{"id":5488,"date":"2022-06-24T08:58:22","date_gmt":"2022-06-24T03:28:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/?p=5488"},"modified":"2022-07-05T15:03:39","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T09:33:39","slug":"diksa-names-and-feelings-of-the-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/writings\/krishna-talk-articles\/srila-bhakti-gaurava-narasingha-maharaja\/diksa-names-and-feelings-of-the-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"D\u012bk\u1e63\u0101 Names and Feelings of the Heart"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is sometimes suggested that the \u2018heart\u2019 is the most reliable instrument to measure the plane of Divinity. This statement can certainly be taken as true, provided the heart is not troubled by anarthas<\/em> (such as envy, lust, anger, and greed etc.).<\/p>\n

The sentiments (love, affection, attachment and so forth) that are sometimes expressed for guru and the name he has given us at the time of hari-n\u0101ma-d\u012bk\u1e63\u0101<\/em> are undoubtedly feelings from the heart. Seeing that another godbrother or devotee has received a name change after coming in contact with a \u015bik\u1e63\u0101-guru<\/em> sometimes causes trouble in our mind and creates a strange feeling in our heart also. We may feel that, \u201cWhy has his name changed? \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da gave him that name, so what is the use of giving another name?\u201d This manner of thinking and feeling in the heart is certainly understandable, yet we might be wrong.<\/p>\n

We may feel that it is wrong, but indeed it may be right. While still conditioned by material nature even our own heart might lie to us \u2013 our own heart may cheat us! Therefore, as far as possible we should try to understand spiritual subject matters regarding our feelings toward our guru and the feelings that others have toward their guru from the standpoint of \u015b\u0101stra<\/em>, s\u0101dhu<\/em> and guru. These three will not cheat us!<\/p>\n

Guru, s\u0101dhu<\/em>, and \u015b\u0101stra<\/em> agree that vaidhi-bhakti<\/em> (if practiced without offense) will purify the heart of all unwanted dirty things. After the stage of anartha-niv\u1e5btti<\/em> (purification of the heart) is achieved one comes to the stage of ni\u1e63\u1e6dh\u0101<\/em> (fixed-up). Then ruci<\/em> (a sweet taste for the truth) is established in the heart and then the stage of asakti<\/em> (real attachment for the goal of our life) and then the stage of bh\u0101va<\/em> (the dawn of the hearts pure sentiment in love of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a) is achieved. The feelings of bh\u0101va<\/em> (heart-felt sentiments) are considered by great saints, devotees and the \u015b\u0101stra<\/em> to be free from mundane influence. Still in the case of Bharata Mah\u0101r\u0101ja, he fell down (to mundane feelings) even after reaching the stage of bh\u0101va<\/em>. So one must not stop even there (bh\u0101va<\/em>). Mah\u0101prabhu has said, prema pum\u0101rtho mah\u0101n<\/em>. Love of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a (prema<\/em>) is the fifth and ultimate goal of life \u2013 the be-all and end-all of existence.<\/p>\n

The sentiments generally expressed by neophyte devotees toward their guru are almost always ruled by mundane consciousness \u2013 not by bh\u0101va<\/em>. One may argue \u2013 but my guru saved me from this material life and that is my sentiment. Yes, that is true but we are not for mukti-bh\u0101va<\/em> either. We are for \u015buddha-bhakti<\/em> (pure devotion) and thus when our real sentiment awakes for \u015ar\u012b Guru (from a purified heart) it will awaken in relation to the sentiments (sth\u0101y\u012b-bh\u0101vas<\/em>) of neutrality, servitude, friendship, paternal, or conjugal love depending on the subjective (apr\u0101k\u1e5bta<\/em>\/transcendental) plane of \u015ar\u012b Guru in rasa<\/em> connection with K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. Simply to appreciate \u015ar\u012b Guru from the objective (pr\u0101k\u1e5bta<\/em>\/mundane) world of this temporary reality is dangerous. Those who do are all too often found to commit apar\u0101dha<\/em> to other Vai\u1e63\u1e47avas. Due to their mundane vision of \u015ar\u012b Guru they tend to project material differences between elevated souls (d\u012bk\u1e63\u0101<\/em> and \u015bik\u1e63\u0101-gurus<\/em>).<\/p>\n

We have mentioned here \u2018bh\u0101va\u2019<\/em> several times. No doubt \u2018bh\u0101va\u2019<\/em> has become a buzz word. Nonetheless the science of bhakti<\/em> cannot be changed just because a certain section of devotees are slow to catch up with the subject. As the readers may know, there are three classifications of bhakti<\/em>: namely prema-bhakti<\/em>, bh\u0101va-bhakti<\/em> and s\u0101dhana-bhakti<\/em>. Each of these stages has further divisions.<\/p>\n

Prema-bhakti<\/em> has two main divisions namely vaiku\u1e47\u1e6dha-prema<\/em> and goloka-prema<\/em>. Goloka<\/em>\u2013prema<\/em> further unfolds as sneha, mana, pra\u1e47aya, r\u0101ga, anur\u0101ga, bh\u0101va<\/em>, and mah\u0101bh\u0101va<\/em>. (See Bhakti-ras\u0101m\u1e5bta-sindhu<\/em> and Ujjvala-n\u012blama\u1e47i<\/em>) Unfortunately, in our contemporary times, prema<\/em>\u2013bhakti<\/em> is more or less considered to be a myth.<\/p>\n

Bh\u0101va-bhakti<\/em> has five primary divisions and seven secondary divisions. \u015a\u0101nta-rati, d\u0101sya-rati,<\/em> sakhya-rati, v\u0101tsalya-rati<\/em>, and m\u0101dhura-rati<\/em> are primary. H\u0101sya, karu\u1e47a, raudra, v\u012bra, bhay\u0101naka<\/em>, b\u012bbhatsa<\/em>, and adbhuta<\/em> are the seven secondary divisions. (See Bhakti-ras\u0101m\u1e5bta-sindhu<\/em>, and M\u0101dhurya-kadambin\u012b<\/em>) However, bh\u0101va-bhakti<\/em> is now synonymous with sahajiy\u0101ism<\/em> by those who do not understand the science of devotion, and anyone mentioning \u201cgop\u012b-bh\u0101va<\/em>\u201d is subject to a \u2018witch hunt.\u2019<\/p>\n

S\u0101dhana-bhakti<\/em> has two main divisions namely vaidhi-bhakti<\/em> and r\u0101g\u0101nuga-bhakti<\/em>. Unfortunately r\u0101g\u0101nuga-bhakti<\/em> has been labelled a sin and vaidhi-bhakti<\/em> has been shot in the foot with the gun of Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava apar\u0101dha<\/em>, which has duplicity, malice, hatred, envy, foolishness and mundane sentiments as its six bullets. Thus, from the very beginning (vaidhi-bhakti<\/em>), if one has unfortunately sustained such \u2018bullet wounds.\u2019 there will be no progress in pure devotional service.<\/p>\n

As a result of having committed Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava apar\u0101dha<\/em>, we find that rather than advancing in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness and being absorbed in pure devotional service with the aim of perfecting this human form of life, one becomes absorbed in increasing the anarthas<\/em>. Because one does not become absorbed in pure devotional service (r\u0101g\u0101nuga-bhakti<\/em>), the devotee who carries the weight of offenses becomes absorbed in mundane academia, speculating on the nature of the Absolute Truth, worshiping crystals, practicing reiki; astrology, ghost-busting, hunting for druids, looking for spaceships, alien beings, and preparing for the \u2018Big War\u2019 (Doomsday Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47as). They do this in all earnestness while they chant \u201cHare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a.\u2019 But where does that leave such devotees? Answer \u2013 in need of higher association. Unfortunately, when that association comes, we think it is an alien being and we attack it. This is what \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da used to call \u201cmost unfortunate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Agrahya Prabhu has mentioned in his article \u2018Diksa Names\u2019<\/em> that, \u201cEverything is in \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s books.\u201d This, of course, is a favourite saying amongst the devotees. But is the explanation of why \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b is not directly mentioned in \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em> given in \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s books? No, it is not. So what does it really mean, \u201cEverything is in \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s books\u201d? Everything is in O\u1e40 (A,U,M.) but how to extract it? Everything is in the mah\u0101-mantra<\/em>, but still the guru gives brahma-g\u0101yatr\u012b<\/em>, guru-g\u0101yatr\u012b, gaura-g\u0101yatr\u012b, gop\u0101la-mantra, k\u0101ma-g\u0101yatr\u012b<\/em> and even sanny\u0101sa-mantra<\/em> \u2013 which is a r\u0101ga-m\u0101rga\/gop\u012b-bh\u0101va-mantra.<\/em><\/p>\n

Similarly, the Garu\u1e0da Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> says in the verse, artho ya\u1e43 brahma-s\u016btr\u0101n\u0101m<\/em>\u2026.that the meaning of brahma-g\u0101yatr\u012b<\/em> is given in \u015ar\u012bmad Bhagavatam<\/em>. But how to draw out the meaning of brahma-g\u0101yatr\u012b<\/em> from the sam\u0101dhi<\/em> of Vy\u0101sadeva (\u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em>)? That is the difficulty \u2013 that is, unless one has a \u015bik\u1e63\u0101-guru<\/em>. If \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da had not known that a disciple could eventually need association and instruction from a \u015bik\u1e63\u0101-guru,<\/em> he would not have taken the trouble to explain verses such as Cc. \u0100di<\/em> 1.34-35. Why has \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da so diligently explained the necessity of both d\u012bk\u1e63\u0101<\/em> and \u015bik\u1e63\u0101-gurus<\/em> in his books if such things were superfluous? If these things have no relevance for his disciples he would have simply written, \u201cI am the only way the truth and the light. No one goes to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a except by me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the acceptance of a \u015bik\u1e63\u0101-guru<\/em> has been labelled by many as prostitution. Again I say that the \u015b\u0101stra<\/em>, our \u0101c\u0101ryas<\/em> and the pure Vai\u1e63\u1e47avas are not bound to ditto this misconception. Returning to the old saying \u201cEverything is in \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s books\u201d I would suggest that the critics of the \u015bik\u1e63\u0101-guru<\/em> would do well to study more closely the teachings (books) of \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da and try to get beyond the fact that his divine eminence is no excuse for your neglecting our own necessity or the arrangement of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a for that matter.<\/p>\n

There are examples of accepting \u015bik\u1e63\u0101<\/em> from other than one\u2019s d\u012bk\u1e63\u0101-guru<\/em> and even having one\u2019s name changed. Yes, even after accepting a highly qualified d\u012bk\u1e63\u0101-guru<\/em> (who also gave perfect \u015bik\u1e63\u0101<\/em>) the disciple may only reach perfection after coming under the shelter of a \u015bik\u1e63\u0101-guru<\/em>. One such case is that of Du\u1e25khi K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a D\u0101sa, a disciple of H\u1e5bdaya Caitanya, who after coming to V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana took shelter of J\u012bva Gosv\u0101m\u012b. In time, Du\u1e25khi K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a D\u0101sa was taken into the camp of m\u0101dhurya-rasa<\/em> and J\u012bva Gosv\u0101m\u012b changed his name to \u015ay\u0101m\u0101nanda Prabhu. The details of this story are very sweet and revealing, but space does not permit us that luxury here.<\/p>\n

One should not think one\u2019s self above the instruction of a \u015bik\u1e63\u0101-guru<\/em>. Also, one should not discriminate between the \u015bik\u1e63\u0101-guru<\/em> and the d\u012bk\u1e63\u0101-guru<\/em>, otherwise one commits an offense. (Kavir\u0101ja Gosv\u0101m\u012b and \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da have explained this matter in significant detail in Cc<\/em>, \u0100di-l\u012bl\u0101,<\/em> 1.35)<\/p>\n

In \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s famous speech before the members of the Gau\u1e0d\u012bya Ma\u1e6dha (Bombay), printed in almost every ISKCON Vy\u0101sa-p\u016bj\u0101 book, there is an excellent example of the proper vision one should have of \u015ar\u012b Guru \u2013 free from mundane conception. \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da says, \u201cGuru is one not two\u2026.there can be no difference between your guru and mine. \u2026Guru is appearing in many forms.\u201d<\/p>\n

Our conclusion regarding the \u201cname change\u201d issue is that if the \u015bik\u1e63\u0101-guru<\/em> changes the disciples name this is considered to have been done directly by K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a Himself as there is no difference between the d\u012bk\u1e63\u0101-guru<\/em> and the \u015bik\u1e63\u0101-guru<\/em> \u2013 both are equal manifestations of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. Only our purified heart\u2019s sentiment will confirm this but in the meantime we can accept this as true based on \u015b\u0101stra, s\u0101dhu<\/em>, and guru.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In ‘D\u012bk\u1e63\u0101 Names and Feelings of the Heart’ written in January 1998, \u015ar\u012bla B.G. Narasi\u1e45gha Mah\u0101r\u0101ja answers the question that many ask in regards to \u015bik\u1e63\u0101-gurus and \u201cname changes\u201d amongst previously initiated devotees.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5495,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[100,170],"krishna_talk_article":[213],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5488"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5488"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5488\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5488"},{"taxonomy":"krishna_talk_article","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/krishna_talk_article?post=5488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}