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25 Essential Teachings for Gaudiya Vaisnavas

Mahanidhi Swami

 

Life is too short, memory is very weak and time is less. Thus we offer the following 25 verses to summarize all the essential principles, practices and actual goal of Gaudiya Vaisnava Dharma. We have arranged them in a logical sequence to facilitate clear understanding. Devotees will obtain tremendous spiritual benefit by reflecting deeply upon each one; learning them and following their guidance.

 

** MOST IMPORTANT VERSE: Krishna Consciousness Essence.

Ishtadevata, Gati (destination), Sadhana, Pramana (Basis), Prayojana (Necessity) and the Originator. At least this one verse all should memorize, meditate and realize.

ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeśa tanayas tad dhāma vṛndāvanaṁ

ramyā kācid upāsanā vrajavadhū vargeṇa yā kalpitā

śāstraṁ bhāgavatam pramāṇam amalaṁ prema pumārtho mahān

śrī caitanya mahāprabhor matam idaṁ tatrādaro naḥ para

“Our worshipable form of Bhagavan [upasya] is Sri Krishna, Nandanandana, the son of Vraja’s King Nanda whom we worship in Vrindavana [the divya dhama goal of life]. Our [the upasakas] way to attain perfection [upasana] is to follow the delightful method of worship done by the newlywed gopis of Vraja (vraja vadhu).

“Our main scripture is the Srimad Bhagavatam, the spotless authority on Krishna-bhakti. The highest goal of human life is Krishna prema, pure love of God. These are the transcendental tenets of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and thus deserve our highest respect, love and care.”

(By Srinatha Cakravarti, disciple of Sri Advaita Prabhu; and guru of Kavi Karnapura)

 

KRISHNA: The Absolute Truth.

janmādy asya yato’nvayād itarataś cārtheṣv abhijṣaḥ svarāṭ

tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ

tejo-vāri-mṛdāṁ yathā vinimayo yatra tri-sargo’mṛṣā

dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakaṁ satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi

“We meditate on the Supreme Truth, from whom all this is born, Who is both present in everything and aloof from it, Who is omniscient and independent. It is He who revealed the Veda to Brahma, the first sage, within his heart. He deludes even the great gods, makes this threefold unreal world seem real, just as the sun’s rays are mistaken for water (in a mirage), water for earth or earth for water, but who is Himself forever free from illusion due to His divine energy (dhāmnā).” (SB 1.1.1)

 

KRISHNA: Best Definition of.

īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ saccidānanda vigraha

anādir ādir govinda sarva kārana kāranam

Bhagavan Sri Krishna is the Supreme God, and Sri Krishna’s transcendental body is sac cid ananda, full of awareness, reality and bliss. Sri Krishna is beginningless, the greatest of all, and the cause of all causes.” (Brahma Samhita 5.1)

 

KRISHNA: Beauty Meditation (as gopis see Krishna; revealed by Suka Muni)

barhāpīḍaṁ naṭa-vara-vapuḥ karṇayoḥ karṇikāraṁ

bibhrad-vāsaḥ kanaka-kapiśaṁ vaijayantīṁ ca mālām

randhrān veṇor adhara-sudhayā pūrayan gopa-vṛndair

vṛndāraṇyaṁ sva-pada-ramaṇaṁ prāviśad gīta-kīrtiḥ

“Krishna’s head is adorned with a peacock feather crown. He has a body is shaped like the best of dancers and Krishna wears Karṇikāra-flowers on His ears. While wearing a golden hued garment and a vaijayanti flower mala, Krishna fills the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lips, and the cowherd boys sing His glories as He enters the forest of Vrindavana, beautifying the earth with His lovely footprints.” (Venu Gita 10.21.5)

 

KRISHNA: Mahaprabhu is Krishna not Radha and Krishna.

rādhā kṛṣṇa-praṇaya-vikṛtir hlādinī śaktir asmād

ekātmānāv api bhuvi purā deha-bhedaṁ gatau tau

caitanyākhyaṁ prakaṭam adhunā tad-dvayaṁ caikyam āptaṁ

rādhā-bhāva-dyuti-subalitaṁ naumi kṛṣṇa-svarūpam

“The transformations of love between Śrī Rādhā and Śrī Kṛṣṇa are manifestations of the hlādinī-śakti. These two, although one soul, have manifested in this world in separate forms since ancient times. He, who is known as Caitanya, has now manifest as the union of Radha-Krishna. Obeisances to Sri Chaitanya, who is Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself, beautifully endowed with the feelings and lustre (bhava, kanti) of Śrī Rādhā!”

 

SRI CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU: Main inner purpose entire Gaura lila.

anarpita carīṁ cirāt karuṇayā avatīrṇa kalau, samarpayitum unnatojjvala rasa sva bhakti śriyaṁ

hariḥ puraṭa sundara dyuti kadamba sandīpitaḥ, sadā hṛdaya kandare sphuratu vaḥ śacī-nandanaḥ

“May the son of mother Śacī, who is Sri Hari Himself, appearing in a splendid beautiful golden form, and who has descended in the age of Kali to mercifully bestow the wealth of His own bhakti, which was never bestowed before, and which is endowed with the elevated amorous flavour [madhurya-rasa i.e. gopi-bhava], always be manifest within the cave of your heart.”

 

VRINDAVAN: Goloka realm is everywhere; not a planet.

śanakair bhagaval-lokān nṛ-lokaṁ punar āgataḥ.

vimṛjya netre viduraṁ prītyāhoddhava utsmayan

“[after breaking his deep lila meditation] “Gradually, Uddhava [mentally] returned from Bhagavān’s world to the external human world. Rubbing his eyes, Uddhava lovingly told Vidura in amazement…” (SB 3.2.6); Krishna Sandarbha 106).

 

VRINDAVAN: Living in to get Radha’s mercy.

vṛndāni sarva mahatām apahāya dūrāt, vṛndāṭavīm anusara pranayena cetaḥ

sat tāranī kṛta subhāva sudhā rasaugham, rādhā bhidhānam iha divya nidhānam asti

O Mind! Stay aloof [apahaya durat] from all great things or persons like Vrajavasis [sarva mahatam], and live in Vrindavana with love. In Vraja, there is a divine jewel of wonderful moods and feelings named RADHA, Who redeems all the sincere souls sheltered in Vraja!” (Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi 17)

 

SHUDDHA BHAKTI: Best & complete definition of pure devotion.

anyābhilāṣita śūnyaṁ jnāna-karmādy anāvṛtam

ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśilanaṁ bhaktir uttamā

Sri Rupa Gosvami said, “The topmost devotion [uttama bhakti] is devoid of all material desires, and not mixed with or covered by any practices of impersonal liberation (jnana) or fruitive activities [karma kanda, homas, yajnas etc]). Uttama bhakti is practiced deliberately and actively, solely for the pleasure of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.” (Bhakti Rasāmṛta Sindhu 1.1.11)

 

SADHANA: Diksha Reveals Siddha Deha.

dīkṣā-kāle bhakta kore ātma-samarpaṇa; sei-kāle kṛṣṇa tāre kore ātma-sama

sei deha kore tāra cid-ānanda-moya; aprākṛta-dehe tāṅra caraṇa bhajoya

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, “At the time of diksha, the devotee surrenders the very self. And at that time, Sri Krishna makes the devotee equal to Himself by making the devotee’s body transcendental. In such a spiritual body one can serve Krishna.” (Cc. 3.4.192-193)

 

SADHANA: Gita’s top secret [told 2x 9.34]; four main bhakti practices.

man manā bhava mad bhakto mad yāji māṁ namaskuru

mām evaiṣyasi satyaṁ te pratijāne priyo’si me

“Think of Me and be My devotee. Worship Me and offer your respects unto Me. Thus you will truly and certainly come to Me. I promise you this because you are dear to Me.”

 

SADHANA: The main 24/7 rule of sadhana.

smartavyaṁ satataṁ viṣṇor vismartavyo na jātūcit

sarva vidhi niṣedha syur etayor eva kinkarāḥ

“Always remember Krishna and never forget Him! All other rules and prohibitions are subservient to this.” Padma P. 6.71.100)

 

SADHANA: Summary all manah-shiksha; Ideal daily pranam mantra.

gurau goṣṭhe goṣṭhālayiṣu sujane bhū-sura-gaṇe, sva-mantre śrī-nāmni vraja-nava-yuva-dvandva-śaraṇe

sadā dambhaṁ hitvā kuru ratim apūrvām atitarāṁ, aye svāntar bhrātaś caṭubhir abhiyāce dhṛta-padaḥ

Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami said, “O brother mind! I clasp your feet and pray to you with flattering words: ‘Always give up hypocrisy and develop unprecedented love for Sri Guru, Vraja Dhama, the Vrajavasis, the saints, the brāhmaṇas, the diksha mantra, the Holy Names of Sri Krishna, and the shelter of the eternally youthful Couple of Vraja, Śrī-Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa!’” (Manaḥ Śikṣā 1)

 

SADHANA: 4 Points to Success in Bhakti & Nama Bhajan

tṛṇād api sunīcena taror iva sahiṣṇunā;

amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ

“One should chant the Holy Name of Lord Hari in a humble state of mind, being more humble than a blade of grass, as tolerant as a tree, giving all respect unto others and not expecting any honor for oneself.” (Śrī Caitanya-śikṣāṣṭakam 3)

 

SADHANA: Krishna provides all—just do bhakti.

ananyaś cintayanto māṁ,  ye janāḥ paryupāsate

teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ, yoga kṣemaṁ vahāmyaham

“Whoever constantly worships Me, exclusively meditating on Me, I will provide him with all his needs and will preserve what he has.” (Bhagavad-gītā 9.22)

 

SADHANA: Mind—only Krishna can control ours.

cancalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa pramāthi balavad dṛḍham

tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye vāyor iva suduṣkaram

“O Kṛṣṇa! The mind is so restless, agitating, powerful and obstinate. It seems harder to check than even the wind.” (Bhagavad-gītā 6.34)

 

SHASTRA: Must live by.

yaḥ śāstra-vidhiṁ utsṛjya vartate kāma kārataḥ

na sa siddhim avāpnoti na sukhaṁ na paraṁ gatiṁ

“He who rejects scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims, will not attain perfection, nor will he become happy or attain the Supreme Abode.” (Bhagavad Gītā 16.23)

 

SHASTRA: Focus on essence of i.e. pure bhakti.

ananta-śāstraṁ bahulāśca vidyāḥ svalpaśca kālo bahu-vighnatā ca;

yat sāra-bhūtaṁ tad-upāsanīyaṁ  haṁso yathā kṣīram ivāmbu-madhyāt

“The scriptures are infinite and the branches of knowledge are many. Our time is limited and our lives are full of obstacles. Therefore we should worship the essence, just as the swan extracts only the milk from the water.” (Canakya-nīti-darpanam 15.10)

 

SHASTRA: Power of Hearing Rasa Lila.

vikrīḍitaṁ vrajavadhūbhir idaṁ ca viṣṇoḥ, śraddhānvito’nuśṛṇuyed atha varṇayed yaḥ

bhaktiṁ paraṁ bhagavatiṁ pratilabhya kāmaṁ, hṛd-rogam āśvapahinotyacireṇa dhīraḥ

Suka Muni said [phala shruti for rasa-lila cp. 29-33] “Anyone who faithfully and continually hears and describes the pastimes of Krishna with the newlyweds of Vraja (gopīs) will attain the highest devotion to Bhagavān, swiftly become free from the heart’s disease of lust and become peaceful.”

 

SADHANA: Sri Chaitanya Orders Gopi Bhava

ataeva gopī-bhāva kari aṅgīkāra, rātri-dina cinte rādhā-kṛṣṇera vihāra

“Therefore one should accept the loving mood of the gopis [gopi-bhava], and day and night meditate on the pleasure pastimes of Radha and Krishna. (Cc. 2.8.228)

 

SADHANA (Must do two forms—Internal & External). [two verses]

bāhya antara ihāra dui to sādhana; bāhya sādhaka dehe kore śravaṇa kīrtana

mane nija siddha deha koriyā bhāvana; rātri dine kore vraje kṛṣṇera sevana

Mahaprabhu said, “O Sri Sanatana Goswami!  “There are two kinds of devotion in practise: external and internal. In the external practitioner’s body, one performs hearing and chanting of Krishna’s glories, and internally, in the mentally conceived spiritual body, one renders mental service to Krishna in Vraja day and night.” (Cc. 2.22.155-156)

 

SADHANA: Worship Shyama to get Sriji seva)

dhyāyantaṁ śikhi-piccha-mauli-maniśaṁ tan nāma-sankīrtayan

nityaṁ tac caraṇāmbujaṁ paricaran tan-mantra-varyaṁ japan

śrī rādhā padāsyam eva paramābhīṣṭaṁ hṛdā dhārayan

karhi syāṁ tad anugraheṇa param ādbhutānurāg otsavaḥ

“I always meditate on Krishna, wearing a crown of peacock feathers; I always sing Krishna’s name in saṅkīrtana; I always serve Krishna’s lotus feet (archa-murti) and repeat His best of mantras, all the while holding in my heart the desire for the supremely cherished service of Śrī Rādhā’s lotus feet. When by Krishna’s grace will that grand festival of Radha’s amazing anuraga arise in my heart?” (Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi 259)

 

SADHANA: The Desired Perfection of Manjari Bhava.

tavaivāsmi tavaivāsmi  na jīvāmi tvayā vinā, iti vijnaya devi tvaṁ naya māṁ caraṇāntikam

Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami prays, “O Devi Radha! I am Yours, I am Yours! I cannot live without You!  Knowing this, please take me to Your lotus feet!” (Vilapa Kusumanjali 96)

 

SADHANA: Highest perfection demands most practice and patience.

krame krame pāya loka bhava-sindhu-kūla

Mahaprabhu said to Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, “Slowly and gradually a person will cross the ocean of material existence [attain liberation].” (Cc. 2.16.237) (adapted madangopal.blogspot) Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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Sri Rupa & Praying

Mahanidhi Swami

 

The word paddhati means a few verses or even a small book of mantras, prayers, pujas and instructions meant to guide a sadhaka in successful bhajana. Dhyana Chandra Goswami, a grand-disciple of Mahaprabhu parishad, Pandita Sri Vakreshvara Ji, wrote the famous Paddhati Traya to help sadhakas attain the eternal seva of Srimati Radharani in manjari bhava.

 

Sri Rupa Gosvami’s Stava Mala contains a small paddhati of only seven verses praising Sri Radha. It concludes with very wonderful prayers of humble surrender petitioning Priyaji for Her eternal service.

 

Reciting, imbibing, feeling and realizing the deeper import of the following prayers from that paddhati will enrich the devotional hearts of all sadhakas.

 

“[O Sri Radharani!] I am full of offenses, have wicked intelligence and I am unqualified in all respects. But still I beg You, Sri Radha: ‘You are Karunamayi, so please give me the matchless gift of a little seva at Your lotus feet.’”

krtagaske py ayoge pi, jane smin kumatav api

dasya dana pradanasya, lavam apy upapadaya

 

“O most merciful Radharani! Your butter-like, tender heart is always melting with the warmth of Your compassion. So please don’t neglect this most pitiable person.”

yuktas tvaya jano naiva, duhkhito yam upekshitum

krpa dyota drava citta, navanitasi yat sada    (Sri Prarthana-paddhati 6, 7)

Sri Rupa Gosvamipada ki jai! Begging Radha for krpa ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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Humility Meditation

Mahanidhi Swami

In Sri Gita (13.8-12), Sri Krishna says, “The objective of all philosophies is to know the Absolute Truth (Bhagavan Sri Krishna), tattva jnana artha darshana.”
Sri Krishna then explains how one can acquire this transcendental knowledge by cultivating 20 sattvika qualities beginning with humility, pridelessness, nonviolence, tolerance, and simplicity, amanitvam adambitvam, ahimsa ksantir arjavam. (BG 13.8)

Among all these methods and qualities, humility is the most important asset for attaining Krishna prema. Humility invites bhakti into our hearts. Then by continual thoughts, feelings and expressions of divine humility, Bhakti-devi will luxuriantly grow more and more.

Humility is not just a posture or behavior; it’s a radiance from a heart duly purified by bhakti. In one sense, devotion means humility, for without it there is no devotion! By nature a true devotee is an abode of humility.

Such a humble one will always feel anxiety and ever-increasing impatience to attain Radha Govinda; “I must see You, O Master and Mistress of my life. Please show Yourselves to me!”

Chinese philosophers say humility is the capacity to experience awe and wonder. Thus, a truly humble person will be attracted, amazed and appreciative of the beauty and grandeur manifested by Krishna, Nature, other devotees, fellow human beings, and other creatures as well. Whereas a proud person perceives the greatness of oneself alone and no others.

Ego and humility go ill together. Ego present, humility gone. Humility present, ego gone—forever! Thus everywhere at all times, a sadhaka must remain humble in mind, feelings, words and dealings with all others.

Sri Sanatana Goswami defines humility (dainya) thus: “Humility is a state in which, despite possessing all good qualities, one always thinks of oneself (buddhih sada atmani) as being exceptionally unqualified, wretched and inferior. An intelligent person should carefully cultivate speech, behavior, and thinking that fixes one in utter humility, and avoid anything standing in the way of it.

“Ordinary mundane humility can be developed by human effort. However, there is another type which is transcendental, and that humility comes by the mercy of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. And when humility is fully mature, Krishna prema develops without limit, paripakena dainyasya, premajasram vitanyate.” (Brhad Bh. 2.5.222-224)

Our Gaudiya Vaisnava Namacharya Srila Haridasa Thakura is a most sterling example of humility. Throughout his life, Haridasa Thakura chanted his three lacs daily quota of Hare Krishna maha-mantra japa without fail. In addition, he vigorously preached Krishna consciousness to everyone he met, including brahmanas whom he taught the intricacies of nama-tattva and bhagavat-tattva.

At the very end of his life, however, Sri Haridasa Thakura was so weak and frail that he was just lying on floor, fasting and chanting. Upon seeing his condition, Mahaprabhu said, “Since you are very old, Haridasa, you may now reduce your daily japa-sankhya because you have fully attained your spiritual body, siddha deha: prabhu kahe vrddha haila sankhya alpa kara siddha-deha tumi.” (Cc. 3.11.24)

With the utmost realized humility, Srila Haridasa Thakura replied, “O Mahaprabhu! I was born without any caste, and my body is most offensive. I always engage in bad activities. Thus I am the lowest and most sinful, hīna-jāti janma mora nindya-kalevara, hīna-karme rata muñi adhama pāmara.
“Although I should not be seen or touched, Mahaprabhu You have saved me from hell and delivered me to Vaikuntha, drshya, asprshya more angikara kaila, raurava ha-ite kadi, more vaikunthe cadaila.” (Cc. 3.11.27-28)

In this pastime, Haridasa Thakura exhibits the perfection of humility to inspire all of us, children of the Kali age. By reading and reflecting upon such astonishingly humble words from the hearts of the realized and praying for their mercy, we the proud egotists, aspiring for love divine, will find the mercy and strength we need to finally drop all our falsities to live in the humble realm of the sweet lovers of Shyama.
Jai Haridasa Thakura ki jai! Dainya bhava ki jai! Radha Govinda prema seva ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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Expert Means Do It Nicely

Mahanidhi Swami

One day Sri Chaitanyadeva sat with Sri Sanatana Goswami and told him about the 26 qualities of a Vaisnava. (Cc. 2.22.78-80) Mahaprabhu mentioned daksha, being expert, as one of them.

In Bhagavad-gita (12.16), Sri Krishna said, “My Priya bhakta is expert, daksha mad bhakta priya.” In the tikas to this verse, Sridhara Swami says daksha means a devotee is not lazy. Sri Baladeva Vidyabhushana says a devotee is expert in discussing and understanding shastra, and Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti is mum.

Often when preaching to his disciples, Srila Prabhupada said or wrote, “A devotee is expert in all things.” But what exactly does it mean that a devotee is “expert”?

Due to the limitations of one’s individual karma and culture, it is next to impossible for any one person to be “expert in everything.” Srila Prabhupada’s statements about being expert are meant to insure quality and precision in all sevas offered to Radha Govinda Yugala.

So being expert means trying always to improve the quality and devotional content of every service you render for the pleasure of Sri Hari, Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas. Being expert means being attentive, careful, caring and on time. One becomes expert in anything by prayer, practice, association, study, and most importantly by the mercy and sanction of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

A simple, sincere, pure-hearted devotee should not, due to his limitations, feel bad or inferior, thinking, “O, I am not a good devotee because I can’t do many things. All I can do is chant Hare Krishna, read about Krishna and worship Krishna. I don’t know cooking, singing, preaching, playing mrdanga and harmonioum. In fact, I can’t even play karatals!”

Don’t worry, you are perfectly fine! In fact, you are an “expert devotee” and what could be better than that. In Gita (18.65), Krishna says, “I promise you that you will attain pure love for Me and perfection in human life if you simply always think of, worship and bow down to Me!”

In the following passage, giving a more liberal explanation of the term “expert”, Srila Prabhupada acknowledges that devotees do have their limitations and personal abilities. No one is perfect but Bhagavan Sri Krishna. And this definiton will suit most all classes and enable everyone to become an “expert” in devotional service.

Srila Prabhupada said, “Expert means whatever he is doing, he must do it very nicely to his best knowledge. To your best talent and capacity, try to finish it very nicely, whatever it may be.

“If you think that you are unable to do that work, then whatever work you can do, you take. But do it nicely. That is expert. Don’t imitate, [thinking] ‘Oh, I have no capacity to work in that way, but I want to imitate. Oh, he is doing that. I shall do that.’ Don’t do that. That is not expert. You take up what you can do very nicely and do it nicely.

“Just like Arjuna, he was not a Vedantist, a brahmana or a sannyasi. He was householder military man. But he knew his business, how to do it nicely. So you do your business nicely. That is expert. Do it nicely and Krishna is satisfied. And that is your success.” (BBT folio 680716rc.mon)

Be in expert for Sri Krishna ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

The Eight Puja Flowers

Mahanidhi Swami

Every day, Krishna bhaktas offer their Thakurajis love-soaked bhoga; colorful hand-stitched clothes and turbans; dhoop, deep, scents, perfumes and fragrant flowers.

When describing the bhakti-anga of archanam (Deity puja), Narada Muni said, “Vishnu/Krishna is PLEASED ONLY WHEN worshiped with the following eight flowers. Of course, the offering of external flowers also pleases Vishnu/Krishna.”

“What is the offering of eight flowers that especially pleases Vishnu/Krishna?

The Eight Flowers

  1. Harmlessness
  2. Control of the senses
  3. Compassion to all living entities
  4. Forgiveness
  5. Tranquility
  6. Discipline
  7. Meditation
  8. Truth

External flowers are relatively easy to procure, to offer singly or to string into garlands for Thakuraji’s pleasure. According to Narada Muni presentation here it seems that Krishna accepts external flowers to uphold His Gita proclamation—“I accept/eat leaves, flowers and fruits, patram pushpam, phalam ashnami”. (Bg. 9.26)

However, Naradji STRESSES HERE that “Vishnu/Krishna is ONLY PLEASED WHEN worshiped with the eight flowers above which are basically sattvic qualities of the mind and heart.

We should all try to become pure by being established in sattva-guna. And we should all cultivate these “eight flower qualities” along with meditation upon Radha Govinda. Then we can TRULY PLEASE KRISHNA with our eight flower offerings. (praman:Padma Purana, Patala-khanda 84.56-60)

Narada Muni ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!