{"id":4018,"date":"2011-09-03T05:41:12","date_gmt":"2011-09-03T05:41:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/?p=4018"},"modified":"2023-04-13T08:29:25","modified_gmt":"2023-04-13T02:59:25","slug":"sri-radhastami","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/writings\/krishna-talk-articles\/srila-bhaktisiddhanta-saraswati-thakura\/sri-radhastami\/","title":{"rendered":"\u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101\u1e63\u1e6dam\u012b"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is one personality whose name is not referred to in the \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em>, yet the readers of \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavatam <\/em>nurture the hope of becoming that person’s devoted servant. May that personality, who is everything to Bhagav\u0101n, completely destroy our false-ego and grant us shelter at Her feet.<\/p>\n

Today is Her appearance day. Having accrued all varieties of compassion from Bhagav\u0101n, she distributes that as gifts to all. May that personification of great mercy manifest within our hearts and make Her appearance there. May Her appearance day be the concern of our adoration.<\/p>\n

Generally we hear that the whole world is maintained by Govinda. Many people discuss about Govinda in this way. Yet there is one whom Govinda Himself considers as His sarvasva<\/em> \u2013 His all in all. Without taking shelter of that personality, we will not be able to comprehend what sarvasva<\/em> actually means. The word sva <\/em>means \u2018one\u2019s own\u2019, and sva<\/em> also means \u2018treasure.\u2019 Sva<\/em> means Govinda\u2019s own and also one who is Govinda\u2019s treasure. She is the complete wealth of Govinda \u2013\u00a0the wealth of the wealth of Govinda. She is Govinda\u2019s sarvasva-vastu<\/em>. When we make Her our worshippable object, then we will understand the actual meaning of worship.<\/p>\n

All the \u015b\u0101stras<\/em> loudly proclaim that those things in relation to Bhagav\u0101n are the objects of worship. Apart from Him, no one else can be worthy of the word \u0101r\u0101dhya <\/em>(worship). At present we are bound by ignorance and we have forsaken our search, cheating ourselves out of attaining prema<\/em>. At the time when anarthas<\/em> arise, we mistake Him for something else. Our ultimate goal is artha <\/em>(that which is necessary), the opposite of which is anartha<\/em>. \u00a0If we do not serve those innermost necessary ideals, or perfections that are available to us, and if we do not gain instructions on the matter of service, then we will be ruled by our own false-ego, rendering service unto something else other than that which is actually worthy of service.<\/p>\n

Only divine love for God is worthy of worship. Understanding this point clearly, we live with the fervent hope that we will eventually be counted amongst Her retinue. Otherwise, it is better for us to die thousands of times.<\/p>\n

\u0101\u015b\u0101 bharair am\u1e5bta-sindhu-mayai\u1e25 katha\u00f1cit
\nk\u0101lo may\u0101tigamita\u1e25 kila s\u0101mprata\u1e41 hi
\ntva\u1e41 cet k\u1e5bp\u0101\u1e41 mayi vidh\u0101syasi naiva ki\u1e41 me
\npr\u0101\u1e47air vrajena ca varoru bak\u0101ri\u1e47\u0101pi <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>“O Varoru, my beautiful, most magnanimous Goddess, my heart is flooded with an ocean of nectarean hopes. I have somehow been passing my time until now eagerly longing for Your grace, which is an ocean of ever cherished nectar. If still you do not bestow Your mercy on me then of what use to me are my life, the land of Vraja or even \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a who without You, is simply a mighty hero the destroyer of demoniac forces like Baka.” (Vilapa-kusumanjali <\/em>102)<\/p>\n

ha natha gokula-sudhakara su-prasanna
\nvaktraravinda madhura-smita he krpardra
\nyatra tvaya viharate pranayaih priyarat
\ntatraiva mam api naya priya-sevanaya<\/em><\/p>\n

“O Lord, O ambrosial moon of Gokula, O Lord whose beautiful face is like a lotus flower, O sweetly smiling one, O You who are soft and compassionate, so I may render service unto You, please take me to where Your beloved sports in loving pastimes with You.” (Vil\u0101pa-kusum\u0101\u00f1jali <\/em>100)<\/p>\n

This is the devotee\u2019s only desirable hope \u2013\u00a0when will that ocean of nectarean hope bear fruit? I believe it is imperative that I maintain my life because of that hope. But because our eagerness does not increase, that hope is not completely attained \u2013 that hope is not fruitful. If that hope is not fulfilled today, if today Govinda\u2019s sarvasva<\/em> does not manifest in our hearts, then we have been deceived. You will not be able to find anyone more unfortunate than us in the history of the world. If we are cheated out of serving that personality whose mercy awards us everything we need, including residence in the Lord\u2019s holy dh\u0101ma<\/em>, and all things connected to Him, and if we cannot understand Her identity or discover Her within the 18,000 verses of the \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em>, then our study of the \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavatam <\/em>has been pointless.<\/p>\n

Being intimately acquainted with Her identity, \u015ar\u012b Gaurasundara has spoken to us on the topic of unnata-ujjvala-rasa<\/em>\u00a0 (the highest mellows of conjugal love) , explaining the various ways of serving the Lord and the process of pure service. It is only because He spoke to us about ujjvala-rasa<\/em> that we may understand the topic, as well as the opposite \u2013\u00a0the meagre splendour of material rasa<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In order to incite us to render service unto Him, Bhagav\u0101n has personally given us knowledge of Himself in so many ways. However it is necessary that we fully understand that personality who has rendered such perfect service to Bhagav\u0101n that He has made Her the object of His own service. Those who praise Her can award us the qualification to serve Her and they can manifest anur\u0101ga <\/em>(attachment) for Her lotus feet within our innermost heart. The intelligence and strength to serve Her is attained by accepting the association of Her beloved friends who are under Her shelter \u2013\u00a0in this way we may realize that service to Her is our highest objective.<\/p>\n

When we can understand, through the instructions of the mah\u0101janas<\/em>, that She is Bhagav\u0101n\u2019s sarvasva<\/em>, we must proceed to serve Her, knowing that the prosperity of worship only exists in Her. From this day forward, Her appearance day, if we engage in Her service then we shall become qualified to reach the pinnacle of the highest type of auspiciousness.<\/p>\n

All of us do not pray for that highest auspiciousness. But if by some aj\u00f1\u0101ta<\/em>–suk\u1e5bti <\/em>we obtain the association of one of the associates of V\u1e5b\u1e63abh\u0101nu-nandin\u012b, who is the personification and source of supreme auspiciousness, and if we are granted the actual good fortune of hearing genuine discussions about Her, then we can attain the inspiration to journey along the path of highest auspiciousness.<\/p>\n

If we deprive ourselves of rendering service to and taking shelter of She who means everything to Nanda-nandana, the emporium of rasa<\/em> (akhila-ras\u0101m\u1e5bta-m\u016brti<\/em>) as well as Her associates, then we will never attain the qualification to serve Govinda.\u00a0 Firstly, to understand Her identity, we believe that it is necessary to know Her name. \u00a0But while studying the Bh\u0101gavata <\/em>we cannot find any occurrence of Her name, we only find descriptions of Her form, qualities, the distinctive characteristics of Her companions and Her pastimes. In Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em>, we find everything about Govinda\u2019s all in all, with the exception of Her name. But we discover this in the verses of \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em>:<\/p>\n

j\u00f1\u0101na\u1e41 parama-guhya\u1e41 me yad vij\u00f1\u0101na-samanvitam
\nsa-rahasya\u1e41 tad-a\u1e45ga\u1e41 ca g\u1e5bh\u0101\u1e47a gadita\u1e41 may\u0101<\/em><\/p>\n

“To be merciful upon you I will teach you the most esoteric knowledge of Me, including the realisation of My nature and entourage, the inconceivable mystery of loving devotion or prema-bhakti<\/em>, and its constituent part in the form of devotional practice or sadhana-bhakti<\/em>. Now hear My message attentively, and accept what I impart to you.” (Bh\u0101g.<\/em>2.9.30)<\/p>\n

k\u0101lena na\u1e63\u1e6d\u0101 pralaye v\u0101\u1e47\u012bya\u1e41 veda-sa\u1e41j\u00f1it\u0101
\nmay\u0101dau brahma\u1e47e prokt\u0101 dharmo yasy\u0101\u1e41 mad-\u0101tmaka\u1e25
\ntena prokt\u0101 sva-putr\u0101ya manave p\u016brva-j\u0101ya s\u0101
\ntato bh\u1e5bgv-\u0101dayo\u00a0\u2019g\u1e5bh\u1e47an sapta brahma-mahar\u1e63aya\u1e25<\/em><\/p>\n

“The message of the Vedas<\/em> is eternal religion, non-different from Me. When in the course of time those eternal teachings disappeared from view with the universal cataclysm, I imparted them to Lord Brahm\u0101 at the dawning of a new creation.” (Bh\u0101g.<\/em> 11.14.3-4)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The Lord explained all these topics to Brahma, the original person, but after some time the people of this world forgot the Lord\u2019s words because the stream of their thoughts were subjected to the effects of old age and destruction.<\/p>\n

j\u00f1\u0101na\u1e41 parama-guhya\u1e41 me yad vij\u00f1\u0101na-samanvitam
\nsa-rahasya\u1e41 tad-a\u1e45ga\u1e41 ca g\u1e5bh\u0101\u1e47a gadita\u1e41 may\u0101<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAs I speak, listen to Me and try to understand. Knowledge about Me is extremely confidential.\u201d That knowledge is endowed with realization, it is knowledge possessed with confidentiality \u2013 it is the supreme secret. Rahasya <\/em>means rahasi sthita\u1e25 <\/em>\u2013 this means that those secrets cannot be assimilated by any external force, nor can any branch of those secrets be grasped. Due to the currents of thought that exist in the external world, we have forgotten the essential objective of taking shelter at the feet of those who have true knowledge of the \u0101tm\u0101<\/em>. Bhagav\u0101n is ever ready to bestow this knowledge.<\/p>\n

Bhagav\u0101n told Brahm\u0101: \u201cAs I speak, listen to Me and try to understand. Without My mercy no one is eligible to hear or assimilate this message. Only through My mercy can anyone obtain this confidential knowledge. What am I? What is My form? What is My svar\u016bpa<\/em>? What are My qualities? What are the distinctive characteristics of My confidantes? What is My l\u012bl\u0101<\/em>? My supramundane pastimes that are surcharged with rasa<\/em> far exceed the path of mundane sentiments. There is no way to attain this without the potency of My mercy. I am the storehouse of all transcendental qualities \u2013\u00a0I am not speaking about those qualities that are contaminated with the modes of passion and ignorance, but of those that are the foundation for creating, maintaining and destroying the universe. I am distinguished by these attributes and I am the active cause of all effects, thus I am the essential original principle. This can only be realised by attaining My mercy.\u201d In this way the words mad-anugraha <\/em>(My mercy) have been used. Information concerning Bhagav\u0101n\u2019s parts and parcels, information on confidential topics related to Him, <\/em>information concerning realized knowledge \u2013 specifically that which is endowed with spiritual consciousness, and information concerning His opulence \u2013\u00a0these are all supremely confidential and non-dualistic. It can never be initiated at any period or for any reason without the express mercy of the Lord. This secret knowledge is thoroughly expressed in the beginning of the catu\u1e25-\u015bloki <\/em>verses of the \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em>. We are most fortunate that \u015ar\u012b Gaurasundara has revealed this to the world. A secret topic has been mentioned, but the name of that personality about whom this secret is concerned has not been uttered. Because it is a secret, it should not be revealed to those advocating foolish ideologies and thus it has not been openly disclosed. After hearing the pastimes of Nanda-nandana as narrated in the Bh\u0101gavata<\/em>, such people do not gain strong faith, and rejecting all these topics they simply deliberate upon the impersonal non-dual nature of the Lord, which is favourable to their mundane realisations. Some of them consider it reasonable to merge into that. Without hearing from a proper source, their perceptions will be perverted. Due to their vehement hatred of service to the Lord, such persons can never understand topics concerning the intrinsic nature of bhakti<\/em>. Due to the trajectory of the sun, the appearance day of the Supreme Goddess who is fully imbued with rasa, <\/em>has arisen in our own radiantly pure hearts. The roaming sun is revealing that Supreme Goddess. Therefore, today the demigods are also showing us great favour by revealing this secret.<\/p>\n

It is our duty to surrender unto one who is acquainted with that secret. A poet by the name of Manohara D\u0101sa has said:<\/p>\n

\u00a0r\u0101dh\u0101-p\u0101da-pa\u1e45kaja bhakata ki \u0101\u015ba
\nd\u0101sa manohara kara ta \u2019piy\u0101sa<\/em><\/p>\n

“The hope of the devotees is that they may serve the lotus feet of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b. This is also Manohara D\u0101sa\u2019s desire.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0The exclusive aspiration of the greatest devotees of the Lord is service to the lotus feet of Radha:<\/p>\n

\u015br\u012b-r\u0101dh\u0101-pada-d\u0101syam eva param\u0101bh\u012b\u1e63\u1e6da\u1e43 h\u1e5bd\u0101 dh\u0101rayan
\nkarhi sy\u0101\u1e43 tad-anugrahe\u1e47a param\u0101bhut\u0101nur\u0101gotsava\u1e25<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>“When will I relish that most wonderful festival of attachment to the lotus feet of \u015ar\u012b Radha by holding that most supreme desire of serving the Divine Couple, within my heart?” (R\u0101dh\u0101-rasa-sudh\u0101-nidhi <\/em>259)<\/p>\n

\u00a0In his a\u1e63\u1e6d\u0101pad\u012bs<\/em>, \u015ar\u012b Jayadeva has said:<\/p>\n

ka\u1e41s\u0101rir api sa\u1e41s\u0101ra-v\u0101san\u0101-baddha-\u015b\u1e5b\u1e45khal\u0101m
\nr\u0101dh\u0101m \u0101dh\u0101ya h\u1e5bdaye taty\u0101ja vraja-sundar\u012b\u1e25<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0“The enemy of Ka\u1e41sa (\u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a) abandoned the other beautiful damsels of Vraja and took Radha within His heart, for she was like a chain that tied him tightly to his supreme and essential desire to enjoy the rasa<\/em> dance.” (G\u012bt\u0101<\/em> Govinda <\/em>3.1)<\/p>\n

At the rasa-sth\u0101l\u012b <\/em>all the gop\u012bs <\/em>are present with Gop\u012bn\u0101tha, absorbed in playful pastimes of rasa<\/em>. When V\u0101r\u1e63abh\u0101nav\u012b (\u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b) arrived at the rasa-sth\u0101l\u012b<\/em>, She saw that unlimited gop\u012bs <\/em>were dancing in a circle, all of them fully occupied in serving the Lord. Feeling sorrow within Her mind, the daughter of V\u1e5b\u1e63abh\u0101nu Mah\u0101r\u0101ja thought, \u201cToday My K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is in the hands of others! Today My own associates are busy enjoying pastimes with Him!\u201d Thus, to nurture vipralambha-bh\u0101va<\/em> \u2013 which actually nourishes sambhoga-rasa<\/em> \u2013 rather than taking part, V\u0101r\u1e63abh\u0101nav\u012b ran away from the rasa-sth\u0101l\u012b. <\/em>At this point Jayadeva Prabhu has written, \u201cK\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, the enemy of Ka\u1e41sa, suddenly broke away from the rasa-sth\u0101l\u012b<\/em>.\u201d Sa\u1e41s\u0101ra-v\u0101san\u0101-baddha-\u015b\u1e5b\u1e45khal\u0101m<\/em> \u2013\u00a0with thoughts of R\u0101dh\u0101 in His heart, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a abandoned all the other beautiful damsels of Vraja. When someone rejects the shelter of R\u0101dhik\u0101, any expertise they may have in pleasing the senses of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a can never conform with exclusive heartfelt service to Him. All the gop\u012bs <\/em>are direct expansions of R\u0101dhik\u0101, and while they remain proudly under the shelter of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s sarvasva<\/em>, \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dhik\u0101, they can supply K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a the topmost pleasure:<\/p>\n

r\u012bm\u0101n r\u0101sa-ras\u0101rambh\u012b va\u1e41\u015b\u012b-va\u1e6da-ta\u1e6da-sthita\u1e25
\nkar\u1e63an ve\u1e47u-svanair gop\u012br gop\u012b-n\u0101tha\u1e25 \u015briye \u2019stu na\u1e25 <\/em>
\n(Cc.<\/em> \u0100di-l\u012bl\u0101 <\/em>1.17)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201c\u015ar\u012bmad Gop\u012bn\u0101tha nurtures the mellows that manifests during the r\u0101sa<\/em>-l\u012bl\u0101. <\/em>Standing at the shore near Va\u1e41\u015b\u012b-va\u1e6da, He attracts all the gop\u012bs <\/em>by the sound of His flute. May He grant us all auspiciousness.\u201d<\/p>\n

We will never assent to enjoying \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a (sambhoga<\/em>) without taking shelter of She who is His all in all. To shed light on this, the author of the a\u1e63\u1e6d\u0101pad\u012b<\/em> reveals something that supplements the description in the Bh\u0101gavata<\/em> when he says, tatyaja-vraja-sundarih <\/em>\u2013 as all the gop\u012bs <\/em>danced in the r\u0101sa-l\u012bl\u0101<\/em>, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a abandoned them in order to find \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dhik\u0101 who resided in His heart. The fetters of the love of all the other gop\u012bs <\/em>are powerless, weak and susceptible in comparison to the bonds of V\u0101r\u1e63abh\u0101nav\u012b which are extremely strong and powerful. All the gop\u012bs <\/em>took shelter of V\u1e5b\u1e63abh\u0101nu-nandin\u012b\u2019s adhir\u016b\u1e0dha-mah\u0101bh\u0101va<\/em> \u2013\u00a0overwhelmed by mohana<\/em>, madana<\/em> and other intense feelings of separation, they went to find K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. They all understood that without taking shelter at the lotus feet of V\u0101r\u1e63abh\u0101nav\u012b, Govinda\u2019s sarvasva<\/em>, madhura-rasa <\/em>is never completely nourished. All the loving sentiments with which the various gop\u012bs <\/em>perform their services, simultaneously exist in V\u0101r\u1e63abh\u0101nav\u012b exclusively in their entirety. Deserting all the other gop\u012bs<\/em>, who were immersed in feelings of pro\u1e63ita-bhartt\u1e5bk\u0101<\/em> etc. K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a was attracted by V\u0101r\u1e63abh\u0101nav\u012b\u2019s captivating charms, since She possesses all these loving sentiments in full. Thus He set out to find that personality who even attracts the all-attractive One. The gop\u012bs <\/em>are expansions of R\u0101dhik\u0101 and are eternally a portion of She who is the original source \u2013\u00a0they could not bind K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, for He completely belonged to R\u0101dhik\u0101. Thus She enticed K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, who attracts everyone, from the rasa<\/em>–sth\u0101l\u012b<\/em>. \u00a0One can only understand such topics if the functions of the soul have awakened to the taste of madhura-rati<\/em> (divine love). But those whose hearts contain an intense mood of v\u0101tsalya<\/em>–rasa<\/em> can also completely appreciate the sweetness and beauty of such pastimes.<\/p>\n

All the gop\u012bs <\/em>came to participate at the rasa-sth\u0101l\u012b<\/em>, attracted by K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and charmed by the sweet sound of His flute. Again, when V\u0101r\u1e63abh\u0101nav\u012b, the complete embodiment of madhura-rati<\/em>, desired to offer service, then the object of our service Nanda-nandana Gop\u012bn\u0101tha R\u0101dh\u0101-rama\u1e47a discarded the general attraction of all the other gop\u012bs <\/em>and was captivated by \u015ar\u012b V\u0101r\u1e63abh\u0101nav\u012b\u2019s charm. He who is most attractive became attracted. Therefore, when liberated j\u012bvas<\/em> attain the eligibility to fathom R\u0101dhik\u0101\u2019s identity, they consider the following:<\/p>\n

\u00a0karmibhya\u1e25 parito hare\u1e25 priyatay\u0101 vyakti\u1e41 yayur j\u00f1\u0101ninas
\ntebhyo j\u00f1\u0101na-vimukta-bhakti-param\u0101\u1e25 premaika-ni\u1e63\u1e6dh\u0101s tata\u1e25
\ntebhyas t\u0101\u1e25 pa\u015bu-p\u0101la-pa\u1e45kaja-d\u1e5b\u015bas t\u0101bhyo \u2019pi s\u0101 r\u0101dhik\u0101
\npre\u1e63\u1e6dh\u0101 tadvad iya\u1e41 tad\u012bya-saras\u012b t\u0101\u1e41 n\u0101\u015brayet ka\u1e25 k\u1e5bt\u012b<\/em><\/p>\n

“The j\u00f1\u0101n\u012bs<\/em> have attained the distinction of being dearer to Lord Hari than those who follow the path of karma<\/em>. Even dearer to the Lord are those who have abandoned knowledge, understanding that the path of bhakti<\/em> is higher. Even more superior are those who have attained love for K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. The gop\u012bs<\/em> are most exalted of all, and amongst them \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dhik\u0101 is certainly the dearmost of \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. And R\u0101dh\u0101-ku\u1e47\u1e0da is as dear to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a as She is. Therefore, which fortunate soul will not take shelter of R\u0101dh\u0101-ku\u1e47\u1e0da?” (\u015ar\u012b Upade\u015b\u0101m\u1e5bta <\/em>10)<\/p>\n

\u00a0k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47asyoccai\u1e25 pra\u1e47aya-vasati\u1e25 preyas\u012bbhyo \u2019pi r\u0101dh\u0101
\nku\u1e47\u1e0da\u1e41 c\u0101sy\u0101 munibhir abhitas t\u0101d\u1e5bg eva vyadh\u0101yi
\nyat pre\u1e63\u1e6dhair apy alam asulabha\u1e41 ki\u1e41 punar bhakti-bh\u0101j\u0101\u1e41
\ntat premeda\u1e41 sak\u1e5bd api sara\u1e25 sn\u0101tur \u0101vi\u1e63karoti<\/em><\/p>\n

“It has been established by great sages that amongst all the beloved vraja-gop\u012bs, <\/em>\u015ar\u012b Radha is K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s most treasured object of love. Similarly, Her ku\u1e47\u1e0da<\/em> is just as dear to Him. One who bathes even once in the waters of R\u0101dh\u0101-ku\u1e47\u1e0da attains love for K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a which is extremely difficult to achieve even for great devotees, what to speak of ordinary devotees.” (\u015ar\u012b Upade\u015b\u0101m\u1e5bta <\/em>11)<\/p>\n

\u015ar\u012b R\u0101dhik\u0101 is the abode of \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s intense love, and amongst all other dear associates, She is the most illustrious and the most beloved in all respects. Uddhava and other great devotees pray for the dust of the feet of the gop\u012bs, <\/em>and all the gop\u012bs <\/em>consider themselves most fortunate if they obtain Her shelter. The topmost devotees, who are drawn towards madhura-rasa <\/em>and who have reached the topmost levels of devotion to Bhagav\u0101n, take refuge in the land of V\u0101r\u1e63abh\u0101nav\u012b\u2019s pleasure pastimes and bathe in Her lake, R\u0101dh\u0101-ku\u1e47\u1e0da. With a sentient attitude they constantly bathe and reside there. Those who have loyalty towards \u015aaiby\u0101 and Candr\u0101 do not even have the qualification to drink there. To constantly reside on the banks of that lake and to bathe there with a mindful attitude is not achieved by any common, fortunate person. So long as the divinity of V\u0101r\u1e63abh\u0101nav\u012b\u2019s youth and nature does not become the subject of our reflection, we will never fully comprehend the glories of achieving Her shelter.<\/p>\n

In order to perform bhajana<\/em>, it is essential for the students of the Bh\u0101gavata <\/em>to know Her Name. Bhajana <\/em>begins with n\u0101ma<\/em>. One cannot begin bhajana <\/em>starting with l\u012bl\u0101<\/em>.<\/p>\n

prathama\u1e41 n\u0101mna\u1e25 \u015brava\u1e47am-anta\u1e25kara\u1e47a-\u015buddhy-artham apek\u1e63yam. \u015buddhe c\u0101nta\u1e25-kara\u1e47e r\u016bpa-\u015brava\u1e47ena tad-udaya-yogyat\u0101 bhavati. samyag udite ca r\u016bpe gu\u1e47\u0101n\u0101\u1e41 sphura\u1e47a\u1e41 sampadyeta, sampanne ca gu\u1e47\u0101n\u0101\u1e41 sphura\u1e47e parikara-vai\u015bi\u1e63thyena tad-vai\u015bi\u1e63thya\u1e41 sampadyate tatas te\u1e63u n\u0101ma-r\u016bpa-gu\u1e47a-parikare\u1e63u samyak sphurite\u1e63u l\u012bl\u0101n\u0101\u1e41 sphura\u1e47a\u1e41 su\u1e63\u1e6dhu bhavatity-abhipretya s\u0101dhana-kramo likhita\u1e25<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0“For the purification of the heart it is necessary first of all to listen to the chanting of the Holy Name. After the heart has been purified by listening to the Holy Name the fitness for the manifestation of the holy Form is attained on hearing the recital of scriptural accounts of the divine form. After the full appearance of the divine form, the divine qualities manifest themselves. After the appearance of the divine qualities, due to the characteristic traits of servitors, the knowledge of the distinctive and perfect identification of the devotee arises. Subsequent to this, after the full manifestation of the Name, form, quality and servitor has taken place, the transcendental activity of God manifests itself. For this reason this account of the successive stages of sadhana<\/em> is written.” (Krama-sandarbha <\/em>commentary on \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavatam <\/em>7.5.18)<\/p>\n

Therefore, if our contemplation on rasa <\/em>is not born from an attraction to the Holy Name, then we are not qualified to study Bhagav\u0101n\u2019s form, qualities and pastimes. Some may have attained external, mundane perfection in grammar, however, as long as their conduct conflicts with that of realized souls, the topic of the Lord\u2019s r\u0101sa-l\u012bl\u0101 <\/em>will never be grasped by them. For this reason, \u015ar\u012b Gaurasundara has explained n\u0101ma<\/em>–bhajana. <\/em>Along with the taraka-brahma-n\u0101ma<\/em> (the Divine Name that grants deliverance) we find the word \u2018hare<\/em>\u2019 and if one does not understand the primary meaning (vidvad-r\u016b\u1e0dhi<\/em>) of this word, there will be difficulty. Even when we consider the word \u2018r\u0101ma<\/em>,\u2019 many times we are compelled by historical concerns. Repeatedly, allegorical and metaphysical theories, as well as the fictitious notion of imposing human nature upon the Supreme Lord ruin our pure intelligence. Those who lack rahasya-j\u00f1\u0101na <\/em>(knowledge of confidential truths) and try to be an intermediary for dar\u1e63ana <\/em>of R\u0101dh\u0101-Govinda, will finds that knowledge concealed from them. In the mah\u0101-mantra<\/em>, the word \u2018Har\u0101<\/em>\u2019 which denotes V\u0101r\u1e63abh\u0101nav\u012b, becomes the word \u2018Hare<\/em>\u2019 in sambodhan\u0101tmak\u0101-pada<\/em> (the vocative case). In the mah\u0101-mantra<\/em>, the word \u2018R\u0101ma<\/em>\u2019 refers to R\u0101dhik\u0101-rama\u1e47a R\u0101ma in the vocative case. Those who have not achieved the qualification to enter into madhura-rati <\/em>and have not\u00a0 obtained rahasya-j\u00f1\u0101na<\/em> consider that \u2018Hare<\/em>\u2019 is simply the vocative form of Hari. Some even say that the word \u2018r\u0101ma<\/em>\u2019 means \u0101tma-r\u0101ma<\/em> (one who is self-satisfied) and go no further than that.<\/p>\n

To declare that Puru\u1e63ottama alone exists is to present only half of His true identity. Those words that do not express the other half only mislead us. When we are cheated of the conception of a Supreme Divine Couple, we will also reject the idea of the non-difference between \u015baktiman<\/em> and \u015bakti<\/em> (the Potent and the Potency) \u2013 then, whatever small understanding we may already have of Puru\u1e63ottama also degrades, and results in the theory of an impotent God.<\/p>\n

The conception of R\u0101dh\u0101-Govinda is the most complete. Discussions on anugatya-dharma<\/em> towards Puru\u1e63ottama who exists alone can only terminate in v\u0101tsalya<\/em>, sakhya<\/em> and d\u0101sya<\/em>–rasa<\/em> \u2013\u00a0the topic of unnata-ujjvala-rasa<\/em> is not discussed. Direct words such as R\u0101dh\u0101n\u0101tha, R\u0101dh\u0101-rama\u1e47a etc. describe His totality and completeness; words such as Brahman or Param\u0101tm\u0101 can never establish this. All those who traverse through the kingdom of s\u0101dhana-bhakti, <\/em>and then the realm of bh\u0101va-bhakti<\/em> in search of prema-bhakti<\/em> must realise that the topmost pinnacle of prema-bhakti<\/em> is only found in the divine love of V\u0101r\u1e63abh\u0101nav\u012b and nowhere else. Without Her shelter, the j\u012bva<\/em> achieves very little eligibility.<\/p>\n

When we pass over Devi Dh\u0101ma, Viraj\u0101, Brahmaloka, and we cross beyond all the conceptions of opulence found in Paravyoma, as well as the informal moods of friendship and parental affection found in Goloka, situated in our eternally perfect spiritual identity and familiar with the topics of R\u0101dh\u0101-rama\u1e47a, then our qualifications will be so great that we will consider ourselves extremely fortunate and our service shall rise to the zenith of perfection. This cannot simply be called \u2018realisation,\u2019 or aparok\u1e63a-anubh\u016bti. <\/em>It is not the aparok\u1e63a-anubh\u016bti<\/em> described by the j\u00f1\u0101n\u012bs<\/em>. This thing is an extraordinary affair called mohana <\/em>and madana<\/em>. These things are known as udgh\u016br\u1e47\u0101<\/em>, citra-jalpa<\/em> and mah\u0101-bh\u0101va.<\/em> Presently we reside within our gross bodies, which present many obstacles for us \u2013 even the sensitivity of our subtle bodies causes us problems. If the pursuit of our soul is without the unhindered and incessant shelter of V\u0101r\u1e63abh\u0101nav\u012b, then we will never find it. Thus, taking the dust from the feet of the best of r\u016bp\u0101nugas<\/em>, \u015ar\u012bla D\u0101sa Gosv\u0101m\u012b Prabhu, upon our heads, we earnestly pray:<\/p>\n

\u00a0h\u0101 devi! k\u0101ku-bhara-gadgaday\u0101dya v\u0101c\u0101
\ny\u0101ce nipatya bhuvi da\u1e47\u1e0davad udbha\u1e6d\u0101rti\u1e25
\nasya pras\u0101dam abudhasya janasya k\u1e5btv\u0101
\ng\u0101ndharvike! nija-ga\u1e47e ga\u1e47an\u0101\u1e41 vidhehi<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0“O Goddess G\u0101ndharvik\u0101! Feeling intense distress I fall on the ground like a stick and implore You with many words and in a faltering voice to be merciful to this fool and accept me as one of Your own associates.” (G\u0101ndharv\u0101 Sampr\u0101rthan\u0101\u1e63\u1e6dakam <\/em>2)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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