nectar of instruction

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Srila Rupa Goswami.

From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada.

Preface:This book of 11 verses in Sanskrit was written by Srila Rupa Goswami in Vrndavana, and deals the gradual

stages of devotion developing within the aspiring bhakta; beginning with the control of the senses, all the wayto hearing about the glories of Radha and Krsna and Their topmost lilasthana, Sri Radha Kunda. This book is

an instructing guide and manual for all sadhakas. Srila Rupa Goswami gives herein, the basic idea of what asadhaka should do to reach the highest platform of love of God. Upadesamrta means, the nectar of Instruction. Upadesa: instruction, amrta: nectar. Srila Prabhupada in his Preface explains that the Krsna consciousness movement is conducted under the

supervision of Srila Rupa Goswami. He is the head of the Gaudiya vaisnavas and together with the other Goswamis of Vrndavana, teaches the whole world about the science of bhakti yoga. To attain pure love for Krsna one must participate in the mission of Lord Caitanya (appearing in the mood of Radharani) and follow

in His footsteps. And in order to do that, one must follow in the footsteps of the six Goswamis. The two main factors to spiritual advancement is 1) control of the senses and 2) the attitude. Without

controlling one’s senses, one cannot understand spiritual life. Rupa Goswami is teaching us to come to the platform of goodness so that everything connected to Krsna’s service is assimilated. Everyone should become a vaisnava goswami, or a fully controlled devotee of Lord Krsna. Then one can proceed on the path of perfection.

Upadesamrta is one of the first books that a neophyte devotee should study and follow strictly in order tomake spiritual advancement on the path of Krsna consciousness.

padesamrta Course file:///E:/bhakti sastri course/noi/Upadesamrta Course com

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Text One

vaco vegam manasah krodha vegam

jihva vegam udharapastha vegam

etan vegan yo visaheta dhirah

sarvam api mam prithivim sa sisyat

A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.

Study: 1) Prabhupada turns to the inquires of Pariksit Maharaja to Sukadeva Goswami in connection to atonement.

This inquiry was about the position of Ajamila and his chanting of the holy name after having engaged inso many sinful activities throughout his life.

2) Upadesamrta teaches that unless one controls all of one’s senses --mind, anger and so on, one cannot be

purified and therefore not progress in the path of transcendence.

3) Three stages of actions:

a) By seeing. The thief may see another person steal and being punished and understand that it is awrong thing to do.

b) By hearing. The thief may hear from the state law that by stealing one is arrested.c) By punishment: The thief may see and hear but still think that he can steal. Punishment may be

inflicted but it will not remove the idea of stealing from the thief’s mind and as soon as he is free, hewill steal again.

d) Maharaja Pariksit rejected this principle of atonement and compared it to the bathing of the elephantin the river.

4 ) Due to past conditioning, many spiritualist have the inclination to sin, thinking that by chanting the name of God, their sins will be counteracted.

a) Vaisnavas using the chanting to counteract sinful activities b) Other religionists confessing for their sins and again sinning until the next confess.

5) Although Sukadeva Goswami, as a qualified spiritual master wanted to test his disciple, he agreed withthe fact that prayascita (atonement) is not the way to remove the sinful tendencies within the heart. Only by awakening one’s dormant love for Krsna can one be fully purified.

6) Atonement through knowledge:

a) Following a certain method, as following a diet to remain healthy. b) Control of the senses by tapasya (the austerity of celibacy).Two ways to achieve results.

- controlling the mind.- giving in charity and detachment from one’s possessions.- being truthful.- being clean.- practicing yoga asana.


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- meeting a pure devotee of the Lord.

- refraining from the 4 sinful activities.- rendering devotional service under the guidance of such pure devotee.- This is the way recommended by Rupa Goswami.

Identity with the body is characterized by the urge of speech, mind and body. In any case, tapasya is required.

7) Sense control in Krsna consciousness.a) The control of the speaking power and usage of the tongue (vaco vegam)

- Either you speak about Krsna or you speak about maya.- Talks of the Mayavadis invite death, compared to the crocking of the frog.

- Talks of the materialists to inquire and inform each other about sense enjoyment.- Talks of the jnanis about logic and liberation.- Talks about frustrations, happiness, miseries, desires, failures, successes etc.- Talks through writing useless literatures on mundane topics.- Keeping silent as good as talking non-sense.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rupa Goswami suggests Krsna katha.

- Engaging the speaking process in glorifying Lord Krsna (nama, rupam, guna, and lila).- Speaking Krsna katha keeps one beyond the clutches of death. It is the only remedy to

stop the urge of nonsensical talks.

S.B 1.5.10/11: Value of useless words not describing the glories of the Lord as opposed to descriptions of theglories of the Lord in transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed. c) b) The control of the mind (manasa vega).

- by fixing the mind on the lotus feet of Krsna.- not by negation of thoughts through yoga.

- not by creating vacuum.Two divisions of mind's urge:

1) avirodha priti (unrestricted attachment):- adherence to mayavadi philosophy.- Belief in fruitive results of the karma vadis.

- Plans based on materialistic desires.

2) virodha yukta krodha- attraction of the conditioned souls towards materialistic plans.- frustration.- anger.

c)The control of anger (krodha vegam).

- Anger is very difficult to control.- Anger used in the Lord’s service can control material anger.Lord Caitanya’s anger towards Jagai and Madai, despite His own teaching on humility.Arjuna’s anger on the battlefield.

Hanuman’s anger in attacking Lanka to fight for Rama.- A devotee accepts all insults for himself, but cannot tolerate the pure devotee being blasphemed or the Supreme Lord. He will act rightly.

d) The control of the tongue and belly (jihva vegam / udhara vegam).

d - Conditioned to taste palatable dishes in connection with tastes:


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e *All sorts of food f rom dead bodies produced through semina and blood.

f *All sorts of vegetables, creepers, greens and milk products.

g *All sorts of spicy and sour foods.

h *All sorts of intoxicants like LSD, pan, betel nuts, tabacco, marijuana, opium, liquor, tea,

coffee etc.

i Non of these above can be of fered to Krsna and strictly avoided by the devotee.

- Devotees do not choose what tastes good according to their choice but only take the

remnants left by the Lord Krsna, as prasadam (mercy).*Devotee does not take prasadam for the sake of enjoying the tongue by eating too much.

*Not to offer palatable dishes to the deities with the intention to enjoy the remnants. Lord

Caitanya forbids enjoying palatable prasadam.

- *Invitation at a rich man’s home with the idea of receiving good prasadam is also a pitfall.

- Prasadam should be honored at regular times and other regulations*Those suffering from stomach disorder are not able to control the tongue.

*Not over eating, nor eating too little.

*Fasting days recommended (Ekadasi, Janmastami etc.)

- - Restrictions on eating in restaurants, sweetshops, airplanes and food cooked in the

homes of non-vaisnavas.- Tongue, belly and genital form one straight line. If the tongue is controlled with prasadam,

belly and genitals also are controlled. Bhaktivinoda sings the glories of prasadam to help uscontrol our senses and remember Krsna. (sarira avidya jal…)

e) The control of the genitals (upastha vegam).

Two types: 1) legal.- basic understanding of sex control: only when necessary (according to religious principles

to beget children, otherwise not).- Sex life within marriage allowed in Krsna consciousness for begetting children and no

other purpose.

- License for sex to produce Krsna conscious children.2) Illicit.

- Thinking, talking, planning, engaging, or artificial means, with no restraints nor sastricrules.

- This applies for all asramas. Not only householders but also sannyasis and brahmacaris. The full emphasis of this verse is given in the instruction of Jagadananda Pandit in his Prema Vivarta ch.7. When one is expert by the practice of devotional service to control all the six items, he can become aqualified spiritual master and is called a Swami or Goswami.

Goswami: master of the senses, not master of family, community or society.Maharaja: as a king is powerful enough to control his citizens, a Goswami is powerful enough to control hissenses.Go-dasa: one who cannot control one’s senses. Such go-dasa is destined to enter the lowest regions, asdescribed by Prahlada Maharaja. (matir na krsne parata svato va…)

Sri Upadesamrta Course.Srila Rupa Goswami.From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada.


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Text 2

atyaharah prayasas ca prajalpo niyamagrahah jana sangas ca laulyam casadbhir bhaktir vinasyati

One’s devotional service is spoiled when he becomes too entangled in the following six activities:

1)eating more than necessary or collecting more funds then required.2)over endeavoring for mundane things, which are very difficult to attain.3)talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters.4)practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following and not for the sake of spiritual

advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically.5)associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Krsna consciousness.6)being greedy for mundane achievements.

StudyThe Lord has 3 energies:

1) Internal energy (antaranga shakti).2) External energy (bahiranga shakti).3) Marginal energy (tathasta shakti).

The jivatma (tatastha shakti) is under the control of either the internal or the external energy (bahirangashakti) of the Lord.When the jivatma is under the control of the external energy he is called duratma.When he is under the control of the internal energy he is called mahatma.

Description of a mahatma:

- broad minded.

- one who only satisfies the senses of the Lord.- fully under the shelter of Srimati Radharani (Bg 9.13).- sees everyone with a spiritual identity.- always peaceful, equipoised, never angry, well wishers, good behaviour (S.B 5.5.2)

Description of a duratma or cripple minded.- expends his activities to do good to others through “ism”- expends his gratification by sacrificing for family, nation, community, society etc.- this is extended sense gratification from personal to communal to social.- no spiritual values to such sense gratification be it personal or extended.

- influenced by the three fold miseries of adibhautika, adidaivika and adyatmika klesa.

The problems encountered by the conditioned living entities are the struggle between birth, death, old age and disease. It requires maintenance of the body and that is done by work. But one should not collect more thannecessary.

Animals maintenance:

- by nature’s arrangements the animals do not require more than necessary.- the animal has no economic problems or scarcities of any sorts.- If a bag of rice is left on the public place, the bird will only take a few grains and fly away.


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Human maintenance:- a man will take away the bag of rice and eat as much as the stomach can hold and stock up the

rest.- this is called atyahara or collecting more than necessary. That is prohibited by sastra.- Collecting more than necessary is called prayasas or unnecessary endeavor.- the entire world suffers as a result of it.

God’s master plan for the maintenance and up-liftment of mankind:

- have land and milk a cow.- no need to move from place to another to earn livelihood.

- produce food grains on the spot and use the cow milk.- higher intelligence is provided in order to cultivate God consciousness and one’s relationship with

Him.

Man’s master plan to for maintenance and degradation of mankind:- misuse of intelligence.- acquiring more than necessary.- Producing unnecessary and unwanted things- Maintenance of slaughter houses, factories, brothels, liquor shops

- False advertisement that going back to the basis is to go back to primitive way of life. Following dharma by taking instructions from higher authorities like the acaryas and the Srimad Bhagavatam(1.2.9). That is the first step of human civilization. In Kali yuga dharma is represented by various religion like Hindu, Christian, Hebrew, Mohammedan and Buddhist.

Atyahara and prayasa (over collecting and over endeavoring) defects in religious systems.

- religion is meant for attaining emancipation and not for getting bread.- Religions a fashioned to suit material pursuits.

- The laws of God are meant to be followed so that they disentangle one from material life.- People use religion because of atyahara or excessive desire for prosperity.- True religion is to cultivate devotional service and maintain with the bare necessities of life.- Prayasa or endeavor is not for material advancement but for inquiring about the Absolute Truth.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s addition:- Accumulating too much knowledge on the mental platform.- Writing volumes of books on mundane subject matters.- Anything done to increase sense gratification either in science or with money.- Ignorance of the future causes accumulation of money (security for sons and grandsons).

More addition:- No association with blasphemous mayavadis.- bhukti kamis. (those interested in material happiness).- Mukhti kamis (those who desire to merge with the Brahman effulgence of the Lord).- Siddhi kamis (those who desire yoga practice).- Story of the rich man who becomes a cobbler in the next life.- Devotees should avoid atyahara and prayasa.

Srila Prabhupada’s analysis on the effects of atyahara in the modern world.- capitalists accumulate too much money.


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- Envious communists want to nationalize the funds and properties. But the communists do notknow how to solve economical problems. So when the leadership falls in their hands it’s chaos.

- Neither the capitalists nor the communist have the right to use funds accumulated.- all wealth belongs to Krsna and should only be used for His service. That is the only solution.

Illustration:- one man finds $100 note and puts it in his pocket. He is not honest. (capitalists)

- one man finds the money and leaves it on the spot. He is not dishonest but unaware of its proper use. (communists)

- one man finds the note, finds the man (Krsna) who lost it and gives it to him. He is honest and wise. (Krsna bhakta)

- everyone can use God’s property but without excess. If one takes more than necessary he is a

thief and liable for punishment by the laws of nature.

- Wealth is to be distributed for the benefit of all according to Nature. Thus no one will encroachon another’s property and peace can prevail for the proper development of spiritual consciousness.

Prajalpa (unnecessary talking).- conversation in social gathering is like the croaking of the frogs.

- Reading newspapers, magazines and novels.- Solving crossword puzzles.- Playing cards.

- Fishing.- Watch TV.- Debating about useless socio-political schemes.- Devotees never take part in these activities.

Niyama agraha (neglecting rules and regulations of sastra). Agraha is eagerness to accept and agraha is

failure to accept.The word niyama agraha is two folds:

1) to accept all rules and regulations for the sake of spiritual advancement.- following the 4 regulative principles.

2) Not accept rules and regulations for the sake of economic development. Jana-sanga (associating with people not interested in Krsna consciousness).

- to be strictly avoided. Bhakta sane vasa. Always to associate with devotees of Krsna.- Materialists form clubs and associations to enhance material endeavor (stock exchange and

chamber of commerce).

- ISKCON was created to give association to the devotees.

Laulyam (greed).- desire to attain mystic perfection.- Merging into the Lord’s existence.- Obtaining material prosperity whimsically.

Conclusive statement.By strictly avoiding the six elementary faults listed by Srila Rupa Goswami all enmities will cease betweenmen and animals, capitalists and communists. All the problems of economics, politics and instabilities can be

solved. The Krsna consciousness movement offers this scientific education.


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Text 3

utsahan niscyad dhairyat

tat tat karma pravartanatsanga tyagat sato vrtteh

sadbhir bhaktih prasidhyati There are six principles favorable to the execution of pure devotional service:1)being enthusiastic,2)endeavoring with confidence,3)being patient,

4)acting according to regulative principles (such as sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam –hearing, chantingand remembering Krsna),5)abandoning association of non devotees, and

6)following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas.These six principles undoubtedly assure the complete success of pure devotional service.

Study. 1) To serve Krsna is not a matter of expecting some imaginative ecstasy nor is it based on sentimental

speculation. Service to Krsna is based on the principle of bhakti as defined by Rupa Goswami:anyabhilasita sunyam…

2) Differentiation between bhakti and so-called yoga.- bhakti implies activities in the spirit of cultivation.

- when cultivation is spiritual it is not idle.- people may think of yoga in terms of ways to distract from cumbersome material activities.- the practice of meditation is meant to stop all nonsensical activities but only temporarily.- devotional service not only stops nonsensical activities but also produces meaningful devotional

activities (9 processes of bhakti recommended by Pralhad Maharaja). 3) The process of hearing (sravanam) as primordial for engaging in the cultivation of bhakti.

- hearing the first step in cultivating knowledge, and that it is done by approaching a bonafide guru.- the principle of approaching guru is an imperative and therefore not mental speculation.- ISKCON gives such golden opportunity to meet a guru and receive transcendental knowledge.

4) Utsaha – Enthusiasm or action for Krsna.- enthusiasm is a prerequisite for spiritual advancement just as it is the key to success for a

businessman, a student, an artist, or any field of material activities.- under the guidance of guru, one must learn to use everything in Krsna’s service, understanding

that nothing is separate from Him and therefore provided by Him.

- to use everything in the service of the Lord is a sign of intelligence or utsaha.- All the rules and regulations must be followed faithfully, with enthusiasm.

5) Dhairyat –Patience. Niscaya –Confidence.

- Prabhupada gives his own example in being patient when started the movement single handedly.


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- service is to be received from guru and Krsna and executed with patience, depending on their mercy.

- Analogy of patience:A recently married young girl may be very eager to have a child must she must be confident that the child will be born in due course of time and therefore should be patient.

- When coming to Krsna consciousness one should be confident that Krsna will help and protect.

6) Sanga tyagat –giving up association of non-devotees.

- all karmis, yogis, jnanis, non-devotees and undesirable people should be avoided as asat sangatyagat.

- this (asat sanga tyagat) is the first principle of vaisnavism as taught by Lord Caitanya.- ISKCON was created to give the proper association to people, with no chance of further

contamination from the modes of passion and ignorance.

7) Sato vrtti –following in the footstep of the previous acaryas.

- following the morning program, engaged in devotional service 24hrs a day, filling every momentwith KC activities as the acaryas did.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati comments on the verse.

- cultivation of speculative knowledge, fruitive activities and material perfections, are all contraryto the principles of devotional service.

- The activities of the devotees are like the day and those of the materialists like the night.- One must be confident (niscaya) that to serve Krsna is the goal of human life. Every other paths

will make one restless. (S.B 7).- (confidence) A devotee can never fall down from the path of devotional service, as there is

eternal benefit. But if someone takes to varnasrama duties but does not performs service to theLord, there is no gain.

-

Upadesamrta Course.Srila Rupa Goswami.From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada. Text 4 dadati pratigrhnatighuyam akhyati prcchati bhunkte bhojayate caivasad vidham priti laksanam Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one's mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasada and offering prasada are the six symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another.

Study. These six activities are a natural way of dealing in loving friendship, either with devotees or ordinary people (ex: the businessman'sfeast arrangement). But the on the transcendental platform they are performed on the principle that an inexperienced devotee learnsfrom an experienced one.The gifts given in charity for the propagation of Krsna consciousness to the common men. (dadati pratigrhnati)The association given to younger devotees and congregation by senior devotees. (ghuyam akhyati)The maha prasadam from the Lord distributed by a pure devotee. (bhunkte bhojayate) The application of these principles by ISKCON people donating liberally to the expansion of the Society.People are accepting contributions in the form of books, magazines about Krsna.


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ISKCON puts up festivals and invites friends and members to attend and take prasadam. (Sunday Feast, home programs)Members and supporters inquire confidentially about methods of devotional service.The principle of pratigrhnati must be followed by the members of ISKCON (receiving gifts). Through association, one's desires and ambition develop. A man is known by the company he keeps. Associating with devotees willhelp one revive one's dormant Krsna consciousness.all living entities are originally Krsna conscious (nitya siddha krsna prema).This awakening takes place by hearing and chanting.The heart becomes cleansed of all contamination (ceto darpana marjanam)Krsna consciousness is not imposed upon the heart. It is already there.

The chanting of Hare Krsna not only benefits the chanter but the hearer as well (Caitanya to Haridas).To distribute the holy name is a sublime example in giving in charity (dadati). Association with devotees -the key to loving exchanges.Bad association:yogis, jnanis, karmis, mayavadis (the 6 exchanges cannot be applied to them as it becomes even more affecting).Eating food prepared by worldly minded people weakens the mind.Accepting charity from an atheist or mayavadi is not conducive, unless one is very advanced.Good association:to always keep association with the devotees.To always follow the principlesTo always follow the acaryasTo always carry out the orders of the spiritual master.

5) The full meaning of dadati (giving in charity). The 50%A madhyama bhakta loves the Lord, makes friends with devotees, favors the ignorant and avoids envious and demons.In making friends and loving the Lord, 50% of one's income should be spent.Srila Rupa Goswami's example: He retired and gave 50% to Krsna seva, 25% to relatives and 25% for personal emergencies.All devotees should follow that example.


Text 5

krsneti yasya giri tam manasadriyetadiksasti cet pranatibhis ca bhajantam isam

susrusraya bhajana vijnam ananyam anyanindadi sunya hrdam ipsita sanga labdhya One should mentally honor the devotee who chants the holy name of Lord Krsna. One should offer humbleobeisances to the devotee who has undergone spiritual initiation [diksa] and is engaged in worshiping theDeity, and one should associate and faithfully serve that pure devotee who is advanced in undeviated

devotional and whose heart is completely devoid of the propensity to criticize others. Study. 1) This verse is the next and gradual step forward to the six exchanges mentioned in the Text 4.One must be selective in finding one’s association and careful in discriminating.

2) Three types of devotees.

a) Kanistha adhikari.


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- Received harinam initiation from guru and is trying to chant Hare Krsna. Should mentally berespected as a kanistha bhakta.

- Only interested in Deity worship (SB. 11.2.47).- The idea to rise from such platform to the madhyama platform.- prakrta sahajiyas, who make a show of chanting Hare Krsna and indulge in sex, intoxication

and money, are to be seen as kanisthas and offered respects in the mind.

b) Madhyama adhikhari

- Received harinam initiation and is fully engaged by guru in service. Situated midway. Should be offered humble obeisances.

- Madhyama bhakta sees with discrimination the Supreme Lord, the devotees, the ignorant, thedemons and envious.

- If someone has bad association but is willing to accept instructions, should be favored.- If one has taken initiation and is seriously engaged in service should be accepted as

madhyama bhakta.- His faith is strong but not his sastric conclusions. Has great determination in performing

service and is a candidate for advancement.

c) Uttama adhikhari

- Highest devotee, very advanced, not interested in blaspheming others, the heart his clean, hasunalloyed pure devotion for the Lord. Should associate and surrender to. This is the most preferable association.

- One who only sees himself as a servant of the Lord, who only engages in Krsna’s service,who only wants to spread Krsna consciousness all over the world.

- An uttama bhakta should be accepted as guru and one should surrender everything to him.- An uttama bhakta accepts the alms collected by his disciples, but if one is not realized and

imitates, he will become degraded.

4) ISKCON devotees.

- Temples facilitate sanga, prasadam, and katha.- Allow sincere students to make progress.- Produces serious devotees who follow regs strictly, chant 16 rounds and always make plans

for spreading sankirtan.

- These devotees are considered uttama bhaktas.- Their association is mostly recommended.

5) The gradual process of advancement in Krsna consciousness.a) Association with devotees.b) Taking initiation (CC ant.4.192). Loosing interest material activities and gaining attraction

for spiritual activities.

- Europeans and Americans gave up comfort and wealth for Krsna consciousness.- Initiation takes place when shows detachment from material enjoyments.- Accepting austerity, celibacy, sense control.- Eager to receive transcendental knowledge from the spiritual master.

c) Acceptance of the spiritual master.- One should not accept guru and follow his instructions.- One should not accept guru as a fashion.- One must be inquisitive (jijnasu) to learn from guru.- The inquiries must be strictly on spiritual subject matters.

d) Through the chanting.


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- One, who is seriously following the process of chanting and avoids the 10 offenses to the holyname, sees the name and the Lord as non-different. The neophyte devotees should respect

such devotee.- Prabhupada prescribed 16 rounds for ISKCON devotees to allow concentration and

preaching.- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta said if one does not chant 64 rounds a day he / she is fallen. So

everyone is fallen!- Even saying “Krsna” once qualifies one as best of men. (Cc mad. 15.106).

- George Harrison as an example of a person who is worth all respects due to continuouschanting.

e) Through faith.- Meaning of faith (Cc. Mad.22.62).

- Faith supports the advancement of the kanistha, madhyama and uttama bhakta.- The words of Krsna in the Gita are to be accepted with faith, with no interpretation. (Bg.

10.14 / 18.66).- To have faith in Krsna’s instruction is sign of advancement.- Faith in executing service and chanting. Krsna then reveals Himself.

6) Discrimination in choosing.

- One should know who is kanistha, madhyama and uttama adhikhari.- One’s own position should also be clear and not be in an artificial level.- An Uttama bhakta is recognized by how many people he converts to Krsna consciousness.

- Both kanisthas and madhyama can accept disciples but they should know that they can onlyhelp the disciples up to a certain level.

- One should carefully accept an uttama adhikhari as spiritual master.


Text 6

dåñöaiù svabhäva-janitair vapuñaç ca doñair na präkåtatvam iha bhakta janasya paçyetgaìgämbhasäà na khalu budbuda-phena-paìkair brahma-dravatvam apagacchati néra-dharmaiù

Being situated in his original Kåñëa conscious position, a pure devotee does not identify with the body. Sucha devotee should not be seen from a materialistic point of view. Indeed, one should overlook a devotee’shaving a body born in a low family, a body with a bad complexion, a deformed body, or a diseased or infirm

body. According to ordinary vision, such imperfections may seem prominent in the body of a pure devotee, but despite such seeming defects, the body of a pure devotee cannot be polluted. It is exactly like the watersof the Ganges, which sometimes during the rainy season are full of bubbles, foam and mud. The Ganges

waters do not become polluted. Those who are advanced in spiritual understanding will bathe in the Gangeswithout considering the condition of the water.

Study: 1) Srila Prabhupada begins his purport by defining the principle of pure bhakti as well as the qualities of the

soul and the devotee who has developed saintly qualities:a) Çuddha-bhakti, the activity of the soul proper.


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b) A person engaged in devotional service must be free from material motives.c) A surrendered soul serves Kåñëa without material considerations (anyäbhiläñitä-çünyam).

d) Bhakti-yoga is the proper activity of the soul, and when one actually engages in unalloyed,uncontaminated devotional service, he is already liberated (sa guëän samatétyaitän).

These definitions lead us to understand that:a) One should therefore not see a pure devotee from a materialistic point of view. b) Unless one is actually a devotee, he cannot see another devotee perfectly.c) There are three types of devotees who each see the pure devotee in a different way (No1.t.5).

d) No one should criticize the bodily defects of a pure devotee. If there are such defects, they should beoverlooked. We should only concern ourselves with the service rendered by the guru. (api cet..)

2) Overlooking one’s birth.a) If one is not born in a brahmana or Goswami family, he should not be neglected. b) The title Goswami is given by qualification and not heriditary. (Rupa and Sanatana Goswami).c) The word gosvämé refers to one who can control his senses, who is master of the senses. A devotee is

not controlled by the senses, but is the controller of the senses. Consequently he should be called svämé or gosvämé, even though he may not be born in a gosvämé family.

d) Whether one is a Goswami coming from the branch of Lord Nityananda and Adwaitacarya, or fromAmerica, one should be looked equally. They are non-different.

e) Warning: After acquiring the Goswami title from either group, if one becomes proud of the title, heimmediately falls down.

f) Krsna consciousness is a transcendental movement and there is no room for envy or jalousy.

3) Overlooking bodily defects.

a) Committing vaisnava aparadha by pointing out the bodily defects of a vaisnava. b) There are degres of devotees, from neophyte to advanced to very advanced, and one should not try to

look at the external aspect of an advanced devotee from the neophyte point of view.

c) One should look only at the internal aspect of the service rendered by the pure devotee and avoid looking at the externals.

4) Overlooking the place of birth.a) If one thinks that Krsna consciousness is based on a specific section of people, of devotees and track

of land, they will try to bring the maha-bhagavat to their own level. b) Prabhupada points to his own godbrothers who did not recognize the work he was doing nor his

exalted position.c) One who is empowered by Krsna to preach should not be considered an ordinary human being.

d) Everyone should therefore be very careful not to be jealous of an empowered Vaiñëava, or a çuddha-vaiñëava.

5) The offensive mentality.a) One cannot derive any spiritual benefit by criticizing a pure devotee.

b) It is offensive to try to instruct or advice the spiritual master.c) The advanced Vaiñëava is always situated as the spiritual master, and the neophyte is always

considered his disciple.d) The spiritual master must not be subjected to the advice of a disciple, nor should a spiritual master be

obliged to take instructions from those who are not his disciples.



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Text 7

syät kåñëa-näma-caritädi-sitäpy avidyä- pittopatapta-rasanasya na rocikä nukintv ädaräd anudinaà khalu saiva juñöä

svädvé kramäd bhavati tad-gada-müla-hantré

The holy name, character, pastimes and activities of Kåñëa are all transcendentally sweet like sugar candy.Although the tongue of one afflicted by the jaundice of avidyä [ignorance] cannot taste anything sweet, it iswonderful that simply by carefully chanting these sweet names every day, a natural relish awakens within histongue, and his disease is gradually destroyed at the root.

Study:

1) The sugar like sweetness of Krsna consciousness versus the bitterness caused jaundice or avidya.a) Srila Prabhupada speaks of recovery of spiritual health by the process of daily practice of Krsna

consciousness. Meaning to say that Krsna consciousness is our original and natural position as spiritsouls, whereas to be afflicted by nescience and ignorance causes the conditioned soul to feel diseased.

For such person, the taste to the holy name is very bitter.

2) The root cause of the disease.a) Forgetfulness Kåñëa due to being attracted by the external features of Kåñëa’s mäyä energy. This world

of mäyä is called duräçraya, which means “false or bad shelter.” One who puts his faith in duräçraya becomes a candidate for hoping against hope.

b) There is a struggle for existence which is characterized by patching up one mistake with another mistake.c) People in general are misled by blind leaders. The leaders of human society—the politicians,

philosophers and scientists—are blind because they are not Kåñëa conscious. Such people never surrender to Kåñëa, and they oppose the endeavor of those who wish to take Kåñëa’s shelter. (B.g 7.15).

3) The treatment.a) In the present confused state of humanity, Kåñëa consciousness, the chanting of the holy name of the

Lord—Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, HareHare—is the only remedy for setting the world aright. It may not be palatable for a diseased person butone must applied this medicine with great care and attention.

b) One begins the treatment by chanting the maha mantra as it cleanses the heart from all misconceptionsthat we have about our identity.

4) Three stages of chanting.a) Offensive chanting: Nama aparadha: When a neophyte takes to the chanting of the Hare Kåñëa mantra,

he generally commits many offenses. There are ten basic offenses to be avoided.

b) Nama abhasa: The next stage, which is situated between offensive chanting and pure chanting.c) Suddha nama: When one attains the pure stage, he is immediately liberated. This is called bhava-

mahä-dävägni-nirväpanam.

5) The gradual steps to full recovery.a) In order to get freed from the material disease, one must take to the chanting of the Hare Kåñëa mantra.

The Kåñëa consciousness movement is especially meant for creating an atmosphere in which people can

take to the chanting of the Hare Kåñëa mantra. b) Sraddha: Faith is required. ISKCON spreads all over the world, even to the most remote places and to

the most unlikely people. By taking to the chanting, they are showing interest and asking for initiation.


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c) Bhajana kriya: One then actually engages in the service of the Lord by regularly chanting the HareKåñëa mahä-mantra, sixteen rounds daily, and refraining from illicit sex, intoxicants, meat-eating and

gambling. By bhajana-kriyä one attains freedom from the contamination of materialistic life. He nolonger goes to a restaurant or hotel to taste so-called palatable dishes made with meat and onions, nor does he care to smoke or drink tea or coffee. He not only refrains from illicit sex, but avoids sex lifeentirely.

d) Anartha nivrtti: One is becoming cleansed of unwanted things (anartha-nivåtti). The word anartha refersto unwanted things. Anarthas are vanquished when one becomes attached to the Kåñëa consciousness

movement.e) Nistha: When a person is relieved from unwanted things, he becomes fixed in executing his Kåñëa.f) Ruci and asakti: Indeed, he becomes attached to such activities and experiences ecstasy in executing

devotional service.g) Bhava: This is called bhäva, the preliminary awakening of dormant love of Godhead. Although mäyä

may be present, it cannot disturb a devotee once he attains the bhäva stage. This is because the devoteecan see the real position of mäyä. Mäyä means forgetfulness of Kåñëa, and forgetfulness of Kåñëa and Kåñëa consciousness stand side by side like light and shadow.

6) Always remaining situated in the light of Krsna consciousness.a) If one remains in shadow, he cannot enjoy the facilities offered by light, and if one remains in light, he

cannot be disturbed by the darkness of shadow. By taking to Kåñëa consciousness, one gradually becomesliberated and remains in light. Indeed, he does not even touch the darkness. (Madhya 22.31):


Text 8

tan-näma-rüpa-caritädi-sukértanänu-småtyoù krameëa rasanä-manasé niyojyatiñöhan vraje tad-anurägi janänugämékälaà nayed akhilam ity upadeça-säram

The essence of all advice is that one should utilize one’s full time—twenty-four hours a day—in nicelychanting and remembering the Lord’s divine name, transcendental form, qualities and eternal pastimes,thereby gradually engaging one’s tongue and mind. In this way one should reside in Vraja [Goloka Våndävanadhäma] and serve Kåñëa under the guidance of devotees. One should follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s beloved devotees, who are deeply attached to His devotional service.

Study

1) Controlling the mind:Emphasis is put here on the function and the importance of the mind. In Krsna consciousness the control of the mind is of prime importance. The mind accumulates and commutes all thoughts from all the activities performed in this life and even in past lives.

2) Preparing for death.At the time of death, if the mind is not remembering Krsna, it can force one to take another birth. (B.g 8.6).And if one does remember Krsna, he is automatically transferred to Goloka Vrndavana.


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3) Control of the tongue and residing in the holy dham of Vraja.Rupa Goswami advises the devotees that to remember Krsna, the following are essential:

a) Controlling the mind (by remembering Lord Krsna) b) Controlling the tongue (by honoring only Krsna prasadam and only speaking about Krsna.)c) Residing in Vrajabhumi (by following in the footsteps of the Vrajabasis.)

4) Taking residence in Vrajabhumi.

a) It means residing anywhere within the Vraja Mandala of 168 sq miles. b) It also means to always be situated in Krsna consciousness following in the footsteps of the Six

Goswamis.c) It means that “A devotee should always reside in the transcendental realm of Vraja and always engage in

kåñëaà smaran janaà cäsya preñöham, the remembrance of Çré Kåñëa and His beloved associates.BRS 1.2.294.

d) It means also that: “one should serve the Supreme Lord, Çré Kåñëa, with a feeling similar to that of Hisassociates, and one should place himself under the direct guidance of a particular associate of Kåñëa and

should follow in his footsteps. BRS 1.2.295 5) The essence of all advice for the discharge of devotional service.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati comments.a) One who has not yet developed interest in Kåñëa consciousness should give up all material motives

and train his mind by following the progressive regulative principles, namely chanting and remembering Kåñëa and His name, form, quality, pastimes etc.

b) After developing a taste for such things, one should try to live in Våndävana and pass his timeconstantly remembering Kåñëa’s name, fame, pastimes and qualities under the direction and protection of an expert devotee.

6) The progressive stages of one who is always engaged in chanting and hearing about Krsna, under

the care of a pure devotee.a) çravaëa-daçä (the stage of hearing). In the neophyte stage one should always engage in hearing

kåñëa-kathä. b) varaëa-daçä (the stage of acceptance). Constantly hearing the transcendental holy name of Kåñëa

and hearing of His transcendental form, qualities and pastimes.c) smaraëävasthä (the stage of remembering). When one attains this stage, he becomes attached to the

hearing of kåñëa-kathä. One is able to chant in ecstasy.d) 5 stages of Krsna smaranam:

- Recollection,- Absorption, Remembrance of Kåñëa may be interrupted at intervals.- Meditation, Remembrance proceeds uninterrupted.

- Constant remembrance, Meditation expands and becomes constant (anusmåti).- Trance: Uninterrupted + unceasing anusmåti= samädhi, smaraëa-daçä or spiritual trance.

e) sampatti-daçä (the perfection of life). Samadhi has fully developed, and the soul comes to understand his original constitutional position. At that time he can perfectly and clearly understand his eternalrelationship with Kåñëa.

7) The advice given in the Caitanya Caritamrta.a) Give up all kinds of motivated desires and simply engage in the regulative devotional service of the

Lord according to the directions of scripture. b) Gradually develop attachment for Kåñëa’s name, fame, form, qualities etc. (Vaidhi sadhana bhakti)

c) After developing such attachment, one can spontaneously serve the lotus feet of Kåñëa even withoutfollowing the regulative principles. (räganuga sadhana bhakti).


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d) At that stage the devotee can follow in the footsteps of one of the eternal associates of Kåñëa inVåndävana.

8) Raganuga bhakti according to the 5 rasas.

a) Santa rasa: Kåñëa’s cows, Krsna’s stick, Krsna’s flute, a flowers around Kåñëa’s neck. b) Dasya rasa: One follows in the footsteps of servants like Citraka, Patraka or Raktaka.

c) Sakhya-rasa: One can become a friend like Baladeva, Çrédämä or Sudämä.d) Vätsalya-rasa: One can become like Nanda Mahäräja and Yaçodä.

e) Mädhurya-rasa: One can become like Çrématé Rädhäräëé or Her lady friends such as Lalitä and Her serving maids (maïjarés) like Rüpa and Rati.


Text 9

vaikuëöhäj janito varä madhu-puré taträpi räsotsaväd

våndäraëyam udära-päëi-ramaëät taträpi govardhanaù

rädhä-kuëòam ihäpi gokula-pateù premämåtäplävanät

kuryäd asya viräjato giri-taöe seväà viveké na kaù

The holy place known as Mathurä is spiritually superior to Vaikuëöha, the transcendental world, because the Lord

appeared there. Superior to Mathurä-Puré is the transcendental forest of Våndävana because of Kåñëa’s räsa-lélä

pastimes. And superior to the forest of Våndävana is Govardhana Hill, for it was raised by the divine hand of Çré

Kåñëa and was the site of His various loving pastimes. And, above all, the superexcellent Çré Rädhä-kuëòa stands

supreme, for it is overflooded with the ambrosial nectarean prema of the Lord of Gokula, Çré Kåñëa. Where, then, is

that intelligent Person who is unwilling to serve this divine Rädhä-kuëòa, which is situated at the foot of Govardhana

Hill?

Study

Degrees of importance given to the dhams1) The spiritual world is three fourths of the total creation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and it is

the most exalted region.2) Mathurä and the adjoining areas, although appearing in the material world, are considered superior to the

spiritual world because the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself appeared at Mathurä.

3) The interior forests of Våndävana are considered superior to Mathurä because of the presence of the

twelve forests (dvädaça-vana), such as Tälavana, Madhuvana and Bahulävana, which are famous for the

various pastimes of the Lord.

4) Superior to these forests is the divine Govardhana Hill because:

a) Kåñëa lifted Govardhana Hill like an umbrella, raising it with His lotuslike beautiful hand to protect

His associates, the denizens of Vraja, from the torrential rains sent by the angry Indra.

b) It is also at Govardhana Hill that Kåñëa tends the cows with His cowherd friends.

c) He had His rendezvous with His most beloved Çré Rädhä and engaged in loving pastimes with Her.

5) Rädhä-kuëòa, at the foot of Govardhana, is superior to all because it is there that love of Kåñëa overflows.


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a) Advanced devotees prefer to reside at Rädhä-kuëòa because this place is the site of many memories of

the eternal loving affairs between Kåñëa and Rädhäräëé (rati-viläsa).

The importance of Sri Rädhä-kuëòa from the Caitanya caritamrta.

1) It is stated that when Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu first visited the area of Vrajabhümi, He could not at first

find the location of Rädhä-kuëòa. This means that Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu was actually searching for the

exact location of Rädhä-kuëòa.

2) Finally He found the holy spot, and there was a small pond there. He took His bath in that small pond and

told His devotees that the actual Rädhä-kuëòa was situated there.

3) Later the pond was excavated by Lord Caitanya’s devotees, headed first by the six Gosvämés, such as

Rüpa and Raghunätha däsa.

4) Presently there is a large lake known as Rädhä-kuëòa there.

The reasons for worshipping Radha Kunda.

1) Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé has given much stress to Rädhä-kuëòa because of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s desire

to find it. Who, then, would give up Rädhä-kuëòa and try to reside elsewhere? No person with

transcendental intelligence would do so.

2) The importance of Rädhä-kuëòa, however, cannot be realized by other Vaiñëava sampradäyas, nor can

persons uninterested in the devotional service of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu understand the spiritual

importance and divine nature of Rädhä-kuëòa.

3) Thus Rädhä-kuëòa is mainly worshiped by the Gauòéya Vaiñëavas, the followers of Lord Çré KåñëaCaitanya Mahäprabhu.

Sri Upadesamrta Course.

Srila Rupa Goswami.

From the translation and purports of Srila Prabhupada.

Text 10

karmibhyaù parito hareù priyatayä vyaktià yayur jïäninas

tebhyo jïäna-vimukta-bhakti-paramäù premaika-niñöhäs tataù

tebhyas täù paçu-päla-paìkaja-dåças täbhyo ’pi sä rädhikä preñöhä tadvad iyaà tadéya-sarasé täà näçrayet kaù kåté

In the çästra it is said that of all types of fruitive workers, he who is advanced in knowledge of the higher values of life

is favored by the Supreme Lord Hari. Out of many such people who are advanced in knowledge [jïänés], one who is

practically liberated by virtue of his knowledge may take to devotional service. He is superior to the others. However,

one who has actually attained prema, pure love of Kåñëa, is superior to him. The gopés are exalted above all the

advanced devotees because they are always totally dependent upon Çré Kåñëa, the transcendental cowherd boy. Among

the gopés, Çrématé Rädhäräëé is the most dear to Kåñëa. Her kuëòa [lake] is as profoundly dear to Lord Kåñëa as this

most beloved of the gopés. Who, then, will not reside at Rädhä-kuëòa and, in a spiritual body surcharged with ecstatic

devotional feelings [apräkåtabhäva], render loving service to the divine couple Çré Çré Rädhä-Govinda, who perform

Their añöakäléya-lélä, Their eternal eightfold daily pastimes. Indeed, those who execute devotional service on the banks

of Rädhä-kuëòa are the most fortunate people in the universe.

Study:

Gradual elevation to the highest consciousness.

1) The Lord has three energies.

a) Spiritual energy (superior)

b) Marignal energy (the jiva)

c) Material energy (inferior)

Those living beings within the jurisdiction of the material energy sometimes engage themselves like dogs and hogs in

working very hard simply for sense gratification.


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2) Those karmis who follow the Vedas.

However, in this life, or, after executing pious activities, in the next life, some karmés become strongly attracted to

performing various kinds of sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas. Thus on the strength of their pious merit, they are

elevated to heavenly planets.

a) Those who perform sacrifices strictly according to Vedic injunctions are elevated to the moon and

planets above the moon.

b) On this planet we find many businessmen, politicians and others who are simply interested in

material happiness. They attempt to earn money by all means, not considering whether such means

are pious or impious. Such people are called karmés, or gross materialists.

c) The good karmis: Those who act on the basis of Vedic knowledge perform sacrifices for the

satisfaction of Lord Viñëu and to receive benedictions from Him. In this way they are elevated to

higher planetary systems. Such karmés are superior to the vikarmés, for they are faithful to the

directions of the Vedas and are certainly dear to Kåñëa. Gita (4.11)

d) The results:

- If one acts piously, he can attain a new body among the demigods in the higher planetary

systems, or he may attain some other position in which he can enjoy a higher standard of

material happiness.

- On the other hand, those who are engaged in impious activities are degraded and take birth as

animals, trees and plants. Thus those fruitive actors who do not care for the Vedic directions

(vikarmés) are not appreciated by learned saintly persons.

3) Those who cultivate knowledge of Vedas.

a) Unless one comes to the platform of ätma-tattva, by which one understands that the soul and not the

body is oneself, one remains on the platform of ignorance. Out of thousands and even millions of

ignorant people who are wasting their time simply gratifying their senses, one may come to the platform

of knowledge and understand higher values of life. Such a person is called a jïäné.

b) The jïäné knows that fruitive activities will bind him to material existence and cause him to

transmigrate from one kind of body to another.

c) Thus a jïäné is considered superior to a karmé because he at least refrains from the blind activities of

sense enjoyment.

d) The defect of cultivate knowledge:

- However, although a jïäné may be liberated from the ignorance of the karmés, unless he comesto the platform of devotional service he is still considered to be in ignorance (avidyä). Although

one may be accepted as a jïäné, or one advanced in knowledge, his knowledge is considered

impure because he has no information of devotional service and thus neglects the direct

worship of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4) From cultivation of knowledge to execution of devotional service.

a) When a jïäné takes to devotional service, he rapidly becomes superior to an ordinary jïäné. Such an

advanced person is described as jïäna-vimukta-bhakti-parama. How a jïäné takes to devotional service

is mentioned in Bhagavad-gétä (7.19)

b) After taking to devotional service under the regulative principles, a person may come to the platform of

spontaneous love of Godhead, following in the footsteps of great devotees like Närada and Sanaka and

Sanätana. The Supreme Personality of Godhead then recognizes him to be superior.

5) The highest form of devotional service.

a) Of all these devotees, the gopés are recognized as superior because they do not know anything other

than satisfying Kåñëa. Nor do the gopés expect any return from Kåñëa. Indeed, sometimes Kåñëa puts

them into extreme suffering by separating Himself from them. Nonetheless, they cannot forget Kåñëa.

b) Examples:

- When Kåñëa left Våndävana for Mathurä, the gopés became most dejected and spent the rest

of their lives simply crying in separation from Kåñëa. This means that in one sense they were

never actually separated from Kåñëa. There is no difference between thinking of Kåñëa and

associating with Him. Rather, vipralambha-sevä, thinking of Kåñëa in separation, as Çré


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Caitanya Mahäprabhu did, is far better than serving Kåñëa directly.

- No one can excel the devotional service of Çrématé Rädhäräëé. Indeed, even Kåñëa cannot

understand the attitude of Çrématé Rädhäräëé; therefore He took Her position and appeared as

Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, just to understand Her transcendental feelings.

- Çrématé Rädhäräëé is the most exalted devotee of Kåñëa and that Her kuëòa (lake), Çré

Rädhä-kuëòa, is the most exalted place. This is verified in a quotation from Laghu-

bhägavatämåta (Uttara-khaëòa 45), as quoted in Caitanya-caritämåta:

yathä rädhä priyä viñëos

tasyäù kuëòaà priyaà tathä

sarva-gopéñu saivaikä

viñëor atyanta-vallabhä

- “Just as Çrématé Rädhäräëé is dear to the Supreme Lord Kåñëa [Viñëu], so Her bathing place

[Rädhä-kuëòa] is equally dear to Kåñëa. Among all the gopés, She alone stands supreme as the

Lord’s most beloved.”

- Therefore everyone interested in Kåñëa consciousness should ultimately take shelter of

Rädhä-kuëòa and execute devotional service there throughout one’s life.


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