NOD_05_VRN_1972-10-28_The_Complete_Science_of_Bhakti-Yoga

The following is tape number five on the Nectar of Devotion series given by His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, recorded between October 20th and November 14th 1972,
in Vṛndāvana, India.
Jñānīs, they say, brahmā satyaṁ jagan mithyā. “This world is false. There is no enjoyment.
Actual enjoyment, to merge into the existence of Brahman.” So that is also a subtle sense
enjoyment. Leave this world, and enter into Brahman. Then you feel happy. So that is also
sense enjoyment. Similarly, yogis, they also want power, material power. Aṇimā laghimā
siddhi. Aṣṭa-siddhi. So if you have some power, you can fly in the air, you can walk over
the water, you can get anything you desire immediately. These are yoga-siddhi. So that
is also satisfying own sense gratification. So except bhakti, everything is for sense
gratification. That is unfavorable. Kṛṣṇa does not want to satisfy anyone’s senses.
That is not Kṛṣṇa’s business. Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme. He wants everyone should serve Him.
He’s not going to serve anyone. That is Kṛṣṇa’s position. Therefore anyone who serves Kṛṣṇa
and preaches this philosophy, to serve Kṛṣṇa, that is favorable. Ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanam.
Go on.
Pradyumna: “Generally, people are engaged in different activities to get some material
profit, while most philosophers are engaged in proposing transcendental realization through
volumes of word jugglery and speculation. Pure devotional service must always be free
from such fruitive activities and philosophical speculations. One has to learn Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
or pure devotional service…”
Prabhupāda: Yes. Jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam [Madhya 19.167]. Pure devotional service should be
uncovered by the motive of nirbheda-brahmānusandhana, the motive of karma and motive of jñāna. That
is pure devotional service. No motive.
anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānu-śīlanam… [BRS 1.1.11]
Simply to do things which Kṛṣṇa wants to do, that is bhakti. That is pure bhakti. Go on.
Pradyumna: “One has to learn Kṛṣṇa consciousness or pure devotional service from the authorities
by spontaneous loving service.”
Prabhupāda: Spontaneous. This service should be spontaneous, not forced. Just like a father
loves his son spontaneously. A young man likes to love a young girl spontaneously. So bhakti
should be like that. As soon as one hears the name of Kṛṣṇa, immediately, spontaneously,
he should be ready to serve Him. That is pure devotion. Not that forced. In the beginning,
we have to force, that “You rise early in the morning. There is maṅgala ārātrika. You
have to perform it.” But when this function will be done spontaneously, “Oh, this is the
time to offer maṅgala ārātrika to my Lord…” That is wanted. That is wanted. Not that “Oh,
it is a heavy burden to rise early in the morning and to offer maṅgala ārātrika.” That
is not spontaneous. But one has to act under the direction of spiritual master and śāstra,
which is called vidhi-bhakti, regulative devotional service, he comes to the platform of spontaneous
service.
We have got an example in this connection. Formerly there was child-marriage. Boys and
girls were married at the age of ten years, twelve years. So at that time, there was no
practically love. But the guardians, they induced the girl to go and offer her husband
some eatables, to give her some service. In this way… That was just like regulative.
But when they actually come in the platform of attraction, there is no need of direction.
So the spontaneous love, when spontaneously we shall serve Kṛṣṇa, without any obligation,
without any force, that is required. Spontaneous love, rāga-mārga. Go on.
Pradyumna: “This devotional service is a sort of civilization. It is not simply inaction
for people who like to be inactive or devote their time to silent meditation. There are
many different methods for people who want this, but civilization of Kṛṣṇa consciousness
is different. The particular word used by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī is this connection is anuśīlana,
or cultivation by following the predecessor teachers, or ācāryas. As soon as we say ‘cultivation,’
we must refer to activity. Without activity, consciousness alone cannot help us.’ ”
Prabhupāda: Yes. People say that inactivity, silence, that is perfection. But no. In bhakti
cultivation, there is no such thing silence. Always active. The same example can be given
that Arjuna… Arjuna became devotee not by silence, but by being active. Activity, spontaneous
activity. “I have to do this. My Lord will be pleased. So I have to do this.” Activity.
But if I have no idea what is Lord, what does He want, how He’s pleased, if we do not know
all these things, naturally there will be no activity. But one who knows what is this
Lord, what does He want, what is my relationship with Him, then there is activity. So actually,
that bhakti, bhakti is not silence. Bhakti is activity.
Just like personally, up to seventy years, I was practically doing nothing. But at the
age of seventy years, by the grace of God, Kṛṣṇa, there was inspiration. I went to western
countries. Not to sit down there silently. So bhakti, the path is not inactivity. Actual
activity begins when one is situated on devotional service. It is explained in the Bhagavad-gītā,
brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā. When one is brahma-bhūtaḥ, self-realized, he’s prasannātmā, joyful, ānandamaya.
Brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati [Bg. 18.54] He has no desire to fulfill, neither
he has lamentation. Here, in the material world, we hanker after things which we do
not possess. “I want this. I want that.” And we cry when the thing is lost. Na śocati.
But a brahma-bhūtaḥ, when one is self-realized, when one knows that he’s not this body, he’s
spirit soul, he’s part and parcel of Brahman, at that time, he becomes joyful. Brahma-bhūtaḥ
prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati, samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu [Bg. 18.54]. And he sees everyone
on the equal footing. Because Brahman-realized. He knows everyone is not this body. He’s spirit
soul, part and parcel of Supreme Brahman. This position, when one comes to this platform,
brahma-bhūtaḥ stage, mad-bhaktiṁ labhate param [Bg. 18.54]. That is the stage to be promoted
to the Brahman activity.
The nirviśeṣa, impersonalists, they want to stop activity, but actually Bhagavān, Kṛṣṇa,
says that real activity begins when one is self- realized, one is situated in Brahman
realization. Brahman realization does not mean to stop. Brahman realization means to
act for Kṛṣṇa, not for sense gratification. That is Brahman realization. Mad-bhaktiṁ labhate
param [Bg. 18.54]. And in that bhakti stage, bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yas cāsmi tattvataḥ
[Bg. 18.55]. Actually, simply by executing devotional service, being freed from all material
contamination, when one is engaged in devotional service, bhakti, that process, bhakti process
can help one to understand what is God. Bhaktyā mām abhijānāti [Bg. 18.55]. It is not said
that by karma, “karmaṇā mām abhijānāti.” No. “Jñānena mām abhijānāti.” Abhijānāti, tattvataḥ,
if one wants to know God in truth, then he must take to devotional service. And this
devotional service, actual devotional service begins when one is Brahman realized.
So one may argue, “Does it mean that all the bhaktas… We see they are not even educated…
How he has realized Brahman?” That answer is given in the Bhagavad-gītā that
mām ca avyabhicāriṇi bhakti-yogena yaḥ sevate sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate
[Bg. 14.26]
This very platform of serving Kṛṣṇa, avyabhicāriṇi, without any adulteration, means without any
motive… When one is engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service without any motive… Not that “I establish
a Deity in the temple with a motive that people will come, will give money, and I shall make
it a path of earning my livelihood.” That is not devotion. Devotion is without any motive.
Anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam [BRS 1.1.11] So without any motive, when one is engaged in devotional
service, that is brahma-bhūtaḥ stage. That is liberated stage. According to Bhāgavata,
liberation, mukti, means to be situated in one’s constitutional position. That is called
mukti. Muktir hitvā anyathā rūpam svarūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ. Hitvā anyathā rūpa.
Now because we are designated, we have got this body, designation, therefore we are situated
in different positions. Somebody’s working for his family. Somebody’s working for his
community. Somebody’s working for his nation. But this is anyathā rūpam. This is depending
on the bodily designation. “I am American. I am Indian. Therefore I must sacrifice everything
for my country, for my nation.” This is anyathā rūpam. And when we engage ourself that “I
am Kṛṣṇa’s part and parcel. Kṛṣṇa is my master. I am His eternal servant. I must work for
Kṛṣṇa.” That is mukti. That is liberation. So anyone who is working for spreading Kṛṣṇa
consciousness, he has no other motive than to satisfy Kṛṣṇa. He has no other motive than
to satisfy the representative of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore they are hitvā anyathā rūpam.
These European, American boys, they are working for Kṛṣṇa. It is practical. They are not working
for their community, country or nation. Neither Kṛṣṇa is their God. According to common understanding,
in the Dictionary it is said Kṛṣṇa is Hindu God. But they are not working for Hindu God.
They are working for Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa says that
sarva-yoniṣu kauteya sambhavanti mūrtayaḥ yaḥ tāsāṁ mahad-yonir brahmā ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ
pitā
They have understood this philosophy that Kṛṣṇa is neither Indian nor Hindu or this
or that. Kṛṣṇa is Supreme Personality of Godhead. He’s father of everyone. They’ve understood
in this spirit. Therefore they’re working for Kṛṣṇa. Without any motive. This is practical.
Not only Europe and… Everywhere. Everywhere, all over the world. Why? Because Kṛṣṇa consciousness
is there in everybody.
Nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-bhakti. This devotional service of Kṛṣṇa is dormant in everyone. It
is, it has to be awakened. That’s all. Śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya. Simply by hearing, śṛṇvatāṁ
sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanam [Bhāg. 1.2.17]. If you simply hear Bhagavad-gītā,
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from the representative of Kṛṣṇa… As Caitanya Mahāprabhu directed,
bhāgavata paro diyā bhāgavata sthāne. One should hear about Bhāgavata from the devotee.
There are two kinds of Bhāgavata, the book Bhāgavata and the person Bhāgavata. So we
have to relish the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the contents of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, from a devotee
who is self-realized. Then it
will be very nice. Satāṁ prasaṅgād mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ. When
you hear about Kṛṣṇa from a Kṛṣṇa devotee, it becomes very pleasing to the ear and the
heart. Hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ. Therefore to become Kṛṣṇa conscious, to become a devotee
of Kṛṣṇa… Tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet [MU 1.2.12]. Tad vidhi praṇipātena paripraśnena
sevayā. This is the process. So this Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu is the science of devotional service. If one
wants to become a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead…
When we speak of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa means all Viṣṇu forms, all Viṣṇu forms. Rāmādi-mūrtiṣu kalā-niyamena
tiṣṭhan nānāvatāram akarod bhuvaneṣu kintu, kṛṣṇaḥ svayam samabhavad paramaḥ pumān yo
[Bs. 5.39] All incarnations, they are also Kṛṣṇa, expansion of Kṛṣṇa. But Kṛṣṇa, this
Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, He’s the Supreme Person. Īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ [Bs. 5.1].
So these things are explained in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, as they are in the Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
The summary, the juice of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Bhagavad-gītā, devotional service is given
in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu. We have translated this book as Nectar of Devotion. And you’ll
be pleased to hear that in some of the universities in U.S.A. this book has been recommended as
study book in the religious class. They’re now reading regularly.
So we shall stop now. It is dark. There is no light. Hare Kṛṣṇa. Thank you very much.
(end)
Pradyumna: (reading) “…may be divided into two classes: one class may be for achieving
a certain goal, and the other may be for avoiding some unfavorable circumstances. In Sanskrit
these activities are called pravṛtti and nirvṛtti, positive and negative action. There are many
examples of negative action. For example, a diseased person has to be cautious and take
medicine in order to avoid some unfavorable illness. Those who are cultivating spiritual
life and executing devotional service are always engaged in activity. Such activity
can be performed with the mind or with the, with the body or with the mind. Thinking,
feeling and willing are all activities of the mind, and when we will do something, the
activity comes to be manifest by the gross bodily senses. Thus, in our mental activities,
we should always try to think of Kṛṣṇa and try to plan how to please Him, following in
the footsteps of the great ācāryas and the personal spiritual master. There are activities
of the body, activities of the different senses, and activities of speech. A Kṛṣṇa conscious
person engages his words in preaching the glories of the Lord. This is called kīrtana.
And by his mind a Kṛṣṇa conscious person always thinks of the activities of the Lord as He
is speaking on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra or engaging in His various pastimes at Vṛndāvana
with His devotees. In this way, one can always think of the activities and pastimes of the
Lord. This is the mental culture of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.“
Prabhupāda: So Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not inactivity. This we have discussed yesterday.
Actually the activity is being influenced by the soul. But it is being expressed through
intelligence, mind and body. The activities are coming from the spiritual platform, but
because it is now contaminated by the material coverings, the activities are not very adjusted.
Diseased activities. The thinking, feeling, and willing… This thinking, feeling, and
willing now polluted on account of material coverings. Therefore we have to revert to
the thinking, feeling, and willing by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. As it is explained here, that
we shall always think of Kṛṣṇa’s activities, we shall always feel for satisfying Kṛṣṇa,
and we shall always will to enact as He desires.
The same feeling… Nirbandhe kṛṣṇa-sambandhe yukta-vairāgyam ucyate. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī
has given us two formulas how to become Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or how to remain in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So one formula is that anāsaktasya viṣayān yathārham upayuñjataḥ. You should not be attached
to the viṣayas. Just like we have got a tendency to construct a skyscraper building. As in
your country, you do. So you should not attached to the skyscraper building, but you can utilize
the tendency by constructing a big temple like skyscraper for Kṛṣṇa. In this way, you
have to purify your material activities.
Actually in pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness there is nothing material. I have several times
explained. Material activities means activities without Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is material
activity. Just like we are speaking through this microphone. We do not reject it as material.
We take it as spiritual. Because it is being used in spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Anāsaktasya
viṣayān yathārham upayuñjataḥ. Yathā arhati, as it deserves. Because this microphone is
made of material elements, earth, water, fire, air… But this, if we remember that these
material energies, earth, water, air, fire, sky, even mind, intelligence, ego… Prakṛti
me, prakṛti me bhinnā aṣṭadhā. They’re also energies of Kṛṣṇa. They’re not separate from
Kṛṣṇa. Therefore if Kṛṣṇa is spirit, then these so-called material elements, they are
also spirit. But it is used as material because we do not remember the relationship of these
material elements with Kṛṣṇa. Therefore the conclusion is when we are forgetful of Kṛṣṇa,
then it is material. Otherwise, there is nothing as material. Everything is spiritual. Because
brahmaṇaḥ śakti.
It is described in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa. Eka-deśa sthitasyāgner jyotsnā vistāriṇī yathā, sarvedam
brahmaṇaḥ śakti… I just don’t remember the whole verse. So everything, this is śakti-pariṇāma-vāda.
Śakti-pariṇāma-vāda. Everything… Sarvam khalu idaṁ brahmā. Everything that we experience,
that is manifestation of the energy of Kṛṣṇa. Sarvedam akhilaṁ jagat. Brahmaṇaḥ śakti. Śakti
and śaktimān, they are not different. So if we accept everything as expansion of brahmaṇaḥ
śakti, energy of Kṛṣṇa, and utilize it for Kṛṣṇa, then there is nothing, such thing as
material. Everything becomes spiritual. So if we think in that way, thinking, feeling,
and willing, if we utilize our psychological activities in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then we
keep steady in attached with Kṛṣṇa. Yukta-vairāgyam ucyate. Vairāgya means renunciation. We do
not require to renounce anything, provided we see everything dovetailed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
That is required. Go on.
Pradyumna: “Similarly, we can offer many services with our bodily activities, but all such activities
must be in relationship with Kṛṣṇa. This relationship is established by connecting oneself with
the bona fide spiritual master who is the direct representative of Kṛṣṇa in disciplic
succession. Therefore the execution of Kṛṣṇa consciousness activities with the body should
be directed by the spiritual master and then performed with faith.”
Prabhupāda: Yes. We should not manufacture in our own way that: “This is Kṛṣṇa’s activity.”
It must be confirmed by the spiritual master. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has explained
in his comment on Bhagavad-gītā in connection with the verse vyavasāyātmikā-buddhiḥ ekeha
kuru-nandana… Vyavasāyātmikā-buddhiḥ, niścayātmikā-buddhiḥ. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura says that
“Whatever order I get from my spiritual master, that is my life and soul. I must execute it
thoroughly, without caring for my personal convenience or inconvenience. That is called
vyavasāyātmikā-buddhi.” Eka. We cannot manufacture anything as Kṛṣṇa conscious activities, but
we must be ready always to carry out the order of spiritual master who is representative
of Kṛṣṇa. Sākṣād dharitvena samasta-śāstrair ♪♪. The spiritual master is recognized as
the
bona fide representative of Kṛṣṇa. Sākṣād dharitvena. Therefore he should be offered
respect as good as to Kṛṣṇa. Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo **. And if we can please
our spiritual master, then we please Kṛṣṇa.
Just… Somebody says that “Kṛṣṇa appeared five thousand years ago. He’s no longer present.
Then how we shall execute Kṛṣṇa’s order?” Kṛṣṇa’s order can be executed by executing
the order of the spiritual master. Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo **. We cannot disobey. Yasyāprasādād
na gatiḥ kuto ’pi. This is the process. In Caitanya-caritāmṛta it has been very extensively
explained what is the position of the spiritual master. But at the same time, the spiritual
master does not accept himself as he’s God or Kṛṣṇa like the Māyāvādīs. No. the bona
fide spiritual master always thinks of himself as the servant of the servant of the servant
of Kṛṣṇa. Gopī-bhartuḥ pada-kamalayoḥ dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ. Not that “Because my disciples accept me as
good as Kṛṣṇa, and because my disciples offer me respect exactly he offers respect to Kṛṣṇa…”
That does not mean I am Kṛṣṇa. I am servant of the servant of the servant of Kṛṣṇa. This
is the position. Go on.
Pradyumna: “The connection with the spiritual master is called initiation. From the date
of initiation by the spiritual master, the connection between Kṛṣṇa and a person cultivating
Kṛṣṇa consciousness is established. Without initiation by a bona fide spiritual master,
the actual connection with Kṛṣṇa consciousness is never performed.”
Prabhupāda: Yes. We must connect with the current. Just like you have heated your room
with electrical wires, but if you do not touch it with the current going on, then simply
electrical heating with not help you. Similarly, initiation is essential. Ādau gurvāśrayam.
Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī recommends in his Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu for executing proper spiritual life, one must
take shelter of the bona fide spiritual master. Tasmād gurum prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreyaḥ uttamam
[SB 11.3.21]. Person who is actually interested in uttamam. Uttamam means transcendental.
Udgata-tamam. After darkness. This material world is darkness. Tamasi ma jyotir gamaḥ.
The spiritual world is full of light. Therefore anything spiritual, that is called uttamam.
There…
Kṛṣṇa’s another name is Uttama-śloka. Bhagavaty uttama-śloke bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭikī. Kṛṣṇa
does not belong to this material world. Only the fools and rascals, they think of Kṛṣṇa
having material body. Avajānanti mām mūḍhāḥ mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritam. Kṛṣṇa is always in
His spiritual body, sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha. Īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ
[Bs. 5.1]. Similarly, if we establish our bona fide relationship with the spiritual
master, representative of Kṛṣṇa, immediately our connection with Kṛṣṇa becomes established.
Go on.
Pradyumna: “The cultivation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not material. The Lord has generally three
energies, namely, the external energy, the internal energy, and the marginal energy.
The living entities are called marginal energy and the material cosmic manifestation is the
action of the external or material energy. Then…”
Prabhupāda: So parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyate. The Supreme Absolute Truth, Personality of
Godhead, has got innumerable, multi- energies. Out of that, learned scholars, devotees, they
have divided the whole energy into three, external, internal, and marginal. So the living
entities, they are production of the marginal energy. The living entity is energy, prakṛti.
Not the puruṣa. Puruṣa is Kṛṣṇa. We are all prakṛtis, all living entities. Prakṛti means
predominated, and puruṣa means predominator. Just like we see, ordinarily, husband and
wife, the husband is predominator and the wife is predominated. Although there is no
difference between husband and wife. They are one, divided into two. Similarly, prakṛti
and puruṣa, they are one. They are not two.
It is explained by Svarūpa Dāmodara: rādhā-kṛṣṇa-prakr…, praṇaya-vikṛtir hlādinī śaktir asmād ekātmānāv
api pura deha-bhedo gatau tau. Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, They are one. But, although They are one,
They bifurcated Themselves as Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. So there is no difference between Rādhā and
Kṛṣṇa. Rādhā is the superior energy, or spiritual energy. And Kṛṣṇa is the energetic. Similarly,
this material world is external energy. Similarly, the living entities, they’re marginal energy,
between the external and internal energy. The living entities are called marginal energy
because the living energy has to act under another energy, that either material energy
or spiritual energy. So when the living entity is under spiritual energy, that is his normal
condition, and when he’s under the material energy, that is his abnormal condition. We
should always remember. Material energy means forgetfulness of Kṛṣṇa. Just like in this
material world, everything is there, but it is lacking in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. You travel
all over the world, you’ll see there is profuse arrangement of sense gratification, but there
is no arrangement for understanding Kṛṣṇa. This is called material energy. But if you
bring in Kṛṣṇa in the so-called material energy, it becomes spiritual energy.
Therefore this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is awakening that spiritual energy of the
living entity. Mahātmānas tu mām pārtha daivīṁ prakṛtiṁ āśritāḥ [Bg. 9.13]. The mahātmā and
durātmā. What is the difference? The difference is the durātmā is under the influence of external
energy. Bahir-artha-māninaḥ. Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum durāśayā ye bahir-artha-māninaḥ
[SB 7.5.31]. When we are too much engrossed with the concept of bodily life, “I am this
body,” “I am American,“ “I am Indian,” “I am brāhmaṇa,“ “I am kṣatriya,” when we are
influenced by the bodily concept of life, that is called material energy. And when we
are influenced by the spiritual energy, we always think that “I am servant of the servant
of the servant of Kṛṣṇa.” Gopī-bhartuḥ pada-kamalayoḥ dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ. Nāhaṁ vipro na ca nara-patir.
“I am neither brāhmaṇa or kṣatriya or vaiśya and śūdra or sannyāsī or brahmacārī.” This,
this is a verse given by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He denies any material designation, and He
informs us also that jīvera svarūpa haya nitya kṛṣṇera dāsa [Cc. Madhya 20.108-109]. When
we feel actually that “I am eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa,” that is our liberation. Hitvā anyathā
rūpam svarūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ. This is svarūpa. When you are existing as servant of Kṛṣṇa,
then you are mukta, liberated. You haven’t got to endeavor separately for becoming free
or liberated. Go on.
Pradyumna: “Then there is the spiritual world, which is a manifestation of the internal energy.
The living entities who are called marginal energies, energy, perform material activities
when acting under the inferior, external energy. And when they engage in activities under the
internal, spiritual energy, their activities are called Kṛṣṇa conscious. This means that
those who are great souls, or great devotees, do not act under the spell of material energy,
but act instead under the protection of the spiritual energy.”
Prabhupāda: Hmm. Mahātmānas tu mām pārtha daivīṁ prakṛtiṁ āśritāḥ [Bg. 9.13]. They do
not act under the influence… Ordinary persons, they see that “Devotees are acting like us.”
No. Their activities are under the influence of spiritual energy. It, it, it looks similar
like the karmīs, jñānīs, but bhaktas are different from karmīs and jñānīs. Jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam
[Madhya 19.167]. They are not influenced by the tenets of jñāna and karma. They are influenced
by activities which can satisfy Kṛṣṇa. Ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanam. Anuśīlanam activities, culture.
Ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanam. So they are simply engaged in Kṛṣṇa activities. Although it looks
similar to the ordinary activities. Therefore they misunderstand. Just like Arjuna. Arjuna
is fighting and another soldier is fighting the other side. But Arjuna’s activities as
soldier is devotional service. Because he’s trying to please Kṛṣṇa. Other side, they’re
fighting for their own interest, how to become victorious and take up the kingdom. That was
their idea. Here, Arjuna, he did not like to fight, but when he understood that “Kṛṣṇa
desires this fighting,” he engaged in it. Therefore his fighting was to satisfy Kṛṣṇa,
not to satisfy his senses. As it is explained in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, to satisfy one’s
own senses, that is called kāma, and to satisfy the senses of Kṛṣṇa, that is called prema.
That is the difference. Go on.
Pradyumna: “Any activities done in devotional service or in Kṛṣṇa consciousness are directly
under the control of spiritual energy. In other words, energy is a sort of strength
and this strength can be…”
Prabhupāda: This is spiritual energy. Just like Arjuna is fighting. That energy is inspired
by Kṛṣṇa. So Arjuna took it, “I must fight. Kṛṣṇa wants it. I must satisfy Kṛṣṇa.” This
is spiritual energy. Just see. The other party, they are also fighting in the same energy,
but they have no Kṛṣṇa consciousness. So to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is nothing wonderful.
Simply you have to divert the energy for Kṛṣṇa. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Everyone has
got energy, but when it is enacted for one’s sense gratification, that is material. And
when it is enacted for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa, that is spiritual. Try to understand
the difference between material and spiritual. Go on.
Pradyumna: “In other words, energy is a sort of strength, and this strength can be spiritualized
by the mercy of both the bona fide spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa.”
Prabhupāda: Guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya pāya bhakti-latā-bīja [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. We have to acquire this
energy through the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa. So Kṛṣṇa is within as caitya-guru, and when
we are serious He comes out as the spiritual master. Śikṣā-guru, dīkṣā-guru. So there is
no difference between śikṣā-guru and dīkṣā-guru and Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa manifests Himself externally
as śikṣā-guru and dīkṣā-guru. Go on.
Pradyumna: “In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta by Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī…”
Prabhupāda: (Hindi)
Pradyumna: “…Lord Caitanya states that it is a fortunate person who comes in contact
with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. One who is serious about spiritual
life is given by Kṛṣṇa the intelligence to come in contact with a bona fide spiritual
master, and then, by the grace of the spiritual master, one becomes advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.”
Prabhupāda: Yes. This is the statement in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta.
ei rūpe brahmāṇḍa bhramite kono bhāgyavān jīva guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
[Cc. Madhya 19.151]
We are wandering in different species of life in different planets. Brahmāṇḍa bhramite kono
bhāgyavān jīva. Not all, fortunate. One must be very much fortunate to come in contact
with Kṛṣṇa and guru. So how that fortunate becomes possible? It is called ajñāta-sukṛti.
Sukṛti and duṣkṛti, these two words are used in Bhagavad-gītā. Na mām duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ
prapadyante narādhamāḥ [Bg. 7.15] There is the word, duṣkṛti. And sukṛti. Catur-vidhā
bhajanti mām sukṛti ’rjuna. So this sukṛti, this fortune, there is a chance which is called
ajñāta-sukṛti. Ajñāta-sukṛti means just like Kṛṣṇa’s representative is preaching all over
the world, and if somebody comes in contact with that representative of Kṛṣṇa, and satisfies
him, he acquires some ajñāta-sukṛti. This is called ajñāta-sukṛti. He does not know
what spiritual benefit he’s achieving by serving the representative of Kṛṣṇa. He does not know.
But he acquires it imperceptibly. This is called ajñāta-sukṛti. So when ajñāta-sukṛti
is accumulated, then he becomes fortunate. That is called kono bhāgyavān jīva.
Just like Śukadeva Gosvāmī is describing about the cowherd boys who were playing with Kṛṣṇa.
itthaṁ (satāṁ) brahma-sukhānubhūtyā dāsyaṁ gatānāṁ para-daivatena māyāśritānāṁ nara-dārakeṇa
sākaṁ vijahruḥ kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ [Bhāg. 10.12.11]
Kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ. These boys who are playing with Kṛṣṇa as cowherd boys, they are not ordinary
boys. Śukadeva Gosvāmī says. They are kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ. For many, many lives, they accumulated their
pious activities and thus now they have got the association of Kṛṣṇa to play with Him.
Kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ. Similarly, these ajñāta-sukṛti, when they are accumulated… Just like you
deposit in the bank, four annas, two annas. In this way, one day it becomes one hundred
rupees. Similarly, these ajñāta-sukṛti, when they’re accumulated, that makes the fortune
of a person to associate with guru and Kṛṣṇa.
ei rūpe brahmāṇḍa bhramite kono bhāgyavān jīva guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
[Cc. Madhya 19.151]
māIī hañā sei bīja kara āropaṇa śravaṇa-kīrtana-jale karaye…
So bīja means seed. Bhakti-latā seed. Bhakti’s compared just like a creeper. The creeper
does not stand alone. It embraces another tree and then it grows. Similarly, bhakti-latā,
bhakti always embraces the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, and then grows. Therefore it is called bhakti-latā.
So bhakti-latā-bīja. If one is fortunate, by accumulating this imperceptible good activities,
by association with devotees, then he gets this bhakti-latā-bīja, the seed of bhakti-latā.
So Caitanya Mahāprabhu recommends, māIī hañā bīja kare āropaṇa. Just like you get some
nice seed of rose flower. So if you sow it on the ground, just becoming a nice gardener,
and pour water, then it gradually grows. So we have to take the bhakti-latā-bīja from
the bona fide spiritual master, and sow it within the heart. Taj-joṣaṇād āśv apavarga-vartmani
śraddhā bhaktir anukramiṣyati. And pour water. Just like simply sowing the seed is not your
business is finished. You have to sow, you have to pour water. So what is that pouring
water?
māIī hañā sei bīja kare āropaṇa śravaṇa-kīrtana-jale karaye secana
This is the watering, hearing about Kṛṣṇa, chanting about Kṛṣṇa. So you take the bhakti-latā-bīja
from the spiritual master. That is called initiation. And develop it by pouring water
of hearing and chanting. Then it will grow. One day it will grow so big that it will penetrate
the walls of this universe. It will go to the spiritual world, and gradually go to the
Goloka Vṛndāvana and catch up the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, and then produce its fruits, and
you will enjoy by eating the fruits. Go on. What is the time?
Devotee: Six o’clock Prabhupāda.
Prabhupāda: All right. Hare Kṛṣṇa. (end)
Pradyumna: (reading) Page xxi. “In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, by Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, Lord Caitanya
states that it is a fortunate person who comes in contact with a bona fide spiritual master
by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. One who is serious about spiritual life is given by Kṛṣṇa the
intelligence to come in contact with a bona fide spiritual master.”
Prabhupāda: Yes. Here it is stated, “It is…, it is a fortunate person.” Not the unfortunate.
“It is the fortunate person who comes in contact with a bona fide spiritual master.” This question,
we were just discussing before coming to the class, how to select a bona fide spiritual
master. So that is not very difficult. Just like in our ordinary business life, we accept
somebody as representative of the firm who is actually come, canvassing for the benefit
of the firm. He’s representative. Suppose he’s representing some book seller, publisher,
so he should canvass for selling the books published by his firm, not for anything else.
Suppose he has taken the advantage of becoming representative of a business firm, but he’s
doing his own business. He’s not bona fide. He’s not bona fide. So real guru is Kṛṣṇa.
Kṛṣṇa… Ahaṁ eva asam agre. Kṛṣṇa existed before the creation. Then He made His representative,
Brahmā. Tene brahmā hṛdā ādi-kavaye. He instructed the original guru, Brahmā. Because there was
no other living creature, except Brahmā, in the beginning of creation, and He instructed
Brahmā. Tene brahmā hṛdā ādi-kavaye. There are other versions in the Vedas, that He instructed
Brahmā. So therefore, the original guru is Kṛṣṇa. The same guru, Kṛṣṇa, is instructing
Arjuna also. Kṛṣṇa became guru of Arjuna. Arjuna accepted Him guru: śiṣyas te ’haṁ.
Arjuna said, “Now I am not talking with You as friend, but I accept You as my guru.” Therefore,
by śāstric conclusion, Kṛṣṇa is the original guru. Who can deny it? Kṛṣṇa is jagat-guru.
He’s guru of everyone, because everyone (is) accepting this authority of Kṛṣṇa. Anyone
is accepting the authority of Bhagavad-gītā, he’s accepting, imperceptibly, Kṛṣṇa as guru.
Therefore, bona fide spiritual master means who is representing Kṛṣṇa. Who can deny it?
So to find out a bona fide spiritual master is not a very difficult job, because if one
is representing guru, Kṛṣṇa, then he must speak of Kṛṣṇa, canvass for Kṛṣṇa. What do
you think, Visanji?
Indian man: Jaya, Mahārāja.
Prabhupāda: So that is bona fide guru. Where is the difficulty to find out a bona fide
guru? Just like Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, yāre dekha tāre kaha kṛṣṇa
upadeśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Caitanya Mahāprabhu says that “You preach the words of Kṛṣṇa.”
Therefore He’s bona fide. Similarly, anyone who is representing Kṛṣṇa and canvassing for
Kṛṣṇa, he’s bona fide guru. Where is the difficulty? Is there any difficulty? Anyone can understand
that if Kṛṣṇa is the original guru, and if somebody’s canvassing for Kṛṣṇa, he’s bona
fide guru. If somebody canvassing for himself, he’s not bona fide guru. So there is no difficulty to find out a bona fide guru,
provided I am serious to find out a bona fide guru. But if I want something else… Because
hṛdy antaḥ stho hy abhadrāṇi. If in my heart there is something else, then I must be cheated
by some…, somebody else who is not a bona fide guru. Ye yathā mām prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva
bhajāmy ahaṁ [Bg. 4.11].
So to find out a bona fide guru, spiritual master, is not very difficult. It is very
easy. Kṛṣṇa says explicitly, evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ [Bg. 4.2]. This knowledge,
Vedic knowledge, is received by paramparā system�