Preaching Vaishnava Siddhanta in the middle of other philosophies and faiths
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Dear devotees,
Hare Krishna, Dandvat Pranam to Swami Gaurangapada. Dandvat Pranam Srinath Prabhu, Dandvat Pranam to all the devotees on the forum.
By Shyam Sundar ji
My understanding is that this forum is for discussion on devotional topics. The first stage in devotion is sraddha : “sraddha sabde visvas kahe, sudridh niscay, Krishna bhakti kaile sarva karma krita hoy.” (Chaitanya Charitamrta). Sraddha means the firm faith that by practicing Krishna bhakti , all else becomes accomplished. In other words, only Krishna bhakti is required. All pursuits of exploitative or renunciative nature become unnecessary for one who is following Krishna bhakti.
Krishna bhakti is the only dharma for every jiva. It doesn’t matter in what body, what nation, what community or what gender they have been born into. The purpose of life is Krishna bhakti and nothing else.
Such exclusive sraddha is the first step in the devotional process. Further, it leads to sadhu sanga, then bhajan kriya, then nistha and so on.
It is not easy to develop that sraddha : or firm faith in Krishna bhakti. It happens as a result of the causeless mercy of a Sadhu(Guru). One cannot come face to face with a Sadhu unless one has unlimited good acts (”bhakti-unmukhini-sukriti) accumulated in the past births. Those acts should not have been just acts of popular piety. Rather, only those acts that have directly or indirectly served the Lord (Vishnu) or His Associates / His Abodes / His paraphernalia (such as prasadam/ charan-amritam) are considered as those leading to bhakti.
As a result of such sukriti, one gets the darshan of a Sadhu and develops faith (sraddha).
Various faiths have been existing in this world especially in Kaliyuga. If as a result of practice of any such faith, a jiva develops some sukriti, then progress is possible. Otherwise it is not very useful, as the tangle of karma becomes more and more difficult to get rid of in case one is only busy with various types of karma.
It is extremely rare to get sukriti that leads to “sadhu-sanga” and the development of sraddha.
Lord Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has taught this to Sri Rupa Goswami , as recorded in the Shri Chaitanya Charitamrta.
Although so many human beings exist on the earth, very few follow the Vedas. Of them again, a large section follows the Vedas in name only! Out of the Vedic followers, most of them follow the path of karma. One single Jnani (one who seeks to merge into Brahman effulgence) is superior to millions of such karma-nistha persons. Out of millions of such Jnanis, one may acquire liberation : merger into the Impersonal Brahman effulgence of the Lord.
Out of crores of such Jnanis, one may be fortunate enough to find one Krishna bhakta!
So Krishna bhakti is rarest of rare. That everybody will become a vaishnav is something not easy to reconcile.
In its spiritual form every jiva is a vaishnav. But how many jivas want to understand it ?
Now, coming back to the fundamental question : Should we discuss about this principle (siddhanta) in a forum where persons from different faiths are present ? Yet, this is the beginning of Rupa Siksha. Sri Rupa Goswami is our Sampraday Acharya, the foremost one. If we cannot even preach this first point, then how can we even speak about the stages beyond sraddha : nistha, ruci, asakti and so on ?
So herein lies the dilemma. If we are still trying to reconcile the “good points” in “all religions” then the point of sraddha is still far away. Reverence for the mundane amounts to aversion for the transcendental reality.
In India in particular, it has become very popular in the past century to preach that every religion is the same. It can be the same to an atheist or the same to one who seeks impersonal goals. But from the point of view of eternal well being those cannot be the same. If a particular faith is opposed to Gau and to Brahmins (First class devotees) (both go-brahmin are dear to Lord Krishna) and especially to the worship of Sri Murti, chances of acquiring any sukriti in such faiths is very low.
It is like cutting a forest. Sometimes we need to cut a forest in order to build a palace. So, the misconceptions on God need to be dealt with in a decisive manner at some stage . Chanting must be done with proper understanding otherwise it could lead to further offenses and sometimes more trouble for the seeker.
Daso’smi
Shyam Sundar
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by Srinath on Dec 26, 2009 at 21:31 Reply Top
Reply to Indupati Das’s question (About Vaishnava siddhanta coming from a background where only one faith or religion claims itself to be Divine … )
Read this several times over : All other dharmas that are or ever will be propagated in the world are either steps on the staircase of vaishnava-dharma, or else distortions of it. Those dharmas that are steps leading to bhakti should be respected in proportion to their degree of purity. One should not bear any malice towards dharmas that are distortions of bhakti, but one should focus exclusively on the cultivation of one?s own devotional truths. One should not maintain any animosity towards the followers of other religions. When the time is ripe, the followers of various other dharmas will become Vaishnavas easily. Of this there is no doubt. — Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur
Actually dear Indu pati, this is a really sensitive issue and practically everyone has their own experience and their own opinion in this matter. And the point of it all is that no one’s opinion has anything wrong in it — it has happened to them and all are facts. Already speaking about this once before brought a lot of disagreements from even other devotees. So I cannot speak anything directly since this is all seen by public, but it’s enough if you know that I follow this line spoken by the Thakur.
But I will tell you that what you mentioned at the end of your post is simply used to create an atmosphere of hate. Remember Haridas Thakur’s incident of being beaten in 22 marketplaces? If such ideas are meant to create Vaishnava aparadha, then it is really bad and we stay far away from all that.
I can understand your situation. It is important that we never reveal our spiritual path or progress to anybody (I mean ANYONE) in those environments. “..aapanaara bhajana kathaa, na kaha yathaa tathaa ..” Do not speak here and there about your internal realizations during Bhajana and keep them confidential. This is meant for OUR safety first.
In my experience just if the fact that you are following Lord Chaitanya is leaked out, it invites a lot of trouble. You have no idea how much trouble me and my friends have faced (or may face) because of our refusal to accept Mayavada and follow Vaishnava dharma here. We are taunted with quite some acidic criticism of our every fault and are even challenged to become a pure devotee. And would you believe that except close relatives and a few friends no one else knows. Therefore I reveal my heart to no one around me and except the fact that I chant the Holy names, every other detail is classified like military secrets.
By the way, you said that you find it very difficult to understand anything but bhakti — I say you’re fortunate. The Lord just wants you to know what is beneficial for your spiritual progress. Factually to stick exclusively to bhakti is very very rare.
For your benefit please ask these questions to Swamiji or any devotee in private and you’ll be guided properly. To avoid getting into arguments with anyone I am requesting that the thread be discussed at a personal level.
Daaso’smi,
Srinath
by Srinath on Dec 26, 2009 at 21:32 Reply Top
Ishana Thakur Das’ post on Prabhupada’s room Conversation : Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna
Few quotes of Srilla Prabhupada:
“If one loves Krishna, he must love Lord Jesus also. And if one perfectly loves Jesus he must love Krishna too. If he says, “Why shall I love Krishna? I shall love Jesus,” then he has no knowledge. And if one says, “Why shall I love Jesus? I shall love Krishna”, then he has no knowledge either. If one understands Krishna, then he will understand Jesus. If one understands Jesus, you’ll understand Krishna too”
(Srila Prabhupada – Room conversation with Allen Ginsberg, May 12, 1969 / Columbus – Ohio)
>>> Ref. VedaBase => PoP 8: Failure and Success in Yoga
Prabhupada: No, no. Christianity is Vaisnavism.
Dr. Patel: Vaisnavism? Absolutely Vaisnavism.
Prabhupada: Anyone who? Mohammedan is also Vaisnavism.
Dr. Patel: Mohammedanism is not Vaisnavism.
Prabhupada: No, no. Caitanya Mahaprabhu had talk with the Pathanas. He proved that ?Your religion is Vaisnavism.?
Dr. Patel: Christianity is Vaisnavism 100%.
Prabhupada: Therefore in Caitanya-caritamrta there is. I have already explained that.
Dr. Patel: No, Christianity is 100% Vaisnavism. I have studied Christianity very well.
Prabhupada: Not hundred percent, but?
Dr. Patel: More or less.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Allen Ginsberg: But what do you do when different religious groups claim to be the center? What do you do when different religious groups?
Prabhupada: No, we welcome every religion. We don?t decry any religion. Our point is the love of Godhead. Or Krishna is love, all- attractive. So we want to be attracted by Krishna. Just like a magnetic force and iron. Unless iron is rusty, it is automatically attracted by the magnetic force. Similarly, we are contaminated by material coverings. So we are trying to make it rustless so that immediately we shall be attracted. This is the program. Krishna is all-attractive. That is a fact. And we are attracted. But being covered with this rust, we are, instead of being attracted by Krishna, we are being attracted by maya. This is our whole program. So our central program is how to love Krishna, or how to love God. So we want to see? That is the Bhagavata definition, that how much you have enhanced your love of God. You call Krishna or something else, that doesn?t matter. Phalena pariciyate. The result. Your religious principle, what is the result? Are you enhancing your love for God or dog? That we want to see. If you are enhancing your love for God, it is all right. We don?t say anything. But if? People should learn how to love. That is the perfection of life. That we are teaching.
Allen Ginsberg: If you?re identifying love, however, with the sabda Krishna, what of those people who identify love with the sabda Allah?
Prabhupada: If that sabda, of course, identifies with God, we have no objection. That Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis. God has many names. God is attractive, His name is also attractive, because He?s not different from His name. If you have got exactly the same attractive name, we have no objection. We simply say, ?You chant God?s name, holy name.? Then you become purified. That is our program. We don?t say that you change your Christianity. No. We don?t say. If you have got a nice name, all-attractive name, in your scripture?don?t manufacture but authorized?then you chant that. We simply request, ?You chant.?
Allen Ginsberg: Well, then how would you adapt the Krishna chanting to Christianity? By seeing Krishna as Christ or Christ as Krishna and sounding Christ?s image in Krishna?s name?
Prabhupada: Krishna, Christ? Of course, this question was several times put to me. Christ says that ?I am son of God.? And Krishna says ?I am God.? So there is no difference. Son of God and God, we respect everyone. If I respect your father, I respect you also. Do you mean to say if I disrespect your father, you?ll be pleased upon me? No. That is our philosophy. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that I am servant of the servant of the servant of the servant of the servant of Krishna. So if anyone loves Krishna, he must love Lord Jesus Christ also. And if one perfectly loves Jesus Christ he must love Krishna. If he says, ?Why shall I love Krishna? I shall love Jesus Christ,? then he has no knowledge. And if one says, ?Why shall I love Jesus Christ? I shall love??, then he has also no knowledge. If one understands Krishna, then he will understand Jesus Christ. If one understands Jesus Christ, you?ll understand Krishna.
Allen Ginsberg: Well, then do you think that the Hare Krishna chant could serve as an intermediary to link the religious tendencies of, both of Christianity and Muslim religions?
Prabhupada: Yes. Yes. Any religion. Any religion. If he?s serious about religion. If he takes the religion as a scapegoat, that is different thing. If he wants to understand religion and if he takes seriously to religion, then he will understand. We want serious persons. Now, according to Srimad-Bhagavatam, religion means creation of the laws of God. Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam [SB 6.3.19] Laws of God. Who will deny it? Who will deny it? Any religion, Christian, Muhammadan or any. Who can deny that religion is the laws of God? Simple explanation. If you ask what is meant by religion, religion is laws of God. That?s all. And if you want to know what is God, that is also replied. ?The original source of everything.? So one should try to understand in this way. But if one wants to remain in his compact ideas and does not want to go further, then it is very difficult. He should be open-minded and appreciating. Then everything is all right. We say, Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, it is not that you are necessarily to chant Krishna, but if you have no suitable name, then chant Krishna. Why do you make differentiate. Every name is the same.
Room Conversation
with Allen Ginsberg /
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May 12, 1969, Columbus, Ohio
by Srinath on Dec 26, 2009 at 21:33 Reply Top
I must say that everyone must read two books :
1) Tattva Viveka by Bhaktivinode Thakura that is available for download on http://www.krishna.com and which deals in depth with all the major philosophies in the world.
2) Also please buy the book by Bhakti Vikasa Swami on Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, it is HIGHLY recommeded by us. It has a very detailed analysis of all these aspects, of every major philosophy and faith he had to encounter along His preaching. The book is worth far more than what it costs. A priceless read.
Please know that in preaching our acharyas had to often tone to a very simplified position while preaching to the common man. It is not possible to have a detailed philosophical discussion with everyone and the atmosphere of the world isn’t favourable to anything except discussing mayavada against Vaishnava siddhanta (not valid where I live though ).
But for those who want to know more, please go through these books. While it comes to Vaishnava and Mayavada the truth is very clear, but when it extends to so many other faiths and philosophies, it gets very sensitive. I understand that we all have our own experiences, views and realizations on this matter and every one has a valid point to make, because it is true, no denying. But let it not seem that we are having some contention between your experience and mine or anyone else’s.
by Srinath on Dec 26, 2009 at 21:37 Reply Top
We have had tons of discussions about this on Facebook with other devotees, but unfortunately the comments have all been deleted before I could save them to disc so we have lost a lot of detailed analysis on this issue.
Srinath
by Indu on Dec 27, 2009 at 22:35 Reply Top
Dear Srinath, Namaste
i am sorry you are having such a bad experience with having faith in bhakti, even here in israel where judaism and idol worship, or statue worship is so seriously taken, even here we have the freedom for faith.
about showing a public message regarding so many personal issues, i agree, and i suggest that we will be able to communicate with each other through the site in a personal way as well, as i do not think this exists and it makes our association more difficult to be close to each other. for the public i will say that i am currently studying religions and due to this i want to investigate and ask any person who knows anything about it, especially devotees who are so pure and simple in their attitude, and can make religion which is so complicated seem so simple from the point of view of bhakti.
thank you
your servant
Indu.
by Srinath on Dec 28, 2009 at 08:39 Reply Top
I am sitting alone in the transcendental abode of Sri Vrindavan-dham.
While in this mood of contemplation, many realizations have been coming to me.
Although I have my wife and sons, daughters, grandsons, everyone,
they all consider me to be a total failure in life simply because I have no money.
O Sri Krsna! You have shown me the naked form of material nature.
By the power of your mercy upon me today, I have become disgusted with it all.
“I gradually take away all the wealth of those to whom I show my favour” (SB 10.88.8)
How can I comprehend such mercy of the all-merciful Lord?
Seeing that I am penniless, everyone has now abandoned me -
my own family, my other relatives, and even my so-called friends.
This situation is indeed miserable, but it simply amuses me. I sit alone and laugh.
In this mundane material world, who are my loved ones?
Where have my affectionate father and mother gone now?
And where are all my elders and other relatives, who were my own folk?
Who will give me news of them now, I ask you – tell me who?
All that is left of this so-called family is a list of names.
The froth upon the seawater arises one moment and disappears the next;
the play of maya’s worldly illusion is exactly like that.
No one is actually a mother or father, a family member or relative.
Everyone is just like the froth on the seawater, existing for only a moment.
Vrindavan Bhajan.
Just as the froth on the seawater dissolves again into the sea,
The body made of five material elements merges again with these elements after it dies.
How many fleeting forms does the embodied soul take in this manner?
His so-called family members are only related to this temporary external body.
His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
by Malini Nityananda dasi on Dec 28, 2009 at 22:38 Reply Top
Great this thread is still open ~ was just reading
“The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. SB1.2.6
————————————–
Being full of contradictions, all forms of religion but bhāgavata-dharma work under conceptions of fruitive results and distinctions of “you and I” and “yours and mine.” The followers of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam have no such consciousness SB 6.16.41
Purport
Bhāgavata-dharma has no contradictions. Conceptions of “your religion” and “my religion” are completely absent from bhāgavata-dharma.
Bhāgavata-dharma means following the orders given by the Supreme Lord, Bhagavān, as stated in Bhagavad-gītā: sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaḿ śaraṇaḿ vraja [Bg. 18.66]. God is one, and God is for everyone. Therefore everyone must surrender to God. That is the pure conception of religion. Whatever God orders constitutes religion (dharmaḿ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam [SB 6.3.19]).
In bhāgavata-dharma there is no question of “what you believe” and “what I believe.” Everyone must believe in the Supreme Lord and carry out His orders. Ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanam: whatever Kṛṣṇa says — whatever God says — should be directly carried out. That is dharma, religion.
If one is actually Kṛṣṇa conscious, he cannot have any enemies. Since his only engagement is to induce others to surrender to Kṛṣṇa, or God, how can he have enemies? If one advocates the Hindu religion, the Muslim religion, the Christian religion, this religion or that religion, there will be conflicts.
(so we just advocate to Love God, this is the process we follow, you can follow it also? If your loving and serving God too then that is great)
History shows that the followers of religious systems without a clear conception of God have fought with one another. There are many instances of this in human history, but systems of religion that do not concentrate upon service to the Supreme are temporary and cannot last for long because they are full of envy. There are many activities directed against such religious systems, and therefore one must give up the idea of “my belief” and “your belief.” Everyone should believe in God and surrender unto Him. That is bhāgavata-dharma.
Bhāgavata-dharma is not a concocted sectarian belief, for it entails research to find how everything is connected with Kṛṣṇa (īśāvāsyam idaḿ sarvam). According to the Vedic injunctions, sarvaḿ khalv idaḿ brahma: Brahman, the Supreme, is present in everything. Bhāgavata-dharma captures this presence of the Supreme. Bhāgavata-dharma does not consider everything in the world to be false. Because everything emanates from the Supreme, nothing can be false; everything has some use in the service of the Supreme. For example, we are now dictating into a microphone and recording on a dictating machine, and thus we are finding how the machine can be connected to the Supreme Brahman. Since we are using this machine in the service of the Lord, it is Brahman. This is the meaning of sarvaḿ khalv idaḿ brahma. Everything is Brahman because everything can be used for the service of the Supreme Lord. Nothing is mithyā, false; everything is factual.
Bhāgavata-dharma is called sarvotkṛṣṭa, the best of all religious systems, because those who follow bhāgavata-dharma are not envious of anyone. Pure bhāgavatas, pure devotees, invite everyone, without envy, to join the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. A devotee is therefore exactly like the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Suhṛdaḿ sarva-bhūtānām: he is the friend of all living entities.
by Bhakta Matus on Dec 31, 2009 at 20:39 Reply Top
Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!
While reading Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s “Non-sectarian Vaishnava Dharma” (http://bvml.org/SBTP/nsvd.htm) i came across something which could be relevant to this thread:
“If neophytes and madhyama-adhikaris become completely indifferent in regard to the contradictions found in various practices and try to advance further, then they become swanlike persons. Then they are our respectable and dear friends. Although swanlike personalities may accept a particular practice from birth or childhood according to instructions they have received, they nevertheless remain indifferent and nonsectarian.”
The above article of Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura is worthy of reading and give many answers to the questions which arise in this topic.
Your servant,
Matus
by Srinath on Dec 31, 2009 at 21:12 Reply Top
Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna. Our job is to get souls to the Lord. So this is the last word on the matter :
108 -Benedictions for the Whole World
1. How will the world truly be benefited? Is Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s heartiest desire to benefit the entire world beyond understanding?
We are completely indifferent to the advancement and deterioration of our material situation, but we are naturally busy for the advancement of the living entity’s spiritual life. We are even ready to throw the happiness of our life in the water to benefit our brothers. The primary engagement of Vaisnavas is to deliver their fallen brothers from the well of material existence. The more the Vaisnava’s family expands, the more the atheist’s family diminishes. This is the natural law of the universe. Let the love and devotion of all living entities flow toward the unlimited Supreme Lord. Let Vaisnava principles, which are the source of happiness, gradually spread from one end of the universe to the other. Let the hearts of those who are averse to the Lord melt with love of God. By the Lord’s mercy, the association of devotees, and the influence of devotional service, let third-class people become first-class and take shelter of pure ecstatic love. Let the exalted madhyama-adhikdris renounce their doubts and their cultivation of knowledge and establish themselves in the science of love. Let the whole universe echo with the sound of the congregational chanting of the holy names of Hari. (Sri Krsna-samhita, Introduction)
2. Did Srila Thakura Bhaktivinoda have a strong desire to preach the holy names of Hari all over the world and to thus fulfill Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission?
Alas! When will that day come when the fortunate people of England, France, Russia, and America constantly and congregationally chant the names of Hari and glorify the names of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, holding flags, mrdarigas, and karatalas in their hands? Alas! When will that day come when the white Western devotees stretch up their hands and, while chanting “Jaya Sri Sacinandana ki jaya,” embrace the devotees of our country as brothers? When will that day come when they say, “O Vaisnava brothers! We have taken shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Caitanyadeva, who is the ocean of love. Now please embrace us!” When will that day come when pure transcendental love for the Vaisnavas is the only occupation of all living entities and, as the rivers mix into the ocean, all insignificant religions mix into the unlimited Vaisnava religion? (Sajjana Tosani 4/3)
3. Did Srila Thakura Bhaktivinoda appeal to all Vaisnavas and saintly persons to preach Mahaprabhu’s sahkirtana-dharma all over the world?
O pure devotees! Vaisnava-dharma, preached by Sri Gaurahga, is the supreme treasury of all living entities. The religious principles that are being preached with pomp in every country are incomplete and full of faults. When those religious principles diminish and hide inside their fort, supreme religious principles will come forward and be spread all over the world. That happiest moment has arrived! Now everyone should encourage the preaching of Sri Nama Hatta with determination. All the hawkers, the devotees of Gaurahga, should carry the merchandise of the pure holy names on their heads. They should preach in India and the rest of the world about the purifying holy names of Hari and the topics of our beloved Sri Gaurahga. {Visnupriya Palll magazine)
4. How did Sri Thakura Bhaktivinoda start preaching through Sri Nama Hatta and how did he desire its future success?
The preaching work of Sri Nama Hatta has begun. Godruma which is one of the nine island of Navadvlpa, is the ideal and original place of Nama Hatta. At that place, a few Vaisnavas who are attached to the chanting of the holy names of Hari are arranging the preaching work of Nama Hatta. Those who are preaching the Lord’s holy names by establishing an asrama in a remote village or in the city are the shopkeepers of the holy names. Those who are preaching the holy names village to village, carrying the merchandise of the holy names on their heads, are the hawkers of the holy names. In a brochure about Godruma, names of a few servants of Nama Hatta have been published. Perhaps Srlmad Gaurahga Prabhu, Who delivered the entire universe, desires to award the pure holy names to the people of the whole world. We hope that within a short time, Vaisnava-dharma, preached by Srlman Mahaprabhu, will purify the sinful Western countries. {Visnupriya Palli magazine)
5. What prediction was made by a mahdjana to indicate that the Hari’s holy names would be glorified all over the world?
Those who selflessly preach the Lord’s holy names will be worshipable everywhere. There is no doubt that the spiritual effulgence of the pure holy names will soon dissipate the darkness of false argument. We hope that very soon the Nama Hatta program will expand in a huge way. The positions and titles that have entered into the Sri Gaurahga-sampradaya will soon be destroyed, and ultimately the victory flag of the pure holy names will continue to soar in the Eastern and Western countries. (Visnupriyd Palli magazine)
6. What is the sign that Sri Caitanya’s mission will spread all over the world in the near future?
The Vaisnavas will be glad to hear that a Muslim from the District of Noyakhali took shelter of Vaisnava-dharma after careful consideration. On the strength of great piety, that saintly person has attained such a reward. I hope that by the mercy of Sri Mahaprabhu all Muslims and mlecchas will soon accept this pure Vaisnava religion. There is no doubt that the use of mrdangas, karatalas, and kirtana melodies are forcefully entering other religions, and soon Sri Caitanya’s mission will spread all over the world.
(Sajjana Tosani 2/9)
7. Is there any indication that Sriman Mahaprabhu’s prediction will soon become successful?
The signs that the unique supreme religious principle, congregational chanting of Hari’s holy names, will soon be preached all over the world are seen everywhere. Christians have started to relish chanting the holy names accompanied by mrdangas and karatalas. Soon they will take Sri Caitanyadeva’s mrdangas and karatalas to countries like England. They will realize that Sri Krsna is the Supreme Brahman, the greatest of all. The Lord’s holy names are unlimitedly glorious, and simply by the Vaisnavas’ mercy we make spiritual advancement. The Christians will sing, “The two brothers Gaura and Nitai have come. By seeing Them, the eyes become fully satisfied.” They will dance, accompanied by mrdangas and karatalas. Moreover, Christians who are striving for liberation are also establishing the supremacy of sanklrtana in some way or other. After seeing all these signs, we hope that the time has come for everyone to follow Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s order. Although kirtana has not manifest in other sampradayas in a completely pure state, there is no doubt that within a short time, Sriman Mahaprabhu’s prediction will bear fruit. Nothing becomes pure immediately. In the beginning, kirtana appears with contamination, then gradually becomes completely pure.
{Sajjana Tosani 4/3)
8. In what religion is pure brotherhood possible?
Singing the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Lord and establishing brotherhood with everyone based on love for God is the pure religious principle. Gradually, when the offensive portions of the established religions are destroyed, there will no be no more differences in the bhajana performed by the various sampradayas nor any quarrel between them. Then as brothers, the people of all varnas, castes, and countries will spontaneously chant the holy names of the Supreme Lord together. At that time, no one will hate anyone or consider others dogeaters; nor will anyone be overwhelmed by the pride of high birth. The living entities will not forget the principle of natural brotherhood.
Taking a pitcher filled with the mellows of love of God, Haridasa will then pour nectar into Srlvasa’s mouth, and Srlvasa, after smearing the dust from Haridasa’s feet on his body, will spontaneously dance while chanting, “O Caitanya! O Nityananda.” (Sajjana Tosani 4/3)
9. How did Sri Bhaktivinoda pray to the Supreme Lord for the welfare of the entire world?
O God! Reveal Thy most valuable truths to all so that “Your own” may not be numbered among the fanatics and the crazed, and the whole of mankind may be accepted as “Your own.”
(To Love God, Journal of Tajpur, August 25, 1871)
10. How does the Supreme Lord call the devotees who have attained love of God?
I have carefully saved this storehouse of rasa for you. You alone are qualified for this. Do not worry or lament, because you have attained immortality. You have broken all shackles for Me. I can never repay the debt of your love. (Caitanya-siksamrrta, Conclusion)
by Indu on Jan 6, 2010 at 20:03 Reply Top
Dear Malini Nityananda Dasi
please accept my obeisances
all glories to the assembled devotees.
is it wrong to present the bhakti-yoga science as “my religion” or “my faith”.
Hare Krishna
Dasanudasa
Indu pati.