{"id":6197,"date":"2022-09-16T10:09:17","date_gmt":"2022-09-16T04:39:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/?p=6197"},"modified":"2022-09-16T10:09:17","modified_gmt":"2022-09-16T04:39:17","slug":"chapter-3-the-curse-of-tulasi-devi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/writings\/books-pdfs\/prakrta-rasa-aranya-chedini\/chapter-3-the-curse-of-tulasi-devi\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 3 – The Curse of Tulas\u012b Dev\u012b"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pr\u0101k\u1e5bta-rasa \u0100ra\u1e47ya Chedin\u012b \u2013 Cutting the Jungle of Misconception<\/h1><\/div>

Chapter 3 – The Curse of Tulas\u012b Dev\u012b<\/h2><\/div>

by \u015ar\u012bla Bhakti Gaurava Narasi\u1e45gha Mah\u0101r\u0101ja<\/a><\/h3><\/div>\n
\n

Was Tulas\u012b Dev\u012b really cursed by \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b? In this article ‘The Curse of Tulas\u012b Dev\u012b’ by \u015ar\u012bla Narasi\u1e45gha Mah\u0101r\u0101ja, he answers this question and narrates the history of this incident.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Devotee:<\/strong> It is stated in a book, Our Original Position,<\/em> Chapter eight, that \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b cursed Her dear maidservant V\u1e5bnd\u0101-dev\u012b (Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b) to fall down from Goloka V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana to this material world and that this is factual evidence that the j\u012bva<\/em> soul falls from the Lords eternal l\u012bl\u0101. <\/em>Is this correct?<\/p>\n

Narasi\u1e45gha Mah\u0101r\u0101ja:<\/strong> There is a reference in Brahma-vaivarta Pur\u0101\u1e47a <\/em>regarding the appearance of Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b in this material world due to the curse of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b. However, in the writings of the six Gosv\u0101m\u012bs we do not find mention of this pastime. Those sections of the Pur\u0101\u1e47as<\/em> that are important for our advancement in pure devotional service have been selected by the Gosv\u0101m\u012bs<\/em> and they have included those portions in their writings. But we do not find any mention of this so-called curse by our \u0101c\u0101ryas.<\/em><\/p>\n

In most cases the Pur\u0101\u1e47as<\/em> are written for persons in the lower modes of material nature. The events and stories that we find there are mainly to instruct the fallen souls in a general way or to instill fear and reverence in them for divinity.<\/p>\n

Because this narration of the cursing of Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b is there in the Brahma-vaivarta Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> some devotees think that it is a very important pram\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> (evidence) to support the idea of the j\u012bva<\/em> falling from Vaiku\u1e47\u1e6dha. But in fact the narration makes no reference whatsoever to a j\u012bva<\/em> falling from grace. The narration strictly pertains to activities amongst the p\u0101r\u1e63ada<\/em> devotees, eternally liberated souls.<\/p>\n

There are certain activities of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and the Vi\u1e63\u1e47u-avat\u0101ras<\/em> mentioned in the scriptures that may be neglected by the pure devotees due to those activities conflicting with their inner emotions, bh\u0101va.<\/em> For example, there is the disappearance l\u012bl\u0101<\/em> of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a in which He is shot in the heel with an arrow. This is even mentioned in the Bh\u0101gavata Pur\u0101\u1e47a, <\/em>yet the pure devotees do not take pleasure in discussing this final l\u012bl\u0101<\/em> of the Lord. Rather they neglect it.<\/p>\n

There is also a section in the Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a <\/em>which is called Bh\u0101gavata-m\u0101h\u0101tmyam<\/em> wherein the story of Bhakti-dev\u012b and her two dying sons J\u00f1\u0101na and Vair\u0101gya, is narrated. In that M\u0101h\u0101tmyam<\/em> the process of hearing the Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em> in seven days is also recommended (Bh\u0101gavata-sapta\u1e25)<\/em>. Because these things have been mentioned in Pur\u0101\u1e47as<\/em> some devotees have printed this Bh\u0101gavata-m\u0101h\u0101tmyam<\/em> in a small book and they also attempt to hold the Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em> reading in seven days. But our Guru Mah\u0101r\u0101ja (A. C. Bhaktived\u0101nta Sv\u0101m\u012b Prabhup\u0101da) did not care for this Bh\u0101gavata-m\u0101h\u0101tmyam<\/em> because it was not given any mention by the previous \u0101c\u0101ryas.<\/em><\/p>\n

It is a fact that the Pur\u0101\u1e47as<\/em> and many other Vedic literatures present topics other than those of pure devotional service. These topics however, are of no concern to the Gau\u1e0d\u012bya Vai\u1e63\u1e47avas. The \u0101c\u0101ryas<\/em> in our Gau\u1e0d\u012bya tradition are concerned exclusively with pure devotional service and we follow their lead. We are not interested in just any kind of pure devotional service, but pure devotional service in the line of r\u0101g\u0101nug\u0101s,<\/em> spontaneous love following in the footsteps of the residents of V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana. Where such conclusions are found in the Vedas, Pur\u0101\u1e47as,<\/em> etc. the Gau\u1e0d\u012bya Vai\u1e63\u1e47avas whole-heartedly embrace that. Otherwise not.<\/p>\n

The Bh\u0101gavata-m\u0101h\u0101tmyam<\/em> concerns itself mainly with karma-k\u0101\u1e47\u1e0da<\/em> and mok\u1e63a-k\u0101\u1e47\u1e0da<\/em>, material benefit and liberation respectively. Therefore, it has not been given any importance by our \u0101c\u0101ryas<\/em> despite its seemingly being a glorification of the Bh\u0101gavatam. <\/em>The narration regarding the so-called curse of Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b is also in a similar category. It is not given much importance by our \u0101c\u0101ryas<\/em> because the narration does not present the conclusions of pure devotional service. In fact the misconception that \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b could curse Her most affectionate friend to suffer in material existence is indeed disturbing to one who is awake to the loving affairs of vraja-bhakti.<\/em> It is also a fact that such narrations may even be bewildering and detrimental to the progress of one who lacks the sufficient eligibility or adhik\u0101ra <\/em>to understand them.<\/em><\/p>\n

However, the incident of the curse of Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b is not unintelligible for those devotees who have the grace of \u015ar\u012b Guru and the Vai\u1e63\u1e47avas. Our first understanding should be that \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b\u2019s so-called cursing of Her dear-most servant to take birth in this material world was not actually a curse but a benediction. Thus, Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b would be married to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\/Vi\u1e63\u1e47u and also the conditioned souls in material existence would get a chance to associate and serve a pure devotee.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, it must be understood that the drama was carried out under yogam\u0101y\u0101 <\/em>not mah\u0101m\u0101y\u0101. Yogam\u0101y\u0101 <\/em>is the energy of the Supreme Lord that, understanding the transcendental desires of the Lord and His devotees, makes all the necessary arrangements for their pastimes. In the case of m\u0101dhurya-rasa-l\u012bl\u0101<\/em> the yogam\u0101y\u0101<\/em> potency is represented by Paur\u1e47am\u0101s\u012b. In any case mah\u0101m\u0101y\u0101<\/em> has no jurisdiction in the realm of divine l\u012bl\u0101<\/em>.<\/p>\n

K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a appears in this material world through His many expansions such as the Vi\u1e63\u1e47u-avat\u0101ras<\/em> and He even comes Himself as Vrajendra-nandana K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and as \u015ar\u012b Caitanyadeva. And to serve the Lord in His many incarnations His eternal associates also descend to the material world. Such is the case of Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b. It should not be misunderstood that Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b was at anytime under the control of material nature or that she had fallen due to having displeased \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b in Goloka.<\/p>\n

According to \u015ar\u012bla Vi\u015bvan\u0101tha Cakravart\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura, Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b is an expansion of the internal potency of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a known as \u016brj\u0101.<\/em> The internal potency \u016brj\u0101<\/em>, also known as svar\u016bpa-\u015bakti,<\/em> never comes under the influence of m\u0101y\u0101.<\/em><\/p>\n

In Goloka V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b is non-different from the gop\u012b <\/em>named V\u1e5bnd\u0101 who has expanded herself as Tulas\u012b. This V\u1e5bnd\u0101-dev\u012b is herself an expansion of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b and she leads the section of sakh\u012bs<\/em> known as d\u016btika-sakh\u012bs, <\/em>or messengers. In the transcendental pastimes of \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101-Govinda, V\u1e5bnd\u0101-dev\u012b is as dear to \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b as Her own self. V\u1e5bnd\u0101-dev\u012b is just under Vi\u015b\u0101kh\u0101-dev\u012b in importance and intimacy. The love and intimacy that exists between \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b and V\u1e5bnd\u0101-dev\u012b is like a vast ocean of sweetness.<\/p>\n

Actually the forest of V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana is named after V\u1e5bnd\u0101-dev\u012b and it is a fact that she gave this beautiful forest as a gift to \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b. In the field of vraja-bhakti <\/em>it is not possible for the aspiring devotee to enter V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana without first getting the blessings of V\u1e5bnd\u0101-dev\u012b. She is so exalted that she is considered one of the principle Deities of V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana. The feelings of affection that R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b has for V\u1e5bnd\u0101-dev\u012b are wonderful. It is so wonderful that R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b once even made an arrangement for K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and V\u1e5bnd\u0101-dev\u012b to sit together on the same throne during Their pastimes in the forest. At that time \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b arranged for the wedding ceremony of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and V\u1e5bnd\u0101-dev\u012b to be performed.<\/p>\n

V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana is the land of the highest divinity and the sweetest reality. There every word is a song, every step is a dance and the flute is the dear-most companion of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. Kath\u0101 g\u0101na\u1e41 n\u0101\u1e6dya\u1e41 gamanam-api va\u1e41\u015bi priya-sakh\u012b.<\/em> Therefore, the so-called \u2018curse\u2019 of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b, the most exalted Queen of V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana, must be a benediction, not a curse. When we think of a curse we naturally think of a hateful exchange between two individuals. However, in the spiritual world no hateful dealings, or envy exists there.<\/p>\n

R\u0101dh\u0101 and K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s pastimes of love with Their pure devotees cannot be understood by non-devotees, or by persons who are offensive to pure devotees. First we must become favorable in accepting the guidance and blessings of pure devotees, then we can have a correct understanding of the position of Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b and how she has come here. But if we think that \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b has hatefully cursed Her dear-most servant then we must ourselves be possessed of a hateful mentality.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cPr\u0101k\u1e5bta-rasa \u0100ra\u1e47ya Chedin\u012b \u2013 Cutting the Jungle of Misconception\u201d is a compilation of twenty-one articles written in the later 90\u2019s and early 2000s by \u015ar\u012bla B.G. Narasi\u1e45gha Mah\u0101r\u0101ja. This book exposes various philosophical misconceptions that are prevalent within the Gau\u1e0d\u012bya Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava world at present, and establishes the proper understanding according to guru, s\u0101dhu and \u015b\u0101stra.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6169,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[216],"tags":[206,217],"krishna_talk_article":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6197"}],"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=6197"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6197\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6197"},{"taxonomy":"krishna_talk_article","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/krishna_talk_article?post=6197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}