By Yasoda nandan dasa
2021 Vyasa Puja offering
By Yasoda nandan dasa
Nama om Vishnu Padaya Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Bhaktivedanta Swamin iti namine
Namaste sarasvate deve Gauravani pracarine
Nirvisesa sunyavadi pascatya Desa tarine
Bhakti siddhanta sishyaya Bhaktivedanta namine
Prasannaya prasantaya tasmai Sri gurave namah
Dear Srila Prabhupada,
I offer my humble, respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
One of your followers recently, sent me a disturbing document. A filing in the United States Copyright Office in Washington, DC, filed the BBTI, claiming that you have been relegated as a “worker for hire.”Some of the leaders of your society, in their collective wisdom, namely the members of the SAAS [self-appointed acarya sabha] and the promoters of the LGEP [Living Guru Experimental Project] have concluded that you were a mere worker for their corporation.
But what to expect from those who claim that “they have seen the truth.” However, you have cautioned in your Srimad-Bhagavatam:
“…Therefore, one should be very careful about committing offenses at the feet of a Vaiṣṇava. The most grievous type of vaiṣṇava–aparādha is called gurv-aparādha, which refers to offenses at the lotus feet of the spiritual master. In the chanting of the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, this gurv-aparādha is considered the most grievous offense. Guror avajñāśruti–śāstra-nindanam (Padma Purāṇa). Among the ten offenses committed against the chanting of the holy name, the first offenses are disobedience of the spiritual master and blasphemy of the Vedic literature…”: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/4/21/37
Further, you have warned in your unrevised non-adulterated Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta purports:
The Hari–bhakti–vilāsa cites the following quotation from Skanda Purāṇa concerning the blaspheming of a Vaiṣṇava:
yo hi bhāgavataṁ lokam
upahāsaṁ nṛpottama
karoti tasya naśyanti
artha-dharma-yaśaḥ-sutāḥ
nindāṁ kurvanti ye mūḍhā
vaiṣṇavānāṁ mahātmanām
patanti pitṛbhiḥ sārdhaṁ
mahā-raurava-saṁjñite
hanti nindati vai dveṣṭi
vaiṣṇavān nābhinandati
krudhyate yāti no harṣaṁ
darśane patanāni ṣaṭ
In this conversation between Mārkaṇḍeya and Bhagīratha, it is said: “My dear King, if one derides an exalted devotee, he loses the results of his pious activities, his opulence, his reputation and his sons. Vaiṣṇavas are all great souls. Whoever blasphemes them falls down to the hell known as Mahāraurava. He is also accompanied by his forefathers. Whoever kills or blasphemes a Vaiṣṇava and whoever is envious of a Vaiṣṇava or angry with him, or whoever does not offer him obeisances or feel joy upon seeing a Vaiṣṇava, certainly falls into a hellish condition.”
The Hari–bhakti–vilāsa (10.314) also gives the following quotation from Dvārakā–māhātmya:
kara-patraiś ca phālyante
sutīvrair yama-śāsanaiḥ
nindāṁ kurvanti ye pāpā
vaiṣṇavānāṁ mahātmanām
In a conversation between Prahlāda Mahārāja and Bali Mahārāja, it is said, “Those sinful people who blaspheme Vaiṣṇavas, who are all great souls, are subjected very severely to the punishment offered by Yamarāja.”
In the Bhakti–sandarbha (313) there is a statement concerning the blaspheming of Lord Viṣṇu.
ye nindanti hṛṣīkeśaṁ
tad-bhaktaṁ puṇya-rūpiṇam
śata-janmārjitaṁ puṇyaṁ
teṣāṁ naśyati niścitam
te pacyante mahā-ghore
kumbhīpāke bhayānake
bhakṣitāḥ kīṭa-saṅghena
yāvac candra-divākarau
śrī-viṣṇor avamānanād
gurutaraṁ śrī-vaiṣṇavollaṅghanam
tadīya-dūṣaka-janān
na paśyet puruṣādhamān
taiḥ sārdhaṁ vañcaka-janaiḥ
saha-vāsaṁ na kārayet
“One who criticizes Lord Viṣṇu and His devotees loses all the benefits accrued in a hundred pious births. Such a person rots in the Kumbhīpāka hell and is bitten by worms as long as the sun and moon exist. One should therefore not even see the face of a person who blasphemes Lord Viṣṇu and His devotees. Never try to associate with such persons.”
In his Bhakti–sandarbha (265), Jīva Gosvāmī further quotes from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.74.40):
nindāṁ bhagavataḥ śṛṇvan
tat-parasya janasya vā
tato nāpaiti yaḥ so ‘pi
yāty adhaḥ sukṛtāc cyutaḥ
“If one does not immediately leave upon hearing the Lord or the Lord’s devotee blasphemed, he falls down from devotional service.” Similarly, Lord Śiva’s wife Satī states in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (4.4.17):
karṇau pidhāya nirayād yad akalpa īśe
dharmāvitary asṛṇibhir nṛbhir asyamāne
chindyāt prasahya ruśatīm asatīṁ prabhuś cej
jihvām asūn api tato visṛjet sa dharmaḥ
“If one hears an irresponsible person blaspheme the master and controller of religion, he should block his ears and go away if unable to punish him. But if one is able to kill, then one should by force cut out the blasphemer’s tongue and kill the offender, and after that he should give up his own life.” https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/madhya/15/261
You have kindly explained why some individuals and practitioners seem to misunderstand the Krishna Consciousness philosophy.
“…In my books I have tried to explain clearly this simultaneously one and different philosophy acinta beda beda tattva propounded by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. But sometimes it happens that this philosophy is given a self-interested interpretation. As soon as personal motivation comes in it is not possible for one to munderstand our Krishna Consciousness philosophy…” Srila Prabhupada Letter, September 21, 1970
“…One must see things as they are through the mercy of a spiritual master; otherwise if one tries to see Kṛṣṇa directly, he may mistake an ordinary man for Kṛṣṇa or Kṛṣṇa for an ordinary man. Everyone has to see Kṛṣṇa according to the verdict of Vedic literatures presented by the self-realized spiritual master. A sincere person is able to see Kṛṣṇa through the transparent via medium of Śrī Gurudeva, the spiritual master. Unless one is enlightened by the knowledge given by the spiritual master, he cannot see things as they are, even though he remains constantly with the spiritual master. This incident at Kālīya–daha is very instructive for those eager to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness…” Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta (1975) Original unrevised edition. Madhya-Lila 18.99
You have also clearly explained that those who join your movement with an ulterior motive will never grasp the philosophy of this movement:
“…Anyone who comes to join us, of course, must be sincere and serious regarding spiritual advancement in life; then such a person, simply by joining us, chanting with us, dancing with us and taking prasāda with us, will gradually also come to say that this movement is very good. But one who joins with an ulterior purpose, to get material benefit or personal gratification, will never be able to grasp the philosophy of this movement…” Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta (1975) Original unedited unrevised edition. Adi-Lila 9.53
The unwanted creepers have been described by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. He states that if one hears and chants without trying to give up offenses, one becomes materially attached to sense gratification. One may also desire freedom from material bondage like the Māyāvādīs, or one may become attached to the yoga-siddhis and desire wonderful yogic powers. If one is attached to wonderful material activities, one is called siddhi-lobhī, greedy for material perfection. One may also be victimized by diplomatic or crooked behavior, or one may associate with women for illicit sex. Others may make a show of devotional service like the prākṛta-sahajiyās, or one may try to support his philosophy by joining some caste or identifying himself with a certain dynasty, claiming a monopoly on spiritual advancement. Thus, with the support of family tradition, one may become a pseudo guru or so-called spiritual master. One may become attached to the four sinful activities-illicit sex, intoxication, gambling and meat eating, or one may consider a Vaiṣṇava to belong to a mundane caste or creed. One may think, “This is a Hindu Vaiṣṇava, and this is a European Vaiṣṇava. A European Vaiṣṇava is not allowed to enter the temples.” In other words, one may consider Vaiṣṇavas in terms of birth, thinking one a brāhmaṇa Vaiṣṇava, a śūdra Vaiṣṇava, a mleccha Vaiṣṇava and so on. One may also try to carry out a professional business while chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra or reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, or one may try to increase his monetary strength by illegal means. One may also try to be a cheap Vaiṣṇava by chanting in a secluded place for material adoration, or one may desire mundane reputation by making compromises with nondevotees, compromising one’s philosophy or spiritual life, or one may become a supporter of a hereditary caste system. All these are pitfalls of personal sense gratification. Just to cheat some innocent people, one makes a show of advanced spiritual life and becomes known as a sādhu, mahātmā or religious person. All this means that the so-called devotee has become victimized by all these unwanted creepers and that the real creeper of bhakti-latā-bīja has been stunted. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition: Cc. Madhya-Lila: Madhya 19: Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Instructs Srila Rupa Gosvami : Madhya 19.160
Srila Prabhupada you have clearly spelled out the path of pure bhakti.Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has explained the path of pure devotion in his Shiksa-Astakam.
Srila Prabhupada: A Kṛṣṇa conscious person has no desire for self-satisfaction. His criterion of success is the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa, and thus he is the perfect sannyāsī, or perfect yogī. Lord Caitanya, the highest perfectional symbol of renunciation, prays in this way:
na dhanaṁ na janaṁ na sundarīṁ kavitāṁ vā jagadīśa kāmaye.
mama janmani janmanīśvare bhavatād bhaktir ahaitukī tvayi.
“O Almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor to enjoy beautiful women. Nor do I want any number of followers. What I want only is the causeless mercy of Your devotional service in my life, birth after birth.” https://prabhupadabooks.com/bg/6/1
He simply said, gopī–bhartuḥ pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ: [Cc. Madhya 13.80]”I am the servant of servant of servant of the gopī–bhartuḥ, the maintainer of the gopīs, Kṛṣṇa.”
So śṛṇvatāṁ sva–kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇya–śravaṇa–kīrtanaḥ. We become purified. This is purificatory process. Sarvopādhi-vinirmuktaṁ tat–paratvena nirmalam [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. Nirmalam means purification. On account of impure life, we are embarrassed with so many designation, impure life. So we have to become designationless, no designation, sarvopādhi… “I am not Hindu. I am not Mussalman. I am not Christian. I am not brāhmaṇa.” This is designation. Even sannyāsī… Caitanya Mahāprabhu, therefore, nāhaṁ vipro na ca nara-patir yatir vā, He described Himself, “No, I am not kṣatriya. I am not brāhmaṇa. I am not sannyāsī. I am not gṛhastha. I am not vaiśya.” simply negation. He simply said, gopī–bhartuḥ pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ: [Cc. Madhya 13.80]”I am the servant of servant of servant of the gopī–bhartuḥ, the maintainer of the gopīs, Kṛṣṇa.”
So that is pure life, when we think like that, that “We are no more servant.” Nāyaṁ kiṅkaram, that is, what is called, indemnifying this contaminated existence of material life. “Simply I identify as servant of the Supreme Lord.” Then you become purified, designationless.
sarvopādhi-vinirmuktaṁ
tat–paratvena nirmalam
hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa–
sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate
[Cc. Madhya 19.170]
Bhakti means when you are designationless, purified in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then, when your senses are purified, the senses are no more material. In our contaminated state, our senses are acting in designation. “I am Indian. I have to work for India. The others must go out of India.” Or others are thinking, “Now your visa is finished. Now you can go out. You cannot stay here.” This is all due to designation. But real life is designationless. The United Nations is working, but there is not… They are not working on the platform of becoming designationless. They want to keep the designations. They are struggling there to become united for the last twenty years. And the… We have seen in New York the United Nations center. Only the flags are increasing, because unless one becomes designationless, no designation, there cannot be any unity. https://prabhupadabooks.com/classes/sb/3/26/16/bombay/december/25/1974
Srila Prabhupāda: Bhṛtyasya–bhṛtya, servant of the servant [Cc. Madhya 13.80]. Everyone, if he wants to become a master, that is materialism. (end) https://prabhupadabooks.com/conversations/1976/feb/morning_walk/mayapura/february/18/1976
maj-janmanah phalam idam madku-kaitabhdre
mat-prarthaniya-mad-anugraha esa eva
tvad-bhjtya-bhnya-paricaraka-bhrtya-bhrtya-
bhrtyasya bhrtya iti mam smara loka-ndtha
TRANSLATION
O enemy of Madhu and Kaitabha, O Lord of the universe, the perfection of my life and the most cherished mercy You could show me would be for You to consider me the servant of the servant of the servant of the servant of the servant of the servant of Your servant. Text 25
tṛṇād api sunīcena
taror iva sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ
SYNONYMS
tṛṇāt api—than downtrodden grass; sunīcena—being lower; taroḥ—than a tree; iva—like; sahiṣṇunā—with tolerance; amāninā—without being puffed up by false pride; mānadena—giving respect to all; kīrtanīyaḥ—to be chanted; sadā—always; hariḥ—the holy name of the Lord.
TRANSLATION
“One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor but is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord.: https://prabhupadabooks.com/cc/antya/20/21
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura sings that “Let me become a worm in the house of a devotee. If I have to take birth, I don’t want a life, nondevotional life, even it is like Brahmā. I’ll prefer to become a worm in the house of a devotee.”
This is the prayer of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura
Prabhupāda: They will live. Just like a dog live with you. But you are developed; he’s not developed.
Svarūpa Dāmodara: But still, he’s benefited.
Prabhupāda: Eh?
Svarūpa Dāmodara: He’s benefited from the consciousness of the master.
Prabhupāda: Yes. So… If the master is devotee, then he’s benefited. Kīṭa janma hau yathā tuwā dāsa. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura sings that “Let me become a worm in the house of a devotee. If I have to take birth, I don’t want a life, nondevotional life, even it is like Brahmā. I’ll prefer to become a worm in the house of a devotee.” This is the prayer of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. Harer nāma harer nāma… [Cc. Ādi 17.21].
Svarūpa Dāmodara: Similarly, when we associate with a spiritual master who has Kṛṣṇa consciousness, automatically we also have some taste.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Prabhupāda: Bhakti means enhancing spiritual taste. That is bhakti. Bhaktiḥ pareśānubhavo viraktir anyatra syāt [SB 11.2.42]. And as he increases his spiritual taste, he becomes (sic:) detestful to this material enjoyment. This is the taste. https://prabhupadabooks.com/conversations/1974/jul/morning_walk_at_marina_del_rey/los_angeles/july/14/1974
But it is the mercy of Kṛṣṇa’s devotee, a Vaiṣṇava, he is more compassionate, that “This rascal, he is in perpetual darkness. Let me try to relieve.”
Therefore Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says, vaiṣṇava ṭhākura tomāra kukkura. “Vaiṣṇava devotee, kindly accept me as your dog.”
Srila Prabhupāda: Yes, yes. He is the supreme power. He can do that. So if somebody wants to forget Kṛṣṇa persistently—in spite of Kṛṣṇa’s instruction, devotee’s instruction, one does not care, he persists to become a demon—Kṛṣṇa is within the heart of everyone, so He gives him chance to become more and more so that he completely forgets his relationship with God. That is explained in another place, kṣipāmy ajasram anta yoniṣu. In the Sixteenth Chapter. (aside:) You can find out. So that this rascal, life after life, remains a rascal. That is Kṛṣṇa’s punishment, that he is kept in perpetual darkness. But it is the mercy of Kṛṣṇa’s devotee, a Vaiṣṇava, he is more compassionate, that “This rascal, he is in perpetual darkness. Let me try to relieve.” Therefore Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says, vaiṣṇava ṭhākura tomāra kukkura. “Vaiṣṇava devotee, kindly accept me as your dog.” Because as Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says, chāḍiyā vaiṣṇava sevā: “Unless one who gets the shelter of a Vaiṣṇava, he will perpetually remain in darkness.” (aside:) Have you got? : https://prabhupadabooks.com/classes/philosophy/hayagriva/henri_bergson
adadanas trinam dantair idam yace punah punah
shrimad-rupa-padambhoja-dhulih syam janma-janmani (2)
(Shri Mukta-carita, Raghunatha dasa Gosvami)
Clasping a straw between my teeth, I repeatedly beg to attain the dust of the lotus feet of Shrimad Rupa Gosvami birth after birth.
My humble version of this is:
adadanas trinam dantair idam yace punah punah
prabhupada-padambhoja-dhulih syam janma-janmani
Clasping a straw between my teeth, I repeatedly beg to attain the dust of the lotus feet of Shrila Prabhupada [HDGACBSP] birth after birth.
Your eternal servant’
Yasoda nandana dasa