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Sri Bhaktyaloka
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Six qualities that enhance Bhakti Sadhu-vrtti Following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas A grhastha Vaisnava should respect and worship tulasi. As stated in Sri Caitanya-bhagavata (Antya 8.159-160): sankhya nama laite ye sthane prabhu vaise tathai rakhena tulasire prabhu pase tulasire dekhena, japena sankhya-nama e bhakti-yogera tattva ke bujhibe ana? "Wherever the Lord sits to chant His rounds, He keeps tulasi before Him. He gazes at tulasi while He chants His rounds. Who can understand the science of devotional service?" A householder with devotion is glorious, while a householder without devotion is insignificant. Whatever social dealings a householder has to perform should be done while taking shelter of the holy name of Krsna. Regarding the character of the mahajana Sri Kalidasa, the Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 16.6-7) states: maha-bhagavata tenho sarala udara krsna-nama-`sankete' calaya vyavahara kautukete tenho yadi pasaka khelaya `hare krsna' `krsna' kari' pasaka calaya "Kalidasa was a very advanced devotee, yet he was simple and liberal. He would chant the holy name of Krsna while performing all his ordinary dealings. When he used to throw dice in jest, he would throw the dice while chanting Hare Krsna." Everyone is prohibited from corrupt earning or spending, and workers are prohibited from accepting bribes. As stated by the Lord in the Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 9.90, 142-144): rajara vartana khaya, ara curi kare raja-dandya haya sei sastrera vicare `vyaya na kariha kichu rajara mula-dhana' rajara mula-dhana diya ye kichu labhya haya sei dhana kariha nana dharme-karme vyaya asad-vyaya na kariha,-yate dui-loka yaya "One who serves the government but misappropriates the government's revenue is liable to be punished by the king. That is the verdict of all revealed scriptures. Do not spend any of the King's revenue. First you should pay the revenue due the King, and then you may spend the balance for religious and fruitive activities. Don't spend a farthing for sinful activities for which you will be the loser both in this life and the next." Sri Bhaktyaloka
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Six qualities that enhance Bhakti Sadhu-vrtti Following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas Also in the Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 5.84) it is said: sannyasi pandita-ganera karite garva nasa nica-sudra-dvara karena dharmera prakasa "To vanquish the false pride of so-called renunciates and learned scholars, He spreads real religious principles, even through a sudra, or lowborn fourth-class man." A grhastha Vaisnava should feel satisfied with whatever food and clothing he gets without difficulty. As stated in the Caitanya-bhagavata (Antya 4.293): saba' haite bhagyavanta-sri saka, vyanjana punah punah yaha prabhu karena grahana "The spinach and vegetables are the most fortunate of all, for the Lord accepts them again and again." A grhastha Vaisnava should perform devotional service with undeviated attention, knowing Krsna as the Lord of all. He should not disrespect the demigods worshiped by the smarta-sampradaya. As stated in Sri Caitanya-bhagavata (Antya 2.243): na mane' caitanya-patha, bolaya `vaisnava' sivere amanya kare vyartha ta 'ra saba "If one claims to be a Vaisnava, but he disrespects Lord Siva and does not strictly follow the path exhibited by Lord Caitanya, all his efforts are futile." It is the duty of a grhastha to work for the benefit of others even by giving up his own self-interest. In the Caitanya-bhagavata (Antya 3.365) it is said: apanara bhala hau yete jana dekhe sujana apana chadiyao para rakhe "Some people expect only benefits for themselves, but a gentleman cares for others while giving up his own interest." Sri Bhaktyaloka
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Six qualities that enhance Bhakti Sadhu-vrtti Following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas It is the duty of a grhastha Vaisnava to show mercy on the poor and fallen. As stated in Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 3.238): dine daya kare,-ei sadhu-svabhava haya "It is a characteristic of all saintly persons to be kind toward the poor and fallen." A grhastha Vaisnava should not desire to give up his body merely out of some sentiment or anger. As stated by the Lord in Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 4.57): deha-tyagadi yata, saba-tamo-dharma tamo-rajo-dharme krsnera na paiye marma "Acts such as suicide are influenced by the mode of ignorance, and in ignorance and passion one cannot understand who Krsna is." There is no consideration of superior or inferior status due to social position in regard to worshiping Krsna. In worldly occupations there are different activities according to the different social divisions, which are due to superior and inferior grades of intelligence. There are no such distinctions in the process of devotional service. As confirmed by the Lord in Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 4.66-67): nica-jati nahe krsna-bhajane ayogya sat-kula-vipra nahe bhajanera yogya yei bhaje sei bada, abhakta-hina, chara krsna-bhajane nahi jati-kuladi-vicara "A person born in a low family is not unfit for discharging devotional service to Lord Krsna, nor is one fit for devotional service simply because he is born in an aristocratic family of brahmanas. Anyone who takes to devotional service is exalted, whereas a nondevotee is always condemned and abominable. Therefore in the discharge of devotional service to the Lord, there is no consideration of the status of one's family." Sri Bhaktyaloka
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Six qualities that enhance Bhakti Sadhu-vrtti Following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas There is no difference between smartas and Vaisnavas regarding following the codes of religion. The Lord has said in the Caitanya-bhagavata (Antya 9.388-9): adhama janera ye acara, yena dharma adhikari vaisnaveo kare sei karma krsna krpaye se iha janibare pare e saba sankate keha mare, keha tare "Sometimes an exalted Vaisnava exhibits the same activities as a materialistic person. One can understand this by the mercy of Krsna; otherwise in this dilemma one may be liberated or destroyed." The purport is that the conviction in the heart of a Vaisnava is independent. If one is a Vaisnava, then he can understand the conviction in the heart of another Vaisnava who is engaged in the same activities as those of the smartas. One who cannot understand this cannot respect Vaisnavas, and he thereby goes to hell. The Lord has explained the duties of householders in the Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 15.104): prabhu kahena-`krsna-seva', `vaisnava-sevana' `nirantara kara krsna-nama-sankirtana' "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied: Without cessation continue chanting the holy name of Lord Krsna. Whenever possible, serve Him and His devotees, the Vaisnavas." It is the duty of a grhastha to constantly chant the holy names of the Lord and serve the Vaisnavas and the Lord with the help of his relatives and by the wealth he has earned through his pious life. Regarding serving the Vaisnavas, one should know that there are three types of nonduplicitous devotees. Serving such Vaisnavas is called vaisnava-seva. There is no need to gather many Vaisnavas by invitation. Whenever a Vaisnava comes for any purpose he should be properly served with care. By gathering many Vaisnavas, one may commit offenses. As stated in the Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 15.198): bahuta sannyasi yadi aise eka thani sammana karite nari, aparadha pai "If all the sannyasis come together, it would not be possible for me to pay them proper respects. Therefore I would be an offender." Sri Bhaktyaloka
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Six qualities that enhance Bhakti Sadhu-vrtti Following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas A householder should not hanker for another's wife or prostitutes. This is exhibited in the Lord's dealings with Krsnadasa in the Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 9.227-228): gosanira sange rahe krsnadasa brahmana bhattathari-saha tahan haila darasana stri-dhana dekhana tanra lobha janmaila arya sarala viprera buddhi-nasa kaila "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was accompanied by His servant, Krsnadasa. He was a brahmana, but he met with the Bhattatharis there. With women the Bhattatharis allured the brahmana Krsnadasa, who was simple and gentle. By virtue of their bad association, they polluted his intelligence." The Lord protected that brahmana from the women's clutches by pulling him by the hair. The words sarala vipra mean a weak-hearted young brahmana. He is a real householder who chants one hundred thousand names every day. Pure devotees should accept prasada in the houses of such grhasthas. In the Caitanya-bhagavata (9.121-2) the Lord said: prabhu bale,-jana, `laksesvara' bali kare? prati-dina laksa-nama ye grahana kare se janera nama ami bali `laksesvara' tatha bhiksa amara, na yai anya ghara "The Lord replied: Do you know who is a laksesvara? He is someone who chants one laksa, or one hundred thousand, holy names everyday. I call such a person a laksesvara. I only take meals in that person's house, no one else." Sri Bhaktyaloka
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Six qualities that enhance Bhakti Sadhu-vrtti Following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas In this practice of devotional service, duplicitous association has been prohibited. Even in street sankirtana one should chant and dance in the association of pure devotees. One should not chant in the association of nondevotees. A householder should fully depend on the will of the Lord in all his activities. The Lord says in the Caitanya-bhagavata (Madhya 28.55): suna mata, isvarera adhina samsara svatantra haite sakti nahika kahara "Listen, dear mother, the whole world is under the control of the Lord. No one has the power to become independent." A householder should cautiously give up the association of nondevotees, women, and uxorious people. In the Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 22.87) the Lord said: asat-sanga-tyaga,-ei vaisnava-acara `stri-sangi'-eka asadhu, `krsnabhakta' ara "A Vaisnava should always avoid the association of ordinary people. Common people are very much materially attached, especially to women. Vaisnavas should also avoid the company of those who are not devotees of Lord Krsna." By following his prescribed duties a grhastha Vaisnava should accumulate wealth for his maintenance. He should not accumulate wealth by sinful means. Lord Nityananda Prabhu has stated in the Caitanya-bhagavata (Antya 5.685-688): suna dvija, yateka pataka kaili tui ara yadi na karis, saba nimu muni parahimsa, daka, curi-saba anacara chada giya, iha tumi na kariha ara dharma pathe giya tumi laha hari-nama tabe tumi anyere kariba paritrana yata saba dasyu, cora dakiya aniya dharma-pathe sabare laoyao tumi giya "Now listen carefully, O brahmana. I will take responsibility for all your previous misdeeds if you do not repeat them. No more aggression, violence, looting, or murder; give them up forever. Lead a religious life and chant the holy names of the Supreme Lord. Then later you can also save others. Go and meet other dacoits and murderers and bring them to the path of pure religious life." Sri Bhaktyaloka
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Six qualities that enhance Bhakti Sadhu-vrtti Following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas It is the principle duty of a grhastha to serve senior persons. In the Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi 15.21) the Lord says: grhastha ha-iya kariba pita-matara sevana ihate-i tusta habena laksmi-narayana "Later I shall become a householder and thus serve My parents, for this action will very much satisfy Lord Narayana and His wife, the goddess of fortune." A householder should take the principles of renunciation to heart; but he should not simply dress as a renunciate. As stated by the Lord in the Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 16.237-239): sthira hana ghare yao, na hao vatula krame krame paya loka bhava-sindhu-kula markata-vairagya na kara loka dekhana yatha-yogya visaya bhunja' anasakta hana antare nistha kara, bahye loka-vyavahara acirat krsna tomaya karibe uddhara "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said: Be patient and return home. Don't be a crazy fellow. By and by you will be able to cross the ocean of material existence. You should not make yourself a showbottle devotee and become a false renunciate. For the time being, enjoy the material world in a befitting way and do not become attached to it. Within your heart, you should keep yourself very faithful, but externally you may behave like an ordinary man. Thus Krsna will soon be very pleased and deliver you from the clutches of maya." A householder is duty-bound to work for the benefit of everyone. In the Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi 9.41, 7.92) the Lord said: bharata-bhumite haila manusya-janma yara janma sarthaka kari' kara para-upakara naca, gao, bhakta-sange kara sankirtana krsna-nama upadesi' tara' sarva-jana "One who has taken his birth as a human being in the land of India (Bharata-varsa) should make his life successful and work for the benefit of all other people. My dear child, continue dancing, chanting, and performing sankirtana in association with devotees. Furthermore, go out and preach the value of chanting krsna-nama, for by this process You will be able to deliver all fallen souls." Sri Bhaktyaloka
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Six qualities that enhance Bhakti Sadhu-vrtti Following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas One must be educated at a proper age. But he should not study atheistic literatures. In the Caitanya-bhagavata (Adi 12.49 and Madhya 9.241-242) the Lord says: pade kene loka?-krsna bhakti janibare se yadi nahila, tabe vidyaya ki kare? visaya-madandha saba kichui na jane vidya-made, dhana-made vaisnava na cine bhagavata padiyao ka 'ro buddhi nasa "Why do people study? Education is only for understanding devotional service of Lord Krsna. If you miss this point, then what is the use of your education? Everyone is blinded by pride and sense gratification. Being proud of their education and wealth, they fail to recognize a Vaisnava. If one studies Srimad Bhagavatam improperly his intelligence is polluted." Serving guests is the principle duty of a grhastha-this is the Lord's instruction. In the Caitanya-bhagavata (Adi 14.21, 26) it is stated: grhasthere mahaprabhu sikhayena dharma atithira seva-grhasthera mula-karma akaitave citta-sukhe ya 'ra yena sakti taha karilei bali atithite bhakti "In this way the Lord satisfied all His guests and taught the world how to behave as a perfect householder. The foremost duty of a householder is to serve his guests. If a householder happily serves his guests without duplicity and according to his ability he is considered hospitable." A grhastha should act with simplicity in his dealings with people; he should not allow any kind of cheating or duplicity in his heart. In the Caitanya-bhagavata (Adi 14.142) the Lord says: ataeva grhe tumi krsna bhaja giya kutinati parihari' ekanta haiya "Therefore go back to your home and worship Lord Krsna with full attention, giving up all duplicity." Sri Bhaktyaloka
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Six qualities that enhance Bhakti Sadhu-vrtti Following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas What is proper occupation? To know this, one should see the behavior of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's followers. As far as possible I will try to briefly compile them in this essay. First I will write about the behavior and occupation of the grhastha, as found in the character of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His devotees. As a support for his devotional service, a householder should find a suitable wife. In the Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi 15.26-27) the Lord says: grhastha ha-ilama, ebe cahi grha-dharma grhini vina grha-dharma na haya sobhana "Since I am remaining at home it is My duty to act as a grhastha. Without a wife, there is no meaning to householder life." While maintaining religious family life with one's wife, sons and daughters are born in the form of Krsna's servants and maidservants; to nourish them is called maintaining the family. In these activities there is a need for piously accumulating wealth. In this regard Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said in the Caitanya-bhagavata (Antya 5.41) and Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 15.96): prabhu bale,-parivara aneka tomara nirvaha kemate tabe haibe sabara? `grhastha' hayena inho, cahiye sancaya sancaya na kaile kutumba-bharana nahi haya "The Lord said, There are so many members in your family. How will you maintain everyone? Being a householder, one needs to save some money. Because he is not doing so, it is very difficult for him to maintain his family." |
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