciloim ausiciiiics in dcvoiional scivicc, bui il wc lall undci lci
inllucncc, wc will bc loiccd io laboi and sullci in lowci spccics ol lilc, biiil alici
biiil. Naiada is asling us io undcigo a liiilc iioublc now in oidci io cioss ovci ilc
occan ol maya and bc licc ol all sullciing loicvci.
TEXT +9
yo vcáan apí sanyasyatí hcvaIam avíccnínnanuragam Iabnatc
SYNONYMS
yan-wlo; vcáan-ilc Vcáas, apí-cvcn; sanyasyatí-icnounccs; hcvaIam-
cxclusivc; avíccnínna-uniniciiupicd; anuragam-loving aiiiaciion; Iabnatc-
obiains.
TRANSLATION
Thaf person who renounces even fhe Vcdas obfains excIusive and
uninferrupfed affracfion for God.
PURPORT
ly icnouncing ilc Vcáas` Naiada mcans icnouncing ilc liuiiivc saciiliccs
iccommcndcd in ilc Vcáas` harma-hanáiya poiiions, wlicl aic loi ilosc puisuing
liuiiivc icsulis. Loid Kisna adviscs Aijuna, Tlc Vcáas dcal mainly wiil ilc
subjcci ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic. O Aijuna, bccomc iiansccndcnial io
ilcsc ilicc modcs.... All puiposcs scivcd by a small wcll can ai oncc bc scivcd by a
gicai icscivoii ol waici. Similaily, all ilc puiposcs ol ilc Vcáas can bc scivcd io
onc wlo lnows ilc puiposc bclind ilcm` (lg. 2.+5-+6). Tlc harma-hanáiya
insiiuciions aic loi giadual dcvclopmcni, bui ilc uliimaic goal is io lnow Loid
Kisna, ilc causc ol all causcs (scc 8hagavad-gïta 15.15). Il onc is aiiaclcd only io
ilc iiiuals and noi ilc goal, ilcn lc cannoi iisc io ilc iiansccndcnial siagc.
Similaily, ilc siudy ol ilc Vcáanta-sutra is mcani loi undcisianding Loid Kisna.
Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Vcdania is ilc lasi woid in Vcdic wisdom, and ilc
auiloi and lnowci ol ilc Vcdania plilosoply is Loid Kisna; and ilc liglcsi
Vcdaniisi is ilc gicai soul wlo ialcs plcasuic in claniing ilc loly namc ol ilc
Loid` (lg. 2.+6, puipoii).
Siïla Vyasadcva bcgins ilc Srïmad-8hagavatam (1.1.2) wiil ilc dcclaiaiion ilai no
lcssci loims ol icligion will bc iaugli: ánarman projjníta-haítavan. Only puic
dcvoiional scivicc is iaugli in ilc Pnagavata Purana. Loid Kisna also concludcs
His insiiuciions io Aijuna by advising lim, sarva-ánarman parítyajya mam cham
saranam vraja. Abandon all vaiiciics ol icligion and jusi suiicndci unio Mc.` (lg.
1S.66)
Siill, alilougl a puic dcvoicc ignoics ilc harma-hanáiya poiiion ol ilc Vcáas and
givcs up all loims ol ánarma savc bnahtí, lc ncvci dclics ilc bnahtí-sastras oi givcs
up lollowing ilcii injunciions. In laci, libciaicd souls always iclisl lcaiing ilc
pasiimcs ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad liom iiansccndcnial bools lilc ilc Srimaá-
Pnagavatam, ilc Caítanya-carítamrta, and ilc woils ol ilc six Gosvamïs ol
Vindavana. Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Tlc Srimaá-Pnagavatam. .. is puicly
iiansccndcnial liiciaiuic wlicl can bc undcisiood only by ilc puic dcvoiccs ol ilc
Loid wlo aic iiansccndcnial io compciiiivc scnsc giaiilicaiion` (llag. 1.1.2,
puipoii). Siïla Vyasadcva says, O ilouglilul dcvoiccs, as long as you aic noi
absoibcd in iiansccndcnial bliss, you slould coniinuc iasiing ilc Srimaá-
Pnagavatam, and wlcn you aic lully absoibcd in bliss you slould go on iasiing iis
mcllows loicvci` (8hag. 1.1.3). Tlc sagcs ai Naimisaianya dcclaic, Wc ncvci iiic
ol lcaiing ilc iiansccndcnial pasiimcs ol ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is
gloiilicd by lymns and piaycis. Tlosc wlo cnjoy associaiion wiil Him iclisl
lcaiing His pasiimcs ai cvciy momcni` (8hag. 1.1.19).
Lvcn gicai souls wlo wcic libciaicd in lialman icalizaiion bccamc aiiiacicd io
ilc naiiaiions ol Kisna in Srimaá-Pnagavatam. As Suladcva Gosvamï iold
Malaiaja Paiïlsii, My dcai King, alilougl I was lully siiuaicd in ilc
iiansccndcnial posiiion, I was noncilclcss aiiiacicd io ilc pasiimcs ol Loid Kisna.
Tlcicloic I siudicd Srimaá-Pnagavatam liom my lailci.` (8hag. 2.1.9) And Loid
Caiianya, ilougl God Himscll, consianily iclislcd lcaiing ilc Pnagavatam and
oilci Vaisnava liiciaiuics, as wcll as ilc pociiy ol Vaisnava sainis, wlicl Hc
discusscd among His iniimaic dcvoiccs. So icnouncing ilc harma-hanáiya iiiuals
ol ilc Vcáas docs noi mcan giving up ilc cicinal pasiimcs ol Loid Kisna.
Ioi ilosc wlo aic siiiving loi pcilcciion, cciiainly ilc iclcvani paii ol ilc Vcáas is
noi io bc icjccicd. lui somciimcs dcvoiccs in ilc sponiancous siagc appcai io
comc inio conllici wiil Vcdic cusioms. Oncc Saivablauma llaiiacaiya lad io
cxplain ilis siagc ol sponiancous lovc io King Piaiapaiudia. Tlc ling lad
obscivcd ilc dcvoiccs ol Loid Caiianya aiiiving in Puiï wiiloui lollowing somc ol
ilc cusiomaiy iulcs. Tlc ling aslcd Saivablauma, Wly lavc ilcy noi obscivcd
ilc icgulaiions loi visiiing ilc pilgiimagc placc, sucl as lasiing and slaving ilc
lcad' Wly lavc ilcy liisi caicn prasaáam'` Saivablauma icplicd io ilc ling,
Wlai you lavc said is iigli accoiding io ilc icgulaiivc piinciplcs govcining ilc
visiiing ol loly placcs, bui ilcic is anoilci pail, wlicl is ilc pail ol sponiancous
lovc. Accoiding io ilosc piinciplcs, ilcic aic subilc iniiicacics involvcd in ilc
cxccuiion ol icligious piinciplcs` (Cc. Madhya 11.111-12). lccausc Loid Caiianya
was pcisonally picscni and disiiibuiing prasaáam liom His own land, His iniimaic
dcvoiccs ncglccicd ilc icgulaiivc piinciplc ol lasiing.
Naiada uscs ilc woid hcvaIam, wlicl indicaics ilai onc's lovc loi Kisna musi bc
undividcd and unalloycd. Pnahtí as iaugli by Naiada is noi paii-iimc scivicc, oi
dcvoiion only up io a cciiain poini. In ilc sponiancous siagc, all considciaiions
cxccpi bnahtí aic unimpoiiani, as in ilc gopis' icjcciion ol lamily and social
considciaiions. Tlc gopis did noi disicgaid ilcii duiics consciously, bui ilcy wcic
simply unablc io ilinl ol anyiling bui going io Kisna.
Wlcn a dcvoicc icaclcs ilc siagc Naiada dcsciibcs lcic, lis dcvoiional scivicc
llows uniniciiupicdly. Quccn Kuniï aspiicd loi ilai siagc: O Loid ol Madlu,` slc
piaycd, as ilc Gangcs cvci llows io ilc sca wiiloui lindiancc, lci my aiiiaciion
bc consianily diawn unio You wiiloui bcing divciicd io anyonc clsc` (8hag.
1.S.+2). Siïla Piablupada dcsciibcs Naiada Muni's own llow ol dcvoiional scivicc:
Sucl a llow ol dcvoiional scivicc cannoi siop. On ilc coniiaiy, ii incicascs
moic and moic wiiloui limiiaiion. Tlc llow ol dcvoiional scivicc is so
poicni ilai any onloolci also bccomcs libciaicd liom ilc inllucncc ol ilc
modcs ol passion and ignoiancc. ¦llag. 1.5.2S, puipoii]
Ncoplyic dcvoiccs complain ol spoiadic cnilusiasm. Tlcy aic somciimcs cagci io
clani and lcai ol Kisna, bui ai oilci iimcs ilcy aic iioublcd by ilouglis ol scnsc
plcasuic and a lacl ol iasic loi Kisna consciousncss. Tlis up-and-down syndiomc
is noi unusual loi bcginncis. Lvciy soul's oiiginal siaic is io cxpciicncc a
sponiancous llow ol lovc ol God, bui ilis lovc las bccn covcicd by counilcss
millions ol ycais ol condiiioning in ilc maiciial woild. Tlis condiiioning is noi
casy io ovcicomc. In ilc caily siagcs ol bnahtí, ilcicloic, dciciminaiion is ol ilc
uimosi impoiiancc. Ai ilc samc iimc, wc may bc inspiicd by ilc icaliiy ol
sponiancous lovc as dcsciibcd by Naiada and cxlibiicd by dcvoiccs wlo scivc ilc
Loid in prcma-bnahtí.
TEXT 50
sa taratí sa taratí Iohams tarayatí
SYNONYMS
san-lc; taratí-ciosscs bcyond; san-lc; taratí-ciosscs bcyond; Iohan-ilc
pcoplc ol ilis woild; tarayatí-lc malcs cioss bcyond.
TRANSLATION
Such a person, indeed, is deIivered, and he aIso deIivers fhe resf of fhe worId.
PURPORT
Naiada icpcais Hc ciosscs maya` so ilai ilcic will bc no doubi. Tlc slcpiic
qucsiions, Has anyonc ically ciosscd ovci maya'` Don'i doubi, Naiada says: Tlc
puic dcvoicc ciosscs maya, and lc can dclivci you, ioo.
Many disciplcs ol Siïla Piablupada aiicsi io ilc laci ilai lc pcisonally piclcd
ilcm up liom maya. Wlcn I liisi mci Siïla Piablupada, I aslcd lim, Is ilcic a
siagc in spiiiiual advanccmcni liom wlicl onc won'i lall bacl'` Piablupada
icplicd, Ycs.` And lis answci convinccd mc. Tlc pcilcci answci in a bool would
noi lavc bccn cnougl loi mc. Alilougl gicai souls aic noi scll-assciiivc, ilcy
pcisonally dcmonsiiaic ilai libciaicd pcisons do cxisi, and ilai ilcy can lclp us.
As ilc dcmigods siaicd in ilcii piaycis io Kisna as Hc lay in ilc womb ol Dcvalï,
Wlcn acaryas complcicly ialc slclici undci Youi loius lcci in oidci io cioss ilc
licicc occan ol ncscicncc, ilcy lcavc bclind on caiil ilc mcilod by wlicl ilcy
cioss, and bccausc You aic vciy mcicilul io Youi oilci dcvoiccs, You acccpi ilis
mcilod io lclp ilcm` (8hag. 10.2.31). Siïla Piablupada wiiics,
Il ilings aic madc casy, ilis alloids laciliiy loi ilc pcison wlo las madc
ilcm casy and also loi oilcis wlo lollow ilc samc piinciplcs. Tlc pioccss
iccommcndcd loi ciossing ilc occan ol ncscicncc is casy noi only loi ilc
dcvoicc bui loi common pcisons wlo lollow ilc dcvoicc (mana-jano ycna
gatan sa pantnan). ¦llag. 10.2.30, puipoii]
Puic dcvoiccs lclp oilcis in many ways. Somciimcs ilcy givc lcciuics, and ai
oilci iimcs ilcy mcci wiil boil dcvoiccs and nondcvoiccs. Wlcn pcisons comc
loiwaid loi moic sciious insiiuciion, ilc puic dcvoicc acis as spiiiiual masici and
iiains disciplcs io icndci scivicc io ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Somciimcs puic
dcvoiccs bccomc auilois. Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Ii is ilc duiy ol ilc acarya io
publisl bools ilai will lclp luiuic candidaics ialc up ilc mcilod ol scivicc and
bccomc cligiblc io iciuin lomc, bacl io Godlcad, by ilc mcicy ol ilc Loid.`
Somciimcs ilc libciaicd souls icciuii disciplcs wlo ilcn go oui and picacl,
lollowing ilc cxamplc ol ilcii spiiiiual masici. Gicai souls somciimcs bcgin
movcmcnis oi sociciics in wlicl dcvoiccs can livc and piaciicc bnahtí. And
somciimcs ilcy consiiuci icmplcs wlcic ilc public can comc io scc ilc Dciiy loim
ol Loid Kisna and iasic His prasaáam, ilc icmnanis ol lood ollcicd io Him. Tlus
boil by pcisonal cxamplc and by picccpi, and cvcn alici ilcii disappcaiancc liom
ilc moiial woild, ilc gicai souls lclp ilc condiiioncd souls wlo lavc loigoiicn
ilcii lovc loi Kisna. As Siïla llaliivinoda Tlaluia so cloqucnily pui ii:
Hc icasons ill wlo says ilai Vaisnavas dic,
Wlcn ilou aii living siill in sound!
Tlc Vaisnavas dic io livc, and living iiy
To spicad ilc loly namc aiound.
Chapfer +
Pure and Mixed Devofion
TEXT 51
anírvacaniyam prcma-svarupam
SYNONYMS
anírvacaniyam-bcyond dcsciipiion; prcma-ol maiuic lovc ol God; svarupam-
ilc csscniial idcniiiy.
TRANSLATION
The frue nafure of pure Iove of God is beyond descripfion.
PURPORT
Alilougl Naiada las bccn cxpciily analyzing bnahtí liom ilc bcginning siagcs up
io para bnahtí, lc now says ilai ii is incxpicssiblc. Pnahtí is paiiiculaily
incxplicablc io unqualilicd pcisons. Uniil a pcison piaciiccs dcvoiion wiil laiil,
low can lc lnow ol ii jusi by inquiiing liom a sagc' Somciimcs wlcn dcvoiccs
would asl Siïla Piablupada qucsiions on subjccis ilai wcic bcyond ilcii abiliiy io
undcisiand, lc would givc ilc analogy ol a small boy iiying io undcisiand scxual
plcasuic. lccausc ilc clild is plysically immaiuic, lc cannoi lnow wlai scx is,
bui oncc lc icaclcs pubciiy, lc auiomaiically undcisiands. Wlcn I liisi bcgan
iyping Piablupada's manusciipi ol 1cacníngs oj Lorá Caítanya, I was cuiious aboui
somc csoiciic aspccis ol para bnahtí. Loid Caiianya dcsciibcd ilai wlcn a dcvoicc
icaclcs pcilcciion, lc clooscs io lollow a paiiiculai cicinal icsidcni ol Vindavana
and lcain ol lis own rasa liom ilai icsidcni. In Maicl ol 1967 I wioic io
Piablupada asling moic aboui ilis subjcci. Hc icplicd as lollows:
Wlcn wc aic in ilc pcilcci siagc ol dcvoiional scivicc, wc can lnow oui
cicinal iclaiion wiil Kiislna, and as sucl onc ol ilc associaics ol Loid
Kiislna bccomcs oui idcal lcadci. Tlis acccpiancc ol lcadcislip by onc ol
ilc cicinal associaics ol ilc Loid is noi aiiilicial. Do noi ilcicloic iiy ii ai
picscni; ii will bc auiomaiically icvcalcd io you ai ilc piopci iimc.
Ii is noi only immaiuic young bnahtas wlo aic baiicd liom undcisianding para
bnahtí. Tlis advanccd siagc ol dcvoiion is cvcn bcyond ilc abiliiy ol ciudiic
sclolais io lailom. Kisnadasa Kaviiaja wiiics, Tlc pasiimcs ol Loid Kisna aic
uncommonly lull ol iiansccndcnial poicncy. Ii is claiaciciisiic ol sucl pasiimcs
ilai ilcy do noi lall wiilin ilc juiisdiciion ol cxpciimcnial logic and aigumcnis`
(Cc. Antya 19.103). Rupa Gosvamï cclocs ilis siaicmcni: Tlc aciiviiics and
sympioms ol ilai cxalicd pcisonaliiy in wlosc lcaii lovc ol Godlcad las
awalcncd cannoi bc undcisiood cvcn by ilc mosi lcaincd sclolai` (8hahtí-
rasamrta-síndhu 1.+.17).
To say ilai bnahtí is incxpicssiblc is noi mcicly an cvasivc icply givcn io an
ouisidci. In ilc liglci siagcs cspccially, bnahtí is inconccivablc. Tlc mosi inicnsc
cxpicssion ol lovc ol Godlcad was displaycd by Loid Caiianya. As dcsciibcd in
Caítanya-carítamrta, Siï Kisna wanicd io lnow ilc lovc ilai Siïmaiï Radlaianï lcli
loi Him, and so Hc appcaicd as Loid Caiianya. Loid Caiianya's ccsiaiic lcclings
and cxpicssions wcic iccoidcd in noics lcpi by Svaiupa Damodaia Gosvamï,
mcmoiizcd by Raglunaila dasa Gosvamï, and iclaicd by Raglunaila dasa io
Kisnadasa Kaviiaja Gosvamï. lui in iclling ilcsc pasiimcs in ilc Caítanya-
carítamrta, Kisnadasa Kaviiaja conlcsscd lis limiiaiions:
Lvcn Ananiadcva, wlo posscsscs ilousands ol mouils, cannoi lully
dcsciibc ilc ccsiaiic iiansloimaiions ilai Loid Caiianya cxpciicnccd in a
singlc day. Wlai can a pooi cicaiuic lilc mc dcsciibc ol ilosc
iiansloimaiions' I can givc only a lini ol ilcm, as il slowing ilc moon
iliougl bianclcs ol a iicc. Tlis dcsciipiion, lowcvci, will saiisly ilc mind
and cais ol anyonc wlo lcais ii, and lc will bc ablc io undcisiand ilcsc
uncommon aciiviiics ol dccp ccsiaiic lovc loi Kisna. Lcsiaiic lovc loi Kisna
is wondcilully dccp. ly pcisonally iasiing ilc gloiious swccincss ol ilai
lovc, Siï Caiianya Malapiablu slowcd us iis cxiicmc limiis. ¦Cc. Aniya
17.6+-67]
Alilougl prcma-bnahtí is bcyond woids, wlaicvci can bc convcycd by auiloiizcd
dcvoiccs is appicciaicd by ilosc wlo aic sinccic and laiillul. Kisnadasa Kaviiaja
says,
Jusi iiy io lcai ilcsc iopics wiil laiil, loi ilcic is gicai plcasuic cvcn in
lcaiing ilcm. Tlai lcaiing will dcsiioy all misciics pciiaining io ilc body,
mind, and oilci living cniiiics, and ilc unlappincss ol lalsc aigumcnis as
wcll. ¦Cc. Aniya 19.110]
A Vaisnava compaics ilc pasiimcs ol Loid Kisna oi Loid Caiianya io ilc
unlimiicd sly. Many biids lly in ilc sly, bui somc lly liglci accoiding io ilcii
abiliiics. In ilc sociciy ol dcvoiccs, icalizcd souls slaic ilcii icalizaiions, bui no
onc picsumcs io dcsciibc aII ilc qualiiics oi pasiimcs ol Kisna. Pnahtí can
ilcicloic bc paiiially cxpicsscd, bui iis ioialiiy is inconccivablc and incxpicssiblc.
Wlcn Loid Caiianya was aboui io icacl Rupa Gosvamï, Hc said,
My dcai Rupa, plcasc lisicn io Mc. Ii is noi possiblc io dcsciibc dcvoiional
scivicc complcicly; ilcicloic I am jusi iiying io givc you a synopsis ol ilc
sympioms ol dcvoiional scivicc. Tlc occan ol ilc iiansccndcnial mcllow ol
dcvoiional scivicc is so big ilai no onc can csiimaic iis lcngil and bicadil.
Howcvci, jusi io lclp you iasic ii, I am dcsciibing bui onc diop. ¦Cc.
Madlya 19.136-37]
TEXT 52
muhasvaáana-vat
SYNONYMS
muha-ol a muic; asvaáana-ilc iasiing; vat-lilc.
TRANSLATION
[Trying fo describe fhe experience of pure Iove of God| is Iike a mufe`s efforf
fo describe whaf he fasfes.
PURPORT
Lvcn a qualilicd dcvoicc may noi bc ablc io pui lis cxaci cxpciicncc ol lovc ol God
inio woids. Languagc las iis limiis loi convcying cxpciicncc, bui ii may lunciion
lilc ilc biancl ol ilc iicc ilai lclps us locaic ilc moon in ilc sly. In dcsciibing
ilc giadual dcvclopmcni ol bnahtí io Rupa Gosvamï, Loid Caiianya compaicd ii io
an inicnsilying iasic ol swccincss:
Giadual dcvclopmcni ol lovc ol God may bc compaicd io dillcicni siaics ol
sugai. Iiisi ilcic is ilc sccd ol ilc sugai canc, ilcn sugai canc, and ilcn
ilc juicc cxiiacicd liom ilc canc. Wlcn ilis juicc is boilcd, ii loims liquid
molasscs, ilcn solid molasscs, ilcn sugai, candy, iocl candy, and linally
lozcngcs. ¦Cc. Madlya 19.179]
Loid Caiianya wcni on io dcsciibc ilc combinaiion ol dcvoiional ccsiasics lnown
as sattvíha and vyabnícari. Tlcsc iasics aic lilc a combinaiion ol yoguii, sugai
candy, glcc, blacl pcppci, and camploi, and aic as palaiablc as swcci ncciai` (Cc.
Madhya 19.1S2). Tlcic is noiling dcccpiivc oi incomplcic in ilis languagc, and
yci ii is languagc-ilc biancl poiniing io ilc moon in ilc sly. Alici lcaiing ol
ilc iasic ol lovc ol Godlcad, a dcvoicc slould aspiic loi ilai lovc and piaciicc
dcvoiional scivicc so ilai lc may iasic ii loi limscll.
Naiada docs noi say ilai ilc subjcci maiici ol bnahtí is somciling so vaguc and
inconccivablc ilai ii can ncvci bc lnown oi spolcn ol. His poini is ilai ilc
individual and uliimaic cxpciicncc is so wondcilul ilai ii is vciy laid io dcsciibc.
Onc slould noi glibly say, I lnow cvciyiling aboui lovc ol Kisna.` Alilougl ilc
gopis always clanicd ilc gloiics ol Loid Kisna, ilcy wcic somciimcs siiucl dumb.
Siïla Piablupada wiiics,
Spiiiiual lcclings ol lappincss and inicnsc ccsiasics lavc no mundanc
compaiison. Tlcicloic ii is vciy dilliculi io givc cxpicssion io sucl lcclings.
Wc can lavc jusi a glimpsc ol sucl ccsiasy in ilc woids ol Siï Naiada
Muni. ¦llag. 1.6.17, puipoii]
TEXT 53
prahasyatc hvapí patrc
SYNONYMS
prahasyatc-ii is icvcalcd; hva apí-somciimcs; patrc-io a lii iccipicni.
TRANSLATION
NonefheIess, from fime fo fime pure Iove of God is reveaIed fo fhose who are
quaIified.
PURPORT
A mana-bnagavata dcvoicc, oi ilc Loid Himscll, is plcascd io lind a lii candidaic
loi undcisianding ilc incxpicssiblc mcanings ol bnahtí-yoga. Tlc iianslcicncc ol
lnowlcdgc in Kisna consciousncss is, in onc scnsc, vciy siiaigliloiwaid. Siïla
Piablupada uscd io ciiiicizc ilc sioiy ol a disciplc wlo said ilai lc icccivcd
lnowlcdgc liom lis guru by a mcilod similai io iccciving an clcciiic slocl. Loid
Kisna iaugli Aijuna by ilc pioccss ol qucsiion and answci, and onc may siill
laiillully siudy Kisna's lucid woids loi cnliglicnmcni in bnahtí-yoga. As always,
ilcicloic, ilc pioccss ol iccciving ilc icaclings ol bnahtí-yoga is io scivc ilc
spiiiiual masici, inquiic liom lim, and lcai lis parampara insiiuciions.
And yci lcaining ilc scicncc ol bnahtí-yoga is noi an oidinaiy iianslcicncc ol
lnowlcdgc, as wlcn a piolcssoi wiiics lcssons on a blaclboaid and lis siudcnis
wiiic ilcm down. Only il ilc spiiiiual icaclci is aciually poicni and ilc siudcnis
aic puicly icccpiivc can ilc icaclci plani ilc sccd ol bnahtí (ilc bnahtí-Iata-bija)
in ilcii lcaiis. How ilai sccd liuciilics in a siudcni's lcaii is noi undcisiandablc
by maiciial calculaiions. Siïla Piablupada wiiics,
Human icason lails io undcisiand low by sciving ilc dcvoicc bnagavata oi
ilc bool bnagavata onc gcis giadual piomoiion on ilc pail ol dcvoiion.
lui aciually ilcsc aic ilc lacis cxplaincd by Siïla Naiadadcva, wlo
lappcncd io bc a maidscivani's son in lis picvious lilc. ¦Pnag. 1.2.1S,
puipoii]
Alilougl ilc guru-disciplc iclaiionslip is a subilc onc, ii can bc undcisiood by ilc
siandaid qualilicaiions ol boil pcisons. Ioi cxamplc, alilougl Naiada was a
young boy, ilc bnahtívcáanta sagcs wlo visiicd lis lomc lound lim a lii
candidaic, and so ilcy blcsscd lim. Naiada iccalls ilc incidcni:
Alilougl ilcy wcic impaiiial by naiuic, ilosc lollowcis ol ilc Vcdania
blcsscd mc wiil ilcii causclcss mcicy. As lai as I was conccincd, I was scll-
coniiollcd and lad no aiiaclmcni loi spoiis, cvcn ilougl I was a boy. In
addiiion, I was noi naugliy and I did noi spcal moic ilan icquiicd. ¦8hag.
1.5.2+]
Tlc sagcs ai Naimisaianya piaiscd ilc spcalci Suia Gosvamï in a similai way:
And bccausc you aic submissivc, youi spiiiiual masicis lavc cndowcd you
wiil all ilc lavois bcsiowcd upon a gcnilc disciplc. Tlcicloic you can icll
us all ilai you lavc scicniilically lcaincd liom ilcm. ¦8hag. 1.1.S]
Ioi icalizaiion ol ilc mosi advanccd spiiiiual lnowlcdgc, sucl as ilc pasiimcs ol
Loid Caiianya, ilc dcvoicc las io bc cxiicmcly wcll qualilicd. As Kisnadasa
Kaviiaja says, Unio onc wlo is ablc io undcisiand, Siï Caiianya Malapiablu las
slown mcicy by giving lim ilc associaiion ol ilc scivani ol His own scivani` (Cc.
Madhya 2.S3). Tlc spiiiiual lnowlcdgc Loid Caiianya convcycd io Ramananda
Raya was so complcicly oui ol ilc iangc ol mundanc vision ilai Loid Caiianya
said ilai only a madman can undcisiand ii.` Loid Caiianya conlidcd io
Ramananda:
Plcasc icsi assuicd ilai I lavc noiling io lidc liom you. Lvcn il I do iiy io
lidc somciling liom you, you aic sucl an advanccd dcvoicc ilai you can
undcisiand all My sccicis.... Tlc lacis wlicl I lavc discloscd io you cannoi
bc undcisiood by maiciialisiic pcoplc. Wlcn ilcy lcai ol ilis, ilcy will
simply laugl ai Mc. You can undcisiand ilis youiscll and lccp ii io
youiscll. ¦1cacníngs oj Lorá Caítanya, p. 3+6]
In lis laici ycais, wlcn Loid Caiianya cxlibiicd His pasiimcs ol cniciing inicnscly
inio ilc mood ol Radlaianï in scpaiaiion liom Kisna, Hc slaicd ilis rasa only
wiil His mosi iniimaic dcvoiccs, sucl as Ramananda Raya and Svaiupa Damodaia.
Tlcy could undcisiand ilc Loid's moods, wlicl somciimcs pioduccd displays ol
sccming madncss and wlicl oidinaiy woids oi bclavioi could noi cxpicss. Only
a pcison on ilc lcvcl ol Svaiupa Damodaia Gosvamï can lully lnow wlai Loid Siï
Caiianya Malapiablu iasics in His lovc loi Kisna` (Cc. Antya 1S.22).
Naiada Muni's poini in ilis sutra is ilai cvcn wlcn bnahtí cannoi bc cxpicsscd in
woids, iis csscncc can bc manilcsi by ilc ccsiaiic sympioms ol onc gicai soul and
appicciaicd by oilci gicai souls. Wlcn Loid Caiianya lcli an ccsiaiic mood
coming on bui ilcic wcic nondcvoiccs picscni, Hc would iiy io icsiiain His
ouiwaid manilcsiaiions ol ccsiaiic lovc. Ioi cxamplc, wlcn Loid Caiianya liisi
mci Ramananda Raya, ilcy cmbiaccd and almosi losi consciousncss, ovciwlclmcd
by ilc ccsiaiic lovc ol Kisna and ilc gopis. lui somc sicicoiypcd, iiiualisiic
branmanas wcic picscni ai ilai iimc, and ilcy doubicd ilc piopiiciy ol ilc
iniciaciion bciwccn ilc Loid and Ramananda. Accoiding io Kisnadasa Kaviiaja,
Wlilc ilc branmanas wcic ilinling in ilis way aboui ilc aciiviiics ol Siï Caiianya
Malapiablu and Ramananda Raya, Loid Caiianya saw ilc branmanas and
icsiiaincd His iiansccndcnial cmoiions` (Cc. Madhya S.2S).
Wc slould noi ilinl ilai only a lixcd numbci ol iniimaic dcvoiccs can icccivc ilc
bnahtí-sahtí, and ilai wc aic obviously noi among ilc closcn. Tlc acaryas advisc
us ilai il wc lccp siiiving, onc day cacl onc ol us may uncovci oui oiiginal,
doimani Kisna consciousncss. Moicovci, Loid Caiianya suipasscd all picvious
acaryas, bnahtas, and incainaiions by vciy libcially disiiibuiing iniimaic lovc ol
God. Anyonc wlo is icccpiivc io ilc sanhirtana movcmcni ol Loid Caiianya can
ilcicloic bc quiclly clcvaicd io ilc plailoim wlcic lc can undcisiand ilc
incxpicssiblc cxpciicnccs ol bnahtí-yoga. In appicciaiion loi ilis libcialiiy ol Loid
Caiianya, Rupa Gosvamï composcd a piayci:
namo mana-vaáanyaya hrsna-prcma-praáayatc
hrsnaya hrsna-caítanya namnc gaura-tvísc naman
I ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio ilc Supicmc Loid, Siï Kisna Caiianya, wlo
is moic magnanimous ilan any oilci avatara, cvcn Kisna Himscll, bccausc Hc is
bcsiowing liccly wlai no onc clsc las cvci givcn-puic lovc ol Kisna.`
TEXT 5+
guna-ranítam hamana-ranítam pratíhsana-varánamanam avíccnínnam suhsma-taram
anubnava-rupam
SYNONYMS
guna-maiciial qualiiics; ranítam-dcvoid ol; hamana-maiciial dcsiic; ranítam-
dcvoid ol; pratí-hsana-ai cvciy momcni; var-ánamanam-incicasing;
avíccnínnam-uniniciiupicd; suhsma-taram-mosi subilc; anubnava-
consciousncss; rupam-as iis loim.
TRANSLATION
Pure Iove of God manifesfs as fhe mosf subfIe consciousness, devoid of
maferiaI quaIifies and maferiaI desires, increasing af every momenf, and never
inferrupfed.
PURPORT
Wlai passcs loi lovc in ilc maiciial woild olicn sounds and appcais lilc bnahtí, ai
lcasi io ilosc wlo aic uniiaincd in dcvoiional scivicc. lui Naiada Muni malcs ii
clcai in ilis sutra ilai bnahtí is always dillcicni liom maiciial loving allaiis.
Tlc woid guna-ranítam mcans abovc ilc modcs ol naiuic.` Naiada las alicady
mcniioncd ilis qualiiy ol bnahtí in Suiia +7. Pnahtí is noi lilc any lind ol bclavioi
govcincd by ilc modcs ol ignoiancc, passion, oi goodncss. Wc slould ncvci ilinl
ilai Loid Kisna's pasiimcs wiil ilc gopis and cowlcid boys aic mundanc. Kisna's
pasiimcs aic, in laci, ilc oiiginal aciiviiics ol lovc, and wlaicvci icscmblcs lovc in
any way wiilin ilis maiciial woild comcs oiiginally liom Kisna. As Siïla
Piablupada cxplains in Krsna, p. 27:
Il ilcic is any opulcncc wiilin ilis maiciial woild, ilc causc ol ilc
opulcncc is Kisna. Il ilcic is any icpuiaiion wiilin ilis maiciial woild, ilc
causc ol ilc icpuiaiion is Kisna. Il ilcic is any siicngil wiilin ilis maiciial
woild, ilc causc ol sucl siicngil is Kisna. Il ilcic is any wisdom and
cducaiion wiilin ilis maiciial woild, ilc causc ol sucl wisdom and
cducaiion is Kisna. Tlcicloic Kisna is ilc souicc ol all iclaiivc iiuils.
¦Krsna, p. 27]
Tlc woid hamana-ranítam mcans wiiloui scllisl dcsiic.` Tlis qualiiy, ioo, las
appcaicd bcloic-in Suiia 27, wlcic Naiada said, Tlcic is no qucsiion ol lusi in
ilc cxccuiion ol dcvoiional scivicc in puic lovc ol God, bccausc in ii all maiciial
aciiviiics aic icnounccd.`
Unlilc ilc plcasuic ilai comcs liom cxclangcs ol maiciial so-callcd lovc, ilc
plcasuic ol bnahtí is pratíhsana-varánamanam (incicasing ai cvciy momcni) and
avíccnínnam (uniniciiupicd). Tlis is ilc naiuic ol ilc Loid's spiiiiual plcasuic
poicncy, lnown as nIaáíni-sahtí, wlicl conducis ilc loving cxclangcs bciwccn
Kisna and His dcvoiccs. In scx passion, saiiaiion soon biings an cnd io ilc
mouniing lcclings ol plcasuic, bui in ilc loving cxclangcs bciwccn Kisna and His
cicinal associaics ilcic is an cicinal compciiiion, biinging cvci-
incicasing plcasuic. Kisna is vciy plcascd io scc ilc bcauiy ol His gopis, and wlcn
ilc gopis scc ilai Kisna is plcascd wiil ilcm ilcy bccomc many iimcs moic
lappy, and ilis incicascs ilcii bcauiy. In iuin, ilis incicascs Kisna's bcauiy and
plcasuic. And so ilc dcvoicc and ilc Loid cnjoy loving cxclangcs, bui wiiloui
iniciiupiion.
Unlilc moiial lovc allaiis, in bnahtí ilc lovc docs noi bical by quaiicl oi dcail ol
onc ol ilc paiincis. Loid Caiianya dcsciibcs ilc bliss ol sanhirtana as
ananáambuání-varánanam, incicasing ilc occan ol iiansccndcnial bliss.` lccausc
ilc Supicmc Loid is Himscll cvci incicasing and always licsl, ilc dcvoicc is ncvci
boicd oi unlaiillul and is ncvci clcaicd.
Pnahtí is also suhsma-taram, subilci ilan ilc subilcsi iling. As dcsciibcd in ilc
8hagavad-gïta (3.+2): Tlc woiling scnscs aic supciioi io dull maiici; mind is
liglci ilan ilc scnscs; iniclligcncc is siill liglci ilan ilc mind; and lc (ilc soul)
is cvcn liglci ilan ilc iniclligcncc.` So ilc subilc cxclangcs ol loving cmoiion
bciwccn ilc puic souls and ilcii bclovcd Loid aic complcicly unlilc maiciial lovc,
wlicl is ically noiling bui lusi.
TEXT 55
tat prapya taá cvavaIohayatí taá cva srnotí taá cva bnasayatí taá cva cíntayatí
SYNONYMS
tat-ii; prapya-laving obiaincd; tat-Him; cva-alonc; avaIohayatí-onc lools
ai; tat-Him; cva-alonc; srnotí-onc lcais aboui; tat-Him; cva-alonc;
bnasayatí-onc spcals aboui; tat-Him; cva-alonc; cíntayatí-onc ilinls aboui.
TRANSLATION
Having obfained pure Iove of God, one Iooks onIy af fhe Lord, hears onIy
abouf Him, speaks onIy of Him, and fhinks onIy of Him.
PURPORT
Loid Kisna dcsciibcs ilis siagc ol pcilcciion in ilc 8hagavad-gïta (6.30),
yo mam pasyatí sarvatra sarvam ca mayí pasyatí
tasyanam na pranasyamí sa ca mc na pranasyatí
Ioi onc wlo sccs Mc cvciywlcic and sccs cvciyiling in Mc, I am ncvci losi, noi
is lc cvci losi io Mc.` Siïla Piablupada wiiics,
Sucl a pcison may appcai io scc all ilc scpaiaic manilcsiaiions ol ilc
maiciial naiuic, bui in cacl and cvciy insiancc lc is conscious ol Kisna,
lnowing ilai cvciyiling is a manilcsiaiion ol Kisna's cncigy.` ¦lg. 6.30,
puipoii]
Tlis is samaání, oi iiancc, and wlcilci onc aclicvcs ii by ilc ciglilold yoga
sysicm oi by bnahtí-yoga, ii is ilc samc. In ilc casc ol ilc bnahtí-yogi, lc is lixcd in
dcvoiional scivicc ai all iimcs, and wlaicvci lc sccs coniiibuics io lis mcdiiaiion
on Kisna.
To lclp us undcisiand puic Kisna consciousncss, ilc acaryas givc us cxamplcs ol
samaání-lilc siaics, cvcn in oidinaiy allaiis. Wlcn a moilci sccs ilc slocs ol lci
liiilc clild, slc docsn'i jusi pciccivc ilcm as ncuiial objccis: slc lccls pioicciion
and lovc loi lci clild. Similaily, wlcn a lovci picls up lis bclovcd's comb
(cspccially il lc is in scpaiaiion liom lci) lc may lccl inicnsc cmoiions ol lovc. In
ilc casc ol Siï Kisna, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, cvcrytníng is His
cncigy. So wlcicvci ilc bnahta gocs oi wlaicvci lc pciccivcs iliougloui ilc
univcisc, lc is icmindcd ol ilc Loid. Moicovci, ilis iccogniiion is noi mcicly an
inicllcciual labii bui a ioial, ovcipowciing siaic ol lovc.
In lis 8rahma-samhíta (5.3S), Loid lialma dcsciibcs ilc dcvoiional qualilicaiion
loi sccing Kisna always and cvciywlcic:
prcmanjana-ccnuríta-bnahtí-víIocancna
santan saáaíva nráaycsu víIohayantí
yam syamasunáaram acíntya-guna-svarupam
govínáam aáí-purusam tam anam bnajamí
I woislip Govinda, ilc piimcval Loid, wlo is Syamasundaia, Kisna Himscll,
wiil inconccivablc, innumciablc aiiiibuics, and wlom ilc puic dcvoiccs scc in
ilcii lcaii ol lcaiis wiil ilc cyc ol dcvoiion iingcd wiil ilc salvc ol lovc.`
In lis puipoii, Siïla llaliisiddlania Saiasvaiï wiiics,
Tlc cyc ol dcvoiion is noiling bui ilc cyc ol ilc puic unalloycd spiiiiual
scll ol ilc jiva. Tlc loim ol Kisna is visiblc io ilai cyc in piopoiiion io iis
puiilicaiion by ilc piaciicc ol dcvoiion.
Wlai picvcnis mosi ol us liom sccing Kisna wiil cycs ol lovc' Wc lavc a
caiaiaci` on oui cycs ilai consisis ol oui maiciial aiiaclmcnis. As Siï Kisna
siaics,
nanam prahasan sarvasya yoga-maya-samavrtan
muáno `yam nabníjanatí Ioho mam ajam avyayam
I am ncvci manilcsi io ilc loolisl and uniniclligcni. Ioi ilcm I am covcicd by
My inicinal poicncy, and ilcicloic ilcy do noi lnow ilai I am unboin and
inlalliblc` (lg. 7.25). Loid Kisna docs noi lidc liom us; Hc wanis us io bc wiil
Him. Hc is lilc ilc sun ilai always blazcs in ilc sly. No cloud is big cnougl io
covci ilc sun, bui liom oui caiilly vaniagc poini cvcn a small cloud can blocl oui
vicw ol ilc sun. In ilc samc way, ilc clouds ol oui dcsiic and laiicd picvcni us
liom sccing oui bclovcd Loid and blocl us liom cnjoying ilc lappincss and pcacc
ilai comc liom sciving Him. To icalizc Kisna consciousncss, ilcicloic, wc lavc io
iisc abovc oui upaánís, ilc lalsc dcsignaiions ilai malc us ilinl ilc body is ilc
scll and malc us idcniily wiil oui mcnial concociions.
Naiada is dcsciibing ilc uliimaic siagc ol bnahtí. Tlis siagc is iaic, bui onc can
aclicvc ii by ilc mcicy ol ilc Vaisnavas wlo icacl bnahtí-yoga. Onc wlo icads ilc
Vcdic liiciaiuic wiil a spcculaiivc aiiiiudc will ncvci lnow Kisna. lui wc can
aiiain His giacc il wc woil in bnahtí-yoga, guidcd by His icpicscniaiivcs. Siïla
Piablupada wiiics,
Wlcn onc is lully cngagcd in Kisna consciousncss, bcginning by claniing
ilc mana-mantra-Haic Kisna, Haic Kisna, Kisna Kisna, Haic Haic/ Haic
Rama, Haic Rama, Rama Rama, Haic Haic-ilcn only can onc undcisiand
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. ¦lg. 7.2+, puipoii]
TEXT 56
gauni tríána guna-bncáaá artaáí-bncáaá va
SYNONYMS
gauni-sccondaiy, mixcd wiil ilc maiciial modcs; tríána-ilicclold; guna-ol ilc
maiciial modcs; bncáat-by ilc dillcicniiaiion; arta-ol ilc onc wlo is disiicsscd;
aáí-and so on; bncáat-by dillcicniiaiion; va-oi.
TRANSLATION
Secondary devofionaI service is of fhree kinds, according fo which of fhe fhree
maferiaI modes predominafes, or according fo which maferiaI mofivafion-
disfress and so on-brings one fo bhahtí.
PURPORT
Ii may sccm as il wc lavc bccn suddcnly dioppcd liom ilc lciglis. Naiada las
bccn dcsciibing ilc liglcsi siagc ol Kisna consciousncss, and now lc is discussing
sccondaiy dcvoiion. lui Naiada's couisc ol insiiuciion is wcll planncd, piaciical,
and icalisiic. Hc wanis us io aiiain ilc liglci siagcs, bui, as Loid Kisna says,
vasuácvan sarvam ítí sa manatma su-áurIabnan. Tlc gicai soul wlo can scc Kisna
cvciywlcic is vciy iaic` (lg. 7.19). Naiada is ilcicloic biinging oui aiicniion io
ilc anartnas wiilin ilc minds and labiis ol aspiiing bnahtas so ilai wc can woil
iowaid ilc liglci siagcs and noi considci puic lovc ol Kisna an unaiiainablc
dicam. On ilc oilci land, il onc iiics io jump io ilc liglci siagcs as il sucl a lcap
wcic casy, ilai is anoilci misialc (commiiicd by ilc prahrta-sanajíyas), wlicl
causcs a gicai disiuibancc io boil oncscll and sociciy.
Tlc picpaiaioiy siagcs ol bnahtí aic callcd sccondaiy dcvoiion, and ilcy aic
ncccssaiy loi ilosc wlo aic siill allccicd by ilc modcs ol naiuic. Loid Kisna
dcsciibcs ilc moiivaiions loi sucl sccondaiy dcvoiion in ilc 8hagavad-gïta
(7.16):
catur-víána bnajantc mam jana suhrtíno `rjuna
arto jíjnasur artnartni jnani ca bnaratarsabna
O bcsi among ilc llaiaias, loui linds ol pious mcn bcgin io icndci dcvoiional
scivicc unio Mc: ilc disiicsscd, ilc dcsiici ol wcalil, ilc inquisiiivc, and lc wlo
is scaicling loi lnowlcdgc ol ilc Absoluic.`
Tlis Pnagavaá-gita vcisc occuis jusi alici Loid Kisna dcsciibcs ilc loui linds ol
pcisons wlo ncvci suiicndci io ilc Loid. Tlosc wlo aic dcvoicd io ilc Supicmc
Loid, cvcn wlilc sccling io lullill maiciial dcsiics, aic callcd suhrtínan, oi pious
souls. Tlcii good qualilicaiion is ilai ilcy lavc iuincd io God. In ilc Srïmad-
8hagavatam (2.3.10), Suladcva Gosvamï cncouiagcs cvciyonc, no maiici wlai lis
picscni condiiion, io ialc up hrsna-bnahtí.
ahaman sarva-hamo va mohsa-hama uáara-ánin
tivrcna bnahtí-yogcna yajcta purusam param
A pcison wlo las bioadci iniclligcncc, wlcilci lc bc lull ol all maiciial dcsiic,
wiiloui any maiciial dcsiic, oi dcsiiing libciaiion, musi by all mcans woislip ilc
supicmc wlolc, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.`
Tlc suhrtis wlo aic noi yci on ilc plailoim ol unalloycd dcvoiion can bc puiilicd
by associaiion wiil puic dcvoiccs. Ol couisc, il onc icmains siucl in ilis lowci
siagc, ilcn lc will bc disconicnicd. Wlai picvcnis a dcvoicc liom advancing is ilc
dcsiic loi bnuhtí (cnjoymcni ol maiciial objccis) oi muhtí (libciaiion). In ilc
8hahtí-rasamrta-síndhu (1.2.22), Siïla Rupa Gosvamï dcsciibcs bnuhtí and muhtí as
iwo wiiclcs wlo launi ilc condiiioncd souls and lccp ilcm liom cxpciicncing
ilc bliss ol bnahtí. Aciual dcvoiional scivicc is anyabníIasíta-sunya, scivicc
icndcicd lavoiably io ilc Loid wiiloui dcsiic loi maiciial piolii oi spcculaiion
(scc Pnagavaá-gita 7.16, puipoii).
Tlc dcvoiccs wlo scivc Kisna in oidci io saiisly scllisl dcsiics aic callcd sahama-
bnahtas. Tlosc wlo scivc puicly, wiiloui sucl dcsiics, aic ahama dcvoiccs. Wlcn
a sahama dcvoicc coniinucs io icndci dcvoiional scivicc, ilc Supicmc Loid iuins
lim liom a sahama- inio an ahama-bnahta. Tlc dcvoicc bcgins io icalizc ilai ilc
iasic ol sciving Kisna is ilc ical goal and plcasuic, and lis dcsiics loi oilci ilings
bcgin io dwindlc. Tlis auspicious clangc ol lcaii occuis by ilc poicncy ol Siï
Kisna woiling iliougl ilc pioccss ol bnahtí. As siaicd in ilc Srïmad-8hagavatam
(5.19.27),
Tlc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad lullills ilc maiciial dcsiics ol a
dcvoicc wlo appioaclcs Him wiil sucl moiivcs, bui Hc docs noi bcsiow
bcncdiciions upon ilc dcvoicc ilai will causc lim io dcmand bcncdiciions
again. Howcvci, ilc Loid willingly givcs ilc dcvoicc slclici ai His lcci,
cvcn ilougl sucl a pcison docs noi aspiic loi ii, and ilai slclici saiislics
all lis dcsiics. Tlai is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy's spccial mcicy.
Loid Kisna subsiiiuics ilc ncciai ol His scivicc loi onc's aiiiaciion io pciiy ilings.
Wlo clsc could do ilis bui ilc mcicilul and all-lnowing Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad'
Tlc siagc ol sccondaiy dcvoiion, ilcicloic, is noi mcani loi pcimancni icsidcncc;
iailci, ii is an auspicious siagc liom wlicl io go loiwaid. Sincc any piogicss ilc
condiiioncd soul malcs iowaid ilc loius lcci ol ilc Supicmc Loid is lavoiablc loi
lim, sccondaiy dcvoiional scivicc is noi unimpoiiani, jusi as ilc liisi sicps a baby
ialcs as lc aiicmpis io wall aic ciucial loi lis dcvclopmcni.
TEXT 57
uttarasmaá uttarasmat purva-purvo srcyaya bnavatí
SYNONYMS
uttarasmat uttarasmat-ilan cacl laici onc; purva-purvan-cacl cailici onc;
srcyaya bnavatí-is io bc considcicd bciici.
TRANSLATION
Each earIier sfage shouId be considered beffer fhan fhe one foIIowing if.
PURPORT
Woislip ol ilc Loid in ilc modc ol goodncss (sattva) is bciici ilan woislip in
passion (rajas), and woislip in ilc modc ol passion is bciici ilan woislip in
ignoiancc (tamas). In His icaclings io His moilci, Loid Kapiladcva cxplains
dcvoiional scivicc cxccuicd undci ilc inllucncc ol ilc ilicc modcs:
O noblc lady, ilcic aic muliilaiious pails ol dcvoiional scivicc in icims ol
ilc dillcicni qualiiics ol ilc cxccuioi. Dcvoiional scivicc cxccuicd by a
pcison wlo is cnvious, lypociiiical, violcni, and angiy, and wlo is a
scpaiaiisi, is considcicd io bc in ilc modc ol dailncss. Tlc woislip ol
Dciiics in ilc icmplc by a scpaiaiisi, wiil a moiivc loi maiciial cnjoymcni,
lamc, and opulcncc, is dcvoiion in ilc modc ol passion. Wlcn a dcvoicc
woislips ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and ollcis Him ilc icsulis ol
lis aciiviiics in oidci io licc limscll liom ilc incbiiciics ol liuiiivc
aciiviiics, lis dcvoiion is in ilc modc ol goodncss. ¦8hag. 3.29.7-10]
In lis puipoii io ilis passagc, Siïla Piablupada cxplains ilc lcy woid bnínna-árh,
mcaning posscsscd ol a scpaiaiisi vision`:
Tlc woid scpaiaiisi` musi bc undcisiood caiclully.... A scpaiaiisi is onc
wlo sccs lis inicicsi as scpaiaic liom ilai ol ilc Supicmc Loid. Mixcd
dcvoiccs, oi dcvoiccs in ilc modcs ol passion and ignoiancc, ilinl ilai ilc
inicicsi ol ilc Supicmc Loid is supplying ilc oidcis ol ilc dcvoicc; ilc
inicicsi ol sucl dcvoiccs is io diaw liom ilc Loid as mucl as possiblc loi
ilcii scnsc giaiilicaiion. Tlis is ilc scpaiaiisi mcnialiiy.
Siill, dcspiic ilcii scpaiaiisi mcnialiiy, sucl mixcd dcvoiccs aic blcsscd, loi il ilcy
bcgin cxccuiing dcvoiional scivicc undci ilc guidancc ol icaclcis wlo aic in puic
goodncss (suáána-sattva), ilcy can bc giadually clcvaicd io puic bnahtí. As siaicd
in ilc vcisc picviously quoicd (8hag. 2.3.10), all classcs ol woislipcis aic
cncouiagcd io iuin io ilc supicmc lailci, cvcn wiil ilcii maiciial dcsiics. In lis
puipoii Siïla Piablupada wiiics, As ilc unmixcd sun iay is vciy loicclul and is
ilcicloic callcd tivra, similaily unmixcd bnahtí-yoga ol lcaiing, claniing, cic.
(tivrcna bnahtí-yogcna ;SP 2.3.10]), may bc pciloimcd by onc and all, icgaidlcss ol
innci moiivc.`
TEXT 58
anyasmat sauIabnyam bnahtau
SYNONYMS
anyasmat-ilan anyiling clsc; sauIabnyam-casc ol aiiainmcni; bnahtau-in
dcvoiional scivicc.
TRANSLATION
Success is easier fo affain by devofionaI service fhan by any ofher process.
PURPORT
Naiada assuics us ilai cvciyonc can spccdily advancc by piaciicing bnahtí-yoga-
bccausc ii is ilc casicsi way. Tlis is an cxiicmcly impoiiani qualilicaiion,
cspccially loi us in ilc picscni agc, ilc Agc ol Kali. As siaicd in ilc Srïmad-
8hagavatam (1.1.10),
praycnaIpayusan sabnya haIav asmín yugc janan
manáan su-manáa-matayo manáa-bnagya ny upaárutan
O lcaincd onc, in ilis iion agc ol Kali mcn lavc bui sloii livcs. Tlcy aic
quaiiclsomc, lazy, misguidcd, unlucly, and, abovc all, always disiuibcd.`
Tlc claiaciciisiics ol ilc pcoplc ol ilis agc aic all disqualilicaiions loi spiiiiual
lilc. In picvious millcnnia ilc luman condiiion was mucl moic lavoiablc loi
spiiiiual advanccmcni. In ilc Saiya-yuga almosi all pcoplc wcic in ilc modc ol
goodncss, and sociciy was pcacclul and icligious. Ai ilai iimc ilc iccommcndcd
loim ol icligion was mcdiiaiion. Tlc sagc Valmïli is said io lavc mcdiiaicd sixiy
ilousand ycais bcloic wiiiing ilc Pamayana, and Kaidama Muni mcdiiaicd icn
ilousand ycais. As ilc millcnnia piocccdcd liom Ticia io Dvapaia, luman sociciy
dcgiadcd moic and moic. Iivc ilousand ycais ago, wlcn Loid Kisna
iccommcndcd astanga-yoga io Aijuna, Aijuna icjccicd ii, saying ii was impiaciical
and impossiblc loi lim. Wc slould noi mainiain giandiosc conccpiions ol wlai
wc aic ablc io pciloim nowadays bui slould lacc ilc lacis ol oui ncai-banliupi
condiiion ol spiiiiualiiy. Hcic is ilc casicsi pail,` says Naiada, and wc slould
giab ai lis ollci as a diowning man giabs loi a lilc iali.
Lvcn in loimci agcs, wlcn moic dilliculi pioccsscs wcic iccommcndcd, ilc goal
was always bnahtí, oi dcvoiion io ilc Supicmc Loid. In ilis agc ilc mosi acccssiblc
loim ol bnahtí is sanhirtana, oi congicgaiional claniing ol ilc loly namcs ol God.
Ii is iccommcndcd as ilc yuga-ánarma, oi icligion ol ilc agc. As siaicd in ilc
Prnan-naraáiya Purana, In ilc Agc ol Kali no cllcciivc mcans ol God icalizaiion is
possiblc cxccpi ilc claniing ol ilc loly namcs.` Tlc samc iling is iccommcndcd
in ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam, wlcic ilc ninc sagcs lnown as ilc Yogcndias dcclaic
ilai in Kali-yuga iniclligcni pcisons will ialc io ilc pioccss ol sanhirtana. And
Suladcva Gosvamï iclls Malaiaja Paiïlsii ilai ilc claniing ol ilc loly namcs is
ilc saving giacc ol ilis agc:
haIcr áosa-níánc rajan astí ny cho manan gunan
hirtanaá cva hrsnasya muhta-sangan param vrajct
My dcai ling, alilougl Kali-yuga is lull ol laulis, ilcic is siill onc good qualiiy
aboui ilis agc: simply by claniing ilc Haic Kisna mana-mantra, onc can bccomc
licc liom maiciial bondagc and bc piomoicd io ilc iiansccndcnial lingdom`
(8hag. 12.3.51).
In ignoiancc and dcliancc ol ilc iccommcndcd yuga-ánarma, unauiloiizcd
icaclcis malc a busincss ol icacling yoga and mcdiiaiion. lui sincc almosi no onc
is qualilicd io piaciicc ilc scvcic ausiciiiics ol mcdiiaiion, siicamlincd vcisions aic
iaugli, wlicl aic mosily a loim ol clcaiing. Lvcn il a pcison sciiously ialcs up
ilc pail ol harma-yoga, jnana-yoga, oi astanga-yoga, lc will mcci wiil many
dilliculiics. Ioi cxamplc, ilc jnani may bccomc vciy aiiaclcd io accumulaiing
lnowlcdgc loi iis own salc, up io ilc poini wlcic lc iiics io mcigc wiil ilc
Absoluic Tiuil. Tlc harma-yogi, oi man ol aciion, ioo olicn loigcis io dcdicaic lis
aciiviiics io God and insicad bccomcs aiiaclcd io ilc liuiis ol lis woil oi io lamc.
Tlc astanga-yogis, il ilcy aic ablc io piogicss ai all in ilc ciglilold sysicm, aic
liablc io gci sidciiaclcd by ilc síáánís, oi powcis, ilai comc io ilcm. lui bnahtí,
by iis vciy naiuic, puiilics onc's scnscs, aciions, and moiivcs. Moicovci, onc
docsn'i lavc io go painlully and slowly iliougl cvciy singlc sicp on ilc yoga
laddci liom harma io jnana io bnahtí. Ai any momcni, wlcncvci onc dccidcs io
suiicndci, and wlcicvci onc gcis ilc associaiion ol puic dcvoiccs, onc can ialc
ilc cxpicss clcvaioi ol bnahtí-yoga. As Loid Kisna iccommcnds,
áaívi ny csa guna-mayi mama maya áuratyaya
mam cva yc prapaáyantc mayam ctam tarantí tc
Tlis divinc cncigy ol Minc, consisiing ol ilc ilicc modcs ol maiciial naiuic, is
dilliculi io ovcicomc. lui ilosc wlo lavc suiicndcicd unio Mc can casily cioss
bcyond ii` (lg. 7.1+).
TEXT 59
pramanantarasyanapchsatvat svayam pramanatvat
SYNONYMS
pramana-mcans ol valid lnowing; antarasya-anoilci; an-apchsatvat-bccausc ol
noi bcing dcpcndcni on; svayam-in iis own iigli; pramanatvat-bccausc ol bcing
a valid auiloiiiy.
TRANSLATION
The reason devofionaI service is fhe easiesf of aII spirifuaI processes is fhaf if
does nof depend on any ofher aufhorify for ifs vaIidify, being ifseIf fhe sfandard
of aufhorify.
PURPORT
Pramana mcans piool. Vaisnava plilosoplcis condcnsc all ilc dillcicni iypcs ol
pramanas inio ilicc: pratyahsa, anumana, and sabáa. Pratyahsa mcans diicci
cvidcncc by ilc scnscs. lui sincc ilc scnscs aic impcilcci, pratyahsa olicn las io
bc coiiccicd by liglci lnowlcdgc. Anumana iclcis io dcduciivc and induciivc
logic, wlicl dcpcnds on ilc validiiy ol iis picmiscs and icasons, and so cannoi
piovc anyiling wiil linal cciiainiy. Sabáa mcans iccciving lnowlcdgc liom
auiloiiiaiivc souiccs. Vcdic lnowlcdgc is sabáa-pramana. Tlis is paiiiculaily
applicablc io iiansccndcnial subjcci maiici, wlicl cannoi bc undcisiood by ilc
cmpiiical and ilcoiizing mcilods. Lvcn in oidinaiy allaiis, ilcic aic many ilings
wc lavc io acccpi on auiloiiiy. Wc can lcain ilc idcniiiy ol oui lailci liom oui
moilci, ilc only loolpiool auiloiiiy. Asidc liom ilc moilci ilcic is no way io
lnow loi suic wlo oui lailci is. Wlcn ilc souicc ol inloimaiion is pcilcci, as in
Vcdic lnowlcdgc, ilcn sabáa-pramana, oi sabáa-branma, bccomcs ilc uliimaic
piool. As Siïla Piablupada siaics, As lai as ilc soul's cxisicncc is conccincd, no
onc can csiablisl lis cxisicncc cxpciimcnially bcyond ilc piool ol srutí, oi Vcdic
wisdom` (lg. 2.25, puipoii).
Asidc liom ilc piool ol sastra and guru, Naiada las iaugli ilai ilc iiuil ol bnahtí
is piovcn by onc's diiccily cxpciicncing iis liuiis in onc's own lilc. In Suiias 31
and 32, Naiada givcs ilc analogy ol low a man's lungci cannoi bc appcascd jusi
by looling ai a mcal. Ii is noi cnougl io lcai ilai a paiiiculai lood picpaiaiion las
a vciy swcci and dclicious llavoi. Lvcn il you lnow all ilc disl's ingicdicnis, ilai
lnowlcdgc will noi saiisly youi lungci. In ilc samc way, mcic ilcoiciical
lnowlcdgc ol God docs noi biing plcasuic-ciilci io God oi io ilc individual
soul. Pnahtí las io bc diiccily pciccivcd. Siïla Piablupada uscd io say ilai wlcn
you bccomc Kisna conscious no onc las io givc you a cciiilicaic oi diploma
saying, You aic now Kisna conscious.` You'll lnow ii loi youiscll.
Tlc poicncy ol bnahtí io puiily onc's lcaii is piovcd by ilc loss ol maiciial dcsiics.
Tlosc wlo comc io Kisna consciousncss alici ycais ol sinlul lilc lnow ilis piool
vciy wcll. Tlcii icnunciaiion ol mcai-caiing, inioxicanis, and illicii scx is noi an
aci ol icpicssion bui is bascd on iasiing a liglci plcasuic. And so bnahtí is iis own
piool.
Nondcvoiccs may asl loi cmpiiical piool: Slow us youi Kisna. Piovc ilai Hc is
God. Wc wani io scc Him lili Govaidlana Hill.` lui ilcii dcmand loi piool cannoi
bc saiislicd in ilai way. Loid Kisna icvcals Himscll in His oiiginal loim only io
His dcvoiccs:
nanam prahasan sarvasya yoga-maya-samavrtan
muáno `yam nabníjanatí Ioho mam ajam avyayam
I am ncvci manilcsi io ilc loolisl and uniniclligcni. Ioi ilcm I am covcicd by
My inicinal poicncy, and ilcicloic ilcy do noi lnow ilai I am unboin and
inlalliblc` (lg. 7.25).
To ilc ailcisis, God givcs piool ol His cxisicncc wlcn Hc appcais as dcail and
ialcs cvciyiling away. lui God docs noi manilcsi His inicinal poicncy io ilc
laiillcss. Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Lvcn il onc is pcilccicd by icalizaiion ol
impcisonal lialman oi localizcd Paiamaima, lc cannoi possibly undcisiand ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Siï Kisna, wiiloui bcing in Kisna
consciousncss` (lg. 7.26, puipoii).
TEXT 60
santí-rupat paramananáa-rupac ca
SYNONYMS
santí-oj pcacc, rupat-bccausc oj ,bcíng) tnc jorm, parama-topmost, ananáa-oj
pIcasurc, rupat-bccausc oj ,bcíng) tnc jorm, ca-aná.
TRANSLATION
Iurthcrmorc, bhahtí ís thc cmbodímcnt o[ pcacc and suprcmc ccstasy.
PURPORT
Tlis sutra is luiilci piool ilai bnahtí is ilc bcsi pioccss loi spiiiiual advanccmcni.
Loid Kisna's pcisonal loim, namc, and vaiicd aciiviiics aiiiaci His dcvoiccs, wlo
cxpciicncc a lovc lillcd wiil santí (pcacc) and paramananáa (supicmc ccsiasy).
Indccd, ilc vciy naiuic ol bnahtí is pcacc and lappincss.
In ilc Pnagavaá-gita, Loid Kisna iclls us wlo is cligiblc loi santí.
bnohtaram yajna-tapasam sarva-Ioha-mancsvaram
sunráam sarva-bnutanam jnatva mam santím rccnatí
Onc in lull consciousncss ol Mc, lnowing Mc io bc ilc uliimaic bcncliciaiy ol all
saciiliccs and ausiciiiics, ilc Supicmc Loid ol all plancis and dcmigods, and ilc
bcnclacioi and wcll-wislci ol all living cniiiics, aiiains pcacc liom ilc pangs ol
maiciial misciics` (lg. 5.29).
Siïla Piablupada calls ilis vcisc ilc pcacc loimula,` ilc suic mcilod loi
aclicving boil individual and collcciivc iianquilliiy. Wlcn pcoplc wlo
icmpoiaiily coniiol somc piopciiy ignoic ilc Loid's piopiicioislip ovci all ilai bc
and claim ilai ilcy ilcmsclvcs aic ilc solc piopiiciois and cnjoycis ol ilc woild,
and wlcn pcoplc in posiiions ol lcadcislip claim io bc ilc bcsi liicnds ol ilcii
dcpcndcnis bui lail io givc ilcm a clancc io acquiic iiansccndcnial lnowlcdgc,
ilcn ilc icsuli is noi pcacc bui agiiaiion, claos, and wai. Pcacc comcs wlcn wc
iccognizc Loid Kisna as ilc supicmc iulci, piopiicioi, and liicnd.
Rcgaiding lappincss, Siïla Rupa Gosvamï dclincs ilicc iypcs: (1) lappincss
dciivcd liom maiciial cnjoymcni, (2) lappincss dciivcd by idcniilying oncscll
wiil ilc Supicmc lialman, and (3) lappincss dciivcd liom Kisna consciousncss`
(1nc Ncctar oj Dcvotíon, p. 10). Rupa Gosvamï's conclusion is ilai lappincss
dciivcd liom puic bnahtí is ilc liglcsi bccausc ii is cicinal, wlcicas maiciial
cnjoymcni and cvcn oncncss wiil lialman aic bound io bc disiupicd. Happincss
in dcvoiional scivicc is opcn io all, bui ilosc wlo iiy io incicasc ilcii own
impoiiancc cannoi lnow ilc swcci iasic ol Kisna consciousncss. Happincss comcs
noi by iiying io bc ilc masici bui by bccoming ilc scivani ol ilc scivani ol ilc
supicmc masici. Wlilc piaying io ilc Supicmc Loid loi iclicl liom lis sullciing,
Gajcndia piaiscd ilc lappincss ol ilc dcvoiccs:
Unalloycd dcvoiccs, wlo lavc no dcsiic oilci ilan io scivc ilc Loid,
woislip Him in lull suiicndci and always lcai and clani aboui His
aciiviiics, wlicl aic mosi wondcilul and auspicious. Tlus ilcy always
mcigc in an occan ol iiansccndcnial bliss. Sucl dcvoiccs ncvci asl ilc Loid
loi any bcncdiciion. ¦8hag. S.3.20]
TEXT 61
Ioha-nanau cínta na harya nívcáítatma-Ioha-vcáatvat
SYNONYMS
Ioha-ol ilc woild; nanau-aboui loss; cínta-woiiy; na harya-slould noi bc
donc; nívcáíta-bccausc ol laving suiicndcicd; atma-onc's own; Ioha-mundanc
allaiis; vcáatvat-and Vcdic duiics.
TRANSLATION
Affer consigning fo fhe Lord aII one`s mundane and Vedic dufies, one no
Ionger need worry abouf worIdIy Ioss.
PURPORT
Tlis sutra lolds vaiious mcanings. Iiisi, ilc dcvoicc slould noi woiiy aboui lis
woildly siiuaiion. Having suiicndcicd io Loid Kisna, lc is on ilc mosi auspicious
pail, going bacl io Godlcad. Lvcn il lc sullcis linancial loss oi ill lcalil, lc
icalizcs ilai Loid Kisna is giving lim iolcn punislmcni loi lis pasi sinlul
aciiviiics. And so lc convciis ilc losscs inio spiiiiual asscis by icmaining sicadlasi
in dcvoiional scivicc, dcspiic ilc disiuibanccs (scc 8hagavatam 10.1+.S).
In ilc bcginning ol lis commiimcni, a dcvoicc may lcai ilai lc is somclow
jcopaidizing lis luiuic by lully suiicndciing io Loid Kisna. Aijuna woiiicd ilai il
lc iool up ilc mcdiiaiivc yoga pioccss Kisna ouilincd in ilc Sixil Clapici ol ilc
Pnagavaá-gita lc migli bccomc an unsucccsslul iiansccndcnialisi, wlo in ilc
bcginning ialcs io ilc pioccss ol scll-icalizaiion wiil laiil bui wlo laici dcsisis
duc io woildly-mindcdncss` (lg. 6.37). Il ilai wcic io lappcn, Aijuna icasoncd,
lc would lavc no posiiion in any splcic` and could ilus cnjoy nciilci maiciial
succcss noi spiiiiual piolii. lui Loid Kisna assuicd His disciplc, A
iiansccndcnialisi cngagcd in auspicious aciiviiics docs noi mcci wiil dcsiiuciion
ciilci in ilis woild oi in ilc spiiiiual woild; onc wlo docs good, My liicnd, is
ncvci ovcicomc by cvil` (lg. 6.+0). Lvcn il a dcvoicc docs lall sloii in lis aiicmpi
ai lull suiicndci, wlaicvci dcvoiional scivicc lc pciloims is cicinally counicd in
lis lavoi. Ai ilc iimc ol dcail, onc's maiciial succcss is ialcn away, bui wlaicvci
dcvoiional scivicc onc las pciloimcd, cvcn il unsucccsslully,` is a piolii loi ilc
ncxi lilc. As Naiada Muni limscll siaics in ilc Srïmad-8hagavatam (1.5.17),
tyahtva sva-ánarmam caranambujam narcr
bnajann apahvo `tna patct tato yaáí
yatra hva vabnaáram abnuá amusya hím
ho vartna apto `bnajatam sva-ánarmatan
Onc wlo las loisalcn lis maiciial occupaiion io cngagc in ilc dcvoiional
scivicc ol ilc Loid may somciimcs lall down wlilc in an immaiuic siagc, yci ilcic
is no dangci ol lis bcing unsucccsslul. On ilc oilci land, a nondcvoicc, ilougl
lully cngagcd in occupaiional duiics, docs noi gain anyiling` (8hag. 1.5.17).
Noi only slould a dcvoicc icjcci ilc idca ilai lc is somclow missing oui on
maiciial lappincss, bui lc slould also bc licc ol woiiy ilai lc is ncglcciing lis
woildly icsponsibiliiics. Ii is a laci ilai cvciyonc boin inio ilc maiciial woild las
many obligaiions and moial dcbis. lui a lilc ol dcdicaiion io ilc Supicmc Loid
liccs onc-ai lcasi liom ilc Loid's poini ol vicw-liom all oilci duiics:
ácvarsí-bnutapta-nrnam pítrnam
na hínharo nayam rni ca rajan
sarvatmana yan saranam saranyam
gato muhunáam parínrtya hartam
Anyonc wlo las ialcn slclici ol ilc loius lcci ol Mulunda, ilc givci ol
libciaiion, giving up all oilci obligaiions, and las ialcn io ilc pail in all
sciiousncss, owcs nciilci duiics noi obligaiions io ilc dcmigods, sagcs, gcncial
living cniiiics, lamily mcmbcis, lumanlind, oi loic-lailcis` (8hag. 11.5.+1).
Il a sinccic dcvoicc is accuscd ol bcing iiicsponsiblc, oi il lis lilc is cndangcicd
and ii sccms as ilougl ilc causc is lis aiicmpi io suiicndci io Loid Kisna, lc las
no iccouisc bui io piay loi ilc mcicy ol ilc Loid. Tlc dcvoicc las suiicndcicd io
ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and lc cannoi ialc bacl ilai suiicndci in a
misguidcd clloii io savc` limscll. As llaliivinoda Tlaluia sings,
marabí rahnabí-yo íccna tonara
nítya-áasa pratí tua aáníhara
Now il You lilc You can lill mc, oi il You lilc You can givc mc pioicciion.
Wlaicvci You lilc You can do. I am Youi cicinal sciviioi. You lavc cvciy iigli io
dcal wiil mc in any way You plcasc.`
TEXT 62
na tatsíáánau Ioha-vyavanaro ncyan híntu pnaIa-tyagas tat-saánanam ca haryam
cva
SYNONYMS
na-noi; tat-ol ii (dcvoiional scivicc); síáánau-in ilc aclicvcmcni; Ioha-
mundanc; vyavanaran-busincss; ncyan-io bc abandoncd; híntu-iailci; pnaIa-
ol ilc icsulis; tyagan-abandonmcni; tat-ol ii (dcvoiional scivicc); ca-and;
haryam-musi bc donc; cva-indccd.
TRANSLATION
Even affer one has achieved devofionaI service, one shouId nof abandon one`s
responsibiIifies in fhis worId buf shouId rafher confinue surrendering fhe
resuIfs of one`s work fo fhe Lord. And whiIe sfiII frying fo reach fhe sfage of
pure devofion, one musf cerfainIy confinue execufing prescribed dufies.
PURPORT
Loid Kisna las siiongly ciiiicizcd ilc pscudo icnuncianis wlo livc ai ilc cosi ol
sociciy: Onc wlo icsiiains ilc scnscs ol aciion bui wlosc mind dwclls on scnsc
objccis cciiainly dcludcs limscll and is callcd a picicndci` (lg. 3.7). Siïla
Piablupada siaics ilai ii is bciici io woil in harma-yoga (Kisna consciousncss)
wiilin onc's varna and asrama dcsignaiion:
A louscloldci can also icacl ilis dcsiinaiion ¦Visnu, oi Kisna] by
icgulaicd scivicc in Kisna consciousncss. Ioi scll-icalizaiion, onc can livc a
coniiollcd lilc, as picsciibcd in ilc sastras, and coniinuc caiiying oui lis
busincss wiiloui aiiaclmcni, and in ilai way malc piogicss. A sinccic
pcison wlo lollows ilis mcilod is lai bciici siiuaicd ilan ilc lalsc
picicndci wlo adopis slow-boiilc spiiiiualism io clcai ilc innoccni
public. A sinccic swccpci in ilc siicci is lai bciici ilan ilc clailaian
mcdiiaioi wlo mcdiiaics only loi ilc salc ol maling a living. ¦lg. 3.7,
puipoii]
Tlis docs noi mcan, lowcvci, ilai oidinaiy woil is iiscll ilc lullillmcni ol luman
lilc. Tlc harmi slogan Woil is woislip` is noi ilc samc as woiling in Kisna
consciousncss. lui onc las io do boil: woil io cain onc's living and ai ilc samc
iimc woil loi ilc saiislaciion ol Visnu, oi Kisna. Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Any
oilci woil donc in ilis maiciial woild will bc a causc ol bondagc, loi boil good
and cvil woil lavc ilcii icaciions, and any icaciion binds ilc pciloimci.`
How io mainiain oncscll and onc's lamily and ai ilc samc iimc woil loi Kisna is a
gicai aii, and as sucl ii icquiics ilc guidancc ol ilc Loid's dcvoicc. Il obligaiions
io lamily and sociciy conllici wiil onc's basic spiiiiual vows, ilcn onc musi givc
liisi piioiiiy io ilc spiiiiual duiics. Onc wlo las ialcn iniiiaiion inio spiiiiual lilc
slould ncvci givc up lis vow io clani a quoia ol loly namcs daily and io lullill ilc
basic oidcis ol ilc spiiiiual masici.
Wlcilci a Vaisnava woils in ilc busincss woild oi livcs as a icnunciani, lc
slould ncvci bc cmbaiiasscd io picacl Kisna consciousncss oi doubi ilc valuc ol
picacling. Lvcn il wc considci picacling woil a dcbi io lumaniiy, ii is a ciucial
social commiimcni. Oncc ilc moilci and lailci ol a young dcvoicc complaincd io
Siïla Piablupada ilai ilcii son was a lull-iimc siudcni in ilc Kisna consciousncss
movcmcni. Tlcy said ilcy wanicd lim io bccomc a docioi. Piablupada icplicd
ilai ilcy slould lci ilc young man dccidc loi limscll, and ilai in any casc, ilcic
wcic many dociois in ilc woild bui lcw sciious dcvoiccs. Piablupada said ilai ilc
woil ol ilc dcvoicc was moic impoiiani ilan ilc woil ol a plysician. A docioi
can icpaii ilc lcalil ol a lcw lundicd pcoplc, bui cvcn ilai is icmpoiaiy. Mcdical
cuics do noi licc ilc paiicni liom lis harma, wlicl loiccs lim io ialc icbiiil and
sullci again in anoilci maiciial body. lui a dcvoicc wlo succcsslully disiiibuics
Kisna consciousncss can lclp pcoplc aclicvc libciaiion liom biiil and dcail. So
lis woil is ilc mosi impoiiani in ilc woild.
Alilougl lc may noi bc an cxpcii poliiician oi cconomisi, a bnahta lnows ilc ical
causc ol pcoplc's sullciing-loigcilulncss ol ilcii iclaiionslip wiil Kisna, wlicl
lcads io ilcii bccoming condiiioncd by ilc modcs ol maiciial naiuic. Knowing
ilai bnahtí-yoga is ilc only way io cxiiicaic oncscll liom maiciial condiiioning and
iccsiablisl onc's iclaiionslip wiil God, ilc dcvoicc iiics io disiiibuic lnowlcdgc
ol Kisna consciousncss. Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Sincc ilc ¦dcvoicc] iiics io
bioadcasi ilc impoiiancc ol bccoming Kisna conscious, lc is ilc bcsi
plilaniliopisi in ilc woild` (lg. 6.32, puipoii).
Tlc picaclci siays connccicd io ilc woild, yci lc is iiansccndcnial io woildly
conccins. Alilougl somc yogis abandon sociciy and culiivaic ilcii own spiiiiual
salvaiion, ilc bnahtí-yogi wlo lollows Piallada Malaiaja, Loid Caiianya, and Siïla
Piablupada lccps a compassionaic conncciion wiil ilc pcoplc ol ilc woild. As
Loid Caiianya siaicd io His lollowcis, Disiiibuic ilis Kisna consciousncss
movcmcni all ovci ilc woild. Lci pcoplc cai ilcsc liuiis ¦ol lovc ol God] and
uliimaicly bccomc licc liom old agc and dcail` (Cc. Adí 9.39).
Tlc suiicndcicd dcvoicc, ilcicloic, docs noi woiiy aboui lis woildly siiuaiion,
noi docs lc suppoii mundanc wcllaic causcs. lui io saiisly Loid Caiianya and ilc
spiiiiual masicis dcsccnding liom Him in disciplic succcssion, lc woils
magnanimously on bclall ol all living bcings by spicading Kisna consciousncss.
TEXT 63
stri-ánana-nastíha-carítram na sravaniyam
SYNONYMS
stri-oj vomcn, ánana-vcaItn, nastíha-aná atncísts, carítram-storícs, na
sravaniyam-snouIá not bc Iístcncá to.
TRANSLATION
Onc shouId not [índ cntcrtaínmcnt ín ncws o[ womcn, moncy, and athcísts.
PURPORT
Naiada las said ilai a bnahta may disclaigc lis duiics in ilc woild as long as lc is
God-ccnicicd and ollcis ilc icsulis ol lis woil io ilc Loid in dcvoiional scivicc.
lui wlilc living in ilc woild lc musi avoid sinlul lilc and pcisons wlo indulgc in
ii (scc Suiias +3 and ++). Now lc says wc slould avoid noi only associaiing wiil
sinlul pcisons bui cvcn ncaríng aboui ilcm.
Il wc wani io bc licc liom maya, wc cannoi ialc Naiada's advicc liglily oi dismiss
ii as old laslioncd. Maya is noi a ligliwcigli conicndci. Slc las bccn placcd in
claigc ol impiisoning all ilc condiiioncd souls in ilc univcisc, and somc ol lci
piincipal wcapons aic indicaicd in ilis sutra-scx, wcalil, and ailcism. Wiil a
lcalily icspcci loi lci powci, wc slould givc a widc bciil io ilc mayic ialls
conccining ilcsc iopics.
Mundanc ialls aic also lnown as prajaIpa. In lis Lpaácsamrta, Siïla Rupa Gosvamï
mcniions prajaIpa as onc ol ilc main impcdimcnis io dcvoiional scivicc. And Loid
Caiianya insiiucicd Sanaiana Gosvamï, A dcvoicc slould avoid icading oi lcaiing
ncwspapcis oi mundanc bools ilai coniain sioiics ol lovc allaiis bciwccn mcn and
womcn oi subjccis palaiablc io ilc scnscs` (Cc. Madhya 22.120).
In ilc modcin agc ilcsc injunciions lavc bccomc moic dilliculi ilan cvci io
lollow. Tlc aiiwavcs aic lillcd wiil prajaIpa, and by picssing a buiion wc can iuin
on a iclcvision sci and plungc ouisclvcs inio a visual and auial planiasmagoiia.
Wlilc wiiiing lis puipoiis on ilc Pnagavatam vciscs dcsciibing ilc lilc ol Ajamila,
Siïla Piablupada icspondcd io oui picdicamcni. Ajamila was a pious young
branmana, bui onc day, wlilc iiavcling along ilc public way, lc camc upon a low-
class man cmbiacing a piosiiiuic and was ovcicomc by lusi. Piablupada wiiics,
In Kali-yuga, a diunlcn, lall-nalcd woman cmbiacing a diunlcn man is a vciy
common sigli, cspccially in ilc Wcsicin couniiics, and icsiiaining oncscll alici
sccing sucl ilings is dilliculi. Ncvciilclcss, il by ilc giacc ol Kisna a pcison
adlcics io ilc icgulaiivc piinciplcs and clanis ilc Haic Kisna mantra, Kisna will
cciiainly pioicci lim` (Pnag. 6.1.60, puipoii).
Wc cannoi cxpcci io lollow Piablupada's advicc in a vacuum. Unlcss wc lavc
Kisna conscious liicnds io iall wiil and a sociciy ol dcvoiccs io livc in, wc migli
concludc, Ii's impossiblc io avoid lcaiing ialls ol scx, moncy, and ailcisis. Wlai
am I supposcd io do, livc alonc in a cavc'` No, and ilis is picciscly onc ol ilc
icasons Siïla Piablupada loundcd ilc Inicinaiional Sociciy loi Kiislna
Consciousncss-io givc cvciyonc an oppoiiuniiy io lcai hrsna-hatna in ilc sociciy
ol dcvoiccs. Tlc bcncliis ol sucl a piaciicc aic numcious, as Loid Kapila siaics in
ilc 8hagavatam (3.25.25):
satam prasangan mama virya-samvíáo
bnavantí nrt-harna-rasayana hatnan
taj-josanaá asv apavarga-vartmaní
sraáána ratír bnahtír anuhramísyatí
Tlc spiiiiually powcilul mcssagc ol Godlcad can bc piopcily discusscd only in a
sociciy ol dcvoiccs, and ii is gicaily plcasing io lcai in ilai associaiion. Il onc
lcais liom dcvoiccs, ilc way ol iiansccndcnial cxpciicncc quiclly opcns io lim,
and giadually lc aiiains liim laiil ilai in duc couisc dcvclops inio aiiiaciion and
dcvoiion.`
Oui wcapons in ilc campaign againsi prajaIpa and mind polluiion may includc
novcls, diamas, painiings, lilms, musical iccoidings, lcsiivals, loimal lcciuics,
scminais, and casual mcciings-all ccnicicd on Kisna. Wly slould ilc loiccs ol
illusion posscss all ilc wcapons, and noi ilc dcvoiccs'
Naiada picviously said ilai bnahtí was casy. Ii is cciiainly noi casy io avoid all
mundanc sound vibiaiions. lui undci ilc guidancc ol ilc puic dcvoicc wc may
cicaic a plcasani, casy-io-ialc aimosplcic ol hrsna-hatna in ilc lomc and wiil
liicnds-cvcn wlcn diiving a cai oi ai woil-and ilis lcaiing will lcad io vísnu-
smaranam, oi icmcmbiancc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
TEXT 6+
abnímana-áambnaáíham tyajyam
SYNONYMS
abnímana-piidc; áambna-dcccii; aáíham-and so on; tyajyam-slould bc givcn
up.
TRANSLATION
One shouId puf aside faIse pride, hypocrisy, and ofher vices.
PURPORT
Maya is so subilc ilai cvcn il onc is ablc io avoid lcaiing aboui scx, moncy, and
ailcisis, and cvcn il onc joins a sociciy ol dcvoiccs, onc may siill bccomc a viciim
ol piidc and lypociisy. Onc may ilinl, I am a bciici dcvoicc ilan ilc oilcis,`
and ilus picpaic oncscll loi a lall. Tlc icmcdy loi piidc is io icmcmbci ilai oui
good loiiunc, including oui spiiiiual asscis, aic all duc io ilc mcicy ol ilc
Supicmc Loid and ilc spiiiiual masicis.
Naiada las uscd ilc woid aáí, ci ccicia,` io includc oilci viccs, sucl as ilc
dcmoniac iiaiis lisicd in ilc Sixiccnil Clapici ol ilc Pnagavaá-gita. All ol ilcsc
slould bc avoidcd. Onc slould bccomc awaic ol spccilic bad labiis and iiy io
climinaic ilcm, and ilcicloic Naiada and ilc acaryas olicn givc dciailcd
insiiuciions. Wc can cxaminc cacl anartna and scc wlai wc can do io icnouncc ii.
Wlcn wc caicl ouisclvcs indulging in unwanicd ilouglis oi acis, wc slould siop
ilcm as soon as possiblc.
Ai ilc samc iimc, a lolisiic` appioacl is also iccommcndcd. Tlai is, wc slould
bc conlidcni ilai oui sinccic piosccuiion ol bnahtí-yoga will climinaic all
unwanicd labiis and dcsiics. In laci, il wc iiy io climinaic viccs onc by onc, wc
will lail. lui by bnahtí wc can climinaic ilcm wlolcsalc. As siaicd in ilc Srïmad-
8hagavatam (6.1.15),
hccít hcvaIaya bnahtya vasuácva-parayanan
agnam ánunvantí hartsnycna ninaram íva bnasharan
Only a iaic pcison wlo las adopicd complcic, unalloycd dcvoiional scivicc io
Kisna can upiooi ilc wccds ol sinlul aciions wiil no possibiliiy ilai ilcy will
icvivc. Hc can do ilis simply by disclaiging dcvoiional scivicc, jusi as ilc sun can
immcdiaicly dissipaic log by iis iays.`
Dcvoiional scivicc is bcyond boil piciy and impiciy. ly claniing Haic Kisna,
lcaiing aboui Loid Kisna, and pciloiming oilci iouiinc sciviccs in Kisna
consciousncss, onc vanquislcs all plascs ol sinlul lilc and all unwanicd labiis.
Tlc piaciical applicaiion ol ilis piinciplc is io pciscvcic in saánana-bnahtí wiil
laiil and dciciminaiion. Tlis is callcd sraáána, ilc conviciion ilai onc will
aclicvc all goals by piaciicing Kisna consciousncss. Siïla Rupa Gosvamï also
iccommcnds níscaya, cndcavoiing wiil conlidcncc` (Tlc Ncciai ol Insiiuciion,
Tcxi 3). Siïla Piablupada cxplains in lis puipoii, In dcvoiional scivicc suiicndci
mcans ilai onc las io bccomc conlidcni. Tlc dcvoicc ilinls, avasya rahsíbc hrsna.
'Kisna will suicly pioicci mc and givc mc lclp loi ilc succcsslul cxccuiion ol
dcvoiional scivicc.' ` And so ilc dcvoicc uscs boil ncgaiivc and posiiivc
appioaclcs: Hc diligcnily sccls io climinaic paiiiculai unwanicd labiis, bui ai ilc
samc iimc lc is conlidcni ilai lis cngagcmcni in dcvoiional scivicc is lilc a
blazing liic ilai will buin io aslcs all ilc lucl ol sinlul aciiviiics.
TEXT 65
taá arpítahníIacaran san hama-hroánabnímanaáíham tasmínn cva haraniyam
SYNONYMS
tat-io Him; arpíta-laving ollcicd; ahníIa-all; acaran-aciions; san-bcing;
hama-dcsiic; hroána-angci; abnímana-piidc; aáíham-and so on; tasmín-
iowaid Him; cva-only; haraniyam-slould bc donc.
TRANSLATION
Offering aII one`s acfivifies fo fhe Lord, one shouId feeI desire, anger, and
pride onIy wifh regard fo Him.
PURPORT
Naiada now adviscs ilai iiaiis noimally considcicd viccs may bc dovciailcd inio
lavoiablc dcvoiional scivicc. Tlis docs noi coniiadici Naiada's picvious siaicmcni
ilai piidc, angci, and lusi slould bc icnounccd. A puic dcvoicc is always licc ol
viccs, and ilc piaciicing bnahta iiics io bc licc ol ilcm by coniiolling lis scnscs
and mind as lai as possiblc. Tlcicloic Naiada lcic iclcis io a iiansccndcnial
applicaiion ol angci, piidc, and lusi in iclaiion io ilc Supicmc Loid.
Libciaicd dcvoiccs olicn apply so-callcd viccs in dcvoiional scivicc, and wc can
lcain ilc aii liom ilcm. Hanuman vcnicd lis angci upon Ravana, ilc cncmy ol
Loid Rama. Loid Kisna insiigaicd Aijuna io bccomc angiy so lc would ligli ilc
laiilc ol Kuiulsciia. Lvcn Loid Caiianya bccamc angiy wiil ilc diunlcn bioilcis
Jagai and Madlai. Tlcsc aic cxamplcs ol piopcily diiccicd angci. Wc cannoi siop
angci complcicly. As Siïla Piablupada wiiics, To iiy io cicaic a vacuum in ilc
mind is aiiilicial. Tlc vacuum will noi icmain. Howcvci, il onc always ilinls ol
Kisna and low io scivc Kisna bcsi, onc's mind will naiuially bc coniiollcd` (Tlc
Ncciai ol Insiiuciion, Tcxi 1, puipoii).
Lvcn angci diiccicd ai Kisna can bc paii ol dcvoiional scivicc. Tlc gopis, loi
insiancc, olicn bccamc angiy ai Him duiing lovcis' quaiicls. Oncc Siïmaiï
Radlaianï was displcascd wiil Kisna and oidcicd Hci assisianis io siop Him liom
sccing Hci ai all cosis. Tlc cowlcid boys would ligli wiil Kisna in ilc loicsi, and
in ilc lcai ol play ilcy would somciimcs bccomc angiy wiil Him and icll Him
ilcy wouldn'i play wiil Him anymoic. Loid Kisna vciy mucl lilcd ilcsc clidings
ol lovc, and Hc aslcd loigivcncss liom His liicnds.
Kamsa's laiicd ol ilc Loid, lowcvci, was noi bnahtí. Kamsa was aliaid ilai Kisna
would lill lim, and so lis mind bccamc absoibcd in animosiiy iowaid ilc Loid.
Piablupada wiiics, Tlc siaic ol mind ol a gicai dcvoicc is also io bc absoibcd in
Kisna, bui a dcvoicc ilinls ol Him lavoiably, noi unlavoiably` (Krsna, p. 26).
Wc slould noi imiiaic ilc iiansccndcnial lcclings ol ilc puic dcvoiccs, bui wc
may bccomc inspiicd by lcaiing ol ilcm. Wc slould paiicnily waii loi ilc day
wlcn ilcsc lcclings will naiuially manilcsi wiilin us. Ai ilai iimc wc will noi bc
ablc io siop ilcm cvcn il wc wani io. Mcanwlilc wc may piaciicc bccoming giccdy
loi clanccs io spicad ilc woid ol Kisna, pioud ilai Kisna is oui Loid and ilai wc
lavc sucl an cxalicd spiiiiual masici in Siïla Piablupada, and angiy ai ilc mayic
obsiaclcs ilai picvcni us liom aiiaining bnahtí. Il wc lcain io dovciail cvciyiling
loi Loid Kisna in ilis way, wc will lavc lcaincd ilc csscniial lcsson Naiada is
impaiiing in ilis sutra.
TEXT 66
trí-rupa-bnanga-purvaham nítya-áasya-nítya-hanta-bnajanatmaham prcma haryam
prcmaíva haryam
SYNONYMS
trí-rupa-ol ilc ilicc maiciial loims (ilc qualiiics ol goodncss, passion, and
ignoiancc); bnanga-ilc bicaling; purvaham-picccdcd by; nítya-pcipciual;
áasya-sciviiudc; nítya-pcipciual; hanta-as a lovci; bnajana-scivicc;
atmaham-consisiing ol; prcma-puic lovc; haryam-onc slould manilcsi;
prcma-puic lovc; cva-alonc; haryam-onc slould manilcsi.
TRANSLATION
Affer breaking fhrough fhe aforemenfioned coverings of fhe fhree modes of
nafure, one shouId acf onIy in pure Iove of God, remaining perpefuaIIy in fhe
mood of a servanf serving his masfer, or a Iover serving her beIoved.
PURPORT
As dcsciibcd in Suiia 56, ilcic aic ilicc sccondaiy loims ol dcvoiional scivicc
iingcd wiil ilc gunas (goodncss, passion, and ignoiancc). Tlcsc aic piaciiccd by
sahama dcvoiccs, wlo appioacl ilc Supicmc Loid wlcn in disiicss, wlcn sccling
wcalil, oi wlcn sccling lnowlcdgc. Onc slould iiansccnd ilcsc sccondaiy iypcs
ol dcvoiion and appioacl ilc Supicmc Loid only wiil lovc. In oilci woids, lcic
Naiada is uiging us io comc io ilc sponiancous siagc, as in ilc rasas ol sciviiudc
(nítya-áasya) and conjugal lovc (nítya-hanta-bnajana). Wc slould noi ilinl ilai
wc lavc complcicd ilc couisc ol bnahtí by bccoming a icligionisi in ilc
convcniional scnsc-by aiicnding ilc icmplc and maling obligaioiy piaycis and
donaiions.
As a spiiiiual masici, Naiada las icsponsibly iaugli ilc lowci siagcs ol bnahtí and
cncouiagcd anyonc wiil cvcn a diop ol laiil. lui ii is also lis icsponsibiliiy io
icmind us ilai ilc goal is prcma, and prcma alonc. His mcilod is similai io Loid
Kisna's in ilc Pnagavaá-gita, wlcic ilc Loid mcicilully cncouiagcs all linds ol
harmis, jnanis, and yogis, advising ilcm on low io piogicssivcly iuin ilcii
aiicniion iowaid Him. lui ilcn Hc concludcs, Abandon all vaiiciics ol icligion
and jusi suiicndci unio Mc` (lg. 1S.66).
Oui ol lovc, wiiloui sccling icwaid, a dcvoicd scivani iiics io plcasc lis masici,
and a wilc lci lusband. Wc scc ilc pcilcciion ol sciviiudc in ilc spiiiiual woild,
in Kisna's scivanis lilc Raliala, Daiula, and Paiiï, and wc scc ilc pcilcciion ol a
wilc's dcvoiion in ilc quccns ol Dvaiala. In Loid Kisna wc lind ilc pcilcci masici
and ilc pcilcci bclovcd, and so His scivanis and wivcs aic cicinally libciaicd as
nítya-áasa and nítya-hanta. Iollowing in ilc looisicps ol sucl libciaicd bcings,
dcvoiccs in ilis woild slould siiivc io piaciicc dcvoiional scivicc on ilc lcvcl ol
puic lovc. As siaicd in ilc Caítanya-manjusa. prcma pum-artno manan. ºLovc loi
Kisna is ilc supicmc goal ol lilc.`
TEXT 67
bnahta chantíno muhnyan
SYNONYMS
bnahtan-dcvoiccs; chantínan-cxclusivc; muhnyan-piincipal.
TRANSLATION
Among fhe Lord`s devofees, fhe greafesf are fhose who are dedicafed fo Him
soIeIy as His infimafe servanfs.
PURPORT
His Divinc Giacc A. C. llaliivcdania Swami Piablupada slowcd an cxccllcni
cxamplc ol chanta-bnahtí, singlc-mindcd dcvoiion io ilc Supicmc Loid.
Piablupada slowcd ilis in many ways. Ioi cxamplc, lis commcniaiy on Siï
Kisna's bool, Pnagavaá-gita, docs noi cvcn sliglily dcviaic liom Kisna's iiuc
inicni. Impcisonalism iainis ilc vasi majoiiiy ol Pnagavaá-gita commcniaiics, bui
Siïla Piablupada's puipoiis in Pnagavaá-gita As |t |s lcad ilc icadci diiccily io ilc
loius lcci ol Kisna. Tlis is iiuc ol all ol Piablupada's bools-Srimaá-Pnagavatam,
Caítanya-carítamrta, and so on. His iianslaiion ol ilc Sansliii oi lcngali is always
accuiaic liom a sclolaily poini ol vicw, bui ai ilc samc iimc lc wiiics as a puic
dcvoicc: Suiicndci io Kisna.`
In all ol Siïla Piablupada's sponiancous convcisaiions, lc was singlc-mindcdly
Kisna conscious. Wlcn lc spolc ol Kisna, lc sccmcd io bc ialling aboui lis
dcaimosi liicnd, noi mcicly icpcaiing somciling lc lad icad. Somciimcs lis
hrsna-hatna iool ilc loim ol convincing an ailcisi scicniisi ilai ilcic is a supicmc
coniiollci, somciimcs lc iclaicd ilc pasiimcs ol Kisna io lis disciplcs, and
somciimcs lc assuicd dcvoiccs ilai Kisna is in oui lcaiis and will givc us ilc
iniclligcncc io cxccuic a dilliculi scivicc. Siïla Piablupada mainiaincd ilis singlc-
mindcdncss cvcn wlilc undcigoing ilc iigois ol consiani iiavcl and wlilc living in
ilc biggcsi ciiics ol ilc woild. Wlcicvci lc was, Piablupada was on a mission loi
Kisna.
lcing singlc-poinicd in dcvoiional scivicc docs noi mcan sluiiing oui icaliiy.
Lxclusiviiy can bccomc scciaiian il onc locuscs on iclaiivc iiuils oi dcdicaics
oncscll io an oidinaiy pcison. lui wlcn ilc objcci ol appicciaiion is ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, onc aiiains ilc bioadcsi vision, ilc vision ol a manatma.
Tlc dcvoicc wlo is lixcd on Kisna las aciually aiiaincd io ilc complcic iiuil.
1nat tnc Lorá ís tnc compIctc trutn ís statcá ín tnc |nvocatíon to ilc |sopanísaá. om
purnam aáan purnam íáam ¦|sopanísaá, Invocaiion]. Tlc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is
pcilcci and complcic.` A dcvoicc gloiilics ilc Loid as ilc complcic Absoluic Tiuil
wlcn lc uiicis ilc lamous Vcdic aploiism tat tvam así, You aic ilai.` Tlc
impcisonalisi plilosoplcis adoic ilc tat tvam así aploiism bccausc ilcy ialc ii io
mcan ilai ilcy aic onc wiil ilc loimlcss lialman. lui ilc aciual mcaning ol tat
tvam así is dillcicni. Wlcn ilc dcvoicc says You aic ilai,` lc is addicssing ilc
Supicmc Loid. Siïla Piablupada cxplains in lis puipoii io Pnagavaá-gita +.9:
Tlc Vcdic vcision tat tvam así is aciually applicd in ilis casc. Anyonc wlo
undcisiands Loid Kisna io bc ilc Supicmc, oi wlo says unio ilc Loid,
You aic ilc samc Supicmc lialman, ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad,` is
cciiainly libciaicd insianily, and conscqucnily lis cniiancc inio ilc
iiansccndcnial associaiion ol ilc Loid is guaianiccd.
A puic dcvoicc wlo sccs Kisna in cvciyiling can mainiain onc-poinicd
conccniiaiion on ilc Loid, cvcn wlilc pciloiming a widc vaiiciy ol sciviccs loi
Him. ly coniiasi, maiciialisiic pcisons cannoi bc chanti, oi locuscd. lccausc ilc
licld ol scnsc giaiilicaiion icmpis ilc condiiioncd souls in many diicciions, and
bccausc ilc mind is vciy licllc, ilc lcdonisi's aiicniion is splaycd. As Loid Kisna
says,
vyavasayatmíha buáánír chcna huru-nanáana
banu-sahna ny anantas ca buáánayo `vyavasayínam
Tlosc wlo aic on ilis pail aic icsoluic in puiposc, and ilcii aim is onc. O
bclovcd clild ol ilc Kuius, ilc iniclligcncc ol ilosc wlo aic iiicsoluic is many-
bianclcd` (lg. 2.+1).
Suladcva Gosvamï dcsciibcs ilc maiciialisi in a similai way in ilc Srïmad-
8hagavatam (2.1.2):
srotavyaáiní rajcnára nrnam santí sanasrasan
apasyatam atma-tattvam grncsu grna-mcánínam
Tlosc pcisons wlo aic maiciially cngiosscd, bcing blind io ilc lnowlcdgc ol
uliimaic iiuil, lavc many subjcci maiicis loi lcaiing in luman sociciy, O
cmpcioi.` Absoibcd in poliiical woil oi scicniilic icscaicl oi social and cconomic
bciicimcni, ilc grnamcánis pui asidc ilc uliimaic pioblcms ol old agc, discasc, and
dcail. Tlcy do noi inquiic aboui scll-icalizaiion, wlicl would lcad ilcm
cvcniually io Kisna consciousncss. lui a pcison wlo wanis io succccd in bnahtí
musi givc up ilc lilc ol bcwildciing disiiaciions and ialc up dcvoiional scivicc
undci ilc guidancc ol a spiiiiual masici.
Tlc bcsi way io culiivaic singlc-mindcd dcvoiion io Kisna is io clani ilc Haic
Kisna mantra. Tlis piaciicc is wlai ilc sciipiuics and acaryas iccommcnd as ilc
main limb ol dcvoiional scivicc loi ilc Agc ol Kali. ly ilis onc simplc aci-
claniing and lcaiing ilc loly namc-wc scivc Loid Kisna ilc way Hc lilcs bcsi.
Haiidasa Tlaluia sci ilc cxamplc by maling ilc claniing ol narí-nama lis
cxclusivc scivicc. Sciious Gaudïya Vaisnavas lollow in lis looisicps by claniing
daily ai lcasi sixiccn iounds ol Haic Kisna on bcads. As siaicd in ilc Caítanya-
carítamrta (Antya 3.26S), Tlc loly namc ol Kisna is so aiiiaciivc ilai anyonc
wlo clanis ii-including all living cniiiics, moving and unmoving, and cvcn Loid
Kisna Himscll-bccomcs imbucd wiil lovc ol Kisna. Tlis is ilc cllcci ol claniing
ilc Haic Kisna mantra.`
In ilc bcginning siagcs, ilc icsilcss mind balls ai ilc singlc-mindcd dcvoiion
icquiicd io clani Haic Kisna loi long siiciclcs. Tlc loly namc is aciually ilc
swccicsi ncciai, bui uniil wc icacl ilc sponiancous siagc ol dcvoiion, onc las io
ouismaii ilc misclicvous mind. Tlc mind is callcd cancaIa, oi unlaiillul, bui ii
can bccomc ilc dcvoicc's bcsi liicnd. Wlcn onc clanis Haic Kisna and pciloims
oilci duiics wiil conccniiaiion and dcvoiion, ilc mind clcais and ilc dcvoicc
icalizcs lis iiuc inicicsi. Tlcn ilc dcvoicc bccomcs aiiiacicd io sciving ilc loly
namcs in ilc chantína spiiii, wlicl Naiada Muni iccommcnds lcic as ilc bcsi.
TEXT 68
hantnavaroána-romasrubnín parasparam Iapamanan pavayantí huIaní prtnívim ca
SYNONYMS
hantna-ol ilc ilioai; avaroána-wiil bloclagc; roma-wiil bodily laii (sianding
cicci); asrubnín-and wiil icais; parasparam-among onc anoilci; Iapamanan-
convcising; pavayantí-ilcy puiily; huIaní-ilcii communiiics; prtnívim-ilc
caiil; ca-and.
TRANSLATION
Conversing among one anofher wifh fhroafs choked, hair sfanding on end, and
fears fIowing, fhe Lord`s infimafe servanfs purify fheir own foIIowers and fhe
whoIe worId.
PURPORT
Onc may asl, Docs Naiada cxpcci mc io also bccomc a gicai dcvo-icc and
cxpciicncc sucl ccsiasy'` Tlc answci is ycs, ilc ccsiasy ol dcvoiional scivicc is
opcn io all. lui a lumblc dcvoicc may ilinl limscll unlii io cxpciicncc ilc
advanccd siagcs ol Kisna consciousncss loi many lilciimcs. Wc may icspond bcsi
io a sutra lilc ilis by iiying io appicciaic, ai lcasi sliglily, ilc wondcilul inllucncc
ol ilc gicai souls wlo lavc comc io ilis caiil. Tlis will inspiic us io sccl ilc
associaiion ol ilc scivanis ol ilc scivanis ol sucl gicai souls, io assisi ilcm in
ilcii mission, and io icccivc slclici liom ilcm againsi ilc woild ol maya.
Tlc sympioms ol ccsiasy slould noi bc imiiaicd, bui ii is noi wiong io aspiic io
cxpciicncc ilcm. In 1nc Ncctar oj Dcvotíon, Rupa Gosvamï cncouiagcs us io
dcvclop a sponiancous aiiaclmcni loi sciving ilc Loid wiiloui any dcsiic loi
piolii. Siïla Piablupada wiiics,
In oilci woids, onc slould lcain low io ciy loi ilc Loid. Onc slould lcain
ilis small icclniquc, and onc slould bc vciy cagci and aciually ciy io
bccomc cngagcd in somc paiiiculai iypc ol scivicc. Tlis is callcd IauIyam,
and sucl icais aic ilc piicc loi ilc liglcsi pcilcciion. ¦1nc Ncctar oj
Dcvotíon, p. S+]
Tlc abscncc ol waim oi sponiancous lcclings loi ilc Loid may indicaic ilai wc aic
siill commiiiing onc oi moic ol ilc icn ollcnscs againsi ilc loly namc, oi ilai wc
aic indulging in somc ol ilc viccs mcniioncd in ilc Naraáa-bnahtí-sutra. As Loid
Caiianya, ialing ilc iolc ol ilc ncoplyic, lamcnis in His Síhsastaha (2), I am so
unloiiunaic ilai I commii ollcnscs wlilc claniing ilc loly namc, and ilcicloic I
do noi aclicvc aiiaclmcni loi claniing.`
Alilougl ilc bodily iiansloimaiions sympiomaiic ol ccsiaiic lovc ol God (bnava)
aic somciimcs cxlibiicd by gicai souls, picicndcis may imiiaic ilcm. Rcal bnava,
lowcvci, is manilcsicd by sicady sympioms:
Pnava is dcliniicly displaycd in ilc maiici ol ccssaiion ol maiciial dcsiics
(hsantí), uiilizaiion ol cvciy momcni in ilc iiansccndcnial loving scivicc ol
ilc Loid (avyartna-haIatvam ;Cc.Madlya 23.1S-19]), cagcincss loi
gloiilying ilc Loid consianily (nama-ganc saáa rucín), aiiiaciion loi living
in ilc land ol ilc Loid (pritís taá-vasatí-stnaIc ;Cc.Madlya 23.1S-19]),
complcic dciaclmcni liom maiciial lappincss (vírahtín), and piidclcssncss
(mana-sunyata). Onc wlo las dcvclopcd all ilcsc iiansccndcnial qualiiics
is ically posscsscd ol ilc bnava siagc, as disiinguislcd liom ilc
sionclcaiicd imiiaioi oi mundanc dcvoicc. ¦Pnag. 2.3.2+, puipoii]
Tlc inllucncc ol puic dcvoiccs ol ilc Loid is vciy gicai. Tlcii convcisaiions aic
cniiicly Kisna conscious, and ilai is wly ilcy puiily cvciyonc wlo lcais ilcm,
and cvcn ilc placc ilcy inlabii. Wlcn bona lidc dcvoiccs pciloim hrsna-hirtana oi
discuss iopics conccining Kisna, ilc Loid is pcisonally picscni:
Tlc iopics ol Loid Kisna aic so auspicious ilai ilcy puiily ilc spcalci, ilc
lcaici, and ilc inquiici. Tlcy aic compaicd io ilc Gangcs waicis, wlicl
llow liom ilc ioc ol Loid Kisna. Wlcicvci ilc Gangcs waicis go, ilcy
puiily ilc land and ilc pcison wlo bailcs in ilcm. Similaily, hrsna-hatna,
oi ilc iopics ol Kisna, aic so puic ilai wlcicvci ilcy aic spolcn ilc placc,
ilc lcaici, ilc inquiici, ilc spcalci, and all conccincd bccomc puiilicd.
¦Pnag. 2.1.1, puipoii]
Tlc piaciical cllcci ol a dcvoicc's inllucncc is ilai pcoplc ialc up spiiiiual lilc and
abandon ilcii sinlul labiis. Wiiloui dcvoiional icloim in sociciy, lumaniiy will
dcgiadc io a baibaiic spccics. Piablupada wiiics, Mcn lacc cacl oilci in cnmiiy
jusi lilc cais and dogs snailing. Sri |sopanísaá cannoi givc advicc io ilc cais and
dogs, bui ii dclivcis ilc mcssagc ol Godlcad io man iliougl ilc bona lidc
acaryas, oi loly icaclcis` (Ïsopanisad 1, puipoii).
Ai lcasi on an individual basis cvciy sanc pcison slould savc limscll by coming
loiwaid io icndci scivicc and io lcai liom Vaisnavas ol ilc calibci Naiada
dcsciibcs in ilis sutra. Il onc is undci ilc pioicciion ol a puic dcvoicc and
sinccicly icndcis scivicc io lim in bnahtí-yoga, onc will bc ablc io couniciaci all
sinlul icaciions, including ilc accumulaicd sinlul harma ol ilc wlolc woild
populaiion. Naiada piaiscs ilc inllucncc ol dcvoiccs, bui Loid Kisna piaiscs ilc
inllucncc ol Naiada:
Il somconc is ablc, by clancc, io scc lacc io lacc a gicai sainily pcison lilc
Naiada, wlo is always scicnc and mcicilul io cvciyonc, ilcn immcdiaicly
ilai condiiioncd soul bccomcs libciaicd. Tlis is cxacily lilc bcing siiuaicd
in ilc lull ligli ol ilc sun; ilcic cannoi bc any visionaiy impcdimcni.
¦Krsna, p. 97]
TEXT 69
tirtni-hurvantí tirtnaní su-harmi-hurvantí harmaní sac-cnastri-hurvantí sastraní
SYNONYMS
tirtni-inio loly placcs; hurvantí-ilcy malc; tirtnaní-ilc loly placcs; su-
harmi-inio auspicious woils; hurvantí-ilcy malc; harmaní-woils; sat-puic;
sastri-inio sciipiuics; hurvantí-ilcy malc; sastraní-ilc sciipiuics.
TRANSLATION
Their associafion makes hoIy pIaces hoIy, works auspicious, and fhe scripfures
aufhorifafive.
PURPORT
A tirtna is a placc madc sacicd bccausc ilc Supicmc Loid pciloimcd His pasiimcs
ilcic. Ioi cxamplc, Vindavana is sacicd bccausc Siï Kisna spcni His youil ilcic,
Navadvïpa bccausc Siï Caiianya Malapiablu bcgan His sanhirtana movcmcni
ilcic. Placcs lilc Dliuva-glaia oi Naimisaianya, wlcic mana-janas pciloimcd
dcvoiional scivicc, aic also tirtnas. Dcvoiccs lilc io icsidc in tirtnas and pciloim
ilcii bnajana ilcic, and pilgiims sccling puiilicaiion go io bailc in ilc sacicd
iivcis llowing iliougl ilc sacicd siics. lui ilc tirtnas bccomc buidcncd by ilc
sins ol visiiing pilgiims, wlo somciimcs commii ncw sins cvcn wlilc iiavcling on
pilgiimagc. In all ilc icligions ol ilc woild, commcicialism icnds io spiing up and
polluic ilc lamous sliincs. lccausc ol ilis, ilc Gaudïya Vaisnava acarya
Naioiiama dasa Tlaluia siaicd ilai in ilc Kali-yuga going on pilgiimagc cicaics
bcwildcimcni. Siïla Piablupada wiiics:
In India ii is siill a piaciicc ilai many advanccd iiansccndcnialisis givc up
ilcii lamily livcs and go io Vindavana io livc ilcic alonc and complcicly
cngagc in lcaiing and claniing ilc loly pasiimcs ol ilc Loid. Tlis sysicm
is iccommcndcd in ilc Srimaá-Pnagavatam, and ilc six Gosvamïs ol
Vindavana lollowcd ii, bui ai ilc picscni momcni many harmis and pscudo
dcvoiccs lavc ovciciowdcd ilc loly placc ol Vindavana jusi io imiiaic ilis
pioccss iccommcndcd by Suladcva Gosvamï. ¦Krsna, p. SS1]
To puiily ilc tirtnas ol ilc inllucncc ol ilc nondcvoiccs, sainis occasionally visii
ilcm. In laci, ii is ilc picscncc ol ilc sainis ilai aciually malcs ilc placcs loly. Il
onc visiis a tirtna and only docs somc slopping and ialcs a iiiual bail ilcic,
wiiloui inquiiing liom sainily pcisons, lis visii is usclcss.
Wlcn ilc sagc Viduia wcni io ilc palacc ol ilc Kuius in Hasiinapuia, Yudlisiliia
Malaiaja piaiscd lim wiil ilc samc woids Naiada uscs lcic: tirtni-hurvantí
tirtnani. Siïla Piablupada wiiics,
ly ilcii aciions ilc puic dcvoiccs ol ilc Loid can icndci any placc inio a
placc ol pilgiimagc, and ilc loly placcs aic woiil ilc namc only on ilcii
accouni. Sucl puic dcvoiccs aic ablc io icciily ilc polluicd aimosplcic ol
any placc, and wlai io spcal ol a loly placc icndcicd unloly by ilc
qucsiionablc aciions ol inicicsicd pcisons wlo iiy io adopi a piolcssional
lilc ai ilc cosi ol ilc icpuiaiion ol ilc loly placc. ¦Pnag. 1.13.10, puipoii]
In a similai passagc, ilc sagc llagïiaila piaiscd ilc iivci Gangcs and ilc sainis
wlo bailc in lci waicis: Wlcn sucl puic dcvoiccs bailc in youi waici, ilc sinlul
icaciions accumulaicd liom oilci pcoplc will cciiainly bc couniciacicd, loi sucl
dcvoiccs always lccp in ilc coic ol ilcii lcaiis ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol
Godlcad, wlo can vanquisl all sinlul icaciions` (8hag. 9.9.6).
Il ilc sainis aic so inllucniial jusi by ilcii picscncc, ilcn wc can jusi imaginc low
mucl ilcii acis aic woislipablc and woiil lollowing. Mosi pcoplc's aciions icsuli
in icaciions (harma), bui ilc acis ol gicai souls convcii harma inio bnahtí.
Wlocvci scivcs a puic dcvoicc gains a pcimancni spiiiiual assci, cvcn il lc docs so
unlnowingly (ajnata-suhrtí). Alilougl wc cannoi cxpcci io cqual ilc dccds ol
puic dcvoiccs, wc slould noi sly away liom iiying io cmulaic ilcm. As Siïla
Piablupada uscd io say, Do as I am doing.`
Naiada siaics ilai ilc bcsi dcvoiccs add spiiiiual auiloiiiy cvcn io ilc sciipiuics.
A siiiling cxamplc ol ilis is Siïla Piablupada's lullillmcni ol a picdiciion ol Loid
Caiianya's iccoidcd in ilc Caítanya-bnagavata.
prtnívitc acnc yata nagaraáí-grama
sarvatra pracara naíbc mora nama
In cvciy iown and villagc ol ilc woild, My namc ¦ilc loly namc ol Kisna] will
bc picaclcd.` Tlis siaicmcni uscd io puzzlc Vaisnava sclolais; somc said ii was io
bc ialcn allcgoiically. How could mIcccnas in Wcsicin couniiics ialc up ilc
woislip ol Loid Kisna and Loid Caiianya and clani Haic Kisna in ilcii iowns and
ciiics' lui Siïla Piablupada piovcd ilc slcpiics wiong: On lis spiiiiual masici's
oidci and by Loid Caiianya's giacc, lc cicaicd ilc Haic Kisna movcmcni, wlicl
quiclly spicad uniil ncwspapcis and commcniaiois pioclaimcd: Kisna Clani
Siaiilcs London,` and 'Haic Kisna' las bccomc a lousclold woid.`
Siïla Piablupada's picacling ol ilc Pnagavaá-gita piovidcs anoilci cxamplc ol
low ilc puic dcvoiccs givc auiloiiiy io ilc sciipiuics. Ioi moic ilan iwo
lundicd ycais bcloic Siïla Piablupada camc io ilc Wcsi wiil Pnagavaá-gita As |t
|s, ilc Pnagavaá-gita lad bccn lnown in Wcsicin couniiics as ilc sacicd gospcl
ol ilc Hindus.` And yci no onc lad bccomc a dcvoicc ol Loid Kisna liom icading
Pnagavaá-gita, alilougl Loid Kisna icaclcs suiicndci io Him as ilc goal ol ilc
Gita. lui iliougl lis icalizcd iianslaiions and puipoiis Siïla Piablupada biougli
lilc io ilc icxi ol Pnagavaá-gita, and now ilousands ol non-Hindus iliougloui ilc
woild aic iccognizing Loid Kisna as ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and
bccoming His sinccic dcvoiccs.
Naiada will now cxplain wly sainily pcisons aic so auspicious and inllucniial.
TEXT 70
tan-mayan
SYNONYMS
tat-wiil Him; mayan-lillcd.
TRANSLATION
The infimafe servanfs of fhe Supreme Lord are fuIIy absorbed in Ioving Him.
PURPORT
Naiada's dcliniiions givc us poiiiaiis ol complcic dcdicaiion, ol lovc, and ol
oncncss ol inicicsi bciwccn ilc Supicmc Loid and His dcvoicc. Wlcn wc icad a
supcib sutra sucl as numbci +9 oi 67 wc may ilinl, Now lc las givcn ilc lasi
woid on bnahtí. noiling moic can bc said as biiclly and as wcll.` lui ilcn Naiada
dcliglis us wiil cvcn moic piccisc aploiisms on bnahtí-yoga.
Tlis sutra is quiic similai io numbci +1: Tlc Loid and His puic dcvoiccs aic
nondillcicni.` In ilc Gurv-astaha, Siïla Visvanaila Caliavaiiï Tlaluia siaics, Tlc
spiiiiual masici is io bc lonoicd as mucl as ilc Supicmc Loid bccausc lc is ilc
mosi conlidcniial sciviioi ol ilc Loid. Tlis is aclnowlcdgcd in all icvcalcd
sciipiuics and lollowcd by all auiloiiiics.` Alilougl a qualilicd siudcni ol bnahtí
lnows ilai ilc Vaisnava is noi God Himscll, ilc disciplc cxpciicnccs Kisna's
diicci picscncc in ilc loim ol His dcdicaicd scivani. And ilc disciplc is lully
saiislicd in sciving ilc Supicmc Loid by sciving His puic dcvoicc, wlo is ilc
iianspaicni mcdium io Kisna.
Wlcn Sanaiana Gosvamï mci Loid Caiianya, ilc Loid iold lim, Loid Kisna las
savcd you liom lilc's dccpcsi lcll.` Sanaiana icplicd, I do noi lnow wlo Kisna is.
As lai as I am conccincd, I lavc bccn iclcascd liom piison only by Youi mcicy`
(Cc. Madhya 20.6+). Tlc disciplc's giaiiiudc iowaid ilc Vaisnava is also cxpicsscd
in llaliivinoda Tlaluia's song Onc` vaísnava tnahura. Kisna is youis. You'ic ablc
io givc Him io mc, loi sucl is youi powci. I am indccd wiciclcd and simply iun
alici you, ciying, 'Kisna! Kisna!' `
Tlis is wly ilc placc wlcic gicai dcvoiccs icsidc is a tirtna and wly Naiada says
ilai ilcy puiily csiablislcd loly placcs and givc auiloiiiy io ilc sciipiuics-
bccausc ilcy aic tan-mayan, lillcd wiil Him.`
TEXT 71
moáantc pítaro nrtyantí ácvatan sa-natna ccyam bnur bnavatí
SYNONYMS
moáantc-bccomc joylul; pítaran-loiclailcis; nrtyantí-dancc; ácvatan-
dcmigods; sa-natna-laving good masicis; ca-and; íyam-ilis; bnun-caiil;
bnavatí-bccomcs.
TRANSLATION
Thus fhe pure devofees` forefafhers become joyfuI, fhe demigods dance, and
fhe worId feeIs profecfed by good masfers.
PURPORT
A gicai dcvoicc is so dcai io ilc Supicmc Loid ilai lis lamily mcmbcis icccivc ilc
Loid's blcssings cvcn ilougl ilcy may noi appicciaic ilcii dcvoicc iclaiivc. Wlcn
Loid Nisimladcva icscucd His dcaimosi bnahta, Piallada, liom lis dcmonic
lailci, Piallada Malaiaja aslcd ilai lis lailci bc cxcuscd and noi punislcd in ilc
ncxi lilc loi lis lcinous ciimcs. Loid Nisimladcva icplicd, My dcai Piallada,
mosi puic, O gicai sainily pcison, youi lailci las bccn puiilicd, along wiil
iwcniy-onc loiclailcis in youi lamily. lccausc you wcic boin in ilis lamily, ilc
cniiic dynasiy las bccn puiilicd. Wlcncvci and wlcicvci ilcic aic pcacclul,
cquipoiscd dcvoiccs wlo aic wcll bclavcd and dccoiaicd wiil all good qualiiics,
ilai placc and ilc dynasiics ilcic, cvcn il condcmncd, aic puiilicd` (8hag.
7.10.1S-19).
Loid Caiianya also gavc spccial mcicy io His dcvoiccs' iclaiivcs. Amogla, ilc son-
in-law ol Saivablauma llaiiacaiya, blasplcmcd Loid Caiianya and lad io sullci
clolcia. lui Loid Caiianya spaicd lim and said, You aic ilc objcci ol My
allcciion bccausc you aic ilc son-in-law ol Saivablauma llaiiacaiya. Lvciyonc in
Saivablauma's lousc is vciy dcai io Mc, including lis maids and scivanis and
cvcn lis dog. And wlai io spcal ol lis iclaiivcs'` (Cc. Madhya 15.2S3-+). A puic
dcvoicc idcniilics moic wiil ilc lamily ol all living cniiiics ilan wiil lis bodily
iclaiivcs, and yci wlocvci is cvcn icmoicly connccicd wiil a puic dcvoicc, cvcn a
disiani iclaiivc, icccivcs bcnclii. Tlc inllucncc ol ilc dcvoicc is ilai gicai.
Ncxi Naiada says nrtyantí ácvatan, ºTlc dcmigods dancc wlcn ilcy scc a puic
dcvoicc appcai.` Tlc ácvas aic siauncl dcvoiccs ol Loid Visnu, and ilcy laic io
scc ilc dcmons gain coniiol. Somciimcs ilc dcmons capiuic ilc dcmigods'
palaccs, as duiing ilc iulc ol Hiianyalasipu. lui ilc puic dcvoicc Piallada causcd
ilc appcaiancc ol Loid Nisimladcva, wlo dcsiioycd Hiianyalasipu.
Hiianyalasipu was lilc a lcvci ol mcningiiis in ilc lcad ol ilc ilicc woilds.`
Wlcn lc was lillcd by Loid Nisimladcva, ilc dcmigods piaycd, Wlcn ilis
dcmon was condcmncd by dcvoiccs bccausc ilcy wcic disgusicd wiil lim, ilcn
lc was lillcd by You` (8hag. 7.S.53). Tlus ilc puic dcvoicc's woil is so
signilicani ilai ii allccis ilc wlolc univcisc and cicaics a slili in lavoi ol
godlincss. Tlc dcmigods' joy ai ilc appcaiancc ol a Vaisnava piovcs ilai ilc ácvas
aic also Vaisnavas. Tlcy aic moic plcascd wiil a puic dcvoicc wlo icndcis scivicc
unio ilc Supicmc Loid ilan ilcy aic wiil ilcii own woislipcis wlo sccl maiciial
boons liom ilcm.
Iinally Naiada siaics ilai wiil ilc appcaiancc ol a puic dcvoicc, ilc caiil gcis a
savioi. Moilci Laiil is abuscd in Kali-yuga in many ways. Wlcn Kali-yuga bcgan,
Malaiaja Paiïlsii lound a suára bcaiing ilc caiil pcisonilicd, wlo appcaicd in ilc
loim ol a cow. Nowadays ilc caiil is diillcd iccllcssly loi oil, dcloicsicd, blown
up, polluicd by clcmicals, siiippcd ol lciiilc iopsoil, and lillcd up wiil clcaicis
and liais wlo cicaic an iniolciablc buidcn.
Tlc caiil is noi a dcad mass io bc cxploiicd by ilc luman spccics; iailci, slc is a
living cniiiy mcani io bc pioiccicd. Wlcn ilc caiil is pioiccicd, slc givcs amplc
spacc and a pcacclul and piospcious icsidcncc loi all living cniiiics. lui wlcn
luman bcings plundci ilc caiil, slc sccls pioicciion liom a magnanimous
dcvoicc. Tlougl a dcvoicc may appcai io woil as a lumblc mcndicani wiiloui
mucl powci, liglci bcings and iiuly lcaincd souls lnow ilai a savioi las
appcaicd.
Tlc dcvoicc is cspccially a savioi loi luman bcings, mosi ol wlom would suicly
lall down inio lowci spccics in ilcii ncxi livcs wiiloui ilc dcvoicc's clloiis io
icloim ilcm. Accoiding io iimc, placc, and pcison, cvciy puic-dcvoicc savioi
icaclcs ilc samc mcssagc: Do noi ioi in ilis maiciial woild; lollow ilc woid ol
God and bc savcd.` Tlc woild siill woislips saviois sucl as Jcsus Cliisi, Loid
luddla, and Loid Caiianya. Many oilci puic dcvoiccs coniinuc io appcai, as ilc
son ol God oi as sahty-avcsa avataras, io savc ilc luman iacc. Considciing ilc lai-
icacling auspicious cllccis ol a puic dcvoicc's picscncc, wlicl aic mosily bcyond
noimal compiclcnsion, wc can appicciaic bciici wly Siïla Piablupada said, Il
only onc man bccomcs a puic dcvoicc ol ilc Loid, wc slall considci oui aiicmpi a
succcss.`
TEXT 72
nastí tcsu jatí-víáya-rupa-huIa-ánana-hríyaáí-bncáan
SYNONYMS
na astí-ilcic is noi; tcsu-in ilcm; jatí-ol class; víáya-cducaiion; rupa-
bcauiy; huIa-lamily; ánana-wcalil; hríya-occupaiion; aáí-and so on;
bncáan-dillcicncc.
TRANSLATION
There are no disfincfions among such pure devofees in ferms of sociaI cIass,
educafion, bodiIy beaufy, famiIy sfafus, weaIfh, occupafion, and so on.
PURPORT
Siï Kisna, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, docs noi disciiminaic among
dcvoiccs bascd on ilcii biiil, wcalil, and so on, so wly slould wc' Kisna says,
O son ol Piila, ilosc wlo ialc slclici in Mc, ilougl ilcy bc ol lowci biiil-
womcn, vaísyas ¦mciclanis], and suáras ¦woilcis]-aiiain ilc supicmc
dcsiinaiion` (lg. 9.32). And accoiding io ilc Paáma Purana, Anyonc wlo ilinls
ol ilc Dciiy ol Visnu as mcicly sionc oi ilc guru as an oidinaiy man, oi wlo
ilinls a Vaisnava bclongs io a paiiiculai lamily oi couniiy, is a icsidcni ol lcll.`
In lis Upadcsamrta (6), Rupa Gosvamï las also wains us noi io ialc a maiciial
vicw ol dcvoiccs: lcing siiuaicd in lis oiiginal Kisna conscious posiiion, a puic
dcvoicc docs noi idcniily wiil ilc body. Sucl a dcvoicc slould noi bc sccn liom a
maiciialisiic poini ol vicw. Indccd, onc slould ovcilool a dcvoicc's laving a body
boin in a low lamily, a body wiil a bad complcxion, a dcloimcd body, oi a
discascd oi inliim body. Accoiding io oidinaiy vision, sucl impcilcciions may
sccm piomincni in ilc body ol a puic dcvoicc, bui dcspiic sucl sccming dclccis,
ilc body ol a puic dcvoicc cannoi bc polluicd. Ii is cxacily lilc ilc waicis ol ilc
Gangcs, wlicl somciimcs duiing ilc iainy scason aic lull ol bubblcs, loam, and
mud. Tlc Gangcs waicis do noi bccomc polluicd. Tlosc wlo aic advanccd in
spiiiiual undcisianding will bailc in ilc Gangcs wiiloui considciing ilc
condiiion ol ilc waici.`
Siïla Piablupada siaics ilai onc slould noi ilinl, Ol, lcic is an Amciican
gosvami,` and on ilai basis disciiminaic againsi lim. On ilc oilci land,
Wcsicincis wlo lavc comc io Kisna consciousncss by Piablupada's giacc slould
noi bc pullcd up and ilinl ilcmsclvcs bciici ilan Indian branmanas. Tlc sastras
siaic, haIau suára-sambnavan. In ilc Agc ol Kali, cvciyonc is boin a suára.` Wc
aic clcvaicd by ilc pioccss ol Kisna consciousncss, bui wc lavc noiling io bc
pioud ol on oui own accouni: ii is all duc io ilc mcicy ol ilc Loid and His puic
dcvoicc. Siïla Haiidasa Tlaluia sci ilc cxamplc: cvcn alici lc bccamc ilc mosi
clcvaicd iiansccndcnialisi, lc did noi asscii limscll as a supciioi pcison bui
wislcd io bc icgaidcd as lowboin. In ilc namc ol bccoming a iiansccndcnialisi,
onc slould noi bccomc capiuicd again by lalsc piidc.
Only onc wlo is ignoiani ol ilc iiansloiming powci ol bnahtí disciiminaics
againsi dcvoiccs on ilc basis ol maiciial dcsignaiions. Piablupada wiiics, Onc
slould ilcicloic avoid obsciving a puic dcvoicc cxicinally, bui slould iiy io scc
ilc inicinal lcaiuics and undcisiand low lc is cngagcd in ilc iiansccndcnial
loving scivicc ol ilc Loid` (1nc Ncctar oj |nstructíon, Tcxi 6, puipoii).
In lci piaycis io Loid Kapila, Dcvaluii alliimcd ilai ilc Loid's loly namcs
posscss ilc iiansccndcnial powci io iiansloim anyonc: Ol, low gloiious aic ilcy
wlosc iongucs aic claniing Youi loly namc! Lvcn il boin in lamilics ol dog-
caicis, sucl pcisons aic woislipablc` (8hag. 3.33.7).
TEXT 73
yatas taáiyan
SYNONYMS
yatan-bccausc; taáiyan-His.
TRANSLATION
Pure devofees are nof disfinguished by exfernaIs Iike sociaI cIass, for fhey
beIong fo fhe Lord.
PURPORT
Hcic Naiada cxplains wly onc slould avoid casic-conscious picjudicc iowaid
dcvoiccs ol Kisna: bccausc dcvoiccs aic all onc class-ilcy aic all His own. And
bccausc ilcy bclong io ilc Supicmc Loid (taáiyan), ilc dcvoiccs aic woislipablc:
araánananam sarvcsam vísnor araánanam param
tasmat parataram ácví taáiyanam samarcanam
Ol all iypcs ol woislip, woislip ol Loid Visnu is bcsi, and bciici ilan ilc
woislip ol Loid Visnu is ilc woislip ol His dcvoicc, ilc Vaisnava` (Paáma
Purana).
1aáiya mcans in iclaiion io Him.` Tlc dcvoiccs aic iniimaicly iclaicd io ilc Loid
bccausc ilcy aic undci ilc slclici ol His inicinal cncigy. Tlus ilcy always
accompany Him and scivc Him as His caiiici Gaiuda, His coucl Anania Scsa, His
cows, His gopas and gopis, and so on.
In a gcncial scnsc, aII living cniiiics aic paii and paiccl ol Kisna-My cicinal
liagmcnial paiis,` Kisna says-and ilai is anoilci icason wly onc slould noi
judgc somconc liglci oi lowci by maiciial siandaids. lui alilougl all jivas aic
dcai io Loid Kisna, Hc is dcai only io His dcvoiccs, and ilcicloic ilcy icccivc His
spccial aiicniion. As Hc says in ilc 8hagavad-gïta (9.29),
samo `nam sarva-bnutcsu na mc ávcsyo `stí na príyan
yc bnajantí tu mam bnahtya mayí tc tcsu capy anam
I cnvy no onc, noi am I paiiial io anyonc. I am cqual io all. lui wlocvci icndcis
scivicc unio Mc in dcvoiion is a liicnd-is in Mc-and I am also a liicnd io lim.`
Duiing a convcisaiion wiil Sanaiana Gosvamï and Haiidasa Tlaluia in
Jagannaila Puiï, Loid Caiianya oncc claboiaicly cxplaincd ilc samc iiuil
cxpicsscd in ilis sutra. Sanaiana lad coniiacicd a slin discasc ilai pioduccd
oozing soics. Oui ol lumiliiy lc considcicd lis body usclcss loi dcvoiional
scivicc, and lc dccidcd io commii suicidc undci ilc wlccl ol Loid Jagannaila's
claiioi. lui Loid Caiianya icad lis mind and loibadc lim io do so, iclling lim
ilai lc lad alicady suiicndcicd lis body io ilc Loid loi scivicc. Loid Caiianya
uscd io cmbiacc Sanaiana, and ilis madc Sanaiana lccl moiiilicd bccausc lis
oozing soics iouclcd ilc Loid's body. And so Sanaiana dccidcd io lcavc
Jagannaila Puiï. lui Loid Caiianya cxplaincd ilai Hc was noi ollcndcd by
Sanaiana's body; iailci, Hc lcli gicai bliss wlilc cmbiacing Sanaiana bccausc Hc
saw lis body as iiansccndcnial. Siï Caiianya Malapiablu quoicd ilc 8hagavad-
gïta (5.1S):
víáya-vínaya-sampannc branmanc gaví nastíní
suní caíva sva-pahc ca panáítan sama-áarsínan
Tlc lumblc sagcs, by viiiuc ol iiuc lnowlcdgc, scc wiil cqual vision a lcaincd
and gcnilc branmana, a cow, an clcplani, a dog, and a dog-caici ¦ouicasic].`
On lcaiing ilis quoic, Haiidasa said, Wlai You lavc spolcn dcals wiil cxicinal
loimaliiics.` Loid Caiianya ilcn icvcalcd His innci ilouglis icgaiding His lovc loi
His dcvoiccs:
My dcai Haiidasa and Sanaiana, I ilinl ol you as My liiilc boys, io bc
mainiaincd by Mc. Tlc mainiainci ncvci ialcs sciiously any laulis ol ilc
mainiaincd....Wlcn a clild passcs siool and uiinc ilai ioucl ilc body ol
ilc moilci, ilc moilci ncvci laics ilc clild. On ilc coniiaiy, slc ialcs
mucl plcasuic in clcaning lim. Tlc siool and uiinc ol ilc clild appcai lilc
sandalwood pulp io ilc moilci. Similaily, wlcn ilc loul moisiuic oozing
liom ilc soics ol Sanaiana iouclcs My body, I lavc no laiicd loi lim. ¦Cc.
Antya +.1S+-7]
Loid Caiianya ilcn luiilci cxplaincd ilc gloiics ol dcvoiional scivicc and low ii
iiansloims a dcvoicc's body inio spiiiiual cxisicncc.
In conclusion, ilc body ol a puic dcvoicc is ncvci maiciial. Lvcn il ii appcais so,
Kisna siill acccpis ilc dcvoicc as dcai and cmbiaccs lim as His own. ly ilc Loid's
mcicy, ilc dcvoicc is spiiiiualizcd, and in lis iiansccndcnial body lc icndcis
scivicc io ilc Loid's loius lcci.
Chapfer 5
Affaining Perfecfion
TEXT 7+
vaáo navaIambyan
SYNONYMS
vadal-dcbaic; na-noi; avalambyal-io bc icsoiicd io.
TRANSLATION
Onc slould noi indulgc in aigumcniaiivc dcbaic.
PURPORT
Naiada discouiagcs ilc cgoiisiic wiangling spiiii. Onc wlo is pioud ol lis
dcbaiing slills and cagci io dclcai oilcis will losc lis lumiliiy, wlicl, as Naiada
says in Suiia 27, is csscniial loi plcasing Kisna. Tlc cxisicncc ol God is noi
somciling io bc piovcn oi dispiovcn mcicly by a baiilc ol logical wiis. Tlc
spiiiiual icaliiy cannoi bc undcisiood by maiciial logic oi ilc spcculaiions ol ilc
maiciial mind. As ilc Vcdania-suiia (2.1.11) dcclaics, iailapiaiisilanai: Logical
icasoning is inconclusivc.`
Howcvci, wlcn a Kisna conscious picaclci dclcnds ilc Loid oi ilc Vaisnavas
againsi blasplcmy, ilai slould noi bc ialcn as vain coniiovcisy. Tlc dcvoicc
docsn'i aiguc on lis own accouni, bui on Kisna's. Also, a dcvoicc's picacling is
noi bascd on mcnial spcculaiion, wlicl is always impcilcci, bui on ilc pcilcci
pioccss ol iccciving lnowlcdgc liom ilc sasiia and ilc acaiyas. As ii is said,
Misialcs, illusion, clcaiing, and dclcciivc pciccpiion do noi occui in ilc sayings
ol ilc auiloiiiaiivc sagcs` (Cc. Ãdi 2.S6). Also, ilc Vaisnava acaiyas lavc all
aigucd againsi Mayavada inicipiciaiions. Tlis lind ol aigumcniaiion is noi io bc
avoidcd bui is iailci onc ol ilc duiics ol ilc madlyama-blalia, oi picaclci.
Kisnadasa Kaviiaja siaics, A sinccic siudcni slould noi ncglcci ilc discussion ol
sucl conclusions ¦conccining ilc plilosoply ol Kisna consciousncss],
considciing ilcm coniiovcisial, loi sucl discussion siicngilcns ilc mind. Tlus
onc's mind bccomcs aiiaclcd io Kisna` (Cc. Ãdi 2.117).
lui somciimcs a picaclci will avoid a ligli il lc sccs ilai ilc clallcngci simply
wanis io aiguc loi ilc salc ol aigumcni. Rupa Gosvamï oncc dcclincd io dcbaic a
iascal wlo camc io dclcai lim, bui ilcn Rupa's ncplcw, Jïva Gosvamï, iool up ilc
clallcngc. So a dcvoicc may oi may noi cloosc io mcci ilc clallcngcs ol ilc
ailcisis and voidisis, dcpcnding on ilc ciicumsianccs, bui in any casc lc lnows
ilai dcbaic and clallcngc do noi lcad io a iiuc undcisianding ol God.
Cciiainly ilc dcvoicc limscll las no clallcnging spiiii wlcn lc appioaclcs ilc
sciipiuics oi ilc acaiyas. Hc acccpis ilcm axiomaiically, bcyond aigumcni. Tlc
bcsi mcilod loi solving onc's pcisonal doubis is io inquiic submissivcly liom
advanccd Vaisnavas, wlo will always bc ablc io answci in icims ol sasiia and
icason.
TEXT 75
banuIyavahasatvaá aníyatatvac ca
SYNONYMS
balulya-loi cxccssivcncss; avalasaivai-bccausc ol involving oppoiiuniiics;
aniyaiaivai-bccausc ol noi bcing dccisivc; ca-and.
TRANSLATION
Sucl aigumcniaiion lcads io cxccssivc cnianglcmcnis and is ncvci dccisivc.
PURPORT
In ilc Malablaiaia, Yudlisiliia Malaiaja dcsciibcs ilc dclcci ol aigumcniaiion as
lollows: iailo 'piaiisilal siuiayo vibilinna nasav isii yasya maiam na blinnam.
Diy aigumcnis aic inconclusivc. A gicai pcisonaliiy wlosc opinion docs noi
dillci liom oilcis is noi considcicd a gicai sagc. Simply by siudying ilc Vcdas,
wlicl aic vaiicgaicd, onc cannoi comc io ilc iigli pail by wlicl icligious
piinciplcs aic undcisiood` (Malablaiaia, Vana-paiva 313.117).
Il you basc youi plilosoplical conclusions on logical aigumcnis, a supciioi
logician will cvcniually dclcai you. Tlis is ilc mcilod ol Wcsicin plilosoplcis,
and India also las iis munis. A muni is noi considcicd disiinguislcd unlcss lc
dclcais ilc aigumcnis ol picvious ilinlcis. lui ilcn anoilci muni comcs and
linds llaws in ilc aigumcnis ol ilc cuiicni clampion and claims io icplacc lim
wiil ilc laicsi plilosoply.` Tlosc wlo siudy aigumcniaiion comc io ilc
conclusion ilai ilcic is no linal iiuil. Tlis is slcpiicism, ilc liuii ol mcnial
spcculaiion.
A blalia slould noi ialc paii in ilc icdious, inconclusivc conicsis ol logicians.
Tlc Vcdic iiuils lavc bccn iloiouglly icscaiclcd sincc iimc bcyond mcmoiy and
aic csiablislcd conclusivcly. Tlc acaiyas wlo guidc ilc dcsiiny ol Vcdic culiuic,
sucl as Madlva, Ramanuja, and Loid Caiianya, did noi invcni ilc Vcdic siddlania
(conclusion), ilougl ilcy all picscnicd ii accoiding io iimc, placc, and iccipicnis.
King Yudlisiliia coniinucs: dlaimasya iaiivam niliiam gulayam mala-jano ycna
gaial sa panilal.Tlc solid iiuil ol icligious piinciplcs is liddcn in ilc lcaii ol
an unaduliciaicd scll-icalizcd pcison. Conscqucnily, as ilc sasiias conliim, onc
slould acccpi wlaicvci piogicssivc pail ilc mala-janas advocaic.`
Tlc blalii mcilod ol iccciving iiuil is by paiampaia, oi disciplic succcssion. Ii is
conliimcd by a clccls-and-balanccs sysicm ol lcaiing liom guiu, sasiia, and
sadlu. On ilc oilci land, onc wlo icjccis ilc paiampaia sysicm and pcisisis in
lcaiing aigumcniaiion will ncvci undcisiand ilc Absoluic Tiuil. As Loid Kisna
siaics, blaliya mam ablijanaii: Onc can undcisiand Mc only by dcvoiional
scivicc` (lg. 1S.55).
Wlcn Loid Caiianya liisi camc io Jagannaila Puiï, a dispuic aiosc bciwccn His
lollowcis and Saivablauma llaiiacaiya, wlo was ai ilai iimc a mundanc logician.
Tlc llaiiacaiya and lis siudcnis icluscd io acccpi ilai Loid Caiianya was ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, alilougl Gopïnaila Ãcaiya picscnicd mucl
cvidcncc liom Vcdic sciipiuics. Iinally ilc disciplcs ol ilc llaiiacaiya said, Wc
dciivc lnowlcdgc ol ilc Absoluic Tiuil by logical lypoilcsis.` Gopïnaila Ãcaiya
icplicd, Onc cannoi aiiain ical lnowlcdgc ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad
by sucl logical lypoilcsis and aigumcni` (Cc. Madlya 6.S1). Gopïnaila Ãcaiya
luiilci siaicd ilai only ilai pcison wlo las icccivcd ilc mcicy ol ilc Loid by
icndciing Him dcvoiional scivicc can undcisiand Him. Logical lypoilcsis is noi
ilc way, bui iailci sabda-bialma, lcaiing liom auiloiizcd souiccs. Loid lialma
madc ilc samc poini in lis piaycis io Loid Kisna in Clapici Iouiiccn ol ilc
Tcnil Canio ol Siïmad-llagavaiam:
atnapí tc ácva paáambuja-ávaya-
prasaáa-Icsanugrnita cva ní
janatí tattvam bnagavan-manímno
na canya cho `pí círam vícínvan
My Loid, onc wlo is lavoicd by cvcn a sligli iiacc ol ilc mcicy ol Youi loius lcci
can undcisiand ilc gicaincss ol Youi pcisonaliiy. lui ilosc wlo spcculaic in oidci
io undcisiand ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad aic unablc io lnow You, cvcn
ilougl ilcy coniinuc io siudy ilc Vcdas loi many ycais` (llag. 10.1+.29).
Vain coniiovcisy may also includc gossip and iumoi (piajalpa). Naiada picviously
siaicd ilai a blalia slouldn'i lcai liom pcoplc wlo spcal ol womcn, wcalil, and
ailcisis (Suiia 63). Lvcn mcmbcis ol a icligious movcmcni lavc io bc caiclul in
ilcii ialls, oi ilcy ioo may bccomc anoilci associaiion ol laisl and idlc iallcis
lilc ilc nondcvoiccs. Onc las io disiinguisl bciwccn icsponsiblc dialoguc on
impoiiani issucs and iall ilai lcads nowlcic. Il wc cnici inio coniiovcisial iopics,
wc slould do so wiil icsiiaini, sinccicly sccling ilc Vaisnava siddlania accoiding
io guiu, sasiia, and sadlu. Tlc sasiias aic noi io bc icscaiclcd mcicly as so mucl
ammuniiion loi oui own opinions. Wlcn wc cnici dcbaic wiil an cgoisiic zcsi io
dclcai ilc opposiiion, wc miss ilc poini and cnd up ligliing wiil ilc Vaisnavas.
In ilc piayci lnown as ilc Hamsa-gulya, ollcicd by Dalsa io Loid Visnu, Dalsa
concludcd ilai ilc mcilod ol logical dispuic is aciually a pioduci ol illusion:
I ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wlo is
lull ol unlimiicd qualiiics and wlosc dillcicni poicncics biing aboui agiccmcni
and disagiccmcni bciwccn dispuianis. Tlus ilc illusoiy cncigy again and again
covcis ilc scll-icalizaiion ol boil dispuianis. ¦llag. 6.+.31]
TEXT 76
bnahtí-sastraní mananiyaní taá-boánaha-harmaní haraniyaní
SYNONYMS
blalii-ol dcvoiional scivicc; sasiiani-ilc sciipiuics; mananïyani-slould bc
icspccicd; iai-by ilcm; bodlala-madc lnown; laimani-picsciibcd aciiviiics;
laianïyani-slould bc cxccuicd.
TRANSLATION
Onc slould icspcci ilc icvcalcd sciipiuics ol dcvoiional scivicc and disclaigc ilc
duiics ilcy picsciibc.
PURPORT
Tlc mosi impoiiani blalii-sasiias lavc bccn iianslaicd wiil paiampaia puipoiis
by His Divinc Giacc A. C. llaliivcdania Swami Piablupada. Siïla Piablupada
wiiics, In oui Kisna consciousncss movcmcni wc lavc ilcicloic limiicd oui
siudy ol Vcdic liiciaiuic io llagavad-gïia, Siïmad-llagavaiam, Caiianya-
caiiiamiia, and llalii-iasamiia-sindlu. Tlcsc loui woils aic sullicicni loi
picacling puiposcs. Tlcy aic adcquaic loi ilc undcisianding ol ilc plilosoply
and ilc spicading ol missionaiy aciiviiics all ovci ilc woild` (Cc. Madlya 22.11S,
puipoii).
Tlc Vcdas aic vasi, compiising millions ol Sansliii slolas. And wlilc ilc
conclusion ol all bianclcs ol Vcdic liiciaiuic is io icndci dcvoiional scivicc io ilc
Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, somc paiis ol ilc Vcdic liiciaiuic aic addicsscd
io maiciialisiic icligionisis and ilcicloic icacl a giadual pioccss ol clcvaiion. Tlc
sagcs ai Naimisaianya, ilcicloic, aslcd Suia Gosvamï io icacl ilcm ilc csscncc ol
ilc Vcdas. In Kali-yuga mosi pcoplc do noi lavc ilc iimc, cncigy, oi inicicsi io go
iliougl all ilc Vcdas, noi is ii advisablc io iiy. Tlc csscncc, sclccicd by Suia
Gosvamï, is Siïmad-llagavaiam, wlicl icaclcs blalii-yoga as ilc supicmc
dlaima and icjccis all clcaiing icligion.` To biing iiansccndcnial ligli inio ilc
agc ol dailncss, Siïla Vyasadcva, ilc compilci ol all ilc Vcdas, gavc ilc woild ilc
Siïmad-llagavaiam as lis maiuic coniiibuiion:
anartnopasamam sahsaá bnahtí-yogam aánohsajc
Iohasyajanato víávams cahrc satvata-samnítam
Tlc maiciial misciics ol ilc living cniiiy, wlicl aic supcilluous io lim, can bc
diiccily miiigaicd by ilc linling pioccss ol dcvoiional scivicc. lui ilc mass ol
pcoplc do noi lnow ilis, and ilcicloic ilc lcaincd Vyasadcva compilcd ilis Vcdic
liiciaiuic, wlicl is in iclaiion io ilc Supicmc Tiuil` (llag. 1.7.6).
llalii-sasiias includc conicmpoiaiy woils wiiiicn in puisuancc ol ilc
conclusions ol Siïmad-llagavaiam, llagavad-gïia, and so on. Tlc wiiiing ol
commcniaiics and oilci blalii liiciaiy woils can coniinuc loi ilc cdilicaiion ol
pcoplc in cvciy agc and cicaic a movcmcni away liom mundanc and spcculaiivc
bools.
Naiada siaics ilai a pcison slould noi only icad blalii-sasiias bui also livc by
ilcii insiiuciions. Tlc sciious siudcni slould icndci scivicc in icims ol wlai lc
las lcaid liom ilc spiiiiual masici and ilc blalii-sasiias. Siïla Piablupada
wiiics, Wiiloui lcaiing sucl liiciaiuics, onc cannoi malc aciual piogicss. And
wiiloui lcaiing and lollowing ilc insiiuciions, ilc slow ol dcvoiional scivicc
bccomcs woiillcss and ilcicloic a soii ol disiuibancc on ilc pail ol dcvoiional
scivicc. Tlcicloic, dcvoiional scivicc is csiablislcd on ilc piinciplcs ol siuii,
smiii, puiana, and pancaiaiia auiloiiiics. Tlc malc-slow ol dcvoiional scivicc
slould ai oncc bc icjccicd` (llag. 1.2.12, puipoii).
TEXT 77
suhna-áunhncccna-Iabnaáí-tyahtc haIc pratihsamanc hsanaránam apí vyartnam na
ncyam
SYNONYMS
sulla-lappincss; dullla-unlappincss; iccla-lanlciing; labla-pioliicciing;
adi-and so on; iyalic-laving givcn up; lalc-ilc iimc; piaiïlsamanc-bcing
waiicd loi; lsana-ol a momcni; aidlam-onc lall; api-cvcn; vyaiilam-vainly;
na ncyam-slould noi bc wasicd.
TRANSLATION
Paiicnily cnduiing iill ilc iimc wlcn onc can pui asidc maiciial lappincss,
disiicss, dcsiic, and lalsc gain, onc slould noi wasic cvcn a liaciion ol a sccond.
PURPORT
Human biiil is iaic and onc's lilc span biicl. Wly is luman lilc so piccious'
lccausc wc can usc ii loi scll-icalizaiion and gci licc ol biiil and dcail. lui, as
implicd by ilis suiia, mucl ol oui luman lilciimc is consumcd in ilc siiugglc loi
cxisicncc. Wlilc insiiuciing lis young scloolmaics on ilc uigcncy ol Kisna
consciousncss, Piallada Malaiaja madc a calculaiion ol low luman lilc is wasicd:
Lvciy luman bcing las a maximum duiaiion ol lilc ol onc lundicd ycais, bui loi
onc wlo cannoi coniiol lis scnscs, lall ol ilosc ycais aic complcicly losi bccausc
ai nigli lc slccps iwclvc louis, bcing covcicd by ignoiancc. Tlcicloic sucl a
pcison las a lilciimc ol only liliy ycais.
In ilc icndci agc ol clildlood, wlcn cvciyonc is bcwildcicd, onc passcs icn ycais.
Similaily in boylood, cngagcd in spoiiing and playing, onc passcs anoilci icn
ycais. In ilis way iwcniy ycais aic wasicd. Similaily, in old agc, wlcn onc is an
invalid, unablc io pciloim cvcn maiciial aciiviiics, onc passcs anoilci iwcniy ycais
wasiclully.
Onc wlosc mind and scnscs aic unconiiollcd bccomcs incicasingly aiiaclcd io
lamily bccausc ol insaiiablc lusiy dcsiics and vciy siiong illusion. In sucl a
madman's lilc, ilc icmaining ycais aic also wasicd bccausc cvcn duiing ilosc ycais
lc cannoi cngagc limscll in dcvoiional scivicc. ¦llag. 7.6.6-S]
Wlcncvci wc misspcnd iimc, ii is an iiiciiicvablc loss. As Canalya Pandiia siaics,
all ilc gold in a iicl man's posscssion cannoi buy bacl a singlc momcni ol iimc.
A dcvoicc uscs lis iimc wcll, and ilis is onc ol ilc sympioms ol lis advanccmcni.
Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Hc is always anxious io uiilizc lis iimc in ilc dcvoiional
scivicc ol ilc Loid. Hc docs noi lilc io bc idlc. Hc wanis scivicc always, iwcniy-
loui louis a day wiiloui dcviaiion` (Tlc Ncciai ol Dcvoiion, p. 13S).
Wc cannoi waii uniil alici wc complcic oui many duiics bcloic siaiiing io
icmcmbci Kisna. Il wc givc blalii sucl a low piioiiiy, oui piaciicc will ncvci bc
moic ilan a loimaliiy, a luiiicd piayci siolcn liom oui iimc loi ical` busincss oi
a pciluncioiy visii io ilc icmplc oncc a wccl. Railci, as Naiada las obscivcd,
Onc aclicvcs blalii by lcaiing and claniing aboui ilc Supicmc Loid's spccial
qualiiics, cvcn wlilc cngagcd in ilc oidinaiy aciiviiics ol lilc in ilis woild`
(Naiada-blalii-suiia 37). Lci us icmcmbci Loid Kisna's advicc in llagavad-gïia
(S.7): Rcmcmbci Mc and ligli.`
Tlc voicc ol dclusion says, Wlcn I'm oldci, I'll bc lcss occupicd wiil ilc siiugglc
loi cxisicncc. Tlcn I'll ialc io Kisna consciousncss.` lui wc may dic bcloic old
agc cvci comcs, oi wc may bc ioo lccblc ai ilai iimc. As King Kulascllaia piays
(Mulunda-mala-sioiia +0),
hrsna tvaáiya-paáa-panhaja-panjarantam
aáyaíva mc vísatu manasa-raja-namsan
prana-prayana-samayc hapna-vata-píttaín
hantnavaroánana-víánau smaranam hutas tc
O Loid, ai ilis momcni lci ilc ioyal swan ol my mind cnici ilc nciwoil ol ilc
sicms ol ilc loius llowci ol Youi lcci. How will ii bc possiblc loi mc io icmcmbci
You ai ilc iimc ol dcail, wlcn my ilioai will bc clolcd up wiil mucus, bilc, and
aii'`
Naiada adviscs ilai onc slould paiicnily cnduic.` Tlis is advicc loi ilc dcvoicc.
Hc slould lully cngagc limscll in Kisna consciousncss wiil ilc goal ol going bacl
io Godlcad, and in ilc mcaniimc lc slould iolciaic ilc dualiiics ol lilc. As Loid
Kisna adviscs Aijuna, O son ol Kuniï, ilc nonpcimancni appcaiancc ol lappincss
and disiicss, and ilcii disappcaiancc in duc couisc, aic lilc ilc appcaiancc and
dis-appcaiancc ol winici and summci scasons. Tlcy aiisc liom scnsc pciccpiion, O
scion ol llaiaia, and onc musi lcain io iolciaic ilcm wiiloui bcing disiuibcd`
(lg. 2.1+). Paiicnily cnduic` docs noi mcan ilai onc slould sioically pui up wiil
lilc's dualiiics and noi lully cngagc in Kisna consciousncss! Tlc dcvoicc spcnds all
lis days and momcnis wlolclcaiicdly cngagcd in dcvoiional scivicc, bui siill lc
las io conicnd wiil maiciial uplcavals. So in ilc lacc ol ilcsc incviiablc clangcs,
lc slould paiicnily cnduic and go on claniing Haic Kisna.
TEXT 78
anímsa-satya-sauca-áayastíhyaáí-carítryaní parípaIaniyaní
SYNONYMS
alimsa-ol nonviolcncc; saiya-iiuillulncss; sauca-clcanlincss; daya-
compassion; asiilya-laiil; adi-and so on; caiiiiyani-ilc claiaciciisiics;
paiipalanïyani-slould bc culiivaicd.
TRANSLATION
Onc slould culiivaic sucl good qualiiics as nonviolcncc, iiuillulncss, clcanlincss,
compassion, and laiil.
PURPORT
Tliougloui ilc llalii-suiias, Naiada las iaugli ilc bcsi, ilc uliimaic. Hc las
ncvci givcn mcdiocic dcliniiions ol blalii, bui liom lis own icalizaiions and liom
oilci Vaisnavas lc las iaugli paia blalii. Similaily, Siïla Piablupada would
always givc dcliniiions coniaining ilc lullcsi Kisna conscious subsiancc.
Tlc picscni vcisc, ilcicloic, musi bc undcisiood in ilc conicxi ol wlai las gonc
bcloic. Iai liom culiivaiing ilc lisicd viiiucs loi ilcmsclvcs, ilc aspiiing dcvoicc
slould undcisiand ilai all viiiucs will icmain wiilin ilc liamcwoil ol ilc
maiciial modcs uniil ilcy aic dovciailcd in Kisna consciousncss. Tlc good man is
ilc paiagon ol ilc saiivila modc, bui cvcn lc cannoi aiiain libciaiion il lc lails io
suiicndci io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. As Loid Kisna siaics, Tlosc
siiuaicd in ilai modc ¦saiiva-guna] bccomc condiiioncd by a scnsc ol lappincss
and lnowlcdgc` (lg. 1+.6).
Dclining alimsa, Siïla Piablupada iool ii io iis uliimaic conclusion loi ilc lilc ol
a dcvoicc:
Nonviolcncc is gcncially ialcn io mcan noi lilling oi dcsiioying ilc body, bui
aciually nonviolcncc mcans noi io pui oilcis inio disiicss. Pcoplc in gcncial aic
iiappcd by ignoiancc in ilc maiciial conccpi ol lilc, and ilcy pcipciually sullci
maiciial pangs. So unlcss onc clcvaics pcoplc io spiiiiual lnowlcdgc, onc is
piaciicing violcncc. Onc slould iiy lis bcsi io disiiibuic ical lnowlcdgc io ilc
pcoplc, so ilai ilcy may bccomc cnliglicncd and lcavc ilis maiciial cnianglcmcni.
Tlai is nonviolcncc. ¦lg. 13.12, puipoii]
Siïla Piablupada picaclcd iiiclcssly againsi violcncc io animals, cspccially io ilc
cow. Wlcncvci lc mci a icligionisi oi cducaicd pcison, Siïla Piablupada would
icsi lim on ilis poini. Hc ncvci conccdcd ilai ii was pcimissiblc io lill God's
cicaiuics bccausc ilcy lavc no soul,` oi loi wlaicvci icason ilc mcai-caicis
invcnicd. To ilc lollowcis ol Loid luddla Siïla Piablupada clallcngcd, Wc aic
glad ilai pcoplc aic ialing inicicsi in ilc nonviolcni movcmcni ol Loid luddla.
lui will ilcy ialc ilc maiici vciy sciiously and closc ilc animal slauglicilouscs
aliogcilci' Il noi, ilcic is no mcaning io ilc alimsa culi` (llag. 1.3.25, puipoii;
iialics in oiiginal).
Loid Kisna lisis saiya, iiuillulncss,` as onc ol ilc divinc qualiiics. lui
iiuillulncss dcpcnds on iccognizing ilc Absoluic Tiuil io bc ilc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. Oilciwisc, no maiici low siicnuously onc piaciiccs
loncsiy, ii icmains iclaiivc and noi lully plcasing io ilc Supicmc Loid. lui wlcn a
pcison iccognizcs ilai ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad is ilc supicmc
cmbodimcni ol iiuil and ilus dcdicaics lis lilc io lollowing ilc iiuil and
disiiibuiing ilai iiuil, ilcn lc can bcgin io bc an loncsi pcison.
Clcanlincss iclcis io boil innci and ouici siaics. loil aic impoiiani, bui inicinal
puiiiy is moic impoiiani. Loid Caiianya dcclaicd ilai ilc congicgaiional claniing
ol ilc loly namcs is ilc bcsi pioccss loi clcaning ilc mind. All maiciial
conccpis-sucl as idcniilying ilc scll as ilc body, sccing dualiiics in ilc woild,
and lanlciing loi scnsc giaiilicaiion-aic diiiy ilings` in ilc lcaii. Tlc blalia
is always busy clcaning and polisling, liccing limscll liom ilc accumulaiion ol
dusi, by ilc piaciicc ol claniing Haic Kisna, Haic Kisna, Kisna Kisna, Haic Haic/
Haic Rama, Haic Rama, Rama Rama, Haic Haic.
As loi daya, ilcic can bc no bciici lindncss ilan io aiiain puic Kisna
consciousncss youiscll and io slaic ii wiil oilcis.
Tlc woid asiilya, laiil,` implics ilai wc slould noi inicipici ilc woids ol
sciipiuic bui ialc ii as ii is.` Wlcn Kisna says in llagavad-gïia Suiicndci io
Mc,` onc slould noi ilinl limscll wisci ilan Kisna and claim ilai ii is noi io ilc
pcison Kisna wlom wc lavc io suiicndci bui io ilc spiiii wiilin Kisna. Iaiil`
also mcans io piaciicc dcvoiional scivicc wiiloui moiivaiion and wiiloui
iniciiupiion.
In discussing a similai lisi ol viiiucs in ilc llagavad-gïia (13.S-12), Siïla
Piablupada wiiics, Tlc pioccss ol lnowlcdgc iciminaics in unalloycd dcvoiional
scivicc io ilc Loid. So il onc docs noi appioacl, oi is noi ablc io appioacl, ilc
iiansccndcnial scivicc ol ilc Loid, ilcn ilc oilci ninciccn iicms lavc no
paiiiculai valuc. lui il a pcison ialcs io dcvoiional scivicc in lull Kisna
consciousncss, ilc oilci ninciccn iicms auiomaiically dcvclop wiilin lim.`
ly lisiing piomincni viiiucs and using ilc woid adi, indicaiing ilai ilcic aic many
oilcis, Naiada icminds us ilai blalii las io bc siiuaicd on a loundaiion ol good
bclavioi. A blalia cannoi bc a coaisc lool oi iascal. Siïla Piablupada was oncc
aslcd by a TV inicivicwci, How would I bc ablc io icll a dcvoicc ol Kisna'`
Piablupada icplicd, Hc would bc a pcilcci gcnilcman.`
TEXT 79
sarvaáa sarva-bnavcna níscíntaír bnagavan cva bnajaniyan
SYNONYMS
saivada-always; saiva-blavcna-wiil all onc's lccling; nisciniail-by ilosc wlo
aic licc liom doubi; blagavan-ilc Supicmc Loid; cva-indccd; blajanïyal-
slould bc woislipcd.
TRANSLATION
Tlosc wlo aic licc ol doubis slould consianily woislip ilc Supicmc Loid wiil all
ilcii lcaiis.
PURPORT
In lis puipoii io Suiia 12, Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Tlc Naiada-blalii-suiia is a
summaiy ol ilc llagavad-gïia and ilc Siïmad-llagavaiam.` Hcic again wc scc ilc
iiuil ol ilai siaicmcni, sincc ilis suiia is vciy similai io Loid Kisna's conlidcniial
siaicmcnis in ilc llagavad-gïia. Ioi cxamplc, ai ilc cnd ol Clapici Iiliccn Hc
says,
yo mam cvam asammuáno janatí purusottamam
sa sarva-víá bnajatí mam sarva-bnavcna bnarata
ítí gunyatamam sastram íáam uhtam mayanagna
ctaá buáánva buááníman syat hrta-hrtyas ca bnarata
Wlocvci lnows Mc as ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, wiiloui doubiing,
is ilc lnowci ol cvciyiling. Hc ilcicloic cngagcs limscll in lull dcvoiional scivicc
io Mc, O scion ol llaiaia. Tlis is ilc mosi conlidcniial paii ol ilc Vcdic
sciipiuics, O sinlcss onc, and ii is discloscd now by Mc. Wlocvci undcisiands ilis
will bccomc wisc, and lis cndcavois will lnow pcilcciion` (lg. 15.19-20). And
again in ilc Ligliccnil Clapici:
sarva-gunyatamam bnuyan srnu mc paramam vacan
ísto `sí mc áránam ítí tato vahsyamí tc nítam
man-mana bnava maá-bnahto maá-yaji mam namashuru
mam cvaísyasí satyam tc pratíjanc príyo `sí mc

lccausc you aic My vciy dcai liicnd, I am spcaling io you My supicmc
insiiuciion, ilc mosi conlidcniial lnowlcdgc ol all. Hcai ilis liom Mc, loi ii is loi
youi bcnclii. Always ilinl ol Mc, bccomc My dcvoicc, woislip Mc, and ollci youi
lomagc unio Mc. Tlus you will comc io Mc wiiloui lail. I piomisc you ilis
bccausc you aic My vciy dcai liicnd` (lg. 1S.6+-65).
Tlcic is no dillcicncc bciwccn Loid Kisna's insiiuciion io ilinl ol Mc always`
and Naiada's insiiuciion io always ilinl ol llagavan Kisna.` And indccd, any
lollowci ol Naiada's in disciplic succcssion can icpcai lis woids: Tlc Supicmc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad alonc slould always bc woislipcd wlolclcaiicdly.` lui
oui woids musi bc uiicicd wiil ilc conviciion boin liom a lilc dcdicaicd io ilc
piaciiccs Naiada las givcn in ilc llalii-suiias.
Oui woids and acis in dcvoiional scivicc cannoi bc mcclanical. To qualily as
blalii, ilcy musi bc donc wiil loving lcclings. As Loid Kisna says, Il onc ollcis
Mc wiil lovc and dcvoiion a lcal, a llowci, a liuii, oi waici, I will acccpi ii` (lg.
9.26). And again, To ilosc wlo aic consianily dcvoicd io sciving Mc wiil lovc, I
givc ilc undcisianding by wlicl ilcy can comc io Mc` (lg. 10.10).
Tlc wlolclcaiicd, cxclusivc dcvoiion io Kisna Naiada iccommcnds is cclocd in
llïsma's dcliniiion ol lovc: Lovc mcans icposing onc's allcciion complcicly upon
onc pcison, wiildiawing all alliniiics loi any oilci pcison` (Tlc Ncciai ol
Dcvoiion, p. 1+7). Tlis siagc was aiiaincd by all gicai dcvoiccs, sucl as Piallada,
Uddlava, Naiada, and ilc icsidcnis ol Vindavana.
Wc musi icmcmbci ilai consiani, ccsiaiic absoipiion in Loid Kisna is ilc goal ol
blalii, and ilai blalii includcs ilc appioacl io ilai goal. In ilc Twcllil Clapici
ol ilc llagavad-gïia, Loid Kisna iccommcnds ilc iopmosi siagc, sponiancous
lovc, bui Hc also cncouiagcs us by saying ilai undciialing ilc piaciiccs ol blalii-
yoga will biing onc io ilc uliimaic siagc:
mayy cva mana aánatsva mayí buááním nívcsaya
nívasísyasí mayy cva ata uránvam na samsayan
atna cíttam samaánatum na sahnosí mayí stníram
abnyasa-yogcna tato mam íccnaptum ánananjaya
Jusi lix youi mind upon Mc, ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and cngagc all
youi iniclligcncc in Mc. Tlus you will livc in Mc always, wiiloui a doubi. My dcai
Aijuna, O winnci ol wcalil, il you cannoi lix youi mind upon Mc wiiloui
dcviaiion, ilcn lollow ilc icgulaiivc piinciplcs ol blalii-yoga. In ilis way dcvclop
a dcsiic io aiiain Mc` (lg. 12.S-9).
Hcaiing liom mala-janas wlo aic in ilc sponiancous siagc ol blalii is iiscll onc
ol ilc mosi impoiiani sciviccs ol ilc piaciicing dcvoicc. Lvcn Lalsmana, onc ol
Loid Kisna's wivcs, conlidcd ilai lci aiiiaciion io ilc Loid lad bccn cvolcd by
lcaiing ilc woids ol Naiada: My dcai quccn, many iimcs I lcaid ilc gicai sagc
Naiada gloiilying ilc pasiimcs ol Loid Kisna. I bccamc aiiiacicd io ilc loius lcci
ol Kisna wlcn I lcaid Naiada say ilai ilc goddcss ol loiiunc, Lalsmï, was also
aiiiacicd io His loius lcci` (Kisna, p. 70S).
Lci us always lccp Naiada and lis icpicscniaiivcs as oui woislipablc picccpiois.
Tlcy will lcad us io Loid Kisna.
TEXT 80
sa hirtyamanan signram cvavírbnavaty anubnavayatí bnahtan
SYNONYMS
sal-Hc; lïiiyamanal-bcing gloiilicd; sïgliam-quiclly; cva-indccd;
aviiblavaii-appcais; anublavayaii-givcs icalizaiion; blalian-io ilc dcvoiccs.
TRANSLATION
Wlcn Hc is gloiilicd, ilc Loid swilily icvcals Himscll io His dcvoiccs and allows
ilcm io lnow Him as Hc is.
PURPORT
Tlc Siïmad-llagavaiam dcsciibcs low Naiada aiiaincd diicci pciccpiion ol Loid
Kisna. Alici Naiada lcaid aboui Kisna liom sagcs wlo wcic visiiing lis lousc, lc
coniinucd living wiil lis moilci, sincc lc was only a livc-ycai-old boy. lui lis
moilci suddcnly dicd, and Naiada iool io wandciing. Oncc, as lc sai undci a
banyan iicc and bcgan io mcdiiaic upon ilc Supcisoul, ilc Loid appcaicd io lim.
Naiada iclaics, As soon as I bcgan io mcdiiaic upon ilc loius lcci ol ilc
Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad wiil my mind iiansloimcd in iiansccndcnial lovc, icais
iollcd down my cycs and wiiloui dclay ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Siï Kisna,
appcaicd on ilc loius ol my lcaii` (llag. 1.6.16).
Alici ilis iniiial daisana, ilc Supicmc Loid wiildicw Himscll in His pcisonal loim
bui spolc io Naiada: O viiiuous onc, you lavc only oncc sccn My pcison, and
ilis is jusi io incicasc youi dcsiic loi Mc, bccausc ilc moic you lanlci loi Mc, ilc
moic you will bc liccd liom all maiciial dcsiics` (llag. 1.6.22). Tlc Supicmc Loid
luiilci iold Naiada ilai lc would cvcniually bccomc My associaic in ilc
iiansccndcnial woild alici giving up ilc picscni dcploiablc maiciial woilds.`
And so Naiada's lilc is a pcisonal icsiimony io lis own insiiuciion givcn in ilis
suiia. Naiada wcni on io bccomc onc ol ilc iwclvc auiloiiiics on Kisna
consciousncss lnown as mala-janas, and lc is ilc spiiiiual masici ol sucl
sialwaiis as Piallada, Dliuva, and Vyasadcva.
Naiada oncc camc io Vyasadcva wlcn Vyasa was lccling dcspondcni, cvcn alici
laving compilcd mosi ol ilc Vcdic sciipiuics. Naiada quiclly diagnoscd lis
disciplc's dcpicssion and spolc io lim:
You lavc noi aciually bioadcasi ilc sublimc and spoilcss gloiics ol ilc Pcisonaliiy
ol Godlcad. Tlai plilosoply wlicl docs noi saiisly ilc iiansccndcnial scnscs ol
ilc Loid is considcicd woiillcss. Plcasc, ilcicloic, dcsciibc ilc iiansccndcnial
pasiimcs ol ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, Kisna, moic vividly. ¦llag.
1.5.S, 21]
Vyasa iool Naiada's insiiuciions io lcaii and bcgan composing ilc Siïmad-
llagavaiam, wlicl is lillcd wiil ilc gloiics ol Loid Kisna in His many
incainaiions, as wcll as naiiaiions ol ilc Loid's puic dcvoiccs. Vyasadcva laici
cxpicsscd lis piolound giaiiiudc by gloiilying Siï Naiadadcva in vaiious vciscs ol
ilc Siïmad-llagavaiam:
ano ácvarsír ánanyo `yam yat hirtím sarnga-ánanvanan
gayan maáyann íáam tantrya ramayaty aturam jagat
All gloiy and succcss io Siïla Naiada Muni bccausc lc gloiilics ilc aciiviiics ol
ilc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, and in so doing lc limscll ialcs plcasuic and also
cnliglicns all ilc disiicsscd souls ol ilc univcisc` (llag. 1.6.3S).
TEXT 81
trí-satyasya bnahtír cva gariyasi bnahtír cva gariyasi
SYNONYMS
iii-in ilicc ways (by lis mind, body, and woids); saiyasya-loi onc wlo is
iiuillul; blaliil-dcvoiional scivicc; cva-alonc; gaiïyasï-mosi dcai; blaliil-
dcvoiional scivicc; cva-alonc; gaiïyasï-mosi dcai.
TRANSLATION
Dcvoiional scivicc is ilc mosi piccious posscssion ol a pcison wlo loncsily uscs
lis mind, body, and woids.
PURPORT
Tlc woid iii-saiya may iclci io ilc ilicc ways ol cxpicssing iiuil-wiil onc's
ilouglis, aciions, and woids. Tlcn again, iii-saiya may bc ialcn io indicaic ilai
blalii is ilc bcsi way ol icalizing ilc iiuil in all ilicc plascs ol iimc-namcly,
pasi, picscni, and luiuic. Loid Kapila iold His moilci, Dcvaluii, I slall now
cxplain unio you ilc ancicni yoga sysicm, wlicl I cxplaincd loimcily io ilc gicai
sagcs. Ii is sciviccablc and piaciical in cvciy way` (llag. 3.25.1+). In lis puipoii
Piablupada wiiics, Wlcn wc lavc a supcicxccllcni pioccss alicady picscni in ilc
Vcdic sciipiuics, ilcic is no nccd io concoci a ncw sysicm io mislcad ilc innoccni
public. Ai picscni ii las bccomc a laslion io icjcci ilc siandaid sysicm and
picscni somciling bogus in ilc namc ol a ncwly invcnicd pioccss ol yoga` (llag.
3.25.1+, puipoii). llalii is ancicni wisdom, an immcdiaic piaciical piogiam, and
ilc vision ol ilc luiuic. Ii is iii-lala-jnana, lnowlcdgc ol pasi, picscni, and luiuic.
As ilc bcsi usc ol body, spcccl, and mind, blalii is ilc bcsi lappincss, ilc bcsi
aciion, and ilc bcsi mcdiiaiion. Wlcn Loid Caiianya aslcd Ramananda Raya io
cxplain ilc vciy bcsi iling, Ramananda Raya dcsciibcd blalii in many ways:
Tlc Loid inquiicd, Ol all iypcs ol cducaiion, wlicl is ilc mosi impoiiani'`
Ramananda Raya icplicd, Tlcic is no cducaiion ilai is impoiiani oilci ilan ilc
iiansccndcnial dcvoiional scivicc ol Kisna.`
Siï Caiianya Malapiablu ilcn inquiicd, Oui ol all libciaicd pcisons, wlo slould
bc acccpicd as ilc gicaicsi'` Ramananda icplicd, Hc wlo las lovc loi Kisna las
aiiaincd ilc iopmosi libciaiion.`
Siï Caiianya Malapiablu aslcd, Oui ol all iopics pcoplc lisicn io, wlicl is ilc
bcsi loi living cniiiics'` Ramananda Raya icplicd, Hcaiing aboui ilc loving allaiis
bciwccn Radla and Kisna is mosi plcasing io ilc cai.` ¦Cc. Madlya S.2+5, 2+9,
255]
In ilis suiia Naiada says ilc samc iling as Ramananda Raya did, bui in condcnscd
loim: llalii is ilc bcsi in cvciy caicgoiy. Wly slould wc doubi ii' And wly
slould wc diluic blalii wiil oilci iiuils, as il blalii is in nccd ol lclp' llalii
iiscll conlcis all lnowlcdgc and icnunciaiion. Ii ollcis ilc mosi couiagcous aciion,
as wcll as ilc bcsi aii, scicncc, and iccicaiion. Mosi impoiiani ol all, only blalii is
plcasing io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad. As Loid Kisna says, Onc can
undcisiand Mc as I am, as ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, only by dcvoiional
scivicc. And wlcn onc is in lull consciousncss ol Mc by sucl dcvoiion, lc can
cnici inio ilc lingdom ol God` (lg. 1S.55). Lvcn il wc ilinl ilai wc may bc ablc
io accomplisl somciling jusi as wcll by a non-blalii mcilod, oui clloii would
siill lail io plcasc ilc Loid, and ilus wc would noi lind scll-saiislaciion.
llalii is bcsi, and blalii mcans dcvoiional scivicc io ilc Supicmc Loid, Siï
Kisna. Oncc Naiada visiicd Loid Kisna in Vindavana and piaiscd His uniquc
posiiion:
My Loid, lci mc ollci my icspccilul obcisanccs unio Youi loius lcci.... Youi
unlimiicd poicncy cannoi cvcn bc mcasuicd by anyonc. My dcai Loid, You aic ilc
supicmc coniiollci. You aic undci Youi own inicinal poicncy, and ii is simply
vain io ilinl ilai You aic dcpcndcni on any ol Youi cicaiions.... Youi advcni on
ilc suilacc ol ilc caiil in Youi oiiginal loim ol cicinal blisslul lnowlcdgc is Youi
own pasiimc. You aic noi dcpcndcni on anyiling bui Youiscll; ilcicloic I ollci my
icspccilul obcisanccs unio Youi loius lcci. ¦Kisna, p. 303]
Lci us lccp Naiada's spiiiicd woids in oui lcaiis so ilai wc may piaciicc blalii-
yoga wiiloui doubi. And lci us pioclaim ilc gloiics ol Kisna joylully, as Naiada
docs. Naiada is a spacc iiavclci, and wlcicvci lc gocs lc sings ilc Loid's gloiics io
ilc accompanimcni ol lis vïna:
naraáa muní bajaya vina
raáníha-ramana namc
Playing lis vïna, Naiada Muni clanis ilc namcs ol Loid Radlila-iamana.` As
lollowcis ol Naiada Muni, wc may also sclcci a vïna,` oi mcilod ol blajana, and
usc ii io plcasc ilc Loid. Playing oui vïna lilc Naiada, wc may icll cvciyonc wc
mcci, llalii is ilc bcsi pail, blalii is ilc bcsi!`
TEXT 82
guna-manatmyasahtí-rupasahtí-pujasahtí-smaranasa tí-áasyasahtí-
sahnyasahtí-vatsaIyasahtí-hantasahty-atma-nívcáanasahtí-tan-mayasahtí-
parama-víranasahtí-rupaí haánapy chaáasaána bnavatí
SYNONYMS
guna-ol ilc (Loid's) qualiiics; malaimya-io ilc gicaincss; asalii-aiiaclmcni;
iupa-io His bcauiy; asalii-aiiaclmcni; puja-io woislip; asalii-aiiaclmcni;
smaiana-io icmcmbiancc; asalii-aiiaclmcni; dasya-io scivicc; asalii-
aiiaclmcni; sallya-io liicndslip; asalii-aiiaclmcni; vaisalya-io paicnial
alliniiy; asalii-aiiaclmcni; lania-as a conjugal lovci; asalii-aiiaclmcni;
aima-ol onc's scll; nivcdana-io ilc ollciing; asalii-aiiaclmcni; iai-maya-io
bcing lull ol ilougli ol Him; asalii-aiiaclmcni; paiama-supicmc; viiala-io
scpaiaiion; asalii-aiiaclmcni; iupa-laving as iis loims; cladla-onclold;
api-alilougl; cladasalla-clcvcnlold; blavaii-bccomcs.
TRANSLATION
Alilougl dcvoiional scivicc is onc, ii bccomcs manilcsicd in clcvcn loims ol
aiiaclmcni: aiiaclmcni io ilc Loid's gloiious qualiiics, io His bcauiy, io
woisliping Him, io icmcmbciing Him, io sciving Him, io iccipiocaiing wiil Him
as a liicnd, io caiing loi Him as a paicni, io dcaling wiil Him as a lovci, io
suiicndciing onc's wlolc scll io Him, io bcing absoibcd in ilougli ol Him, and io
cxpciicncing scpaiaiion liom Him. Tlis lasi is ilc supicmc aiiaclmcni.
PURPORT
Naiada las iaugli ilai blalii is ilc bcsi ol all pioccsscs loi icalizing iiuil, and lc
las dcsciibcd ilc iulcs and icgulaiions lcading io pcilcciion. Hc las iold us ilai
wc lavc io cxpciicncc blalii loi ouisclvcs, and ilai ii is ilc liglcsi bliss. Now lc
indicaics ilc libcialiiy ol blalii by lisiing ilc vaiious ways onc may icndci
dcvoiional scivicc.
Tlcic las bccn noiling io suggcsi ilai Naiada is picscniing a ilcoiciical iicaiisc.
Tlus wc slould noi concludc oui icading ol ilc Naiada-blalii-suiia wiiloui
dcciding low wc slall icndci piaciical scivicc io Kisna. Oncc a collcgc siudcni
camc io visii Siïla Piablupada and iold lim ilai lc lad alicady icad ilc
llagavad-gïia. Siïla Piablupada aslcd, So, wlai is youi conclusion'` Tlc siudcni
admiiicd ilai lc lad noi icaclcd any paiiiculai conclusion alici lis siudy ol ilc
Gïia. Piablupada cxplaincd ilai ilc conclusion ol ilc llagavad-gïia
is ilai Loid Kisna is ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad and ilai onc slould
givc up all oilci pioccsscs ol icligion and scivc Him. An iniclligcni icadci ol ilc
llagavad-gïia slould lnow ilis and ialc up dcvoiional scivicc. Similaily, lcic ai
ilc cnd ol ilc llalii-suiias Naiada is iclling us low wc may scivc ilc Supicmc
Loid.
Ol couisc, ilc iasas wiil Kisna aic loi ilc libciaicd dcvoiccs and cannoi bc ialcn
up aibiiiaiily. Oui scivicc io Kisna slould bc guidcd by oui spiiiiual masici. Hc
will lclp us io scivc accoiding io oui psycloplysical naiuic, in a way ilai is mosi
cllcciivc loi oui puiilicaiion. lui liom ilc bcginning wc can ai lcasi lnow ilai
Loid Kisna is scivcd by His libciaicd associaics in many ways and ilai oui own
pcilcciion will bc io discovci low wc aic mcani io scivc Him cicinally io oui
lcaii's conicni.
A dcvoicc appicciaics ilc many sciviccs ilc Loid's dcvoiccs cngagc in, and lc
siudics low io bccomc pcilcci in lis paiiiculai iclaiionslip wiil ilc Loid.
Naiada's clcvcn ways ol blalii appcai io bc a combinaiion ol ilc ninc pioccss ol
blalii iaugli by Piallada Malaiaja and ilc livc main iasas wiil Loid Kisna
dcsciibcd by Rupa Gosvamï in lis llalii-iasamiia-sindlu. Lxamplcs ol dcvoiccs
wlo aclicvcd pcilcciion by piaciicing onc ol ilc ninc pioccsscs ol blalii aic as
lollows:
(1) Malaiaja Paiïlsii bccamc pcilcci by lcaiing aboui Kisna; (2) Suladcva
Gosvamï bccamc pcilcci by spcaling ilc gloiics ol ilc Loid; (3) Piallada
Malaiaja bccamc pcilcci by icmcmbciing ilc Loid; (+) Lalsmïdcvï bccamc pcilcci
by sciving ilc loius lcci ol ilc Loid; (5) Malaiaja Piilu bccamc pcilcci by
woisliping ilc Loid; (6) Aliuia bccamc pcilcci by ollciing piaycis io ilc Loid;
(7) Hanuman bccamc pcilcci by sciving ilc Loid; (S) Aijuna bccamc pcilcci by
bcliicnding ilc Loid; and (9) lali Malaiaja bccamc pcilcci by ollciing cvciyiling
io ilc Loid.
As loi ilc livc iasas, ilcy aic: (1) adoiaiion ol ilc Loid (sania), (2) sciviiudc
(dasya), (3) liicndslip (sallya), (+) paicnial lovc (vaisalya), and (5) conjugal lovc
(madluiya). Piomincni cxamplcs ol dcvoiccs in cacl ol ilcsc iasas aic as lollows:
ilc loui Kumaias in sania-iasa; Hanuman and Kisna's vaiious scivanis in Dvaiala
and Mailuia in dasya-iasa; Siïdama, Sudama, and Siola-lisna in sallya-iasa;
Kisna's paicnis in vaisalya-iasa; and ilc gopïs ol Vindavana and ilc quccns in
Dvaiala in madluiya-iasa.
All libciaicd dcvoiccs aic siiuaicd in absoluic iiansccndcncc, and onc dcvoicc docs
noi lanlci loi ilc pcilcciion ol anoilci. lui ilc Vaisnava acaiyas lavc analyzcd
ilc iasas io slow ilai ilcic is a piogicssion in allcciion-and a diminisling in
lcclings ol awc and icvcicncc iowaid ilc Loid-liom dasya-iasa up io madluiya-
iasa. All ilc qualiiics ol ilc oilci iasas aic lully coniaincd in conjugal lovc. As loi
lovc in scpaiaiion, wlicl Naiada mcniions as ilc clcvcnil and liglcsi siagc ol
aiiaclmcni, ilai was cspccially dcmonsiiaicd by ilc gopïs ol Vindavana, and also
by Loid Caiianya. Loid Caiianya's dcmonsiiaiion ol viiala, oi iiansccndcnial
anguisl in scpaiaiion liom Kisna, is ilc liglcsi ol all possiblc cxpicssions ol lovc
ol God.
Alilougl ilcic is a piogicssion in iniimacy in ilc iasas liom dasya-iasa io
madluiya-iasa, all aic bascd on ilc ccsiasy ol scivicc io ilc Loid. Kisnadasa
Kaviiaja wiiics, Lovc loi Kisna las ilis onc uniquc cllcci: ii imbucs supciiois,
cquals, and inlciiois wiil ilc spiiii ol scivicc io Loid Kisna` (Cc. Ãdi 6.53).
Kisna's liicnds in Vindavana lccl puic liaicinal allcciion loi Him, yci ilcy ioo
woislip His loius lcci in a spiiii ol sciviiudc. Kisna's moilci and lailci somciimcs
clasiisc ilc Loid, ilinling ilai Hc is ilcii liiilc son, and yci ilcy always ilinl ol
ilcmsclvcs as His scivanis. Kisna's lailci, Nanda Malaiaja, oncc said io Uddlava,
May oui minds bc aiiaclcd io ilc loius lcci ol youi Loid Kisna, may oui iongucs
clani His loly namcs, and may oui bodics lic piosiiaic bcloic Him` (Cc. Ãdi
6.60). Lvcn ilc gopïs ol Vindavana icgaid ilcmsclvcs as Kisna's maidscivanis.
Siïmaiï Radlaianï piays, O My Loid,... icvcal Youiscll io Youi maidscivani, wlo
is vciy mucl aggiicvcd by Youi abscncc` (llag. 10.33.9). lcing a scivani ol ilc
Supicmc Loid is so auspicious and blisslul ilai cvcn Loid Kisna Himscll
dcsccndcd as Loid Caiianya io acccpi ilc cmoiions and loim ol His own scivani.
Tlcicloic all dcvoiccs can bcsi culiivaic ilcii loving iclaiionslip wiil Loid Kisna
by bccoming ilc scivani ol oilci Vaisnava dcvoiccs. Il wc lix ouisclvcs in sicadlasi
and sponiancous loving scivicc io ilc Loid's dcvoiccs, Kisna will icvcal Himscll io
us and indicaic ncw, iniimaic ways in wlicl wc may scivc Him.
TEXT 83
íty cvam vaáantí jana-jaIpa-nírbnaya
cha-matan humara-vyasa-suha-sanáíIya-garga-vísnu-haunáíIya-
scsoáánavaruní-baIí-nanumaá-víbnisanaáayo bnahty-acaryan
SYNONYMS
iii-ilus; cvam-in ilis way; vadanii-ilcy spcal; jana-ol oidinaiy pcoplc;
jalpa-ol ilc gossip; niiblayal-unaliaid; cla-ol onc; maial-opinion; lumaia-
vyasa-sula-sandilya-gaiga-visnu-laundilya-scsa-uddlava-aiuni-bali-lanumai-
viblïsana-adayal- ilc Kumaias, Vyasa, Sula, Sandilya, Gaiga, Visnu, Kaundilya,
Scsa, Uddlava, Aiuni, lali, Hanuman, Viblïsana, and oilcis; blalii-ol
dcvoiional scivicc; acaiyal-ilc lounding auiloiiiics.
TRANSLATION
Tlus say ilc lounding auiloiiiics ol dcvoiional scivicc: ilc Kumaias, Vyasa, Sula,
Sandilya, Gaiga, Visnu, Kaundilya, Scsa, Uddlava, Aiuni, lali, Hanuman,
Viblïsana, and oilcis-spcaling wiiloui lcai ol woildly gossip and slaiing
among ilcmsclvcs onc and ilc samc opinion.
PURPORT
Naiada picviously gavc dcliniiions ol blalii accoiding io sagcs lilc Vyasa and
Gaiga, and now lc givcs a longci lisi. Hc also adds ilai ilcic aic many oilci
auiloiiiics wlo could also bc ciicd. In ilis way, alilougl Naiada's woid is
sullicicni, lc incicascs ilc auiloiiiy ol lis conclusion ilai blalii is ilc bcsi ol all
pails.
Wlilc piaising Loid Kisna as ilc Supicmc lialman and ilc God ol gods, Aijuna
also iclciicd io gicai sagcs in oidci io suppoii lis siaicmcni:
param branma param ánama pavítram paramam bnavan
purusam sasvatam áívyam aáí-ácvam ajam víbnum
anus tvam rsayan sarvc ácvarsír naraáas tatna
asíto ácvaIo vyasan svayam caíva bravisí mc
You aic ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc uliimaic abodc, ilc puicsi, ilc
Absoluic Tiuil. You aic ilc cicinal, iiansccndcnial, oiiginal pcison, ilc unboin,
ilc gicaicsi. All ilc gicai sagcs sucl as Naiada, Asiia, Dcvala, and Vyasa conliim
ilis iiuil aboui You, and now You Youiscll aic dcclaiing ii io mc` (lg. 10.12-13).
Siïla Piablupada wiiics, Ii is noi ilai bccausc Kisna is Aijuna's iniimaic liicnd
Aijuna is llaiiciing Him by calling Him ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad, ilc
Absoluic Tiuil. Wlaicvci Aijuna says in ilcsc iwo vciscs is conliimcd by Vcdic
iiuil` (lg. 10.12-13, puipoii). Wlcn Yamaiaja wanicd io impicss upon lis
mcsscngcis, ilc Yamaduias, ilai Loid Visnu is ilc supicmc auiloiiiy and ilai
blalii is ilc supicmc pail, lc also quoicd an impicssivc lisi ol namcs. Tlcsc
icaclcis aic lnown as ilc iwclvc mala-janas, oi auiloiiiics in Kisna
consciousncss:
svayambnur naraáan sambnun haumaran hapíIo manun
pranIaáo janaho bnismo baIír vaíyasahír vayam
ávaáasaítc víjanimo ánarmam bnagavatam bnatan
gunyam vísuáánam áurboánam yam jnatvamrtam asnutc
¦Sl 6.3.20]
Loid lialma, llagavan Naiada, Loid Siva, ilc loui Kumaias, Loid Kapila ¦ilc
son ol Dcvaluii], Svayambluva Manu, Piallada Malaiaja, Janala Malaiaja,
Giandlailci llïsma, lali Malaiaja, Suladcva Gosvamï, and I myscll lnow ilc ical
icligious piinciplc. My dcai scivanis, ilis iiansccndcnial icligious piinciplc, wlicl
is lnown as blagavaia-dlaima, oi suiicndci unio ilc Supicmc Loid and lovc loi
Him, is un-coniaminaicd by ilc maiciial modcs ol naiuic. Ii is vciy conlidcniial
and dilliculi loi oidinaiy luman bcings io undcisiand, bui il by clancc a pcison
loiiunaicly undcisiands ii, lc is immcdiaicly libciaicd, and ilus lc iciuins lomc,
bacl io Godlcad` (llag. 6.3.20-21).
In lis puipoii, Siïla Piablupada siicsscs noi only ilc impoiiancc ol ilc individual
sagcs bui ilc laci ilai ilcy aic icpicscniaiivcs ol Vaisnava sampiadayas:
Tlcic aic loui lincs ol disciplic succcssion: onc liom Loid lialma, onc liom Loid
Siva, onc liom Lalsmï, ilc goddcss ol loiiunc, and onc liom ilc Kumaias. Tlc
disciplic succcssion liom Loid lialma is callcd ilc lialma-sampiadaya, ilc
succcssion liom Loid Siva (Samblu) is callcd ilc Rudia-sampiadaya, ilc onc liom
ilc goddcss ol loiiunc, Lalsmïjï, is callcd ilc Siï-sampiadaya, and ilc onc liom
ilc Kumaias is callcd ilc Kumaia-sampiadaya. Onc musi ialc slclici ol onc ol
ilcsc loui sampiadayas in oidci io undcisiand ilc mosi conlidcniial icligious
sysicm. In ilc Padma Puiana ii is said, sampiadaya-vilïna yc maniias ic nisplala
maial: Il a pcison docs noi lollow ilc loui iccognizcd disciplic succcssions, lis
maniia oi iniiiaiion is usclcss.` ¦llag. 6.3.20-21, puipoii]
Naiada siaics ilai ilc acaiyas ol ilc Absoluic Tiuil wcic noi aliaid ol ciiiicism. In
bygonc agcs lools ciiiicizcd puic dcvoiccs and cvcn ilc Supicmc Loid Himscll.
Oncc ilc powcilul piogcniioi Dalsa cuiscd Naiada bccausc lc lad convinccd
Dalsa's sons io icjcci maiiiagc and icmain cclibaic. Dalsa callcd Naiada a sinlul
iascal posing as a dcvoicc. Naiada iolciaicd Dalsa's cuisc wiiloui icialiaiion, bui
lc coniinucd lis picacling.
In lis puipoiis, Siïla Piablupada compaics ilc ciiiicism Naiada icccivcd io ilc
ciiiicism lc limscll icccivcd liom lis disciplcs' paicnis. Tlcii accusaiion was ilc
samc as Dalsa's-ilai ilc spiiiiual masici las unicasonably causcd young boys
(and giils) io givc up ilc noimal lilc ol scnsc giaiilicaiion and ialc io cxiicmc
loims ol icnunciaiion and dcvoiion io God. Tlc ciiiicism ol ilc Kisna
consciousncss movcmcni las ialcn oiganizcd slapc as paii ol ilc aniiculi
movcmcni,` bui Siïla Piablupada assuicd lis lollowcis noi io bc aliaid ol aiiacls:
Wc lavc no busincss cicaiing cncmics, bui ilc pioccss is sucl ilai nondcvoiccs
will always bc inimical iowaid us. Ncvciilclcss, as siaicd in ilc sasiias, a dcvoicc
slould bc boil iolciani and mcicilul. Dcvoiccs cngagcd in picacling slould bc
picpaicd io bc accuscd by ignoiani pcisons, and yci ilcy musi bc vciy mcicilul io
ilc lallcn, condiiioncd souls. Il onc can cxccuic lis duiy in ilc disciplic succcssion
ol Naiada Muni, lis scivicc will suicly bc iccognizcd.... Picacling can bc a
dilliculi, ilanllcss iasl, bui a picaclci musi lollow ilc oidcis ol ilc Supicmc
Loid and bc unaliaid ol maiciialisiic pcisons. ¦llag. 6.5.39, puipoii]
Ciiiics dciidc ilc Haic Kisna movcmcni as a concocicd ncw culi. lui jusi as ilc
Naiada-blalii-suiia is suppoiicd by vcnciablc auiloiiiics and mala-janas, so ilc
Kisna consciousncss movcmcni, cicaicd by His Divinc Giacc A. C. llaliivcdania
Swami Piablupada, is also auiloiiiaiivc. In laci, ilc samc auiloiiiics Naiada las
ciicd also bacl up ilc Kisna consciousncss movcmcni. Siïla Piablupada comcs in
ilc disciplic linc ol ilc lialma-Madlva-Gaudïya-sampiadaya, a linc ilai includcs
lialma, Naiada, Vyasadcva, Madlva, and Loid Caiianya. In ilc pianama-maniia
Siïla Piablupada's lollowcis clani, ilc pliasc gauia-vanï-piacaiinc mcans ilai
Siïla Piablupada icaclcs ilc mcssagc ol Loid Caiianya. Tlc sanlïiiana movcmcni,
ilc congicgaiional claniing ol Haic Kisna, was bcgun by Loid Caiianya Himscll,
and so ilc Kisna consciousncss movcmcni now spicading aiound ilc woild is noi
a ncw icligion bui a coniinuaiion ol ilc oiiginal sampiadaya. As Siïla Piablupada
says, Aciually ilc oiiginal lailci ol ilis movcmcni is Loid Kisna Himscll, sincc ii
was siaiicd a vciy long iimc ago bui is coming down io luman sociciy by disciplic
succcssion` (llagavad-gïia As Ii Is, piclacc).
TEXT 8+
ya íáam naraáa-prohtam sívanusasanam vísvasítí sraáánatc sa bnahtíman
bnavatí sa prcstnam Iabnatc sa prcstnam Iabnata ítí
SYNONYMS
yal-onc wlo; idam-ilis; naiada-pioliam-spolcn by Naiada; siva-
auspicious; anusasanam-insiiuciion; visvasiii-iiusis; siaddlaic-is convinccd
by; sal-lc; blalii-man-cndowcd wiil dcvoiion; blavaii-bccomcs; sal-lc;
picsilam-ilc mosi dcai (Supicmc Loid); lablaic-aiiains; sal-lc; picsilam-
ilc mosi dcai; lablaic-aiiains; iii-ilus.
TRANSLATION
Anyonc wlo iiusis ilcsc insiiuciions spolcn by Naiada and is convinccd by ilcm
will bc blcsscd wiil dcvoiion and aiiain ilc mosi dcai Loid. Ycs, lc will aiiain ilc
mosi dcai Loid.
PURPORT
Naiada cnds ilc llalii-suiias by siaiing ilai onc las io lcai ilcm wiil laiil.
Inquiiics and cvcn doubis may bc placcd bcloic ilc guiu, jusi as Aijuna cxpicsscd
lis doubis bcloic Loid Kisna. lui an aiiiiudc ol disbclicl will picvcni us liom
undcisianding. As Loid Kisna siaics,
asraááaánanan purusa ánarmasyasya parantapa
aprapya mam nívartantc mrtyu-samsara-vartmaní
Tlosc wlo aic noi laiillul in ilis dcvoiional scivicc cannoi aiiain Mc, O
conqucioi ol cncmics. Tlcicloic ilcy iciuin io ilc pail ol biiil and dcail in ilis
maiciial woild` (lg. 9.3). And as siaicd in ilc Svciasvaiaia Upanisad (6.23),
yasya ácvc para bnahtír yatna ácvc tatna gurau
tasyaítc hatníta ny artnan prahasantc manatmanan
¦SU 6.23]

Unio ilosc gicai souls wlo lavc implicii laiil in boil ilc Loid and ilc spiiiiual
masici, all ilc impoiis ol ilc Vcdas aic auiomaiically icvcalcd.`
Tlis linal suiia dcclaics ilai il a pcison lcais ilc Naiada-blalii-suiia wiil laiil,
ilcn Naiada blcsscs lim wiil dcvoiion io ilc Supicmc Pcisonaliiy ol Godlcad.
Tlis mcans ilai Naiada Muni is picscni and aciing iliougl ilc icaclings ol ilc
suiias. Tlc samc poicni blcssing Naiada las givcn io many pcisons cnabling ilcm
io bccomc siauncl blalias aic availablc cvcn now iliougl lis vanï, oi icaclings.
As ilc Slanda Puiana siaics, My dcai Naiada, ol all ilc sainily pcisons, you aic
so gicai and gloiious ilai simply by youi good wislcs a lowboin lunici also las
bccomc a gicai, clcvaicd dcvoicc ol Loid Kisna` (Tlc Ncciai ol Dcvoiion, p. 137).
Lci us giaiclully icccivc ilis bcncdiciion and icpcaicdly lcai ilc Naiada-blalii-
suiia loi oui iiansccndcnial plcasuic and bcnclii. Naiada wislcs io blcss us ilai
wc slall aiiain ilc paiam gaiim, ilc uliimaic goal ol lilc, ilc mosi clciislcd
dcsiic. lui wc musi asl ouisclvcs, Wlai do I dcsiic'` Il wc dcsiic io aiiain lisna-
blalii and il wc lcad oui lilc in accoidancc wiil ilc icaclings ol Kisna
consciousncss, ilcn Naiada piomiscs wc will aiiain ilc uliimaic in ilis lilc and ilc
ncxi: wc will icndci dcvoiional scivicc io Loid Kisna, ilc supicmc bclovcd. As
Rupa Gosvamï siaics in lis llalii-iasamiia-sindlu, ilc goal ol blalii is vciy
iaicly aiiaincd. Tlc Supicmc Loid docsn'i giani dcvoiion as casily as Hc gianis
libciaiion, bccausc wlcn Hc givcs dcvoiion onc gcis an oppoiiuniiy io scivc Him
diiccily. Suladcva Gosvamï iclls Malaiaja Paiïlsii, Tlosc cngagcd in gciiing ilc
Loid's lavoi aiiain libciaiion liom ilc Loid vciy casily, bui Hc docs noi vciy casily
givc ilc oppoiiuniiy io icndci diicci scivicc unio Him` (llag. 5.6.1S).
Naiada assuics us iwicc, so ilcic slould bc no doubi aboui ii: alilougl blalii is
vciy iaic and laid io aiiain, wiil ilc blcssings ol Naiada and lis icpicscniaiivcs
wc will aiiain ilc supicmc bclovcd, wc will aiiain ilc supicmc bclovcd.
-Complcicd on Unmïlanï Mala-dvadasï, Novcmbci 2+, 19S9, in Jagannaila Puiï,
as dcsiicd by His Divinc Giacc A. C. llaliivcdania Swami Piablupada