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Bhakti, Karma and Falldown part two “Repentance”

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

What is REPENTANCE IN BHAKTI BHAJAN? In part one of this series, Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada said, “When a devotee repents like this and shows fear of material enjoyment, gradually the tendency to enjoy matter subsides.”

We will now describe something about the concept and practice of repentance, an essential aspect of bhakti bhajan. Repentance means regret, self-condemnation, feeling guilty and sorry, grieving and feelings of disappointment. Repentance is natural for a good, virtuous, basically faultless person like a devotee. It delivers one from all kinds of sins accidentally committed.

When a devotee sincerely regrets one’s accidental falldowns or sins, then by Krishna’s mercy all those sins are destroyed in the fire of repentance. However, repentance can never manifest in those intoxicated by sense enjoyment.

What causes falldown? When a devotee somehow or other neglects one’s devotional intelligence i.e. the inner guide Sri Krishna or Sri Guru, one will become bewildered and perform sinful acts. Upon realizing this, a devotee will automatically feel repentant.

The Sanskrit word for ‘repentance’ is pashchat-tapa, which means “burning after the fact.” And that’s exactly what repentance means, mentally burning and feeling painful heart pangs of guilt, regret, remorse and sorrow. And all of these together along with Krishna’s blessings are what really cleanses the tarnished heart.

Sincerity in bhakti is everything.

In bhakti bhajan, the only means of atonement for sins and falldowns is repentance, a response of mind and heart, and intensifying our physical practices of bhakti i.e. hearing and chanting about Sri Krishna, and serving Sri Hari, Sri Guru and the merciful Vaisnavas. One’s heart will not be purified, however, unless it’s burnt in the fire of repentance which is a type of voluntary pain for a wrongdoing.

The best method of repentance is to establish and cultivate a strong inner will to never, never, never again repeat that evil. The reward for repentance is the destruction of sins, and being accepted once again in the shelter of Krishna’s tender and affectionate heart.

Repentance is the only recourse for regressions. Without it one becomes degraded.

The saying, “No pain, no gain!” also applies in bhakti! Sincere repentance is also another form of pain and suffering, but such suffering is purifying, uplifting and energizing.

Forget the wrong, forgive yourself, pick up your beads, start chanting Hare Krishna again, and continue to serve Krishna once again with redoubled enthusiasm just like the joyous color festival, Holi Utsava, which follows the burning of the demoness of sin, “Holika” the night before. Just take one baby step toward Krishna the beautiful, and Krishna will run ten steps forward and jump in your lap.

Thus concludes part of two of our new series discussing bhakti, karma and falldown in spiritual life. Subsequent posts will answer questions like, “Are devotees suffering due to their karma?” “Why do devotees fall down from the all-purifying and blissful path of devotional bhajan?” “Who’s arranging a devotee’s life, one’s self, one’s karma, or is it all Krishna’s personal will and jurisdiction?”

Srimad Bhagavatam Maha Purana ki jai! Genuine Repentance ki jai!

Gaudiya Vaisnava rasik janas ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Jai Jai Sri Shyam! Jai Jai Sri Vrndavana Dhama!

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Why Donate to Brahmins?

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Daan Bihari Lal Bhagavan Sri Krishna ki jai! Sri Krishna is famous for taxing and taking “charity” from His most beloved damsels in Daan Ghati, Govardhan. And Sri is also famous for His taxing the hearts and minds of all those trying to serve, love and attain Krishna.

Such is the price of love… absolute surrender to the transcendental carefree, dheer lalita nayak romantic Radharamanji.

A friend sent an E asking for a few spontaneous words on why and whom to donate to and this post appeared. Firstly, the Mahabharata, Vedic Puranas and Dharma Sastras abound with plentiful Sanskrit verses all about what, where, how, when and whom to give charity to i.e. money, gold, cows, land, food, homes, etc.

Our Gaudiya Vaisnava smrti and law book, Hari Bhakti Vilasa, gives lots of praman, shastric proof, and all the details about giving daan or charity. Now we present a summary of the shastric teachings and injunctions on giving daan, charity and donations.

WHAT TO DONATE

Whenever possible anyone who can and has any kind of heart should definitely freely, happily and respectfully give to the deserving such items as money, gold, food, cloth, umbrellas, shoes, grains sugar, ghee, honey, sesame seeds (til ka bija) land, cows, help marry needy daughters (kanya daan), and books, pens, notebooks (copies) and so on.

DONATE TO THESE PERSONS

One should give daan, charity or donate to ANY hungry, sick or poor person, beggar, old person, invalid, or deformed person of any age, race, birth, gender or place of birth.

One should give all types of daan or charity especially to brahmins regardless of their birth, behavior, sadacara, appearance, or personal beliefs and practices.

All the shastras and Bhagavan Sri Krishna Himself state that all castes (intellectual, military, business, laborers), other than brahmins, must always in every circumstance honor and donate to brahmins.

Why give to brahmins? One gives to brahmins to SHOW RESPECT and honor for their high brahmin birth, which they attained by heaps of devotions and good deeds in their previous lives.

Today’s birth, high or low, is the fruit and fortune (karm phal) of one’s previous association and one’s good or bad deeds. Bhagavan Sri Krishna explains this point in Sri Gita (13.22)

karanam -guna -sanga -sya
sad- asad -yoni -janmasu

Sri Krishna says, “According to one’s association in last life with different modes of nature (guna-sanga), one receives a high or low birth [Deva, human, animal] in this life.”

One may attain the rare fortune of a human birth, but even then there are different categories i.e. rich:poor, beautiful:ugly, learned:ignorant, strong:weak, attached:renounced, fame:infamy. All is determined by one’s actions and the arrangement of Krishna.

So when we give daan or charity to a Brahmin, it means we are respecting his exalted birth. And that’s enough! But we should NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST any particular Brahmin because of his unique way of speaking or behaving. Sri Krishna Himself will judge, reward or punish all classes of human beings accordingly.

Now what about giving charity to Vrajavasis? All the rules of daan also apply in Vrndavana. Moreover, in Mathura Mahatmya (421), Sri Rupa Goswamipada quotes the Padma Purana, saying:

“If one pleases and satisfies the devotees and brahmins living in Radha-kunda, one will become a great devotee.”

naro -bhakto -bhaved -vipras
tat-sthitasya -pratoshanam

Many shastras such as the Srimad Bhagavatam state that if one gives money, food, books, clothes, grains etc. to Vrajavasis in any varna or ashram, then one will get more than thousands of times reward and benefits in return, sahasra –adhi -phala-udayah). (Srimad Bhagavatam 7.14.33).

In 1971, Srila Prabhupada personally set the proper example of giving charity. At that time, he took forty-disciples around Vrndavana. And wherever Srila Prabhupada went, HE PERSONALLY GAVE DONATIONS to all the temples, sadhus, pandas and beggars he saw during his yatra.

Srila Prabhupada ki jai!

In conclusion, we will quote Srimad Bhagavatam, wherein Bhagavan Sri Krishna discusses the practice of brahmins daan, giving charity.

GLORIES OF BRAHMINS

In the Srimad Bhagavatam (10.86.52-57), Bhagavan Sri Krishna personally glorifies and teaches how to respect, honor and serve the brahmins, whom the Vedas refer to as bhu-devas, “Gods on earth”.

Bhagavan Sri Krishna says, “Gradually over time, one can become pure and religious by seeing, touching, and worshipping various kshetras, tirthas, (sacred places and water bodies), and Devatas.

However, one can immediately attain the same result simply by SEEING BRAHMINS OR DEVOTEES!

devah -kshetrani -tirthani
darshan –sparshan -arcanaih
shanaih –punanti –kalena
tad -apy –arhat- tama -ikshaya

Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada tika: “Here Sri Krishna is saying, ‘Moreover, the brahmins, who immediately purify one just by their darshan, are even greater than mandir murtis who slowly purify one.’”

Bhagavan Sri Krishna says, “JUST BY BIRTH a BRAHMIN IS THE BEST of all living beings in this world. And how much more glorious is a Brahmin who is austere, learned, self-satisfied, and lovingly meditates upon Me.”

brahmano -janmana -shreyan
sarvesham -praninam -iha
tapasa -vidyaya -tushtya
kim -u –mat –kalaya -yutah

Bhagavan Sri Krishna says, “A brahmin is even more dear to Me than even My own Vishnu form. As all the Devatas are within Me, all the Vedas are within the Brahmin (vipra).”

na -brahmanan -me -dayitam
rupam -etac –catur -bhujam
sarva-veda-mayo -viprah
sarva-deva-mayoh –yaham

Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada tika: “Sri Krishna’s words, sarva-veda-mayo –viprah, mean that brahmins, who are the Vedas personified, can reveal Krishna, the personal embodiment of all Devatas and Vishnu-tattva expansions.’”

Bhagavan Sri Krishna says, “People who have bad, corrupted intelligence are ignorant about the true identity and position of brahmins. As a result, such foolish people neglect and enviously offend brahmins who are their Gurus and their very selves. They only see Me, Sri Krishna, in My archa-murtis and not in brahmins.”

dush –pragya -aviditvaivam
avajananty -asuyavah
gurum -mam -vipram -atmanam
archa –adau –ijya –drshtayah

Bhagavan Sri Krishna says, “Therefore, everyone should worship brahmins and learned sages with the same faith and dedication that one worships Me. If you properly honor and worship the brahmins as I have described here, you will be directly worshiping Me, more so than if you offer Me vast amounts of money and gold.”

tasmad –brahma –rshin -etan
brahman -mat- shraddhaya-archaya
evam -cet -archito – ‘smyaddha
nanyatha –bhuri –bhutibhih

Sri Jiva Goswamipada tika: “Here Sri Krishna says, ‘Worship the brahmins who know Me and are thus the dearest to Me.’ This verse also means “Worship ALL MY DEVOTEES!”

“Krishna continues, ‘If you worship the brahmins and devotees with great affection (mac-shraddhaya), You will be directly (addha) worshiping Me. But if you neglect and reject My devotees, then I can never be worshipped even with great wealth.’”

Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada tika: “Here Krishna is saying, ‘Foolish people, who are ignorant of this truth, find fault (asuyavah) with brahmins, and think that murtis and Thakuraji are worshipable but not brahmins.’”

Brahmin daan ki jai!

Donate to brahmins, all needy ones, and especially Vrajavasis ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Are You in Ananda?

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

It’s true that both in quality and quantity, Bhagavan Sri Krishna is infinitely SAT CHIT AND ANANDA, which means Sri Krishna has a beautiful spiritual form made of eternity, all-pervading unlimited consciousness, and infinite transcendental, ecstatic loving bliss.

ishvara parama krishna, sac cid ananda vigraha,
“Bhagavan Sri Krishna is the transcendental form of eternity, unlimited knowledge and bliss.” (Brahma-samhita 5.1)

Although many think and speak, “The jivatmas or jivas (human beings like us) are like Sri Krishna, sac cid ananda, one with Krishna in quality but not in quantity. Thus Krishna is the big sat chit ananda, and we are a small edition, “chota sat chit ananda”.

FYI:

This is completely INCORRECT due to a misunderstanding of the word ANAND, which is often used when describing the jivatama. According to Upanisads, Srimad Bhagavatam, Puranas and the Vrndavana Six Goswamis the eternal constitution, nature, or composition of the jivatma is only SAT and CHIT, eternality and consciousness. In other words, “I am eternal and I am aware of my existence.” [Sri Gita 2.20]

Now we give a brief summary of the sastras and Sri Jiva Goswamipada’s definition of the inherent nature of the jivatma.

To begin with, Sri Jiva Goswamipada says that understanding the true identity and nature of the jiva is the first step in the science of God-realization. (Tattva San. Anu. 53)

In various Sandarbhas, he explains that ananda is only in the svarupa-shakti of Bhagavan Sri Krishna and NOT IN tatastha-shakti i.e. the jivatmas. We jivatmas only have the POTENTIAL TO EXPERIENCE ANANDA, if and when we receive the gift of bhakti by the grace of Bhagavan Sri Krishna or Sri Guru.

Bhakti is a combination of Sri Krishna’s two transcendental potencies, hladini i.e. bliss, real spiritual ananda, and samvit i.e. transcendental knowledge.

The material happiness we jivatmas feel through our senses, bodies or minds has absolutely nothing to do with the transcendental ananda that is part of Sri Krishna’s being.

As said earlier, the confusion about the true identity of the jivatma arises from the misunderstanding and misapplication of the word ANANDA. It is just like the word ATMA, which sastra uses interchangeably to mean either SOUL, MIND OR BODY.

A second example is the word KAMA, which, depending on the context, can mean either base, material desire or physical LUST i.e. intense craving to satisfy one’s selfish carnal instincts.

Or in spiritual matters KAMA refers to the cent per cent, absolutely pure spiritual desire, and intense transcendental amorous passion of the Vraja gopis like Srimati Radharani to please and satisfy Sri Krishna in every possible way, without a pinch, fragrance or even one iota of selfish desires “for me”.

Similarly, the word ANANDA is used to describe the material happiness of the jiva as in “Are you feeling anand?” Such material ananda, which is merely a play of polarity or the removal of a distress or lacking, should never be confused or equated with the totally transcendental eternal ANANDA of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

Sri Jiva Goswamipada explains in Paramatma Sandarbha that the chit or knowledge aspect of the jivatma is merely the potential to learn and experience material knowledge, the innate nature of knowing. All the material knowledge that we may collect is stored in the buddhi. This knowledge, chit feature, is not part of the jivatma’s transcendental nature.

It is only if and when the jivatma receives Krishna’s transcendental chit shakti in the form of bhakti by the grace Bhagavan or Sri Guru that spiritual bliss i.e. TRUE AND REAL ANANDA, and transcendental knowledge CHIT are infused and mixed in the inherent nature of the transcendental jivatma.

Thus all Krishna bhaktas should understand, appreciate and be forever grateful to Sri Krishna and Sri Guru for Their giving the matchless gift of pure bhakti. By the mercy of bhakti, all devotees can now know and understand Sri Krishna, reality the beautiful.

And they can NOW TRULY LOVE and experience unending real spiritual joy and fulfillment in the service of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna in the pleasure bowers of Vraja for time eternal!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

(concept, Dr. Sri Satyanarayana Das Babaji Maharaja)

Sri Krishna ki jai! Sri Guru ki jai! Bhakti-devi ki jai!

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Thakuraji’s Summer Water Play

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Like all Vrajavasi boys do on sizzling summer days, Syama Govinda loves to swim, play and sport in different cooling water bodies of Vraja like Radha-kunda, Yamunaji, Manasi Ganga and Pavana Sarovara, jala sayi jala priyam. (15.12)

In Hari Bhakti Vilasa (15.1-18), Sri Sanatana Goswami says during scorching days, april-july, 35-50 degrees, am11-6pm, one should stand, place or submerge their beloved Thakuraji in a vessel of cool water, because Krishna is fond of playing in the prema-filled waters of Vraja, krsnam jala viharinam. (15.2) And Thakurji’s daily water sporting should be a super celebration! (yusna -samaye, bhagavata -jala –krida -mahotsavam. (15.19)

Thakuraji Water Play Seva

Summary of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna’s jala-krida festival:

1) Stand Thakuraji (Sri Murti, Deity) under dripping water (a small overhead shower or a fountain before Him); or place in a vessel (thali, large bowl) of cool water coming from a silver or clay water pot.

** Salagrama and Giriraja Baba can FULLY submerge in a water pot or big bowl of fragrant cool water, sitalena sugandhina jalena purite. (15.4) Sri Pandita Baba, and the head pujari of a famous Vrndavana mandir personally confirmed this point.

** Warning: Don’t observe water pastimes if a particular summer day is cloudy and gloomy

Thakura Madan Gopal’s under water sports with Srimati Radhika ki jai!

2) Scent the water with tulasi manjaris, sandalwood paste, rose water, edible camphor, and flower petals of rose, mogra, juhi, camelli etc.

The daily offering of this jala-krida seva will greatly increase one’s attachment to and remembrance of Radha-Madhava. And of course, one will feel very blissful by pleasing and satisfying Sri Krishna in this way.

Sri Sanatana Goswami gives the following benefits of Thakuraji’s jala-keli-mahotsavam: attain never ending beauty and religious merit (punyam -anantakam); family becomes pure and never sees hell (kula-pavana, kule -na -bhaved -bhupa –naraki); and attain the merit of millions of havans and homas (yajna –koti –satam -bhuvi) (15.8-15)

However, there is a deeper purpose of this wonderful water service.

If done with the proper feeling and attitude, Sri Krishna will be very happy and pleased. Then Krishna will enable one to become deeply absorbed in meditating upon Radha-Krishna’s playful water pastimes (asta kaliya lila) in the eternal spiritual realm, Goloka Vrndavana.

To enhance one’s visualization and experience of Radha-Krishna’s jala keli vihara, one can read the Srimad Bhagavatam (10.90), Govinda-lilamrta, Krishna Bhavanamrta, Krishnanika Kaumudi, and Bhavana Sara Sangraha which all fully portray this most innocent, playful, fun-filled pastime of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna.

Jala keli maha utsava ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Sweet Mini Teachings on Pure Bhakti Part Two

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Years ago, we published two books titled Sweet Notes 1-2 containing many “English Sutras”, mini teachings on Krishna bhakti. Here we offer you the best those sweets for your pleasure, and the nourishment of your beautiful lives.

Each sweet sutra appears under a specific topic related to perfecting one’s bhakti bhajan.

Detachment:

* Feeling separation from Radha-Krishna separates one from Maya.

Happiness:

*Serve Sri Hari, Guru and Vaisnavas and happiness is yours because seva is BLISS!!!

Independence:

*Real independence is dependence on Krishna.

Guru:

Follow your Guru Sri, and with Krishna always be.

Krishna:

*Krishna is just around the corner, don’t hesitate—turn the corner!

*To Krishna—surrender, serve, and love. And from this world you’ll rise above!

Love:

*One who fills His heart with Krishna’s love, sees Krishna’s love in all.

Maya:

*We remember what gave us pain, think of what we’ll never gain, and hanker for what we’ll never attain.

*Careful…lifetimes pass paying the debt of desire.

Mind:

*Believe… Syama’s seva will save you!

New Year:

*Ending one year, death more near. To Krishna be dear then “Happy New Year!”

Old Age:

*When young, pains come and go. When old, pains come, stay, and take you away.

Pain:

*Karma—lots of pain for little gain. Bhakti—little pain for total gain.

*Feeding your pain gives no gain. Chant the Name and win the game.

Preaching Bhakti:

*See every class as an expression of love.

*Preaching means draw life from Harinama, and give living truth to enliven others.

Sadhana:

*Evolution to perfection means revolution and correction of habits and misconceptions.

*Endeavors in Maya end in defeat. Endeavors in bhakti end in sweet.

*Follow the D.I.P. principle: Always depend on Krishna. Be an instrument of Krishna’s will. And please Krishna with all you do.

*Serve Krishna and maintain your body. Don’t maintain Krishna and serve your body.

*Surrender, prayer and endeavor bring you to Krishna forever.

*Will to serve Guru and Krishna will show the way.

Sense Enjoyment:

*Sense enjoyment blocks the path to Guru and Govinda.

Suffering:

*Suffering brings us to the heart of reality—surrender to Syama.

*Going through hell in your karmic cell. Soon you’ll be well that Krishna will tell.

Surrender:

*Surrender—the biggest revolution in one’s life.

*Surrender means jumping off a mountain, believing Krishna will catch you.

*No submission, no permission, no permission, no admission.

Time:

*What was is past, what is won’t last. Be steadfast. Chant Hare Krishna and have a blast!

Tongue:

*Conquer your tongue, conquer death!

Water:

*Water—You are healing, healthy, pure and sweet. You are life and the taste of Krishna. Thank you, O Krishna, for the wonderful wonder called water.

Sri Krishna Bhagavan ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Sweet Mini Teachings on Pure Bhakti Part One

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Many years ago, we published two small books titled Sweet Notes 1-2. Inside there are many “English Sutras”, mini teachings on Krishna bhakti. Here we present the best those sweets for your pleasure, and the nourishment of your beautiful lives.

Each sweet sutra appears under a specific topic related to perfecting one’s bhakti bhajan.

Behavior:

*Respect, love and serve all—be they big or small.

*We see many good examples of what not to do. But be the good example of what to do.

Chanting Hare Krishna:

*As we breathe, so we chant.

Death:

*Surrender to Maya—forever die. Surrender to Krishna—never die.

Dependence:

*Learn one thing: Depend on Krishna, don’t worry, chant more and stay pure.

Detachment:

*A life centered on higher consciousness annihilates all unconscious elements.

Determination:

*All power is in the mantras and the siksa given. Chant, follow and pray—and Guru’s strength will show the way.

*You’ve crossed the ocean half. Don’t turn back. Swim on and reach the land of love—Vrndavana!

Devotion:

*In bhakti, we depend not on our own, but on the power of Krishna.

Difficulties:

*Forgetting your guardian causes your difficulties.

Diksa:

*A lifetime promise:

Up at four, chant some more

For Death no more!

Dreams:

*In Vraja—dreams are reality.

Outside Vraja—reality is a dream!

Faith:

*Invest your faith in Krishna alone. And He’ll never let you down.

Family Life:

*To seniors:

Define the distance between, and make the space as friendly as possible.

*To newlyweds:

Acceptance, tolerance and moderation will deliver you to the destination.

Fault finding:

*Don’t be a good fault finder. But be good at finding Your own faults.

Fear:

*Have no fear—Krishna is here!

He’s always near for you my dear.

Hope:

*Yes! There’s difficulty, but Krishna’s on your side. Your journey of misery will soon end. And to Krishna, you’ll forever tend.

*Krishna sweet aspirations, bring a Krishna sweet future!

Humility:

*Remember always—I am nothing!

But with Krishna’s mercy—I’ll be something.

*Eyes have we and see not.

Ears have we and hear not.

Minds have we and think not.

Krishna:

*Krishna, You are…

my guide, guardian, advisor and friend from beginning to the end.

Krishna, You are…

my provider and protector, my wealth and my health, my task master and inspector.

Krishna, You…

turn my bad to good, and my wrong to right.

Krishna, You are…

my day and my night.

Krishna, You…

remove the darkness with the light of inspiration.

And You are in

my every sensation.

Sri Krishna suddha bhakti bhajan ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!