Thursday, July 4, 2013

Liberated, When One Tastes Rasa

Liberated, When One Tastes Rasa
Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 20.142-143
New York, November 30, 1966

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Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
 

Prabhupada:

daridrya-nasa, bhava-ksaya -- premera 'phala' naya
prema-sukha-bhoga-mukhya prayojana haya

So by devotional service one should not expect, "My miserable material condition may be improved" or "I may be liberated from this material entanglement." So that is also a kind of sense gratification. If I want that "Let me be free from this entanglement..." Just like the yogis and the jnanis, they try. They try to be free from this material entanglement. But in the devotional service there is no such desire, because it is pure love. There is no expectation that "I shall be profited in this way." No. It is not a profitable commercial business, that "Unless I get in return something, oh, I shall not practice the devotional service in Krsna consciousness. There is no question of profit. Lord Caitanya prays to the Lord like this:

na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isa kamaye
mama janmani janmanisvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi
 [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4]

"Oh," He says, "My dear Lord, Jagadisa..." Jagadisa means the Supreme Lord, Krsna. Jagat, jagat means this world, material world or spiritual world, all worlds. Jagat. Jagat gacchati iti jagat: "Which is progressing, that is called jagat." So Jagat-isa, the supreme master of this jagat, going concern. "Jagadisa, O the supreme master of this jagat, I pray unto You that I do not want," na dhanam, "I do not want any wealth," na janam, "I do not want any number of followers..." Na janam na dhanam na kavitam va jagadisa kamaye. Kavitam means very nice wife, poetical... "I do not want." "Then what do You want?" Mama janmani janmanisvare. Janmani janmani [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4] means "birth after birth." So He does not want liberation also. Because when we speak of liberation, there is no birth. Mad-gatva punar janma na vidyate: "One who reaches the kingdom of God, he hasn't got to come back again to take birth here." So here Lord Caitanya says, mama janmani janmani: "Birth after birth." That means "I do not want liberation also." Mama janmani janmani.

"Then what do You want?" Isvare bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki: "My dear Lord, I may be put in any condition of My life, but please bestow this benediction, that I may not forget You. That's all. I may not forget You. Because due to My forgetfulness I am suffering so much. So if I can remember You, I don't mind in whatever condition I am." He has to give the factual fact. Yam labdhva caparam labham. In the Bhagavad-gita in the Sixth Chapter we find in the yoga system, yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam tatah: "When one achieves that perfection of yoga," yam labdhva, "by gaining that perfection," yam labdhva caparam labham, "then he has no other desire to achieve." Just like we achieve something in this material world, but that does not stop our desire to achieve something more. I may achieve millions of dollars, but that does not make me satisfied. I want further ten millions of dollars. And when I get further ten millions of dollars, then I desire for further hundred millions of dollars. There is no cessation. So here is a thing, Krsna consciousness. One who is perfect in that system, bhakti-yoga system, the Bhagavad-gita says, yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam. Adhikam means "greater than this." We want, we desire something which is greater than what I possess now. Therefore I desire. I have got hundred millions dollars, and I want million millions of dollars, because that amount is greater than what I possess now. But one who possesses this devotional service, he does not think anything there is in the world which is more valuable than this. So why should he inquire? Why should he desire? He has got the sublime thing. Yam labdhva caparam labham. Labham means gain. Manyate na: "He does not think." Na. What is that? Adhikam. Adhikam means greater. If I have got two dollars' possession and if you offer me ten dollars, I think, "Oh, it is better." So he possesses such a thing that nothing is greater than because he possesses devotional service. Krsna consciousness is not different from Krsna. So therefore he possesses Krsna, and what thing can be greater than Krsna? Therefore he is fully satisfied.

yam labdhva caparam labham
manyate nadhikam tatah
yasmin sthito gurunapi
duhkhena na vicalyate
 [Bg. 6.20-23]

"And one who is situated in that condition, then gurunapi duhkhena, the severest type of miseries, offered to him, he is not shaken." He is steady. He is steady. Just like a five-year-old boy, Prahlada Maharaja, and his father, atheist: "Oh, you rascal boy. You are chanting God's name? Who is God? I am God. Why don't you chant my name? If you don't do that, then I shall throw you in the fire." Oh, he is steady. He said, "Father, I cannot do that," this little boy. "You nonsense, you cannot do that? How do you dare to speak before me like this? Even the demigods, they are afraid of me." "Oh, yes, father. By the mercy of whom you are speaking so nicely, so by the mercy of Him I am speaking also like that." "Oh, I don't care for anyone's mercy." So this is... And so much wrath of his severe father, oh, he is not... Steady. Steady. So that is the characteristic of a pure devotee. Even in the greatest difficulty, even in the greatest danger, he is not shaken; he is steady. Yam labdhva. This is the perfection of yoga. When one is steady in every circumstances, that is the perfection of yoga. That can be achieved easily by this Krsna consciousness.

yam labdhva caparam labham
manyate nadhikam tatah
yasmin sthito gurunapi
duhkhena na vicalyate
 [Bg. 6.20-23]

So here also we should not be aspiring after improving our material condition or liberation or anything. These are all desire, desires. They say that "desireless," but desire cannot be completely absent because I am living entity. So my desire should be not to forget Krsna. That's all, that one desire. That is real desire. And all other desires, they are foolish. So we cannot be desireless, but we should desire only bona fide. Just like I am part and parcel of the Supreme. So if I desire to work in cooperation with the Supreme, that is my natural position. That is desirelessness. If you... Suppose in this material condition, if you desire to eat, oh, that is natural. So long you have got this body, you have to eat. If somebody says, "Oh, you are desiring eating...?" Nobody says like that. Similarly, what is natural desire, that is permitted. And what is not natural, that is called "become desireless." Don't desire like this, unnatural. So desirelessness means not to desire unnatural thing. But to desire Krsna's remembrance, that is natural. Because I am part and parcel, how can I forget? This forgetfulness is the cause of my so many desires. And as soon as I desire Krsna, there will be no other desire. That is desirelessness.

So prema-sukha-bhoga-mukhya prayojana haya. Prema-sukha. The happiness in the matter of our reciprocation as the whole and the part and parcel, that sense is the highest pleasure. That we should aspire after, not that by becoming Krsna consciousness we may desire some material profit. That is not.

veda-sastre kahe sambandha, abhidheya, prayojana
krsna, krsna-bhakti, prema -- tina maha-dhana

Now, we are aspiring after possessing something, possessiveness. What we should possess? The possession is Krsna, and desire is reciprocation between Krsna and myself, and the ultimate end is love. That's all. Just like we have got perverted reflection of that love here between the two lovers. They don't want anything. He wants she, and she wants he. That's all. That is desire and their reciprocation of loving affairs and the ultimate end, that they are peaceful in love. This is only perverted reflection of the real love, which is reciprocated with Krsna. Here there is no possibility of love. This is all lust. But we call it love because it is just a reflection. Just a real... That is real, and this is unreal. Just like shadow and reality. There is gulf of difference between the shadow and reality. So whatever love we see in this world, that love is only a perverted reflection of that real love with Krsna.

vedadi sakala sastre krsna-mukhya sambandha
tanra jnane anusange yaya maya-bandha

So a devotee is not anxious for liberation because his intimate connection with Krsna means he is liberated. One cannot be in intimate touch with Krsna unless one is liberated. So liberation and intimate connection with Krsna, the same thing.

yesam tv anta-gatam papam
jananam punya-karmanam
te dvandva-moha-nirmukta
bhajante mam drdha-vratah
 [Bg. 7.28]

Yesam... Have you got Bhagavad-gita here? Yes. Just try to find out this sloka. I don't remember where it is. I think in the Eighth Chapter.

yesam tv anta-gatam papam
jananam punya-karmanam
te dvandva-moha-nirmukta
bhajante mam drdha-vratah
 [Bg. 7.28]

Yesam. Yesam means those who are anta-gatam papam. Papam means sinful reactions. One who has surpassed all sinful reactions. Yesam anta-gatam papam jananam. Such persons, punya-karmanam, who have done never any sinful action but always engaged in the matter of pious activities, punya-karmanam, such persons can only devote himself fully in the service of the Lord, Krsna. (aside:) Have you got it? What is that?

Devotee: "But those men of virtuous deeds whose sin has come to an end, freed from the delusion of dualities, worship Me, steadfastly avowed."

Prabhupada: Yes. So to worship Krsna steadfast means he is liberated from delusion. That is mukti. One who has got still some doubt -- "Why shall I worship Krsna?" -- that means still in delusion, and still the reaction of his sinful life is not finished. A slight doubt means there is slight tinge still. And one who is dvandva-moha-nirmukta, duality... Duality means "Whether I shall do it or not? Whether I shall stick up to this process of Krsna conscious or not?" This is called duality. So one who is free from all these sinful reactions, he has no more duality. He has firm faith: "Yes! Krsna worship is the final."

So Krsna worship means he is liberated already. Just like the same example: If a man is sitting on the high-court bench, it is to be understood that he has passed all educational qualification, and he is a good lawyer. Therefore... There is no more necessity to ask, "Whether you have passed M.A. examination or law examination?" This is foolishness. Similarly, if one is, I mean to say, strictly in Krsna consciousness, then it is to be understood that he is liberated. Liberation, the definition of liberation, is in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, mukti..., svarupena vyavasthitih. Hitva... Muktir hitvanyatha rupam svarupena vyavasthitih [SB 2.10.6]. Mukti means hitva anyatha rupam. Now we are now represented in different kinds of formalities. You have got a different kinds of idea; I have got different kinds of idea; another man has different from others. There are difference; therefore we are clashing each other. This is the sign of bondage. And mukti means when we are liberated from these different kinds of ideas, and svarupena vyavasthitih, when we are situated in our constitutional position, that is called mukti, liberation. And what is our constitutional position? "Oh, I am the part and parcel of the Supreme, Krsna." Then what is my duty? Duty, part's duty, is to serve the whole. That's all. Just like your hand, the part of your body. What is the duty of hand? To serve the body. It is very easy thing. If you are part and parcel of the Supreme, then what is your duty? Your duty is to serve Him. You have no other duty.

So one who understands this firmly and convincingly, he is liberated. He is liberated. Oh, how can I say liberated? "He is also now going to the office. He is dressing like ordinary man. What do you mean?" Mukti means he will dress like something else or he will have four hands or eight legs? No. Simply change of consciousness, that's all. So Krsna consciousness means change of your consciousness. I am thinking, "I am this matter. I have got so many duties with this material world." So when you change this consciousness -- "No, I belong to Krsna. I am part and parcel of Krsna; therefore whole energy should be for Krsna," this is Krsna consciousness. Now I am applying all my energy to this material conception of life. When you apply your energy, your transcendental energy, to Krsna, then you are liberated.

Therefore a devotee of Krsna, pure devotee of Krsna, they are not hankering after Krsna..., mukti. They say, muktih mukulitanjali sevate asman: "Oh, the mukti lady is standing with folded hands, 'My dear sir, what can I do for you?' " And devotee doesn't care. "Oh, what can I (you) do for me? I don't want your help." There is a nice verse of Bilvamangala Thakura. He lived for seven hundred years in Vrndavana, and he was, became a great devotee of Krsna. In the beginning he was an impersonalist. His life is very nice. It is better to cite his life. He was a South Indian brahmana, a very rich man and very much sensuous. He kept one prostitute, prostitute. So he was so much, I mean to say, devoted to the prostitute that he was performing his father's death ceremony and he was asking the priest, "Please, haste. Please make haste. I have to go. I have to go." Means prostitute's house. So he was very rich man. Priestly, anyway, he finished that business. Then there was ceremony. He took very nice foodstuff in a bag, and he was going to that prostitute's house. But when he came out of his home, oh, it was raining torrently. You see? So he never cared for that raining. He went to the riverside. Oh, there was no boat, and it was, river was waving. The waves were very furious. And he thought that "How can I go to the other side?" He was daily going to the other side of the river. Then, anyway, he swimmed over, crossed over by swimming. Then the prostitute thought, "Oh, it is today raining, and he may not come." So he (she) blocked the door and went to sleep. And when he came to the house he saw, "Oh, the door is blocked," and it was raining still. "So how can I go?" So he crossed over the wall by catching one snake. Just see how much intensely he was attached. And he went to the prostitute, and she was astonished: "Well, Bilvamangala" -- his name was Bilvamangala -- "how do you dare to come here like this?" Oh, he described, "Yes. I did this, I did this, I did this, I did this." Oh, the prostitute was astonished. Her name was Cintamani. So the prostitute said, "My dear Bilvamangala, if you have got so intense love for me, oh, had it been for God, for Krsna, how would have been, your life, sublime." Oh, that struck him: "Yes." He at once left and went away: "Yes, you are right."

Then he was (going to) Vrndavana. He saw another beautiful woman because he was practiced to that habit. So he was going behind. Although he determined, "Now I am going to Vrndavana," on the way he was again attracted by another woman. So he followed that woman. That woman belonged to a respectable family. So he came, and the woman said to her husband, "Oh, this man is following me. Please ask, 'What is the idea?' " So the husband asked, "My dear sir, you appear to be very nice gentleman, and you belong to very aristocratic family. From your appearances I understand. What do you want? Why you are following my wife?" He said, "Yes, I am following wife because I want to embrace her." "Oh, you want to embrace? Come on. Embrace. Come on. You are welcome. Come on." So the wife also... She (he) ordered, "Oh, here is a guest. He wants to embrace you and kiss you. So please decorate yourself nicely so that he may enjoy." So the wife also followed the instruction of the husband because wife's duty is to follow the instruction. And when Bilvamangala came inside before the woman, he said, "My dear mother, will you kindly give your hairpins?" "Yes. Why?" "I have got some business." Then he took the hairpin and at once pierced his eyes: "Oh, this eye is my enemy." And he became blind. He became blind. Then all of them... "That's all right. Now no more I shall be disturbed."

So in that blindness he was penancing, austerity in Vrndavana. So by the grace of Krsna, Krsna came like a boy. "Oh, my dear sir, why you are starving? Why don't you take some milk?" "Oh, who are You, my dear boy?" "Oh, I am a boy of this village. I am a cowherd boy. If you like, I can give you daily some milk." "All right." So Krsna supplied him milk. So there was friendship. And he has written that bhakti is such a thing that muktih mukulitanjali sevate asman: "Mukti, mukti is nothing for me." So this is his verse, muktih mukulitanjali sevate asman: "So we have no desire for mukti. When Krsna comes to supply milk, oh, then what is the use of my mukti?" You see? That's a great soul, Bilvamangala Thakura. It is worth to remember his name. For seven hundred hears he lived in Vrndavana, and he has written a nice book which is Krsna-karnamrta. That is a very authoritative book, Krsna-karnamrta. Lord Caitanya picked up this book, and He recommended all His devotees to read that Krsna-karnamrta book.

Thank you very much.

Kirtanananda: Do you have it here?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Kirtanananda: Is it in English? (end)
 
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.142 -- New York, November 30, 1966
© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.

Liberated, When One Tastes Rasa

Liberated, When One Tastes Rasa
Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 20.142-143
New York, November 30, 1966

download  flash player

Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
 

Prabhupada:

daridrya-nasa, bhava-ksaya -- premera 'phala' naya
prema-sukha-bhoga-mukhya prayojana haya

So by devotional service one should not expect, "My miserable material condition may be improved" or "I may be liberated from this material entanglement." So that is also a kind of sense gratification. If I want that "Let me be free from this entanglement..." Just like the yogis and the jnanis, they try. They try to be free from this material entanglement. But in the devotional service there is no such desire, because it is pure love. There is no expectation that "I shall be profited in this way." No. It is not a profitable commercial business, that "Unless I get in return something, oh, I shall not practice the devotional service in Krsna consciousness. There is no question of profit. Lord Caitanya prays to the Lord like this:

na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isa kamaye
mama janmani janmanisvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi
 [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4]

"Oh," He says, "My dear Lord, Jagadisa..." Jagadisa means the Supreme Lord, Krsna. Jagat, jagat means this world, material world or spiritual world, all worlds. Jagat. Jagat gacchati iti jagat: "Which is progressing, that is called jagat." So Jagat-isa, the supreme master of this jagat, going concern. "Jagadisa, O the supreme master of this jagat, I pray unto You that I do not want," na dhanam, "I do not want any wealth," na janam, "I do not want any number of followers..." Na janam na dhanam na kavitam va jagadisa kamaye. Kavitam means very nice wife, poetical... "I do not want." "Then what do You want?" Mama janmani janmanisvare. Janmani janmani [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4] means "birth after birth." So He does not want liberation also. Because when we speak of liberation, there is no birth. Mad-gatva punar janma na vidyate: "One who reaches the kingdom of God, he hasn't got to come back again to take birth here." So here Lord Caitanya says, mama janmani janmani: "Birth after birth." That means "I do not want liberation also." Mama janmani janmani.

"Then what do You want?" Isvare bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki: "My dear Lord, I may be put in any condition of My life, but please bestow this benediction, that I may not forget You. That's all. I may not forget You. Because due to My forgetfulness I am suffering so much. So if I can remember You, I don't mind in whatever condition I am." He has to give the factual fact. Yam labdhva caparam labham. In the Bhagavad-gita in the Sixth Chapter we find in the yoga system, yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam tatah: "When one achieves that perfection of yoga," yam labdhva, "by gaining that perfection," yam labdhva caparam labham, "then he has no other desire to achieve." Just like we achieve something in this material world, but that does not stop our desire to achieve something more. I may achieve millions of dollars, but that does not make me satisfied. I want further ten millions of dollars. And when I get further ten millions of dollars, then I desire for further hundred millions of dollars. There is no cessation. So here is a thing, Krsna consciousness. One who is perfect in that system, bhakti-yoga system, the Bhagavad-gita says, yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam. Adhikam means "greater than this." We want, we desire something which is greater than what I possess now. Therefore I desire. I have got hundred millions dollars, and I want million millions of dollars, because that amount is greater than what I possess now. But one who possesses this devotional service, he does not think anything there is in the world which is more valuable than this. So why should he inquire? Why should he desire? He has got the sublime thing. Yam labdhva caparam labham. Labham means gain. Manyate na: "He does not think." Na. What is that? Adhikam. Adhikam means greater. If I have got two dollars' possession and if you offer me ten dollars, I think, "Oh, it is better." So he possesses such a thing that nothing is greater than because he possesses devotional service. Krsna consciousness is not different from Krsna. So therefore he possesses Krsna, and what thing can be greater than Krsna? Therefore he is fully satisfied.

yam labdhva caparam labham
manyate nadhikam tatah
yasmin sthito gurunapi
duhkhena na vicalyate
 [Bg. 6.20-23]

"And one who is situated in that condition, then gurunapi duhkhena, the severest type of miseries, offered to him, he is not shaken." He is steady. He is steady. Just like a five-year-old boy, Prahlada Maharaja, and his father, atheist: "Oh, you rascal boy. You are chanting God's name? Who is God? I am God. Why don't you chant my name? If you don't do that, then I shall throw you in the fire." Oh, he is steady. He said, "Father, I cannot do that," this little boy. "You nonsense, you cannot do that? How do you dare to speak before me like this? Even the demigods, they are afraid of me." "Oh, yes, father. By the mercy of whom you are speaking so nicely, so by the mercy of Him I am speaking also like that." "Oh, I don't care for anyone's mercy." So this is... And so much wrath of his severe father, oh, he is not... Steady. Steady. So that is the characteristic of a pure devotee. Even in the greatest difficulty, even in the greatest danger, he is not shaken; he is steady. Yam labdhva. This is the perfection of yoga. When one is steady in every circumstances, that is the perfection of yoga. That can be achieved easily by this Krsna consciousness.

yam labdhva caparam labham
manyate nadhikam tatah
yasmin sthito gurunapi
duhkhena na vicalyate
 [Bg. 6.20-23]

So here also we should not be aspiring after improving our material condition or liberation or anything. These are all desire, desires. They say that "desireless," but desire cannot be completely absent because I am living entity. So my desire should be not to forget Krsna. That's all, that one desire. That is real desire. And all other desires, they are foolish. So we cannot be desireless, but we should desire only bona fide. Just like I am part and parcel of the Supreme. So if I desire to work in cooperation with the Supreme, that is my natural position. That is desirelessness. If you... Suppose in this material condition, if you desire to eat, oh, that is natural. So long you have got this body, you have to eat. If somebody says, "Oh, you are desiring eating...?" Nobody says like that. Similarly, what is natural desire, that is permitted. And what is not natural, that is called "become desireless." Don't desire like this, unnatural. So desirelessness means not to desire unnatural thing. But to desire Krsna's remembrance, that is natural. Because I am part and parcel, how can I forget? This forgetfulness is the cause of my so many desires. And as soon as I desire Krsna, there will be no other desire. That is desirelessness.

So prema-sukha-bhoga-mukhya prayojana haya. Prema-sukha. The happiness in the matter of our reciprocation as the whole and the part and parcel, that sense is the highest pleasure. That we should aspire after, not that by becoming Krsna consciousness we may desire some material profit. That is not.

veda-sastre kahe sambandha, abhidheya, prayojana
krsna, krsna-bhakti, prema -- tina maha-dhana

Now, we are aspiring after possessing something, possessiveness. What we should possess? The possession is Krsna, and desire is reciprocation between Krsna and myself, and the ultimate end is love. That's all. Just like we have got perverted reflection of that love here between the two lovers. They don't want anything. He wants she, and she wants he. That's all. That is desire and their reciprocation of loving affairs and the ultimate end, that they are peaceful in love. This is only perverted reflection of the real love, which is reciprocated with Krsna. Here there is no possibility of love. This is all lust. But we call it love because it is just a reflection. Just a real... That is real, and this is unreal. Just like shadow and reality. There is gulf of difference between the shadow and reality. So whatever love we see in this world, that love is only a perverted reflection of that real love with Krsna.

vedadi sakala sastre krsna-mukhya sambandha
tanra jnane anusange yaya maya-bandha

So a devotee is not anxious for liberation because his intimate connection with Krsna means he is liberated. One cannot be in intimate touch with Krsna unless one is liberated. So liberation and intimate connection with Krsna, the same thing.

yesam tv anta-gatam papam
jananam punya-karmanam
te dvandva-moha-nirmukta
bhajante mam drdha-vratah
 [Bg. 7.28]

Yesam... Have you got Bhagavad-gita here? Yes. Just try to find out this sloka. I don't remember where it is. I think in the Eighth Chapter.

yesam tv anta-gatam papam
jananam punya-karmanam
te dvandva-moha-nirmukta
bhajante mam drdha-vratah
 [Bg. 7.28]

Yesam. Yesam means those who are anta-gatam papam. Papam means sinful reactions. One who has surpassed all sinful reactions. Yesam anta-gatam papam jananam. Such persons, punya-karmanam, who have done never any sinful action but always engaged in the matter of pious activities, punya-karmanam, such persons can only devote himself fully in the service of the Lord, Krsna. (aside:) Have you got it? What is that?

Devotee: "But those men of virtuous deeds whose sin has come to an end, freed from the delusion of dualities, worship Me, steadfastly avowed."

Prabhupada: Yes. So to worship Krsna steadfast means he is liberated from delusion. That is mukti. One who has got still some doubt -- "Why shall I worship Krsna?" -- that means still in delusion, and still the reaction of his sinful life is not finished. A slight doubt means there is slight tinge still. And one who is dvandva-moha-nirmukta, duality... Duality means "Whether I shall do it or not? Whether I shall stick up to this process of Krsna conscious or not?" This is called duality. So one who is free from all these sinful reactions, he has no more duality. He has firm faith: "Yes! Krsna worship is the final."

So Krsna worship means he is liberated already. Just like the same example: If a man is sitting on the high-court bench, it is to be understood that he has passed all educational qualification, and he is a good lawyer. Therefore... There is no more necessity to ask, "Whether you have passed M.A. examination or law examination?" This is foolishness. Similarly, if one is, I mean to say, strictly in Krsna consciousness, then it is to be understood that he is liberated. Liberation, the definition of liberation, is in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, mukti..., svarupena vyavasthitih. Hitva... Muktir hitvanyatha rupam svarupena vyavasthitih [SB 2.10.6]. Mukti means hitva anyatha rupam. Now we are now represented in different kinds of formalities. You have got a different kinds of idea; I have got different kinds of idea; another man has different from others. There are difference; therefore we are clashing each other. This is the sign of bondage. And mukti means when we are liberated from these different kinds of ideas, and svarupena vyavasthitih, when we are situated in our constitutional position, that is called mukti, liberation. And what is our constitutional position? "Oh, I am the part and parcel of the Supreme, Krsna." Then what is my duty? Duty, part's duty, is to serve the whole. That's all. Just like your hand, the part of your body. What is the duty of hand? To serve the body. It is very easy thing. If you are part and parcel of the Supreme, then what is your duty? Your duty is to serve Him. You have no other duty.

So one who understands this firmly and convincingly, he is liberated. He is liberated. Oh, how can I say liberated? "He is also now going to the office. He is dressing like ordinary man. What do you mean?" Mukti means he will dress like something else or he will have four hands or eight legs? No. Simply change of consciousness, that's all. So Krsna consciousness means change of your consciousness. I am thinking, "I am this matter. I have got so many duties with this material world." So when you change this consciousness -- "No, I belong to Krsna. I am part and parcel of Krsna; therefore whole energy should be for Krsna," this is Krsna consciousness. Now I am applying all my energy to this material conception of life. When you apply your energy, your transcendental energy, to Krsna, then you are liberated.

Therefore a devotee of Krsna, pure devotee of Krsna, they are not hankering after Krsna..., mukti. They say, muktih mukulitanjali sevate asman: "Oh, the mukti lady is standing with folded hands, 'My dear sir, what can I do for you?' " And devotee doesn't care. "Oh, what can I (you) do for me? I don't want your help." There is a nice verse of Bilvamangala Thakura. He lived for seven hundred years in Vrndavana, and he was, became a great devotee of Krsna. In the beginning he was an impersonalist. His life is very nice. It is better to cite his life. He was a South Indian brahmana, a very rich man and very much sensuous. He kept one prostitute, prostitute. So he was so much, I mean to say, devoted to the prostitute that he was performing his father's death ceremony and he was asking the priest, "Please, haste. Please make haste. I have to go. I have to go." Means prostitute's house. So he was very rich man. Priestly, anyway, he finished that business. Then there was ceremony. He took very nice foodstuff in a bag, and he was going to that prostitute's house. But when he came out of his home, oh, it was raining torrently. You see? So he never cared for that raining. He went to the riverside. Oh, there was no boat, and it was, river was waving. The waves were very furious. And he thought that "How can I go to the other side?" He was daily going to the other side of the river. Then, anyway, he swimmed over, crossed over by swimming. Then the prostitute thought, "Oh, it is today raining, and he may not come." So he (she) blocked the door and went to sleep. And when he came to the house he saw, "Oh, the door is blocked," and it was raining still. "So how can I go?" So he crossed over the wall by catching one snake. Just see how much intensely he was attached. And he went to the prostitute, and she was astonished: "Well, Bilvamangala" -- his name was Bilvamangala -- "how do you dare to come here like this?" Oh, he described, "Yes. I did this, I did this, I did this, I did this." Oh, the prostitute was astonished. Her name was Cintamani. So the prostitute said, "My dear Bilvamangala, if you have got so intense love for me, oh, had it been for God, for Krsna, how would have been, your life, sublime." Oh, that struck him: "Yes." He at once left and went away: "Yes, you are right."

Then he was (going to) Vrndavana. He saw another beautiful woman because he was practiced to that habit. So he was going behind. Although he determined, "Now I am going to Vrndavana," on the way he was again attracted by another woman. So he followed that woman. That woman belonged to a respectable family. So he came, and the woman said to her husband, "Oh, this man is following me. Please ask, 'What is the idea?' " So the husband asked, "My dear sir, you appear to be very nice gentleman, and you belong to very aristocratic family. From your appearances I understand. What do you want? Why you are following my wife?" He said, "Yes, I am following wife because I want to embrace her." "Oh, you want to embrace? Come on. Embrace. Come on. You are welcome. Come on." So the wife also... She (he) ordered, "Oh, here is a guest. He wants to embrace you and kiss you. So please decorate yourself nicely so that he may enjoy." So the wife also followed the instruction of the husband because wife's duty is to follow the instruction. And when Bilvamangala came inside before the woman, he said, "My dear mother, will you kindly give your hairpins?" "Yes. Why?" "I have got some business." Then he took the hairpin and at once pierced his eyes: "Oh, this eye is my enemy." And he became blind. He became blind. Then all of them... "That's all right. Now no more I shall be disturbed."

So in that blindness he was penancing, austerity in Vrndavana. So by the grace of Krsna, Krsna came like a boy. "Oh, my dear sir, why you are starving? Why don't you take some milk?" "Oh, who are You, my dear boy?" "Oh, I am a boy of this village. I am a cowherd boy. If you like, I can give you daily some milk." "All right." So Krsna supplied him milk. So there was friendship. And he has written that bhakti is such a thing that muktih mukulitanjali sevate asman: "Mukti, mukti is nothing for me." So this is his verse, muktih mukulitanjali sevate asman: "So we have no desire for mukti. When Krsna comes to supply milk, oh, then what is the use of my mukti?" You see? That's a great soul, Bilvamangala Thakura. It is worth to remember his name. For seven hundred hears he lived in Vrndavana, and he has written a nice book which is Krsna-karnamrta. That is a very authoritative book, Krsna-karnamrta. Lord Caitanya picked up this book, and He recommended all His devotees to read that Krsna-karnamrta book.

Thank you very much.

Kirtanananda: Do you have it here?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Kirtanananda: Is it in English? (end)
 
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.142 -- New York, November 30, 1966
© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

This System Is Called Abhideya

This System Is Called Abhideya
Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 20.137-142
New York, November 29, 1966

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Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
 

Prabhupada:

na sadhayati mam yogah
na sankhyam dharma uddhava
na svadhyayas tapas tyagah
yatha bhaktir mamorjita

So if you want God, Krsna, then there is no other way except this devotional service. Neither yoga, neither philosophical speculation, neither ritualistic performances, nor study in the Vedic literature, neither penance, austerities... All these formulas which are recommended for transcendental realization, they may help us to advance to a certain extent, but if you want personal touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then you have to adopt this devotional service, Krsna consciousness. There is no other way.

So Lord Caitanya, giving evidence from Srimad-Bhagavatam... He is giving:

bhaktyaham ekaya grahyah
sraddhayatma priyah satam
bhaktih punati man-nistha
sva-pakan api sambhavat

There is another verse in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. The Lord says... The same chapter in which Lord Krsna instructed Uddhava... Uddhava was also one of His cousin-brothers in the family. He was a great devotee, Uddhava. He was more advanced than Arjuna. There are different grades of devotees. The first-class devotees were the gopis, the damsels of Vrndavana. Nobody could be compared with their devotional service. So next were Uddhava, then Arjuna. There are different grades of devotees also. So Uddhava was also a great devotee of (the) Lord, and he was also instructed similarly, just like Arjuna was instructed. So the Lord says to Uddhava, bhaktya aham ekaya grahyah. Ekaya: simply by devotional service, one, this one method... God is one, and to achieve Him, the process is also one. Just like in your body there are many holes, nine holes, nine holes: these two nostrils, two ear, two eyes, one mouth, and genital and evacuation, these nine holes. So if you want to supply foodstuff within your body, that is the one way: this is the mouth. There is no other way. You cannot push the foodstuff through ears or eyes or genital. No. That is not possible. Therefore, similarly, if you want God, then the one way, bhaktya aham ekaya... Ekaya. The foolish person says that "Whatever path you may adopt, you will go to God." There are certain rascals. They say like that. But this is misleading, completely misleading. You cannot, I mean to say, reach God by any other means except this means, this bhaktya aham ekaya. It is clearly stated, ekaya. Ekaya means "only one." There is no second process. And the Bhagavad-gita also, it is stated -- you will find in the Eighteenth Chapter -- bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah [Bg. 18.55]. Tattvatah. Tattvatah means in fact.

So you... Impersonal conception of Godhead, localized conception of Godhead or universal form of God, pantheism, monism -- they are not perfect. If you want to know perfectly, then bhakti... It is stated in everywhere, in all Vedic literatures, evidentially in Bhagavad-gita, which is present before us, in Srimad-Bhagavatam, Caitanya-caritamrta. Everywhere you will find this only way, that devotional service. Bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah [Bg. 18.55]. Tattvatah means "in fact." Partially you can know, but in complete... Of course, God cannot be known in complete, but the highest point a human being or a living entity can reach... That, the only process, through bhakti... Bhaktyaham ekaya grahyah sraddhayatma priyah satam. Sraddha atma priyah satam. That bhakti, that process of devotional service, is very dear to the actual transcendentalist, very dear. Bhaktih punati man-nistha. Man-nistha. To know simply "I believe in God," that is not sufficient. The ultimate goal is to attain very intimate relationship or love of Godhead. That is required. Of course, to know, to believe in God, to accept God, that is all right. It is better than the atheist. But that is not end. You must develop yourself. You must... You should not simply make God as your order-supplier, but you should be order-supplier. When I become order-supplier to God, that is my perfection. And so long I keep God as my order-supplier, that is not bhakti. Generally, people keep God as his order-supplier: "O God, give us our daily bread," "O God, I am in distress, "O God, I am in difficulty, "O God, I am..." God supplies them. God is supplying. Eko bahunam vidadhati kaman. But that is not ultimate goal. The ultimate goal is that you should supply God. God will be dependent on you. That is bhakti.

Just like Yasodamayi. Yasodamayi, he (she) was so advanced in devotion that God became dependent on her. God appeared as his (her) child. As the child always remains dependent on the mercy of the mother, similarly Krsna before His foster mother Yasodamayi just remained just like dependent. Mother said, "My dear child, if You become more naughty, then I shall chastise You." And God is crying. You see? These are the relationship between God and the devotee. You see? One who chastises the whole universe, whole creation, He is afraid of His mother. He becomes dependent as He likes. It is said in the sastra that "When My devotee thinks Me dependent on him, oh, I like that. I like that." People always worship God as the sublime, but the devotee, they do not worship. They want to serve God as dependent. Just like mother serves the child as dependent. There is no purpose. The mother is satisfied simply by keeping the child in perfect order. Yes. There is no purpose. Similarly, when we shall be inclined to see that He is always satisfied, that is devotion. Then you can have God in your grip. You see? God is so kind, Krsna is so kind, that He becomes just... Ajito 'pi. Nobody can conquer Him, but He becomes conquered by this kind of devotional service. You see? Ajito 'pi jito 'py asi. He becomes conquered. This is the process of conquering. What is the use of becoming one with God? You can conquer Him. You can have Him within your grips. Such is the process, devotional service. It is stated here. Ataeva. Therefore, Lord Caitanya concludes, ataeva 'bhakti'-krsna-praptyera upaya.  Therefore, if you want Krsna, then bhakti, the devotional service, is the only way.

ataeva 'bhakti'-krsna-praptyera upaya
'abhidheya bali' tare sarva-sastre gaya

Abhidheya means that is the transaction.

So in this life, while we are in the material world, so we have our material body. So this devotional service, Krsna consciousness, doing everything in Krsna consciousness, this is just like, what is called, apprenticeship to reach that highest stage. The same thing will be there in your liberated stage in the spiritual kingdom. But here, by the order of the sastra, by the guidance of the spiritual master, you are being trained up as apprentice. This is called abhidheya, abhidheya, practice, practice. But even in practice you will feel that "I am making progress." It is such a thing. 'Abhidheya' bali' tare sarva-sastre gaya. And,

dhana paile yaiche sukha-bhoga phala paya
sukha-bhoga haite duhkha apani palaya
taiche bhakti-phale krsne prema upajaya
prema krsnasvada haile bhava nasa paya

Very important passage. Just note it carefully. Now, by apprenticeship, by practice, if one sincerely follows this practice, then what is the result? Dhana paile yaiche sukha-bhoga phala paya. Just like a poor man, if he gets sufficient money, then at once his all distress is over, at once, immediately. Simultaneously, as soon as the sun is in the sky, at once the darkness is gone. Just in the morning, a little, not sun directly, but even there is sunshine far away, immediately the darkness goes away. I am in distress; I am in poverty-stricken. Suppose I get immediately some large amount of money. Immediately my distress gone. So exactly like that, dhana paile yaiche sukha-bhoga phala paya, then automatically he becomes happy, a poor man when he gets money. Similarly, as soon as we have little taste of this devotional service, at once all our miserable life becomes happy at once. Yes. Sukha-bhoga haite duhkha apani palaya. And if there is happiness, where is the question of misery? If there is light, where there is question of darkness?

So a person in Krsna consciousness, he cannot be in distress of material miseries. It goes automatically, automatically. Taiche bhakti-phale krsne prema upajaya. Similarly, by execution of this devotional service, gradually you develop love of God, love of God. And preme krsnasvada haile bhava nasa...  And as soon as you get a taste for Krsna, you at once lose all this nonsense taste, culminating into sex life. The material taste means we want to gratify senses in so many ways, and the supermost point is sex life. So as soon as you get into touch with Krsna and you develop Krsna love, all this nonsense finished. Then you are liberated. And so long you are attached even to a pinch of material taste, there is no question of liberation from material miseries; you have to continue this transmigration from one body to another, and body means material miseries. The material body means material misery. You may get the body of a king or you may get the body of Brahma or Indra, Candra or the ant or the insignificant animal. Any body, any material body, that is meant for miseries, miseries, tapa-traya, threefold, threefold material miseries, and, besides that threefold miseries, ultimately birth, death, old age and diseases.

So to develop love of Krsna means that is real liberation. And that love of Krsna begins after many, many births of cultural life. Bahunam janmanam ante, vasudevah sarvam iti sa mahatma su-durlabhah [Bg. 7.19]. When one surrenders unto Krsna, that is the beginning of his real life. And as he makes progress, then he realizes -- I have several times discussed this point -- adau sraddha. First thing is that "I must get myself out of this material contamination." That is called sraddha. "In this very life I shall realize." So this sraddha, this belief and this determination, as you make more and more perfect, you make advance. You make advance. Not as official, not as makeshow, but really... Adau sraddha tato sadhu-sangah. Then, as you are determined, so your taste for associating with devotees... Just like we are now associating with Lord Krsna's, Lord Caitanya's, teaching. He is a great devotee. This is called sadhu-sanga [Cc. Madhya 22.83]. Adau sraddha tato sadhu-sanga tatha bhajana-kriya. Then bhajana-kriya, how to execute. Now Caitanya Mahaprabhu is teaching. You will gradually know what is the bhajana-kriya, how to execute devotional service. That we shall come later on. Tato anartha-nivrttih syat. And as soon as your devotional service, prescribed duties, are discharged, you become free from all material contamination. That is the test. Tato anartha-nivrttih syat tato nistha. Then you become firmly convinced. Tato nistha tato ruci. Then taste. Athasakti: then you cannot give it up, at any circumstances cannot give it up. Athasaktis tato bhavas: then you become fully in samadhi, in trance. Sadhakanam ayam premnah pradur... These are the steps of attaining love of God. Love of God is not that you can immediately go and purchase from the market in the store. You have to practice it. The love is there within you. It is not artificial, neither an imposition by some person or... No. It is already there. If you kindly become submissively hearing this, by hearing only, and if you practice, it will be very nice and quickly we shall develop.

So hearing and practicing. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau [Brs. 1.2.234]. Kirtana, sravanam kirtanam jihvadau. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. The tongue especially meant, tongue. Tongue should be engaged, jihva. How? Tongue should be engaged in glorifying. That is one business. And tongue should be engaged for eating krsna-prasada. These two things, chanting and eating. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. As soon as you submissively engage your tongue... Just see the technique: no other body, no other part. Tongue has been especially mentioned. And what is the business of tongue? I am speaking with the help of tongue. If there was no tongue, I could not talk with you. And another, I taste. So engage your tasting capacity of the tongue in krsna-prasada and engage your tongue in talking of Krsna. Then this is the process. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah.  And as you engage them in this process, God will reveal to you. You cannot order God, "Please come and be stand up. I shall see You." He is not your servant. You have to please Him by your service attitude. Then He will reveal to you what He is. And that is bhakti.  That is bhakti: taiche bhakti-phale krsne prema upajaya. If you execute the devotional service, then you develop that love. And as soon as krsna-prema asvada haile, bhava nasa paya... And as soon as you develop, the more the proportionate way of, you develop love of Krsna, love of God, proportionately, you are free from this material contamination. When you are perfectly in Krsna love, you are perfectly free from material contamination. This is the way of liberation.

daridrya-nasa, bhava-ksaya -- premera 'phala' naya
prema-sukha-bhoga-mukhya prayojana haya

So one should not think that "Now I am materially happy. My all distress, my all poverty, has gone by Krsna, by devotional service of Krsna," or "I have become liberated." No. These are by-products. To become liberated and to become materially happy by prosecution of Krsna consciousness is a by-product. You have to attempt further thing. And what is that? Prema-sukha-bhoga: you shall be absorbed in love of Krsna. That is the... That is here recorded that that should be your ultimate goal of life. So we should not stop: "Oh, now I am very happy. Now I have no material miseries," or "I am liberated. Now this material contamination does not affect me." No. When you will be so much absorbed in love of God, just like Lord Caitanya showed... Caksusa pravrsayitam sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda-virahena me, govinda-virahena me: "Oh, I am crying. Just My tears coming, just torrents of rain from My eyes." Sunyayitam jagat sarvam: "I am seeing everything vacant." Why? Govinda-virahena me: "In separation of Govinda." That is highest stage of life. Govinda-virahena me. Just like in this material world, if you love somebody and if he is dead and passed and gone, you see everything vacant. That is a test of that govinda viraha. But we are foolish. We know that everything will be finished here. Why should I give so much attachment to this nonsense? Give your attachment to Krsna. He will never be finished. So that is love of Krsna. We have to attain that stage. Yes. That is the perfection of life.

Thank you. (aside:) You are going? (end)
 
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.137-142 -- New York, November 29, 1966
© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Attained By Unflinching Faith


Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 20.137-138
New York, November 28, 1966

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Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
 

Prabhupada:

na sadhayati mam yogah
na sankhyam dharma uddhava
na svadhyayas tapas tyagah
yatha bhaktir mamorjita

So Lord Caitanya explained to the poverty-stricken man that simile. The astrologer is foretelling about the poverty-stricken man that "You are a very rich man's son. Your father has got so much wealth, but you do not know. Therefore you are suffering." To be poor man in this world, material world, is a curse for ordinary, general people. Those who are spiritually enriched, they have nothing to do with this poverty or richness of this material world. But those who are under the concept of material life, poverty is a curse for them. So living entities, they are not meant for being poverty-stricken because they are part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, the supreme proprietor. Therefore he has, by his birthright, to enjoy the God's property. That is the law. But under spell of illusion, we have forgotten our relationship with the supreme father; therefore we are suffering. This is the diagnosis. Now we have to find out how to go home, back to go, back to home, back to Godhead. That should be the mission of human life. Never mind under what circumstances and why we are in contact with this material world, but we should come to this point by the instruction of the astrologer-like Vedic literatures. Just like the astrologer is giving hint to the poor man, similarly, the Vedic literature is also giving us hint, astrological instructions, that we can become the richest by reviving our lost relationship with our father.

So that process of reviving... There are different paths, different rituals. So Lord Caitanya says that no other method... Not only... Not Caitanya, but the Vedic literature says. So He is quoting one evidence from Srimad-Bhagavatam: na sadhayati mam yogah. The Lord says that "The yoga process cannot achieve success in reaching Me." Na sankhyam. Sankhyam means philosophical speculation. "That also cannot reach Me." Na dharma. Dharma means religious principles. Uddhava: "O My dear Uddhava." This is an instruction just like Lord Krsna gave instruction to Arjuna in the Bhagavad-gita; similarly, He gave instruction to one of His cousin-brothers whose name was Uddhava. And that is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. So in course of that instruction He says, "My dear Uddhava, yoga cannot achieve Me, neither sankhya." Yoga means, real yoga means "connect, plus." Real yoga means "plus," "addition," just like in mathematics we have got addition and subtraction. So at the present moment we are in subtraction -- God minus myself. I have no sense of God; therefore I am in minus condition. So yoga means God plus I. That is the real meaning of yoga. So long I was God-minus, now God-plus. But you must always remember. In the spiritual, absolute sense, God plus me is also God, and God minus me is also God. When I am minus, that does not mean God has lost some of His capacity. No. He is full. And when I am plus, it does not mean that God has increased in some capacity. No. The very good example is given, apuryamanam acala-pratistha. Just like the ocean, Atlantic Ocean. In the... During summer season, rainy season, millions of tons water is evaporated by the sun to make, to create cloud, but if you see the Atlantic Ocean, it is the same. Similarly, after rainy season, millions of tons of water are poured into the ocean by overflow of rivers, but still, you see the ocean is the same. In the material world, if you can find out such things that an ordinary ocean... I say "ordinary" because there are millions of oceans floating in the air. Therefore we should not be very much astonished to see the Atlantic Ocean. Within this space, even within this material space, you have got millions and trillions of ocean like Atlantic. Just like a drop of water or less than that, an atomic portion of water, they are floating in the air. So that is the potency of God.

So yoga... Yoga means God plus myself, plus myself. The system is: those who are too much engrossed with this bodily conception of life, for them, yoga system is very good because it is a practice to withdraw the senses from their engagement in the external world to the inside. Pratyahara. And yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, dhyana, dharana, pratyahara, samadhi -- there are eight different stages of yoga practice. The first practice is yama. Yama, niyama. Under regulative principle, one has to try, endeavor, to control the senses about eating, about sleeping, about working. These are called yama-niyama. Then there are different kinds of sitting postures. They are called asana. So yama-niyama means the first principle of yoga is to abstain from sex life. That is real yoga. Those who are indulging in sex life, intoxication, and so many nonsense things, they have no chance for any success in yoga. This is called yama-niyama. And then, after controlling, after sitting, then one has to sit nicely in a secluded place, in a sanctified place, and sit straight with your neck, head and body in one straight line. Then you have to see the tip of your nose without closing your eyes and not opening your eyes. If you open your eyes, then all this material manifestation will disturb you. And if you close your eyes, then you snap. (snores) I have seen. So many yogis are doing that, sleeping. (laughter) Yes. So these are the process. Then dhyana, then concentration of the mind. Then what is the purpose of concentrating the mind? Just to find out myself, where I am within this body, and then find out where is Lord. This is the perfection of yoga. Simply that I am doing all nonsense whole day and night, and I am attending yoga class, paying five dollars to the class, and I am thinking, "Oh, I am a great yogi" -- this is all nonsense. Yoga is not so easy thing. You see? So simply this... This is the simply exploitating, the so-called society. I tell frankly they are society of the cheater and the cheated. This is not the process of yoga.

So yoga process is very difficult at the present moment. Yoga... Because it is stated in the Vedic literature, that is an approved method. That's all right. But that method is very difficult in the modern age to perform. And what to speak of us, even five thousand years before, when the circumstances were more favorable and people were not so polluted and they were advanced in so many things, still, at that time a personality like Arjuna, he refused. When Krsna asked him that "You become a yogi like this," he said, "It is not possible for me. It is not possible for me." So this is an overendeavor, to practice yoga in this age, which was refused by a personality like Arjuna. So yoga is not at all possible. It was possible in the Satya-yuga, when every man was in the modes of goodness. Every man was highly elevated. The yoga process is meant for the highly elevated personalities, not for ordinary man. So even that yoga practice is done very nicely and perfectly, that cannot take you to the Supreme Lord. That is denied here. What to speak of this pseudo yoga process, even if you perform it rightly, even if you do it nicely, perfectly, still, you cannot reach God. That is denied here. Na sadhayati mam yogah na sankhya. Sankhya means just discriminate what is spirit and what is matter. That is called sankhya. Samyak khyapayate.

So by philosophical speculation this process is... Now, what is that philosophical speculation? What is this material world? They are divided into twenty-four parts, this material world. What are those? Now, the first thing is that what we see, the five material elements, the earth, water, fire, air, ether. These are material elements. These are studied. Then finer than the ether is the mind, then finer than the mind is the intelligence, and finer than the intelligence... Mana, buddhi, ahankara. Ahankara  means ego, ego, false conception, that "I am this matter." These are eight elements. Then your senses, five working senses and five knowledge-acquiring senses... Just like our eyes, ears, tongue, hand -- all these five senses, they are acquiring knowledge. And five senses just like hands, legs, and evacuating hole, genital -- these are five senses by which we are enjoying or suffering. And the five objects of senses. What is that? Form, rupa; rasa, taste; smell; and... Rupa; rasa; gandha; sabda, sound; sparsa, touch. So these five. So five plus eleven, and mind. Five plus eleven equal to sixteen, and these eight elements, twenty-four. The whole material world is analyzed into twenty-four parts. That analytical study is called sankhya. Samyak khyapayati iti sankhya: complete, full analysis of this, whatever we are experiencing. And above that, that spirit soul, above that. Because these twenty-four elements, they are combination. Whatever we are thinking, whatever we seeing in this material world, they are combination of these twenty-four elements. And above that, there is the soul. And above that, there is God.

So Sankhyites, those who are simply analyzing this material world, they cannot find out what is soul. Sankhya means the material scientist, one may, you may call. Just like material scientists, they are simply studying these material objects. They have no information above that. They have no information. Now I am talking with you, so they cannot explain what is that thing which is talking. They cannot analyze this body. Medical doctor, after dissecting this body, they cannot find out what is the spiritual force, what is working. That they cannot. So because they cannot find out even the particles of the Supreme Lord -- we living entities, we are all particles of the Supreme Lord -- so if they cannot find out the particle, what there is chance to find out God? So they cannot also find out God. Neither this yogi, they cannot find out the Supreme Lord, neither these materialists who are simply analyzing these material elements, they cannot. Na sankhya.

Dharma. Dharma means rituals. Everyone has got some faith, and faith means... Just like Hindus are going to the church, er, in temple, and the Christians are going to the church, or Muslims, they are going to the mosque, they..., with idea that "Here is God." That is, of course, beginning. It is nice. But because they are trapped in simply the rituals, they have no other, further knowledge, so that also cannot help to reach because they are trapped. Every religious faith, because the fai... Of course, that conviction must be there. But they do not try to make any further advance. They think that "Here it is ended. Everything is ended here." Therefore they cannot make any progress. (aside:) Please sit down. Don't... So they cannot also. Then svadhyaya. Svadhyaya  means study, study of these Vedic literatures. Without any guidance, if you... Just like so many ladies and gentlemen, they purchase books from the market. They have heard that Bhagavad-gita is very nice book. So svadhyaya. Svadhyaya means studying the scriptures. Studying the Vedic literatures, that is called svadhyaya. Svadhyaya. And tapah. Tapah means penance. Somebody is fasting. Somebody is in the solitary place in the jungle. They are meditating. So many, there are process of penances and austerities. And tyaga, and renunciation. Just like sannyasi, renounced order of life. So (the) Lord says, "All these processes -- the yoga process, the sankhya process, the ritualistic process, or studying the Vedas or undergoing severe type of penance and austerities -- all these processes, combined together or individually, they are not suitable for achieving Me. They are not."

So practically every process is condemned herewith by the Supreme Lord, condemned in this sense, that they can approach to a certain degree, certain extent, towards the final goal. But that process will never be able to achieve to the final goal unless this devotional process is added there. Plus, this must be, the devotion, this Krsna consciousness, because ultimate end is Krsna, the Supreme Lord. As we have several times discussed that verse from the Bhagavad-gita, bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyante: [Bg. 7.19] "After many, many births, those who are actually intellectual, they come to Me and surrender to God, that 'Here is...' Vasudevah sarvam iti: [Bg. 7.19] 'God is everything.' Then he surrenders." So one has to come. Maybe you go by the yoga process, maybe you go by the philosophical process, maybe you go by the ritualistic process, maybe that you go by penances and by study. But unless you reach to this point of Krsna consciousness, your attempt..., not failure, but there are different degrees. So people are satisfied with that different degrees only. They... Hardly they try to reach the final goal. But if anyone wants to reach the final goal, then he has to take this process of Krsna consciousness, bhaktir mamorjita. That process alone can take you to the Supreme Lord.

So those who are intelligent, they take this simple process. Now, especially in this age, even you cannot perform any other process. You cannot perform perfectly yoga, you cannot perform the religious rituals, neither you can study. The circumstances are so unfavorable that these processes are not possible in this age. Therefore Lord Caitanya, by His causeless mercy, He has given us this process:

harer nama harer nama harer nama iva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha
 [Cc. Adi 17.21]

"In this age of Kali," harer nama, "simply by chanting the holy name," harer nama, "simply by chanting the holy name," harer nama, again, thrice, "simply by chanting the holy name of Krsna..." Harer nama harer nama harer nama iva kevalam.  You should always do this. Kalau: "In this age"; nasty eva, "there is no other alternative," nasty eva, "there is no other alternative," nasty eva, "there is no other alternative." Three times again, nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha: "There is no other process." So these are stressed by the Vedic literatures. This verse is quoted from Brhad-Naradiya Purana. Out of eighteen Puranas, this Brhad-Naradiya Purana is also... So this is recommended. So Lord Caitanya's recommendation also is corroborating. He is not recommending this process by manufacturing Himself, but He is quoting from the authorized scripture and authorized sources so that people can accept it. So we should accept this process --

harer nama harer nama harer nama iva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha
 [Cc. Adi 17.21]

 -- and practically see that this is the only process of swiftly realizing the supreme truth, Absolute Truth. So we should follow Krsna consciousness very seriously and sincerely.

Thank you very much. (end)
 
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.137 -- New York, November 28, 1966
© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.

Monday, July 1, 2013

The Vedas Are Your Astrologer

The Vedas Are Your Astrologer
Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 20.125
New York, November 27, 1966

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Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
 

Prabhupada:

abhidheya-nama 'bhakti', 'prema'-prayojana
purusartha-siromani prema maha-dhana

So after understanding our relationship with Krsna... Every understanding has its ultimate goal. So the understanding is that we are eternally related with Krsna. Forgetting this relationship, we are now engaged in relationship with this material body, which I am not. Therefore I have to revive my activities which is directly in relationship with Krsna. And that is called to act in Krsna consciousness. And development of that Krsna consciousness will be ended in love of, full love of Krsna. When we reach that stage, love of God, love of Krsna, then we love everyone because Krsna is everyone. Without coming to that central point, our love on the material conception of life -- equality, fraternity, brotherhood -- are all simply cheating process. That is not possible. So come to that stage.

krsna-madhurya-sevananda-praptira karana
krsna-seva kare, (ara) krsna-rasa-asvadana

Krsna-madhurya-seva, praptira karana. Just like in the material world, when we serve somebody, we become tired. We become detestful. We do not like to serve. But if we serve Krsna, then we shall feel some ecstasy in increasing the service. There is no payment. There is, I mean to say... Materially, there is no payment. Still, a person engaged in Krsna's service, in Krsna consciousness, he will be encouraged to serve more and more. This is the distinction. In the material platform, if you serve somebody, you will find tired, satiated. You won't like. But if you engage yourself in the service of Krsna, you'll find yourself more energetic. You'll like to serve more and more. That is the test. If I feel tired, then that is material, and if I feel more encouraged, that means it is blessings of Krsna. Krsna-madhurya... So one is engaged in service of Krsna not officially or to make show, he feels enlivened in rendering such transcendental service. Some of you must be feeling like that, I am sure; otherwise you cannot take so much responsibility, working all day, unless you feel. You see?

So that is the test. Krsna-madhurya. There is some transcendental ecstasy, feeling, in the service of the Lord. So in the beginning we may not relish that transcendental feeling, but as we go on, increasing, we'll feel it. Krsna-seva kare, krsna-rasa-asvadana. This is called krsna-rasa. Just like anything we do, there is some humor, there is some taste. Suppose a person writes poetry. In writing that poetry he feels some taste; therefore he writes. Some, somebody plays on flute. So everything... Somebody drinks. So there is some particular taste. Similarly, transcendentally, you'll have a taste for Krsna's service. That is Krsna consciousness, a taste of mellow, mellow, or, what is called, a humor. You'll like. You'll like to serve more and more. The more you serve, you'll like to serve more and more. That is transcendental service.

ihate drstanta-yaiche daridrera ghare
'sarvajna' asi' duhkha dekhi' puchaye tahare

Now, Lord Caitanya is giving one example, that a astrologer has come to a poor man's house. The astrologer sees that "This man is living very niggardly life, wretched life, but he should not have done like that. His horoscope says that he should be a rich man. His palmistry says that he should be a rich man."

ihate drstanta-yaiche daridrera ghare
'sarvajna' asi' duhkha dekhi' puchaye tahare

So the astrologer asks him, "Oh, I see you have got some good symptoms in your horoscope, in your palm. Oh, why you are suffering? Why you are suffering?" So...

'tumi kene duhkhi, tomara ache pitr-dhana
tomare na kahila, anyatra chadila jivana'

"I see that you have got your paternal property hidden somewhere, hidden somewhere. You have got some money left by your father, but it is hidden somewhere. You have to find out. It is hidden somewhere."

sarvajnera vakye kare dhanera uddese
aiche veda-purana jive 'krsna' upadese

Now, as you... Now, the poor man asked the astrologer, "Yes, what you say is right. I have heard also that my father is very rich man and he has left some money for me, but where he has kept, I do not find. Will you please let me know how I can find out?" So the astrologer... Astrologer, a perfect astrologer is called sarvajna. Sarvajna means he knows past, present and future. A real astrologer means he will tell you about your past life and he will tell you about your present life and your future life also. There is a system of astrology in India which is called Bhrgu-samhita. Any man will go, and if the expert in Bhrgu-samhita science, he will at once tell you what you were in your past life, how you are acting in this present life, and what is your next life. Therefore, perfection of astrology is in the Bhrgu-samhita, and they is called sarvajna. In old Indian system, as soon as child is born, an expert astrologer will be called forth and there will be ceremony, jata-karma, just after the birth. Just like, before giving birth to the child, there was some ceremony which is called garbhadhana ceremony, and between the birth-giving ceremony and the child is born, there are two other ceremonies, sadhavakan (?). So after the birth of the child, the astrologer is called forth and he begins to tell about the future of the boy.

In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, when Maharaja Pariksit was born, his father was dead, his grandfather. You know, his father was only sixteen years old when the boy was in the womb of his mother. In the battlefield he died. So when the child was born, the grandfather, Arjuna, and his elder brother, they are very much anxious to know how this child will become in future. Because a responsible king, they wanted to know "Whether the child is worth to our family?" So everything was spoken that is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, that "This child will be like this, like this," and it was foretold that the at the last stage of his life, he will be cursed by a brahmana and he will die out of snake bite. "This child will die by snake bite." That was also foretold. And because the brahmana cursed, a brahmana boy cursed him that "Within seven days the king will die by snake bite..." That's a long story. Therefore, Maharaja Pariksit, he was not very old, but he understood that "I will have to die by snake bite, so let me get free from this royal responsibilities." He at once handed over his kingdom to his son and went to the bank of the Ganges and sat down there tight, without taking any food and drink, for seven days, and he heard Srimad-Bhagavatam from the authoritative source of Sukadeva Gosvami, and he died at the end of seven days. A snake came and bit him.

So this astrological calculation were then; still there are. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, when Srimad-Bhagavatam was written, it was five thousand years before. It is stated there that in the beginning of Kali-yuga, there will be buddha-avatara, incarnation. Vabhisekha (?). Vabhisekha means "there will appear." These are sastra, these are astrological calculation, everything perfect. The other day, when I was discussed about Sanatana Goswami, how even an ordinary hotel keeper, he kept an astrologer who told the hotel keeper that "This man has got eight golden dollars." Just see. This is astrology. Even a thief could be conducted, guided by astrologer, and what to speak of others. So that was their system in India. So that example is being placed here by Lord Caitanya that the Veda, that is astrology for your guidance. For your guidance, the scripture is your astrologer. He knows your future, he knows your past. So therefore you should consult, you should consult, for our guidance.

Now, the astrologer is supposed to give some instruction to the poor man.

'ei sthane ache dhana'-yadi daksine khudibe
'bhimarula-baruli' uthibe, dhana na paibe

Now, the astrologer says, is giving him, it is figurative, that "If you want to search out the Absolute Truth by ritualistic method..." Mostly people are attached to the particular faith and its ritualistic method. They consider this is everything. Veda-vada-ratah partha nanyad astiti vadinah. They think that performing these rituals of a particular religion and faith, that is all; no more. So Lord Caitanya says, Lord Caitanya in the shape of that astrologer says, that if you follow -- it is given figuratively, that he is searching after the wealth left by his father. Similarly, we have got our father, the Supreme, and He is the supreme proprietor of everything. If we try to find out our father and father's property by the ritualistic process -- there are ritualistic processes in every religion and in every scripture -- but if we stick to that, then the result will be they will be entrapped by the search, fanaticism, and it will be not possible to make progress. This is called daksina system. Daksina, daksina means if he is giving him instruction that "Your house is bounded by east side, west side, north side and south side. So if you go to the south..." South is translated into Sanskrit, daksina. And daksina also means giving something to the priest in respect of his service for performing rituals. So this is figuratively being used, daksina. Daksina means priesthood. If you follow the priesthood, then the result will be that 'bhimarula-baruli' uthibe, dhana na paibe. "There are some poisonous insects which will bite you, and you will not be able to dig out the wealth left by your father." So this poisonous effect is that the priesthood, they are for business. They will never give you the right thing, not it is in their power. Not it is in their power. That is going on. But if you find out, if you want to find out the Absolute Truth through this rituals and priesthood, then the result will be that you will be bitten by some poisonous insects and your attempt will be unsuccessful. Pascime, pascime khudibe.

'pascime' khudibe, taha 'yaksa' eka haya
se vighna (karibe) -- dhane hata na padaya

Then again, the system of ahangama-pasana, pantheism, philosophical speculation, pantheism, monism, atheism, agnosticism, so many isms there are. So if you follow these isms, there is a jata, there is another danger which you will not get any information of the Absolute Truth.

'uttare' khudile ache krsna 'ajagare'
dhana nahi pabe, khudite gilibe sabare

So uttara, uttara means uttara-mimamsa. There is a philosophy which is called karma-mimamsa. Karma-mimamsa means there is no need of making your relationship with God. God is Supreme, accepted, but He is bound to give you the result of your honest work. This is another philosophy. So you work honestly, there is more or less moral principles. If you stick to the moral principle, ethics and morals, then you will be entrapped by the prideness that "Oh, I am very moral. I do not speak lies. I do not steal. I treat with my neighbors very nicely. So I have no necessity to search out father. I am quite all right." That means, this mundane moralist, if you become mundane moralist, or if you become mundane philosopher or if you stick to the ritualistic process of your particular faith, then there is no hope of reaching to the Absolute Truth. Mundane scriptural, ritualistic way and dry speculative philosophy and mundane moralists. Just like Arjuna and his brother. His eldest brother is Maharaja Yudhisthira; he was very moralist, Dharmaraja. His name was "the king of religious principles," Dharmaraja. So Krsna Himself advised him that "You go to Dronacarya and tell him a lie, that 'Your son is dead. Your son is dead.' " Now Maharaja Yudhisthira, he was a mundane moralist, so "How can I tell lie? How can I tell lie? I have never spoken lie in my life." So there was some argument. Of course this was, fight was, some compromise was made between them in the camp. So he became a mundane moralist. He did not consider that "The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is asking me to tell lie." So he could not transgress his moral principles so he could not become a devotee of Krsna. He (was) considered mundane moralism, so it was not possible for him to become a Krsna conscious person. He could not take Krsna's order as the Supreme. But Arjuna, in the beginning, he was hesitating to fight and kill his kinsmen, and when he understood that "Krsna wants this fight," he decided, "Yes, I shall do." This is Krsna consciousness.

So these are the principles. If we stick to the particular type of ritualism -- because I confess a particular type of faith, and my faith describes this sort of ritualism, I must follow -- then you stick to that, you cannot make any progress. And if you go on simply philosophizing -- this ism, that ism, that ism, nonsense-ism -- then also you will not be able. And if you become mundane moralist, then also you will not be able. You have to become transcendental to all these mundane principles; then it will be possible to become perfectly Krsna conscious. So it is not transgressing, because as soon as you become really Krsna conscious, then you become all: you become a philosopher, you become a ritualistic, you become actually moralist. What is the standard of morals? Can you explain? What is the standard of morality? Can you explain? Can any one of you say? Have you got any idea what is the standard of morality? The standard of morality is to obey the Supreme. That is standard of morality. Standard of morality does not mean that you manufacture something morality out of your concoction. No. Standard of morality is to obey the Supreme. That is standard of morality. Example. Example is, just like this State, the State has law that if you commit murder, then you will be hanged. It is immoral. If you commit theft, then you will be punished. But when the State says that you go and become a spy and become a thief and bring out these documents on the enemy's camp, that is morality. If you kill a man, you will be hanged. But when the State order, if you kill an enemy, hundreds of enemy, you will be awarded gold medal. So if you stick to the principle, theft and murder, and do not follow the State order, you will be considered, what is called, tyrant, or what is that? Traitor. Traitor.

So if in our practical experience we see to obey the order of the Supreme is morality, standard of morality, don't you think to obey the supermost supreme, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to obey Him, that is morality. That is morality. So if you stick to the mundane principle, then it will not be. Therefore the astrologer advises the poor man,

purva-dike tate mati alpa khudite
dhanera jhari padibeka tomara hatete

In other words, that if you take this process of Krsna consciousness, devotional service, a slight attempt will give you the treasury house of that wealth. A slight attempt. Sv-alpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat. This is the only, only path. Bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah [Bg. 18.55]. In the Bhagavad-gita you will find that if you actually want God, then you will have to follow this process, Krsna consciousness, and transcendental loving service to the Supreme Lord. That will make you successful. Even if you execute a little percentage of this process, then you will touch at once, at least you will know, "Oh, here is the hidden box containing the treasure." Now, gradually, you open it and then enjoy. But at once you will get information, "Here is the thing." So this is the process. Aiche sastra kahe -- karma, jnana, yoga tyaji'.

Now, Lord Caitanya is explaining this system, different system, ritualistic, philosophical, meditation, morality, all these in sastra-kahe. Real Vedic instruction... Just like, what is Veda? Veda means the words of the Lord. That is Veda. Scripture means the words of the Lord. God says, "Let there be light." God says, "Let there be creation." These words are scripture. Now one who takes out... Just like sound is transmitted from a certain place, and one who catches by the machine, he gets the information. Similarly, Veda means instruction transmitted by the Supreme Lord, and there are capable personalities, just like Brahma, that capture it, and that is distributed, either in writing or by tradition, by hearing. That is scripture. The words of God. Now, here the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is personally speaking Bhagavad-gita. Is it not Veda? That is Veda. That is real Veda. Sarva-upanisade. In the Gita-mahatmya it is said, "This is the essence of all Veda." This is Vedanta. Simply by studying Bhagavad-gita, one becomes a learned science in the science of God. So sastra-kahe. And what is that sastra? The essence of all sastra, the essence of all scripture, asks you to do -- the sastra says, the Lord says -- sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja: [Bg. 18.66] "Give up everything, just surrender under Me." This is the most confidential part of knowledge.

So "give up everything" means there are different processes, different processes, ritualistic process, different religious processes, philosophical processes, meditation, so many. "Give up all them. Simply surrender to Krsna." So Lord Caitanya is stressing on that point, that aiche sastra kahe -- karma, jnana, yoga tyaji'. Karma. Karma means general activities on moral principle. That is called karma. Karma means, real karma means that you have to live, so you have to work. So work in such a way that you may not be entangled. Just like honest businessman, he works, he works according to the law. He does not play any blackmailing, and he pays the proper income tax to the government and the other taxes. He does nicely. This is called work, karma. You have to live. Without working you cannot live. But you work in such a way so that you may not be entangled. That is called work, karma. Now, this work is not the solution of your human life. You can get some morsel of bread and eat and drink and sleep and just enjoy your life and die like cats and dogs, that's all. And then you will take with you the result of your good work or bad work. That is karma. That is not solution. Then the next stage is, above this karma, this ordinary, general people, there is a class, they are thinkers. They are thinkers: "Whether this is the solution of life?" So thinkers, some of them are dry thinkers, they have no knowledge, but they think only. They do not get the source of knowledge from higher authorities; they manufacture their own way. So apart from that, those who are bona fide thinkers, they are called jnani. Jnani means that this process of karma cannot make solution of life. They push some philosophical thesis that "This is the solution of life." They are called jnani. The others, yogis, they meditate. So what they meditate? Not they meditate falsely; they meditate, they concentrate the whole senses and put the focus on the soul and the Supersoul. So their endeavor is to make, reestablish with the Supersoul who is sitting in my heart. That is yoga system.

So all these systems can be adjusted only in one system, Krsna consciousness. That is the version of all the sastra, all the Vedas. Lord Caitanya also confirms that

aiche sastra kahe -- karma, jnana, yoga tyaji'
'bhaktye' krsna vasa haya, bhaktye tanre bhaji

If you want Krsna, if you want God, then you don't try to follow all these processes. You just try to follow devotional service to the Lord, bhakti, Krsna consciousness. That will please Krsna. Then by His pleasing, He will reveal to you. He will reveal to you. God being pleased with your sincere service and love, He will let you know. Just like Arjuna is being instructed by the Supreme Lord, and He says, "My dear Arjuna, I am speaking to you the most confidential part of knowledge." So if we become friends like Arjuna to Krsna, then Krsna will reveal Himself, as He is revealing Himself, "I am this, I am that, I am this, I am that." (indistinct) So if you actually want to reestablish your lost relationship with Krsna and God, then you have to adopt this Krsna consciousness and nothing more.

Thank you very much. (end)
 
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.125 -- New York, November 27, 1966
Prabhupada:

abhidheya-nama 'bhakti', 'prema'-prayojana
purusartha-siromani prema maha-dhana

So after understanding our relationship with Krsna... Every understanding has its ultimate goal. So the understanding is that we are eternally related with Krsna. Forgetting this relationship, we are now engaged in relationship with this material body, which I am not. Therefore I have to revive my activities which is directly in relationship with Krsna. And that is called to act in Krsna consciousness. And development of that Krsna consciousness will be ended in love of, full love of Krsna. When we reach that stage, love of God, love of Krsna, then we love everyone because Krsna is everyone. Without coming to that central point, our love on the material conception of life -- equality, fraternity, brotherhood -- are all simply cheating process. That is not possible. So come to that stage.

krsna-madhurya-sevananda-praptira karana
krsna-seva kare, (ara) krsna-rasa-asvadana

Krsna-madhurya-seva, praptira karana. Just like in the material world, when we serve somebody, we become tired. We become detestful. We do not like to serve. But if we serve Krsna, then we shall feel some ecstasy in increasing the service. There is no payment. There is, I mean to say... Materially, there is no payment. Still, a person engaged in Krsna's service, in Krsna consciousness, he will be encouraged to serve more and more. This is the distinction. In the material platform, if you serve somebody, you will find tired, satiated. You won't like. But if you engage yourself in the service of Krsna, you'll find yourself more energetic. You'll like to serve more and more. That is the test. If I feel tired, then that is material, and if I feel more encouraged, that means it is blessings of Krsna. Krsna-madhurya... So one is engaged in service of Krsna not officially or to make show, he feels enlivened in rendering such transcendental service. Some of you must be feeling like that, I am sure; otherwise you cannot take so much responsibility, working all day, unless you feel. You see?

So that is the test. Krsna-madhurya. There is some transcendental ecstasy, feeling, in the service of the Lord. So in the beginning we may not relish that transcendental feeling, but as we go on, increasing, we'll feel it. Krsna-seva kare, krsna-rasa-asvadana. This is called krsna-rasa. Just like anything we do, there is some humor, there is some taste. Suppose a person writes poetry. In writing that poetry he feels some taste; therefore he writes. Some, somebody plays on flute. So everything... Somebody drinks. So there is some particular taste. Similarly, transcendentally, you'll have a taste for Krsna's service. That is Krsna consciousness, a taste of mellow, mellow, or, what is called, a humor. You'll like. You'll like to serve more and more. The more you serve, you'll like to serve more and more. That is transcendental service.

ihate drstanta-yaiche daridrera ghare
'sarvajna' asi' duhkha dekhi' puchaye tahare

Now, Lord Caitanya is giving one example, that a astrologer has come to a poor man's house. The astrologer sees that "This man is living very niggardly life, wretched life, but he should not have done like that. His horoscope says that he should be a rich man. His palmistry says that he should be a rich man."

ihate drstanta-yaiche daridrera ghare
'sarvajna' asi' duhkha dekhi' puchaye tahare

So the astrologer asks him, "Oh, I see you have got some good symptoms in your horoscope, in your palm. Oh, why you are suffering? Why you are suffering?" So...

'tumi kene duhkhi, tomara ache pitr-dhana
tomare na kahila, anyatra chadila jivana'

"I see that you have got your paternal property hidden somewhere, hidden somewhere. You have got some money left by your father, but it is hidden somewhere. You have to find out. It is hidden somewhere."

sarvajnera vakye kare dhanera uddese
aiche veda-purana jive 'krsna' upadese

Now, as you... Now, the poor man asked the astrologer, "Yes, what you say is right. I have heard also that my father is very rich man and he has left some money for me, but where he has kept, I do not find. Will you please let me know how I can find out?" So the astrologer... Astrologer, a perfect astrologer is called sarvajna. Sarvajna means he knows past, present and future. A real astrologer means he will tell you about your past life and he will tell you about your present life and your future life also. There is a system of astrology in India which is called Bhrgu-samhita. Any man will go, and if the expert in Bhrgu-samhita science, he will at once tell you what you were in your past life, how you are acting in this present life, and what is your next life. Therefore, perfection of astrology is in the Bhrgu-samhita, and they is called sarvajna. In old Indian system, as soon as child is born, an expert astrologer will be called forth and there will be ceremony, jata-karma, just after the birth. Just like, before giving birth to the child, there was some ceremony which is called garbhadhana ceremony, and between the birth-giving ceremony and the child is born, there are two other ceremonies, sadhavakan (?). So after the birth of the child, the astrologer is called forth and he begins to tell about the future of the boy.

In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, when Maharaja Pariksit was born, his father was dead, his grandfather. You know, his father was only sixteen years old when the boy was in the womb of his mother. In the battlefield he died. So when the child was born, the grandfather, Arjuna, and his elder brother, they are very much anxious to know how this child will become in future. Because a responsible king, they wanted to know "Whether the child is worth to our family?" So everything was spoken that is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, that "This child will be like this, like this," and it was foretold that the at the last stage of his life, he will be cursed by a brahmana and he will die out of snake bite. "This child will die by snake bite." That was also foretold. And because the brahmana cursed, a brahmana boy cursed him that "Within seven days the king will die by snake bite..." That's a long story. Therefore, Maharaja Pariksit, he was not very old, but he understood that "I will have to die by snake bite, so let me get free from this royal responsibilities." He at once handed over his kingdom to his son and went to the bank of the Ganges and sat down there tight, without taking any food and drink, for seven days, and he heard Srimad-Bhagavatam from the authoritative source of Sukadeva Gosvami, and he died at the end of seven days. A snake came and bit him.

So this astrological calculation were then; still there are. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, when Srimad-Bhagavatam was written, it was five thousand years before. It is stated there that in the beginning of Kali-yuga, there will be buddha-avatara, incarnation. Vabhisekha (?). Vabhisekha means "there will appear." These are sastra, these are astrological calculation, everything perfect. The other day, when I was discussed about Sanatana Goswami, how even an ordinary hotel keeper, he kept an astrologer who told the hotel keeper that "This man has got eight golden dollars." Just see. This is astrology. Even a thief could be conducted, guided by astrologer, and what to speak of others. So that was their system in India. So that example is being placed here by Lord Caitanya that the Veda, that is astrology for your guidance. For your guidance, the scripture is your astrologer. He knows your future, he knows your past. So therefore you should consult, you should consult, for our guidance.

Now, the astrologer is supposed to give some instruction to the poor man.

'ei sthane ache dhana'-yadi daksine khudibe
'bhimarula-baruli' uthibe, dhana na paibe

Now, the astrologer says, is giving him, it is figurative, that "If you want to search out the Absolute Truth by ritualistic method..." Mostly people are attached to the particular faith and its ritualistic method. They consider this is everything. Veda-vada-ratah partha nanyad astiti vadinah. They think that performing these rituals of a particular religion and faith, that is all; no more. So Lord Caitanya says, Lord Caitanya in the shape of that astrologer says, that if you follow -- it is given figuratively, that he is searching after the wealth left by his father. Similarly, we have got our father, the Supreme, and He is the supreme proprietor of everything. If we try to find out our father and father's property by the ritualistic process -- there are ritualistic processes in every religion and in every scripture -- but if we stick to that, then the result will be they will be entrapped by the search, fanaticism, and it will be not possible to make progress. This is called daksina system. Daksina, daksina means if he is giving him instruction that "Your house is bounded by east side, west side, north side and south side. So if you go to the south..." South is translated into Sanskrit, daksina. And daksina also means giving something to the priest in respect of his service for performing rituals. So this is figuratively being used, daksina. Daksina means priesthood. If you follow the priesthood, then the result will be that 'bhimarula-baruli' uthibe, dhana na paibe. "There are some poisonous insects which will bite you, and you will not be able to dig out the wealth left by your father." So this poisonous effect is that the priesthood, they are for business. They will never give you the right thing, not it is in their power. Not it is in their power. That is going on. But if you find out, if you want to find out the Absolute Truth through this rituals and priesthood, then the result will be that you will be bitten by some poisonous insects and your attempt will be unsuccessful. Pascime, pascime khudibe.

'pascime' khudibe, taha 'yaksa' eka haya
se vighna (karibe) -- dhane hata na padaya

Then again, the system of ahangama-pasana, pantheism, philosophical speculation, pantheism, monism, atheism, agnosticism, so many isms there are. So if you follow these isms, there is a jata, there is another danger which you will not get any information of the Absolute Truth.

'uttare' khudile ache krsna 'ajagare'
dhana nahi pabe, khudite gilibe sabare

So uttara, uttara means uttara-mimamsa. There is a philosophy which is called karma-mimamsa. Karma-mimamsa means there is no need of making your relationship with God. God is Supreme, accepted, but He is bound to give you the result of your honest work. This is another philosophy. So you work honestly, there is more or less moral principles. If you stick to the moral principle, ethics and morals, then you will be entrapped by the prideness that "Oh, I am very moral. I do not speak lies. I do not steal. I treat with my neighbors very nicely. So I have no necessity to search out father. I am quite all right." That means, this mundane moralist, if you become mundane moralist, or if you become mundane philosopher or if you stick to the ritualistic process of your particular faith, then there is no hope of reaching to the Absolute Truth. Mundane scriptural, ritualistic way and dry speculative philosophy and mundane moralists. Just like Arjuna and his brother. His eldest brother is Maharaja Yudhisthira; he was very moralist, Dharmaraja. His name was "the king of religious principles," Dharmaraja. So Krsna Himself advised him that "You go to Dronacarya and tell him a lie, that 'Your son is dead. Your son is dead.' " Now Maharaja Yudhisthira, he was a mundane moralist, so "How can I tell lie? How can I tell lie? I have never spoken lie in my life." So there was some argument. Of course this was, fight was, some compromise was made between them in the camp. So he became a mundane moralist. He did not consider that "The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is asking me to tell lie." So he could not transgress his moral principles so he could not become a devotee of Krsna. He (was) considered mundane moralism, so it was not possible for him to become a Krsna conscious person. He could not take Krsna's order as the Supreme. But Arjuna, in the beginning, he was hesitating to fight and kill his kinsmen, and when he understood that "Krsna wants this fight," he decided, "Yes, I shall do." This is Krsna consciousness.

So these are the principles. If we stick to the particular type of ritualism -- because I confess a particular type of faith, and my faith describes this sort of ritualism, I must follow -- then you stick to that, you cannot make any progress. And if you go on simply philosophizing -- this ism, that ism, that ism, nonsense-ism -- then also you will not be able. And if you become mundane moralist, then also you will not be able. You have to become transcendental to all these mundane principles; then it will be possible to become perfectly Krsna conscious. So it is not transgressing, because as soon as you become really Krsna conscious, then you become all: you become a philosopher, you become a ritualistic, you become actually moralist. What is the standard of morals? Can you explain? What is the standard of morality? Can you explain? Can any one of you say? Have you got any idea what is the standard of morality? The standard of morality is to obey the Supreme. That is standard of morality. Standard of morality does not mean that you manufacture something morality out of your concoction. No. Standard of morality is to obey the Supreme. That is standard of morality. Example. Example is, just like this State, the State has law that if you commit murder, then you will be hanged. It is immoral. If you commit theft, then you will be punished. But when the State says that you go and become a spy and become a thief and bring out these documents on the enemy's camp, that is morality. If you kill a man, you will be hanged. But when the State order, if you kill an enemy, hundreds of enemy, you will be awarded gold medal. So if you stick to the principle, theft and murder, and do not follow the State order, you will be considered, what is called, tyrant, or what is that? Traitor. Traitor.

So if in our practical experience we see to obey the order of the Supreme is morality, standard of morality, don't you think to obey the supermost supreme, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to obey Him, that is morality. That is morality. So if you stick to the mundane principle, then it will not be. Therefore the astrologer advises the poor man,

purva-dike tate mati alpa khudite
dhanera jhari padibeka tomara hatete

In other words, that if you take this process of Krsna consciousness, devotional service, a slight attempt will give you the treasury house of that wealth. A slight attempt. Sv-alpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat. This is the only, only path. Bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah [Bg. 18.55]. In the Bhagavad-gita you will find that if you actually want God, then you will have to follow this process, Krsna consciousness, and transcendental loving service to the Supreme Lord. That will make you successful. Even if you execute a little percentage of this process, then you will touch at once, at least you will know, "Oh, here is the hidden box containing the treasure." Now, gradually, you open it and then enjoy. But at once you will get information, "Here is the thing." So this is the process. Aiche sastra kahe -- karma, jnana, yoga tyaji'.

Now, Lord Caitanya is explaining this system, different system, ritualistic, philosophical, meditation, morality, all these in sastra-kahe. Real Vedic instruction... Just like, what is Veda? Veda means the words of the Lord. That is Veda. Scripture means the words of the Lord. God says, "Let there be light." God says, "Let there be creation." These words are scripture. Now one who takes out... Just like sound is transmitted from a certain place, and one who catches by the machine, he gets the information. Similarly, Veda means instruction transmitted by the Supreme Lord, and there are capable personalities, just like Brahma, that capture it, and that is distributed, either in writing or by tradition, by hearing. That is scripture. The words of God. Now, here the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is personally speaking Bhagavad-gita. Is it not Veda? That is Veda. That is real Veda. Sarva-upanisade. In the Gita-mahatmya it is said, "This is the essence of all Veda." This is Vedanta. Simply by studying Bhagavad-gita, one becomes a learned science in the science of God. So sastra-kahe. And what is that sastra? The essence of all sastra, the essence of all scripture, asks you to do -- the sastra says, the Lord says -- sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja: [Bg. 18.66] "Give up everything, just surrender under Me." This is the most confidential part of knowledge.

So "give up everything" means there are different processes, different processes, ritualistic process, different religious processes, philosophical processes, meditation, so many. "Give up all them. Simply surrender to Krsna." So Lord Caitanya is stressing on that point, that aiche sastra kahe -- karma, jnana, yoga tyaji'. Karma. Karma means general activities on moral principle. That is called karma. Karma means, real karma means that you have to live, so you have to work. So work in such a way that you may not be entangled. Just like honest businessman, he works, he works according to the law. He does not play any blackmailing, and he pays the proper income tax to the government and the other taxes. He does nicely. This is called work, karma. You have to live. Without working you cannot live. But you work in such a way so that you may not be entangled. That is called work, karma. Now, this work is not the solution of your human life. You can get some morsel of bread and eat and drink and sleep and just enjoy your life and die like cats and dogs, that's all. And then you will take with you the result of your good work or bad work. That is karma. That is not solution. Then the next stage is, above this karma, this ordinary, general people, there is a class, they are thinkers. They are thinkers: "Whether this is the solution of life?" So thinkers, some of them are dry thinkers, they have no knowledge, but they think only. They do not get the source of knowledge from higher authorities; they manufacture their own way. So apart from that, those who are bona fide thinkers, they are called jnani. Jnani means that this process of karma cannot make solution of life. They push some philosophical thesis that "This is the solution of life." They are called jnani. The others, yogis, they meditate. So what they meditate? Not they meditate falsely; they meditate, they concentrate the whole senses and put the focus on the soul and the Supersoul. So their endeavor is to make, reestablish with the Supersoul who is sitting in my heart. That is yoga system.

So all these systems can be adjusted only in one system, Krsna consciousness. That is the version of all the sastra, all the Vedas. Lord Caitanya also confirms that

aiche sastra kahe -- karma, jnana, yoga tyaji'
'bhaktye' krsna vasa haya, bhaktye tanre bhaji

If you want Krsna, if you want God, then you don't try to follow all these processes. You just try to follow devotional service to the Lord, bhakti, Krsna consciousness. That will please Krsna. Then by His pleasing, He will reveal to you. He will reveal to you. God being pleased with your sincere service and love, He will let you know. Just like Arjuna is being instructed by the Supreme Lord, and He says, "My dear Arjuna, I am speaking to you the most confidential part of knowledge." So if we become friends like Arjuna to Krsna, then Krsna will reveal Himself, as He is revealing Himself, "I am this, I am that, I am this, I am that." (indistinct) So if you actually want to reestablish your lost relationship with Krsna and God, then you have to adopt this Krsna consciousness and nothing more.

Thank you very much. (end)
 
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.125 -- New York, November 27, 1966
© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.