24 ESSENTIAL TEACHINGS FOR GAUDIYA VAISNAVAS

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Life is too short, memory is very weak and time is

less. Thus we offer the following 24 verses to
summarize all the essential principles, practices and
actual goal of Gaudiya Vaisnava Dharma. We have
arranged them in a logical sequence to facilitate
clear understanding. Devotees will obtain tremendous
spiritual benefit by reflecting deeply upon each one;
learning them and following their guidance.

^^^ STUDENT’S NOTE:

Everyone must absolutely memorize the Sanskrit (if
you can) or at least the English translation for
these four verses:
(Array1, 11, 14, 20)

These verses give the correct and perfect meaning of

“Krishna consciousness”, the practice and the goal.
Try your best to also learn and understand the main
points of all 24 verses. Then use this wisdom to
preach to yourself and others.
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

** MOST IMPORTANT VERSE:

Krishna Consciousness: The Essence

This verse written 500 years ago perfectly describes

the Gaudiya Vaisnava
Ishta devata (worshipable God)
Gati (destination)
Sadhana
Pramana (foundation, source)
Prayojana (necessity, ultimate goal of life)
Originator of our sampradaya

1. ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeśa tanayas, tad dhāma

vṛndāvanaṁ
ramyā kācid upāsanā, vraja,vadhū vargeṇa yā kalpitā
śāstraṁ bhāgavatam pramāṇam amalaṁ, prema pumārtho
mahān
śrī caitanya mahāprabhor matam, idaṁ tatrādaro naḥ
para

“Our worshipable form of Bhagavan [upasya] is Sri

Krishna, Nandanandana, whom we worship in Vrindavana
[the divya dhama and goal of life]. Our way to attain
perfection is to follow the delightful method of
worship done by the newlywed gopis of Vraja (vraja
vadhu).”

“Our main scripture is the Srimad Bhagavatam, the

spotless authority on Krishna-bhakti. The highest
goal of human life is Krishna prema, pure love of
God. These truths are the transcendental tenets of
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu which deserve our highest
respect, love and care.” (Written by Srinatha
Cakravarti, a sisya of Sri Advaita Prabhu; and Guru
of Kavi Karnapura)

KRISHNA: The Absolute Truth

2. janmādy asya yato’nvayād itarataś, cārtheṣv

abhijnaḥ svarāṭ
tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye, muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ
tejo-vāri-mṛdāṁ yathā vinimayo, yatra tri-sargo’mṛṣā
dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakaṁ, satyaṁ paraṁ
dhīmahi

“I meditate upon the Supreme Absolute Truth, Bhagavan

Sri Krishna, from whom all reality manifests. Sri
Krishna is both present in everything and
simultaneously aloof from it. Sri Krishna is
completely omniscient and independent. It is Krishna
alone who revealed the Veda (eternal transcendental
wisdom) within the heart of Brahmaji, the first
saintly person. Bhagavan Sri Krishna bewilders even
the greatest sages and devatas, just as one is
bewildered by the illusory representations of water
seen in fire, or land seen on water. Only because of
Sri Krishna do the material universes, temporarily
manifested by the three modes of nature, appear
factual, although unreal. Bhagavan Sri Krishna
eternally exists in His transcendental abode
(Vrndavana Dhama), which is forever free from the
illusions of the material world. (SB 1.1.1)

KRISHNA: Best Definition

3. īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ, sac cid ānanda vigraha

anādir ādir govinda, sarva kārana kāranam

Bhagavan Sri Krishna Govinda is the Supreme God, and

Sri Krishna’s eternal, transcendental body is sac cid
ananda, full of awareness, reality and bliss. Sri
Krishna is beginningless, the greatest of all, and
the cause of all causes.” (Brahma Samhita 5.1)

KRISHNA: Ultimate Beauty Meditation

4. barhāpīḍaṁ naṭa-vara-vapuḥ, karṇayoḥ karṇikāraṁ

bibhrad-vāsaḥ kanaka-kapiśaṁ, vaijayantīṁ ca mālām
randhrān veṇor adhara-sudhayā, pūrayan gopa-vṛndair
vṛndāraṇyaṁ sva-pada-ramaṇaṁ, prāviśad gīta-kīrtiḥ

“Krishna’s head is adorned with a peacock feather

crown. Krishna’s divine form is shaped like the best
of dancers and Krishna wears karnikara flowers on His
ears. While wearing a golden-hued garment and a
vaijayanti flower mala, Krishna fills the holes of
His flute with the nectar of His lips while the
cowherd boys sing Krishna glories as He wanders in
the forest of Vrindavana, beautifying the earth with
His lovely footprints.” (Venu Gita: SB 10.21.5)

Mahaprabhu: Is Krishna not Radha-Krishna

5. rādhā kṛṣṇa-praṇaya-vikṛtir hlādinī śaktir asmād

ekātmānāv api bhuvi purā deha-bhedaṁ gatau tau
caitanyākhyaṁ prakaṭam adhunā tad-dvayaṁ caikyam
āptaṁ
rādhā-bhāva-dyuti-suvalitaṁ naumi kṛṣṇa-svarūpam
“The transformations of love between Śrī Rādhā and Śrī
Krishna are manifestations of the hlādinī-śakti. These
two, although one soul, have manifested in this world
in separate forms since ancient times. He, who is
known as Caitanya, has now manifest as the union of
Radha-Krishna. Obeisances to Sri Chaitanya, who is Śrī
Krishna Himself, beautifully endowed with the
feelings and lustre (bhava, kanti) of Śrī Rādhā!”

Mahaprabhu: Main Purpose of Appearance

6. anarpita carīṁ cirāt karuṇayā avatīrṇa kalau,

samarpayitum unnatojjvala rasa sva bhakti śriyaṁ
hariḥ puraṭa sundara dyuti kadamba sandīpitaḥ, sadā
hṛdaya kandare sphuratu vaḥ śacī-nandanaḥ

“May Sri Sacinandana, who is Sri Hari Himself

appearing in a splendid beautiful golden form, and
who descended in the age of Kali to mercifully bestow
the wealth of His own bhakti, which was never
bestowed before, and which is endowed with the
elevated amorous flavour [madhurya-rasa i.e. gopi-
bhava], always be manifest in the cave of your
heart.”

VRINDAVAN: Goloka Is a Realm: Not a Planet

7. śanakair bhagaval-lokān, nṛ-lokaṁ punar āgataḥ.
vimṛjya netre viduraṁ, prītyāh oddhava utsmayan

“Gradually, Uddhava [after breaking his deep lila

meditation] returned from Bhagavān’s world to the
external human world [near Gurugaon, U.P. India].
Rubbing his eyes, Uddhava lovingly told Vidura in
amazement…” (SB 3.2.6); Krishna Sandarbha 106).

VRINDAVAN: Living in to get Radha’s mercy.

8. vṛndāni sarva mahatām apahāya dūrāt, vṛndāṭavīm

anusara pranayena cetaḥ
sat tāranī kṛta subhāva sudhā rasaugham, rādhā
bhidhānam iha divya nidhānam asti
O Mind! Stay aloof [apahaya durat] from all great
things or persons [sarva mahatam], and live in
Vrndavana with love. In Vraja, there is a divine
jewel of wonderful moods and feelings named RADHA,
Who redeems all the sincere souls sheltered in
Vraja!” (Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi 17)

SHUDDHA BHAKTI: Best Definition

9. anyābhilāṣita śūnyaṁ, jnāna-karmādy anāvṛtam

ānukūlyena krishnanu, śilanaṁ bhaktir uttamā

Sri Rupa Gosvami said, “The topmost devotion [uttama

bhakti] is devoid of all material desires, and not
mixed with or covered by any practices of impersonal
liberation (jnana) or fruitive activities [karma
kanda, homas, yajnas etc]. Uttama bhakti is practiced
deliberately and actively, solely for the pleasure of
Bhagavan Sri Krishna.” (Bhakti Rasāmṛta Sindhu 1.1.11)

SADHANA: Diksa Reveals Siddha Deha

10. dīkṣā-kāle bhakta kore, ātma-samarpana;

sei-kāle krishna tare, kore ātma-sama
sei deha kore tāra, cid-ānanda-maya;
aprākṛta-dehe tāṅra, caraṇa bhajaya

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “At the time of diksa,

the disciple surrenders one’s very self (body, mind &
heart) to Sri Guru. Then Sri Krishna makes the
disciple (qualitatively) equal to Himself. Krishna
fills the disciple with transcendental bliss, and in
that spiritual body the disciple serves Krishna’s
lotus feet.” (Cc. 3.4.192-193)

SADHANA: Gita’s Top Secret [told twice]

11. man manā bhava mad bhakto, mad yāji māṁ namaskuru
mām evaiṣyasi satyaṁ te, pratijāne priyo’si me
“Think of Me and be My devotee. Worship Me and offer
respects unto Me. Thus you will surely come to Me. I
promise you this because you are dear to Me.”
(Bhagavad-gita 18.65; 9.34)

SADHANA: 24/7 Main Rule of Bhakti

12. smartavyaṁ satataṁ viṣṇor, vismartavyo na jātūcit

sarva vidhi niṣedha syur, etayor eva kinkarāḥ

“Always remember Krishna and never forget Krishna! All

other rules and prohibitions are subservient to
this.” (Padma P. 6.71.100)

SADHANA: Best Instruction to the Mind

13. gurau goṣṭhe goṣṭhālayiṣu, sujane bhū-sura-gaṇe,

sva-mantre śrī-nāmni, vraja-nava-yuva-dvandva-śaraṇe
sadā dambhaṁ hitvā kuru, ratim apūrvām atitarāṁ
aye svāntar bhrātaś caṭubhir, abhiyāce dhṛta-padaḥ

Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami said, “O brother mind! I

clasp your feet and pray to you with flattering
words: ‘Always give up hypocrisy and develop
unprecedented love for Sri Guru, Vraja Dhama, the
Vrajavasis, the saints, the brāhmaṇas, the diksa
mantra, the Holy Names of Sri Krishna, and the
shelter of the eternally youthful Couple of Vraja,
Śrī-Śrī Rādhā-Krishna.’” (Manaḥ Śikṣā 1)

SADHANA: 4 Point Bhakti Success

14. tṛṇād api sunīcena, taror iva sahiṣṇunā;

amāninā mānadena, kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ

“One should always chant Hari kirtana i.e. the Hare

Krishna maha-mantra in a humble state of mind,
thinking oneself lower than a blade of grass. Always
be as tolerant as a tree and respect everyone without
expecting honor in return.” (Śrī Caitanya-śikṣāṣṭakam
3)
SADHANA: Krishna Gives All to Devotees

15. ananyaś cintayanto māṁ, ye janāḥ paryupāsate

teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ, yoga kṣemaṁ vahāmyaham

“If one always worships and exclusively meditates Me,

I will provide all one’s needs and maintain whatever
one has.” (Bhagavad-gītā 9.22)

SADHANA: Mind—Only Krishna Bhakti Can Control

16. cancalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa, pramāthi balavad dṛḍham

tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye, vāyor iva suduṣkaram

“O Kṛṣṇa! The mind is very restless, agitating,

powerful and obstinate. It seems harder to control
than the wind.” (Bhagavad-gītā 6.34)

SHASTRA: Must Live By

17. yaḥ śāstra-vidhiṁ utsṛjya vartate kāma kārataḥ

na sa siddhim avāpnoti na sukhaṁ na paraṁ gatiṁ

“One who rejects scriptural injunctions and acts

whimsically will not attain perfection, nor will one
become happy or attain the spiritual world.”
(Bhagavad Gītā 16.23)

SHASTRA: Focus On Essence: Pure Bhakti

18. ananta-śāstraṁ bahulāś ca vidyāḥ

svalpaś ca kālo bahu-vighnatā ca
yat sāra-bhūtaṁ tad-upāsanīyaṁ
haṁso yathā kṣīram ivāmbu-madhyāt

“The scriptures are infinite and the branches of

knowledge are many. Our time is limited and our lives
are full of obstacles. Therefore, we should worship
the essence, just as the swan extracts the milk from
a body of water.” (Canakya-nīti-darpanam 15.10)

SHASTRA: Benefit of Hearing Rasa Lila

19. vikrīḍitaṁ vraja vadhūbhir, idaṁ ca viṣṇoḥ,

śraddhānvito ’nuśṛṇuyed, atha varṇayed yaḥ
bhaktiṁ paraṁ bhagavatiṁ, pratilabhya kāmaṁ,
hṛd-rogam āśva pahinot, yacireṇa dhīraḥ

Suka Muni said [phala shruti for rasa-lila] “Anyone

who faithfully and continually hears and describes
the pastimes of Bhagavan Sri Krishna with the Vraja
gopis will attain the highest devotion [Vraja
madhurya-rati] to Sri Krishna, become peaceful, and
quickly become free from the heart’s disease of
lust.” (SB 10.29.39)

SADHANA: Sri Chaitanya Orders Gopi Bhava

20. ataeva gopī-bhāva, kari aṅgīkāra,

rātri-dina cinte, rādhā-kṛṣṇera vihāra

“Therefore one should accept the loving mood of the

gopis [gopi-bhava], and day and night meditate on the
pleasure pastimes of Radha and Krishna. (Cc. 2.8.228)

SADHANA: Two Forms—Internal & External

21. bāhya antara ihāra dui to sādhana;

bāhya sādhaka dehe kore śravaṇa kīrtana
mane nija siddha deha koriyā bhāvana;
rātri dine kore vraje kṛṣṇera sevana

Mahaprabhu said, “O Sri Sanatana Goswami! “There are

two kinds of devotion in practise (sadhana bhakti):
external and internal. In the external practitioner’s
body, one performs hearing and chanting of Krishna’s
glories, and internally, in the mentally conceived
spiritual body, one renders mental service to Krishna
in Vraja day and night.” (Cc. 2.22.155-156)
SADHANA: Worship Shyama For Sriji’s Seva

22. dhyāyantaṁ śikhi-piccha-mauli-maniśaṁ tan nāma-

sankīrtayan
nityaṁ tac caraṇāmbujaṁ paricaran tan-mantra-varyaṁ
japan
śrī rādhā padāsyam eva paramābhīṣṭaṁ hṛdā dhārayan
karhi syāṁ tad anugraheṇa param ādbhutānurāg otsavaḥ

“I always meditate on Krishna wearing a crown of

peacock feathers; I always sing Krishna’s name in
saṅkīrtana; I always serve Krishna’s lotus feet and
repeat His best of mantras [diksa mantras], all the
while holding in my heart the desire for the
supremely cherished service of Śrī Rādhā’s lotus feet.
When by Krishna’s grace will that grand festival of
Radha’s amazing anuraga arise in my heart?” (Radha
Rasa Sudhanidhi 259)

SADHANA: Manjari Bhava Perfection

23. tavaiv āsmi tavaiv āsmi, na jīvāmi tvayā vinā,

iti vijnaya devi tvaṁ, naya māṁ caraṇ āntikam

Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami prays, “O Devi Radha! I

am Yours, I am Yours! I cannot live without You!
Knowing this, please take me to Your lotus feet!”
(Vilapa Kusumanjali 96)

SADHANA: Perfection Demands Practice & Patience

24. krame krame pāya loka, bhava-sindhu-kūla

Mahaprabhu said to Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami,

“Slowly and gradually one will cross the ocean of
material existence [attain liberation i.e. Goloka
Vrndavana].” (Cc. 2.16.237)
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!