From Promila Mataji

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I heard this in one of your classes. Can you please explain, especially when Prabhupada says that Krishna consciouness is a science that can take us God.

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Kapila’s Definition of Pure Devotional Service

Devahūti requested her son, “Please say more about the type of bhakti that pleases you the most, is within my reach, and will swiftly make my obstacles obsolete and eternally situate me with you in your abode.” [ŚB 3.25.28]

Her son, Kapila replied, “The most perfect form of bhakti is greater than any other perfection. It absorbs your consciousness in the All-Attractive by directing your activities and perceptions towards his spiritual reality, without interruption or ulterior motive. This can be done by following the instructions and mantras given by your guru from the śāstra, and is particularly excellent when it arises naturally from your own desire.” [ŚB 3.25.32]

I

First, Kapila makes it clear that there is no attainment to be achieved that is greater than this topmost bhakti. Not even mokṣa (liberation) can compare to this, because this automatically includes mokṣa right from the start (viz. Gītā 18.54).

II

Next, he explains the basic principle of how bhakti-yoga works: ”It absorbs your consciousness in the All-Attractive by directing your activities and perceptions towards his spiritual reality.

Kapila describes consciousness as “sentience” (sattva), and as, “the divine faculty which grants perception of sense objects” (davānāṁ guṇa-liṅgānām).

The essence of bhakti-yoga is to absorb our consciousness in the All-Attractive (bhāgavatī) — and the simple, practical way to do that is to focus our perceptions and activities (karmaṇām) on the All-Attractive. For example, if we look at a painting or mūrti of Krishna we absorb our visual perception in the All-Attractive. Another example is that we can absorbs our aural perception in the All-Attractive by hearing kīrtan of his name, or describing his beauty, attractive qualities, and loving pastimes.

Bhakti-yoga also entails direction our actions towards the All-Attractive. One example of such action is to host a party where people come together to perform kīrtan. Other examples: to dress Krishna’s mūrti, cook and offer food to him, clean his temple, offer ārati, visit his temple and sacred places, tend to the care of his devotees, and so on.

By directing our activities and perceptions towards the All-Attractive, our consciousness becomes absorbed in him, and this is the essence of what bhakti-yoga is all about.

III

Next, Kapila explains purity in bhakti-yoga. He says that our endeavor to absorb our consciousness in the All-Attractive should be, ”without interruption or ulterior motive.

Bhakti-yoga is “mixed” with “impurity” when it is used as a vehicle to some other goal. For example, if we visit a temple and donate money in the hopes that we will become rich as a result of that righteous sacrifice, our activities could in some ways be considered bhakti-yoga but it is impure (miśra-)bhakti-yoga. Ulterior motives are very subtle and difficult to completely root out. We can practice bhakti-yoga for decades only to find that in truth we were motivated to get three steady meals a day and a place to sleep, or to find some sense of community, or to convince at least a few people to respect us and listen to our opinions.

Kapila says that pure bhakti-yoga has no ulterior motive, using the words evaika-manaso which literally means “certainly with nothing else in mind.” To practice pure bhakti-yoga we should strive to absorb our consciousness in the All-Attractive simply because we wish to absorb our consciousness in the All-Attractive, not for any ulterior goal. Unfortunately it usually takes many years or lifetimes to root out ulterior motives by truly realizing that the All-Attractive is in fact “ALL-Attractive” and no other motive is attractive in comparison.

Kapila also indicates that pure bhakti-yoga as “no interruption” (animittā). The two principles (“no interruption” and “no ulterior motive”) go hand-in-hand, for if we have ulterior motive we will be distracted into other pursuits, or distracted by other concerns and tribulations. If we simply and purely desire to absorb our consciousness in the All-Attractive we will not be distracted from our pursuit of bhakti-yoga.

So, Kapila says that our endeavor to absorb our consciousness in the All-Attractive by direction our actions and perceptions towards him should be concentrated and attentive, which becomes possible only as we give up on hoping for other achievements and pursuing other motivations.

IV

Finally, Kapila says that there are two ways to do bhakti-yoga: “This can be done by following the instructions and mantras given by your guru from the śāstra, and is particularly excellent when it arises naturally from your own desire.”

The two ways are not at all mutually exclusive!

First Kapila indicates that our endeavor to practice bhakti-yoga should be “anuśravika” — following the instructions and mantras given by guru, from śāstra. Śrī Rūpa Goswāmī classifies this approach as “vaidhi — the endeavor that is directed by the instructions (vidhi) given by guru, from śāstra.

Not just bhakti-yoga but any spiritual endeavor, any yoga, must be directed by śāstra because our senses and intellect cannot yet directly comprehend spiritual reality on their own. Therefore the guru teaches us the śāstra and thus guides and informs our activities and perceptions, which then gradually become capable to directly interact with and perceive spiritual realities. It is something like an expert musician pointing out the specific notes and nuances in a sophisticated melody. Guided by such an expert, even a novice musician begins to appreciate the subtleties of music, and thus gradually becomes expert herself.

But Kapila also says, ”it is particularly excellent when it arises naturally from your own desire” (svabhāvikī tu). Śrī Rūpa classifies this as rāgānugā — the endeavor that arises naturally from pursuing (anuga) your natural passion (rāga) for the All-Attractive.

The greatest misconception is that when one pursues ones natural passion one does not follow the guidance of Guru. What foolishness!

The greatest misconception is that when one pursues ones natural passion one does not follow the guidance of Guru. What foolishness! If one passionately wants to become a great violinist, does she not carefully and fastidiously consider the advice of great teachers, does she not attentively listen to the playing and technique of great violinists? To counteract this dull mistake, Śrī Rūpa explicitly states that Rāgānugā also observes the viddhi (BRS 1.2.296) and quotes an important śloka from Brahma-yamala (BRS 1.2.101) stating that so-called bhakti-yoga that ignores śāstra is nothing but a disturbance.

It is said that bhakti-yoga motivated by spontaneous passion doesn’t “depend” on the instructions of guru and śāstra — but we can’t twist this to mean that it ignores or transgresses the instructions of guru and śāstra, unless we are foolishly content to fall outside the umbrella of the bhakti-yoga established on behalf of Śrī Caitanya by Śrī Rūpa — for in so interpreting we would contradict his explicit statements in BRS 1.2.296 and 1.2.101.

That spontaneous devotion “doesn’t depend on instructions” simply means that when one has inherent desire to absorb ones consciousness in the All-Attractive, that become the prime motivating factor, one doesn’t need any convincing or argumentation or logic. As a result of spontaneous passion for bhakti-yoga, one will seek out and apply the guidance of guru and śāstra with even more ardor and intent that then person without spontaneous passion for it. Again, the example of the violinist is useful.

In short, Kapila states that the most powerful form of bhakti-yoga is svabhāvakī — it arises naturally from our own inherent desire for the All-Attractive, and avails of the guidance of guru and śāstra as a result of that inherent passion.

Does Vaidhi Evolve into Rāgānugā?

No, vaidhi does not automatically become Rāgānugā, but it does eventually become bhāva-bhakti, and the bhāva-bhakti that arises from vaidhi-sādhana is svabhāvikī, a lot like rāgānugā-sādhana in some ways.

Commenting on this verse of Bhāgavatam, Śrī Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākur explains that vaidhi-sādhana naturally becomes svabhāvikī when it achieves perfection as bhāva-bhakti, but that rāgānugā-sādhana is svabhāvikī even in the stage of practice, even before attaining perfection as bhāva-bhakti. The svabhāvakī trait is therefore qualitatively greater in the perfection attained through rāgānugā-sādhana (termed rāgānugauttara-bhāva-bhakti) compared to that which can be attained through vaidhi-sādhana (termed vaidhyottara-bhāva-bhakti).

Correlation Between the Śrī Kapila and Śri Rūpa’s Definitions of Bhakti.

Śrīla Rūpa Goswāmīpāda defined the most perfect form of bhakti (uttama-bhakti) In Bhakti Rasāmṛta Sindhu 1.1.11:

anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ, jñāna-karmādy anāvṛttam
anukūlyena kṛṣṇānu-śilanam bhaktir uttamam

This definition is exactly analog to Kapila’s definition.

Kapila says that bhakti-yoga is absorption of the consciousness in the All-Attractive by focusing ones actions and perceptions on him. Śrī Rūpa says this with the words anukūlyena kṛṣṇānu-śilanam.

Kapila says that bhakti-yoga is to be done without ulterior motive or interruption. Śrī Rūpa says the same with the words, anyābhilāṣitā śūnyam, jñāna-karmādy anāvṛttam.

Kapila says that bhakti-yoga is done under guidance of guru and śāstra and is particularly effective when it arises from ones own spontaneous passion for it. Śrī Rūpa explains the same at great length in his sections on Vaidhi and Rāgānugā sādhanas.

Kapila says that bhakti-yoga makes all other perfections insignificant. Śrī Rūpa says the same, for example in BRS 1.1.17 and 1.1.33.

1947 October 21: "We have decided to open a manufactory branch in Berhampur. The bearer of this letter is a messenger on our behalf and we shall be thankful if you will kindly let us know the following points per bearer. Abhay Charan De, Director in chief, Vimaltone Laboratories Ltd."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64

1968 October 21: "You are now three. One can play mrdanga and two can play cymbals and chant nicely. We are more or less concerned for preaching. It does not matter even if we have got a temple or not, but if the preaching work goes on that is a great satisfaction."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 October 21: "So far crying for Krishna is concerned, as we go on chanting Hare Krishna, in the pure status, we shall be on the loving platform and at that time, we shall feel the greatest separation from the Lord. These are all transcendental existential understandings."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 October 21: "In separation one relishes the loving relationship more tasty. So don't be disappointed that you are separated from me, I am also always thinking of you. And I am always expecting your letters that you have opened a center and how you are working very nicely."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 October 21: "To feel separation from the Spiritual Master is very good position. That means one who is in pure love with Krishna and His Representative, Spiritual Master, he thinks always of Them. And this thinking process is Krishna consciousness."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 October 21: "If we can sell some copies of our publications, books and literature, and we can maintain our establishment, somehow, we shall think it is a great success. We don't want anything more. Neither we want any big bank balance."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 October 21: "Thank you very much for writing me. I am very poor and I have nothing to return for your loving service, but I can simply pray to Krishna for your gradual advancement in Krishna Consciousness. And that is the best blessing we can have in this material existence."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 October 21: "Girls or boys lecturing doesn't make any difference. Either may deliver lecture. We have no such distinction of bodily designations, male or female. Anyone following in this line of disciplic succession, can deliver lecture."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 October 21: "If you can increase the offerings it is very nice, there is no harm. Krishna can eat unlimitedly, provided we can supply unlimitedly. But that is not possible for us therefore, we limit."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1970 October 21: "I am very much anxious to hear what you are doing there and how many life members have been made since my departure? How many you have made and how many Acyutananda has made? So kindly send me immediately a general report."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 October 21: "Regarding our Indian centers, it is already decided that in Bombay we must have a center first and negotiation is going on. If we cannot open many centers in India, at least one center must be opened in Bombay before we go back to the States."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

Srila Prabhupada said that in every activity, the Vaisnava should pray to the previous acarya, “Kindly help me”—that the Vaisnava always thinks himself helpless and begs help from the previous acarya. And he gave the example of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, the author of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, who at the end of every chapter prayed,

sri-rupa-raghunatha-pade yara asa
caitanya-caritamrita kahe krsnadasa

As Srila Prabhupada explained, “In every line he is thinking of Rupa-Raghunatha, previous acaryas: ’Let me surrender to the Gosvamis and they will help me how to write.’ You cannot write. That is not possible.” And Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami is saying it openly here, that “I did not write this book. I could not write this book. It was written only by the mercy of these personalities.” And he mentions the Deities of Vrndavana and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates and followers. And then he writes, “I have also been specifically favored by another supreme personality. Sri Madana-mohana Deity of Vrndavana has given the order that is making me write.” In other words, “I am not qualified, but still I am writing because I have been given the order to write.”

Caitanya-caritamrta’s Conclusion

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 September 2014, Durban, South Africa, Sunday Feast Lecture)

Question: Can we have Krsna katha with Muslims and Christians? Will that change their hearts and make them take to devotional service?

Srila Prabhupada said that there is a spark of Krsna consciousness in everyone; you have to find it and fan it. So, you cannot just immediately tell a Christian that Krsna is the only way! That is too much for most Christians to swallow and with Muslims too. There are differences so be sensitive to the differences. Look for common ground and then look where their devotion is.

A good Muslim is daily studying the Koran and daily bowing down five times. I mean, that is quite something. He does Ramadan and he does so many other things. So we can appreciate some piety there.

I was on a plane and I had a look at the magazine in the seat pocket. It showed a story about Muslim girls. I was sort of reading it and it said that Muslim girls always had to be covered, except with their own father and brothers. If their Aunty had breast fed them as children then also with those cousins, they may be uncovered. Very complicated and very strict rules. So, I was reading that and then a movie started on the screen in front of me. In this American movie, a young girl went into a chemist and she bought something over the counter and later on, we found out it was a pregnancy test; and she tested positive. So we have these two stories.

So we saw on the one end of the description, a very rigid society with its limits that seem to be too tight. And then, we saw in another culture, young girls of thirteen are sent out on a Saturday night… So it was interesting to see the two scenarios. I normally have time to tell the whole story but you get the idea, the rest you can fill in. Now what would you choose for? What is better? Sending a thirteen year old daughter into the streets on a Saturday night… or keep her covered?

My point is that we can see the merit of some traditions, and although we ourselves are not coming from those traditions, we can have some appreciation for the dedication that people have and for the values that they have. That is something to be appreciated. I think if we look for the common ground and then bring Krsna in, then it will be very good. Of course, that does not mean that we have to go to the Mosque and bow down five times a day and all the men have to grow beards, in the name of preaching. But still, common ground is what we look for with people who are fixed in some faith.

 

"As a result of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one makes such great advancement in spiritual life that simultaneously his material existence terminates and he receives love of Godhead. The holy name of Krishna is so powerful that by chanting even one name, one very easily achieves these transcendental riches.”

Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila 8.28

May the glorification of the transcendental name, form, qualities and paraphernalia of the Supreme Personality of Godhead protect us from the influence of bad planets, meteors, envious human beings, serpents, scorpions, and animals, like tigers and wolves. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.8.27) Read more ›

Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday we visited Pavana-sarovara, a sacred lake near Nandagram. Our program was the same as everyday; hearing and chanting the glories of Lord. Such sravanam and kirtanam seems to be especially potent in the holy dhama. Local tradition says that the results of any spiritual practice done in Vrindavan dhama is magnified a thousand times. Perhaps that's why Srila Prabhupada often encouraged his disciples to come visit these sacred places and return to their country's of birth purified and ready to share their good fortune with others. Read more ›

Tirupati, India

Under the Rooftops


A light rain hit all the rooftops before the sun rose.  I was on that veranda unaffected by wetness.  Above me is the next floor creating a natural awning.  I could chant in peace and in dryness at an hour when temperatures are coolest.

My friend, Akrura, from Canada, had previously walked the streets and made an interesting observation about trekking in the sun, “You end up sweating in places on your body you never knew were possible.”  We both concluded it is just downright muggy here in Tiruapti. 

Another peer, Madhusevata, told another dynamic which took place when he was a young brahmachari monk in Kolkata in the 70’s, “At night the cockroaches would come out, but what’s worse were the rats chewing on the back of our feet as we were asleep.  The rats had this habit to blow on the wound in order that you wouldn’t feel the pain quite so severely.  You couldn’t detect what they were doing until you woke up.  They would bite then blow.”

Madhusevata hails from Italy.  When he joined he wasn’t yet married.  He pioneered Krishna Consciousness with his Indian friends in this very congested city.  I guess you could say he’s a real success story.  He went on to become a major leader with a mission in his homeland Italy and built up Hare Krishna Villagio, in a village not but a few miles from Milano. 

It was Madhu, Akrura, and others who enjoyed kirtan in the morning as I did in the exotic temple right next to where I did my pacing on the veranda.  The murtis  (sacred images) are named Radha Govinda.  They are decorated stunningly each day.  When the pujari priest brought his jasmine flowers towards the deities, and strikes the clothing, suddenly there’s a shimmer from the cloth which adds to the divine glamour which each morning displays the quality of otherworldliness. 

Far beyond being drenched in sweat or rain, harassed by roaches or rats, is the spiritual world. 

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Tirupati, India

Day of Thought


It was quite the day.  I do enjoy the company of my swami friends, godbrothers.  There are good talks amongst us, with godsisters as well.  We talked philosophically which means we as a group are going deeper into the field of life.

Physically though, anyone amongst us would admit that humidity and heat is intense, and would resort to the use of AC with or without the addition of ceieling fans.  In coolness, there is an eeasier chance of processing information. 

It was quite the day and after talks, I did my walk up and down the veranda.  Then I submitted to my room and plopped my body on one of those fancy Rajasthani chairs.  I reached up for the Bhagavad Gita while acknowledging the wording on the rear side of the book’s cover, “The most widely read edition of Gita in the world.”  I flipped over to verse 13.35.  This resonates.  “Those who see with eyes of knowledge the difference between the body and the knower of the body and can understand the process of liberation from bondage in material nature attain to the supreme goal.”

Further enlightening words arise from the purport:

“One can understand that the body is matter.  It can be analyzed with its 24 elements.  The body is a gross manifestation, and a subtle manifestation is the mind and psychological effects, and the symptoms of life are the interaction of these features.  Yet over and above this, there is a soul.”

Food for thought!

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Tirupati, India

The Bat and Me


I doubt very much that he was the same bat I met two years ago in the same spot. He was fluttering about in the space that wasn’t really mine. I can’t reach that high, but almost. He can carefully manoeuvre himself just above arms-length, stretched up. These bats normally do.

I was chanting my japa, (mantras on beads) along the lengthy veranda at the Tirupati ISKCON Guest House when I met this fellow. It was his eating time, night-time. Like you see a lot of western youth with their invincible tummies having pizzas at night, this nocturnal winged wonder my bat friend got his munching in at what folklore calls the witches hour.

I think he was doing well due to the bugs galore. I can’t fault him for not eating veggies and not devouring with honour that which we call prasadam, food blessed by brahmins. My little bat friend was preying on what’s natural for him.

As humans we have so many choices for food. I had a brief four-hours-stay in the guest house at Hyderabad. During that time I was asked to speak to the brahmachari monks from a Bhagavatam verse, Canto One. The interesting topic was about looking at emergency situations where meat consumption may be permitted. In general, under normal circumstances, we humans commit to satvic food, food in goodness. Ultimately the choice is yours.

Again, my friend, was following his natural aptitude, his dharma. And that’s why I call him my amigo. I was glad not to be alone, in fact, at that quiet hour on the veranda. I still wondered if he was the same fella of two years past.

The answer hangs in the air like a bat at night time. If it’s a new guy, then I have two friends now. The more the merrier. I hope to meet him tomorrow.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

 View the full gallery here: Kartik in Mayapur   “In the month of Kartik, which is very dear to Sri Hari, one who bathes early in the morning attains the merit of bathing in all places of pilgrimage. Anybody who offers the Lord a ghee lamp in the month of Kartik, O brahmana, becomes free […]

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I do not accept many different meanings for the holy name of Krishna. I know only that Lord Krishna is Syamasundar and Yasodanandana. That's all I know. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 7.85) Read more ›

https://flic.kr/s/aHsk5riBLJ

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Its the kind of news that gives on real life.

“Dear Guru Maharaja, Venugopal went for book distribution yesterday. He distributed 2 krishnabook, 1 Gita, 2 prabhupada, 1 josd and 7 Q&A. He collected 20.000,-ft. Ys,ppd”

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The true acarya presents Krishna to everyone by preaching the holy name of the Lord throughout the world. Thus the conditioned souls, purified by chanting the holy name, are liberated from the blazing fire of material existence. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 7.12) Read more ›

When loud chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is performed all over the world by those who follow in Your footsteps, all living entities, moving and nonmoving, dance in ecstatic devotional love. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.72) Read more ›

My Lord, the moving entities who have heard Your loud sankirtana have already been delivered from bondage to the material world, and after the nonmoving living entities like trees hear it, there is echo. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.70) Read more ›

I'll be the first to tell you I don't know much about these guys. But I did know the feeling I got when I was in their presence. All I could feel was absolute joy. This is a quick edit but plan on going back at the next UF Game to get a whole but of different shots and angles to do another edit. Read more ›

Deity Greetings Iskcon London